Bird Monitoring and Banding Assistants (6-8 positions).
Ecuador Cloud Forest Bird Banding Expedition 2011
Join Dr. Dusti Becker on an exciting 2- week avian monitoring research expedition in the Andes of western Ecuador, June 19 - July 2, 2011. Dr. Becker, a well-known tropical avian ecologist with over 15 years of experience in Ecuador, has operated the Las Tangaras banding station since 2004, and will lead the field project with assistance from Ecuadorian para-biologists, Pascual and MauricioTorres.
Life Net banding assistants help with mist-netting of birds at a permanent banding station located in the Las Tangaras Reserve, Mindo, Ecuador. Our goal is to advance scientific understanding of cloud forest avian communities, especially species tolerances for deforestation and grazing. Your contribution of $1500 to the non-profit conservation organization Life Net is tax deductible and is used to cover expenses related to your needs as a volunteer: transportation in Ecuador, meals, & lodging during the conservation research program. You donation also contributes to stewardship of the reserve, salaries for Ecuadorian staff, and local educational programs about cloud forest wildlife.
Reserva Las Tangaras boasts more than 25 species of hummingbird, one of the largest regional cock-of-the-rock display leks, and great numbers of Choco and Andean endemic bird species. Volunteers help set up and monitor mist nets, extract birds from nets, carry birds from nets to a banding station, and record basic ecological data. Training in handling, measuring and banding is also offered to those interested in developing that skill set, but is not required. Bilingual volunteers can assist with environmental education and ecotourism training. Volunteers will also have some afternoons and a full day free to explore and/or bird the Mindo area.
The expedition begins and ends in Quito. Contact Dusti Becker at dbecker@lifenetnature.org for further details. Experience with mist-netting is desirable, but not required. Students, recent graduates and others looking for hands-on training and resume building experience will benefit greatly from this project. Visit the Volunteer page of www.lifenetnature.org for more details. To apply complete the application form on the web page and e-mail a brief cover letter and resume to Dusti.
For more info, contact:
Dr. Dusti Becker at dbecker@lifenetnature.org.
Life Net - www.lifenetnature.org