NLRG was formed in 1957 to help in the study of birds in the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society area. There are currently 12 active ringers. Species currently being studied include: Pied Flycatcher, Bearded Tit, Sand Martin, Twite, Goosander, Oystercatcher and Grey Wagtail. Migration has been studied for 28 years at Heysham. We welcome anyone who wants to observe, help or perhaps wish to become a ringer. Photo: A Heysham-ringed Twite on the Mull of Kintyre (thanks to Eddie Maguire)

Friday 4 April 2014

Another Batch of Recoveries

A recent batch of recoveries include many  that back up past findings but a few that break new ground.

Two more Sand Martins caught on autumn migration in France, brings our total to 47. Both were adults we controlled at colonies on the River Lune and both had been ringed at the same site in Charente-Maritime in France in August 2012.

A Reed Warbler in  France in August brings our total from there to 19 with 12 of them in August. Much more unusual was one in  Ceuta  the Spanish enclave in North Africa on April 1st, bringinmg our total African Reed Warblers to 5 the other four were in Morrocco

Our colour ringed study of autumn migrant Grey wagtails centred on Heysham has produced some interesting results. Sightings from previous years have been from Merseyside (2) Staffordshire and Wiltshire. A sighting at Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on October 14th just 10 days after ringing at Heysham and 304 km SSW is the longest movement we have recorded. Uniquely this winter has produced  3 sightings in our local area suggesting that this unusually mild winter has inhibited movement.

A wintering Siskin was caught in the breeding season 508 km N at Bettyhill (Highland) making 16 birds from this area from our winter and spring ringing.

Two nestling Cormorants from Puffin Island (Anglesy) were  found dead in our area in their first winter, making 7 from Puffin Island to date.

Finally a Brambling made an interesting change of wintering location it was ringed on Feb 8 2013 at West Tofts (Norfolk) and photographed by Margaret Breaks in her garden at Newton Bowland on  March 2nd 2014.

John

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