DATES AND TIMES:

Training: firm dates Saturday April 8, Sunday April 9, Monday April 17, Saturday April 22, Sunday April 23.   Daily sessions 6 a.m. to noon

Program: April 24 - June 7, daily from 30 minutes before sunrise (around 5
a.m.) until around 1 p.m.  A schedule of daily starting times will be sent
to you soon or is available on the website: http://homepage.mac.com/IPBO.

Participants with no previous experience of extracting small birds from mist
nets should attend at least one training day.  Participants with previous
experience are strongly encouraged to attend a training session as a refresher.  This is
because extraction of birds is a skilled process and only practice makes
perfect! 

LOCATION: attached is a map to show you how to get there.  The entrance is
at the point marked Riddell North East.  In case you have difficulty
printing or reading the map, IPBO is located on Department of National
Defence property on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River, opposite the
western end of Aylmer.  It is about 13 km directly west of Parliament Hill
and about 6 km directly north of Kanata.  It is about 30 minutes or less
from downtown Ottawa.  You take the Queensway (417) west to the March Road
(Exit 138 north), then northwest about 8 km to the turnoff north to Dunrobin
(traffic light), then, after 200 m, northeast on Riddell Drive for about 4
km.  Access is through a locked gate at the northeast end of Riddell Drive,
just at the sharp bend to the left, near a flashing light.  Someone will be
waiting at the gate to admit you at the specified times each day, but the
gate will be closed after a short while, so please be punctual.  You will
drive about 2 km to the Observatory after passing through the gate.

FACILITIES: there are none for refreshment, hence you will probably want to
bring a snack or packed lunch with drink.  Toilet facilities are on the
site.  As for clothes, that will depend upon the weather.  Most of the time you will be outdoors.

However, shelter is available in a weatherproof building.  Waterproof footwear might be useful but you can probably get by without it. 

MEMBERSHIP: only IPBO members can participate.  The annual fee is $20 and
can be paid during the training sessions if you have not already done so.
You will get a tax receipt for this fee.  It goes towards the cost of
equipment and salary of Coordinator.  There is no other charge.