ZO 501 Ornithology - Spring 2007[ Home ] [ Course Information ] [ Lab Information ] [ Sightings ] [ Student List ] [ Question of the Week ] [ Bird List ]
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ZO 501 Ornithology - Spring 2007
[ Home ] [ Course Information ] [ Lab Information ] [ Sightings ] [ Student List ] [ Question of the Week ] [ Bird List ]
[ Photos ] [ Archived News ] [Web Links ]Job postings:
AEC/USFWS North Carolina Sandhills ORISE Internship Announcement
The Army Environmental Command (AEC) is seeking candidates for one Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) internship position stationed in the Conservation Center of the Sandhills located in Southern Pines, North Carolina. This position works directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) NC Sandhills Red-cockaded woodpecker Recovery Biologist who serves as the on-site mentor. The initial appointment is for one year but may be renewed annually for up to three years. Information on the AEC ORISE program and eligibility requirements can be found on the following web site: http://aec.army.mil/usaec/support/orise01.html.
The NC Sandhills AEC/USFWS ORISE intern’s primary duties are to:
- Provide technical GIS support for the NC Sandhills Conservation Partnership and the Sustainable Sandhills Land Use Team. Conduct complex GIS analyses to support conservation reserve design and land protection priorities.
- Assist in the maintenance of a regional red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) geodatabase by performing annual updates to the database design and RCW cavity tree and demographic data tables.
- Assist USFWS staff in monitoring RCW groups which includes the following field work; updating activity status of RCW cavity trees, banding nestling, fledgling, and adult RCWs, and using a spotting scope to identify individuals.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Master of Science or higher degree preferred;
- Familiarity with advanced principles of GIS and experience using ArcMap and other associated ESRI software;
- Proficiency in computer database management using Microsoft Access software;
- Proficiency in the use of global positioning system (GPS) technology; and
- A basic understanding of conservation biology and the biology and management of the red-cockaded woodpecker is preferred but not required.
For further information please contact Peter Campbell, USFWS, Sandhills Sub-Office (910) 695-3323; pete_campbell@fws.gov.
2007 NC WATERBIRD SURVEYS
We are gearing up to begin the 2007 coast-wide colonial waterbird breeding surveys. Coast-wide surveys are conducted every three years during the peak of the nesting season. They provide us with valuable information on populations of colonial nesting waterbirds, give us an opportunity to track
habitat changes at nesting sites and help us to make important management decisions.These surveys require a huge effort to complete and we could certainly use some help. Having crews of people to complete surveys in colonies is vital
so that we can get in and out of the nesting areas as quickly as possible and minimize disturbance to the birds. Throughout most of May we will be
surveying wading birds, American oystercatchers and Wilson's plovers. In June, we will continue surveying oystercatchers and plovers and will also
survey terns, skimmers and gulls.Because it is difficult to predict peak nesting at individual sites, it is impossible to anticipate where we will be surveying on a given date.
Therefore, most planning about specific locations will be made at the last minute. What we can start doing at this point is setting up a preliminary
schedule of folks to work. We will need the most help from early May through mid-June. If you are interested and have the time and supervisor
approval to get away from your daily duties for a day or two to help count nests, it would be greatly appreciated. We will try to pair folks up to
minimize travel/hotel costs, so if traveling from the Piedmont or Mountains try to find a travel partner. If you can't find a travel partner, let me
know and we'll try to find you one. Since the birds shouldn't be disturbed in bad weather, we won't survey on cool, rainy days, but we can work around these.No experience is necessary as you will receive job training. Some of the sites we need to survey are along the barrier beaches. We will be able to
drive and walk to many of these sites. Other nesting sites are on natural and dredge material islands within the sounds, which we will access by boat.
