Nature Travel Specialists

Canada Wildlife Volunteer & Research Travel

BIRD BANDING ASSISTANT– Duration: /Fall seasons (September 1 – October 31). Job Type: Contract. Job Description: Cypress Hills Landbird Monitoring Project– Summary: The Calgary Bird Banding Society is a non-profit research organization conducting the third year of a landbird monitoring project at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Alberta. An assistant bander is required to assist in operating a passerine and Northern Saw-whet Owl migration monitoring station. A qualified candidate is expected to have an interest in ageing, sexing, banding, and mist-netting eastern and western North American passerines although experience is not required. Data quality control and data entry are among duties required alongside banding. Public and educational demonstrations will be requested by CHIP interpretive staff on a periodic basis. The stations will be open every day weather permitting.
This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience handling and banding western North American birds. Compensation: $1200/month for assistant with housing provided courtesy of the Cypress Hills Provincial Park in the town of Elkwater. Canadian applicants only at this time. To Apply:
Email cover letter and resume (include references) outlining qualifications to YOUSIF ATTIA (EM: cypresshillsmigration AT gmail.com) with “CHIP Assistant Bander Position” in the subject line.

EXPERIENCED PASSERINE BANDERS (2) needed for fall migration-monitoring project at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada. One can expect to catch a good variety of warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, vireos and thrushes; even the odd northern rarity at this small 14-net Station.
Banders must have experience extracting birds from mist-nets, as well as handling and identifying passerines. Positions involve daily banding, data entry and minor net maintenance. One five-week position to start near the end of August, one four-week position to start around September 1st. Accommodation provided at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre (URL:
http://www.huntsmanmarine.ca) and successful applicants will be eligible for a $300/week stipend. Having one’s own vehicle is very useful. Please submit a letter of interest, plus two references to TRACEY DEAN (EM:
tdean AT huntsmanmarine.ca), outlining your previous banding experience including number of birds banded and extracted, and ability to identify birds in the hand.   posted Aug 8

HD OPPORTUNITIES - AVIAN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION at Western University.
Website: http://lianazanette.com Location: London, Ontario with field sites in Ontario and British Columbia. Duration: Open. Job Type:
Student. Application Deadline: 31 Dec 2012. Job Description: We are seeking highly qualified and motivated students to work on field-based and/or lab-based research in British Columbia or Ontario at Western University, Canada which provides guaranteed student stipend funding
(URL: http://www.uwo.ca/biology/graduate/ graduatefinancial.htm).
Applicants without an MSc but interested in doing a PhD can start as an MSc student but flip into the PhD program after one year (you would not need to complete the MSc degree). Projects would be based on this theme:
The dimensions of fear: indirect predator effects on avian prey The idea that the fear of predation (i.e. predation risk) can shape all aspects of the ecology and evolution of prey is leading to a paradigm shift and has critical implications for conservation. My lab is currently focusing on these ideas and building upon work we have recently published in journals such as Science and Ecology Letters. Students will conduct elegant, large-scale field experiments in the beautiful Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia (near Victoria) to examine how predation risk can alter everything from gene expression, to cognitive ability (e.g. song learning), physiology and behaviour, to population dynamics, to ecosystem function. You will have access to sophisticated video surveillance at nests coupled with state-of-the-art radio-telemetry technology to track the effects of predation risk on songbird prey at all life-history stages from eggs into adulthood. Alternatively, students could conduct research in our newly constructed large outdoor aviaries at Western which are designed to simulate natural conditions for birds such that all stages of life history can be manipulated and studied. All projects could be coupled with lab experiments to be conducted at the Advanced Facility for Avian Research at Western, the world’s leading dedicated facility for avian research which houses cutting-edge lab technology specifically for the study of birds.
Qualifications: Must have a BSc and preferably an MSc. Students wanting a career in asking and answering research questions are preferred.
Excellent skills conducting experiments on wild birds in the field and/or lab an asset. To Apply: Only strongly interested candidates should apply. First, check out my webpage [URL: http://lianazanette.com (be sure to have a look at the Science paper and video)]. Then, send a cover letter highlighting your qualifications, why you are interested, and the type of project you could envision doing, in addition to your CV, transcripts (web-based, i.e. ‘unofficial’ versions are fine), and the names and contact information of three references to: DR. LIANA ZANETTE (EM: lzanette AT uwo.ca). Interested students also are encouraged to meet with me at the North American Ornithological Conference in Vancouver 2012. Students may apply for a January 2013, May
2013 or September 2013 start.     posted july 18

