Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 12:30pm
The yellow thrush (Xanthopsar flavus), a species that inhabits grasslands and swamps in northeastern Argentina, is severely threatened by habitat loss and conversion due to land use change. In addition to this, it is also a victim of illegal trafficking and its nesting is under intense pressure from nest parasitism and nest predators.
It was seen, monitored and protected by cameras in the Taguiboti Nature Reserve in São Tomé. They came from all over the country to watch the city during certain seasons and managed to discover it.
According to a publication by Aves Argentinas, since 2015, the organization has been working with various agencies, local groups and with the invaluable help of volunteers to protect the last yellow forests in the provinces of Corrientes and Entre Ríos. thrush population. They do this by implementing “colony guardians,” a team of technicians and volunteers who monitor breeding colonies on a daily basis to protect them.
The tasks they perform include searching for and monitoring nests, surveillance with camera traps and video cameras, surveying birds and vegetation, weighing chicks, developing and implementing nest protection, and active management of individuals, territories, and nests.
Registration for this volunteer will be open throughout September on the avesargentinas.org.ar website
Volunteers learn bird sampling and handling techniques such as fog nets, strips, morphometry, and blood sampling.
What should volunteers do?
Looking for people with a passion for conservation, wildlife and an adventurous spirit. It is important to be interested in field work, observation and research of biodiversity, and methodological collection of data.
It’s also important to know how to bond within a group and maintain good friendships while working in the field and co-existing in camp. Although the training is relevant to careers like Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Cs, etc. Environment, protection technology and EAN are not the only requirements.
Yes, those with field work project experience will be considered and given preference. Volunteers will be required to spend no less than 20 days on the program with appropriate equipment and the requirements detailed below.
Those interested in volunteering must be at least 18 years old and have a current vaccination schedule. Proof of tetanus and hepatitis B vaccinations is required in advance.
They must show that they have teamwork skills and good co-existence skills, good physical condition, because field work is very demanding, long hours of work are subject to high temperatures, willingness to stay in the field for a few days (sleeping in a tent), no bathroom, No signal, early rise, many horseflies and mosquitoes, etc.), proactive, responsible, willing to learn, willing to help.
They must also have the right ingredients to be able to work in the field, as well as innovative ideas or skills you want to share, a propensity to do manual labor and walk long distances.
They stress the necessity of having complete camping gear (sleeping bag, insulation, tent, rubber boots, insect repellant, field notebook/notebook and pencil, personal hygiene items, medication, sunscreen, hat, field clothing, rain-proof pilot, personal ranch) bag with glasses, cutlery, mate, and anything else you need and want to carry).
Accommodation during the program will be fully covered, including food, accommodation (if applicable), living equipment and accident insurance. The project does not bear the transportation costs from the volunteer’s place of origin to the work place.
The main points of arrival are Gualeguaychu in the province of Entre Ríos and Sao Tome or Alvear in the province of Corrientes.
When does volunteering start?
The season starts on October 27th and ends on December 23rd (start date depends on breeding colony establishment).
Minimum stay is 20 days, but due to logistical reasons priority will be given to those who can stay longer (if less availability, write to agency for advice; less than ideal, but exceptions can be considered).