|
Frequently Asked Questions |
Responses |
| When
do you Band? |
Go
to: Calendar |
| What
time to you band? |
Sunrise
till noon. |
| What
time should I be there to help set up/open nets? |
5:15
a.m. |
| Where
is the banding station? |
In
Fairfield, OH on Symmes Rd.
From
Rt. 4, go North on Holden (white castle, BP, Acura on three
of the corners of this intersection) which becomes Berk Blvd. It
dead ends into Symmes Rd. Cross Symmes Rd. into the parking lot behind a
publishing company. We are in the grassy area at the back of this lot.
|
| What
time should I be there just to see the birds in-hand? |
Best
time is between 6:50 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. when we capture the most
birds. Look for the canopy tent at the parking lot behind the
printing company at the dead end of Holden/Berk Blvd. on the North side of
Symmes Rd. |
| Do
I have to help set up nets to help with other tasks?
What time should I arrive just to help out with
other tasks?
|
No.
However, plan to help out when possible since rarely is it known how
many will ACTUALLY show up to help. Four people is an ideal number to set
up nets.
Plan on arriving by 6:30-7:00 a.m. for the first "net
run" when we check for birds in the net.
|
| What
attire is recommended/ suggested?
(Be prepared to get wet and muddy. Dress accordingly but smart.
Layers can always be removed one by one. There is no convenient place to
"change" clothes.) |
-Waterproof/water resistant
boots/shoes
-Rain pants (to ward off the
wet dew from tall weeds and plants)
-Some kind of head
cover/protection from the elements
-Insect repellant ... rarely
necessary during spring banding (handling birds is a "no-no"
with deet on your hands. If you can find something natural that
actually works, great. Otherwise, be prepared to use a lot of Wet Ones
before handling birds.)
The following cause damage
to nets: any item
on your body that protrudes may snag on the nets. e.g. baseball
caps w/ the little button on top, eyeglasses, zippers,
buttons, snaps, large jewelry, watches, cell phones, pagers. Don't wear them, or
"pocket" them while near the nets. Finger rings may simply be
turned inward into the grip of your fist.
Just be extra careful around
the nets. They are $60 each. |
| When
is the day over? |
Usually
around noon and after we all work together to get the nets packed up, the tent
packed, and all the equipment loaded into the appropriate vehicle(s).
Sometimes a few of us go out for fast food lunch. Anyone is welcomed! |
| Who
can get birds out of the nets. |
Only
those whom the station operator has trained and given approval. |
|
What
can I do, and when can I do it?
|
T. K.
Tolford's 12-Step Outline to becoming a bird bander.
| 1st |
Prove
competency at identification of bird species -- male and female and by
song |
| 2nd |
Learn
how to "open up the nets" and "close the nets" |
| 3rd |
Assist
at the nets by managing bird bags |
| 4th |
Learn
how to record data |
| 5th |
Become
familiar with the Pyle Guide |
| 6th |
Learn
necessary bird banding codes/abbreviations |
| 7th |
Weigh
birds thereby learning bird handling skills |
| 8th |
Work
the mist nets with Tim to learn to safely and correctly remove birds. |
| 9th |
*Prove
competency with ageing/sexing techniques |
| 10th |
Use
your knowledge for "show-and-tell" to visitors at the station. |
| 11th |
Go
through the necessary steps of the NABBC Training |
| 12th |
Upon
the recommendation and initiation of your Master Permit trainer, apply for a
personal sub-permit. |
*Depending upon your proposed research, processing birds may occur
at a different step than above. There are few circumstances which would
allow for this. Unless you have a legitimate research related reason to
ask about a "special circumstance" to skip steps, don't, or if
you have prior training, your one-on-one time with the station operator
will determine a special circumstance. |
| Can
I check nets before being trained? |
Visual checks only. Plan to carry bags of birds, supplies/tools, etc. |
| What
should I bring to the banding station? |
Options
and Suggestions:
Binoculars, Camera, Snack,
Water/Gatorade, Folding Chair, Bird Book of choice, |
| What
is involved with set-up, tear-down, etc.? |
There
are two net lanes with a combined total of 20 nets that need opened and
closed (two banders should always be present with this
many nets opened) A screened tent needs assembled and
disassembled. Branches always need trimmed from around the nets, bags
(6-8) need cared for during all parts of the operation from retrieval of
the bird from the net until it's release, a data recorder is needed,
someone can weigh the birds, someone can talk to visitors about bird banding
and our research, folks are sometimes needed for crowd control, just to name a few. |
