Raptor watches in Panama

The Peregrine Fund-Panama needs volunteers to help conduct raptor watches in Panama this coming migratory season from 3 Oct to 13 Nov 2005.

Every year several million raptors, primarily Broad-winged Hawks, Swainson's Hawks, and Turkey Vultures, pass through Panama on their way to and from wintering grounds in South America.

In 2005 we plan to conduct counts at 4-5 watch sites stretching across the 50-mile wide Isthmus of Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Last year's count recorded a total of more than 3.1 million raptors in six weeks, with the highest one-day count totaling more than 450,000 birds. Counts will be conducted by a combination of overseas volunteers and local participants.

This particular watch site will be located at the Neotropical Raptor Center. Overseas volunteers will be expected to pay their own travel costs to Panama but will receive free room and board while participating in the count, to the extent that space is available. Preference will be given to participants who can commit to more extended periods of time, preferably 2 weeks or more, and those with previous raptor watch experience. Volunteers will be expected to be at their watch sites during the daily count period of 8 AM to 6 PM except during periods of inclement weather. Spanish language skills are not necessary but would be helpful.

For further information, please contact Dr. Mark Watson, mwatson@fondoperegrino.org, The Peregrine Fund-Panama