DEC would prefer to keep it simple. Hoopla complicates things. Without an overarching organization with experience in hosting large meetings like Kodak had to handle the logistics, things can get out of hand quickly. We tried it in 2010, and things got enough out of hand to make DEC request that banding be kept simple.

I read the reasons for no hoopla, but I still wonder why it takes so long for them to let us know when the banding will take place. It seems the last couple years we don't find out the date till a day or 2 before!

Because things can get out of hand quickly.

Probably won't get an answer but how does giving forum members a heads-up on banding day create a 'hoopla'?  Guess I don't get it.  

If we could keep it  to Forum members only, it might not get out of control, but the Forum can be read by anyone on the Internet, and it regularly is. There's no telling what could happen once the information gets out. Without assurances that order could be maintained, DEC is left with no choice but to follow a policy of better safe than sorry.

Um, how can things get out of control? So people come to watch from the street like the rest of us watchers-how could that possibly affect the banding process by the DEC inside the building?

Really? Isn't it obvious?

What happens when people start coming into the building? Oh, you don't think that will happen? Who's going to stop them? You? Again, we're talking about anyone on the Internet who happens to read about the banding. They may not even read it here. They may read it on facebook after it has been shared a dozen times. They may read it on twitter after it's been retweeted a dozen times. They may read it in email after it's been forwarded a dozen times. They may hear it from a friend on the street after it's been discussed a dozen times.

Then there are the people who work in the building. They may want to come up to see firsthand. And they may invite their friends and family. "Oh, who's going to mind if my nephew joins me. He just loves animals."

Then there are the news media. What happens when they show up? Who's going to be the poor sap who appears on the evening news as the bad guy pushing the poor cameraman out of the room for no good reason (except that the bright lights and microphones were stressing the eyases and the banders, but that would never get reported).

And what happened at the 2010 banding?

Uninvited guests. Unexpected cameras. Unexpected reporters asking questions. Lack of coordination between GVAS, building management, tenants, and DEC. People on nearby rooftops.

I would predict a 100% chance of one or more of the above to reoccur if the banding date is announced in advance.

Kodak made its share of mistakes with the falcons, but one thing it did right was organizing a banding event. They had full control of the situation: security, media access, prepared press kits, guest relations, conference facilities, and an experienced staff who knew what they were doing and followed orders without question (because they wanted to keep their jobs).

We have nothing even remotely close to that, and until we do... better safe than sorry.

First of all Shaky, there's no need to pop a vein over a couple simple questions.

First of all, I already answered those simple questions. It gets a little annoying to have to do it over and over again when I have so many other more important things to do.

I guess I'm wondering why there can't be coordination between DEC, GVAS and building management.

A shortage of staff for all parties. DEC and building management don't have the money to hire that staff. GVAS relies on volunteers and hasn't been able to attract and keep enough people with the combination of appropriate skills and the free time to carry out the necessary tasks.

Also, building management doesn't have a lot of say on how tenants run their businesses. For example, management can't make it too difficult for the tenants' clients to enter the building, or the tenants will leave (maybe even sue -- they are lawyers, after all). So just about anyone can enter the building and potentially interfere with banding.

Well alrighty then-was just askin'! I'm done now cuz I have important things to do too!

DEC would prefer to keep it simple. Hoopla complicates things. Without an overarching organization with experience in hosting large meetings like Kodak had to handle the logistics, things can get out of hand quickly. We tried it in 2010, and things got enough out of hand to make DEC request that banding be kept simple.

I read the reasons for no hoopla, but I still wonder why it takes so long for them to let us know when the banding will take place. It seems the last couple years we don't find out the date till a day or 2 before!

Because things can get out of hand quickly.

Probably won't get an answer but how does giving forum members a heads-up on banding day create a 'hoopla'?  Guess I don't get it. 

If we could keep it  to Forum members only, it might not get out of control, but the Forum can be read by anyone on the Internet, and it regularly is. There's no telling what could happen once the information gets out. Without assurances that order could be maintained, DEC is left with no choice but to follow a policy of better safe than sorry.

Um, how can things get out of control? So people come to watch from the street like the rest of us watchers-how could that possibly affect the banding process by the DEC inside the building?

Really? Isn't it obvious?

