Be the next Bill Oddie! Careers in ornithology If you are a keen birdwatcher and like working outdoors, a career in ornithology may appeal. Michelle Rushton went twitching to find out more.

Byline: Michelle Rushton

What does a career in ornithology involve?

Ornithologists study the behaviour, ecology, classification, physiology and conservation of birds. They can be involved in fieldwork and research, conservation and habitat management, and consultancy and education.

Day to day, their work involves conducting surveys, monitoring bird species in a particular habitat, tracking bird movements and biological processes and collecting, analysing and evaluating data.

They can also work as a warden or officer at a nature reserve, ringing station or observatory.

What personal skills do you need?

You need to be interested in observing and identifying birds, and be enthusiastic about wildlife conservation.

You must be physically active, and prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions, sometimes in remote, isolated locations.

You should be able to work alone or as part of a team, with good interpersonal skills, as well as having good analytical, IT and mathematical skills, with the ability to produce clear reports.

What training do you need?

It helps if you have a degree or postgraduate qualification in subjects such as biology, ecology, environmental biology, zoology or biological science.

To get onto a degree course you would usually need at least five GCSEs including maths and a science subject and two A levels, preferably in maths, biology or statistics.

You can also do relevant BTEC HNDs and foundation degrees at some colleges and universities.

As a bird warden you would need to have a British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) 'A' permit and experience as a birdwatcher.

The BTO offers various courses including short and residential courses in bird survey techniques and bird ringing.

You can also gain experience by becoming a volunteer warden with organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) or BTO.

What are the opportunities for career progression?

You could be employed as an ornithologist by observatories, ringing stations, nature reserves, some local authorities, charities, wildlife trusts and some private conservation organisations.

Alternatively, you could become a research officer working on projects with organisations such as the RSPB, BTO or the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

What is the salary?

(Rough guideline).

Wardens can earn up to pounds 18,000 a year, whereas research fieldworkers can earn around pounds 20,000 and senior ornithologists can earn between pounds 20,000 to pounds 35,000 a year.

More information

BTO, www.bto.org

RSPB, www.rspb.org.uk

British Ornithologists Union, www.bou.org.uk

Bird Observatories Council, www.birdobscouncil.org.uk

Details provided for information only. Jobs not necessarily available.

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