The Ecology of Bird Loss Project

An EBL team was extremely fortunate to spend a few days on the beautiful island of Aguiguan this past weekend, partly for research on bird diets and partly to explore a new island with a great group of colleagues and friends. An enormous thank you to for allowing us to access the island, and thank you to the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife for permitting us to do research. We also want to give a huge thank you to and for planning this trip and for all of the logistical support and hospitality along the way!

Over the last few weeks we have been mist-netting on Luta and Saipan. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of our adventures from the start of our summer field season out in the Marianas!

Come on down to Mariana Islands Conservation Conference at Crowne Plaza, and check out exciting opportunities to work with agencies like USFWS, BECQ, CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife and College/Universities like Virginia Tech and Northern Marianas College. Please share widely!!

Calling all graduating high school students from Guam, CNMI, FSM, RMI, and Palau! 🎓🎓 Ready to embark on your college journey? Don’t miss our exclusive Zoom info session with a VT recruiter! Let’s dive into exciting majors, scholarships, and more!

With the eye of grazing the northern tip of the island at it passed through the Rota Channel (rated at the time as Category 4, with sustained winds up to 140 mph), we were concerned about the fate of our Såli nest boxes deployed across the housing areas of Andersen Air Force Base. We were very relieved to find that they passed the ultimate test: all but one of the 70 boxes currently installed survived the storm unscathed, and the damaged box only lost its roof, which can be easily replaced. 🥳

We are glad that the boxes can continue to provide predator-safe nesting sites for Guam's Såli as their population recovers from the effects of the storm. The birds, in turn, will provide critical seed dispersal services to the hard-hit native limestone forest.

These boxes were originally installed in 2015 in a project led by Dr. Julie Savidge of Colorado State University, and have been maintained and expanded by EBL since 2017.

📷 Martin Kastner

Si Yu’os Ma’åse’, thank you to Martin Kastner and Kayla Baker of the for their donation of 3 Såli nest boxes for the DAWR Såli project. These will aid in expediting the deployment of Såli nest boxes in Såli villages on Guam. Yigo, Dededo, Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon, Hagåtña, and Malesso’ and Islan Dåno’, here we come!

We are hiring a pollination ecology crew leader! For more details, see our website (link below).

Jobs EBL positions (May 2023) Pollination Ecology Crew Leader – Mariana Islands (Guam, Saipan, Rota) Our pollination ecology project uses multip...

Last week, the EBL field crew finished a census of the Såli population on Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo, Guam. This is an intensive effort that involves 3 full week-long counts of the population, plus additional counts of surrounding forest and village areas. We count all the birds we see, but focus especially on color-banded birds to get the most precise count possible. We are interested in both the size and the demography of the population (how many birds in each age class - lots of juveniles and subadults in these 📷 by Martin Kastner). In 2018 we estimated around 1,500 Såli in the population. Stay tuned to fined out the results of this year's count!

Deadline is coming up. Please share!

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Summer of 2023

Description of the REU position: The Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project in the lab of Dr. Haldre Rogers is seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student interested in gaining research experience in tropical forest ecology. The student will assist with an ongoing experiment that examines the role of bird and insect pollinators in forest trees and will work with an undergraduate REU student from the mainland US to develop a research project related to this experiment. An interest in community ecology, plant ecology and/or plant-animal interactions is required.

Description of the EBL project: The Ecology of Bird Loss Project examines the effect of bird loss from the island of Guam on forest ecosystems. We do this by comparing forests on Guam, where birds are functionally extinct due to predation by the invasive brown treesnake, to forests on Saipan and Rota, where native bird populations are still intact. This particular project focuses on how loss of birds has affected avian and insect pollination. For more information on the EBL project, visit www.ecologyofbirdloss.org.

Requirements: Eligible candidates must currently be a freshman, sophomore or junior and be registered for classes in Fall 2023. He/she must either be from the Mariana Islands or be currently enrolled at a university in the Mariana Islands (e.g. University of Guam, Guam Community College, Northern Marianas College). Candidates must be US citizens with a valid US driver's license and must be willing to commit 10 weeks of their summer break in order to participate in this program.

Qualifications: The successful applicant must be interested in learning about the ecology of limestone forests, able to pay attention to detail, focus on a single task for extended periods of time, work well independently with minimal supervision and as part of a group, and be flexible. Research involves working in high heat and humidity, walking over rough terrain, and tolerating the tedious, and at times monotonous, work necessary for all scientific endeavors. If a candidate is allergic to bees/wasps, they must carry a sting kit and be trained in its use, as the chances of getting stung are high. Field experience is preferred, but not required.

Duration, Payments and Benefits: The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $600 per week for 10 weeks between May and August 2023 (exact dates to be determined by participant’s schedule), as well as flights between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and housing and access to a shared vehicle on islands away from their home island. A flight from the mainland US to Guam will be provided if a student is not currently living in the islands.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, and contact information for 3 references in a single pdf document to [email protected]. The cover letter should describe your previous research experience, career goals, and why you are interested in this position. The subject line of your application should read “EBL REU application (your last name)”. These materials should be in a single pdf.

