[Bristol-Birds] Ringed-bill Gull work continues

13 MAR 04 
Musick's Lakeside Campground
S. Holston Lake
Sullivan Co., TN
.
Today marked the debut of a custom designed net, ordered by Wallace Coffey, 
large enough to capture numerous Ringed-billed Gulls upon successful 
deployment. The dimensions of this behemoth are 25' X 30" - that is an amazing 
750 sq. 
ft! Today's field trial was to operate the net by hand using surf fishing 
equipment to sling the net into service over a baited area. The gulls were 
plentiful although not at all cooperative with our plan. Time spent in the 
field is 
not without reward, however, observations and trapping methods practiced have 
again increased our knowledge of our areas most common gull, Larus delawarensis.
With the prospect of large numbers of gulls being taken at once comes the 
responsibility of the birds welfare. I would like to mention that each member 
of 
this effort holds the Bander's Code of Ethics as high priority: 
.
Firstly, the bird's safety is the primary responsibility so risks are 
minimized. 
Birds are handled gently and for as brief a time as necessary for processing 
and recording valuable and accurate data.
Assistants are given proper instruction.
Proper leg bands and tools are used. 
And lastly, innovative capture techniques are made available to other 
banders.
.
Bander's ethics, much like Birder's ethics, strive to make our hobby a win 
win proposition for the bird and it's audience.    
'Til we bird again

Rack Cross
Blountville, TN


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