IVEL RINGING GROUP
REPORT No 7 2002 – 2003
Ivel Ringing Group Report No.7 - 2002-03
Contents Introduction Highlights of 2002 & 2003 Site Reports Annual Totals Recoveries and Controls IRG longevity records Activity reports Spain – autumn 2002 Wales – spring 2003 Roxton GPs – pulli & goose round-ups Priory CP – year on year comparisons Membership Acknowledgements
Cover: Corn Bunting by Andy Chick 1
INTRODUCTION This is the seventh biennial report of the Ivel Ringing Group. The group now consists of three 'A' permit holders (EN, SS, JMR), six 'C' permit holders (EB, GB, AP, MA, MFP & GG) and one active trainee (JC). MA received his C permit and GB transferred from Tring RG at the end of 2002. MFP gained his C permit in late summer 2003 and GG was awarded hers some two months later. The ringing totals for both years remain on the low side, but were an improvement on the previous two years. With more ‘C’ ringers now active at the end of the period, this should result in more sites being worked and hence more birds caught and ringed. It should also lead to more recoveries of birds away from the area. Again, members were unable to go ringing for a variety of reasons but, as usual, the main reason was the unsuitable weather. Nine CES visits were made to Priory CP in 2002 (one of which was abandoned), whereas all twelve were accomplished in 2003 - plus some eight additional visits. These extra visits during April and September yielded another 200 new birds that were submitted to the BTO for analysis along with several other sites’ data. The ringing book used at the Thorns was lost, regrettably, in 2002 before all the ringing data were entered into the system (the majority of the 50 rings “lost” were AA rings). This site would have been abandoned as a CES in 2003 were it not for members of the RSPB Ringing Group, based at The Lodge, stepping in. Tring RG handed over the site at Stockgrove CP to us in autumn 2002. Following a wet end to 2001, the first six months of 2002 were very dry (only 65% of normal rainfall) but excessively windy compared to previous years, often with a northerly component. Then, from mid-July to late August, the weather turned thundery with rain and high temperatures. September was warm and dry but windy. From 10th October onwards through to January 2003 it was very wet and sometimes windy. After a wet start, most of February 2003 was dry and cold, with winds from the east and a strong wind-chill. March and April were mainly warm and dry but fairly windy. May, June and July were characterised by thunderstorms and heavy rains but were otherwise fine and dry. From early June the winds o th were light and it got hotter … and hotter … and hotter, reaching 38 C on 10 August! It turned colder during the last few days of September as low pressure moved in and the wind increased. There was no appreciable rain until the last week in October when there was several ground frosts, too. November and December were wet and windy with enough fine days to attempt some ringing. We were asked to hold ringing demonstrations at Priory CP (BNHS/open - 2002 and Green Watch 2003), at the Forest of Marston Vale (2003) and Bradwell Abbey, (Milton Keynes Parks Trust - 2003). All were very successful and well attended.
HIGHLIGHTS 2002 The end of year total was 1653 new birds ringed, including 304 pulli, plus 132 retrap handlings. However, 46 rings were unable to be assigned to particular species because of the loss of the original ringing data. Ringing effort was slightly better than last year. The species tally was 41 and Crossbill was a new species. 22 birds were either recovered or controlled. The poor showing of Willow Warblers was a significant feature. Only six were caught at Priory – one of which was a control. Garden Warblers and Blackbirds were again low, but good numbers of Dunnock, Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Chaffinch were caught. Mist-netting was concentrated on the CES sites at Priory CP (401 new birds ringed) and Waterloo Thorns (242 new birds ringed). Pulli ringing took place at the Emplins (Swifts), the Golf Club (100+ in tit boxes) and, a new site, Roxton (120 gull & tern chicks plus a few Moorhen). Over 450 Sand Martins were ringed at Willington GP (old) colony. Three Crossbills at Stockgrove CP was a first for the group. The remaining activity was mainly garden ringing plus some 65 swans along Bedford Embankment.
2003 The end of year total was 2,559 new birds ringed, including 658 pulli, plus 394 retrap handlings. The total is an improvement on last year but things are not what they seem at first glance. The species tally was an improved 58. 398 birds were either recovered or controlled. Manx Shearwater, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose and Jackdaw were added to the species list. A Kestrel was the first for the group in Bedfordshire for 14 years.
2
Pulli ringing was made up of 9 Cormorants, and 2 Grey Heron at Harrold, a Moorhen, 249 Blackheaded Gulls and 33 Common Terns at Roxton, 26 Swifts at the Emplins, 13 Swallows at Cople, plus a Dunnock, 5 blackbirds, a Jackdaw and 6 House Sparrows in various gardens. The largest numbers were 184 Blue Tits and 128 Great Tits in the boxes at Priory and John O’Gaunt. 693 new birds were ringed at Priory CP (including 126 tit pulli) and 248 at the Thorns. Willow Warblers made somewhat of a recovery all round, but Chiffs have exceeded them in both years. 40 Barnacle Geese were rounded up at Roxton and 249 Black-headed Gull and 33 Common Tern Chicks were ringed. Jay was a new bird for the site at Stockgrove and four Nuthatches were netted by the bridge, where visitors place seeds and nuts. Garden ringing saw 70 House Sparrows sporting “BTO jewellery” and over th 100 Greenfinches trapped during the latter half of the year. We also ringed our 100 Nightingale. 2003 was one of our best summers. Not only was it a good year for ringing activities but the birds seemed to have had a better than average breeding season too. However, Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat returned in low numbers again from their Sahelian wintering grounds; another drought year out there across the whole desert perhaps? Blue Tit, also, seemed not to like the hot weather; a lack of caterpillars, perhaps? This means that they have had two consecutive years locally when breeding success has been relatively low. -oOoSITE REPORTS Note: the numbers of birds given for each year represents newly ringed ones only. Approximately 25% of all birds handled already bear a ring (called retraps if ringed on or near the same site) All sites are in Bedfordshire unless otherwise stated. Over 40 sites are registered to the Group.
BEDFORD EMBANKMENT (TL0649) EMB The River Great Ouse, where it runs through the town, has a regular gathering of up to 200 swans. Many of these are colour-ringed and the Borough Council’s Urban Rangers regularly note the birds they see. 2002 – 65 swans
2003 – 31 Swans and a Mallard
BRADWELL ABBEY, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS (SP8239) Dry scrubland by the Grand Union Canal.
