Banding Authorities are endorsed with the capture methods for which the Authority-holder has been assessed as competent. A recent review of trapping methods available to banders has revealed that a revised set of trapping endorsements are required to cover newly developed techniques. Banding Authorities will now carry one of the following endorsements:
- Nil: Bander holds no trapping endorsement (ALL C-class/trainee banders)
- 1: Rehabilitated birds/bats only
- 2: Basics (not mist- , cannon- or propelled nets) BIRDS AND BATS
- 3(A): Mist-nets BIRDS AND BATS
- 3(B): Cannon-nets (not mist-net) BIRDS ONLY
- 3(C): Other Propelled Nets (inc Whoosh, Clap, Phutt, Nanoc, Net Gun, not mist-net) BIRDS ONLY
- 3(D): Both cannon-nets and other propelled nets (not mist-net) BIRDS ONLY
- 3(E): Both mist-nets and other propelled nets (not cannon-net) BIRDS ONLY
- 4: combination of 3(A) and 3(B) (current arrangement) BIRDS ONLY
- 5: combination of 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C) BIRDS ONLY
Endorsements are renewed along with the Banding Authority and are not intended to be held in perpetuity once granted. They should relate to projects that the bander intends to be involved with.
Nil: Trainee Banders
C-Class trainee banders may not hold any trapping endorsements.
Level 1: Rehabilitated birds/bats only
Banders holding the Level I endorsement may band birds/bats rehabilitated following sickness or injury as part of an approved banding project. Level I endorsement does not infer that the bander is competent to treat the animal's sickness or injury, nor does it include any methods of wild capture. Banders may require a permit from the State or Territory fauna agency to keep birds/bats during the rehabilitation period and it is the bander's responsibility to determine when such permits are required. The minimum qualification for this level is 20 birds/bats processed under supervision. Referee reports are required to progress to higher levels of endorsement.
Level 2: Basic capture methods
This endorsement includes rehabilitation banding as well as all capture methods except mist-nets, cannon-nets and other propelled nets. This endorsement is typically required by banders who band:
- nestling birds
- birds that can be captured by hand (eg shearwaters, penguins, boobies)
- birds that can be trapped with hand-held or thrown nets (eg albatross)
- birds captured using hoop nets, cage traps, but NOT propelled nets
- raptors captured using bal-chatri, noose carpet etc
- bats (by hand or harp-trap)
The minimum requirements for this level are:
- using raptor traps - 20 birds processed under supervision
- using other methods - 100 birds/bats processed under supervision.
Traps such as this Bal-Chatri are used to catch raptors
Level 3(A): Mist-nets
This endorsement covers the use of mist-nets as well as rehabilitation banding and basic capture methods. Use of mist-nets requires considerable tuition from experienced operators. The minimum requirements are:
- capture and processing of 200 birds/bats using mist-nets under the supervision of qualified banders; and
- reports from 2 qualified banders confirming that the applicant is sufficiently experienced and competent in the use of mist-nets.
Level 3(B): Cannon-nets
This endorsement covers capture of birds (not bats) using cannon-nets and rocket-nets. These devices almost exclusively use explosive propulsion, however they can also be propelled by compressed air or other materials. Banders who will lead a cannon-netting operation are required to hold this endorsement (other banders who assist require Level 2 or Level 3(A) endorsement). This endorsement also covers banding of rehabilitated birds and use of basic capture methods but is NOT an automatic endorsement to use mist-nets.
This endorsement will not be given readily and applicants will be expected to show proficiency in all aspects of the use of cannon-nets, particularly the safety practices.
The minimum qualifications for Level 3(B) are:
- capture and processing of 500 birds from a minimum of 10 catches using cannon-nets and/or rocket nets that the applicant has conducted under the supervision of qualified banders; and
- reports from 2 qualified banders confirming that the applicant is sufficiently experienced and competent in the use of small mesh propelled trapping devices such as cannon-nets.
A permit to operate an explosive device or to handle explosives or a firearms licence may be required from the State or Territory government. Enquiries on this matter should be directed to the relevant State or Territory fauna agency.
Level 3(C): Other Propelled Nets
This endorsement covers capture of birds (not bats) using other propelled net trapping devices such as phutt nets, net guns, whoosh nets, clap nets and nonnacs. Some will be propelled by explosives, others by compressed air or other materials. It is important to note that there are significant differences in extraction requirements between large and small mesh sizes. Birds are much more likely to become entangled in large mesh nets that will require a higher level of extraction skills. The endorsement also covers banding of rehabilitated birds and use of basic capture methods but is NOT an automatic endorsement to use mist-nets or cannon-nets.
This endorsement will not be given readily and applicants will be expected to show proficiency in all aspects of the use of other propelled net trapping devices, particularly the safety practices.
The minimum qualifications for Level 3(C) are:
- capture and processing of 200 birds using phutt/whoosh/clap nets/net guns, etc. from a minimum of 10 catches that the applicant has conducted under the supervision of qualified banders; and
- reports from 2 qualified banders confirming that the applicant is sufficiently experienced and competent in the use of propelled trapping devices such as phutt nets, whoosh nets clap nets and nannocs.
A permit to operate an explosive device or to handle explosives and/or a firearms licence may be required from the State or Territory government. Enquiries on this matter should be directed to the relevant State or Territory fauna agency.
Level 3(D): Cannon-nets and other Propelled Nets
This endorsement combines the use of both cannon-nets and other propelled nets but does not include mist-nets.
Level 3(E): Mist-nets and other Propelled Nets
This endorsement combines the use of both mist-nets and other propelled nets but does not include cannon-nets.
Level 4: Mist-nets and Cannon-Nets
This endorsement combines the use of both mist-nets and cannon-nets but not other propelled nets.
Level 5: Mist-nets, Cannon-Nets and other Propelled Nets
This endorsement combines all endorsements listed above.