Hi Simon and other Birders,
I was only speaking to another bander about this topic the other
day, and in the interests of not having David Geering carry the bag
yet again I feel compelled to contribute and duly await any spam.
I am a PhD student that is studying the population of Brown
Falcons at the Western Treatment Plant (WTP), Werribee and
adjacent Avalon Airport. As part of this project I have been colour
banding breeding birds and also young for the last 3 seasons. To
date, 290 birds have been banded; from mid-1999 at least 80% of
the territory holding population (35-39 pairs) on the WTP has been
colour-banded. Re-sightings of colour-banded brown falcons can be
sent to me at:
Mbl: 0410 679 022
Please also note that the Victorian Peregrine Falcon project is also
colour-banding peregrines throughout Victoria, pass any sightings
of them onto the ABBBS or me and I will also see that the banders
get them.
Now, for a bit of a gripe, not personally aimed at Simon but in
frustration at the lack of response I routinely get from these
postings. e.g. Simon's comments:
"It seems that if effort is going to be put into marking these birds in
the first place, then the proponents should, presumably, be making
a concerted effort to advertise for re-sightings information."
One of the reasons that people may feel disinclined to continually
advertise their projects is a lack of return for their efforts. I feel that
my study highlights this point. One of the reasons I chose the
WTP was for the number of birders moving through the area
routinely, which I expected to equate to lots of independent colour-
band sightings. Despite the large numbers of birds banded, I have
had 4 re-sightings reported from birders over the last 3 years.
Considering the number of birders that visit the WTP in a week and
the number of banded birds present, this is an poor birder:colour-
band sighting report ratio.
I don't expect people to do my job for me, but I expected more
interest in the project than that. Given how pushed for time
everyone is nowadays, I can easily see how people give up. For the
people that have reported sightings, I am very grateful and please
keep looking!
I consider that I have publicised the project widely, putting
summaries in birding magazines, speaking at several birding clubs
each year, handing out flyers at all talks and placing reminders on
birding-aus a couple of times a year, e.g. when young become
independent and wander widely. It is particularly disappointing to
hear reports of birders who have been looking at colour-banded
birds, commented on it to WTP staff (who usually pass my details
on), and then never hearing of the details.
In short, to end my gripe, banding projects are run to answer
specific questions. Many of these questions, e.g. where do the
young go, what migration routes are used etc etc can only be
answered through reports of re-sightings. The more re-sightings,
the quicker the question is answered and the fewer birds need to
be banded to answer the question. Something to keep in mind the
next time you see a banded bird, particularly if you don't agree with
the practise of bird banding (although that's another well covered
issue lets not re-visit!). Please, if you are out birding and see bands
on any bird, take the time to report the sighting. Most banders are
only too happy to fill you in on the info about the bird, project and
any other questions people have (e.g. see my email to Birding-Aus
late last year in response to Ian Montgomery photographing one of
my banded birds).
Happy birding,
Paul McDonald
Please report all sightings of colour banded Brown Falcons:
Email:
Ph: 03 9742 2902
Mbl: 0410 679 022
***********************************************
Paul McDonald
Division of Botany and Zoology
School of Life Sciences
Australian National University
Canberra, A.C.T.
Australia 0200
Ph: +61 02 6125 2536
Fax: +61 02 6125 5573
Mbl: 0410 679 022
***********************************************
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