The Trustees is seeking local birders to help monitor Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, and American Kestrel nest boxes on our properties across the state. Monitoring and cleaning nest boxes is the best way to help increase native cavity-nesting bird populations on our properties with open space and grassland habitat, and provides us with information about these birds, their nesting habits, and breeding success. Such monitoring and box maintenance also allows us to help control populations of non-native species, such as European Starlings and House Sparrows. Volunteers may assist at one property or more than one, depending on individual availability and experience.
Please Note: This volunteer position reports to and coordinates with the Trustees' TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator. While initial training to teach volunteers the protocols for nest box cleaning and monitoring, the box visits occur weekly on a self-scheduled basis.
Benefits:
Connection to and active participation with a community science initiative supporting threatened cavity nesting songbird and falcon populations.
Property level interaction with ecological systems
Exercise and outdoor activity
Resume-building opportunity, knowledge-based work, training
Connecting and networking with like-minded staff, visitors, and volunteers
Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to the following):
Conduct weekly site visits to assigned property/boxes from March- August to check nest boxes. Volunteers are welcome to express interest in this role any time of year to be put on our contact list for more information and training in the late winter.
Follow monitoring protocol to assess nesting activity and identify the species using the box
Control non-native species activity in boxes as needed
Enter monitoring data into The Trustees’ NestWatch account (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Clean out boxes prior to the start of nesting season and at the end of the nesting season
Report box maintenance needs to specified property contacts
Provide box maintenance and activity information to the Land Stewardship Coordinator
Log volunteer hours weekly
Qualifications:
Familiarity with birds and birding and confidence in identifying target species by sight, nest, or eggs, or a willingness to learn.
The ability to make weekly visits to the monitoring site between March and August (time and transportation).
The ability to follow survey protocol and enter data into Cornell’s NestWatch database (training provided).
Access to a computer and the internet is required.
Ability to perform box maintenance tasks preferred but NOT required.
General interest in land and wildlife conservation.
Ability to perform light walking/hiking and withstand hot/humid conditions.
Time Commitment:
1-2 hours per week for 6 months.