Thunder Cape Bird Observatory - volunteers needed

[Sheldon McGregor]

My annual note regarding Thunder Cape, submitted on behalf of Rinchen Boardman (Bander-in-Charge) of Thunder Cape who is actively looking for birding volunteers/banders for the spring and fall seasons.  I am a big booster of this place and it surprises me that more southern Ontario birders don't leap at the opportunity to experience this location.

 

Thunder Cape is located at the tip of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in northern Ontario at the site of a former lighthouse.  It is a magical location and is somewhat akin to the Point Pelee of Lake Superior. It has hosted some cosmic rarities since 1992 when it began operation … think Violet-green Swallow, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and Black-throated Sparrow.  Last spring during my 2 week stay we had 6 OBRC rarities!  We also had 93 Canada Warblers between May 23 and May 31 (most of them banded) - a crazy and important number for this Species at Risk.

In addition, there are always projects and repairs and maintenance to be done - last spring we installed a MOTUS station - the first one on the entire north shore of Lake Superior! Hoping we can MOTUS tag some Canada Warblers this spring!

 

Volunteers should have some birding experience, and ideally candidates with banding experience are needed.  That being said Rinchen is a patient and thorough teacher so it is wonderful for those keen to step through the process and get hands on banding experience.  If you are not interested in banding that is okay too as the observation platform needs help 6 hours a day.

 

The season runs from May 1 through June 6 or so, and then again from August 1 through October 31.

 

Because of the remote location and logistics it is preferred to have volunteers who can stay for several weeks.  It should be noted that although travel is often by boat to the remote station it is not uncommon that people have to hike in and/or out 13 km each way with their gear as the lake is unpredictable.

Contact Rinchen at arbybo...@gmail.com for more details!

Regards,

Sheldon