[mou] Call for Northern Goshawk monitors

[Debbie Waters]

Hi folks,
The MN DNR and Hawk Ridge are teaming up to begin a citizen science
component to the DNR's Northern Goshawk monitoring program.  Gaea Crozier
from the DNR has written up a detailed description of the project and what
we're looking for in volunteers.   
 
Please read the following call for volunteers CAREFULLY, and if you're
interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact me at
dwaters at hawkridge.org and include the following information:
 
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Qualifications related to this monitoring opportunity
 
I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have related to the project.
THANKS!! 
 
_____________________________
 
Volunteer opportunity with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
conducting Northern Goshawk surveys
 
The MN DNR is looking for volunteers to monitor breeding activity in
Northern Goshawk territories in northern Minnesota.  The territories are
primarily located on the Chippewa National Forest, Superior National Forest,
and in St. Louis County.  Volunteers are needed to choose one or more
territories to monitor in 2009, with the possibility of continuing the
monitoring in following years.  Following a survey protocol, volunteers will
survey each territory (500m radius circle) approximately three times a
breeding season: once in early March - mid April to determine if goshawks
are present in the territory, once in late April - early May to determine if
the goshawks are nesting in the territory, and once in late June - July to
determine if the nest was successful.  Surveys entail searching the
territory for the presence of goshawks, examining goshawk nests for signs of
activity, and broadcasting goshawk calls to elicit a response.  Volunteers
will be expected to carefully adhere to the survey protocol and fill out
data sheets. 
 
Volunteers should have a background in biology, be comfortable identifying
forest raptors by sight and sound, have good vision and hearing abilities,
be willing to follow the survey protocol carefully, have access to
binoculars and XC skis and/or snowshoes, be physically capable of hiking
long distances in rough terrain, and be able to navigate using a GPS,
compass and map.  
 
Volunteers will be provided with survey equipment; however, volunteers with
their own compass and GPS are preferred and volunteers must have their own
transportation.  It is likely that volunteers will be given a modest
reimbursement to help with transportation costs, etc.  Volunteers will be
required to attend a 1-day training session in February or March 2009 in the
Grand Rapids area on raptor identification, survey protocol and navigating
with a GPS.  If possible, the MN DNR would like volunteers to participate in
one goshawk survey in 2008 (occurring from March - June) to gain a better
understanding of what the goshawk surveys entail and to learn the survey
protocol.  
 
The location of the goshawk territories is sensitive information, and
volunteers must agree that they will not share this information with others.
Volunteers should not have a conflicting interest with the project, and any
volunteers that are falconers must agree that they will not take young from
the nest.
 
If you are interested in receiving more information about this volunteer
opportunity, please contact Debbie Waters at  <mailto:dwaters at hawkridge.org>
dwaters at hawkridge.org. 
__________________________ 
Debbie Waters 
Education Director 
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory 
P.O. Box 3006 
Duluth, MN 55803-3006 
218.428.3539 
dwaters at hawkridge.org 
www.hawkridge.org 

What's the current fall raptor count? 
www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288     

Need info on visiting Hawk Ridge? 
www.hawkridge.org/visit/visit.html 

 
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