Natural History Wanderings

Alcatraz National Park is looking for waterbird docents.  Docents will be trained in seabird biology and ecology. Responsibilities will include

• Staff wildlife viewing station
• Explain current activities of breeding birds
• Tend spotting scope and binoculars for lending
• Respond to visitor queries

Alcatraz National Park is a very large  and important breeding colony for several different egret, heron and seabirds including Western gulls. Also the island is home to San Francisco Bay’s only Brandt’s Cormorant colony and of its most important Black-crowned Night-heron colonies. Alcatraz’s rookeries are among the most accessible, offering visitors abundant opportunities to observe avian natural history up close.

To learn about this opportunity click Read More

Job Title:                        Waterbird Docent

Location:                        Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate   San Francisco

Hours per Month:           8 hours (4 biweekly) minimum

Benefits:                         Training in seabird biology and ecology

Description of   Duties
         During active seabird nesting season, from April 1 through August 31, you will assist visitors to Alcatraz in understanding the behavior, feeding, breeding and ecology of nesting seabird species.  The docent will staff an outdoor station within view of a seabird colony and explain the activities of the breeding populations, answering additional questions as needed.  You will set up and tend a spotting scope and/or lend binoculars to help visitors get a closer look as the seabirds and gain a better appreciation of the colonies’ dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Staff wildlife viewing station
• Explain current activities of breeding birds
• Tend spotting scope and binoculars for lending
• Respond to visitor queries

Knowledge and  Skills Desired

• Interest in wildlife and especially birds
• Good people skills
• Willingness to work in harsh (cold, windy, foggy, sometimes hot!) environment

Information Session  To learn more about this volunteer opportunity:

March 7, 2012    7pm – 8pm

March 10, 2012  10am – 11am

GGNRA Headquarters, Fort Mason, Bldg 201, San Francisco

Mandatory Training            March 24   8:30am – 3:30pm   Alcatraz Island

Contact:   Ed Ryken, Docent Coordinator, edwbear@earthlink.net (primary contact)