For more information, email Dr. Harmony Yomai ([email protected]) or Dr. Haldre Rogers ([email protected]).
Applications are due Thursday, March 23, 2023 11:59pm (ChST).

RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (RAHSS)
Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Summer of 2023

Description of the RAHSS position: The National Science Foundation’s RAHSS program is designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to learn about and experience scientific research. The Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project in the lab of Dr. Haldre Rogers is seeking 3 high school students through the RAHSS program interested in gaining research experience. The students will assist with an ongoing study that examines the role of bird and insect pollinators in limestone forests and will work alongside a field crew of undergraduate students, graduate students, a postdoc, and teachers.

Description of the EBL project: The Ecology of Bird Loss Project examines the effect of bird loss from the island of Guam on forest ecosystems. We do this by comparing forests on Guam, where birds are functionally extinct due to predation by the invasive brown treesnake, to forests on Saipan and Rota, where native bird populations are still intact. This particular project focuses on how loss of birds has affected avian and insect pollination. For more information on the EBL project, visit www.ecologyofbirdloss.org.

Requirements: Eligible candidates must currently be a high school student in the Mariana Islands and be planning to attend high school or college in the fall. We are seeking one student from Saipan, one student from Rota, and one student from Guam. Candidates must be willing to commit 6 weeks of their summer break in order to participate in this program.

Qualifications: The successful applicant must be interested in learning about the ecology of limestone forests, able to pay attention to detail, work well in a group, focus on a single task for extended periods of time, and be flexible. Research involves working in high heat and humidity, walking over rough terrain, and tolerating somewhat tedious tasks. If a candidate is allergic to bees/wasps, they must carry a sting kit and be trained in its use, as the chances of getting stung are high.

Duration, Payments and Benefits: The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $350 per week for 6 weeks between May and August 2023 (exact dates to be determined by participants’ schedules), as well as one flight between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and return, and housing and access to a shared vehicle on islands away from their home island.

To apply, email us a short description of why you are interested in this project and your career goals along with a copy of your resume and contact information for 2 references (including at least one teacher) to [email protected]. The subject line of your application should read “EBL RAHSS application (your last name)”.

For more information, email Dr. Harmony Yomai ([email protected]) or Dr. Haldre Rogers ([email protected]).

Applications are due Sunday, March 26, 2023 11:59pm (ChST)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Summer of 2023

Description of the REU position: The Ecology of Bird Loss (EBL) Project in the lab of Dr. Haldre Rogers is seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student interested in gaining research experience in tropical forest ecology. The student will assist with an ongoing experiment that examines the role of bird and insect pollinators in forest trees and will work with an undergraduate REU student from the mainland US to develop a research project related to this experiment. An interest in community ecology, plant ecology and/or plant-animal interactions is required.

Description of the EBL project: The Ecology of Bird Loss Project examines the effect of bird loss from the island of Guam on forest ecosystems. We do this by comparing forests on Guam, where birds are functionally extinct due to predation by the invasive brown treesnake, to forests on Saipan and Rota, where native bird populations are still intact. This particular project focuses on how loss of birds has affected avian and insect pollination. For more information on the EBL project, visit www.ecologyofbirdloss.org.

Requirements: Eligible candidates must currently be a freshman, sophomore or junior and be registered for classes in Fall 2023. He/she must either be from the Mariana Islands or be currently enrolled at a university in the Mariana Islands (e.g. University of Guam, Guam Community College, Northern Marianas College). Candidates must be US citizens with a valid US driver's license and must be willing to commit 10 weeks of their summer break in order to participate in this program.

Qualifications: The successful applicant must be interested in learning about the ecology of limestone forests, able to pay attention to detail, focus on a single task for extended periods of time, work well independently with minimal supervision and as part of a group, and be flexible. Research involves working in high heat and humidity, walking over rough terrain, and tolerating the tedious, and at times monotonous, work necessary for all scientific endeavors. If a candidate is allergic to bees/wasps, they must carry a sting kit and be trained in its use, as the chances of getting stung are high. Field experience is preferred, but not required.

Duration, Payments and Benefits: The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $600 per week for 10 weeks between May and August 2023 (exact dates to be determined by participant’s schedule), as well as flights between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and housing and access to a shared vehicle on islands away from their home island. A flight from the mainland US to Guam will be provided if a student is not currently living in the islands.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, and contact information for 3 references in a single pdf document to [email protected]. The cover letter should describe your previous research experience, career goals, and why you are interested in this position. The subject line of your application should read “EBL REU application (your last name)”. These materials should be in a single pdf.

For more information, email Dr. Harmony Yomai ([email protected]) or Dr. Haldre Rogers ([email protected]).
Applications are due Thursday, March 23, 2023 11:59pm (ChST).