Volunteer Opportunities at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station

Position Title Bird Migration Monitor (multiple positions available) Working Environment Outdoors and at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station Organization Toronto and Region Conservation Restoration and Environmental Monitoring group Description Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) / Leslie Street Spit is the largest area of existing natural habitat on the central Toronto waterfront. A combination of lake filling and dredging activities created the current configuration of the park and through natural succession and habitat restoration the peninsula has been colonized by an impressive variety of plant and animal communities. TTP is an Environmentally Significant Area and has been designated a globally Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. The Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station (TTPBRS) was established in 2003 and is operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. It is a member station of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network supported by Bird Studies Canada. The core activity of TTPBRS is the Migration Monitoring Program, which runs daily in spring from April 1-June 9 and from August 5-November 12 in the fall. Each day staff and volunteers complete a 1-hour bird census and 6-hours of mist netting (weather permitting). 316 bird species have been recorded at TTP and an average of 2,500 birds are banded each spring and 4, 000 are banded each fall. Required Skills/Competencies & Education Ornithological experience, including bird banding, and excellent bird identification skills (visual and auditory) for eastern North American birds are preferred, but not essential. Successful candidates are energetic and eager to broaden their ornithological knowledge and/or are excited to share their interest in birds with others. They have excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills and can work as part of a team and interact with the public of all ages.

Time Period/Commitment April 1st to June 9th and August 1st to November 11th Volunteers are required to commit a minimum of one day per week (Monday to Friday) for entire spring and/or fall seasons. Volunteer activities will depend on the individual’s experience and range from scribing to extracting to banding. Volunteers will be supervised and trained by experienced birders and bird-banders. Examples of tasks Assisting TTPBRS Coordinator/Master Bander and volunteer banders with the collection of scientific data. Accurate recording of data. Bird handling (passerine, raptor, waterfowl, waterbird). Data entry and preparation of scientific reports summarizing data collected. Provide public interpretation for park visitors, organized groups and special events at Tommy Thompson Park. Daily housekeeping activities in TTP Bird Research Station. Dress Code Casual/Field Provided training Advanced bird identification skills, data collection and recording, bird handling and mist net extraction, aging and sexing techniques, morphometric measurements, bird banding. Opportunity Location Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario Posting Close Date: 12/31/2014 Job Start Date: spring 2014 or fall 2014 Job End Date: open Time/Days Required: weekday mornings Hours Per Week: minimum 7 hours Resume Required: Yes References Required: Optional Level of English Required: Very good (spoken and written) Contact: Email [email protected] For more information about Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station: www.ttpbrs.ca www.tommythompsonpark.ca Facebook: Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station

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