-Review by Rob G. Bijlsma
-ARDEA 96(1), pp 153, 154
-2008
In 1987, the Raptor Information Center of the National Wildlife Federation produced a large tome in binder format on raptor research techniques. A reprint followed in 1993. For a long time, this was the only handbook available to raptorphiles, and as such in great demand. Meanwhile, several more raptor manuals have been published, including one in Dutch (Bijlsma 1997) and one based on experiences of European raptorphiles (Hardey et al. 2006). Interestingly, each manual has its distinct characteristics, and despite some overlap in coverage of the subject much can be gleaned from any one that is not to be found in the others. Raptors are easily the best-serviced bird group regarding study techniques. Compared with the European manuals, Raptor Research is distinctly professional in outline and scope. In Europe, thousands of amateurs study raptors, often alongside scientists, as visible in the plethora of raptor groups, raptor journals and papers. The opening chapter of Raptor Research, relating to the raptor literature, is testimony to the fact that raptor research outside Europe is mostly the prerogative of professionals. This is presumably also why chapters on systematics, energetics, physiology, pathology,
toxicology and captive breeding are included, usually realms avoided by amateurs and deserving of specialist knowledge, labs, permits and money. I applaud the inclusion, however, not least because it may open avenues into other parts of raptor life not usually covered by fieldwork. Similarly, much attention is heaped upon study design, data management, analysis, presentation and survey techniques, unfortunately not always bothered about too much by amateurs. Although ABCs for professionals, for others it may well serve as an eyeopener for planning and executing research. Interestingly, no species-specific details are given for studying raptors, a subject extensively touched
upon in European manuals including detailed age and sex-specific growth parameters for nestlings. It merely shows that in the USA study design is more important than the species.
Field-study techniques cover a substantial part of the book, and much here is also covered by the European manuals. Nevertheless, the emphasis on study design is strong throughout these chapters (notably habitat sampling and behavioural studies). Not particularly useful for the average Dutch raptorphile, but certainly so for those working in
mountainous regions, is the description of climbing techniques for cliffs. Also, capture, marking and spatial tracking (including use of stable isotopes and trace elements) techniques are covered in much more detail than in the European manuals. This is partly because it involves the use of sophisticated and expensive equipment. I think these are techniques in need to be applied on a larger scale in Europe than so far practised, providing data on movements, habitat use and survival not possible to obtain otherwise. Surely, many of these techniques are now so well developed, with prices of equipment much reduced, that they are within the grasp of amateurs or groups of volunteers. Here they may find a good start from where to proceed. A particularly useful, and necessary, chapter describes the methods to reduce disturbance. It is indeed imperative to study the technical literature and consult specialists before embarking upon any study of raptors.
For field-workers this is simply part of their basic training, and about which they are constantly reminded by fellow-raptorphiles. It therefore completely defies me why disturbance remains a never-ending dispute among nature managers (see for example, van den Boom & van Tooren 2008), or it must be ignorance. The last few chapters deal
with mitigation (how to reduce losses from human activities), captive breeding (not something I want to promote anyway, but a big thing in the USA), how to augment wild populations and food resources, rehabilitation (a must for rehabilitation centres, but I am afraid few are willing to improve upon their own experience), public education (including raptor shows, not my cup of tea given the proliferation thereof in Europe, often exploited
by ignoramuses), and legal considerations (which are likely to change the next time you take a breath).
All in all I consider this volume compulsory reading for raptorphiles, but especially for those from Europe who have very different backgrounds as to the study of raptors. Much they can learn from raptor enthusiasts working on the other side of the pond.
Bijlsma R.G. 1997. Handleiding veldonderzoek Roofvogels.
KNNV Uitgeverij, Utrecht.
Hardey J., Crick H.Q.P., Wernham C.V., Riley H.T.,
Etheridge B. & Thompson D.B.A. 2006. Raptors: a
field guide to survey and monitoring. The Stationary
Office, Edinburgh.
van den Boom B.W.A.F.H. & van Tooren B. 2008. Broedbiologisch
onderzoek vereist permanente afweging.
