BANDING ASSISTANTS (3), FORAGING OBSERVATIONS BIRDER (1), POINT COUNT BIRDER (1), AND VOLUNTEERS (3-4) NEEDED to help with graduate student research on urban and suburban stopover sites of migratory birds in New York City. Banding assistants band/bleed birds from sunrise until 4 hours after sunrise 4-5 mornings per week from April 7 – May 25. Foraging observations birder observes 4 plots near the banding site for 1 hour each on the same mornings that we band. Point count birder records all species seen and heard at 4 points along a transect for 10 min each on 2 weekday mornings per week. Volunteers survey transects, help record foraging observations data, and may also help with habitat assessment. Field sites are located in Bronx County and Westchester County. REQUIREMENTS FOR BANDING ASSISTANTS: Available for the entire period from April 9 – May 25 (dates slightly flexible), able to provide own transportation, some bird handling/bleeding/banding experience (and strong desire to learn/improve these skills while always putting the safety of the birds first), field experience, and good attitude. REQUIREMENTS FOR FORAGING OBSERVATIONS BIRDER: Available for the entire period from April 9 – May 25 (dates slightly flexible), able to provide own transportation, bird identification skills, ideally some plant identification skills, field experience, and good attitude. REQUIREMENTS FOR POINT COUNT BIRDER: Available most weekday mornings before 9 am between April 9 – May 25 (dates slightly flexible), able to provide own transportation, strong bird identification skills, field experience, and good attitude. REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS: Available most mornings from April 9 – May 25, able to provide own transportation, ideally some bird/plant/insect identification skills (or strong desire to learn), ideally some field experience, and good attitude. I CAN OFFER IN RETURN: Lots of field experience in a laid-back setting. Former field assistants have gone on to graduate school as well as to more permanent field positions. These positions are great opportunities to gain experience in the fields of conservation biology, urban ecology, and field ornithology. For banding assistants and the foraging observations birder, I will provide a $500 honorarium at the end of the season. For the point count birder, I will provide a $250 honorarium at the end of the season. Candidates who can provide their own housing are preferred. TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter outlining relevant experience, and contact information for 3 references via e-mail to Rachel Bricklin, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University (bricklin AT fordham.edu). Please indicate whether you are applying for a banding assistant, birder, or volunteer position.
-- Rachel B. Bricklin Ph.D. Candidate in Biology Department of Biological Sciences Fordham University Bronx, NY
