Blogger: Annie Sadler, Volunteering Development Officer

I love taking part in the RSPB’s beached bird survey!  Who wouldn’t?  It’s a great excuse to get out on the coast, feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin.  Believe it or not, every year, for the seven years I have volunteered for this, it has been sunny, even in February! 

  

This important international survey is held on the last weekend of February every year. All we ask people to do is walk a short stretch of the local coastline looking for oiled and dead seabirds, and any other evidence of oiling.  This is then recorded on a sheet and sent to the RSPB regional office to be collated with all the other UK data at HQ.  Simples! 

All you need is basic seabird identification skills and the ability to walk along your local coastline.  You will receive a report of the UK’s previous year’s results when you are asked to repeat your survey the following year. 

I am happy to report that the part of the coast I monitor has always been free of oil – fantastic!  I cover Sheringham – West Runton in Norfolk and it’s always a delight to walk this stretch of the coastline.  Not quite as delightful but very interesting is to see the erosion of the cliffs – this year sand was literally streaming off the cliffs, whipping gently into my face, but revealing fascinating layers and history beneath. 

With the golden sun glistening on the sea making you feel glad to be alive and at the same time knowing you are doing something useful for nature, this is one of my favourite volunteering roles.  So why not join in and walk a piece of coastline?  It’s not too late to take part on this year’s survey. 

Watch this space for this year's results. Why not take in a breath of fresh air like me this weekend? You could always visit your nearest RSPB reserve on the way home and sample the local chip delights after your stomp along the beautiful East coast!