Guide to a field season with Bird Conservancy as a Siegele Intern.
This summer I had the opportunity to explore almost every component of Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Our main project was within the Colorado Mexican Spotted Owl Crew. Using broadcast survey techniques, we would bushwack into the woods at sunset to call for the owls. Secondly, we were effectively trained in how to conduct point-count surveys for birds. This consisted of getting out to the grassland early in the morning to stand at a point and identify every single bird you heard or saw for six minutes at a time. The third largest skill we gained was how to complete multiple types of vegetation surveys. This ranged from NRCS surveys in the grassland to wetland restoration projects near the South Platte River with Bird Conservancy’s wetland specialists. Lastly, we had the opportunity to talk to representatives of the science, education, and stewardship teams within Bird Conservancy. Overall, this summer exceeded all expectations I had for the Siegele Internship and presented a large amount of insight into what I would like to do in the future.
