There are a number of harlequin duck studies happening in British
Columbia, Alberta, the northwest States and Alaska. Many of these
studies have been banding birds to assist in identifying individuals.
The bands can usually be seen with binoculars (often even if the bird
is swimming), but can only be read with a spotting scope. Most of the
bands are plastic (standard metal band on opposite leg), with
two-digit codes, either numbers or letters, or a combination. The
digits should be read from the foot upwards. There may also be some
banded birds that have combinations of colored bands, without codes.

The yellow bands with black letters are from a study by Greg Shirato
of WDFW. I don't have an e-mail address for him, but his phone # is
(360)249-6522, or FAX (360)-664-0912. We spotted one of Greg's banded
male HADU on the Bow River in Banff National Park this summer that had
been banded near Port Townsend, and resighted near there again this
past October!

Ian Goudie, from Canadian Wildlife Service, has been banding HADU on
the Straight of Georgia for a few years. And there are banded birds
from Jasper and Banff national parks (I work with the latter program).
These various programs use a variety of band colors: red, green,
white, and combinations. Please send observations of these bands to
Ian Goudie at <goudiei at cwsvan.dots.doe.ca>. His phone number is
(604)946-8546 or FAX (604)946-7022.

Resightings of banded birds helps researchers to connect summer and
winter habitats of HADU. For instance, some of the HADU wintering near
Campbell River and Hornby Island nest in Banff and Jasper parks. For
those tweeters who are inland, we're particularly keen to get some
sightings during migration from coastal wintering habitats to summer
breeding ranges. What routes they travel if still a mystery.

Tweeters wishing more information can e-mail me directly, but only
until Jan 31, as I'm off work from then until late April.

Cyndi Smith
Park Warden
Banff National Park
<cyndi_smith at pch.gc.ca>