A-class authority
This Authority is issued to competent banders who have sufficient skills and experience to undertake banding without supervision.
Qualifications:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants are not generally eligible for an A-class authority until they have held a C-class authority for 2 years, and have banded 500 birds or 50 bats, under the direct supervision of an A-class bander.
- Applications must be supported by at least two reports from A-class supervising banders, attesting to the applicant's experience and competence in methods of capture, handling, measuring and banding birds/bats, and in data management. Referees are expected to state how many birds/bats they have observed the applicant process.
Projects:
A-class banders may apply to undertake their own projects although many A-class banders elect to assist on projects run by other banders. Bands and other equipment will only be issued for use on approved projects.
Permits:
A-class banders are required to hold the necessary State/Territory permits to trap, band and release wildlife. State/Territory wildlife agencies are notified of applications for enrolment as an A-class bander.
Responsibilities:
A-class banders with approved projects are responsible for
- ensuring accurate and timely provision of all banding data to the ABBBS, preferably by computer disk
- supplying bands and equipment for banders assisting with the project
- ensuring that all necessary State/Territory permits are held
- disseminating the results of their project to the wider scientific community
- ensuring that the bird/bat handling and banding techniques employed during their study are always of the highest standard and that the safety of the birds/bats remains of paramount concern to all involved with the work.
Duration:
A-class authorities are issued for one year.
Endorsements:
Levels of trapping endorsements