BAB
2003 only – 80 birds of 8 spp One visit, a public demonstration, as part of Heritage Week for the Milton Keynes Parks Trust BROMHAM (TL0150)
BRO
2003 only – 87 birds of 18 spp. A new (County Council) site that produced the Jackdaw as well 2 Jays and a Magpie EATON BRAY (SP9621) Members garden and nearby farmland 2002 – ringed on Tring RG rings
EBR 2003 – 63 birds of 13 species
A Collared Dove, Little Owl, 5 House Martins and a retrap Tree Sparrow. THE EMPLINS, GAMLINGAY, CAMBS (TL2452) GAE Fifteenth Century house next to the village church. Holds a Swift colony of 20-22 nests. 2002 – 8 adult & 27 pulli Swift
2003 – 2 adult & 26 pulli
Yet another breeding bird over 10 years old was recorded on its nest.
3
GOLDINGTON, BEDFORD (TL0851) Two small gardens on the northern edge of the town
NOR
2003 only – 287 birds of 14 spp. (including 6 House Sparrow chicks). The immature Manx Shearwater, downed on a conservatory roof, was ringed here before being released at Priory CP. 60 Full grown House Sparrows, 39 Starlings and 128 Greenfinch were the main target species. Also of note were a Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and six Goldfinches. “Greenfields”, PRESTON, HERTS (TL1724) This site is a large member’s garden in a small, rural village, south of Hitchin. 2002 – 137 birds of 14 spp.
GRE
2003 – 79 birds of 9 spp.
Includes 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch, a Goldcrest, 5 Coal Tit and 20 Chaffinch in 2002 and 4 Great Spots., 3 Goldcrest and 3 Coal Tit in 2003. OAKFIELD, HITCHIN, HERTS (TL1928) A new suburban garden site on the south side of Hitchin. 2002 – 9 birds of 3 spp.
OAK
2003 – 9 birds of 4 species
JOHN O’GAUNT GOLF COURSE (TL2148) JOS A new site between Potton & Sutton, hosting many nest boxes erected by the staff in conjunction with Peter Wilkinson. 2002 – 104 Blue Tit pulli & 4 adults
2003 – 142 pulli and 9 adults
2003 figures made up of 107 Blue Tit pulli and 4 adults, 35 Great Tit pulli and 4 adults and a Woodpigeon. MARSH HOUSE, near RAVENSDEN (TL0753) MAR New site. Scrub and degenerate woodland (Marsh Wood) to the rear of a large, rural garden. 2003 only – 50 birds of 8 spp. A new, private site that has real potential if ringed at the right time. FOREST CENTRE, MARSTON MORETAINE (TL0041) Scrubland within the new Forest Centre complex. By invitation.
FMV
2003 only – 33 birds of 14 species A successful, public demonstration was held here in late May ODELL & HARROLD COUNTRY PARK (SP9657) HCP A landscaped, popular, public park adjoining the middle R. Great Ouse. Habitat consists of an extensive block of Willow with reed and sedge between a large lake and the river. 2003 only – 94 birds of 19 spp. (including 9 Cormorant & 2 Grey Heron chicks) 20 Reed Warblers is of note POTTON (village) Ringer’s garden 2002 – 21 Starlings
(TL2149)
POS 2003 – 22 of 4 spp. incl 17 Starlings
4
PRIORY COUNTRY PARK (TL0749) PCP A popular, public park, in a large bend of the R. Great Ouse with two large, mature lakes, several meadows, waterside scrub and semi-mature, deciduous plantations. A Constant Effort Site has been operated here in dry scrub since 1992; this was reduced in height in preparation for the 2004 season. 2002 - 405 birds of 26 spp.
2003 - 693 birds of 31 spp. incl. 126 pulli
Blackcap topped the list again in both years (74 new birds in 2002, 72 in 2003). The highest number yet of Chiffchaffs (40) and 16 Goldcrest; also 3 Nightingales, including a youngster. Warblers consistently make up over 40% of the total catch. Only 5 Willow Warblers (plus 1 control) were caught in 2002 but 15 adults & 6 juveniles were trapped in 2003. Of note in 2003, one each of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a juvenile Willow Tit. ROXTON GPs (TL1554) ROX A small complex of exhausted gravel pits, near the confluence of the rivers Ivel and Gt. Ouse. Mainly used for ringing gull and tern chicks plus a few Moorhen. 2003 saw a Barnacle Goose round-up. 2002 – 67 pulli of 3 spp.
2003 – 283 pulli of 3 spp. & 42 fully grown of 3 spp.
A new site; 40 Barnacles were rounded up and ringed; also 1 Greylag. STOCKGROVE COUNTRY PARK (SP9129) STO A new site started at the end of 2002 (transferred from the Tring RG), consisting of coniferous woodland on the western end of the Greensand Ridge in Bedfordshire. Mainly used in winter. 2002 – 24 birds of 9 spp.
2003 – 137 of 18 spp. st
Includes 5 Goldcrest, 2 Marsh Tit & 3 Crossbill in 2002. The following year - Jay (1 for the site), Grey Wagtail, 4 Nuthatch, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Marsh & 8 Coal Tit, 2 House Sparrows and 3 Siskin WATERLOO THORNS (TL1852) THO Part of a wartime airfield now largely covered in mature Hawthorn scrub. A Constant Effort Site has been operated here since 1988; occasional visits outside the CES calendar period (May to August). 2002 – 242* birds of 22 spp.
2003 – 248 birds of 22 spp. incl. 30 tit pulli
Our most likely site to catch Grasshopper Warbler, Nightingale and Yellowhammer on a regular basis. The site also holds a large, dispersed Whitethroat colony. It used to be a prime site for Willow Warblers before the decline of the mid-nineties. *Note: the full records of 50 AA rings were lost. In 2003, 4 Nightingale, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Whitethroat, 15 Blackcap & 14 Chiffchaff but only 3 Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warbler were caught. WILLINGTON GRAVEL PIT (TL0950) WGR A large sand and gravel complex still being worked. The Sand Martin colony numbers over 400 nests. In 2002 the colony was still on the Octagon Farm area, but moved to the Meadow Lane pits, west of the by-pass, and broke into several small sub-sites in 2003. Mark Thomas rings the original Willington area. 2002 – 460 birds of 3 spp.
2003 – 99 birds of 2 spp.
