Photo courtesy of Jeff Bergman 2007
To Students Interested in Obtaining Duck Banding Experience,
Dr. Alan Afton is leading a large cooperative effort to band Lesser Scaup at Pool 19 of the Mississippi River, near Keokuk, IA, in March 2009, which provides opportunities for undergrad and grad students, to obtain experience in trapping and banding of diving ducks.
Participating students will: (1) obtain hands on experience and training in duck capture, handling and banding techniques, (2) view surgery techniques for implantation of sat-radios, and (3) interact with a diverse group of wildlife professionals from various federal, state and provincial wildlife agencies and NGOs.
Most universities have spring break during March, potentially allowing time for students to participate.
Last spring 20 students from 12 universities in the U.S. and Canada helped band 4426 Lesser Scaup and implant 26 females with sat-radios at Pool 19. The student's also handled and released large numbers of canvasbacks which were caught incidentally [i.e, by catch :)) ].
Dr Afton has secured free lodging for student banders at the Kibbe Biological Field Station, which is conveniently located near the trap sites. Evening group meals and local field-work travel are provided, but participating students are responsible for other meals and their own personal travel to the Pool.