Volunteers needed for Batumi Raptor Count 2021

Volunteer counters are needed for the Batumi Raptor Count (BRC) autumn season, which runs from 12 August until 21 October 2021.

BRC is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated raptor-watchers to serve as count co-ordinators and together be the backbone of the team for the entire autumn season. Count co-ordinators are integral to the soul of the BRC, overseeing the daily operation of the stations and helping to ensure the quality of the data collected.

The job will be to ensure not only that BRC monitoring protocols are followed and that all data is recorded correctly and timely in the tablets, but also to manage the volunteers to ensure consistent and uniform coverage of the stations.

Hundreds of thousands of eagles, buzzards, harriers, hawks and other birds migrate through the famous bottleneck of Batumi each autumn, where they are meticulously counted by volunteers (Batumi Raptor Count).

The team of co-ordinators is also expected to encourage and sometimes participate in social events, to contribute to a good atmosphere for all involved, and to participate in PR-related activities. You must be ready to put in long hours and to lead by example, ready to pitch in to help carry out whatever tasks are required to ensure the quality of the count. Count co-ordinators will give, with support from the BRC team, several presentations to help counters to identify species such as harriers or eagles.

Volunteers must ideally be willing to commit to working with BRC for the entire selected period from 12 August-21 October 2021. If unable to commit for the full season, applicants are asked to indicate which half of the season they are available.

Preferably, applicants will have experienced with BRC or other migrant counting/raptor monitoring, as well as speak English and be a social and communicative character. Some experience of identifying Western Palearctic raptor species at distance is needed, as well as computer competency.

Count co-ordinators will be covered for all expenses during their stay, including accommodation and food. Travel costs will be reimbursed up to €350. In addition, co-ordinators will receive a salary of €400 for each half of the season worked.

Find out more about volunteering for BRC at www.batumiraptorcount.org/autumn-count-coordinator.