The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that focuses on connecting all people with nature through conservation, education and advocacy. Part of our mission is to contribute to the scientific literature by conducting research to understand best conservation practices within our refuges and across collaborations. This project will be conducted on a 20-acre parcel of Audubon property located in Jamestown, Rhode Island ("Racquet Road") which consists of several habitat types, including mixed deciduous forest, early successional, freshwater wetland, and saltmarsh, located on the Narragansett Bay. Racquet Road is primarily inundated with invasive plant species and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island recently received the opportunity to completely change the structure of this parcel into a coastal shrubland habitat. The goal of this project is to evaluate pre- and post- restoration efforts of the refueling rate of migratory songbirds that stopover on Racquet Road in the spring of 2027 (and potentially fall of 2027, TBD). This spring will focus on pre-restoration data collection while post-restoration data collection is projected to occur approximately 3-5 years after project completion.

The candidate will assist with banding efforts between the end of March - mid May in 2027 and should be comfortable removing songbirds from mist-nets, running between mist-nets and the banding station, and working long hours on their feet. We will be collecting triglyceride data from focal species which requires quick net checks (~10 minutes apart). Unfortunately, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is unable to provide housing and health insurance for this position.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or working towards one) in wildlife or conservation-related field
• Experience working with songbirds in mist-nets (specifically extractions)
• Ability to work early mornings before sunrise in various temperatures
• Comfortable bushwhacking through dense, thorny vegetation
• Has excellent time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency

Preferred (but not required) qualifications

• Experience taking blood samples from warblers, thrushes, sparrows, etc. via the brachial vein