Download Land Bird Program - Charles Darwin Foundation

International volunteer for “Galápagos Islands Landbird
Monitoring Project”
Application deadline: 20th November 2016
Time: 3 months or more from beginning January 2017
Introduction
The Galápagos Islands, known for its unique species, is one of the last archipelagos that sustains/still has
the majority of their original species and has as a priority their preservation. In the last decade, studies in
Galápagos have shown that populations of subspecies of several species of land birds have declined,
especially on inhabited islands. The introduction of alien species to the archipelago as parasitic flies
(Philornis downsi), mammals, diseases and habitat destruction are identified as some of the main
reasons for the decline. Since 2014, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galápagos National
Park (GNP) have been developing and coordinating a Landbird Monitoring Project on several islands.
The project objective is to understand and help reverse the negative impact on land bird species in
Galápagos while working together with other national and international scientific institutions. The
project works closely with other essential conservations projects such as the Philornis project, the
Mangrove Finch Project and the Restoration of the Highland Zones of Galápagos, all programs are
multi-institution cooperations and provide important information for management and conservation of
the ecosystems in Galápagos. The project aim is to gain quality information and develop a standardized
monitoring throughout the archipelago for small land birds for future comparisons, and has particular
emphasis on iconic birds of the islands.
The person selected as a volunteer will help with the research activities identified in the Landbird
Monitoring Project and be supervised by the principal investigator of the project. Activities will include
fieldwork, literature reviews, data analysis, in addition to working with students, local institutions, park
rangers and the Galápagos community, and collaborating with scientists who have long-term studies in
the Galápagos.
Responsibilities
Assist in the projects:
Ø Galápagos flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris)
• Constant breeding monitoring of cavities in bamboo poles at CDF facilities. Set nest cameras,
inside the cavities and conduct experiments to control flies.
• Review hundreds of hours of video from nest cameras in specialized software. Help banding
birds and blood sampling.
Ø Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus).
• If necessary visit highlands of Santa Cruz and Isabela to monitor breeding. Demanding work in
isolated conditions, constant mist and rain, slightly cold, long day hikes carrying equipment.
• Update the data base every day after monitoring. Help banding birds and re-sightings.
Ø Support for ecological monitoring of large ground finch (Geospiza magnirostris) and vegetarian
finch (Platyspiza crassirostris). Search for nest in the CDF facilities and monitoring breeding
success.
Ø Participate in monitoring nest predation in different altitudinal zones of Santa Cruz Island.
Ø Assist in training in the management of the Galápagos BirdEyes application to the general public.
Ø Participation, if necessary and appropriate, in bird censuses.
Ø Support in data collection sightings Galapagos Martin Golondrina (Progne modesta)
Ø Participate, where appropriate and necessary in the Philornis Project, the Mangrove Finch
Project, the Restoration of the Highland Zones of Galápagos, and other programs of the
CDF or multi-institutional projects, if necessary.
Required profile
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Previous experience in bird ecology or conservation programs.
Bird identification skills and bird banding experience are a plus.
Ability to hike in harsh terrains and extreme conditions.
Good physical condition, carry equipment for long hikes.
Excellent social skills appreciated.
Working language is Spanish essential to communicate with park rangers and community,
English is a secondary language only on research facilities.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word & Excel.
Capacity to work on irregular shifts, including evenings.
Excellent work attitude and commitment to work in teams.
Excellent organizational skills.
Bachelor or Biology students will be given preference.
Terms
The international volunteer for the Landbird Monitoring Project will work under the
supervision of the scientist responsible for the project. The volunteer will be based at the
Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador,
although this volunteer will be involved in fieldtrips to other islands of the archipelago. The
volunteer is expected to work 40 hours per week, from 7:30 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 17:00,
although working hours are flexible, especially during fieldwork. The CDF will provide the
equipment and materials needed for the project. Vacation or other time away from the
research station may be requested in advance by the volunteer but will be subject to approval
from the supervisor. International volunteers are responsible for their own travel costs to and
from the Galápagos Islands and their room and board costs during their stay. However the
CDF will provide accommodation in share rooms with a fee of 10 USD per night (depending
on availability). Volunteers must provide their own accident and life insurance coverage for
travel to and from Galápagos and for the duration of their assignment in the Islands. The
volunteer must faithfully comply with the internal rules of the CDF and will conduct
fieldwork strictly following the rules and regulations of the Galápagos National Park.
How to apply
People interested can download the application form on the CDF website:
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/get-involved/volunteers/
Please fill out the form and send the application documents via email to the following addresses:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected].
If additional information is needed contact David Anchundia [email protected],
Applications deadline: 20th November 2016.
Charles Darwin Foundation
Volunteer Program
Casilla Postal 17-01-3891
Quito – Ecuador Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Galápagos, Ecuador
PO. Box 17-1-3891 Quito - Ecuador
(593-5) 2526 146/147
[email protected]