On Tue, 25 Jul 1995, Stuart MacKay wrote:

> I have sent in a few neck-collar sightings and have received no reply yet - I
> presume the original bander is responsible for notifying me, rather than BBL.
> It could be that the scheme and sequence numbers are registered with BBL but
> the specifics, ie which collar corresponds to which bird are left to the
> bander - same set up as in the UK.

I believe you're correct here, Stuart. When I have reported a neck
collar to BBL, they have sent me a copy of the letter they send to the
bander which asks for the banding data relative to the collar number.
Later (sometimes MUCH later, if the bander doesn't get around to sending
the information) the bander returns the info to the BBL and the BBL sends
a "Certificate of Appreciation" to the informant.

> But then again it begs the question as why there are lots of different
> addresses to write to when reporting canada goose collars rather than simply
> sending them to the BBL - less overhead and less stress for BBL ?

My correspondance from BBL on this subject is that they WANT the
reports. Often, a State or University researcher will send out a flyer
describing the banding project with a local contact address on it. In
those circumstances, I will notify the BBL with a cc: going to the local
contact.

The BBL compiles the 'recovery' information, but often the bander will
appreciate more detailed information on the bird. For example, I read
several Trumpeter Swan collars last December near Elma, Grays Harbor
County. A bird from the Idaho/Yellowstone flock that had been
transported to Summer Lake WMA in SE Oregon was wintering with a group of
Trumpeters from Tok, Alaska. I received a lot of information on these
swans from the banders and project people.

In any event - ALWAYS send any band recovery information to the BBL.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
anderjda at dfw.wa.gov