The Ornithological Council is pleased to provide this bimonthly report covering activities in September and October 2026. Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff:
1. Met with the Chief of the USGS Bird Banding Lab, in a bi-monthly meeting to discuss issues of mutual interest, including BBL staffing issues, changes at USGS, and OC resources.
2.. Attended a bi-monthly meeting of a Scientific Societies Working Group, a coalition of non-partisan associations with a common interest in promoting scientific integrity (including the people and process of doing science, and the application of scientific results to benefit the public) and building capacity within the scientific community in the U.S. and beyond.
3. Submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding proposed changes to the application and annual report forms for various permits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Read the comments here.
4. Released a template for institutions and IACUCs to adapt as needed, setting forth an institutional policy for wildlife and field research. If an institution does not already have policy setting forth policies and procedures, this template provides a place to start. Institutions are encouraged to make any changes or modifications necessary for the policy to fit within their animal care and research policies. Download the template here.
5. Continued our work on the 5th edition of the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. Most draft chapters have been submitted and volunteers are peer reviewing these chapters. We hope to release a finalized draft in early 2027.
6. Posted these articles and updates on the Ornithology Exchange:
- COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Customs proposed new rule for low value shipments
- OC submits comments on MBTA permit forms
- OLAW considers requiring animal number reporting
- FWS updates list of birds protected by the MBTA
- OC Vice Chair appointed to new National Academies Committee
- The OC releases a template for a wildlife field research policy
- Stopgap funding passed for the U.S. federal government
All these articles, and more, are also available on the ‘News From the OC’ forum on Ornithological Exchange.