***We will not be holding this workshop in 2024.***
The Southern Sierra Research Station sometimes offers a Beginning Bird Banding Workshop in the fall. This workshop is designed for people who do not have bird banding experience and want a complete and thorough introduction to this important avian research technique. The workshop is limited to 10 participants to ensure plenty of one-on-one time with instructors, so reserve your spot early. The course will be taught by SSRS staff and NABC-certified banders and has received raving reviews from our participants. We strongly believe you will be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive, hands-on, personalized banding course out there!
Please see below for details from our most recent course. The workshop is similar each year. Please use the Contact Us page for questions. Thanks!
Dates: mid-September (5 full days)
Topics covered include:
- proper setup and placement of mist nets,
- extraction of songbirds from mist nets,
- bird safety,
- bird handling,
- banding and data collection,
- use of the Pyle guide,
- bird identification in the hand,
- bird banding ethics,
- the role of banding in research and monitoring, and
- a brief introduction to ageing and sexing of birds in the hand.
We will spend the mornings outside mist-netting, handling and banding birds. In the afternoons we will have classroom-style lectures and discussions at our research station. In addition to an understanding of the topics listed above and the chance to practice hands-on techniques, participants will be provided with written materials and resources for further study.
No previous bird handling or banding experience is required
Cost in 2023: $1,200
A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot in the class.
When the course fills, we will indicate this here on the website and begin a waitlist.
