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

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 on.