We recommend you wear a hat (to guard against bird bombs!), long field pants (you might encounter some briars), and tennis shoes that can get wet. Also bring sunscreen, a lunch and plenty to drink.I have already heard from several of you, but for those I haven't spoken with and who would like to participate, let me know so I can get you down on
the schedule. Thanks in advance for all of your help!Sue Cameron
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Waterbird Biologist
253 White Oak Bluff Road
Stella, NC 28582
910-325-3602 (o)
910-389-7376 (c)
camerons@coastalnet.com
FIVE BIOLOGISTS (exempt/limited-term) – Health Department, Disease Carrying Insects Program
The Fairfax County Health Department Disease Carrying Insects Program, located at the Kelly Square Building, 10777 Main Street, Fairfax, has five openings for limited-term biologists to assist in field and laboratory activities associated with mosquito and tick-borne disease surveillance in Fairfax County. This is an exempt (does not include county benefits), limited-term (6-1/2 month position, April 30 through mid-October) position.
The starting salary is $14.56 per hour. Normal working hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and may require some sporadic weekend activity as well. The position can be configured for either 30 or 40 hours per week based on candidate and program needs. Duties will include trapping, identifying and testing mosquitoes, ticks and birds for these diseases. Other duties may involve public outreach functions, site evaluations and special projects. Minimum qualifications: Candidates must be at least 18 years of age with a strong interest in biology or a related field. A valid driver's license and a good driving record are required. Please be aware that any offer of employment made by the county is contingent upon fingerprinting and a background check. Preferred qualifications: A bachelor's degree in biology or a related field with some field and laboratory experience. For more information or to apply, contact Dr. Jorge Arias at 703-246-8474, TTY 711, or send a copy of your resume to jaria2@fairfaxcounty.gov. Interviews for qualified candidates will begin immediately.
FIELD ASSISTANT (1 position) needed to help with graduate student research project on the evolution of aggressive behavior in female tree swallows in rural northwestern Pennsylvania, from early May to June 30 (dates somewhat flexible). Duties include banding and morphological measurements of adults and nestlings, and behavioral observations. Applicants must be enthusiastic about working early mornings and walking long distances. This is a great opportunity to learn basic field techniques in avian biology, although preference will be given to applicants with some experience handling birds and/or working in the field. A weekly stipend (approximately $100/week) plus room and board at Pymatuning Lab of Ecology field station will be provided. Please send resume, cover letter explaining interests and specific dates of availability (1 page max.), and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of two references to KIM ROSVALL (kar23@duke.edu). Review of applications will begin February 13, 2007 and will be ongoing until position is filled. For more information on this project, see http://www.duke.edu/~kar23/
AVIAN FIELD TECHNICIANS (2) needed for a study examining the nesting and foraging behavior of Swainson's warblers and Kentucky warblers in bottomland forest of the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, near Hamilton, NC from 23 April to 31 July (start date flexible). Successful applicants will search for and monitor nests, assist in mist netting and target banding of individuals, assist with radio telemetry and recording locations with a GPS unit, maintain video cameras, measure vegetation characteristics, and enter data. Good eyesight, enthusiasm, and working well with others are a must! Previous experience with field work, banding, small boats, and ability to distinguish the call of Swainson's warblers and Kentucky warblers from other similar species preferred, but not necessary. Applicants should enjoy early mornings, long hours, mosquitoes, chiggers, venomous snakes, and, at times, standing water. The heat and humidity from mid-June to August can be daunting. A valid driver's license is required. Housing and a field vehicle will be provided. Salary will vary with experience ($1000-1200/mo). Applicants will work 25 days/mo and must be flexible to changes in daily/weekly schedules due to weather, flooding, and telemetry status. Crew size will vary through the season, and at times you will be alone. To apply send letter of interest that details qualifications, resume, and 3 references (phone/e-mail address) to: NEIL CHARTIER (EM: nacharti AT ncsu.edu) with a copy to JOHN GERWIN (EM: John.Gerwin AT ncmail.net) with the subject line containing your last name and name and location of position by 16 March 2007.
