BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day training workshop focused on bird banding, an important tool for research and monitoring! Through a blend of classroom and field-based activities, participants will learn about the basics of bird banding, from setting up a mist net to examining molt patterns.

We’ll also discuss and demonstrate some of the benefits of joining our new Caribbean Bird Banding Network. In partnership with the Bahamas National Trust, the workshop will take place at The Retreat Garden in Nassau, The Bahamas from March 8-12, 2022.

Why do we need to band birds?

Bird surveys, like those we will cover in our upcoming Landbird Monitoring Training Workshop, provide valuable information about bird communities. Bird banding is another tool that can give us deeper insight into how our birds are doing. By individually marking and assessing birds in the hand, we can collect data that can tell us about their demography and health, including: looking at fat scores and weights to assess the body condition of birds in different habitats and at different times of the year; aging birds using plumage to investigate demographic patterns; using recapture records to learn about survivorship and longevity; using the presence of breeding characteristics to understand phenology. Over the long-term, banding can also help us understand patterns and trends of bird populations. 

Launching the Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network

As part of BirdsCaribbean’s new Landbird Monitoring Project, we are excited to work with our partners to initiate the Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network, which aims to grow and unify bird banding activities in the Caribbean. In addition to training opportunities, the CBB Network will provide:

• Caribbean Bird Bands. We are creating our own bird bands to distribute to qualified banders throughout the Caribbean. Our system will be similar to the USGS system, which no longer distributes bands outside of the U.S. The bands will be stamped with contact information so that anyone who finds a band can report it and find out where it came from!
• Bird Banding Database. We want to make it easy for banding data to be collected consistently across the islands, and compiled to find recaptured birds. To do so, we are developing a user-friendly bird banding database that can be used by CBB banders.  
• Connection. We also want to facilitate communication and collaboration among bird banders throughout the Caribbean. We will work with members of the CBB to set up chats (e.g., WhatsApp) where banders can share information and ask questions, whether it be about molt patterns for resident species or sex and age of a rare migratory bird captured We will also include our banding partners on the CBB website (coming soon!) so that those looking to collaborate or volunteer with banders in the Caribbean can easily find this information.

About the workshop

This workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in gaining more experience with bird banding. The workshop also officially launches our Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network! This workshop will focus on banding landbirds, although we hope to provide banding training opportunities for other bird groups in the future. 

The purpose of the workshop is to: 

• Provide participants with a basic understanding of bird banding techniques and best practices.
• Discuss what it takes to set-up and run a bird banding station. 
• Prepare participants for additional bird banding training and potential North American Banding Council (NABC) certifications. 
• Share information about the resources that will be available through the CBB Network.

Several NABC-certified trainers will share their knowledge in the classroom, at the mist net, and at the banding table, covering topics like: 

• • Proper set-up and placement of a mist-net
  • Extracting birds from mist-nets using the body-grasp technique
  • Starting a banding station
  • Bird first-aid and safety
  • Bird banding ethics and basics 
  • Using bird banding for education and public demonstrations
  • Aging birds using both WRP and Howell-Pyle terminology 
  • Molt patterns

Bird banding is a complex skill to learn. This workshop is intended to be a starting point, and participants should not expect to leave the workshop with the necessary qualifications to band birds independently. To become fully immersed and practice what was learned at the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be considered for a bird banding internship at one of several bird observatories in the U.S. and Canada. Following this, we are aiming for interns to continue working with a trainer in the Caribbean, providing the opportunity to band Caribbean species and include additional local professionals and volunteers in bird banding activities. 

In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some workshop sessions will be held virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Stay tuned for more information!

Funding and logistics

We are aiming to include approximately 12 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has limited funding to cover the cost of travel, meals, accommodation, and workshop materials. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can help us enhance the workshop content and allow us to include additional participants/trainers. Participants should plan to arrive in The Bahamas on March 7 and depart on March 13. 

COVID-19 Policy: BirdsCaribbean is committed to the safety of all workshop participants, trainers, and local communities. Proof of full vaccination will be required to participate in this workshop. Additional guidelines (e.g., negative tests, masks) will be provided to participants prior to the start of the workshop based on the most updated information. 

Applications

If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 5 PM EST on January 13th, 2022.  (note: this workshop opportunity was posted on our BirdsCaribbean listserve in December; if you are not on this groups.io listserve, please consider signing up to receive announcements about workshops and other opportunities and bird news. Thanks!)

English Version: https://bit.ly/BirdBandingApplic-ENG

Versión en español: https://bit.ly/BirdBandingApplic-ESP

About The Retreat Garden

The Retreat Garden is a national park located in Nassau, The Bahamas. The 11-acre botanical garden was the previous headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust, showcasing a mix of rare native and exotic plants. Resident and migratory birds are drawn to this oasis, making it the most popular birding spot on the island. In particular, participants can expect to see many migratory warbler species (hopefully, in the hand!), such as the Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler. 

If you have any questions, please send an email to:

Maya Wilson, Landbird Monitoring Project Manager
Maya.Wilson@BirdsCaribbean.org

Holly Garrod, Caribbean Bird Banding Manager
Holly.Garrod@BirdsCaribbean.org

BirdsCaribbean would like to thank J.C. Fernández-Ordóñez for Spanish translation.