Nature Travel Specialists

Central America Wildlife Volunteer & Research Travel

NICARAGUA

VOLUNTEER FIELD RESEARCHERS in Nicaraguan cloud forest – Selva Negra Coffee Estate is seeking scientists and field researchers to study and document a variety of bird species found on our property. In addition to our 1,500-acre organic coffee farm, Selva Negra offers more than 500 acres of virgin cloud forest between 1300 and 1500 meters, situated along the continental divide between the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands.
Part of the Reserva Natural Cerro Arenal, our forest hosts a mix of both
Pacific- and Atlantic-slope bird species as well as mountain species whose ranges extend south from Mexico. More than 250 bird species have been documented so far. We hope to learn more about the habitat, migration patterns, breeding and so as to better protect them and to educate our visitors. We can offer room and board for a discounted rate in exchange for access to the research that you gather during your stay.
We also ask that you contribute an exhibit, pamphlet or other information that may be useful in educating future visitors to the farm.
Working knowledge of Spanish is preferred and knowledge of tropical birds and bird identification experience are required. Species sighted
include: Trogons such as the Resplendent Quetzal, toucans, Three-wattled Bellbird, golden-winged warbler, long-tailed manakin, Green-breasted Mountain-gem, hummingbirds (Violet-headed, Rufous-tailed, Stripe-tailed), Great Curassow (endangered), White-fronted parrot, Tropical Kingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Orioles (Yellow-backed and Baltimore), White-Breasted Wood-Wren, Slate-colored Solitaire, White-faced Quail-Dove, White eared Ground-Sparrow and Cedar Waxwing.
For more info about volunteering as a field assistant, please contact
(EM: selvanegrainfo AT gmail.com) or visit our web site (URL:
http://www.selvanegra.com).     posted jan 26

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

HAWK PROJECT VOLUNTEER POSITIONS – Ridgway’s Hawk. Volunteers are needed to assist with both field studies and releases of the critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk in the Dominican Republic, as part of The Peregrine Fund’s and Sociedad Ornitologica de la Hispaniola’s (SOH) conservation program for this species. Volunteers may apply and be accepted for one or both positions. FIELD STUDY VOLUNTEER, March – June, 2012. Volunteers will work in teams of two to conduct nest searches and to monitor already known nests for productivity, hatch dates, nestling survival and fledging, and hunting success, among other things, and take detailed notes on their observations. This position requires long hours in the field, and strenuous hikes through uneven terrain. Extreme heat, heavy rain, and biting insects are common. HACK SITE ATTENDANT VOLUNTEER, April – September, 2012. Releases will begin in April, and may go through August or September, depending upon activation of the sites. Starting dates are dependent upon when the young hatch in the wild. Volunteer Hack Site Attendants will be responsible for feeding and monitoring, through visual observations and tracking with telemetry, from six to fourteen young hawks from the time they are placed at the site until they reach independence. A typed report (format supplied) will be required upon completion of the project. This position requires long hours in the field. Extreme heat, heavy rain, and biting insects are common. Most of your time will be spent observing the birds from a blind. The success of the study and release effort will depend on the effort of the individual as well as the team. Applicants receiving positions will participate in a unique study and assisted dispersal effort for the endangered Ridgway’s Hawk and gain valuable skills in nest finding, behavioral observations, telemetry, and field note taking.
Field housing will be provided for both positions and successful applicants will be sharing a room with at least one other person and a house with several crew members. Depending upon at which site successful candidates are placed, electricity may be spotty and there may be no running water. The project will supply each site with a spotting scope and tripod which must be returned at the completion of the study. Each person receiving a position will be responsible for their own round trip transportation from their home country to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A per diem will be supplied to cover food costs. Volunteer positions will be given only to those over 18 years old. Some ornithological or other wildlife experience, as well as experience working outdoors in hot climates is desirable. All positions will require long, challenging hours. The short time in which the study can be completed, and the remote locations, precludes "time off" unless arrangements are made in advance. Please send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references to: THOMAS HAYES, Ridgway’s Hawk Project Coordinator, (EM: thayes AT peregrinefund.org). Applications sent after 20 February 2012 should be addressed to RUSSELL THORSTROM, West Indies Project Director (EM:
rthorstrom AT peregrinefund.org).       posted jan 30

MEXICO

VOLUNTEER HAWKWATCHER – Location: Veracruz, Mexico. I am looking for a
hawk counter to assist with the spring Veracruz River of Raptor
migration study. This is a relatively new site, but so far we record on
average about 300,000 raptors per season, making it the biggest spring
count in North America. The observatory is located near Xalapa, Veracruz
in the small town of Chavarrillo. Chavarrillo boasts some of the best
humid evergreen habitat in the state of Veracruz with great birding and
beautiful scenery. The schedule will be two days on and one day off, so
there will be plenty of time to explore the surrounding area. The
position starts 14 March and will go until the end of April 2012.
Housing and food will be provided, however you will be responsible for
your own plane ticket to and from, Veracruz. I am hoping to get funding
to provide a small stipend for volunteers, but this is still to be
determined. Please send resume and cover letter to LYNN SCHOFIELD (EM:
schofield.lynn AT gmail.com).     posted feb 2

