The Ned Smith Center's saw-whet owl migration study is possible only through the efforts of a dedicated team of trained, highly motivated volunteers. Openings are limited, and requests to help far exceed our ability to fill them, but we welcome interest from potential volunteers.

About the project
Banding takes place from early October through late November (and in some years, again during late February and March) at three sites in Dauphin, Cumberland and Schuylkill counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania. The nets are opened around sunset, with netting commencing half an hour later and generally running until at least midnight, frequently later. Banding is conducted every night, weather permitting. Volunteers work under the supervision of one of the 11 licensed banders on the team, usually in a team of one bander and two to four volunteers.
What we expect from volunteers

We ask a lot of our volunteers. Crew members are asked to help at least one night each week during the banding season; this ensures that they quickly become familiar with the complexities of the research protocol, and have a chance to learn and practice skills like removing birds from mist nets. Late nights are the rule (within reason, volunteers are expected to stay until the site is closed for the night), and new volunteers must realistically expect to be assigned week nights more often than weekends. Scheduling is done at the start of the season to make it as easy as possible. Some sites are in remote locations, and the trails between the banding shelter and the nets, while not long, are in some cases quite steep, and must be hiked every 30 to 60 minutes.

New volunteers with no mist-netting experience are asked to participate in preseason training in August or September, where they have a chance to work one-on-one with licensed banders and become familiar with the techniques needed for the project.

Is prior banding experience necessary?
No, although we are obviously eager to welcome those with experience in banding or other research projects.

What volunteers can expect from the project...
We ask a lot, but volunteers get a lot in return, too -- a chance to work on ground-breaking research, in the company of committed fellow banders, with one of the most interesting and engaging of Pennsylvania's wild animals.

What if you're just interested in seeing a saw-whet owl . . .
. . . but don't want to commit to being a volunteer? Don't worry -- the Ned Smith Center conducts public owl programs each fall around Halloween, giving the general public a chance to experience the excitement of this unusual research project first-hand. We can also schedule visits by school, church and community groups. Call the center at (717) 692-3699, or email us at nedsmith@epix.net.

(Photo: Greg Juris)