Reporting of Recaptures and Resightings by Banders
Do we report our own re-encounters (recaptures/resightings/dead
birds) from the same site or same 10-minute block?
Generally no; however, if the encounter is unusual in some
way it should be reported. For example, report a recapture (return) of a migrant in a
subsequent season or year (e.g., fall migrant retrapped in spring or the
following fall) or a recapture of a bird close to or exceeding the current
longevity record (see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/longvrec.htm
for a reference list).
If a bird is found dead within
90 days of banding, please do not report it as an encounter. It should be
reported as “Band Destroyed” on the banding schedule. If a schedule has
already been submitted, notify BBL via e-mail or regular mail to change the
schedule to “Band Destroyed” for that band number. Those banders who band
cavity nesters on private property, please ask the property owner to report
any dead birds or bands found in the nest boxes to you when the nest boxes are cleaned at the
end of the season. These reports of chicks that did not fledge should be handled by the bander (either reported as
“Band Destroyed” if bird dead within 90 days or report as an encounter if
the bird was an adult banded in a previous season).
If several banders are banding at the same site do we
report bands that are not ours?
Generally no for recaptures of live birds. The BBL suggests that
banders at same site exchange band numbers and data or recaptures/resightings
at the same site. For example, banders at one migration station kept a master list
of band numbers at an office on site so that they could check to see if a
recapture was one of the the groups birds or a foreign recapture (from
another site and bander). Please exchange data among yourselves regarding
recaptures/resightings at the same site.
Do we report our own recaptures/resightings away from
the site/10-minute block in which the banding took place?
Although these recaptures/resightings
can be reported, please report only those that have biological significance.
Do not report encounters just because they crossed a 10-minute block line when
there are several 10-minute blocks within your banding site.
How would I report a point-to-point-to-point encounter
that occurred within a short span of time?
Report as two encounters —
first point to second point and second point to third point; however, do so
only if there is biological significance to both encounters. If only the
movement from point 1 to point 3 if significant, report only one encounter.
What is the preferred method of reporting?
We ask that banders report via the
BBL web site reporting form (http://www.reportband.gov).
This data is entered electronically and does not require data entry at BBL. The BBL
has discontinued use of the old pink recovery form and we discourage reporting
via regular mail. If the banding is in BBL and the record passes all of the
internal BBL edits, you should receive a Certificate of Appreciation in one to
three weeks.
If you need immediate feedback,
such as for law enforcement, you may use the 1-800-327-BAND report line to
report the band. Please note that not all those who answer the phone have
access to our databases, and you may have to call back and talk to a BBL
Biologist for the data (see BBL Staff Contact
Information). We ask
your cooperation in use of the report line only if it is necessary during
hunting season.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please call or e-mail Kathy
Klimkiewicz, Biologist (301-497-5795 or kathy_klimkiewicz@usgs.gov).
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