COSTA RICA

HAWKWATCH VOLUNTEERS COSTA RICA - The Costa Rica Raptor Foundation and
the Kèköldi Hawkwatch in Talamanca, Costa Rica are looking for
volunteers for the 2012 spring season, from 1 March until 1 May. The
study site is in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica, between Puerto
Viejo and Cahuita National Park, Limón province, the south Caribbean.
The Hawkwatch is located in the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve, a 6000 ha
reserve of primary and secondary forests and cocoa plantations where we
preserve over 330 bird species including 18 hummingbird species. Also
Kèköldi is the second place only after Veracruz, Mexico, as the most
concentrated flight migratory raptors in the world (3.5 million raptors
counted from a single point during the fall season). It is also the
biggest known migration spot for Peregrine Falcons and Plumbeous Kites.
Observations are made from a 11m tower built at the Reserve. This is an
excellent opportunity for those students who want to build their resume.
For those who are biologists, bird watchers or hawk counters it will
make a difference in regards to bird conservation through science.
Volunteers must be physically fit and willing to work long hours under
hot and humid conditions; maintaining enthusiasm and their sense of
humor. Candidates will be required to work in team and some spanish
knowledge is important but not obligatory. The program provides all
training required (RaptorID, counting and estimating large numbers of
migrating birds, etc.) Duties include assisting and working with
official counters in identifying and counting raptors, data entry, and
flight interpretation to visitors, among others. This is a great
opportunity to increase your fieldwork experience, while working in a
great environment, and learning more about conservation efforts with
resident and migratory birds in the Neotropics. For more info, contact:
Pablo Porras (EM: pporras AT rapacesdecostarica.com, Mobile:
+506.8841.5999, URL: http://www.rapacesdecostarica.org)      posted jan 24

BIRD BANDING INTERNSHIP positions. The Costa Rican Bird Observatories (http://www.CostaRicaBird.org) is looking for highly motivated and experienced banders and bander assistants, who can work at our three bird monitoring stations: Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean coast, Madre Selva in the Costa Rican highlands, and INBio in the rural suburbs of the Central Valley. Participants are expected to have experience in identifying birds, and they are required to have removed from mist nets and processed at least 200 landbirds. The main role of the interns will be banding and processing of migrant and resident landbird species, as well as conducting migration counts of diurnal migrants moving along the coast during migration. The interns will work mainly with other volunteers and scientists. It may be requested for them that support environmental education and community outreach activities. Interns will be rotating among the three different stations during their internship, which involves some traveling within the country. All volunteers receive their room and board while they are staying at our stations. This is one of the longest running efforts in Latin America. How to apply: Positions will be open until filled, and operations happen year round. Please send (emailed text documents preferred) a resume and a cover letter that includes your bird banding experience, ability with Spanish/English, dates available, three references and any questions to Pablo Elizondo, jpelizondo [at] KlamathBird.org, AND (ie. cc: email) Dr. C. John Ralph, cjr2[at] humboldt.edu, 707 825-2992 (fax 707 825-2901), USDA Forest ServicePacific Southwest Research Station -- Arcata Laboratory, 1700 BayviewDrive, Arcata, California 95521. More information can be found at www.CostaRicaBird.org and http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/topics/wildlife/birdmon/landbird/tortuguero/

CENTRAL AMERICA

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY -- We are looking for undergraduates to participate in the Golondrinas de las Americas, a network of biologists
studying tree swallows in the genus Tachycineta from Argentina to Alaska. Founded by Cornell University professor David Winkler almost a
decade ago and supported by the National Science Foundation, the Golondrinas de las Americas project trains students to study the
breeding biology and behavior of swallows in North, Central and South America. The internship lasts approximately two and one half to four
months depending on the season and location. Using standardized protocols, students conduct field work, learn how to keep field records,
maintain nest boxes and search for swallows. The knowledge gained from the project is helping us understand the reasons for geographic
variations in the clutch sizes of these birds. In the long term, we anticipate the Golondrinas de las Americas project will contribute to
our knowledge about the impacts of climate change and the life histories of the birds and their insect prey. Interns must have a demonstrated interest in environmental biology or a related field. The ability to work, live, and communicate well with others under rigorous and remote conditions is essential. Travel and living expenses as well as a small stipend are provided. For more information or to apply for the program, contact CAREN COOPER (EM: Caren.Cooper AT cornell.edu). A completed application includes a cover letter, C.V. or resume, and contact information for two professional references. For a map of existing sites visit (URL: http://golondrinas.cornell.edu/Maps/MapOfStudySites.html).

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