Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory - Application for assistantship

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Staying At The Observatory

Information For Long Term Volunteers

The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) is located along the eastern tip of Prince Edward County about 30 minutes southeast of Picton, Ontario in a National Wildlife Area. The observatory was established as a migration monitoring station in 1995 to continue the research started by the Kingston Field Naturalists in the 1970's and 80's. The banding site is very significant due to the tremendous number of migratory birds that pass through the area. The location is a focal point for passerines, waterfowl and raptors, with yearly reports of rare and unusual species. The Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada designated Prince Edward Point as a Globally Important Birding Area (IBA) in 1998. The banding station is located beside the Observatory and the nets are located in both the woods and alongside the old field edge among the scrub.

The bander-in-charge at the Observatory is an NABC (North American Banding Council) certified Trainer and he and the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory offers banders and ringers from around the world, the opportunity to come down and stay at the Observatory to learn to band, to sharpen their skills, to experience a wider selection of species or even just to get a more intensive banding experience. In an average spring, we band 5000-6000 birds of 100+ species and in the fall we band 6000-8000 birds of 100 species, the annual banding totals are 12000 - 15000 of 115 species. Daily banding totals have reached 700+ in a day but 100-300 is more usual depending on the time of the year. Owl banding takes place in the fall during October and up to 1500 owls have been banded in a season, although 700-800 is more usual. (see the banding stats page for more details). Please fill in the below form if you are interested in coming to stay at the Observatory to gain banding experience.

The Observatory offers hostel type accommodation and charges a mere $30 (inc taxes) per night per person to cover expenses and the price includes all meals.

PEPtBO Assistants

PEPtBO Bander-In-Charge David Okines with long-time volunteer Andrew Cadman

and 2009 Spring/Fall long-term volunteer Mark Breaks

Application for Long Term Volunteer

Title:	Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss.
Name:	*
Email:	*
Postal Address:
City:
Province:
Country:
Postal Code:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Emergency Contact Name:
Emergency Contact Phone Number:
Banding Experience
# Years banding experience:
Or are you interested in learning to band?	Yes No
Approx # species banded:
Approx # birds banded:
Do you have a banding permit and what is the permit #	Canada # USA # UK # Other country (which) #
Are you familiar with N. American species in the hand?	Yes No I have some experience
Please describe your banding experience: (e.g. netting, banding, capture methods)
Ornithological Experience
# years birding:
Of all the species of birds which routinely occur in eastern North America, I am able to identify:	<25% 26 - 50% 51 - 75% >75%
Other
Do you intend to bring a vehicle?	Yes No
Do you have computer skills?	Yes No
Are you physically fit?	Yes No
Do you have good eyesight?	Yes No
Do you have good hand-eye coordination?	Yes No
Do you have any medical conditions we should be aware of (e.g. peanut allergy, bee/wasp sting reaction etc)?	Yes No
If so please list:
Are you prepared to share a bedroom with other volunteers?	Yes No
Are you prepared to share in the light duties such as cooking and routine maintenance?	Yes No
Please list any dietary restrictions Please describe "other" restrictions (e.g. no fish):	None Vegetarian Vegan Other
What time period(s) would you like to stay at the Observatory (inclusive dates from-to):
Please provide us with the names and phone numbers of two references who can vouch for your experience:

To submit this form, please enter the 6 characters you see in the image above:
	*