Bird Banding Manual Lost or Destroyed Bands or Data

Lost or Destroyed Bands or Data

Occasionally there will be bands or records that are lost, stolen, or destroyed. Please report lost, stolen or destroyed bands as follows:

If a few bands are lost or destroyed, simply note "Band Lost" or "Band Destroyed" on the schedule covering that series of bands, and on the Note for File in Canada. See band numbers 42, 62 - 64, and 93 - 97 on the sample schedule (Figure 4-1).
DO NOT USE RELOCATED BANDS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS LOST. They should be destroyed or returned to the appropriate Bird Banding Office. If they are accidentally used, report the banding data in a letter to the appropriate Banding Office and the original schedule will be corrected
If a large number of bands are lost or stolen, submit schedules covering those band numbers. Include the bander's name, permit number, the inclusive band numbers and a notation to the effect: "Bands lost at (general location) on (approx. date)".
Occasionally, birds are banded, but data are lost before completion of schedules. Such instances should be treated as with lost or destroyed bands, using the message "Data Lost". If the data are subsequently relocated, submit the data in a letter to the appropriate Banding Office and the original schedules will be corrected.