Join us in Portugal in 2011

A unique opportunity is available for volunteers to join our storm petrel project in Portugal for 10 days during May-June 2011.

The birds...

Storm Petrels (or “stormies”) are tiny sparrow-sized seabirds that traverse the globe on their migrations, only rarely coming to land.

A storm petrel carrying an individually numbered ring. This bird was originally ringed in Scotland, and subsequently re-caught in Portugal.

A "stormie" at sea

The Research…
Since 1990 stormies have been the focus of one of A Rocha Portugal's long-running research projects, on the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. The project examines the links between climate, oceanography, marine food-webs and the diet and migration strategies of storm petrels. See the numerous other postings on this blog for further details of our research and to see photos of previous storm petrel teams in action

Members of the research team hard at work

The participants...

Each year, we welcome volunteers from all around the world and of all ages, to take part in this exciting and topical research project. Small teams of 6-8 volunteers stay for 10 days each, working alongside scientists from Cardiff University & A Rocha Portugal. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a reasonable level of physical fitness. All necessary training is provided, and volunteers can complete an optional short course in Seabird Research Techniques, to obtain a certificate.

Manuela, a volunteer from Italy

The location...
You will be based at A Rocha Portugal’s Bird Observatory on the Algarve coast.

Stormies are captured at night at a beautiful and remote location near the western Cape. Sound recordings of the storm petrel's songs are used to lure the birds into mist nets, from which they are carefully extracted by trained bird ringers, then weighed measured and quickly released.


Good food, a warm welcome and impressive facial hair are the observatory’s specialities!


The project staff...

Dr Rob Thomas, Lecturer in Biosciences at Cardiff University (Wales, UK) & storm petrel project coordinator

Renata Medeiros, PhD student at Cardiff University & regular staff member.

.

We are also regularly joined by other biologists including Dr Nicola Marples & Dr Dave Kelly (both at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) & Dr Jaime Ramos (University of Coimbra, Portugal).

.

2011 dates -please email Rob for details ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk

Team 1: June 1st-10th

Team 2: June 10th-19th

Team 3: June 19th-28th

2011 prices: £ 550 per person for 10 days
Includes accommodation, good food & all research expenses

(travel to Portugal & travel insurance are not included).
A number of student/pensioner discounts are available (details available on request: contact ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk)

Further information & Bookings
To find out more about joining the project in 2010, or to make a booking, please contact the project leader:

Dr Rob Thomas, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF103US, UK.
Email: ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk

Tel.: 0044 (0)29 20757226 (evenings/answerphone)
Mobile: 0044 (0)790 4565448

We look forward to hosting you in Portugal this summer, for the A Rocha storm petrel project's 22nd year!