Students: Apply for Summer Research
ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Throughout northeastern U.S., the golden-winged warbler has declined and even disappeared as the blue-winged warbler expanded into the golden-wing range. There is one documented exception: my study site in southern New York (sNY). Studies this summer will measure nesting success of golden-wings in upland and in wetland habitat. We will measure the ability of hybrid males to obtain mates, which is probably very low. We will also collect blood samples for DNA analyses to determine the degree of hybrid mixing in these two species. Some people have suggested they are all one species and that they do not deserve protection in the Endangered Species Act as long as one of the two species is doing well. Mitochondrial DNA analyses showed that introgression between these two species is uncommon in sNY (Dabrowski et al. 2005 Conservation Genetics 5:843-853). In contrast to results from other sites, these results suggest they should be considered as separate species. We will expand the sample size this coming summer while initiating studies of parentage and extra-pair fertilization among golden-wings and blue-wings.
My field work this summer will examine aspects of the ecology of shrubland birds. I will: 1) Continue analyses of the decline of the Golden-winged Warbler, including the assessment of habitat and nesting success and molecular genetic analyses of hybridization with the Blue-winged Warbler and 2) conduct a comprehensive post-treatment survey of vertebrate fauna in an area of shrubland restoration.
Nesting success on Utility rights-of-way (ROW) and in wetlands. In the eastern US, shrubland birds are generally declining as abandoned farmland passes through a shrubland stage and succeeds into second growth forest. Consequently, about 70% of the shrubland bird species of eastern U.S. show a statistically significant decline, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. We have also lost most of the natural disturbance ecosystems, such as beaver wetlands and pine barrens, in the northeastern US, which further reduces habitat for shrubland species. The major shrubland managers in eastern U.S. are the electric power utilities. Utilities manage about 9 times as much shrubland habitat as all other managers put together. I have worked with utilities to determine ways in which they could change their vegetation management to enhance the abundance, diversity, and nesting success of birds on the ROW. We will locate the nests, monitor their success and map the location relating nesting success to habitat conditions. Nesting success appears to vary between uplands and wetlands, a factor that may be crucial to effective management for golden-wings.
Reproductive success of Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers. I am particularly concerned with the rapidly declining Golden-winged and Blue-winged warblers. Both golden-wings and blue-wings are declining so rapidly that they are under "Status Assessment" for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if they should be listed for protection within the Endangered Species Act. I am co-author for the Status Assessment for both species and know that results obtained with summer field research assistants have a direct influence on recommendations for or against listing and on recommendations for habitat management.
Work by my summer research assistants is essential to the accumulation of extensive and accurate data that form the basis of my publications and management recommendations. The entire process of data accumulation and recording requires a commitment to the highest standards of scientific research. Without such commitment, the quality of research would become unacceptable. Many students who have worked with me have continued in graduate school in related fields. Quite a few students have given presentations at regional, state and even national meetings and some have co-authored publications in state and nationally-distributed journals. For many students, summer research has been a memorable experience that helped determine much of their professional careers.
LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS
This fieldwork is intense. It requires long hours of work and is physically tiring. We will have to work and live and drive and eat and clean house in close proximity with other, tired co-workers who could start the season as complete strangers. The success of summer research crews requires that everyone sustain sensitivity for everyone else. Because bird activity is far greater early in the morning, especially in the half hour pre-dawn, usually we will leave for the field by 4:30. Considering the cooperative living and hard work early in the morning, I have requirements for this communal living. I know that tired workers become forgetful and grouchy and lose motivation to go the extra "mile" [you could take that literally] to find another nest. Consequently, it is a requirement that we retire to our rooms generally before 9:00. Consistent violations of this policy are a basis for dismissal. You are required to share in shopping, cooking, cleaning, data entry, packing/unpacking the car, care of damp or wet gear and general cooperative living. I assure you this can be fun. It can even be a really wonderful experience. Working together cooperatively is necessary for the accumulation of an appropriate quantity and quality of data and is a requirement for continued employment throughout the summer field season.
The nesting season for Neotropical migrant birds is extremely brief. Birds do not care about your weekend schedule and all data on breeding must be collected over a very brief time. Consequently, we will work 6 days a week for the first 6 weeks (leaving Ithaca on 9 May). Each individual will be able to choose one weekend in those 6 weeks where they can take 2 days off. Starting 5 July, we will spend about a week in Ithaca doing data entry and compilation and vegetation measurements back.
PAY AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Pay rate will be the departmental standard of $9 to 9:75/hr (depending on experience and funds available) for a forty hour work week plus time-and-a-half for 5 days of work on Saturday for 5 of the first 6 weekends. Employment will be for 12 for an assistant supervisor and 9 weeks for a field assistant.
I will provide:
- all housing expenses in southern New York,
- $90 towards the cost of a new pair of field boots (having 2 pair of boots would be nice so you can step into a dry pair each morning at 4:00),
- provide raingear, a backpack and moderately good binoculars,
- occasional restaurant meals while in transit.
Housing: During this summer we will work in southern NY in SterlingForestState Park within the Hudson Highlands. I pay the rent for a cottage in southern NY, which is clean but not fancy. We are all expected to share in cooking and cleaning for our summer home.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR FIELD WORK WITH Dr. JOHN CONFER
Please see me for material to be read for applications for these jobs. I will be glad to talk with anyone interested in the project at any time (607-274-3978).