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>ROCKY POINT NOTES, VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2 (5 SEPTEMBER 1997)
>
>Welcome to Rocky Point Notes, a newsletter summarizing what's going on at
>Rocky Point and other selected research and conservation sites. If you do
>not wish to receive this, please let me know. If you wish to receive
>previous issues, please let me know. Also, if you know of others who would
>like to know what's up with these projects, I will be happy to add them to
>the distribution list.
>
>Following the current issue is a note on volunteer opportunities.
>
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>THE PAST WEEK AT ROCKY POINT
>Catches were generally fairly low this week with the exception of September
>3, when Arfon Williams, Max Gotz and Dominique Lejour experienced the
>busiest day of the season. Seventy-two birds were captured, including our
>first-ever Virginia Rail. Other notables were the first of the year
>Northern Saw-whet Owl and Fox Sparrow. Surprisingly high numbers of Yellow
>Warblers (16) hit the nets, and it was one of the biggest Lincoln's Sparrow
>days (16). On September 2, we captured and banded our first-ever Cooper's
>Hawk. Our second Nashville Warbler was netted on September 5.
>
>There have been thousands of seabirds between William Head and Christopher
>Point. Max and Arfon spent many hours watching the ocean from Edye Point
>and turned up some impressive findings. Highlights included 2 Cassin's
>Auklets and 4000 Red-necked Phalaropes observed on September 4. A Peregrine
>Falcon was observed chasing the phalaropes. Large numbers of gulls (mainly
>California and Heermann's) have been close in at the point, feeding on
>schooling fish.
>
>The skies are not yet full of birds, however raptor numbers are starting to
>increase. On September 3, 12 Turkey Vultures, 5 Red-tailed Hawks and a
>Peregrine Falcon were seen.
>
>SOME RECENT ROCKY POINT OBSERVATIONS
>Observers: BMG=Max Gotz, AW=Arfon Williams, LD=Laura Darling, DL=Dominique
>Lejour
>Brown Pelican August 30 2 off Edye Point BMG
>Brown Pelican August 31 1 off Edye Point BMG
>Red-necked Phalarope September 4 4000 off Edye Point BMG, AW
>Rhinocerous Auklet August 25 1000 BMG
>Mourning Dove September 1 1 BMG
>
>Vaux's Swift September 2 500 BMG,
>AW
>Nashville Warbler September 1 1 near gate 12 BMG
>Nashville Warbler September 5 1 captured LD,
>AW, DL
>
>COMING UP SOON - WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEK
>While the weather remains fairly good, we are still expecting low numbers of
>birds in the nets. The first Hermit Thrushes and Ruby-crowned Kinglets
>should appear soon. By the end of next week, raptor migration should be in
>full swing. Perhaps we'll be able to report a Broad-winged Hawk again!
>
>VOLUNTEERS
>Thanks to those who have been reponded to our recent request for banding
>assistants, and census route walkers. Bev Glover will be coordinating
>volunteers for the next week or so. She can be reached at 721-7148(w),
>721-1476(h) or glov203 at uvvm.uvic.ca (e mail). Please contact her if you are
>available to help.
>
>QUESTIONS, NOTES, COMMENTS???
>Please send them along to me. Thank you!
>
>Michael G. Shepard
>Volunteer Coordinator
>Rocky Point Migration Monitoring Station
>mgs at islandnet.com
>306-825 Cook Street
>Victoria, B.C. V8V 3Z1
>(250) 380-9195
>
>Please note that the Rocky Point Migration Monitoring Station is on
>Department of National Defence property and is not open to the public. If
>you wish to volunteer with the monitoring program, please contact Michael
>Shepard or the current volunteer coordinator as listed in "Rocky Point
>Notes". Thank you.
>
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>
>VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
>If you would like to participate, please let me know. The main
>qualifications required are enthusiasm and enjoying working with other
>people. The following jobs/activities are scheduled each day.
>BIRD BANDING: This involves extracting captured birds from mist nets,
>identification in the hand, banding, aging, sexing, weighing, taking other
>appropriate measurements, recording data. DAILY CENSUS: We have a census
>route of approximately two kilometers. It commences at approximately 30
>minutes after sunrise and takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. GENERAL
>OBSERVATIONS: We record all birds seen, heard, caught in the study area, so
>all people on site keep an eye open for what's moving. ESTIMATED TOTAL
>CALCULATION: At the end of the monitoring period, we get together and
>summarize the findings of the day.
>
>Contact me if you wish to participate in any of the following capacities:
>EXPERIENCED BANDERS WITH VALID PERMITS
>Our goal is to have our banding program running every day during the
>migration season. We're close, but would be pleased to have few more banders
>to fill in the gaps.
>BIRD BANDING ASSISTANTS
>Even if you have little or no experience birding or banding, you can be of
>great assistance in recording data, carrying and weighing birds, etc. Our
>crew typically consists of an experienced bander, and one to four
>assistants. Please let me know as early as possible which days you are
>available to we can schedule an appropriate mix of participants.
>BIRDERS FOR THE DAILY CENSUS
>For the census, we need one person with good identification and bird
>counting skills to do the route. This person is usually accompanied by an
>apprentice, who will pick up knowledge from the primary observer.
>
>
>
_____________________
| bmgotz at direct.ca |
| |
| (604) 932-7247 vx |
| (604) 938-2925 fx |
| |
| B.M. Gotz |
| Box 291 |
| Whistler, BC |
| V0N 1B0 |
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