Autumn Bird Migration Monitor

This is a 32-hour a week partnership volunteer position, stationed at the Schoodic district of Acadia National Park, and supervised by park partner, Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Director, of Schoodic Institute. Housing is provided at Schoodic in a private, furnished apartment (unfortunately pets are not allowed). Alternatively, if preferred, an RV site with electricity and water can be made available until mid-October.

About Schoodic Institute

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park promotes collaborative solutions to critical environmental challenges through discovery and learning. We believe that science helps people make sense of their environment, sense that leads to healthy and prosperous communities. The organization works across boundaries, intentionally and explicitly connecting natural and social sciences with education and communities. Schoodic Institute’s focus is environmental change and human response that affects protected areas, communities, and society. Residential education, citizen science, internships, and collaborative research create powerful, relevant, hands-on learning opportunities.

Schoodic Institute has five focal areas. Our Bird Ecology Program carries out biodiversity conservation studies through year-round bird research and education, engaging professional ornithologists, citizen scientists, Acadia National Park visitors, and students of all ages. The Institute’s Science Education Program helps schools conduct resource conservation and management-related science relevant to learning and community well-being. Our Forest Ecology Program focuses on understanding our dynamic natural world, engaging learners of all ages in field-based research, and developing effective stewardship responses to global change threats. Schoodic Institute’s public marine ecology program engages partners and citizen scientists of all ages, to understand mechanisms driving patterns of change in

Acadia and the Gulf of Maine’s iconic and dynamic intertidal system. And our Science Information Program works to ensure that science data about Acadia National Park’s natural and cultural resources are safeguarded in the park’s

archives and are available and accessible to researchers, educators, and the public.

Position Description

The Migration Monitor conducts daily point count observations and documentation of the autumn migration of waterbirds using binoculars and spotting scope. The monitor is responsible for counting a minimum of five hours per day for six days a week, with one day off per week. The primary focus is on waterbird identification and counting, but all migrants are to be recorded (significant passerine migrations are annually observed here). Preferred applicants will be able to identify all regularly occurring eastern North American bird species.  The monitor will also be responsible for communicating with visitors. Migration can be fantastic here: seasonal average is 80,000 birds. Monitor must be prepared to conduct count in all kinds of weather.  The initial stint of each day is from one-half hour before sunrise to a minimum of 3 hours after sunrise. Other hours of day can be random.