All are Sand Martins except for 1 Swallow & 1 House Martin in 2002 and 2 LRPs (by Mark Thomas) in 2003. The recovery table contains some interesting data on the timing of the autumn migration. BEGARY BROOK NR, WYBOSTON (TL1656) Small, disused gravel pit that has developed into a sedge marsh
WYB
2003 only – 17 birds of 9 spp. A single visit that did not pass without incident (a new pole snapped and brought down the line!) OTHER SITES Mainly private gardens or farm buildings; usually “one-off” nest sites. 2002 - 50 pulli of 4 spp. (3 sites)
BAR/BIG/GOL/HOO/PUT
2003 – 6 adults & 40 pulli of 5 spp (6 sites) 5
Pullus ringing: Part of the annual total of new birds ringed is made up of nestlings. The table below indicates what, where and how many pulli were ringed during the period. Species
Place
Cormorant
HCP
9
Grey Heron
HCP
2
Moorhen
ROX
3
1
Black-headed Gull
ROX
101
249
Common Tern
ROX
19
33
Swift
GAE
27
26
Swallow
HOO
Blackbird
GRE PUT
3
Song Thrush
GOL
4
Blue Tit
BAR BIG GRE JOS PCP
12
Great Tit
BAR JOS PCP
2002
2003
Notes
13
5
6 104
9 6 107 49
Nest box scheme Nest box scheme
35 76
Nest box scheme Nest box scheme
25
Jackdaw
BRM
1
House Sparrow
NOR
6
Priory Country Park At the end of 2003, a report was prepared for the Borough Council Officer responsible for the management of the Park. This report covered the year 2003 in particular, with emphasis on the Constant Effort work. A comparison of the species trapped was made between two sites within the Park, both of which are plantations but undergoing different management. An overview is given of the population trends from 1992 to 2003 and the current relative abundance of the more common species. Some recommendations to improve or manage the current habitats, that the birds rely on for feeding and nesting within the Conservation Zone, are put forward. Over ten years, the number of breeding, passerine territories recorded on the daily transect had declined by 16%; this compares with an estimated, comparative decline of 24% for adult birds trapped in ‘the Rough’, over the same timescale. Tables in the appendices were updated. Citation: E Newman 2003. Ivel Ringing Group – 2003 Bird Ringing Report for Priory Country Park, Bedford. 20pp. unpublished
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ANNUAL TOTALS FOR 2002 & 2003 (New birds ringed) Year Species Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Manx Shearwater # Leach's Petrel Cormorant # Heron # Mute Swan Greylag Goose # Barnacle Goose # Teal Mallard Pintail Shoveler Tufted Duck Sparrowhawk Kestrel Red-legged Partridge Water Rail Moorhen Coot Little Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Lapwing Dunlin Ruff Jack Snipe Snipe Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Redshank Greenshank Green Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Turnstone Black-headed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Tern Woodpigeon Collared Dove Turtle Dove Cuckoo Barn Owl Little Owl Tawny Owl Long-eared Owl Swift Kingfisher Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Skylark Sand Martin Swallow House Martin Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Water Pipit Yellow Wagtail Grey Wagtail
2002 Beds other
Beds
2003 other
1 9 2 40 1 40
65
4
1
1
3
2 1
2 2
101
249
19
33 2 1
1
35
3
458 1 1
28 1 2
97 13 5
1
4
1
GRAND TOTAL 1 3 1 1 9 2 485 1 40 15 23 1 1 2 54 9 1 4 32 4 21 72 132 8 1 21 114 1 1 37 1 1 7 1 375 2 75 32 16 8 13 12 6 3 2 637 83 22 38 4 23 1599 866 740 2 111 1 34 10 7
Pied Wagtail Wren Dunnock Robin Nightingale Redstart Whinchat Stonechat Wheatear Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Grasshopper Warbler Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Garden Warbler Blackcap Radde's Warbler Wood Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Goldcrest Firecrest Spotted Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Long-tailed Tit Marsh Tit Willow Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Nuthatch Treecreeper Jay Magpie Rook Carrion Crow Jackdaw # Starling House Sparrow Tree Sparrow Chaffinch Brambling Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Linnet Lesser Redpoll Crossbill # Bullfinch Yellowhammer Reed Bunting Corn Bunting County totals
37* 42 32 3
1 3 4
62 54 65 7
4 10
26
6
97
7
15 3
17 7
1
12 24 12 40 12 83
5 41 17 34 22 97
24* 5* 18
67 29 23
1
23* 5
1
1 211 54
5 43 21 1
7*
100 4 1 8 363 239 4 11 3 1
4
3 63 29
21 1
2 7
1 66 87
2
29
19
64
4
14 5
15
193 20 3
25
36
3
3 29 1
14
1469
168
2372
188
929 1383 1696 1438 100 9 5 3 7 2550 38 847 178 12 41 1731 1523 617 1140 877 1994 1 1 1 755 2276 275 1 94 1 1566 59 47 120 5256 2553 9 174 25 16 1 2 1 633 225 16 1295 10 4586 342 34 249 142 3 1062 337 2770 263 =48,265
Notes: Sites in ‘other’ counties were - GRE & OAK (Herts), BAB (Bucks) & GAE (Cambs) A grand total of 117 species (1982-2003). * Minimum number ringed (notebook lost) 8
RECOVERIES & CONTROLS
Directions, distances and elapsed time are notified to us by the BTO. A recovery is where the bird is reported dead, not released, or released without its numbered ring; a control is where the bird is reported alive either by another ringer or a member of the public and released. Age (Euring notation) 1 pullus (nestling or chick incapable of flight) 2 fully grown, year of hatching quite unknown 3 hatched during calendar year of ringing 4 hatched before calendar year of ringing, but exact year unknown 5 hatched during previous calendar year 6 hatched before previous calendar year, but exact year unknown 7 definitely hatched two calendar years before ringing 8 hatched more than two calendar years before ringing Sex M sexed as male on plumage or cloaca F sexed as female on plumage, brood patch or cloaca J birds which are still in recognisable juvenile plumage = sexed on recovery Manner of recovery X found dead XF found dying or freshly dead XL found long dead + shot , intentionally taken or killed by man S sick or injured - not known to have been released SR sick or injured, released with ring A alive and probably healthy - fate unknown V alive, caught & released with ring but not by ringer VV alive, ring or colour mark read in the field but not by ringer R caught and released by ringer RR alive, ring or colour mark read in field by ringer // condition on finding wholly unknown local = within 5km of the ringing site
