[SBB] Fwd: Request for banded Purple Martin sighting reports

[Chuq Von Rospach <[[email protected]]>]

Forwarding to the group:

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Kelsey Low" <[[email protected]]>
> Date: August 21, 2006 8:25:53 AM PDT
> Subject: Request for banded Purple Martin sighting reports
>
> I work for the BC Purple Martin Stewardship and Recovery Program,  
> an organization concerned with the conservation of Purple Martins  
> (Progne subis) in British Columbia, Canada. For the past 10 years  
> we have banded most of the Martin nestlings born in BC every  
> summer. Despite all the banding work we have done over the past  
> decade, we still don't know much about west coast migration. There  
> have been some banded BC birds (including a few hatching year  
> birds) seen at still-occupied colony sites in WA in late summer,  
> plus a few early fledged young. Apart from that and a couple of  
> coastal sightings in OR and northern CA, they just seem to  
> disappear - my guess is they are mostly tree-roosting and not  
> visiting colony sites in migration. Even with the numbers this year  
> there are only about 3000 BC birds (~2700 banded remaining from all  
> years) plus another 4000 from WA (~600 banded) heading south,  
> spread over several weeks. Western Purple Martins probably migrate  
> through the western states, Mexico, and into South America  
> (possibly to Brazil), but we need band recovery data to confirm  
> that. Is it possible for us to post a notice on your mailing list  
> asking for reports of banded Martins?
>
> We are interested in any information people can give us about the  
> birds, though our main concern is band data. If someone sees a  
> banded Martin, we would like to know if the bird was alive or dead  
> when sighted, and if possible the gender and general age (SY or  
> ASY). For identification we need: the full number-letter code of  
> the coloured leg band (which can be read at close range with a  
> spotting scope), the band colour and which leg it was on, and/or  
> the number of the silver aluminum federal band if the bird is  
> captured or found dead. Partial information for colour band  
> sightings (colour, leg, partial code) is also useful but may not  
> allow full identification. The coloured bands we have used are red,  
> white, orange, or yellow plastic, and gold or blue metal. The  
> plastic bands have a number up to three digits, while the metal  
> bands have a "BC" prefix, a three digit number, and a letter. Birds  
> banded in Washington State have similar metal bands (orange or  
> green) with a "WA" prefix, a letter, and a three digit number.
>
> Any information about communal roosting sites, numbers of birds  
> seen, or dates when migrating Purple Martins passed through would  
> also be appreciated. Of course, all reports should include the date  
> and location of the sighting, and some personal contact information  
> (email, address, etc.). Reports can be in English or Spanish, and  
> can be sent by email to:
>
> [[email protected]]
>
> Or by regular mail to:
>
> GBEARS
>
> 133 - 4176A Departure Bay Road
>
> Nanaimo, BC, Canada
>
> V9T 4V7
>
> Our phone number is:
>
> (250) 758-2922
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Kelsey Low

-- 
Chuq Von Rospach, Architech
[[email protected]] -- http://chuqui.typepad.com/

Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't  
fallen asleep yet.



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