General Surveyor; Blue Surveyor - North and North East Scotland

General Surveyor (Small Blue Surveyor - North and North East Scotland)

Available from 04/05/2025 to 28/10/2026

Our Surveyors help us to understand species in their local area and, by extension, across the UK.

At Butterfly Conservation, we want to create a world where butterflies and moths are enjoyed by everyone, forever. We need people to record various species and collect data. This data is used to inform decisions which help to conserve butterflies and moths, both locally and nationally.

You will be (volunteering) with a wide range of people helping us to monitor species in your local environment.

General Surveyor

Varies

Outdoors

To support Butterfly Conservation’s species recording and monitoring projects.

• Conduct regular or ad‑hoc surveys for various species in one or many locations, as requested by our staff or branches
• Identify all species encountered, to the best of your ability (including the use of BC apps such as iRecord Butterflies)
• Seek assistance/advice in identifying species as appropriate

• Ability to identify species, at a level appropriate to the relevant survey or scheme.
• Desire to learn and improve identification skills.
• Understanding of the basic attributes of a biological record.
• Own transport required to access survey locations, if required (this will depend on area and scheme)

• Develop or apply your knowledge of species and the environment.
• Contributing directly to the scientific knowledge base of our butterflies, moths and other taxa in the UK.
• Improve your identification skills.
• Improve your understanding of the distribution and ecology of those species encountered.
• Increase your social circle with like‑minded people, boosting your wellbeing.

The amount of time the role takes will vary according to each scheme. Most people spend a couple of hours a week in this role, but you can do as much or as little as you like. We ask that you commit to a minimum of 6 months in this role and complete training when you start. Children aged 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult whilst volunteering.

If you are aged 16 or 17, your parent may give written permission for you to volunteer alone.