Ecuador Cloud Forest Bird Banding & Monitoring Projects
Mashpi Reserve (Choco), Western Andes, Ecuador June 27 - July 10, 2012
Las Tangaras Reserve Mindo, Western Andes, Ecuador July 15 - 28, 2012
Volunteers help mist-net, band, and survey birds at Las Tangaras Reserve or Mashpi Reserve in the world's number one avian biodiversity hotspot: the tropical Andes. Dr. Becker, a well-known tropical avian ecologist with over 15 years of experience in Ecuador, leads the expeditions assisted by experienced Ecuadorian para-biologists. At Las Tangaras teams research cloud forest avian community structure and species tolerances for deforestation and grazing. Las Tangaras Reserve, is located in remote forest of the famed birding destination of Mindo, Ecuador. The reserve supports many Choco endemics, 25 species of hummingbirds, and the largest regional Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek (mating arena). At Mashpi Reserve we are making a bird list for a new ecotourism destination, and documenting variation in avian communities along an elevational gradient in the famed Choco endemic bird area (EBA). Mashpi's 19,000 ha of moist tropical forest supports a huge avian community as well as big cats and other wildlife.
Volunteers help set up and monitor mist nets, extract birds from nets, carry birds from nets to banding stations, and record basic ecological data. Volunteers will have some afternoons free to explore and bird. We also provide training in banding for those interested in developing that skill.
Expeditions begin and end in Quito. A volunteer donation of $1500 to Life Net is partially tax deductible and covers room, board, and transportation during the project and contributes to Life Net avian conservation projects in Ecuador. To apply, complete the volunteer application form located on the volunteer page and e-mail it with a brief cover letter (resume is optional) to Dr. Dusti Becker: dbecker@lifenetnature.org