Braddock Bay Bird Observatory is pleased to offer a Banders' Training Course which will be taught on weekdays from Monday May 12 to Friday May 23, 2008. The course is open to anyone interested in learning or perfecting banding skills from supportive, professional staff. Training will take place at the Kaiser-Manitou Beach Banding Station, located just northwest of Rochester, NY on the shore of Lake Ontario at the height of spring migration.

Mornings will feature hands-on training in the field while afternoons will be devoted to lectures, demonstrations and in-depth instruction on various aspects of bird banding. Although the course is scheduled to run from 12-23 May, we can be somewhat flexible to arrange other times for the hands-on training and experience. 

General topics to be covered in depth during the 10 day session include: netting and trapping techniques, removal of birds from mist nets, proper handling and processing of birds (including biometrics, ageing and sexing, skulling), data management, relations with the public, and banders' ethics. 

The course uses training manuals produced by the North American Banding Council and is taught by an NABC-certified Trainer and Master Bander. The two-week period of the course is timed with peak passerine migration when 100-300 bird days are not uncommon.

The cost of the course is $300.00 ($275.00 plus a $25.00 registration fee) which includes the cost of housing and materials. Meals and transportation in the area are the students' responsibility. If you can provide your own housing, the cost of the course will be reduced by $100.00.

To sign-up, download the application form. For additional information about the Banders' Training Course please contact:

Elizabeth W. Brooks
5540 Jericho Hill Road
Alfred Station, NY 14803
email