The Cerulean Warbler and Golden-Winged Warbler committee welcome participants to the Neotropical Migratory Bird Ecology Training Course between 26-31 October 2008 in the Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve, Colombia.
The course is organized by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Smithsonian Institute, American Bird Conservancy and Fundación ProAves among others. The aim of the course is to develop and implement a standardized protocol to estimate abundance, distribution and habitat use in wintering areas for neotropical migrants, particularly for Cerulean Warbler and Golden-Winged Warbler. The course is designed for biology, ecology and related sciences students, researchers, public officials of the environmental sector and everyone interested in studies with birds.
Structure
The course is primarily practical with a minor theoretical component. All participants will be linked with instructors in the field to learn standardized methodologies for the study of neotropical migratory birds in wintering areas. Afternoons are designed to review the materials of the course. The students will attend conferences with recognized international scientists covering a wide range of research areas. Participants will learn the following topics:
Design: to define the research topic; to establish the experimental design; to determine what data should be collected and which methods should be employed, and to plan the analysis phase.
Techniques course: data collection protocols and field formats; capture and processing of birds; bird watching and data collecting and systematization.
Data analysis: statistic programs; interpretation and presentation of results.
Dissemination of information: write scientific articles in an accessible format to general public; how to start and finish an article; effective communication of results to government agencies and general public.
Place: Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve, San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander, Colombia.
Requirements for participants
- Limited capacity for 30 people from Latin America with preference to those with expertise in applied research of migratory birds.
- Priority will be given to registered participants of the 3rd Cerulean Warbler and 2nd Golden-winged Warbler summits.
Instructors.
Dr. Ken Rosenberg, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dr Pete Marra, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center; Dr Viviana Ruiz-Gutiérrez, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dr David Buehler, University of Tennessee; Dr Amanda Rodewold, Ohio State University; Dr Tom Will, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Dr David Pashley, American Bird Conservancy; Dr Melinda Welton, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory; Dr Rachel Vallender , Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Dr Richard Chandler, UMass Amherst; Dr Amber Roth, Michigan Tech University.
Registrations
A letter of interest specifying the reasons for applying to Marisol Escano, Fundación ProAves (mescano @ proaves.org). Please specify in the subject: “Migratory Ecology Course”.
Cost
The cost of the course includes materials, food and transportation from San Vicente de Chucurí to Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve.
Latin Americans: US$300
Students: US$250 accommodation provided
Students: US$150 without accommodation (participant must provide their own tent and sleeping equipment)
In collaboration with:
Migratory Bird Ecology Training course
Banding course on migratory and endangered birds