Rocky Point Bird Observatory, bird monitoring and banding workshop, March 28-30, 2014

[Melanie Colón]

The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is offering an introductory bird monitoring and banding workshop at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, on March 28-30, 2014. The 3-day workshop will focus on bird identification, monitoring procedures and techniques, sexing and ageing. Components this year will include owl monitoring and banding demo and an optional session on specimen preparation. The program has been developed for people with little or no bird handling and/or banding experience, but those with intermediate skills will also find the workshop a good way to build knowledge.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, bird observatory volunteers and naturalists to explore aspects of the operation of an avian monitoring project, including bird safety, mistnetting, data collection, bird banding, identification, sexing and ageing. This is an introductory course and participants should not expect to emerge from this short workshop as qualified banders. Much of the work will be with frozen and dried bird specimens although there will be some opportunities to work with live birds to learn safe bird handling and basic banding techniques. Skills practiced in this workshop will be beneficial for a variety of projects including productivity, survivorship and migration monitoring field work.

 

North American Banding Council certified trainer, Nick Bartok, will be the primary instructor, assisted by several other licensed banders and instructors.

 

Workshop goes ahead rain or shine. In inclement weather, more time will be spent working with specimens. Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

 

FOR MORE: http://rpbo.org/rpboworkshop14.php