M.SC. POSITION AVAILABLE - AVIAN BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY – Location:
Kamloops, BC, Canada. 1-2 M.Sc. graduate student positions will be available to begin in either January 2013 or September 2013 at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. I have several research projects starting and already underway on carry-over effects, sexual selection, and the function and evolution of ornamental plumage. Ongoing projects include using geolcoators to track the migration of Bullock’s Orioles to examine the influence of events occurring throughout the year on plumage, mate choice, and sexual selection. I also have ongoing work on Mountain Bluebirds, American Redstarts, and Vaux’s Swifts. Potential students are encouraged to visit my website to learn more about my research interests and approach me with their own project ideas.
Graduate students will be supported by a graduate stipend. However, non-Canadian applicants please note that tuition amounts for foreign students are double those of Canadian citizens. Please let me know if you will be at the NAOC meeting in Vancouver, as I would love to meet and chat with potential students. For more information, see:
http://www.tru.ca/faculty/mreudink The most qualified applicants will have relevant field experience, be willing and able to work long hours in the field in high heat conditions and have demonstrated skills in data analysis and writing. Experience working directly with birds, including mist-netting and handling birds is a major benefit. All applicants must have a B.Sc. in Biology or related discipline and minimum GPA of 3.0. Please send a cover letter outlining your research interests and projects you might be interested in, a CV/resume, undergraduate transcripts, and names of 2 references to DR. MATT REUDINK via email (EM: mreudink AT tru.ca).   posted July 17

MIGRATION MONITORING ASSISTANT wanted for Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) in Ontario, Canada Location: Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. Duration: mid Aug - early Nov. Job Type: Seasonal.
Number of Openings: Two, one for the full fall season, and one for October An honorarium is available to qualified volunteers. Job Description:_ A long term volunteer is required for this fall season to help with the banding and migration monitoring at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) in Ontario, Canada. The Observatory is one of Canada's top Observatories and is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, 125 km east of Toronto (it is 30 km from Picton, the nearest town). All the operations are carried out within the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area which is located within the local IBA. Duties will include helping the Bander-In-Charge with carrying out the daily field protocol, some data entry, some light maintenance around the building/netting area, and other duties as required. PEPtBO adheres to the NABC guidelines when banding and follows a standardized protocol that operates 19 passerine nets, 7 hawk nets, plus ground traps daily.
Very large numbers of migrants can occur within this area and up to 689 birds have been banded in a day. Over 12,000 birds of 120 species were banded at this single station in 2011, and 6-8,000 a fall is normal, over 260 species and forms have been observed at the observatory over the last ten years. We operate for seven days a week during the season.
The normal daily routine involves opening the nets at sunrise, a half hour census, with the banding and casual observations continuing until six hours after sunrise, there will usually be one hour (or more) of data entry in the afternoon and a log will be filled out daily. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free time. A Northern Saw-whet Owl banding program takes place at night, from mid-Sep to the end of the season and up to 1500 owls have been caught in a season although 7-800 is more normal. The owl banding takes place for a minimum of four hours each night, weather permitting. A volunteer who can cover all or most of the season would be preferred. Food and basic accommodation is provided on site, the observatory has most modern amenities. Qualifications:_This is a demanding position and we are looking for people experienced with banding (i.e. have banded or ringed more than 1000 birds) and preferably have some knowledge of identification of eastern North American birds although the ID knowledge is not essential as long as they have the relevant banding experience, as training will be given to bring people up to standard on North American birds. This position is open to people from anywhere. To Apply: If you are interested, please send a resume with banding experience (including banding/ringing permit details) and contact information for two references, to the Bander-in-charge DAVID OKINES (EM: davidokines AT aol.com) ASAP, the positions will continue to be open until filled. The PEPtBO website is http://www.peptbo.ca     posted July 16

