Cats and Birds | Okanagan Research
Are you interested in wildlife research? Do you live in the South Okanagan? Are you an avid birder? We are looking for people like you to help us complete bird point counts and trail camera monitoring of outdoor cats in the South Okanagan! This is a great opportunity for birders and students looking for wildlife research experience.
Volunteer for Fieldwork
The Okanagan Cat Count research project is looking for birders, students in biology/environmental sciences, wildlife enthusiast, researchers and keen individuals to help with bird counts and installation of trail cameras in Oliver, Okanagan Fall, and Osoyoos. Volunteers will work with the primary researcher Olivia Wilson and follow field safety and COVID-19 protocols.
Bird point counts
Point counts start 30 minutes before sunrise and are completed by 30 minutes after sunrise.
At each survey site, point counts will consist of two 5-minute periods where you will need to record all birds seen and heard.
Volunteers must be able to identify 90-100% of all bird species found in the South Okanagan Valley. All point counts will also be recorded using an Automated Recording Unit to confirm any unidentified calls.
Trail cameras
From Okanagan Falls to Osoyoos, trail cameras will be installed to monitor outdoor cats in urban, peri-urban, agricultural, forested, and protected areas.
Volunteers will learn about trail cameras and help with camera installation and monitoring between March and December 2022.
Cameras will be attached to fence posts or trees about 30 cm from the ground for four weeks every 2-3 months during spring, summer and fall.
Sign-up to Volunteer
Volunteers can use the link below to sign-up for days that work best for them. If you have any questions, please email the primary investigator Olivia Wilson at wilsono@unbc.ca.
To learn more about the project, read Olivia’s letter (image to the left) or visit the Okanagan Cat Count research page.
Stay Connected!
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