1.  Western Hemisphere Network of Bird Banding Programs Workshop

Purpose: To promote collaboration among banding programs in the Americas.

Introduction:
Bird banding and marking provide indispensable tools for ornithological research, management, and conservation of migratory birds on migratory routes, breeding and non-breeding grounds. Many countries and organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean are in the process of developing or have expressed interest in developing national banding schemes and databases to support their research and management programs. Coordination of developing and existing banding programs is essential for effective data management, reporting, archiving and security, and most importantly, for gaining a fuller understanding of migratory bird conservation issues and how the banding data can help.
 
Currently, there is a well established bird-banding program in the U.S.A. and Canada, and programs in other countries are being developed as well. Ornithologists in many Latin American countries and the Caribbean are interested in using banding and marking in their research programs. Many in the ornithological community are interested in establishing banding schemes and some countries have recently initiated independent banding programs. With the number of long term collaborative and international initiatives increasing, the time is ripe to discuss and explore opportunities for international collaboration, coordination, and administration of bird banding programs in the Western Hemisphere.

We propose the second “Western Hemisphere Network of Bird Banding Programs” workshop, in association with the SCSCB, to be an essential step in the progress to strengthen international partnerships and support migratory bird conservation in the Americas and beyond. This will be the second multi-national meeting to promote collaboration among banding programs in the Americas (the first meeting was held in October 8-9, 2006 in La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico).

The Second “Western Hemisphere Network of Bird Banding Programs” workshop will continue addressing issues surrounding the coordination of an Americas’ approach to bird banding and will review in detail the advances made on the first workshop such as, coordination of bands and markers, coordination in recovery reporting, permit issues, data management and data sharing and archiving, data security, training, etc.

Workshop Goals:

• Build on accomplishments of the network’s first workshop (Oct 8-9, 2006).

• Identify and explore new opportunities for data sharing, data archiving, data access, training, etc.

• Initiate strategies to support international collaboration and coordination amongst bird banding programs in the Western Hemisphere

Workshop structure:
A one day workshop of guided discussions is proposed.

Participants: Representatives of government agencies, program managers and NGOs.

Date:
July 18th, 2007, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location:
Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe (CEAPRC), Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Contact Information:

Information coordinator:

Antonio Celis Murillo
Bird Banding Laboratory
IAP/Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708-4040
USA
Work:  (301) 497-5832
Home: (240) 487-6776
acelismurillo@usgs.gov

2. Rallidae Banding Workshop

This will be led by Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordoñez, from Spain, who is a specialist in capturing and banding Rallidae. As soon as more details are available we will post them on the website. Contact Sergio Colón with your questions (sergiocolon@yahoo.com).

Workshop:  Techniques of capture, marking and monitoring rallids (Rallidae). Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordóñez, Av. del Pintor Mir, 29, 08227 TERRASSA (ESPAÑA), Tel. +34686911359, E-mail: jcwarbler@yahoo.es

Proposal: To show the different systems of capture and marking of rallids focused on the monitoring of these birds.

Introduction: Rallids (Aves: Gruiformes: Rallidae), including coots, gallinules, moorhens and rails, are one of the least known and least studied waterbird groups worldwide. Their nocturnal and crepuscular habits, or evasive and discreet behavior are the reason for their not being well known among ornithologists nor a species targeted by birdwatchers.  

The conventional marking system of birds, the metallic curtain rings with alphanumeric inscription, are not effective in controls and recoveries of these birds because they spend a great part of their life in the water (where their legs are difficult to see) or hidden in dense aquatic vegetation (reedbed, cattail and sedge).

This workshop proposes diverse methods of capture and marking widely used in Europe, where it was successfully developed and verified, to be applied in Caribbean and Central American aquatic habitats and rallid. This workshop will serve to prove the effectiveness of these methods of capture and marking to help establish the study of this unknown group of birds in the region (migratory routes, stepping and winter zones, and nest building areas, etc.).

Workshop Objectives:

• To teach specific capture and marking systems for this group of birds.
• To share information and methodology with banders and ornithologists interested in the study of these birds.
• To contribute to the knowledge of the ecology of the different rallid species present in the region, through monitoring of marked birds.  

Workshop Structure: A theoretical-practical workshop is proposed for one day of duration. Although it is advised, if possible, to make an extra practical day.

Participants: Bird banders, biology students, professional ornithologists, technicians in management of fauna.

Date:
July 18th, 2007, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location:
Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe (CEAPRC), Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.