g’Day all
An uncomfortable subject
It saddens me to report that in Tasmania this morning, I observed a number of “small waders” recently leg flagged. The birds were struggling about in moderate winds, hobbled by what appeared to be fresh looking manacles. These birds were in areas where in previous years, apart from an occasional flagged stint it has been unusual to see flagged waders. The birds seen today appeared to be struggling in only moderate conditions and if this is an example of 2020 Shorebird conservation, current programs needs to questioned, reviewed and modified urgently.
Can anyone inform us of the details, if they know of any recent wader leg flagging in Tasmania? Although I would like to see it banned, in the mean time it should be a requirement of leg flaggers to notify the community in advance of planned banding operations. Specifically the public should be notified when and where, the targeted species and by whom a leg flagging operation is planned. Something similar to the requirement to notify the public when a forest burning operation is planned.
Also, can any one inform us how the decision is made by banders to apply multiple flags on a particular bird.
Regards
Ian May St Helens, Tasmania ===============================
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Hello Ian. A couple of points regarding you posting: Firstly, you do not really explain how the birds were struggling. Were they having trouble walking, feeding or flying? Have you considered that there may be a short adjustment period while the birds become accustomed to the tag? I think calling it a “manacle” is a bit emotive. Personally, I have seen hundreds of flagged waders over the years, and I am yet to see one “struggling” in any way because of a flag or band. Secondly, you do not really explain why you think the public should be informed beforehand. I should imagine that to publish when and where birds were going to be banded would lead to a disastrous situation where dozens of onlookers would be adding to the stress of the birds. Steve Murray