SKOMER Island is inviting applications for two distinct volunteer roles: long-term volunteers and seabird-monitoring volunteers.
The long-term volunteering positions last for three months and offer an opportunity to gain hands-on conservation experience on “one of the most important seabird islands in Britain.” The island’s team explains: “You’ll learn valuable monitoring skills with seabirds as well as a range of other taxa. You’ll also gain practical conservation skills and help us in welcoming over 25,000 visitors during the season.”
There are three long-term roles available in 2026:
- Long-term volunteer 1: Saturday, 28 March – Saturday, 4 July
- Long-term volunteer 2: Saturday, 25 April – Saturday, 1 August
- Long-term volunteer 3: Saturday, 4 July – Wednesday, 30 September
Applications for these positions close at 23:59 on 31 January.
The seabird-monitoring volunteer role runs from Saturday, 23 May to Monday, 22 June and focuses on supporting busy seabird counts. Volunteers will gain experience counting seabirds from both land and boat, while contributing to the annual Manx Shearwater census. The island’s team said: “You’ll be learning to count seabirds both from land and by boat and help us undertake our annual Manx Shearwater census.”
Applications for this role close at 23:59 on 28 February.
For those curious about what each season entails, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales outlines on its website: “In spring, the focus is on our breeding seabirds – so that’ll mean puffin counts and assisting with boat counts of seabird species. In summer, the focus moves to chick productivity, whilst in autumn the focus of our work is on grey seal monitoring and some of our other species, including Skomer voles, reptiles, cetaceans and moths. Otherwise, you’ll get a similar experience in any position.”
The organisers acknowledge the potential financial burden of volunteering and strive to make it accessible. “We understand the financial pressures of volunteering and try and make it as cost-effective as possible,” they said.
To help achieve this, Skomer Island offers free accommodation, travel expenses (including parking), and a training budget for long-term volunteers. “Training provided will vary depending on the time of year, however may include a brushcutter or first aid course,” they added.
Additionally, volunteers may be eligible for a £400 bursary from the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer upon completing a report, which will feature in the organisation’s newsletter.
For further details on the available roles and the application process, visit the Skomer Island website.
