Passerine Bander (Target mist-netting)

at University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Website:
http://www.umass.edu/nebarrensfuels/ma_barrens/montague/index.html

Location:
Montague, MA

Duration:
3-4 weeks

Job Type:
Seasonal

Application Deadline:
03/18/2012

Job Description:
Needed April 26th to late May (end date is somewhat flexible) to assist with a study on the ecology and conservation of scrub-shrub birds (primarily Prairie Warblers) in an actively managed pitch pine-scrub oak ecosystem located in Montague, Massachusetts. Pitch pine-scrub oak barrens are a unique ecosystem that provides habitat for a distinct wildlife community, including Whip-poor-wills and Hognose Snakes. Tasks will primarily be target mist-netting prairie warblers and territory mapping and re-sighting color marked birds. Other tasks may include searching for and monitoring nests, conducting vegetation and insect surveys, target mist-netting and data entry. Applicants will also have a chance to catch hognose snakes as part of a side project. Applicants will be working at times in very dense, shrubby vegetation. Work schedule will be 5-6 days a week; usually 6 days a week the first month of the season. Pay rate will be approximately $1000-1500 for the 3-4 weeks of work, DOE. Housing is not provided, however housing can be found in the Umass, Amherst area (15 minutes from study site).

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information (name, phone number, and email address) for 3 references to MIKE AKRESH (EM: mike.akresh AT gmail.com). Applications will be accepted March 15 2012 or until positions are filled.

Qualifications:
We prefer applicants with previous target mist-netting and banding experience with passerines, and the ability to independently catch and band birds. Experience bleeding small passerines from the brachial vein is also preferred, although we can provide training. Other qualifications we seek are applicants with previous re-sighting and nest-searching experience with passerine birds. As we will be recording birds’ arrival dates, being able to start working when birds arrive in late April is highly preferred.

Number of Openings:
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