The Ornithological Council’s mission is to:
- Ensure that the best ornithological science is incorporated into legislative, regulatory, and management decisions that affect birds;
- Enhance the ability of ornithologists to pursue professional activities; and
- Promote the influence of ornithology in public affairs.
Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff:
1. Met with the Chief of the USGS Bird Banding Lab, in a quarterly meeting to discuss issues of mutual interest.
2. Submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to their announcement that they intend to prepare an environmental impact statement for a proposed project to eradicate nonnative rats from four uninhabited islands located in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. In 2010, the OC performed an external review of a 2008 project to eradicate Norway rats from Hawadax Island (formally called Rat Island), in which non-target mortality was higher than expected. The comments submitted in November to USFWS were based on the recommendations made in that report.
3. Submitted comments to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on its proposal to increase the fees for import permits and other various veterinary services.
4. Continued work on a template field study policy for IACUCs to adopt. In response to many inquiries about compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, especially regarding field work, in light of the new regulations regarding birds, the OC is developing a sample policy regarding field studies under the AWA that institutions can use to develop and enact their own policies.
5. Continued work on the 4th edition of the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research in Spanish. Last year, we published the 4th edition of the Guidelines in English, which consisted of text from the 3rd edition along with new reference lists for each chapter. In addition, old links throughout the document were updated. We are now making those updates to the Spanish version of the 3rd edition and will release the new version in the coming months.
6. Provided direct individual assistance to ornithologists who belong to OC societies regarding the permits necessary to complete their research. During November and December, we assisted four individuals with permit issues.
7. Posted articles and updates on the Ornithology Exchange regarding:
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker downlisted from endangered to threatened
- Report details global shorebird declines
- OC submits comments on rat eradication
- APHIS to increase import permit fees and other veterinary service fees
- New report highlights birders’ demographics and economic impact
- OC submits comments on APHIS permit fees
- Canadian species at risk list updated
- Bald Eagle officially made national bird of the US
Our work focuses on animal welfare issues, permits, research funding, and other policies that affect ornithologists and ornithological societies – and we greatly appreciate your support! All these updates, and more, are always available on the ‘News From the OC’ forum on Ornithological Exchange.
Each time OC posts in the News from the OC forum, the link is sent to the OC society representatives to share with their networks. If your society would like these emails sent directly, or if you have with questions or concerns about this report or about any other matter of concern to your society or your society’s members, please contact Laura Bies.
Laura Bies
Executive Director
Ornithological Council
202.905.9141
