Saturday 2 September 2023 | 12:30 pm.
The yellow thrush (Xanthopsar flavus) is a species that inhabits the grasslands and marshes of northeastern Argentina and is under severe threat from habitat loss and transformation due to land use change. In addition to this, it is also a victim of illegal trafficking, and its nesting is under strong pressure from brood parasitism and nest predators.
It has been spotted in Sao Tome, monitored and guarded by cameras in the Taji Poti Nature Reserve. People come to see this city at certain times of the year from different parts of the country, and they manage to notice it.
According to a publication by Aves Argentinas, since 2015 the organization has been working with various institutions, local groups and with the invaluable help of volunteers to protect the last yellowbird populations present in the provinces of Corrientes and Entre Ríos. They do this through the creation of the Colony Guardians, which is a group of technicians and volunteers who monitor the reproductive colonies on a daily basis to protect them.
The tasks they perform include searching for and observing nests, surveillance with camera traps and video cameras, surveying birds and vegetation, weighing chicks, making and guarding nests, and actively managing individuals, territories and nests.
Registration for this volunteer will be open throughout September at avesargentinas.org.ar.
Volunteers learn bird sampling and handling techniques such as fog netting, banding, morphometric measurements, and blood sampling.
What should be a volunteer?
We are looking for people who are enthusiastic about conservation, wildlife and have an adventurous spirit. It is important to have an interest in field work, observation and study of biodiversity, methodical data collection.
It is also important to know how to bond in a group and maintain good camaraderie both during field work and coexistence in camps. Although training is associated with professions such as biology, veterinary medicine, Cs. Ecology, Environmental Technology and EAN are not exclusive requirements.
Yes, people with previous experience in fieldwork projects will be considered and given priority. Volunteers will be required to spend at least 20 days on the project and have the appropriate equipment and requirements detailed below.
People interested in this volunteering must be at least 18 years of age and have an up-to-date vaccination schedule. Certificates of vaccinations against tetanus and hepatitis B will be required in advance.
They must show the ability to work in a team and good coexistence, good physical condition, since field work is very demanding, with long working days in high temperatures, be ready to spend several days in the field (sleeping in a tent). , no toilet and signal, early rise, many horseflies and mosquitoes, etc.), be proactive, responsible and willing to learn and help.
They should also have the appropriate skills for working in the field, as well as innovative ideas or skills you want to share, a predisposition to manual labor and long walks.
They emphasized the need to have complete camping equipment (sleeping bag, insulation material, tent, rubber boots, insect repellent, field pad/notebook and pencils, personal hygiene items, medication, sunscreen, hat, field clothing, rain pilot, personal ranch ). a bag with a glass, cutlery, a mat and everything you need and want to take with you).
The stay in the project will be fully covered, including meals, accommodation (if applicable), necessary equipment and accident insurance. Transportation costs from the place of origin of the volunteer to the place of work are not covered by the Project.
The main points of arrival will be Gualeguaychu in the province of Entre Rios and Santo Tome or Alvear in the province of Corrientes.
When will volunteering start?
The season starts on October 27 and ends on December 23 (the start date depends on the establishment of tribal colonies).
The minimum stay is 20 days, however, due to logistics, priority will be given to those people who can stay longer (you can write to the organization to consult if there are fewer places; although this is not ideal, they may consider exceptions).