Plovers in Peril: Volunteers needed to protect beach nesting birds in Norfolk

A call for beach ranger volunteers for the 2023 season! 

The beaches still feel rather chilly on the Norfolk coast, with bubbling calls of wintering waders and skeins of geese still enthralling us and holding our gaze. Very soon though, our beach walks will echo with the chimes of a new tune as other birds start to make their voices heard across our landscapes. Amongst them, my favourite call of all, a soft, rhythmic “toodle-toodle-toodle” will be wending through the air as the charismatic ringed plover start to arrive from their wintering grounds and look to partner up for the season.

It’s early days yet but with some of the richest feeding on offer, the ringed plover can’t waste any time getting back to business in preparation for the months ahead. If they make good choices now and bag themselves a loyal mate and a top territory, the summer ahead may be just that little kinder when the drama of a busy beach begins to unfold.

For now, we are embracing the stillness as nature starts to wake up from the grips of winter but our minds too are on the months ahead and how we can help give these birds the best start to 2023 and perhaps even a breeding season to rival the last!

To do this we need some help.

Ringed plover with chick, South Heacham Beach. Image: Phill Gwilliam.

We are looking for volunteer beach rangers for the upcoming season to help protect, monitor and spread the word about vulnerable beach nesting birds which breed on the sand and shingle beaches between Snettisham and Heacham in Norfolk.

Beach nesting birds like ringed plover and oystercatcher are struggling to find safe places to raise their families on the Norfolk coast for reasons that include a significant rise in visitors to coastal places, habitat loss and sea level rise. In 2021, RSPB launched Plovers in Peril – a partnership project with Wild Ken Hill to halt (and with hope, reverse) the worrying declines we have been seeing in the beach nesting birds breeding on a stretch of beach between Snettisham and Heacham. The project has received vital funding from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation fund to continue this work until 2026 and as beaches become busier, these birds are going to need our help!

What will I be doing?

• You will be a friendly face on the beach, chatting with visitors and nurturing support for beach nesting birds.
• You will be our eyes and ears, helping us to monitor the birds, limiting disturbance to their nests and assisting with site tasks.
• You will help us to gather data that will deepen our understanding of the needs of both people and wildlife, to ensure both can continue to share this special place for years to come.
• You will have opportunities to support us with or lead small project events and contribute directly to project campaigns in any way you feel you can – giving a stronger voice to beach nesting birds.

What skills will I need?

This role will require some key general skills, but a full induction, training and on-going support will be provided.

We would love to hear from you if:

• You have an infectious enthusiasm for nature and the ability to communicate efficiently with people from all walks of life with differing knowledge and interest.
• You are approachable, an active listener and you take a calm and curious approach to addressing opposing viewpoints if they arise - your feathers aren’t easily ruffled!
• You will need to be able to walk reasonable distances on sand and shingle and be happy to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Bird identification and monitoring skills are not essential as full training will be provided but an interest in nature, good observation skills and a keenness to learn is important.
• You are happy to record information using simple forms (training is provided).
• You are happy to work alone, as a pair or as part of a small team.

Your support will help to:

• Provide better on-site protection for vulnerable beach nesting bird species facing global declines.
• Foster a greater awareness of beach nesting birds and the threats they face that will empower all those who explore the Norfolk coast to take positive action - locally and beyond!
• Bring together a community of people are creating change and inspiring action to protect Norfolk’s special wildlife and give them a more secure future.

Why should you volunteer with us?

• Be part of an important species conservation project and make a real difference to a globally declining species.
• Meet people from all walks of life and connect with your local community.
• Develop your engagement skills and empower positive action for local wildlife.
• Fine tune your identification skills for coastal birds and wildlife.
• Develop bird monitoring skills and play an important role in gathering vital data.
• Be a voice for beach nesting birds by contributing to project communications and campaigns.
• Deepen your connection with the special places on your doorstep and the incredible wildlife we share these with.
• Make friends & become part of a supportive team of like-minded people who share the vision that wildlife can thrive alongside us.

This role can at times be a challenging one where the threats facing beach nesting birds can be hard-hitting, but being part of the change they need can also be incredibly rewarding and this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact for nature and the environment from within a supportive team.

Volunteers Phil and Anne looking for new nests. Image Wynona Legg.

As a Species Protection Volunteer you will be contributing to our Saving Nature work programme, so we are able to better protect these key species and their habitats long into the future. We like to think we're a friendly and welcoming team, so you'll have the opportunity to make new friends too.

How to apply

If you think this opportunity might work for you and you are able to spare some time this spring and summer (from 1^st April – 31^st August as a rough guide), then click here or email wynona.legg@rspb.org.uk to find out more.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Plovers in Peril team

Plovers in Peril is a partnership project between RSPB & Wild Ken Hill and has been generously funded by The Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk through their Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation Fund. We have also received generous funding from Natural England to make this work possible. 

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