BACKGROUND:
Hart Mountain NWR needs help inventorying raptor nest sites. We are looking for volunteers to assist in locating old nest sites and recording their status, identifying new nest sites and recording data about raptors that are using the nest. Raptor species we should be able to see include, red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks, Swainson's hawks, golden eagles, prairie falcons, northern harriers, merlins and kestrels. Hopefully we'll also get a look at some of the owl species, such as burrowing owls, long-eared owls, great-horned owls, short-eared owls and maybe a flammulated owl if we're lucky!

Volunteers will be working in crews of 3 people. We will be staying in the refuge bunkhouse.

We ask that volunteers are able to:

•  Use binoculars and spotting scopes.

• Be comfortable driving on unimproved roads and navigating with maps.

• Be able to use a GPS unit.

• Have some birding skills, especially ability to identify raptors and be able to follow a Birder’s Code of Ethics.

•  Have a high clearance vehicle or be able to ride with someone driving a high-clearance vehicle (the Refuge may provide all vehicles).

•  Be responsible for personal safety.

TIMELINE:

Arrive at Hart Mountain Headquarters at 3pm on the 27th for an orientation. Plan to spend a full day on Friday and Saturday surveying raptor nests. On Sunday we will do an optional half-day survey and leave the refuge by 1pm at the latest.

GROUP SIZE:
This trip is limited to 8 participants.

REGISTRATION: A FULL ITINERARY, DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS AND "WHAT TO BRING", WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REGISTRATION. To aid in our planning, on your registration form "comments" please indicate: Your general hiking ability (high, medium, low) and if you have previously volunteered with ONDA or ECAS.