There are currently over 3,000 WeBS volunteer counters and these are coordinated by around 190 volunteer Local Organisers (LOs) who each have responsibility for a WeBS region. Regions can be either counties (or similar) or large complex sites (see map below) and areas around the UK that are currently in need of a new volunteer WeBS Local Organiser are detailed below.
What do WeBS Local Organisers do?
Given the level of variation in the size and nature of WeBS regions, the role of a LO is similarly varied, with no two LOs having exactly the same job. However, we do ask each of our Local Organisers to:
- maintain and, where possible, enhance coverage of waterbodies within their region;
- encourage counters to return their counts on time;
- check and validate counts in their region for possible errors;
- be the first port of call for their counters who have a query about WeBS;
- publicise WeBS in their local area as opportunities allow (e.g. asking for volunteers at bird club meetings, in local newsletters, etc).
For regions where coastal counts take place, we also ask our LOs to check the local high tide times and dates and set an alternative Core Count date if the pre-set date is unsuitable.
For more details about what is expected of our Local Organisers, you can download a copy of the WeBS Local Organiser Role Description (PDF, 1.68 MB).
What skills and experience do WeBS Local Organisers need?
- an understanding of WeBS and its aims;
- a good understanding of WeBS and waterbirds in your local area;
- good written and aural communication skills;
- good organisation skills, with the ability to work to deadlines;
- enthusiasm and motivation for monitoring waterbirds;
- a basic level of computing ability. Familiarity with WeBS Online would be valuable;
- some survey fieldwork experience is preferable but not essential.
Local Organisers are provided with a comprehensive reference handbook explaining the role and the online tools provided to aid WeBS management and are supported by the WeBS Counter Network Organiser. Support is also provided for each other through the Local Organiser Forum and through the Local Organiser Advisory Committee. They are also invited to at least one online meeting per year with other LOs and BTO staff. This role is also part of the wider Regional Network of volunteers, making a big impact for birds, science and people.
The next step...
For more information about any of the below vacancies, please get in touch with the WeBS office at webs@bto.org. If you'd like to apply to become a Local Organiser for one of the vacant regions, please fill out the WeBS LO Application Form (DOC, 120.50 KB) and return it to the WeBS Office at webs@bto.org, who will then be in touch.
Current Vacancies
Southern England
Buckinghamshire - South
An organiser is needed for south Buckinghamshire sites. Many sites are covered and vacant sectors include smaller sites which may be suitable for less experienced surveyors. We are looking for an organiser who can support existing counters and encourage new counters.
Link to Buckinghamshire - South map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 16
Total number of defined count sectors: 31
Harrogate and Yorkshire Dales
An organiser is needed for the Harrogate and Yorkshire Dales region. This region includes a variety of habitats such as rivers, inland waterbodies and reservoirs. There are a good number of counters in the region who will need supporting and coordinating, as well as the opportunity to increase WeBS coverage in the area by identifying and setting up new sectors and attracting new volunteers.
Link to Harrogate and Yorkshire Dales map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 81
Total number of defined count sectors: 144
Hertfordshire (excl. Lee Valley)
An organiser is needed for Hertfordshire, excludng the Lee Valley. Sites mainly include lakes and gravel pits but it is possible that new wetlands could be identified and set up as WeBS sites. There are a good number of counters in the region, so we are looking for an organiser who can support the existing counters and also find new counters who can plug the small number of gaps in the region.
Link to Hertfordshire (excl. Lee Valley) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 12
Total number of defined count sectors: 34
Isle of Wight
A Local Organiser is needed for the Isle of Wight which is a large ranging region covering habitats such as marshlands, estuaries and ponds. There is potential to increase the number of counters as well as the number of sectors so we are looking for an organiser that can support existing counters and increase WeBS coverage in the region, especially coastal habitats.
Link to Isle of Wight map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 3
Total number of defined count sectors: 20
Kent – West
An organiser or organisers are needed for Kent (excluding the north Kent estuaries, Sandwich and Dungeness which are organised separately). Vacant sectors include river stretches, ponds and small lakes which may be suitable for less experienced surveyors, so organisers who can reach and encourage new counters to get involved and assist with obtaining access from private landowners would be ideal.
Link to West Kent map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 28
Total number of defined count sectors: 34
Nene Washes (Cambridgeshire)
Nene Washes is a very small region, comprising of just a handful of sites, which are mostly counted by RSPB staff. Therefore a Local Organiser is needed to keep track of and validate incoming data as well as finding counters to fill a small number of vacant sectors.
Link to Nene Washes (Cambridgeshire) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 4
Total number of defined count sectors: 12
Midlands
Northamptonshire (excl. Nene Valley)
A Local Organiser is needed for the Northamptonshire region to increase coverage and to support existing counters. Sites mainly include reservoirs and lakes but it is possible that new wetlands could be identified and set up as WeBS sites.
