Our Volunteer Co-ordinator is responsible for scheduling on a day-by-day basis. The coordinator can be contacted by e-mail at: volunteer@rpbo.org
Volunteers are strongly discouraged from making unscheduled visits and will likely be asked to leave if they do so.
Before arriving for your scheduled time at RPBO, please become familiar with our Protocol, available to read online or you can download and print the PDF copy. (2.1mb) You can also contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator. At the banding station the Bander-in-charge (BIC) will give further instructions for various aspects of the day's activities (i.e. census taking, scribing, filling out retrap cards, handling nets, etc.). Please follow those instructions and ask the BIC or another experienced volunteer if you are uncertain about anything.
Because RPBO is located on Department of National Defence lands, access is restricted. All volunteers must therefore have been scheduled by the volunteer coordinator who will ensure that their name is included on a register at the Main Gate. All personnel must sign in and out at the guard house located by the Main Gate.
The first thing to do when you arrive on-site is find the Bander-in-Charge, introduce yourself if this is your first meeting, and get instructions. Even if you have vast experience with other banding operations or from previous years at RPBO, you may not open nets or handle birds without explicit permission from the BIC. Once the BIC gets to know you and your capabilities, this may change, at his or her discretion.
The welfare of the birds is our primary concern. If you see something that concerns you, please bring it to the attention of the BIC immediately.
When birds are being processed, the atmosphere in the vicinity of the banding station should be one of respectful calm so that the bander can concentrate, the scribe can hear to capture the data, and the bird-in-hand is not stressed. Also, if you wish to communicate with the BIC or other volunteers at the station, please wait for an appropriate opening before speaking. (E.g., when a bird has just been released, or the bander is not in the middle of a measurement, etc.).
In order to maintain a healthy relationship with DND it is imperative that personnel treat the site with care and respect. Any behaviour by RPBO personnel that may jeopardize this relationship is unacceptable.
Some guidelines expected of RPBO personnel are as follows:
No-Go Zones are marked on the sensitive areas maps and also are marked in the field. Siebert Stakes are used to mark the areas in the field. These stakes are currently being used by CFB Esquimalt to mark No-Go Zones.
A Seibert Stake consists of an eight-foot metal T-post driven two feet into the ground with a 17-inch section of 2-1/2 inch white PVC pipe attached at the top. Four bands of alternating red and yellow reflective tape circle the pipe but not completely, thus leaving a narrow vertical white stripe down the pipe (Figure 1). The stakes are positioned around the perimeter of the No-Go Zone with the vertical white stripe facing into the No-Go Zone. Generally, the stakes are placed about 10 m apart around the perimeter although the actual distance between stakes may be different, being influenced by the conditions around and between stakes. Each stake is readily visible from the stakes on either side of it. The reflective tape increases their visibility at night.
The perimeter of the No-Go Zone was chosen so that the zone covers the entire habitat to be protected and that activities along the perimeter will not affect the conditions within the No-Go Zone. The stakes are positioned along the perimeter so that they are readily visible from each other as well as being readily visible when they are being approached from outside the zone.
When Seibert Stakes are approached, the red and yellow sticker will appear with no vertical white stripe visible. However, if you enter a No-Go Zone, the vertical white stripe through the red and yellow sicker on the Seibert Stakes will be visible (Figure 1). To transit around a No-Go Zone, simply follow the stakes around the perimeter.
Figure 1. Siebert Stakes |
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 Outside No-Go Zone |
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If someone finds that they have entered the No-Zone they should stop and assess the situation for damage and then leave the zone the way they came into it. They should then inform Range Control that they have entered a No-Go Zone and state if damage was done.
(Text and Photographs courtesy of Pacific Forestry Centre)
READ THE RPBO FIRE SAFETY POLICY AND PROCEDURES
BACK TO THE ONLINE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM
How do I get to the banding site?
Unfortunately, public transport to the site is not available,
therefore a vehicle is required. Volunteers are encouraged to
coordinate with others accessing the site in order to reduce the
number of cars travelling in and out on a daily basis. The observatory
is situated on DND land. Be advised that since 9/11, DND lands
are under an increased security posture. For this reason visitors
may be subject to search when entering DND lands.
Refer to the map for details:
From Victoria take Hwy. 1 west of town to Hwy 1A and 14. Follow Hwy 14 (Sooke Road) to Happy Valley Road then turn left. Follow Happy Valley Road to Rocky Point Road, turn right. Keep on Rocky Point Road to just past the Pedder Bay Marina where you will see the sign indicating a left turn into the "Ammo Depot". At the main gates, stop at the guardhouse to sign in, then continue through the gate on the gravel road to the east (be sure to leave the gate closed if it was closed upon entry). About 200 feet from the gate bear left at the "Y". Follow the road as it winds around to the south, continuing straight at the stop sign and at the next intersection in the midst of the old growth firs. You will find the camp not far past this point. If you arrive during banding hours continue on to a small building and dock on the left, near the end of this road. Park of the road beside the building, but do not block access to the dock. The trail to the banding shack is directly across the road.
What should I wear?
The temperature often fluctuates widely over a single banding
session. The mornings are usually quite cold, even in mid summer,
due to time of day and the proximity to ocean. However, by net-closing
time, it can be scorching hot. Therefore, we recommend that you
dress in multiple layers keeping in mind the season and current
weather conditions and wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots.
Also, although we suspend banding operations when it's raining,
it's wise to have rain gear on hand so you don't get wet while
waiting out a squall or while walking the census route.
What should I bring with me for the day?
Please note that RPBO is at a remote location with no amenities,
so you will want to bring everything you might need for the day.
We suggest that that this include: water or other beverages, lunch
and snacks, binoculars, spotting scope (if you have one), a field
guide to western North American birds, a small note pad and pen,
sun screen, a hat with visor and/or a warm hat (depending on the
weather), and a variety of clothing options (see above). Some
seasoned volunteers bring a small folding chair. IMPORTANT: If
you require special medications or have allergies, remember to
bring the appropriate medications with you. In the event of a
medical emergency, a response team could not arrive on-site very
quickly.
Do I receive reimbursement for travel?
At this time, no. However, we encourage you to keep track of the
number of kilometres travelled per trip to and from RPBO, and
the dates you volunteered. If you submit a signed Mileage Claim
Form with this information, RPBO will issue you a tax receipt
for a charitable donation at the end of the season. Copies of
this form are available in PDF online
or by contacting Tom Gillespie.
Is overnight accommodation available on site?
Overnight accommodation in an on site trailer is reserved for
scheduled long-term volunteers. The Volunteer Co-ordinator can
assist other volunteers in finding a B&B, motel or campground
in the area.
Volunteer Application forms: |
ONLINE | |
Back to Volunteer Page |
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Thankyou for your interest in Rocky Point Bird Observatory!
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Copyright 2006, Rocky Point Bird Observatory.
