Team MAGnificent

Between January 14th and 23rd, we were joined by a fantastic and enthusiastic group of Earthwatch volunteers who helped us in all aspects of the project above.  Dubbed Team MAG-nificent (after the large ground finch, G. magnirostris), they assisted us in mist-netting, banding, measuring and observing Darwin’s finches at our two study sites on Santa Cruz Island.

Sunrise over our more remote field site, El Garrapatero. Volunteers learned to love getting up at 4:30am for this shift! Photo credit: D. Sharpe

Eartwatch volunteers Kathy Hall and Donna Rabin set up mist-nets at El Garraptero to trap Darwin’s finches. Photo credit: D. Sharpe

Earthwatch volunteers Tom Kimler and Ken and Jenny Sparrowhawk assist Luis as he measures, bands and takes blood samples from a Darwin’s finch. Photo credit: D. Sharpe

The team making their way across the lava-strewn landscape of El Garraptero. The endemic Opuntia cacti tower above the dry scrub. Photo credit: L. F. De Leon

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Eartwatch volunteers set up mist-nets at Academy Bay to trap Darwin’s finches. Photo credit: L. F. De Leon

The team leaving El Garraptero after a hard morning’s work. Photo credit: L. F. De Leon

Team MAGnificent before.... Photo credit: K. Gotanda

...and AFTER 7 days working with us! Photo credit: K. Gotanda

Read more about the exploits of Team MAGnificent on Kiyoko’s excellent blog here

You can also read more about our project on Earthwatch’s website, here