Mute Swan Z44517
6 VV
Caversham, Berks Radwell
25-03-81 02-06-02
89km NNE, 7740 days
This bird was at least 23 years old when re-sighted for the first time. [per Andy Plumb] Z43974
6 XF
Harrold-Odell CP Harrold-Odell CP
30-06-90 09-05-03
local, 4696 days
6 RR
Harrold Harrold-Odell CP
30-07-90 05-10-03
local, 4816 days
Z72448 [Wh.86G]
3F RR
Cumnor Hill, Oxford Bedford
28-08-90 05-11-03
73km NE, 4817 days
Z75687
7M X
Bedford Felmersham
08-03-92 21-08-02
10km NW, 3818 days
6F XF
Bedford Oakley
18-07-92 23-02-02
8km WNW, 3507 days
4F RR XF
Bedford Bedford nr. Biggleswade
10-12-95 30-08-96 17-08-03
12km ESE, 2807 days
Z37173
Z76481
Z82439 [Or.216]
9
This bird died after TWO accidents caused by anglers. Fishing line was tangled round its legs, one of which was already reduced to a stump (healed). Z85423 [Or.258]
6F RR
Bedford Priory Marina
31-12-95 07-07-03
local
Z64224 [Or.346]
6 R VV
Blunham Bedford Clifford Hill GPs, Northampton
19-02-96 14-07-96 26-12-96
10km W, 146 days 43km W, 311 days
Z85447 [Or.287]
5F VV XF
Bedford Wardown Park, Luton Luton
30-04-96 29-04-00 10-01-04
28km S, 2811 days
Z85451 [Or.302]
8F RR
Bedford Bedford
30-04-96 25-03-03
local,
Z85461 [Or.323]
5M XF
Bedford Bedford (Batts Ford)
14-07-96 09-03-02
local,
Z85472 [Or.350]
8M RR
Bedford Priory Marina
14-07-96 07-07-03
local,
Mate to Z85423 [Or.258] above; first seen together in September 2000 with 4 cygnets. Z85474 [Or.352]
5 R =M
Bedford Roxton
14-07-96 03-06-03
10km ENE, 2516 days
This bird was breeding and had 5 cygnets nearby Z87308 [Blu755]
3 RR
Boxmoor, Hemel Hempsted, Herts Bedford
04-12-96 09-09-01
45km N, 1740 days
Revised release location & date (see Report No.6) Z95618 [Blu902]
3 RR RR
Boxmoor, Hemel Hempsted, Herts Bedford Bedford
12-10-98 11-11-01 08-11-02
45km N, 1126 days 1488 days
Revised release location & date (see Report No.6) X5124
6 =SR Little Paxton SR Bedford RR Bedford
09-01-01 13-10-01 11-06-03
20km SW, 275 days
Picked up in a major diesel spillage; RSPCA bird – destined to be “in the wars”. Z95709 [Or.409]
6 XF
Bedford Bedford
09-09-01 04-02-02
local, 148 days
Probably killed by dog Z95728 [Or.428]
6 XF
Bedford Biggleswade
13-10-01 20-11-02
14km SE, 403 days
Z95739 [Or.439]
5F VV
Bedford Linford GPs, Bucks
13-10-01 12-10-02
23km W, 364 days
Z85477 [Or.361]
6F XF
Bedford Willington
16-12-01 01-05-02
3km E, 136 days
W01905 [Or.505]
2 XF
Bedford nr. Upper Caldecote
07-09-02 13-12-03
11km ESE, 462 days 10
W01925 [Or.495]
4F XF
Bedford Queen’s Park, Bedford
25-03-03 01-06-03
4km W, 68 days
These last three birds (361, 505 & 495) all collided with overhead wires Sparrowhawk DK81276
DK81294
4M XF
Priory CP Willington
08-09-01 27-06-02
3km E, 292 days
5M XF
Waterloo Thorns Roxton
13-05-00 09-04-03
3km NW, 1061 days
13-07-93 07-07-03
local, 3646 days
Both these birds were road casualties. Swift SB69131
4 R =F
The Emplins, Gamlingay The Emplins, Gamlingay
This bird would be at least 12 years old and is a new longevity record for the Group. Like a previous long-lived bird (SB19616, see Report No.6) it was a brooding bird lifted off the nest. Sand Martin N327838
N327856
R226704
P547010
P547124
P547158
P547191
P547194
P547281
P547652
P547667
P546547
4M R
Willington GP (Octagon) Broom GP
22-06-02 06-07-03
11km SE, 379 days
4F R
Willington GP (Octagon) Broom GP
22-06-02 15-06-03
11km SE, 358 days
4F R
Diddington, St. Neots, Cambs Willington GP (Meadow Lane)
29-06-02 10-08-03
18km SW, 407 days
4F R
Willington GP (Octagon) Willington GP (Meadow Lane)
14-07-02 03-08-03
local, 385 days
4F R
Willington GP (Octagon) Willington GP (Meadow Lane)
14-07-02 03-08-03
local, 385 days
3J R
Willington GP (Octagon) Radley GP, Oxon
14-07-02 01-07-03
78km SW, 352 days
3J XL
Willington GP (Octagon) near Djoudj, SENEGAL
27-07-02 28-02-03
4212km, SSW, 216 days
4F R
Willington GP (Octagon) Broom BP
27-07-02 06-06-03
11km SE, 344 days
3J R
Willington GP (Octagon) Broom GP
27-07-02 15-06-03
11km SE, 323 days
3J R
Willington GP (Meadow Lane) Icklesham, Sussex
03-08-03 25-08-03
156km SSE, 22 days
3J R
Willington GP (Meadow Lane) Icklesham, Sussex
03-08-03 27-08-03
156km SSE, 24 days
3J R
Willington GP (Meadow Lane) 16-08-03 San Martin de la Vega, Madrid, SPAIN 17-09-03
1344km S, 32 days
11
P546547 was recaptured on the River Tagus, 25 km south of Madrid, as part of the European Swallow project. Pied Wagtail K843227
K843238
K843290
K843334
K843352
K843379
K843528
K843672
K843718
K843864
K843949
K843952
3 X
Blunham Roxton
05-11-00 02-04-02
local, 543 days
4F XF
Blunham Eaton Socon, Cambs.
05-11-00 05-04-02
7km N, 546 days
3(F) R =F
Blunham Biggleswade STW
05-11-00 15-02-03
6km SSE, 832 days
3 R =F
Blunham Biggleswade STW
18-11-00 22-02-03
6km SSE, 826 days
3 R
Blunham Biggleswade STW
18-11-00 16-11-02
6km SSE, 728 days
3(M) R =M
Blunham Biggleswade STW
10-12-00 15-02-03
6km SSE, 797 days
5F R
Blunham Biggleswade STW
23-09-01 05-01-04
6km SSE, 832 days
3 R
Blunham Biggleswade STW
23-09-01 23-11-02
6km SSE, 426 days
3(F) XF
Blunham nr. Huntingdon, Cambs.
