Introductory
Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshop

March 28-30, 2008

The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is offering a bird monitoring and banding workshop at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, on March 28-30. The 3-day workshop will focus on bird identification, sexing and ageing under the direction of Gabe David, Bander-in-charge at Rocky Point Bird Observatory and international banding workshop instructor.   This year's 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, wildlife biologists, 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 a qualified bander.   Much of the work will be with 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.

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

The cost is $350 per participant with a $50 reduction for students. Dorm room accommodations available at Royal Roads University for approximately at student rates (~$46 for dorm rooms, $74 for rooms with private ensuite, per night).   Space is limited, so be sure to book as soon as possible after confirmation of your enrollment in the workshop.

Enrollment is limited to 18 participants.

Note, our previous workshops have filled quickly. We recommend early registration.

To enroll, please send your registration form and full workshop fees in the form of a cheque or money order made out to Rocky Point Bird Observatory Society to:

Rocky Point Bird Observatory Workshop
C/o Donna Ross
3 - 163 Wellington Ave.
Victoria, BC   V8V 4H8

You may submit your registration form by email if you like, but you will not be confirmed in the workshop until your payment is received.   Registrants will receive a receipt, pre-course reading material, course and accommodation information.

For more information or to confirm that there are still spaces available, contact: Donna Ross ( hoshihana@shaw.ca )

Registration Form

You may download a Word document or a pdf depending on how you wish to proceed. Or merely print this page if you like.

Rocky Point Observatory Bird Banding Workshop

March 28-30, 2008

Victoria, BC Canada

Please note: All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver

Full Name:

Address:

Phone Number(s):

Email address:

I am a student at ______________________________________________ (institution).

Are you associated with a bird banding organization?   If so, which one(s)?

Please describe your level of experience with bird handling.

What do you hope to get out of this workshop?

Do you have Peter Pyle's Identification Guide to North American Passerines _____and Dan Froehlich's Ageing North American Landbirds by Molt Limits and Plumage Criteria: a Photographic Companion to the Identification Guide    ______.   If not, would you want to purchase them at the workshop?   ___________

The following questions will help us determine how to design the course to best fit the participants' needs.   The course is open to people with all levels of experience, so please answer as accurately as possible.

Approximately how much time have you spent in the field identifying birds?

How many hours have you spent banding birds?__________ Approximate number of birds banded?_________  

Types? (passerines, waterfowl, raptors, etc.) ________________

How many hours have you spent extracting birds from mist nets? ______________

Indicate your ability to identify and age/sex(without the assistance of others) bird species in the following groups: (Excellent, Good, Fair, No experience)

Please add any additional information that will help us plan our course so that it meets your needs.

Copyright 2008, Rocky Point Bird Observatory.