We’ve been reading ‘Songbird Journeys – Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds’ by Miyoko Chu and it’s reinvigorated discussions about bird migration and tracking. Anyhow, the question arose, and will not go away viz: what’s the difference between bird ringing and bird banding? I proposed the expressions mean the same thing. But this is not accepted in the realms of Bratdom – where it’s held that big birds like pelicans are ringed whereas smaller birds are banded. Also, Chu (bless her) mentions that there are some places in North America where John & Mary Public can watch banding. Or is it ringing? – so help me – can we see any demonstrations locally? Anyone?
John Layton
Holt.
