A JOB with a view - and free accommodation - is being advertised for a warden to live on the site of a nature reserve near Walney.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is recruiting a warden to live on Foulney Island to oversee the breeding season.

Foulney Island is perhaps best known for its breeding terns which travel vast distances to nest on the island's shingle banks.

Arctic, common and little tern all breed here. Other breeding birds include ringed plover, oystercatcher, eider, skylark and meadow pipit.

A warden is resident during the breeding season to monitor and protect the birds.

In autumn and winter, curlew, dunlin, knot and oystercatcher may be seen in thousands and great-crested grebe, red-breasted merganser, cormorant and common scoter are frequently present offshore.

The warden vacancy describes how the position pays a salary of around £19,000 a year and even includes free accommodation.

A fully-equipped caravan has been placed on site in prime position to keep a close eye on the terns.

The warden is able to book off time off the island when another warden will come and cover the site.

The job description states: "This exciting role will see you responsible for one of the most important tern nesting colonies in the North West.

"Responsibilities of the post include monitoring breeding terns, waders and ducks, carrying out nest protection duties and producing an end of season report.

"Good communication skills and knowledge of coastal birds are therefore essential.

"Previous warden experience is desirable but not essential."

Foulney Island is also a great place to find specialist plants.

The vegetated shingle of the island is internationally important with sea-kale, sea campion and yellow horned-poppy all specially adapted to survive where fresh water is scarce.

Sea-purslane, sea-lavender and glasswort thrive in the saltmarsh.

Foulney Island is formed entirely of pebbles that were brought from the Lake District to the coast by glaciers during the last ice age.

Once a true island, Foulney Island is connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway built in the 19th century to prevent the Walney Channel from silting up.

Vehicles are not allowed on Foulney and at high tide the island is cut off from the mainland.

To get to the island stop about a quarter of the way across the Roa Island causeway and park in the small car park on the left hand side.

From here a path takes you alongside the stone causeway onto Foulney Island.