Michael Lester Email & Phone Number

Denver Metropolitan Area

• Manage data entry and QAQC in MS Excel for multiple raptor migration survey projects• Conduct avian point count surveys

San Diego, Ca

• Surveyed for California Gnatcatcher, Least Bell’s Vireo, and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton• Re-sighted color-banded vireos and flycatchers• Assisted with “coastal” Cactus Wren nest monitoring• Banded and processed birds at three MAPS banding stations• Conducted vegetation sampling surveys for avian habitat assessment• Used Trimble Juno GPS units to collect data

Salt Lake City, Ut

• Recorded sound, air pressure, and air flow of adult and duckling Mallard vocalizations • Analyzed avian song and call recordings to determine frequency rates and amplitude • Recorded morphometric data of Mallard ducklings• Conducted literature searches for a study examining the evolution of the syrinx

Lower Colorado River Valley

• Mapped territories of breeding riparian and desert birds• Assist with trail clearing and maintenance• Entered data into Microsoft Access and ArcMap• Conducted vegetation surveys• Used Trimble GPS units to collect data

Lower Colorado River Valley

• Conducted Yellow-billed Cuckoo playback surveys• Searched for and monitor nests of Yellow-billed Cuckoos

Jamaica Bay, Nyc

• Supervised small team of field technicians• Searched for and monitored nests of Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows, and other marsh birds• Banded and drew blood from adult and nestling Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows• Conducted marsh bird point counts and marsh disturbance surveys• Collected invertebrate samples with sweep nets and identified insects to order• Collected vegetation data

• Developed and implemented a study examining heavy metal accumulation in birds• Captured, banded, and processed Song Sparrows with color and metal bands• Extracted various bird species from mist nets• Drew blood from brachial vein of Song Sparrows and Abert’s Towhees• Collected feather and toenail samples from Song Sparrows and Abert’s Towhees• Searched for Song Sparrow nests • Conducted surveys to re-sight banded Song Sparrows• Analyzed and presented data

Hubbard Brook Experimental Research Forest, Nh

• Conducted avian point counts and vegetation surveys

Burlington, Vermont Area

• Conducted avian point counts and transects• Conducted tree diversity surveys• Assisted with Upland Sandpiper conservation study

Chincoteague Nwr, Assateague Island, Va

• Located and monitored Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher nests• Surveyed and re-sighted banded shorebirds• Conducted waterfowl surveys• Replaced and repaired nest boxes for endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel

Lee Vining, Ca

• Led bird walks and interpretive natural history walking and canoe tours• Conducted California Gull nest counts and chick banding• Searched for Dusky and Willow Flycatcher nests • Staffed information center, bookstore, and Lee Vining Chamber of Commerce• Assisted with revision of Birds of the Mono Basin checklist

Master Of Science (Ms), Wildlife Conservation And Management

Thesis titled: Distribution and Extent of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Song Sparrows

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Wildlife Biology

Activities and Societies: Honors College The Wildlife SocietySumma Cum Laude; Thesis titled: The Influence of Lunar Phase and Predation.