VA-birders...
Below is an announcement from the Rappahannock River Valley NWR seeking
"qualified" bird surveyors for the 2003 season. Please contact Sandy
Spencer if you need additional details or care to apply:
Sandy_Spencer@xxxxxxx ....or call: (804) 333-1470
Larry Lynch
birder6@xxxxxxxx
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BIRD SURVEYORS NEEDED
May - June, 2003
The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is
seeking bird surveyors to assist with a regional Grassland Breeding Bird
Study and with our landbird point count surveys for the 2003 season.
Three positions are open for the Grassland Breeding Bird Study. One
position is open for the landbird point count surveys in a variety of
habitats on Refuge property.
Thirteen refuges throughout the Northeast are participating in a 3-year
study on habitat use by grassland breeding birds and their response to
different management techniques. Results will be used to help establish
regional grassland breeding bird objectives and management strategies on
refuges. Landbird point counts are helping establish baseline
biological values on the Refuge and will be the basis for future
management objectives and strategies, and for developing a Refuge bird
checklist.
The Refuge headquarters is located in Warsaw, on Virginias Northern
Neck, a great location for outdoor recreation, and steeped in history.
We are about 2 hours from Washington, D.C., one hour from Richmond and
Fredericksburg, and 90 minutes from Williamsburg.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Observers must be capable of identifying all land-birds in the survey
area by both sight and sound. Accurate identification of vocalizations
is essential, since many individuals will be detected only by sound
during the breeding season. Additionally, observers need to be able to
hear high frequencies in order to detect high-pitched calls, such as
those made by grasshopper sparrows. Excellent birding skills are
required to maintain the high statistical standards of the regional
study. Observers must also be familiar with using a GPS unit to find the
established bird points, and with Microsoft Access for entering data each
day. Observers must have own transportation to and from lodging to survey
sites. All materials, except for personal gear, will be supplied. An
audio test of bird identification skills will be given before final
selections are made, and only qualified observers will be selected!
WHEN?
Grassland Breeding Bird Study: A mandatory one-day training session will
be held the day before the surveys begin, May 24, 2003. Grassland
breeding bird surveys are done in two 5-day rounds, 2 weeks apart. The
first round is from May 26-30; the second round is from June 16-20, 2003.
Observers must be committed to working a 40 hour week during survey
bouts.
Landbird Point Counts: Points counts for this latitude should take place
between May 18 and June 25, 2003. One day for orientation is required.
There are 8 routes, each of which takes one morning to complete. Each
point must be visited twice and no less than five days between visits.
Thus, 16 days are required to complete the survey.
PAYMENT?
Each observer receives a stipend of $120/day (including meals &
incidental expenses) for the number of days of the project period. For
the Grassland Breeding Bird Study, the project period is 11 days
(includes one day training). For the landbird point counts, total
project days is 17 (includes one day orientation). Limited housing is
available if needed, at no charge.
HOW DO I APPLY, WHATS THE DEADLINE?
Résumés which clearly describe your relevant work experience and
competency will be accepted up to April 30, 2003. Please mail to:
Sandy Spencer, Wildlife Biologist
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife
Refuge
PO Box 1030
Warsaw, VA 22572
(804)333-1470
E-mail: Sandy_Spencer@xxxxxxx
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