Seabirders needed! If you can confidently identify the birds in these photographs, you’re just the person that the Volunteer Seabirds at Sea (VSAS) survey and mentoring scheme is looking for!
VSAS puts volunteer surveyors on Scottish ferry routes to collect data on seabirds (and cetaceans, and Basking Sharks, and any other marine megafauna that you’re lucky enough to see). The surveys are carried out by volunteers with all ranges of experience, with experienced mentors surveying alongside less experienced volunteers who can develop their skills on the job. The Surveys use the ESAS data standard and if you’re keen to learn more, you can come along to one of SOC/JNCC’s FREE training courses! Those attending mentor training courses will receive free accommodation and food will be subsidised to the value of £20 per day, for the three day course. If you need any more persuading, training courses running from Tarbert have recorded Long-tailed skua, Balaearic shearwater, Leach’s petrel, Iceland gull, White-tailed eagle, Hen harrier, the west coast geese, seaduck, divers, grebes, otters, cetaceans, and regular Calmac breakfasts. What more could you want. If you’d like to take part on a course running in the first week of March, contact Mark Lewis by email.
