An Opportunity

The Delta Marsh Bird Observatory is looking for a Bander in Charge for the 2026 season

Delta Marsh Bird Observatory (DMBO), is currently located in the Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area (OHM WMA) (18km north of Winnipeg). It has been operating since 1992, initially as a fall monitoring site, and then in 1995 as both spring and fall. In 2015 it moved to the OHM WMA and is currently running a fall banding program.

DMBO operates daily during fall migration, following a standardized protocol which includes banding, a daily census (as staffing dictates), continuous observations and daily Estimated Totals. Fall coverage will begin August 1 and run through to the end of September. Large numbers of migrating songbirds (average 3,500/year) have earned DMBO the reputation of being among the busiest monitoring stations on the continent. The Yellow Warbler is the species most often caught at DMBO, with an average of about 500 individuals banded each year. Common Yellowthroats,
Swamp and Song Sparrows are also banded in large numbers.

Requirements:

  • Must hold a Canadian master banding permit; or Canadian sub-permit; or are eligible for a subpermit under Delta Marsh Bird Observatory’s station permit. When applying please list the qualifications that are listed on your permit (for example: use mist nets, band passerines, band raptors, band hummingbirds, etc.).
  • Good knowledge of birds of Canada (adult and juvenile) by both sight and sound.
  • Knowledge of molt and how to take measurements
  • Ability to work with others – banders and volunteers of all skill levels and ages.
  • Willingness to share knowledge with others.
  • Qualified to live and work in Canada.

Duties would include:

  • Clear and maintain eight (8) spring and fall mist net sites at Oak Hammock Marsh.
  • Conduct mist netting and banding operations, five (5) days per week and collect pertinent
  • banding data on each bird captured.
  • Co-ordinate and supervise assistant and volunteer banders.
  • Enter banding data and backup all data daily.
  • Complete “Daily estimated total” sheets daily.
  • Enter all “Daily estimated total” sheets daily.
  • Submit all data to the Board of Directors.
  • Write a summary account of the banding season and submit to the Board of Directors.

Renumeration:

  • Wages are paid monthly at a rate of $700 to $770 per week depending on your experience.
  • Accommodations and transportation to site are not provided.

Please email resume before May 1, 2026 to:
Delta Marsh Bird Observatory
Attn: Paula Grieef
grieef@dmbo.ca

Click here for a pdf of the job notice