23-09-01 16-09-02
22km NNE, 358 days
3F R
Blunham Biggleswade STW
07-10-01 15-02-03
6km SSE, 496 days
3F XF
Blunham Biggleswade
21-10-01 05-01-04
9km, SSE, 806 days
4M R
Blunham Biggleswade STW
21-10-01 16-11-02
6km, SSE, 391 days
A series of local dispersals away from the former Blunham roost, many to the small STW on Biggleswade Common, (which may be both a roost and a feeding site). Wren 4G9218
5M R
Priory CP Priory CP
23-06-01 13-04-03
local, 695 days
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
06-05-98 18-08-02
local, 1565 days
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
15-03-99 05-07-03
local, 1573 days
3JF R
Priory CP Priory CP
29-07-99 19-07-03
local, 1451 days
3J R R =M
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
08-07-00 12-05-01 31-07-03
local, 1118 days
Dunnock K240447
K240695
K240865
N292820
12
J030044 still holds the IRG record at 2,272 days (see Report No.5) Robin K240922
N292787
3 R =F
Priory CP Priory CP
20-08-99 27-10-03
local, 1530 days
5 R =M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
30-04-00 29-04-01 31-05-03
local, 1126 days
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
15-06-02 21-05-03
local, 340 days
3JM R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
15-08-98 12-08-03
local, 1823 days
6F R
Priory CP Priory CP
01-05-99 19-07-03
local, 1540 days
3JF XF
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
05-08-00 18-07-03
local, 1077 days
3JM R
Priory CP Priory CP
26-08-00 19-07-03
local, 1057 days
5M XF
Priory CP Goldington, Bedford
08-09-01 10-10-03
local, 762 days
1 XF
Putnoe Putnoe
11-06-03 18-06-03
local, 7 days
Nightingale N327681
5M R
Blackbird RJ70472
RK32957
RP77116
RK32997
RP77211
RP77244
An indication of how quickly fledglings succumb to predators – about 1 day! Arnhem L176983
XF
awaiting details from BTO Potton
23-12-03
Record held by RJ70020 at 2845 days (see Report No.6) Sedge Warbler K240808
N344084
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
16-06-99 24-05-01
local, 708 days
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
03-07-00 29-06-02
local, 726 days
Will we ever again see long-lived Sedges like we used to get in the early ‘90s? H460357 is our current record holder at 1434 days (see Report No.4) Reed Warbler P512205
P761054
3J R =M
Eyebrook Res., Stoke Dry, Leics. Priory CP
29-07-00 05-07-02
51km SSE, 706 days
4 R=M
Icklesham, Sussex Priory CP
11-08-02 27-05-03
157 NNW, 289 days
13
A761421
5M R
Priory CP Willington GP
11-05-02 06-07-03
2km E, 421 days
Lesser Whitethroat N344048
N327524
5(F) R
Priory CP Priory CP
30-05-00 01-06-02
local, 732 days
4M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
12-05-01 21-05-03
local, 739 days
5M R
Priory CP Priory CP
29-07-99 18-08-02
local, 1116 days
5M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
23-05-98 18-07-03
local, 1882 days
4F R
Priory CP Priory CP
06-06-01 24-08-02
local, 444 days
6F R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
09-06-01 21-05-03
local, 711 days
3 R
Waterloo Thorns Icklesham, Sussex
28-07-02 13-08-02
154km SSE, 16 days
Whitethroat K240862
K242165
N344319
N327559
N327984
Six years old K242165 breaks the old group longevity record by 12 months. Garden Warbler N344315
N344386
N344537
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
06-06-01 19-06-03
local, 743 days
3 R =M
Priory CP Priory CP
28-07-01 13-05-03
local, 654 days
3J R
Priory CP Beachy Head, Sussex
27-07-03 19-08-03
163km SSE, 23 days
3M R R R R R
Lackford Pits, Suffolk Priory CP Priory CP Priory CP Priory CP Priory CP
18-09-97 08-05-98 02-07-98 01-05-99 23-06-01 12-04-02
75km WSW, 1667 days
3M R
Priory CP Priory CP
18-08-02 05-07-03
local, 321 days
3JM R
Priory CP Priory CP
28-07-01 27-07-03
local, 729 days
3M R
Wigginton, Tring, Herts Priory CP
06-09-03 17-09-03
43km NNE, 11 days
Blackcap K777384
A761453
N344382
R632313
14
Chiffchaff 4G9306
2U8031
4 R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
01-06-02 12-08-03
local, 437 days
3F R
Priory CP Priory CP
18-08-02 13-08-03
local, 360 days
4F R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
18-06-00 31-05-03
local, 1077 days
4M R
Wilstone Res., Tring, Herts Priory CP
22-04-01 12-04-02
41km NNE, 355 days
Priory CP Priory CP
20-09-03 11-10-03
local, 21 days
Willow Warbler 1T6445
0Z6022
Goldcrest 2U8185
3F XF
Taken by an adult male Kestrel, our first for 14 years, in the nets. Long-tailed Tit 4J4824
4D3090
4D3336
4D3381
4D3396
3J R =M R R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
17-05-97 30-04-00 19-05-01 12-08-03
local, 2278 days
2 R
Waterloo Thorns Potton
30-08-97 21-12-97
6km, SE, 113 days
3J R =M
Priory CP Priory CP
23-05-98 01-04-02
local, 1409 days
3J R
Priory CP Priory CP
09-06-99 01-11-03
local, 1606 days
3J R
Priory CP Priory CP
04-07-99 01-11-03
local, 1581 days
Thorn’s bird 4J4824 is three months short of Priory’s 5F8982 that currently holds the Group’s longevity record at 2374 days. Willow Tit H597295
3J R
Priory CP Priory CP
29-06-03 04-12-03
local, 158 days
A scarce species at this site; two birds present until December (at least) Blue Tit K241887
KK09101
N344071
3J R
Waterloo Thorns Potton
11-08-97 01-11-97
6km, SE, 82 days
4F R
Priory CP Priory CP
07-11-94 16-04-00
local, 1988 days
6M R
Priory CP Priory CP
16-06-00 01-11-03
local, 1233 days
15
N292855
R156121
R197538
3J R =M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
05-08-00 29-04-01 12-08-03
local, 1102 days
3F XF
Stockgrove CP Stockgrove
03-11-02 23-01-03
local, 81 days
1 4
Hitch Wood, St. Paul’s Walden, Herts Preston, Herts
25-05-02 29-12-03
3km NW, 583 days
KK09101 is a new group longevity record and was at least 7 years old. Great Tit K240922
N292850
3F R
Priory CP Priory CP
20-08-99 27-10-03
local, 1529 days
3M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
05-08-00 21-05-03
local, 1019 days
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
15-07-02 12-08-03
local, 393 days
Elms Farm Elms Farm
21-06-03 05-07-03
local, 14 days
3JF R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
17-07-95 21-05-03
local, 2865 days
5M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
01-05-99 21-05-03
local, days
6M R
Waterloo Thorns Waterloo Thorns
12-05-01 31-05-03
local, 749 days
Treecreeper 4G9323
2 R =M Starling
RP25038
3J XF
Chaffinch J600683
N292537
N327525
Eight-year-old female J600683 sets a new IRG longevity record. It was not recaptured during the interval between these two dates. Greenfinch VP34592
VP34931
VX36053
4M R
Priory CP Priory CP
17-10-97 07-08-02
local, 1755 days
3M R
Preston, Herts nr. Winslow, Bucks
12-11-01 31-08-02
35km W, 292 days
5F R
Priory CP Priory CP
05-08-00 27-10-03
local, 1178 days
VP34592 is three months short of the group longevity record. VP34931was recovered in summer to the west of point of capture; this is a strange movement – and away from the chalk escarpment. Was it possibly a failed breeder already on passage?
