When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!
Description
APPLY ASAP!
This is a field biologist position aimed at monitoring the effects of forest harvest on the habitat and breeding success of a
selected group of birds.
Post secondary student or recent graduates are needed to
assist in finding and monitoring nests on a variety of
deciduous forests in the London area. Forests will include
silvicultural harvesting techniques and control sites.
The primary objective of this study is to determine how
habitat within a forest changes in response to different
harvesting regimes and whether indicator wildlife species
such as salamanders and birds are affected. As well, the
two harvesting techniques will be compared in light of
avian nest success.
Primary duties will include searching and monitoring
nests of Cavity species, Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
Wood Thrush, American Robin, Cardinals and Indigo
Bunting, collecting habitat data and include installing
coverboards, monitoring, and collecting data on
salamanders observed. This will entail learning to
identify many common forest birds by site and sound,
and the ability to identify the nest type characteristic
of each bird species. These will foster keen observation
skills and provide professional and scientific training in
bird identification. Students will further develop skills
in orienteering, map reading, and maintenance of accurate
field notes. The position relies on accurate recording
of information and management to determine the ultimate
outcome of each nesting attempt (10% time commitment
in data recording and management). Data will be
collected on the nest contents, rates of destruction by
predators, and parasitism events by Brown-headed Cowbirds.
Approximately 60% of the time will be spent in locating and
monitoring nests. At the start, the student will be trained in
basic bird and nest identification, proper usage of binoculars
and a compass, and given guidelines to basic records
management and data recording. A project leader and
MNR staff will provide continued support and training.
Additional field work (20%) will involve detailed habitat
assessment work at each site including the use of
Geographic Positioning System recorders and other
equipment for collecting data on the vegetation surrounding
the nest locations. Further duties will include computer
software experience (5%) and increasing communication
skills (5%) through landowner contact and working with
other field crew members. Students will be required to enter
field data into a computer, using spreadsheet or database software.
This position provides a youth with a wide range of skills
ranging from accurate maintenance of field records and
map reading, to bird and nest identification. Youth will
co-operate on studies which are both natural and
experimental in design. This position will provide an
excellent opportunity for students in science to develop
career related training, and gain useful work experience.
Data keeping and management is a very important skill
to develop and success in any scientific field relies on
the ability to take and maintain accurate records.
The primary skills gained from this position will be
scientific and technical. Youth will gain valuable
experience identifying bird species and learning their
song, calls, nesting habitat, and nesting behaviours.
These skills form the backbone of ornithological
research. Finally, youth will learn about the influence
of the surrounding habitat on the success of birds nesting
within a particular forest. They will learn how housing
adjacent to and within wooded habitats affects species
depending on forests for survival. This will foster a
greater awareness of the effects of humans on natural
communities and animals, and increase understanding
of important issues in forest conservation. The skills
learned will be particularly valuable to those interested
in careers as researchers, consultants, ornithologists,
ecologists/biologists, naturalists, or positions within
agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Please apply electronically or by fax to one of the
following people ASAP!
When applying, please say you saw this announcement on Green Dream Jobs.
Ken A. Elliott, RPF
Carolinian Forestry Specialist
Southcentral Science and Information Section
Ministry of Natural Resources
659 Exeter Road, London, ON, N6E 1L3
Canada
Fax: 519-873-4645
E-mail: Ken.Elliott@mnr.gov.on.ca
Levi Moore
Applied Research and Development
Wildlife and Natural Heritage Science
Ministry of Natural Resources
659 Exeter Road, London, ON N6E 1L3
Canada
Jason Thorne, Executive Director
Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment
P.O. Box 1006, Station F
50 Charles Street East
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2T7
Canada
Phone: (416) 960-2008
Fax: (416) 960-9944
E-mail: cone@niagaraescarpment.org
Web: http://www.niagaraescarpment.org