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)

Tuesday 11 November 2008

STARLINGS ARRIVE IN FORCE


The recent spectacular increase in Starlings roosting at Leighton Moss suggests a mass arrival of continental birds. I checked the ringing recoveries for Starlings for our area ringed in winter and recovered in the breeding season. They have been reported from the following countries-
Russia 8 Belorussia 2 Estonia 6 Latvia 5 Lithuania 2 Finland 3 Poland 1
Sweden 10 Norway 7 Denmark 10 Germany 4 Netherlands 5 Belgium 1

A total of just over 9800 were ringed to produce these results. They were either ringed in gardens, when feeding, or in larger numbers at roosts near Garstang, Kirkby Lonsdale or Williamson's Park Lancaster. They either roosted in evergreen bushes or in pine plantations. We caught them in the later areas by crawling under the bushes until we found a gap then standing up and literally picking the birds off the branches. Quite an exciting evening but not for those who like to stay clean! These were mainly ringed in the 1960's and 70's. Has the migratory pattern changed since then? The recent arrival suggests that we are still getting a large number of birds wintering here.

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