16
Bullfinch N344018
N344116
P547405
5M R
Priory CP Priory CP
13-05-00 13-08-03
local, 1187 days
5F R
Priory CP Priory CP
22-07-00 30-08-03
local, 1134 days
5M XF
Waterloo Thorns near Tempsford
18-07-03 24-07-03
local, 6 days
A Waterloo Thorn’s bird, J030985, is the longest at 1582 days (see Report No.5)
17
CURRENT IRG LONGEVITY RECORDS yy.mm.dd Non-passerines Mute Swan Greylag Goose Sparrowhawk Kestrel Ringed Plover Jack Snipe Redshank Wood Pigeon Swift Green Woodpecker Gt. Spotted Woodpecker Kingfisher Passerines Sand Martin Swallow Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail Wren* Dunnock Robin Nightingale Redstart Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Cetti’s Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler Garden Warbler Blackcap Lesser Whitethroat Whitethroat Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Long-tailed Tit Marsh Tit Willow Tit Coal Tit * Blue Tit Great Tit Treecreeper Jay Starling Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Linnet Bullfinch Yellowhammer Reed Bunting Corn Bunting
21.00.02 04.00.01 02.10.28 00.11.05 03.10.11 00.08.20 08.06.02 01.11.16 09.11.25 04.02.28 02.03.16
03.00.10 01.10.05 00.02.02 05.01.18 06.01.30 06.02.20 06.03.17 03.04.07 00.11.14 07.09.14 02.00.25 06.11.19 00.03.06 01.10.10 03.11.04 05.09.27 05.00.28 04.11.11 03.00.25 05.01.25 02.03.03 05.09.06 06.06.02 00.05.05 08.09.24 05.05.09 08.01.19 01.00.28 00.03.19 06.03.25 07.10.04 05.00.14 01.06.25 00.10.07 02.09.25 04.03.29 04.02.18 05.01.18 03.02.14
new
new
new
revised new revised
new new
new
* Current/previous national record
18
AUTUMN MIGRATION Not the avian one but my own for the month of October 2002 to Coto Doñana in southern Iberia on the largest, most famous Spanish reserve. Two of us travelled 1500 kilometres down through France, over the Pyrenees and across the sierras of central Spain. The majority of the ‘Estación Biológica de Doñana’ on the south-east coast in Andalusia has restricted access and we were privileged to operate within the th biological research reserve, surrounding the 14 century royal hunting lodge of the dukes of Medina-Sidonia, deep inside the park’s boundaries. The park is roughly 500 square kilometres of coastal dunes, replaced inland by pine woodland, dry scrub with lagoons and the famous marismas of the Guadalquivir delta. The reserve was established in 1963 and made a national park in 1969. The site was immortalised in Guy Mountford’s book ‘Portrait of a Wilderness’ and the film ‘Wild Spain’ recording the expedition made by Julian Huxley, Roger Tory Peterson, James Fisher, Guy Mountford and Viscount Alanbrooke. Apart from its importance as a focus of bird migration routes between Europe and Africa, the national park is almost the only remaining natural habitat in southern Europe for lynx, wild boar, wild cat, mongoose and fallow and red deer. Unusually the autumn rains had been virtually non-existent in 2002 and the marismas within the biological reserve were dry and baked hard. Our ringing site was an area of mature woodland with some wet ditches, close to the ‘Palacio’ and with the use of one the reserve’s laboratories as a ringing room. Our first day on site was spent erecting 24 nets (over 1000 feet) and clearing encroaching growth in the net rides. The site had been operated in spring 2002 (for a month in late April and early May) and 455 birds of 47 species had been ringed. These included 4 Little Bitterns, 2 Red-necked Nightjars, 1 Hoopoe, 1 Melodious Warbler, 3 Western Bonelli’s Warblers, 4 Golden Orioles, 1 Southern Grey Shrike, 38 Spotless Starlings (including 23 pulli) and 11 Serins. Most days began at about 7.00 a.m., just before it got light, with a quick breakfast after opening the nets and whilst waiting for the first birds to stir. The biological station provided rings and most mornings there was a steady stream of birds to keep us occupied. The very first day we had a Belgian control, a Blackcap. Later in our stay we were also lucky enough to control a British Chiffchaff and recover a ringed Little Owl. The commonest migrants were Robins (287), Blackcaps (379), Chiffchaffs (214) and |Pied Flycatchers (80). There were some thrushes most days with a sprinkling of other warblers and finches. Most evenings we tried dazzling with some success – Red-necked Nightjar, European Nightjar, quite uncommon in Doñana, and Black Redstart roosting on various buildings. On three occasions I travelled with Doñana staff 50 kilometres to the east to the port town of Huelva and the Marismas d’Odiel where another ringing group operate both mist-nets for waders and terns but also on the nearby salinas (working salt-pans) successfully trap Black-necked Grebes. This particular area is the winter gathering site for this species with between 5000 and 6000 present, including one albino. By driving them into long narrow traps hundreds are ringed each year. The technique is to site the trap on or near the corner of a large shallow salt-pan and then a group of ‘volunteers’ walk slowly through the waist-deep warm and caustic salt-water with a net held between them and drive the birds ahead into the trap. On my three visits we successfully caught about 500 birds. Equally impressive was the birding - especially birds of prey. By the end of the month the list was outstanding – Black-shouldered Kite, Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, possible Montagu’s Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Buzzard, Osprey, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine. At times it seemed the woodland ringing site could have been in Wales with Red Kite circling above, Ravens calling and Pied Flycatchers in the nets. There were also owls present – Barn, Scops, Little, Tawny and Short-eared. Visible migration was a little thin with flocks of assorted hirundines and Lapwings the only birds passing in numbers. I was fortunate in being able to visit other areas of the national park and see species like Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Azure-winged Magpie. On another day a drive along the 35 kilometres of Atlantic beach within the national park produced roughly 700 Audouin’s Gulls and we found 88 carrying darvic rings, almost certainly put on at the breeding grounds in the Ebro Delta. At the pilgrimage town of El Rocío on the northern boundary of the park there is a sizeable lagoon covered in wall-to-wall birds, mainly Coots, but also considerable numbers of herons, egrets, geese, ducks, and waders. Also picked up were Purple Gallinule, Flamingo and, at the time of our visit, American Coot; in the month we recorded 114 species. The mammals were also remarkable: wild pig, red and fallow deer, and European lynx - footprints but, sadly, no sighting of the animal itself. There were enormous numbers of marsh frogs, tree frogs, some lizards and geckos, terrapins and a vast array of insects – locusts, praying mantises. If that wasn’t enough, there was an assortment of dusk-flying beetles, mainly small dor beetles and massive dung beetles, which 19
