Become a Citizen Scientist
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Become a citizen scientist and help us conduct avian research! Please see the descriptions below for information about our current opportunities, and fill out our online form (at the box below) to get started. Please note the application process takes 4-6 weeks to complete. Please contact outreach@sfbbo.org for more information.
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ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITIES
Shorebird Survey Survey for shorebirds during this one-day event, which occurs each year in November or December. Volunteers are assigned a location and record bird species and numbers on data sheets. Good shorebird ID skills required. The data contributes to the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey and Migratory Shorebird Project. Gull Survey Help our biologists survey California Gull nests by foot or by kayak during one day in May. No experience required, but a willingness to be near hundreds of active gulls required. |
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PERIODIC OPPORTUNITIES
Burrowing Owl Survey Conduct transect surveys to count the number of breeding owls in April and June, and the number of wintering owls in December. Surveys occur on weekdays either two hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset. Training offered on the day of the survey and repeat volunteers get first consideration. Prevent Avian Disease Help biologists move and clean boats and search the South Bay sloughs by boat to look for injured, sick, or dead birds. The season runs from June through November. One day per month encouraged, but not required. |
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SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Colonial Waterbird Track numbers of breeding herons, egrets, and other colony-nesting waterbirds at your own colony. Surveys are on the first, and sometimes third, weekend of the month. There are also opportunities to help with data entry. Training is in January and the season runs from February through August depending on the species. Plover and Tern Surveys Survey for plovers or terns during the breeding and wintering seasons. The plover part of this program is limited to a small number of experienced citizen scientists and training occurs one-on-one; we have more openings for tern monitoring. |
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ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Landbird Banding ONLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE WITH BIRD BANDING EXPERIENCE Help biologists capture passerines in mist nets, band them, and collect data year-round at our Coyote Creek Field Station in San Jose. Volunteers progress from Predator Patroller (patrol mist nets, report captured birds, deter predators); to Extractor (extract birds from mist nets); to Bander (band birds and collect data). Nets are open on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings just before sunrise and a shift last for six hours. One day a month requirement. Orientation occurs three times a year. This is not a training or certification program. 3-5-year commitment required. |
Citizen Science Volunteer Application