Species on the Edge - Volunteer with us

Scrub clearing work party, near Black beach, Kilninian, Isle of Mull, 26 & 27 April

• What: Join us for a two-day work party, clearing scrub from this slender scotch burnet site.
• When: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th April, 10am - 4pm.
• Where: near Black beach, Kilninian, Isle of Mull
• For more information and to book, contact: [email protected]
• More details:
  • Scotland's Burnet moths are some of the most magnificent and rarest insects in the UK. The Slender Scotch Burnet only occurs on Mull and Ulva, and is a key species of the Species on the Edge programme. Their fragile habitat is being threatened by encroaching cotoneaster, join us to help remove the scrub and learn more about these magnificent day flying moths. We might even see a caterpillar or two!
  • Even if you can only make it for part of either day you are still welcome to attend.
  • Full instructions will be sent to anyone who registers.
  • No previous experience is necessary but please note that the site is steep so the work will be physically challenging.
  • Please bring good boots with ankle support, warm and weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.
  • Tools, gloves and instructions will be provided.

Short-necked Oil beetle training, Islay, 29 April

• What: Join us to learn more about the short-necked oil beetle and how to survey them.
• When: 29 April (time tbc)
• Where: Islay (specific location tbc)
• For more information, contact: [email protected]
• More details:
  • More details coming soon.

Slender Scotch Burnet Work Party, Burg, Isle of Mull, 27 May

• What: The fragile habitat of the rare slender Scotch burnet moth is being threatened by encroaching bracken. Join us to help remove it and learn more about these magnificent day flying moths.
• When: Monday 27 May, 10am – 4pm
• Where: The Burg, Isle of Mull
• For more information and to book, email: [email protected]
• More details:
  • Please email the above address to book your place. You will then receive joining instructions nearer the time.
  • Access to the site will be by a 4x4 in two runs so only 7 places available - booking is essential.
  • No previous experience is necessary but the site is steep so is physically challenging. Please bring good boots with ankle support, warm and weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch. Tools, gloves and instructions will be provided.

Join in on the Scottish Beetle Hunt!

What: Help us conserve the rare short-necked oil beetle by recording any sightings. No prior knowledge is needed to take part, anyone and everyone is encouraged to submit records using the iRecord app (with multiple photos if possible), or to send in details via email to [email protected].

Where: Oil beetles can be found in wildflower-rich grasslands, heathland, and coastal areas. Short-necked oil beetles have only been found in a handful of locations in Scotland: the Isles of Coll, Islay and Tiree (Inner Hebrides), as well as Uist and Barra (Outer Hebrides).

When: March to June

More info: [email protected]

Go the extra mile! If you have a couple of spare hours between now and June and want to more actively help us search for short-necked oil beetles in likely locations in the Hebrides, please contact [email protected]. All training and support will be provided, and no experience is necessary.

We are also looking for volunteers so help us survey our target species and will be providing training opportunities. If you’re interested in getting involved in species surveying, in any of the other opportunities above, or are interested in helping out in any other capacity, get in touch!

Lucy Atkinson, Argyll and Inner Hebrides Project Officer, RSPB: [email protected]

Cathryn Baillie, Argyll and Inner Hebrides Project Officer, Bat Conservation Trust: [email protected]

Elizabeth Peel, Argyll and Inner Hebrides Project Officer, Butterfly Conservation: [email protected]

Sally Morris, Argyll and Inner Hebrides Project Officer, Buglife: [email protected]

If you are interested in volunteering with Species on the Edge on the East Coast, the team would love to hear from you:

Tracy Munro, East Coast Project Officer, Butterfly Conservation: [email protected]

Caitlin McLeod, East Coast Project Officer, Buglife: [email protected]

We’re looking for volunteers to undertake species surveys for us this summer. In particular, we’re looking for people to survey:

• Small blue butterflies

When: late May to early July, on calm, sunny days.

Where: Caithness only - Scrabster, Castlehill and Dunnet.

Training: Online training (including Kidney Vetch surveys) will take place on Wednesday 15^th May, 1-2.30pm, plus field training to be arranged at a suitable time.

• Oysterplant

When: June to September.

Where: along the coast between Armadale and Dunbeath.

Training: Training will take place on Thursday 6^th June, 2 – 3.30pm, at Castlehill, near Castletown in Caithness.

• Scottish primrose

When: May and July/August.

Where: across the North coast.

Training: Training will be provided on an ad hoc basis to suit you.

• Kidney vetch

When: May to July.

Where: Caithness only – Scrabster, Castlehill and Dunnet.

Online training will take place on Wednesday 15^th May, 1-2.30pm (part of the Small Blue butterfly training session), plus field training if required.

If you love being outdoors, are confident walking alone and have a few hours to spare, we would love to hear from you. We can provide you with training on the survey techniques and species identification you’ll need, plus we can reimburse your travel expenses. As a registered volunteer, you’ll also have access to Plantlife’s online members-only talks – a varied and interesting monthly series of seminars.

Please get in touch with North Coast Senior Project Officer, Sarah Bird, for an informal chat if you’re interested in surveying any of these species: [email protected]. Or come along to our Small Blue open day at Castlehill Heritage Centre on Sunday 12^th May, 10:30am – 1pm, to find out more.

We will also be leading guided BeeWalks (bee surveys run by Bumblebee Conservation Trust) in Thurso, Tongue, and Polin. Find out more on the Species on the Edge Upcoming Events page, under the North Coast tab.

If you are interested in any of the above or want to find out more, get in touch with the team:

Sarah Bird, Senior Project Officer, Plantlife: [email protected]

Louise Senior, People Engagement Officer, Plantlife: [email protected]

If you are interested in volunteering with Species on the Edge in the Outer Hebrides or are interested in volunteering at the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival, please get in touch:

Emma Stobart, Outer Hebrides Project Officer, Bumblebee Conservation Trust: [email protected]

Mairi Carrey, Outer Hebrides People Engagement Officer and Festival Coordinator for the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival, Bumblebee Conservation Trust: [email protected]

Bressay Bumblebees Workshop, Bressay, 20 April

• What: Join the Species on the Edge Shetland team and Shetland Amenity Trust for an introduction to Shetland’s bumblebees, their habitats, and to learn how you can help us survey them.
• When: Saturday 20th April, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
• Where: Speldiburn Café, Bressay
• For more information, email: [email protected]
• More details:
  • If the weather allows this event will be outdoors so please wear suitable clothing.
  • Free event. All welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in more opportunities to volunteer with Species on the Edge in Shetland, get in touch with Shetland People Engagement Officer, Gareth Powell: [email protected]

Butterfly Recording Training Day, Borgie Public Hall, 21 June

• What: Join the Species on the Edge Solway Coast team to learn about Dumfries and Galloway’s coastal butterflies, with focus on Northern Brown Argus. The day will include a morning session focusing on NBA identification and survey techniques and an afternoon field trip to Brighouse Bay to see a range of species in the field and practice survey skills.
• When: Friday 21^st June, 9:30am – 3pm
• Where: Borgie Public Hall.
• For further information and to book your place, contact Jack: 07729627311 Email: [email protected]

If you are interested in more opportunities to volunteer with Species on the Edge on the Solway Coast, get in touch:

Liam Templeton, Project Officer, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust: [email protected]

Jack Barton, Project Officer, RSPB Scotland: [email protected]