are a major problem in nets at the end of the day: some evenings we had to remove over a hundred accompanied by numerous dragonflies. I would thoroughly recommend a visit to Coto Doñana not just to ring but also to bird. There is a second ringing site operated each spring and autumn just south of El Rocío that although there are some woodland nets, there is also ringing in marshy habitat as well, which provides an even wider range of species trapped. I would very much like to return myself. I still need a definite Iberian Chiffchaff, Spanish Sparrow and Spotless Starling. During the month spent in Doñana we ringed 1282 birds of 40 species, five of which were new to me – Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Nightjar, Fan-tailed Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper and Serin. I have had to wait a whole year for my next ringing tick – Pallas’s Warbler – but that’s another story! Mike Reed
PIED FLYCATCHERS PREFER BOXES I was invited to assist Mike Reed and his ‘C’ ringer, Jean Crystal, ring the Pied Flicks on the Gwenffrwd and Dinas RSPB reserves in central Wales. The ringing of the birds at this nest box scheme was originated circa 1970, by the late John Humphrey (RSPB) and the late Chris Mead (BTO), and Mike has been involved here since 1988. There is (allegedly) 563 boxes spread over the two reserves, but we only found 308 during the 2003 season. A programme of nest box replacement is in hand, however. Checking of the boxes takes place from the end of May to the middle of June. Having picked up my car from its annual service, I set out for Llandovery along the A40. Five hours and 210 miles later, I arrived at Pen-y-bont on the Gwenffryd, just north of Rhandirmwyn. The accommodation is fairly rudimentary with no electric and bottled gas for cooking but it does have a shower. Water comes from the hillside; heating is by wood-burning stove. The scrub roundabout the cottage held several species of breeding passerines including Garden Warbler and there were some tits nesting in a rotten fence post. Between here and the village is Towy Bridge; this is where the all-important pub is and the ‘phone box (mobile phones don’t start to work until you’re almost into Llandovery). You can watch the martins and wagtails hunting for insects along the river here whilst supping beer or eating supper. The first full day saw us up at the Dinas, a steep and high “lump of rock” in the bend of the river Towy. While Mike checked some boxes on the very steep western side, Jean and I were tasked with visiting the first two rows comprising 100 boxes. The rows have to be checked from the bottom up at intervals since the birds start to breed in the upper ones at slightly later dates. Each numbered box was checked, and if it had been used, the species noted, the number of eggs or young therein and if there was a bird sitting. If the young were of the right age, they were ringed. If a bird was on or feeding young, then it was trapped using an internal trap. Sometimes we were able to catch both male and female like this. Whilst one of us was watching the box, the other would check out two or three more boxes. This was easier said than done because, even though the numbers were consecutive, the trees on which they are placed are not on a defined path. It’s surprising how you can walk past a wooden box at eye level! The next day it rained so we went shopping in town. After the rain stopped we spent the afternoon down the bottom of the cliff looking at the Sand Martin colony. This had moved and broken up since last year. The soil is very thin over the rock and the nest-holes are in a rich loam with a strong turf on top. Day three and back to the Dinas reserve, this time with a long ladder to check the boxes in the massive oaks either side of the board-walk at Nant-y-ffin. It was a sunny day and the visitors were out in force. Of course they all wanted to know what we were doing – the reserve was there for Pied Flys, in particular, to nest! These folk were all very pleasant, extremely interested and knowledgeable and wished us luck. When we’d finished, we were able to watch a pair of Ring Ouzels nesting on the crags opposite the car park. The rest of the day, Jean and I went from one end of the Gwenffryd valley to the other, criss-crossing the river, ringing the young that had been too small when the boxes were checked the previous week. This was a bit of a nightmare since the positions and numbers on the map did not coincide with actuality. Quite a few of the boxes had been replaced over time and not put up on the same tree. Next day it rained again, so I travelled back home, had a bath and removed ‘the tick’, while Mike and Jean spent another ten days there. Altogether, 77 new adults and 389 young Pied Flys were ringed and 49 adults retrapped. 160 boxes were used out of the 308 found. The mean brood size was 5.7 young/box. All the males had their “headlights” checked; the shape of the white forehead patches can be rectangular, divided into two dots or a combination of both characteristics. We also ringed 253 other pulli – comprising Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redstart, Wood Warbler and Nuthatch. In addition, we saw breeding Raven, Red Kite (difficult to spot, as the males do nothing when the females are sitting), Dipper and a band of Swifts – very unusual for them to be this far up the valley. Basic living conditions but very enjoyable. Volunteers are always welcome to come and assist, thus helping the study to continue - speak to Mike. Errol Newman 20
ROXTON GRAVEL PITS Several visits were made to the newer of the two lakes at Roxton over the summers of 2001 to 2003. The main purpose of these visits was to ring the Common Tern chicks on the islands. Apart from year 1, three ringing trips were made each year out to the islands with the smaller, shingle island being the focus of our attentions. This, with its low vegetation, is ideal for waders, gulls and terns. The larger island is in two halves with a central depression and hosts gull, tern, duck and geese nests. In 2003, there was also a late visit to catch the Barnacle Geese, there having been 28 young seen the previous year.
