Host Organisation: Field Projects International
Course Dates: Dec. 26 - Jan. 7 (2 weeks) OR Dec. 26 - Jan 13 (3 weeks)
Location: Cusco & Madre de Dios, Peru
Application Deadline: November 6
Course Link: https://fieldprojects.org/course/amazon2andes/
Course Description:
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the decline of avian
populations,
primarily due to habitat loss and climate change. Bird surveys give us
information on
avian population dynamics and habitat quality to assist us in making
conservation
decisions to reverse, or at least stem, this decline. The Amazon rainforest is
one of the
richest regions in the world in terms of bird species; more than 1000 species
have been
reported there, including 256 endemic species. Going west from the Amazon are
the
mighty Andes mountains, one of the world’s most important biodiversity
hotspots. This
course will take place at sites in three major ecosystems: the Los Amigos
Biological
Field Station in terra firme Amazonian forests, the Inkaterra Field Station in
flood-plain
forests, and an additional option to visit the Wayqecha Biological Field
Station, in cloud
forest.
Course Highlights:
-Explore two of the most biodiverse areas in the world for avifauna – the
lowland
Amazon rainforest (palm swamp and terra firme forests) and the Andean cloud
forests
of Peru.
-Climb a 60-foot tower in the lowland rainforest to get a birds-eye view of
rainforest
canopy at Los Amigos.
-Hike over a quarter of a mile on the iconic Inkaterra Rainforest Canopy
Walkway, 98
metres above the ground.
-Explore the cloud forest from a 146-metre long canopy walkway, stretched
between
four towers at Wayqecha.
-Conduct a mist-netting survey of birds in the lowland Amazon rainforest.
-Explore a variety of ecosystems- oxbow lakes, riverine successional forests,
and
aguajal or palm swamps in the lowland field site. For an additional bonus, stay
on for a
week to get see an entirely different ecosystem and avian community in the
cloud
forests of the Andes
-Optionally stay on after the field course in Cusco to explore iconic
archaeological sites
such as Machhu Picchu.
Course Topics:
This course will provide you with basic field skills as well as in-depth
exposure to the
conservation and ecology of the diverse avifauna and habitats of Peru. These
include:
-Maintenance of an up-to-date field journal
-Identification of bird species (up to 200 unique species in prior field
courses)
-Upkeep of detailed and accurate bird sightings lists
-Using point counts and line transects to survey birds
-Mist-netting techniques and the possibilities of sampling from birds
-Radio telemetry for tracking birds
-In-depth case-studies of the Military Macaw on the coast of Jalisco in
Mexico
-Bird community composition across an Andean tree-line ecotone
-Evolution of feathers, flight, and migration
-Conservation: case of studies and strategies
Faculty:
Sylvia de la Parra, PhD, is a Mexican biologist who studied at the Universidad
Autónoma
de Sinaloa. Her research is focused on the ecology and conservation of
threatened
parrots and neotropical birds. In particular, her research aims to acquire a
better
understanding of the processed involved in habitat, food, and nest site
selection by
threatened military macaws (Ara militaris).
Roberto Salazar, MSc, is a freelance ornithologist based in Mexico City, with
nine years
experience in bird monitoring both in Mexico and the United States. His
master’s thesis
focused on population density and habitat preferences of the West Mexican
Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala), and has since taught avian biology and
ecology, as
well as ornithological field methods, with Operation Wallacea.
Eligibility:
-You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the course.
-You must have medical insurance, and provide proof of such insurance to us to
complete your reservation.
-We have no citizenship requirements. Anyone is welcome to apply. You must
obtain
visas independently if necessary.
-You do not need any training in biology – our course is structured to
accommodate
people from a variety of backgrounds.
-Courses have a maximum capacity of 12 participants. If you are concerned that
you
will lose your spot, please contact us to confirm how many spots we have left.
Program Costs:
The fee for this course depends on whether you choose the two-week or
three-week
option. For two weeks it is $2500 and for three weeks the fee is $3200, and
includes
the following:
-Food and lodging for the entire course.
-Transportation from Puerto Maldonado to Los Amigos and back, and the same for
Inkaterra.
-If you choose to take the 3-week course, you will also be transported from
Cusco to
Wayqecha and back.
-Experienced instructors and field equipment.
This course fee does NOT include:
-International travel to and from Puerto Maldonado, Peru.
-Local flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco.
-Travel or health insurance (proof of health insurance is required for course
attendance).
-Rubber boots, binoculars, flashlight and insect repellent (all of which are
required to
take this course).
Student Aid:
Scholarships
This year, we are offering two scholarships to attend this course, one
targeting a
Peruvian citizen and the other open to applicants of other nationalities. For
the
application details please visit our scholarship page,
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/scholarships/
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Support:
FPI can now provide a peer-to-peer crowd funding platform for all field course
students. You will be able to make your own fundraising page to share with your
contacts and social networks. At the end of the fundraising period, FPI will
issue a
discount code to you for 100% of the funds that you have raised. You would then
enter
this code as you make your final course payment. If you raise enough to cover
all (or
part) of your initial reservation fee, you would be refunded that portion as
well. https://fieldprojects.org/participate/peer-to-peer/
Course Dates: Dec. 26 - Jan. 7 (2 weeks) OR Dec. 26 - Jan 13 (3 weeks)
Location: Cusco & Madre de Dios, Peru
Application Deadline: November 6
Course Link: https://fieldprojects.org/course/amazon2andes/
