Guide in the Hide Volunteer
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust - London Wetlands Centre
As a Guide in a Hide primarily in our Headley Hide, you will be the point of contact in engaging visitors of all ages and backgrounds, using your good knowledge to point out birds and wildlife of key interest and providing identification tips.
At WWT London Wetland Centre we want to ensure that our visitors receive a warm, friendly welcome to ensure they have a memorable visit. As a Guide in a Hide primarily in our Headley Hide, you will be the point of contact in engaging visitors of all ages and backgrounds, using your good knowledge to point out birds and wildlife of key interest and providing identification tips. You’ll need to be equally at ease interacting with groups of children and families as you are talking to adult birders and photographers, inspiring everyone to support us as members of the WWT. You’ll also let us know of any new sightings and help us by undertaking some basic tasks to keep the hides presentable for our visitors. This role involves: - Providing a warm welcome to all visitors who come to the hides. - Helping visitors locate and observe birds of interest birds and learn how to bird-watch: showing how to use the scopes and binoculars, and how to look for and distinguish bird features. - Attending briefing sessions and familiarising yourself with events, activities, sightings and developments at the centre so that you can provide up-to-date information to our visitors and promote forthcoming events and activities - Recording notable sightings on the Hide sightings board (or encourage visitors do it as part of an interactive experience) and notify the Reserve team or Duty Manager where appropriate. - Helping keep a tidy hide (basic housekeeping - sweeping, litter-picking, wipe sills/seats, dust rafters to remove cobwebs) and report any damages. - Topping up bird feeders as needed in the Headley Hide. - Seasonally, being in cold spaces for periods of time, for which we will provide warm uniform, including coats.
Advice, Information & Support,Environmental
Conservation, People Skills
This role will suit you if: You have a positive, friendly, warm and friendly manner, are a good communicator and are committed to delivering excellent customer service to a wide variety of visitors, especially our younger and first-time visitors. You’ll have a real interest in and enthusiasm for WWT’s work, nature and the outdoors and can share this with others of all ages. -You’ll have a good knowledge of UK bird species and other wetland wildlife to answer visitor questions, and be confident at using bird watching optical equipment, assisting visitors in doing so. Having your own telescope and binoculars would be useful, but is not essential. You’ll be happy to undertake some basic maintenance and cleaning tasks to help maintain our high standards across the site. While we are close-working team, the ability to work flexibly in a team of staff and volunteers, and under your own initiative is also needed.
Why you'll love volunteering at WWT: - Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world - Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers -Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake... - Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family - Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships - Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life
We ask for a regular commitment but will accommodate preferred days/times where possible.
SW13 9WT
WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth Walk, London
WWT London Wetland Centre is situated close to central London, on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes. It is easily accessible by private and public transport and is close to both Barnes and Barnes Bridge rail stations. Buses from Barnes rail station, Putney Bridge and Hammersmith tube stations stop at the Red Lion Pub on Castlenau, just a 5 minute walk to the Centre. Our address is Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT.
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