Species Black-headed Gull Common Tern Moorhen Barnacle Goose Greylag Goose Total
2001
2002 24 23 3 50
2003 101 19 3 123
Total 249 33 2 40 1 325
374 75 8 40 1 498
Table 1. Birds ringed at Roxton GPs, 2001-03 rd
th
rd
th
rd
In 2001, visits were made on 23 June and 8 July. In 2002, visits were made on 3 , 12 and 23 th rd th th June. In 2003, visits were made on 25 May, 3 , 20 and 28 June. Visits to the island were kept short, about twenty minutes each time, allowing the birds to settle before another trip. Black-headed Gulls are the first to nest. Each year the colony has approximately doubled in size and now has reached over 100 nests. This species lays in early-mid April and the young hatch in early May. Since there is a need to allow the chicks to grow big enough to ring – but without flying off – the most suitable visits are at the end of May and the beginning of June. Those on the smaller island seem to hatch first, with the other island slightly later by a few days. This colony is believed to be the largest in the county at present. Common Terns nest a little later than the gulls and the chicks are large enough to ring sometime during the last two weeks of June. Despite many of the smaller tern colonies being deserted around the north of the county in 2002, the Roxton colony was thriving, making it one of the best in Bedfordshire. At first they were confined to the smaller island but managed (unsuccessfully) to nest on the larger island in 2002. Eventually, in 2003, the nesting attempts on the larger island proved fruitful. The Barnacle flock numbered over 100 birds in the spring of 2002 and, it is estimated, over 50 young were produced that year. When we round up Greylags, we normally do it when they are flightless on the third weekend in June. Then the young are just over half way through the fledging period (which lasts 7-8 weeks). However, Barnacles nest a month later, laying in early May (which is a month earlier than they do on Spitzbergen) and it is better to leave it until after the end of June before attempting to ring them. Despite some teething troubles, 22 adult and 18 juveniles were caught and ringed in 2003. Other birds noted at the site during the report period were: A pair of Mute Swans with two cygnets (2002) and then five (2003), the male being ‘Orange 352’, originally marked at Bedford in 1996 during its second year Three (2002), then two (2003), pairs of Ringed Plover; no chicks found; nesting on the small island Two, then one, pair of Redshank on the large island A pair of Oystercatcher in 2002; eggs, but no young seen Common Sandpiper on the small island in 2003 Seven pairs of Lapwing with at least three young in 2002 Also up to ten Tufted Duck nests and three Gadwall nests Coot, Mallard and Moorhen nesting Yellow Wagtail nest building in 2002 plus Pied Wagtail In 2003 one and then two Mediterranean Gulls were seen prospecting Our thanks go to Simon Bath, the owner, for permission to ring at this new and exceptional site and we look forward to several more years ringing at this site.
Martin Anstee
21
Year to Year comparison – Priory Country Park First capture of each bird in year Species
92-93
93-94
94-95
95-96
96-97
97-98
98-99
99-00
00-01
01-02
02-03
1992-2003
Wren Dunnock Robin Blackbird Song Thrush Redwing Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Whitethroat Garden Warbler Blackcap Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Goldcrest Long-tailed Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Treecreeper Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Bullfinch Reed Bunting
53% 26% 0% 4% 6% 100% -13% -45% ** 112% ** -80% ** 6% 1% 125% * -1% 800% * 107% ** -2% 56% 33% 400% * 31% -29% -33% 9%
14% -29% 14% 14% 22% -50% -38% * 83% ** -36% 460% ** -17% 27% 0% -65% ** -56% -40% * 11% -25% -75% -10% 94% * -60% 100% * -84% **
-45% 41% 6% -26% -45% 140% -56% ** -74% ** -4% -36% -55% ** -59% ** -11% -31% 200% * 11% -32% * 14% 100% -22% -27%
-50% -50% * -18% 10% -33% 25% 100% * -7% -68% ** 6% -36% -45% * -38% 39% -83% ** -51% ** 4% 25% -50% 86% 0% -50% -37% 33%
67% 33% 0% -24% -38% -60% * -57% * 123% * -29% 58% 19% 175% ** 70% 24% 400% * 89% * 148% ** 97% ** 600% -31% 133% ** 300% 67% 25%
-53% -19% -7% -46% * -20%
271% ** 69% 62% 42% 50% -83% -8% -9% -91% ** -54% * 33% 19% 200% ** 37% 100% 47% 26% 100% ** -43% -43% 120% * 100% 58% -91% **
38% 14% 5% -4% 17% 800% * 73% 75% * 700% 15% -19% 8% -27% -23% 25% 111% ** -31% * -48% ** -50% 125% -27% 125% * 63% -33%
-8% -24% -14% -31% 29% -67% 0% -37% 63% 33% -50% * 0% -41% -30% -80% -41% * -64% ** -36% 0% 0% -6% -83% ** -52% * 0%
12% 32% 0% 39% 0% 0% -32% 18% -15% 20% -23% 10% 85% -57% 300% -34% 118% ** -6% 200% 33% 0% 67% 13%
-3% 8% 26% 96% ** 0% 133% -69% * -15% -36% -46% 90% 4% 71% * 250% ** 300% ** 74% * 40% 118% ** 0% 67% 260% ** 120% 41% 0%
89% * 42 % 71% 2% -47% 40% -93% ** -58% ** -59% * -48% -69% ** -7% 413% ** -72% ** 1500% ** 43% -20% 105% * 100% 900% ** 315% ** 57% 0% -91% **
-41% -25%
0% -24% 120% -7% 26% -20% -41% -39% -80% * -47% * -56% ** -54% ** -22% -82% ** 0% -40% 580% **
** change significant at 1% level, * change significant at 5% level Comments: 1) There was a general decline over the site between 1994 & 1996 across most species, but particularly the warblers. 2) There is a good correlation between Blackcap and Chiffchaff (both short distance migrants), between Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler (both wintering in the sub-equatorial forests south of the Sahara) and between Reed Warbler and Whitethroat (both wintering immediately south of the western Sahara)
22
MEMBERSHIP
The Group is registered with the British Trust for Ornithology (group number 9147) that administers the British and Irish Ringing Scheme on behalf of all the individual government agencies. The Group is a corporate member of the Bedfordshire Natural History Society. At the end of the period, the following were subscribing members of IRG: Martin Anstee, Dr Emma Brindley, Graham Buss, Dr Jo Cooper, Mark Fitzpatrick, Dr Gillian Gilbert, Errol Newman, Amanda Proud, J Mike Reed, and Steve Spick. E Newman, M Reed and S Spick were members of the Trainers Panel at the end of the period. M Anstee, E Brindley, G Buss, M Fitzpatrick, G Gilbert and A Proud hold ‘C’ licences. J Cooper is a trainee. Jason Chalk was being assessed for training.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the following for permission to ring on their land during 2002-03: Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire County Council, the Greensand Trust, the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, LaFarge (formerly Redland Aggregates), the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, the Milton Keynes Parks Trust, the John O’Gaunt Golf Club committee, Mr Simon Bath, Mrs Rhianna Briggs, Mr & Mrs Philip Gorton, Andrew Pym Esq, Mr & Mrs Brian Whittle, and various friends and relations.
We would also like to thank past and current members of the RSPB Ringing Group who have helped out by covering some of the Constant Effort sessions at Waterloo Thorns on our behalf - in their own time.
In memoriam: We would like to dedicate this issue to the memory of Mick Rogers, a th Bedford boy, who died in Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge on 10 June 2003 at the age of 58, after a short illness. He was a close friend of past and present members of the Group and willingly “entertained us” at Portland Bird Observatory during his time as warden there.
Address for correspondence: *REMOVED
Report compiled January-April 2004 Published May 2004
Copyright © in text Ivel Ringing Group (2004) © Corn Bunting illustration – Errol Newman
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