Posted by Robin on September 05, 2002 at 16:22:45:
In Reply to: Re: Banded Piping Plover 8/20/02 posted by Paul on September 05, 2002 at 07:53:10:
Banded shorebirds are observed with bins or scope. The band color, which leg and location on leg is noted. [EX: R Metal upper leg; L Blue over Green lower leg]. Some bands have markings such as "A" or "V" that are important. Also, species, date, geographic location and behavior is noted.
Piping Plover information goes first to Rosemary Vander Lee with Army Corps of Engineers in SD. She distributes information to agencies involved. The following is a great URL for shorebird banding information:
http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/migratorybirds/pasp/index.en.html
Information on other birds with bands can be found through Patuxant Wildlife Research Center:
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov
I believe the agencies wish to recover the bands from dead birds. Perhaps other Bird Board readers have more detailed information.