We bet you’re all wondering when the new tagging system will roll out COASST-wide. Many COASSTers have been testing the wooden tag/hemp twine combination for the past few months, and have provided invaluable feedback, thank you! With COASSTer tested and approved materials, we’re ready for the next phase: building up our supply and distributing the new kits across the program. We are excited to phase-out zip-ties and phase-in wooden tags with hemp twine.
What to expect:
Beginning this spring, attendees of beached bird trainings will receive the new tags in their kits instead of zip ties.
During our next round of check-ins, we will ask for a mailing address confirmation for each active beached bird team. Confirmed people and addresses will be added to a list of recipients of new tag kits, which will be mailed out in batches as supply becomes available.
COASSTers near Seattle will have the option to visit our headquarters at the University of Washington to say hi and pick up their tags.
We’re updating the protocol – swapping out zip tie instructions for the new wooden tags, and the bird characteristics datasheet (removing the part about tag colors). This new protocol section and datasheets will accompany the new tagging kits.
Here’s a sneak peek at how they are attached to beached birds:
