VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS: Four volunteers needed from late Dec 2008 to
late Mar 2009 for an avian monitoring project at El Cielo Biosphere
Reserve in Northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas). I am seeking highly
motivated individuals to help on a bird monitoring project on this
magnificent Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Mexico (5 hours south from
Brownsville, TX). Excellent data collection skills necessary, experience
conducting field work highly desirable. Some knowledge of Spanish would
be helpful. Primary responsibilities involve set up mist-nest, taking
birds out of the nets, banding, measuring and weighting the birds,
collecting tail feathers form the birds, possible to help with point
counts (depending on experience). Additional duties include performing
vegetation surveys and sharing all the basic responsibilities of camping
(cooking, cleaning, etc). Field work is intensive and will often require
long working hours, expect pre-dawn starts most days, with dawn to dusk
days when banding. The weather is mostly warm with some cold days,
mosquitoes are abundant. Participants will gain experience working with
a highly diverse Neotropical Avifauna, and will have the chance to
experience a different culture. Volunteers will be responsible for their
own airfare from where they live to Brownsville, TX. Transportation from
Brownsville, TX to El Cielo Biosphere reserve will be provided. Basic
housing (shared) and food will be provided. Please email a cover letter
summarizing relevant field and birding experience, CV, names of three
references (with contact information) to RAFAEL BRITO-AGUILAR, Avian
Ecology Lab, University of Missouri-Columbia, (EM: rbyq9ATmizzou.edu).
Applications will be evaluated as received until positions are filled.