BIRD PROJECTS ASSISTANT (SCIENCE HORIZONS), Bird Studies Canada – Atlantic Region. Bird Studies Canada is looking for a motivated individual ready to take on a variety of tasks to support the delivery of multiple Atlantic Region Programs, including: Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas, Marsh Monitoring, the High Elevation Landbird Program and Swiftwatch. The position is being funded through Environment Canada’s Science Horizons Program and is 6 months in duration. Candidates must meet the Science Horizons criteria specified below. Responsibilities will include: **Data entry, **Data analysis using R and song recognition software (Raven and Songscope), **Organizing large volume of materials (e.g., hundreds of species accounts, photos, graphs, maps)for the Atlas publication and website, **Assist with project reporting to volunteers, the public and funders. Position Qualifications: **B.Sc. or M.Sc. in biology, ecology or related field, **Previous experience analyzing data using various statistical software, particularly R, **Knowledge of Maritimes bird species, **Strong organizational and time management skills, **Excellent written communication skills, **Very strong attention to detail, **Computer skills (familiarity with MS FrontPage, Office, Word and Excel), **Ability to prioritize and multi-task, **Ability to work in a team environment, **Willing to relocate to Sackville, NB for the duration of the position. Position Assets:
**Experience using Raven, Songscope, Presence and ArcGIS, **Ability to identify birds by sight and sound, **Knowledge of Maritimes conservation issues and habitats, **Ability to communicate in both French and English. To participate in the Science Horizons programs candidates
must: **Have a degree or diploma from a post-secondary institution, **Not be attending school at the time of the internship, **Be 30 years of age or younger, **Be legally entitled to work in Canada, **Not have previously participated in the Science Horizons program, **Be willing to participate in Science Horizons assessments and prepare a final report,.
**Candidates that do not meet the criteria for Science Horizons will not be considered. Salary Range: $1,800 - $2,200/month. Application
Deadline: 1 Aug 2012. To apply please send a brief cover letter, highlighting your qualifications, as well as your resume and two references to (EM: bstewart AT birdscanada.org). Applications that fail to highlight relevant qualifications and experience will not be considered further. While Bird Studies Canada thanks all applicants, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.   posted July 15

VOLUNTEER BANDING POSITION ON A COASTAL ISLAND – The Atlantic Bird Observatory is looking for volunteers to help run its migration monitoring station for the fall season, which runs mid-August to the end of October. The research station is located on Bon Portage Island, off the coast of southern Nova Scotia, Canada. The main focus is monitoring passerine migration, but there is also raptor, seabird, sea duck, shorebird and waterfowl monitoring involved. This research involves daily mist netting, banding, census and observations. Interested applicants should have a basic understanding of ornithology as well as be familiar with the identification of eastern North American birds.
Prior banding experience is preferred, but not essential. A willingness to work long hours, live at a remote field station and the ability to work well with others is a must. Food and accommodations are provided for long-term volunteers. To apply, please send resume, references, availability and contact information to (EM: atlanticbirdobservatory AT gmail.com). posted july 15

VOLUNTEER BIRD BANDERS - July 15 to October 30. Rock Point Bird Banding Station is offering up to two volunteer positions for individuals wishing to learn all aspects of bird banding. We are located near Dunnville, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie. Applicants should be comfortable in handling birds, work well with others, able to fill in the non-banding time without anxiety and be in good health.
Accommodation in a modern house trailer in Rock Point Provincial Park.
Food and travel expenses are not covered. Less than one month volunteer will incur a $25.00 per day cost. Banding day is from before dawn and lasts 6 hours, 6 days a week. Preference to those with some mist net experience. Contact: JAMES SMITH (EM: benavis AT sympatico.ca) supplying your resume and why you would want to fill one of the above positions.
State the period of time that you are interested in.       posted March 14

Africa           Alaska         Asia         Australia & South Pacific         Canada 

Central America         Europe         Hawaii & North Pacific         South America         Rest of World

Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease    

<<<  back to Volunteer Opportunities