Detroit River Hawk Watch Raptor Volunteer

Facility

Aerial view looking down on two kayakers in a marsh with lots of green aquatic vegetation on surface, green forest in background
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
The Detroit River has long served the United States and Canada as a vital transportation corridor and center for industries that helped forge the economies of both nations. As a result of this growth, the river and its ecosystem have paid a high price for human progress. Indeed, in our mind and in...
National Wildlife Refuge
Trenton,MI

Location

Address

5437 West Jefferson Ave.
Trenton, MI 48183
United States

Date Range
-

Volunteer Position Overview

Volunteers Needed
-
Recruitment Start Date
Recruitment End Date
Training Required
No
Security Clearance Needed
No
Virtual
No
Suitability
Adults, Seniors, Teens
Difficulty level
Not Difficult
Apply Now

About This Position

If you are a birder and want to put your skills to work, this volunteer position is for you! During the autumn months, the lower Detroit River becomes a corridor for the passage of migratory birds, and has gained international recognition for the annual volume of birds of prey. Hundreds of thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures are concentrated at this location where it is possible to systematically count them each year.


Detroit River Hawk Watch utilizes trained volunteers to conduct a standardized count of the fall migration of raptors at the lower Detroit River.


Come out to the count site and learn the skills necessary to become a seasoned counter! Volunteers will be responsible for the entrance fee at Lake Erie Metropark ($10/day or $40/year) and will need to provide their own 8X or 10X binoculars. Position available September 1 – November 30, each year. 

Duties/Activities

Fish/Wildlife
Science
Tour Guide/Interpretation

Stories About Volunteering

Looking across a green lawn with trees in the background is a large yellow house with a wrap around porch. In the foreground, near the house are several tents set up providing a place for storm volunteers to stay.
Our People
Hatchery Hosts Flood Relief Volunteers
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene dropped catastrophic amounts of rain on the mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. This event resulted in historic flooding and damage to an enormous swath of the southern Appalachians. Erwin National Fish Hatchery is proud to be...
Citizen scientists on Guam discuss plant features to help with identification
Get Involved
Si Yu'os ma'ase, Guam!
A day of fun, learning, and habitat conservation with our community
Wildlife Management
Citizen Scientists Key to Successful Data Collection at National Wildlife Refuge
Volunteers play a key role in the collection of data that guides refuge managers and support adaptive management techniques that help protect wildlife and prevent increased crop depredation near Nestucca Bay in Oregon.
Workers in construction gear plant in the Inner Harbor wetland
Our Partners
New Life for the Inner Harbor
Since opening in August of 1981, the National Aquarium has taken on many roles within the Baltimore community. With the help of Chesapeake WILD funding, the Aquarium is taking on the role of providing accessibility to the Inner Harbor for visitors.
Little River at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Our Partners
A deepening friendship
The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge have secured millions of dollars in federal funds to add land to the refuge. With a new refuge visitor center on the horizon, they're expanding their role to support onsite interpretation and recreation.
an aerial view of an eroding coastal bluff on a national wildlife refuge property. Buildings, a parking lot and trees can be seen surrounding the property
Climate Change
At Cape Cod Refuge, Coastal Change Is a Constant
Coastal erosion at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge cost the refuge its headquarters office and forced the Fish and Wildlife Service to make difficult decisions to adapt. But while the landscape changes under their feet, refuge staff remain steady and agile, showing up each day to conserve wildlife.

View All Stories

Other Ways to Work with Us

Refuge volunteers hard at work and trying to take a good selfie
Image Details

Are you looking for something different than a volunteer opportunity? The Fish and Wildlife Service employs around 9,000 people nationwide and offers great internship opportunities every year.

Careers and Internships