Hawk Counter Position Just Opened – Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) is soliciting for a hawk counter for Sept 1-Nov 30, 2010. Arrival date is August 31, 2010. HBMO is a non-profit volunteer organization with activities focused on fall migration of raptors and other avian species that migrate through southern Ontario, Canada at Holiday Beach Conservation Area (HBCA). The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) administers the HBCA. The HBMO manages a raptor count from a forty-foot tower, a passerine banding station, a raptor banding station, and a saw-whet owl-banding program. Various school groups through ERCA’s educational programs visit the site. To observe HBMO’s setting (count tower, fall totals, max. daily total, migration average timing, 35 yrs data inventory summary, procedure/protocol downloadable PDF) visit HawkCount.org, click on ‘Get Started’, Ontario map, then Holiday Beach.
Duties include: Count ten hours (or less) per day M-F, identify and count migrating eastern raptors using established protocols (online PDF) from a 40-foot tower as well as identify and monitor other passing bird species, record hourly observations and weather conditions on standardized data sheets, work with volunteer seasoned hawk counters, enter daily electronic data into Hawk Migration Association of North America’s (HMANA) HawkCount database (laptop provided), participate in hawk festival activities Sept 11-12, and assist with other similar events on Sept 18-19. The counter is expected to complete a write-up of the season’s activities with a comparison of each raptor species with previous years’ data by December 31, 2010. This report includes tables and perhaps graphs of trends in population changes of raptors at Holiday Beach. Examples of reports are available to use as a guide. Report will be published in the Hawk Migration Association of North America’s (HMANA) journal Hawk Migration Studies HBMO’s newsletter. The Non-raptor season summary is a shorter report and will be published in the newsletter. Skills needed: Previous hawk counting preferred; fundamental ability to identify other bird species by sight and most by sound is fundamental, and familiarity with computer usage critical. Candidate symbolizes the organization’s frontline ambassador to the public. Have evidence of public speaking skills in order to interact with tower visitors and scheduled school groups about HBMO’s purposes, counting activities and bird ID. Applicant must be self-motivated, work independently and enthusiastically, and be in good physical condition to climb the tower and work outside. Applicant must provide: Own motorized transportation (bicycle useful), passport if non-Canadian, binoculars (8.5x40 best), spotting scope, tripod, bedding, laundry, and meals. No pets are allowed. Lodging: From August 31-September 5 accommodations are a single room in a house with shower and cot. A driving of 45 minutes to the tower will be paid. Beginning September 6 the use of a cottage with cooking, heat, shower, but no laundry. It is a 15-minute drive to Tower. The cottage is a very nice place. Stipend: Contractor wages are dependent on experience and range from $800-$1,500 per month in US or Canadian funds. Serious applicants: E-mail a PDF cover letter and resume including two available references that can verify your raptor identification skills and other qualifications. Bob Pettit, redknot(AT)earthlink.net, 734-755-8832. ### Robert (Bob) Pettit, President HBMO 23393 Meadows Ave Flat Rock, MI 48134 734-755-8832 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
