Common terns (Sterna hirundo) are a Maryland state endangered species that only breeds in two known locations in the state: Poplar Island, in the Chesapeake Bay, and Skimmer Island, in the Isle of Wight Bay on the Atlantic coast. Main threats to the species include habitat destruction, predation, and disturbance at both the nesting and roosting sites. A minimally invasive surveillance system composed of video cameras and iButton temperature loggers placed in nests was deployed in summer 2016 in order to identify the main stressors at breeding colonies of common terns in Maryland. Technicians are needed to help process and analyse video footage and compare these data to temperature log readings to determine accuracy of each method for future field seasons. Once footage review is completed, statistical analyses will be conducted to compare both methods further. Students will be required to attend one three-hour session a week (tentatively scheduled on Wednesday 6-9PM). If interested, please contact Paul Marban at pmarban@umd.edu with the subject line "COTE Research Help". Attach both a cover letter highlighting your interest in the project and any previous research and your resume in your email. Selections will be made by August 31.
Here is a link for more information:
http://ugresearch.umd.edu/res