The RSPB and Saving Devon's Treescapes need volunteers to assist with cirl bunting monitoring - expert training will be given - details below:
As you know, an important part of the project is to monitor some key species through citizen science survey work. We are happy to be working with the RSPB to support the cirl bunting project (Cirl Bunting Conservation Project - The RSPB). The cirl bunting remains rare in the UK because of habitat degradation, but its population has been recovering thanks to conservation work concentrated in Devon. The cirl bunting relies on hedgerows and scrub for nesting and foraging, and therefore is a species of interest to Saving Devon’s Treescapes – our work to improve treescapes, particularly the addition of trees to hedgerows, will provide more suitable habitat for cirl buntings, into which we hope they will expand their range.
You can help by becoming a surveyor and taking part in the cirl bunting annual monitoring. You can find out more about the role here: Surveyor (Not on a Reserve) (Cirl Bunting Annual Monitoring South West) | RSPB Volunteering. If you want to sign up as a surveyor, then you’ll need to apply via the RSPB website.
The RSPB will also be holding two training days in Devon this spring to help you gain experience of cirl buntings and how to identify them by both sight and sound. You will be shown how to mark your sightings onto a survey map. Training will be provided by experienced cirl bunting surveyors who will be able to answer any questions. This should give you the skills and the confidence needed to take part in this annual survey. All you need is a pair of binoculars and a love of being outside looking at birds!
The training events will be taking place as follows:-
0930 Saturday 30 April at Labrador Bay, near Teignmouth (meeting in Labrador Bay car park)
1000 Saturday 7 May at Southdown Farm, near Salcombe (meet at NT Rangers Office, Southdown Farm, TQ7 3DU).
Places are limited, and booking is essential and is managed by RSPB. Please email cirlbunting@rspb.org.uk to request a place. RSPB will respond to confirm your booking and provide further details in due course.
Keep an eye on our project webpage to keep up to date with what is going on: Saving Devon's Treescapes | Devon Wildlife Trust. In May we’ll be launching the Devon Bat Survey again, and we’ll have some tree identification walks and talks organised soon too.
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