Link to Northamptonshire (excl. Nene Valley) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 31
Total number of defined count sectors: 70
Northern England
Cheshire - North
An organiser is needed for Cheshire - North, which mainly includes riverine, lake and quarry sites. There is alot of potential for recruiting new counters and increasing the number of WeBS sites in the region.
Link to the Cheshire - North map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 73
Total number of defined count sectors: 144
Huddersfield/Halifax area (Yorkshire)
An organiser is needed for the Huddersfield/Halifax area. Although this region does not contain any major WeBS sites, it would be helpful to further improve coverage in the area even if remote sites are not counted every month, so we are looking for an organiser who can publicise these sites and support new and existing counters.
Link to the Huddersfield/Halifax map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 34
Total number of defined count sectors: 78
Scotland
Badenoch and Strathspey
The Badenoch and Strathspey region includes a small number of inland lochs. There is a high number of vacant sites in the region, so an organiser is needed who can recruit new counters, as well as oversee counts at these sites (note there may be scope to define new riverine and inland sites).
Link to Badenoch and Strathspey map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 22
Total number of defined count sectors: 33
Forth Estuary – North
An organiser is needed for Forth Estuary –North, which covers from Inverkeithing to Kingsbarns in Fife. High priority sites are located in this region, for which core count visits between counters will need to be coordinated with high tide times. Cooperation is also required between the other Local Organisers who coordinate the rest of the Forth Estuary.
Link to Forth Estuary - North map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 16
Total number of defined count sectors: 29
Harris and Lewis
An organiser is needed for the small Harris and Lewis region. This region has very low WeBS coverage and so a Local Organiser is needed to increase participation in the survey and therefore increase coverage where there are gaps.
Link to Harris and Lewis map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 94
Total number of defined count sectors: 100
Isle of Cumbrae
The small Scottish island, Isle of Cumbrae, is in need of a Local Organiser who can support the existing counters and also increase WeBS activity in the region. This can be done by recruiting new volunteers and increasing the number and variety of sites on the island, as currently all the sites cover coastal habitats, so there is potential for inland sites to be set up.
Link to Isle of Cumbrae map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 96
Total number of defined count sectors: 156
Orkney
An organiser is needed for Orkney islands who knows the area well is needed to support the existing counters and help increase coverage where there are gaps. Knowledge of the local bird species is also favourable for verifying WeBS counts.
Number of vacant count sectors: 95
Total number of defined count sectors: 162
Sutherland (excl. Moray Basin)
An organiser is needed for Sutherland (excluding Moray Basin which is organised separately). There are count sectors that are marked as vacant as they don’t have a monthly counter, but are currently covered once a winter by expeditions arranged by the RAF Ornithological Society. We are looking for an organiser who can further improve coverage in the area, ideally by obtaining monthly coverage for some more of the defined sites, and who can support local and visiting counters.
Link to Sutherland map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 167
Total number of defined count sectors: 179
Uists and Benebecula
An organiser is needed for the small Harris and Lewis region. This region has very low WeBS coverage and so a Local Organiser is needed to increase participation in the survey and therefore increase coverage where there are gaps.
Link to Uists and Benebecula map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 100
Total number of defined count sectors: 116
Wales
Clwyd (coastal)
An organiser is needed for the Clwyd (coastal) region, where sites consist exclusively of coastal habitats. A Local Organiser with knowledge of the area would be ideal and who can support existing counters and advertise the vacant sectors for new volunteers to take on
Link to Clwyd (coastal) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 7
Number of vacant count sectors: 16
Clwyd (inland)
An organiser is needed for Clwyd (inland). Vacant sites include park lakes, ponds and reservoirs which may be suitable for less experienced surveyors. We are looking for an organiser who can support existing counters and encourage new counters.
Link to Clwyd (inland) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 20
Total number of defined count sectors: 29
Channel Islands
Jersey (inland)
There are currently 16 sites on Jersey (not including coastal sites with are covered by the Jersey (coastal) region), with potential for many more to be set up, but there are currently no counters in the area submitting data. Therefore, Jersey (inland) is in need of an enthusiastic Local Organiser who is committed to kick-start WeBS counting in the region once again!
Link to Jersey (inland) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 13
Total number of defined count sectors: 13
Northern Ireland
Dundrum Bay (Down)
Dundrum Bay is a small WeBS region with just 9 sectors covering the area. These are mostly all currently counted, so a Local Organiser is needed to coordinate the counts with the high-tide times and to oversee and validate the WeBS counts as they come in. Some knowledge of wader and estuarine species would be helpful.
Link to Dundrum Bay (Down) map of sites
Number of vacant count sectors: 3
Total number of defined count sectors: 9
Map of WeBS Local Organiser Regions
