I got the following message from Dr. Dan Froelich, and Don Norman suggested
that some folks on Tweeters might be interested as well. Anyone interested
after reading the announcement should contact Dr. Froelich.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Froehlich <dfroehli at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 2:36 AM


> OK, folks,
>
> Here's the scoop on the bander training class scheduled for Friday
> March 16 to Monday March 19. Here's a posting that went out the
> other day about it:
>
> "Advanced Bander Training
> Would you like to improve your ageing and sexing skills? Confused by
> molt limits?
> For those banders who would like to increase their proficiency in
> ageing and sexing songbirds, join a 4-day workshop combining field
> banding with discussions and presentations and helpful materials. We
> will focus on using the Pyle ID guide, finding molt limits, and
> ageing skills. Materials include a manual with 32 annotated
> photographs and specimen wings. We will set up mist nets each
> morning and meet indoors after lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
> The workshop will be held March 16-19, 2001 at ?. Cost is $150 for
> the four days plus $20 for the manual; participants must bring their
> own Pyle ID Guide. For more info, contact Daniel Froehlich at
> dfroehli at u.washington.edu. Register now as there are only a few
> spaces left!"
>
> Let me elaborate on some important details. We are still working out
> site details. Nisqually NWR near Olympia is interested in hosting
> the workshop but debating some of the impact issues. The next option
> is the Fir Island Wildlife Management Area site in the South end of
> the Skagit Flats. We should know shortly (Wed is the target date)
> which of the two sites we'll be using. Of course, I'll let you know
> and provide directions. Either way carpools can be worked out, and
> perhaps some overnight options.
>
> In order to allow more people to participate, we are employing a
> tiered participation system. All participants should feel
> comfortable enough handling nets and handling and extracting birds;
> the reason for this is safety: since the purpose of the class is to
> focus on ageing criteria and techniques I prefer us not to spend our
> time discussing netiquette or for me to supervise extractions. That
> is not to say that those who feel nervous about these skills
> shouldn't attend. The idea behind the tiered participation is that
> we include some banders quite skilled in basic banding techniques.
> These "teaching aides" will be identified at the class and should be
> called upon for help with extractions, skulling, MAPS codes and data
> recording, etc. For their assistance, they will contribute a reduced
> class fee. They are likely to be familiar with ageing techniques,
> but are seeking some review, summary, and guidance in working with
> the ID Guide.
>
> The other class participants may not feel comfortable with all these
> skills and seek help with any of these skills as well as basic
> guidance on ageing techniques but have general familiarity with
> handling birds and nets, bird extraction and processing and data
> recording. This structure allows people to work at their own pace
> and get what they need out of the course.

> There is still more interest in training, so I am now seriously
> contemplating conducting another class later in the spring, early
> June right after the spring quarter ends. If you're on the
> attendance uncertain list, you might consider that, too, though I
> can't yet guarantee that I'll run it then. But let me know if you'd
> prefer that, and I'll try to make a quick decision and set a date
> (I'm looking at June 8-11).
>
> If you don't have a Pyle ID guide and are attending a session, you
> should order one from Peter Pyle at ppyle at prbo.org.
>
> Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we'll meet at the designated banding
> site around 7am and band until about noon or one pm. We hope to work
> with about 30 birds/day. We'll then pause for lunch and reconvene
> (nearby library or private home or other meeting room) for an indoor
> afternoon session from about 2 or 3 to 5 or 6. This makes for long,
> intense days; bring coffee! Monday we will only undertake banding in
> the morning, finishing around noon. Those who can't take both Friday
> and Monday off would probably get the most out of it by attending the
> Friday session and skipping Monday. We will have banding equipment
> available, though you're welcome to use your own.
>
> Other important things to bring: raingear, field chair; jackknife,
> good boots, lunch, snacks and liquids, legal-size clipboard and pens
> and pencils. More such details next week; these are the items that
> might require a little preparation.
>
> Any questions?
> Daniel
> ***********************
> Daniel Froehlich
> Burke Museum
> U. of Washington
> Box 353010
> Seattle, WA 98105-3010
> Cell 206-595-2305
> W 206-685-3866
> ***********************