Citizen Scientists

There is a wide and exciting range of ways in which volunteers can be involved in the work of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation. Of course there is the fieldwork where a volunteer is right in the front line and where he or she learns more about the nature of our environment every hour. However there are many essential functions such as fund-raising, telephoning, public relations, newsletter and data entry which are carried out in the comfort of the home. We encourage volunteers to get involved in both types of work at least to some extent.

Fieldwork

Most new fieldworkers do not realise the very great amount of knowledge they will acquire over the next few years as they work up to the higher levels.They will hardly notice it happening but they will learn to recognise the difference between Golden and Bald Eagles flying at great heights and distance. The same will happen regarding all the other raptors and indeed all bird species. The study is run by local bird experts and a knowledgeable, friendly person is present at all times during the migration. In addition the study attracts experts from all across N.America and from around the world. This attention is because Mt. Lorette is one of only a few accessible places in the world where an observer may expect to see several hundred Golden Eagles in a day's watching.

Skysweeper

Probably all you need to get started is a reasonably good pair of eyes and binoculars. One of the first things to learn is where to watch in an enormous sky. You quickly realise that every extra pair of eyes is a godsend in this study. Next you learn the names of all peaks and minor features along the ridges so that if you see a bird you can call the recording volunteer's attention to it. He or she will then find that bird in a telescope and record its age and flight details in the field notes for later entry in computer data banks. As confidence is gained you will start to recognise the different species of raptor and will become familiar enough with them to call out a species name. You will also start to notice weather patterns and relate weather to flight behaviour

Observer

At this level the volunteer can reliably identify and age Bald and Golden Eagles. He or she can also identify most of the other migrating raptors and is learning the difference in plumages seen in young and adult birds and in various morphs of a species. This level of volunteer can also identify many of the other bird species which are visiting or residing in the valley. He or she can recognise many of the smaller birds by call or song. Duties include the taking of a separate set of notes so that the notation involved can be mastered. Eventually he or she will assume the duties of Principal Observer for short periods.

Principal Observer

Thoroughly familiar with all aspects of identification and notation. Coordinates the work of other volunteers present at the site and is responsible for making comprehensive field notes regarding species, flight route, flight method (soar, glide, kite etc.)and weather.

Explorer

We have a fairly good idea of much of the route taken by the Golden Eagles counted at the Lorette site but there are large gaps in our knowledge. We have a large mass of data for the Lorette site, considerable data for Plateau Mountain, Little Elbow, Barrier Lake and Windy Point,sporadic data for the Livingstone Range, the Crowsnest Pass and Castle Mountain and practically none for the David Thompson and points between there and Alaska, with the exception of the Prince George and Pine Pass areas of northeastern British Columbia.

In addition we have had tantalizing reports from observers in the Rocky Mountain Trench,. that wide valley stretching from the US border northwards through Cranbrook, Invermere, Radium, Golden, and Donald. Along this stretch it is occupied by the Columbia River and is easily assessible by road. To the south in the US and northwards from Donald the geographical feature continues. We believe that the continuous mountain ridges on the western flank of the Rocky Mountains afford an excellent flyway for eagles and other raptors. One of our principal observers spent his 2002 fall vacation trying to tie down this migration and find suitable observation sites. Unfortunately he hit a lull in the migration (which we also noted at Lorette) and he had only limited success. A few years ago another of our observers saw over a hundred Golden Eagles pass by along this route in a few hours!

Its a big country and we have lots of work to do but before you rush off into the wild to explore we would like you to make sure of a few things even if you are already an experienced bird watcher.

Be sure you can recognise Golden Eagles and other migrating raptors at great distances

Take a notebook and make good notes- time of each bird, where first seen (peak names if possible), age of bird if possible, route followed by the bird and flight notes (important in determining if the bird was actually migrating) and weather conditions

Report your observations and location by email to Peter Sherrington.

For less experienced people it would be best to spend considerable time with the observers at Mount Lorette or Piistaistakis to learn the ropes and then to explore in the company of the principal observers.

Disclaimer

The Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation (RMERF) will not accept any responsibility for injury or loss sustained by participants (for any perceived reason including negligence) in any field activities or other functions organised by or for RMERF.