What happens when people start coming into the building? Oh, you don't think that will happen? Who's going to stop them? You? Again, we're talking about anyone on the Internet who happens to read about the banding. They may not even read it here. They may read it on facebook after it has been shared a dozen times. They may read it on twitter after it's been retweeted a dozen times. They may read it in email after it's been forwarded a dozen times. They may hear it from a friend on the street after it's been discussed a dozen times.

Then there are the people who work in the building. They may want to come up to see firsthand. And they may invite their friends and family. "Oh, who's going to mind if my nephew joins me. He just loves animals."

Then there are the news media. What happens when they show up? Who's going to be the poor sap who appears on the evening news as the bad guy pushing the poor cameraman out of the room for no good reason (except that the bright lights and microphones were stressing the eyases and the banders, but that would never get reported).

And what happened at the 2010 banding?

Uninvited guests. Unexpected cameras. Unexpected reporters asking questions. Lack of coordination between GVAS, building management, tenants, and DEC. People on nearby rooftops.

I would predict a 100% chance of one or more of the above to reoccur if the banding date is announced in advance.

Kodak made its share of mistakes with the falcons, but one thing it did right was organizing a banding event. They had full control of the situation: security, media access, prepared press kits, guest relations, conference facilities, and an experienced staff who knew what they were doing and followed orders without question (because they wanted to keep their jobs).

We have nothing even remotely close to that, and until we do... better safe than sorry.

First of all Shaky, there's no need to pop a vein over a couple simple questions. I guess I'm wondering why there can't be coordination between DEC, GVAS and building management. I've been to many,many banding events in Toronto, which has millions of people and the Canadian Peregrine Foundation announces their banding events and not once have I seen anything get out of control. I guess we want exposure for everything but banding events eh!?   

And the two falcon chicks are....female! Today, after being scooped from the nest by Mary Hennen from the Field Museum, the chicks were brought inside for banding, blood draws, measurement, and a viewing for the crowd of approximately 130 falcon fans. Josh Engel, from the Field Museum, assisted Mary. The falcons now have names, at least according to us humans. The names are Wrigley, in honor of Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary and Tory, in honor of Roger Tory Peterson, a naturalist who wrote many books about birds including the well-known Peterson Field Guides

Cool-good names!

DEC would prefer to keep it simple. Hoopla complicates things. Without an overarching organization with experience in hosting large meetings like Kodak had to handle the logistics, things can get out of hand quickly. We tried it in 2010, and things got enough out of hand to make DEC request that banding be kept simple.

I read the reasons for no hoopla, but I still wonder why it takes so long for them to let us know when the banding will take place. It seems the last couple years we don't find out the date till a day or 2 before!

Because things can get out of hand quickly.

Probably won't get an answer but how does giving forum members a heads-up on banding day create a 'hoopla'?  Guess I don't get it.  

If we could keep it  to Forum members only, it might not get out of control, but the Forum can be read by anyone on the Internet, and it regularly is. There's no telling what could happen once the information gets out. Without assurances that order could be maintained, DEC is left with no choice but to follow a policy of better safe than sorry.

Um, how can things get out of control? So people come to watch from the street like the rest of us watchers-how could that possibly affect the banding process by the DEC inside the building? And what happened at the 2010 banding?

 

Thank you!

Is there any further word on Kendall and how he is recuperating? It's as if he's been completely forgotten these days, and that's sad.

Dot in PA

Dot, you know I haven't forgotten him, as we both light candles for him every day. How about more of you light some candles for Kendal-here's the link if you would like to.

 http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Q%26K

Just been wondering why banding of Times Square falcons is such a quiet event compared to the hoopla that was always surrounding the Kodak Office banding events where there were usually school children involved and it was a big deal!? We barely get notice of when the bandings will take place since Beauty came to town. 

 

I won't be able to make it this year, I'm having some medical problems. 

I will be with all of you in spirit though. 

Bummer-I hope it's nothing serious! 

 

 

Hey, most of my tweets are missing!

Cuz the forum crashed......remember???

Oh yeah! CRS 

For those of you that follow C&C (Chad and Chris) on Facebook - check out the banding photos at O'connor's moms site.  At one point she grabs the banders hand while he has one of the kids in it to pull it back for banding.  And check out the photo where Laurie has a hold of her!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.893318564027250.1073742057.590679534291156&type=1

Wow, that's one fierce mama! 

Has a date been set for banding our little foursome? And will we be suggesting and voting on names again this year?

I contacted June Summers (GVAS) yesterday to ask if she had a date for banding and she said she expects to hear from Jenny Landry (DEC) next week.