See the message below from the Purple-crowned Fairywren team. You could work with this amazing species that few birders get to see!
Photo by Niki Teunissen
Purple-crowned Fairy-wren Volunteer Field Assistants Jan to April/June 2020
We are looking for a volunteer field assistant to assist with data collection for research on heat stress and helping behaviour in purple-crowned fairy-wrens. Our study population is located in the Kimberley, Western Australia. Fieldwork will take place during and shortly after the wet season, when most of the birds are breeding.
We are seeking a volunteer field assistant to help monitor all fairy-wren territories along a 15 km stretch of river. Work will involve re-sighting colour-banded birds, nest searching, monitoring all breeding attempts, placement and upkeep of nest cameras, assessing nest camera footage, assisting in field experiments, mist netting and data entry.
The field site is located at a remote sanctuary an 8-hour drive from Broome, WA. Volunteers will be camping in tents but have access to electricity, a landline phone, (restricted) internet, hot showers, and a spacious fully equipped kitchen, which is shared with the rest of the (usually small) community at the field station. The field site is located in a beautiful area, with many opportunities to see native wildlife and some of the most iconic bird species of Australia, and many waterholes and gorges which volunteers may get the opportunity to explore.
Volunteer field assistants must be flexible and willing to work long days in hot and humid conditions, while often crossing the river and sometimes carrying heavy equipment or encountering the occasional snake. Furthermore, field assistants must have full colour-vision, be physically fit, be comfortable with living in a remote location, have good interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently in the field. It is important for volunteers to be accurate when collecting and entering data, and to ask for help when unsure about anything. Previous experience in similar conditions and with nest searching and colour-band re-sighting is required; experience with behavioural observations and mist netting is a bonus.
Fieldwork will commence in January (dates are somewhat flexible depending on transport opportunities) and run until mid-late June 2020, however the end date is flexible, with field assistants having the choice to only stay for the wet season (until mid-late April) or to stay for part of the dry season too (until mid-late June). The cost of accommodation (mostly camping in tents), local travel expenses, and food will be covered; (international) flights to and from Broome will be partially covered, or for exceptional candidates may be fully covered.
For further information and to apply, please send a CV, cover letter and contacts for at least two references that are familiar with your nest searching, colour-band re-sighting, and mist netting experience to Niki Teunissen: niki.teunissen@monash.edu. Applications will be accepted until 1 November.
Find out more about Dr. Anne Peters' lab here: https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/home
