LDWF Internship - Waterfowl nesting ecology, and mourning dove trapping and banding

Location: Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Grand Chenier, Louisiana

Supervisor: Joseph Marty

Funding Source: Rockefeller Trust Fund

Number of Interns: 2

Background: Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge (RWR) is a 71,000-acre refuge managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Biologists have deployed artificial nest boxes and artificial nests throughout RWR and surrounding private lands in an attempt to evaluate breeding ecology of black-bellied whistling ducks (BBWD) and predator communities for mottled ducks (MODU). Additionally, a national dove banding program was initiated in 2003 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with many state wildlife management agencies. This program aids in understanding mourning dove populations and biology.

Project Scope: The student interns will work full time to conduct an evaluation of artificial nest box use by BBWD and other wildlife species on RWR. The student interns will monitor nests by conducting periodic box checks, while also banding incubating birds. The interns will gain experience with survey design and implementation, egg candling, and other skills critical to the field of wildlife management. Additionally, the interns will assist in evaluating the MODU nest predator community in southwest Louisiana. Artificial nests will be monitored with trail cameras and periodic nest checks.

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge staff band several hundred mourning doves annually. The interns will have many functional roles with the mourning dove banding program including, but not limited to: preparing banding sites, setting and monitoring traps, baiting traps, banding, sexing, and ageing doves, data entry, and other related duties as assigned.

The interns must be able to work long and irregular hours (pre-dawn and post-dusk daily). The interns must be willing to work in extreme heat and humidity and be able to tolerate mosquitoes and other biting insects while working in the field. The interns must be able to take detailed notes for data collection and be proficient with Microsoft Excel. The interns will compose a nest summary and banding season report and will present a poster at the Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists Symposium in August.   

Timing: 11 May–14 August 2020 (flexible beginning and end dates)

Housing: Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge will provide housing

Compensation: College credit will be contingent upon university approval. Students receive financial compensation at the rate of $10/hr. 

Application deadline: April 3, 2020

Send cover letter and resume to:

Joseph R. Marty, Ph.D.

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

Email: jmarty@wlf.la.gov 

Direct questions to:

Joseph Marty @ 337-491-2593