Anyone ever been a volunteer bird watcher for any organization?

[SwampDonkey]

I have just received my information package and associated forms to volunteer in gathering bird breeding and siting information for the Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas.

The only thing is, I wish I had signed up earlier, but never knew about it until 3 weeks ago. Apparently, this study has been going on since 2006 and comes to an end in 2010. Each August 31st, we are required to submit our forms. I feel it's too late to get going on it this year, but will be geared up next year. I already have observed some rare birds in this region including night hawks, brown thrasher and rusty black birds. I have not located any nests of these birds, but the brown thrasher I know was nesting in the back yard. They have been missing now for about 3 weeks. I hope they come back home next spring. They are the first pair I have ever seen.

Look out for our window signs. ;D

[maestro]

That's pretty cool!  I'm not a bird watcher but along the same lines I just started a Master Naturalist class sponsored by the Missouri Dept.  of Conservation.  We're being trained to be high quality volunteers and will be able to help out on Conservation projects.  Water study, bird banding, soil samples and other projects have been talked about and we're getting some serious training over the next several weeks (through Oct.).  You should see the amount of data we've already been given and will have much more by the time the classes are though.  It's neat to be involved in something like this and I do hope more bird studies are available.  Good luck in yours and keep us posted as to how the research goes!

[Ron Scott]

I've been a volunteer birdwatcher for the Michigan Audubon for some time. Do the Bird Atlas Counts, Certified Feeding Station sightings and reports, etc.

[Rocky_J]

I'm not a birdwatcher but I have done some volunteer work with the local audubon society 'birds of prey' center. I've used my bucket truck and also climbed trees to put fallen baby birds back into their nests, and also installed man made nests for the babies when their nest was destroyed. I've re-nested great horned owls and red shouldered hawks. Very rewarding work and the baby owls are super soft and cool looking!

[SwampDonkey]

I knew I wasn't alone in this.  ;D

Kewl, guys. 

[crtreedude]

Not yet, but I am thinking about it. Given we live in a country with 800 birds and is known in all the world for birdwatching, I am a bit slow at getting in on something like this.

[SwampDonkey]

I knew I wasn't the only bird brain.  ;D ;)