Cannon Netting waders

[Tom Tarrant <>]

Just saw this thread and felt a need to add to this....
I've been birding for over 20 years and seen a lot of 'banding' throughout
the world but it was only after seeing 'cannon-netting' that I felt that
maybe this 'study' is actually harming the cause of conservation instead
of enhancing it. Many waders (Red Knot, Barwits, Curlew Sandpiper etc)  were
caught (and 'processed') and on release were immediately 'targetted' by predatory
terns and gulls, resulting in several deaths (unfortunately given the pressures
that most species are under in this part of Australia I feel that this form
of research (however well-meaning)  is actually contributing to their 'reduction'.
Sadly most of the people involved are genuinely worried about the plight
of our diminishing fauna but consider their research is useful.......I wonder
if we can get them to turn their attention to real issues like habitat destruction,
use of pesticides, over-population, ......or is this just plain boring?.....what
do you think!
Look forward to some stimulating debate (no House Crow stuff, or one-liners please!)
Tom


Lawrie Conole wrote:
> John Harris wrote:
>
> > Maybe if you are so concerned but are willing to use the information
> > collected, you may like to get a few others toghether and go and help.
> > As in many situations, more hands would make life work and reduce the
> > lag time between capture and release.
>
> It has been nearly 20 years since I saw a cannon net fired over waders, but
> my clear recollection is that it was the leading edge of the net, carried by
> the cannons, which killed birds by decapitation.  Has the technique improved
> now to avoid that?  Otherwise, no matter how many helpers are on hand,
> headless birds are dead birds.
>
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