Migration Research Foundation - McGill Bird Observatory

McGILL BIRD OBSERVATORY

INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer assistance is required to operate all research programs at the McGill Bird Observatory. Help is needed both with banding activities and with site maintenance - see our job descriptions page for details. Most volunteers participate occasionally, from a couple of times per season to a couple of times per week. However, we also have a limited number of openings for seasonal interns - click here for details.

If you are interested in becoming involved as a volunteer, please e-mail us at "mbo AT migrationresearch.org" for more information. Previous banding and/or birding experience is encouraged, but not necessary. However, all volunteers planning to take part in banding activities are expected to be familiar with the site protocol (PDF file - e-mail us if you have trouble accessing it).

We are always grateful to volunteers who show up with new bird bags, as we never have enough! We have prepared a short set of instructions to help you quickly and simply make bags that are safe for the birds.

An approximate outline of typical activities by month is as follows:

January	Winter Population Monitoring (banding and/or census): 1-2 times per week
February	Winter Population Monitoring (banding and/or census): 1-2 times per week
March	Winter Population Monitoring (banding and/or census): 1-2 times per week Preparations for spring season (net repairs, path maintenance)
April	Spring Migration Monitoring: census daily, banding daily beginning April 18
May	Spring Migration Monitoring: banding and census daily
June	Breeding Bird Monitoring: census 2-4 times per week, nest box monitoring, MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) banding
July	Breeding Bird Monitoring: census 2-4 times per week, nest box monitoring, MAPS banding
August	Fall Migration Monitoring: banding and census daily
September	Fall Migration Monitoring: banding and census daily
October	Fall Migration Monitoring: banding and census daily Saw-whet Owl Monitoring: 3-5 nights per week
November	Winter Population Monitoring (banding and/or census): 1-2 times per week
December	Winter Population Monitoring (banding and/or census): 1-2 times per week