Oportunidades internacionales

FIELD RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS needed for raptor work in Peruvian rainforest. 2
volunteer positions will be available from 5 Aug to 2 Nov 2004 to assist a
PhD Student at the University of Washington in her field research of
forest-falcon ecology in the rainforest of southeast Peru. This project
offers the opportunity to obtain experience in a variety of field
ornithology methodologies. Volunteers will assist in raptor trapping,
radio-telemetry, tree-climbing, blood sampling, nest searching, behavioral
observations, habitat evaluations and others. Prior field experience is a
plus, and willingness to work in remote areas and rustic conditions.
Applicants should have a serious interest in birds and in tropical biology,
and must demonstrate good physical condition, ability of working
independently and in small teams under harsh field conditions (extreme heat
and humidity, rain, insect bites, dense vegetation) and long field hours,
while maintaining a positive attitude. International and domestic travel
expenses and station fees need to be covered by volunteers. Please, send a
cover letter and resume with the names, phone numbers, or email addresses of
2 references via email to URSULA VALDEZ (EM: uvaldez@u.washington.edu)
before 30 June 2004.


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MACAW PROJECT VOLUNTEER in Peru: Jul 2004-Jul 2005 (2 - 3 month stay
requested). Join the ongoing macaw and parrot research program doing daily
counts as hundreds of parrots and macaws come to visit the world's largest
parrot clay lick (see Nat. Geographic Jan 1994 for details). The study site,
Tambopata Research Center, is located in some of the world's most diverse
rain forests. The area boasts the highest avian diversity in the world
(about 600 species) including toucans, trogons and 20 species of parrots.
Good opportunities exist to see tapirs, monkeys and other rain forest
specialties. The study site is a tourist lodge run by Rainforest Expeditions
an ecotourism company that supports the
research program. Volunteers will share accommodations with company guides
and other investigators. Duties will include observation of birds at clay
licks, parrot point counts, foraging observations and plant phenology work.
Applicants must be self-disciplined, responsible, patient, and able to get
along well with others in remote field setting. By Jul the no-see-ums can be
rather bad, so volunteers must be able to tolerate insects. Preference given
to those with knowledge of Spanish. Six week commitment minimum, 2 - 3 month
stay preferred. . To apply please send resume, dates of availability, e-mails for 3 references,
and a brief letter of introduction to DON BRIGHTSMITH, Duke University Dept.
of Biology, (PH: 919-471-0464, EM: djb4 AT duke.edu). For more information
see the Tambopata Macaw Project web site (URL: http://www.duke.edu/~djb4).


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FIELD ASSISTANTS (2) NEEDED (mid-Sep through late Dec) for a graduate study
of the social and foraging behavior of the Brown-throated Conure (Aratinga
pertinax) on the island of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Duties will
include mist-netting, taking blood samples, behavioral observations of
individuals in short-term captivity as well as in the wild, conducting
acoustic playback experiments, conducting fruit censuses, data entry and
analysis. No stipend is available, but food, housing, and airfare to and
from Bonaire will be covered. We will work on a 6 days on, 1 day off
schedule. Applicants should be able to sit and observe for long periods of
time in hot, humid conditions. Tolerance of mosquitos and no-see-ums is also
a plus. Applicants should have a good sense of humor and a positive
attitude, a tolerance (or even a love!) of early mornings, a dash of
creativity, and be happy to live closely with others in potentially tight
quarters. Working knowledge of Spanish a plus, but not necessary. To apply,
please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and the names and contact
information of two references to SUSANNAH BUHRMAN-DEEVER (email:
scb20@cornell.edu). Please include relevant experience and reasons why you'd
like to participate in the project. Feel free to email me for more
information.

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EXPERIENCED HAWK COUNTERS (3) needed at VERACRUZ, MEXICO to monitor the
world's largest hawk migration flyway during fall 2004 (20 Aug to 20 Nov).
Pronatura Veracruz, a Mexican non-profit organization is conducting the long
term monitoring Veracruz River of Raptors project that documents the
migration of most of North American raptor species, as well as a numerous
aquatic bird migration. Positions require enthusiastic individuals very well
skilled on long distance hawk identification, counting huge multi-species
flocks and very persistent sky scanning. Spanish is not necessary but
interest on learning it is. Weather: Hot and humid with a few windy/rainy
days. Work schedule from 8am to 6pm daily, two days on and one off, rotating
randomly between two count sites. We will not cover the cost of airfare but if
you contact us, we can help in the search for financial assistance for the
airfare. Please send cover letter, resume, phone number and email addresses
of 3 references to RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ (EM: rdguezmr@hotmail.com) Pronatura
Veracruz. Sostenes Rocha 12, Colonia Tamborrel. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
91050. Deadline: 15 Jul 2004.

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VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT-I am looking for a volunteer to assist in a study
investigating sexual selection in the musk duck, as part of a PhD project
with the University of Melbourne. The musk duck is unique amongst birds by
expressing olfactory signals that may be used to attract females or deter
other males. Males also display a wide range of visual and acoustic
ornaments, which may convey information to other individuals about their
quality. Fieldwork will occur on Lake Wendouree, a large lake in the heart
of Ballarat, Victoria in Australia. Fieldwork will involve the capture of
birds using a range of techniques, searching and monitoring of nests and
behavioral observations. It is preferred that volunteers be available for
up to 5 months between Aug and Dec and be able to work both independently
and in groups. Applicants should also preferably have field experience with
waterfowl, although this is not essential. Accommodation and part of food
will be provided, but airfares are not covered. To express interest, please
provide a CV and contact PATRICK-JEAN GUAY (EM:
p.guay@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au).