BANDING ASSISTANTS (3), FORAGING OBSERVATIONS BIRDERS (1-2), AND VOLUNTEERS (2-3) 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 August 13 – October 26. Foraging observations birders observe 4 vegetation plots near the banding site for 1 hour each on the same mornings that we band. 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 August 13 – October 26 (dates slightly flexible), able to provide own housing and 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 BIRDERS: Available for the entire period from August 13 – October 26 (dates slightly flexible), able to provide own housing and transportation, bird identification skills, ideally some plant identification skills, ideally some teaching experience (you will be working with volunteers), able to work independently and carefully fill out a data sheet, field experience, and good attitude. REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS: Available most mornings from August 13 – October 26, able to provide own housing and transportation, ideally some bird/plant 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 birders, I will provide a $500 honorarium at the end of the season. 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, foraging observations birder, or volunteer position.
-- Rachel B. Bricklin Ph.D. Candidate in Biology Department of Biological Sciences Fordham University Bronx, NY
