Volunteering at the banding station on Appledore is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Many of our volunteers have been coming season after season for many years.
The location of the banding station on Appledore Island is one of the things that makes the experience truly special. The scenery is spectacular and the island way of life can be life-changing. Banding station staff need adequate stamina and physical fitness for long days with a fair amount of walking over rocky terrain.
Volunteers are housed in dorms with shared bathrooms and eat their meals in the Commons with island staff, Shoals Marine Lab professors and students, day-trip groups, and other visitors. Typical stays for AIMS volunteers range from a few days to a week or so.
Volunteers at Appledore are carefully trained in a number of skills, including:
- Safe handling of birds
- Working with mist nets
- Bird identification
- Data collection and recording
While most volunteers have some knowledge of birds and/or banding before coming to AIMS, the only requirement is the willingness to learn!
Interested in learning more?
Please complete the contact form to get more information about volunteering.