Volunteer Opportunity Details:
| Last updated on October 23, 2009 |
This position is responsible for coordinating the Christmas Bird Count project for Michigan. There are currently 82 counts run each year in Michigan, including 69 that report data to NAS and 13 that report data only to MAS. This position may be filled by one person or split among two people, with one person responsible for coordinating and compiling data for MAS (82 counts) and writing the annual report for Michigan Birds and Natural History and the other person responsible for compiling data for NAS (69 counts) and writing Michigan’s annual report for National Audubon’s publication American Birds.
The volunteer should be very familiar with the birds typically found in Michigan in winter, have good attention to detail, be good with numbers, and be capable of entering and compiling a large dataset in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel. Experience with creating and using formulas in Excel would be very helpful. Decisions on acceptance or rejection of records can be deferred to the Michigan Bird Records Committee and Winter Bird Survey compiler in cases where the CBC compiler is uncomfortable making those decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Review/revise standards and documentation requirements in coordination with the Winter Bird Survey editor and MBNH Survey Editor prior to mid-November each year. Update information on the MAS website as needed.
- Prepare and distribute the packet of info for local compilers in November, including documentation requirements and instructions for all counts, and data forms for the counts that only report to MAS. (All counts that report data to NAS will submit data online so no data forms are required). Most information can be distributed via email and the MAS website but a few compilers do not have email.
- Answer questions from local compilers and update contact info and count dates on the MAS website regularly from late November through early January.
- Begin reviewing count data in January and continue answering questions from local compilers through mid-February when all their data entry is complete.
- Review data from all counts, those that report to NAS and those that only report to MAS. Review rare/unusual species and make decisions on acceptance/rejection based on documentation provided. Forward documentation to the Michigan Bird Records Committee for recommendations and review. Review weather and effort data and numbers reported for each species to see that they are properly recorded. Contact local compilers if any potential errors or omissions are found.
- Create data tables and write a report summarizing all CBCs (currently 82) for Michigan Birds and Natural History by May 1 each year. Write a report summarizing the “National” CBCs (currently 69) for the NAS publication American Birds by mid-May each year.
- Facilitate the establishment of new counts as needed in summer/fall each year
Estimated Time Commitment:
November thru January: approx. 8-10 hours per month
February thru mid-May: approx. 60-80 hours total for review, compilation, and report writing
Interested parties should contact Glenn Palmgren at glenn.palmgren@comcast.net .
 This opportunity is sponsored by: Michigan Audubon Society
This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers
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| Adults (26-54) |
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Young Adults (18-25) |
| Adults (55+) |
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Address:
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6011 W. St. Joseph Hwy, Suite 403Lansing, MI 48917(See a map) |
Directions:
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Take 496 to Cryets Road exit. Go north to St. Joseph Hwy. (Second light). Turn right(East). Go to Cherbourg - turn right(into the Verndale Office Park) Turn into the 1st driveway on the right. Suite 403 is in the Southeast building of the quadrangle. |
Web Site: http://www.michiganaudubon.org
| Last updated on October 23, 2009 |
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