Duties and Qualifications of Observers

Duties and qualifications of observers

One of the greatest challenges we have with the Golden Eagle count is making sure we have two observers at the count site every day, weather permitting. We are always looking for more people to help out. Here is an outline of the duties and qualifications of our observers.

Duties of the Principal Observer
Qualifications of the Principal Observer
Duties of the Assistant Observer
Qualifications of the Assistant Observer

There are two types of observer – a principal observer and an assistant observer. The main task of both is to scan the sky frequently with binoculars, looking for migrating raptors. The raptors are flying high enough that they cannot typically be seen without the aid of optics such as binoculars with 8 or 10 power magnification.

The hours at the site for the principal observer are nominally from 9am to 6pm (or sunset if sunset is earlier), but they may be required to arrive earlier and/or leave later during the peak periods of the migration, following a specific protocol, or arrive later or leave earlier if the weather conditions are poor.

The assistant observer needs to arrive at the site by 11am, weather permitting, and must be prepared to stay until the principal observer determines that the day’s count is over.

The duties of the principal observer are as follows:

• Set up the site for the day
• Scan for raptors
• Identify every raptor seen as best possible under the conditions, and, if possible, note the age, sex, and subspecies (if applicable)
• Keep a record of all the raptors seen, including the time of the sighting, and determine whether each raptor is migrating or not
• Optionally record every non-raptor bird observed at the site
• Record arrival time and departure time
• Record weather conditions every hour (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, clouds, wind, precipitation, visibility). This can be done electronically or on paper.
• Keep a count of number of people helping to observe each hour, and note any distractions that might impact the count
• Keep a rough count of the number of visitors to the site and passers-by that show an interest in the count
• Give short talks to visiting groups, or answer individual questions from passers-by, if the assistant is unable to handle these situations
• Make the decision when to end or pause the day’s count, or move the count to an approved alternate location, based on the specified protocol, safety, and weather conditions
• Determine if the weather conditions will delay the start or force cancellation of the count, and communicate this information to the assistant observer
• Within 24 hours of the end of the day’s count, write the daily log on the eaglewatch.ca website and ensure all the raptor and weather data is recorded there, whether entered by a mobile app or manually to the website.

Qualifications of the principal observer

• Have the ability to identify all raptor species likely to occur in the area
• Be able to approximate the ages of migrant Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles
• Be comfortable scanning the sky with binoculars all day long
• Be comfortable working long hours in a variety of weather conditions
• Be proficient in the use of a spotting scope
• Be knowledgeable about basic weather conditions, including identifying cloud types
• Be able to work with other people in the organization, and help educate and train assistant observers
• Have patience in spending long periods of time observing
• It is preferred if the principal observer can identify all bird species seen, raptor or not, but this is not required

Duties of the assistant observer

• Scan the sky for raptors
• Learn all the salient landmarks and communicate the location of raptors to the principal observer based on the landmarks and height of flight
• If possible, give short talks to visiting groups
• Answer questions from visitors and passers-by as best possible
• Take on duties of the principal observer if able, as requested or desired
• Be prepared to stay at the site until the principal observer determines the day’s count is finished

Qualifications of the assistant observer

• Be comfortable scanning the sky with binoculars all day long
• Be comfortable working long hours in a variety of weather conditions
• Be able to communicate clearly the location of a raptor to the principal observer
• It is not necessary for the assistant to be able to identify raptors or other birds, but should be willing to learn
• Be able to work with other people in the organization
• Have patience in spending long periods of time observing