Volunteer!

Volunteering at the Tiskita Release site

This is our main release site and is situated in a private reserve on the South West coast very near to the Panamanian border. The reserve is owned by the Aspinall family who are working closely with Amigos de las Aves and also MINAE.

The first Scarlet Macaws here were released in 2002, and are now an established flock of birds. We have recently added to that flock and are very pleased with conjoining of the flocks of birds, who are able totally able to sustain themselves. This year, they have been noted investigating a nest site in the grounds. We continue to provide sunflower seeds daily at a feeding station in order to monitor the birds, and keep them in the area.

Our biologist, Ilona Thewissen, who is working at the release site has established work routines at this site in order to monitor the bird's behaviour and survival, as well as studying the diversity of the reserve and the feasibility and sustainability of the macaws habitat. We are looking for long - term field volunteers to collect this data, which we hope will be published.

 

What you will be doing

The field study is now basically established, however, we will be changing and adding to the study as the flock develops. You will be monitoring the birds during the day, covering a large area, and monitoring the feeding station. Tasks will include, nesting observations, cleaning at the feed stations, spot counts, boundry walks, and roost site observations. Should there be any new release birds in Tiskita, the study incorporates behaviours related to the new birds and the integration of them into the existing flock.

We are very interested in working within the community and our ongoing eductaion programme is already established, you may be asked to help with continuing projects and new events/displays. We already work closely with the Aspinall family, who are based here and we have established a good working relationship with the local community

Before coming out to Tiskita, you will be required to spend at least two or three days at the breeding centre in Alajuela. This is in order for you to understand the working of the organisation and for us to assess your capabilities and reliability.

The type of person who should apply

We are looking for someone for a period of at least 2 months or more. A biologist-related qualification will help your application, but is not essential, and previous experience with birds is preferred. You need to be responsible and dedicated, relatively fit, for hiking, and also patient as long hours will be spent monitoring the birds. It would be helpful to have a sense of humour, as Tiskita can sometimes be remote. You don't need to speak Spanish, but it would be helpful to have at least an idea of the language.

What you should like about working in Tiskita

The Scarlet Macaws. This flock uses all parts of the reserve, and can be observed in groups of 2 to 12 macaws. When monitoring the birds at the feeding station, you are able to observe the beauty of them in the wild, at close range.

Wildlife. Tiskita is a working fruit farm and exclusive hotel resort set in virgin rainforest. There is a huge diversity of wildlife here, a lot of which is easily seen. Some of the more common mammals are Squirrel Monkeys, Coatis, Agoutis, & Sloths.

There are lots of species of hummingbirds as well as over 300 species of birds. Several species of poisonous frogs and of course the usual poisonous snakes, scorpions and spiders are also found here.

   

The Beach. There is a beach here, the sea is lovely and warm but the waves are quite rough - pick your time to swim. Surfing is available nearby with the 'longest waves' recorded here. At night there is an Olive Ridley turtle project that has been established during certain times of the year and you get the opportunity to observe these wonderful creatures. Now and again you can even see whales and dolphins passing by.

Living in a Nature Reserve. You can live in the tree house if you like, and wake to the sounds of the forest, with the birds and monkeys not far away. If you stay in the cabins, you have wonderful views across the ocean and stunning sunrises and sunsets.

Nearby Civilisation. Pavones is only 6km away, and here is the nearest phone and internet. Buses run twice a day here. Punta Banco is only a few hundred metres from Tiskita and you can buy basic shopping.in the mini market. On the way, there is also a cheap café. Golfito is 3 -4hours away by bus. Here you have internet and all the trappings of civilization.

Food. The food is good local fare. The cost can be as little as $3 - $8 dollars US a day for food at the local café's.

What you may not like about working here

Creepy Crawlies. If you don't like snakes, scorpion and spiders, then field work is not for you. You do have to take care of the snakes here - they can be deadly. The hotel does have anti-venim.

Basic Accommodation. You can either stay in the tree house - this is open to the elements other than the roof, surrounded by nature - try this at least once during your stay. Otherwise, there is one cabin provided for the volunteers with basic furnishings and with loo and shower. You do need to clean the cabin yourself.

Restricted electricity. Being Costa Rica, the electricity does fail occasionally, so candles and torch are worth keeping with you.
Monitoring can get tedious. You will have to monitor the macaws at the feeding station for hours at a time, and if any nests are discovered in the breeding season, they will have be observed most days.
Lots of walking. The release site is set above the hotel on the top of the mountain, just under a kilometer climb from the cabin. You will certainly get fit!
Rules and Regulations. The hotel has its own rules and regulations and you are requested to abide by them whilst working on their property.
Weather. Its very hot and humid in Tiskita. It gets more humid in the rainy season, but tends to rain at night.
Lack of communication. There is only radio communication at the hotel. The main office in San Jose can always get a message to or from us in an emergency. The nearest public phone is in Pavones and the nearest internet is in Pavones and Comte which is about 2 hours away.

Practical Information

Costa Rica is one of the safest Central American countries, there hasn't been any political turbulence since the army was given up over 50 years ago. For more practical information on the country, it is a good idea to buy a guide to Costa Rica, but here is some of the frequently asked for information.
Accommodation in Tiskita is free, however, we charge $5 a day for working on the project. There is laundry service available at the hotel but you will charged, however there are free facilities with the local neighbours or you can do your own. There is a two ring cooker available and you can borrow pots and pans from Cissy, but make sure you take them back!
You will be required to pay for any travel to and from Tiskita. It may be possible for us to arrange a free flight there and/or back, but this is not guaranteed. Please be aware that the $5 charge is payable upon arrival and is not subject to refund.
You will need to talk to your doctor about what vaccinations to take, but you will probably need Rabies, Hepatitis A, Polio and Tetanus. Malaria is not a big problem here, but you should talk to your doctor about whether to take pills or not.
Most nationalities from the Northern Hemisphere do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica as a tourist, but the tourist visa issued upon arrival only applies for three months. If you are from the Southern Hemisphere, you may only be entitled to stay one month before renewal is necessary. After this you can try to apply for temporary residency, but this is a long and drawn out process, and most volunteers just leave the country, and visit neighbouring Panama or Nicaragua every month or three months.
US citizens can claim tax back on money spent here, but there may be additional taxes, e.g. airport taxes, you will have to check this out before coming.

Things you will need

How to apply

If you're still interested after all that, and would like to apply, send an e-mail to Marti, Curator with a CV and the contact details of two referees. In your e-mail, please state your reasons for applying, your avicultural experience,when you will be available to join us, and for how long.

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.