De Levende Natuur 109: 13-14.
Rob G. Bijlsma, Doldersummerweg 1, 7983 LD
Wapse, The Netherlands (rob.bijlsma@planet.nl)
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-Review by Robert E Hoopes
-Wild Activist Magazine No. 61, pp 23
-Spring 2008
This is the second edition of the Raptor Management Techniques Manual first published by the Raptor Research Foundation in 1987. Editors Bird and Bildstein have assembled works from numerous experts in their fields and grouped them into useful categories. Their intent is to provide a comprehensive reference on raptor research and management techniques leading to standardization in field techniques and better comparability of results. The thirty-one essays are grouped in twenty-five chapters. A general overview of raptor research is covered in the first four chapters, including raptor identification, literature, study design and systematics (taxonomy, classification and phylogenetics, or the study of evolutionary relationships). Then next ten chapters cover field techniques including surveying, migration counts, behavior, food, habitat, nest access, assessing nesting success, capture techniques, marking and tracking. The following section focuses on physical aspects of raptors covering energetics, physiology, reproduction, and pathology. The next five chapters cover our interface with raptors. Included are discussions on how we can reduce our disturbance of raptors in the course of data collection and research, how we can mitigate human activities that affect raptors, captive breeding techniques, augmenting wild populations and rehabilitation. The final two chapters cover public education and legal considerations. While strong on scientific method and referencing extensive citations, this manual is clearly written and easy to read. To this end it is a valuable resource for professionals in the raptor research field as well as citizen scientists who find great pleasure in both observing and collecting migration data at their local hawk watch sites.
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The Falconer Journal
2008, pg 113
Review by Andrew Dobson – Editor
University of Nottingham-School of Geography
As the title suggests, this book is a serious scientific text, not a falconry manual. I will not attempt to evaluate its utility to the field biologist, as this is not the place, but instead explain why I think may falconers would benefit from reading it. I’ll make it clear now that I’m not one of those people who believe that scientists make the best falconers, or that a strictly scientific approach to training and conditioning is the only correct one-this is a wholly fallacious view, and I have no time for those who propound it. However, there is much to be gained from understanding the basics of raptor biology, and a grasp of the application of science to raptor conservation will lend any falconer a degree of gravitas when engaged in dialogue with conservation bodies, as many of us are. The captive breeding revolution has had the unhappy consequence of producing a generation of falconers who lack any real comprehension of their hawks’ wild behaviour, and this is not acceptable in the modern day, when all eyes are on us and we must be able to justify our sport on every level. Few Falconers need to have a detailed knowledge of molecular genetics, but it would be extremely helpful if, for example, all falconers read Michael Wink’s chapter in this book, and so gained a basic understanding of taxonomy and systematics. When we’re discussing hybrids, DNA, subspecies, etc., do we really know what we’re talking about?
The 25 chapters are generally short, and most are accessible to the lay reader who has at least an elementary familiarity with scientific and/or ornithological terms; even Wink’s rather technical chapter begins with introductions to most of the terms he discusses, so there is no need to shy away from what might first appear to be an impenetrable raft of jargon. There are even some familiar names here for the UK falconer-Robert Kenward and Sean Wall contribute a chapter on spatial tracking (telemetry and the like), Ian Newton, Neil Forbes and John Cooper provide input in their respective fields, and Jemima Parry-Jones and Mike Nicholls are the main authors on the subject of public education.
For those falconers who are interested in what biologists get up to, I would particularly recommend the chapters on survey techniques and behavioural studies; both cover reasonably basic topics and give a clear guide to what can be achieved and how it should be done. The ideological separation between falconers and conservation biologists in the UK is unnecessary, and the ground could be made up most easily if each group could attempt to understand the perspective of the other. To this end, reading this book would be of great benefit to the falconer. |
