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)

Monday 2 June 2014

An Excellent Year for Nest Box Species

Although we need to collate all the data, the impression from our 17 nest box schemes is that it has been a very good season. In most cases numbers of occupied boxes is well up. Pied Flycatchers especially have had the highest numbers for several years especially in the higher altitude woods.  They have a good spread of arrivals with some pairs feeding  well grown young and others just starting incubation. Brood size is good the average  for the 20 broods ringed so far is  seven. Our RAS on this species is going well with good numbers of adults caught.
Pied Flycatcher Nest
Tit broods are also high  and except for a few total broods, which are probably due to  predation of the adults there has been no deaths of young. We also have more Redstarts using boxes this year, some using special boxes with a key hole style entrance

This all suggests that, food which is mainly caterpillars is  abundant, a suggestion supported by the numbers of caterpillars one finds attached to your clothes are you do the rounds of the boxes.
John

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