A-class bird banders?

17 Apr 2013, 11:12

Thought I'd just throw this out there, and find out if anyone has an A-class banding licence in Victoria? I've just applied for my C-class, and need to band 500 birds to get the A-class. I've gotten in touch with a few organisations, but most of them work with large birds (predominantly shore birds), and I'd like to get experience with much smaller birds as well.

17 Apr 2013, 13:04

You'll get through your numbers quick with the wader group they are really active (I went out with them years ago), they also do a few trips with other groups and to other areas where you get to do a lot of the smaller birds, my advice (although outdated by now as it was a long time ago) would be start out with the wader group and have a good chat to the people there as many of them do do other banding.

17 Apr 2013, 19:22

Don't forget, it's not just numbers - it's also about what types of birds. you may band 500 waders in a day, but most A class won't sign off on your license unless you have experience in all aspects (extracting, measuring, handling, banding, etc. etc.) all types of birds from thornbills or albatross.
I'm afraid I don't know of any banders in Victoria, but I can ask my instructors if you like

Alternatively, contact the ABBS and I'm sure they can put you in touch with someone.

17 Apr 2013, 20:15

Thanks guys, I'm going out with the wader group next week for a couple of days, and I've been given a few more contacts. I have a lot of experience with handling and measuring, but none with extraction, as the majority of wild birds I've worked with have been ones that you basically chase down and grab.
I was hoping there would be someone on here that would be willing to run a session with aviary birds (mine or theirs), though I think that's a long shot!!

18 Apr 2013, 11:16

You'll pick up the extraction pretty quickly, it's really just a matter of being gentle and untangling unless of course it's a flock of rainbow lorikeets in a mist net then it's a lot of cursing and getting bitten lol
In the year I spent going out with the wader group and associated trips I did everything from the waders through to wrens, the lorikeets to a few raptors, they really are a great group of people and probably the most active banding group out there.