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, 10 June 2014

Pied Flycatcher RAS Interim Report

It is a good year for Pied Flys in our area this year with  reports of a marked increase over 2013 especially in the more upland woods. Productivity has been excellent with good brood size and so far only two  nests have failed.

 Our re-trapping Adults for Survival study area comprises 13 woods in the upper Lune valley and its tributaries. Several returns are yet to come in and some late nests still have nestlings to ring but to date I have received details of 294birds. These break down to 29 new adults 215 nestlings and 50 re-traps or controls  of adult birds.

A quick analysis of the re-trap data shows some interesting  differences as one might expect between birds ringed as adults and those ringed as nestlings. Of the returning adults 16 were re-trapped in the same wood as previous years and only four moved to another wood. However one female moved 17km from its nesting  area last year.  Of birds ringed as nestlings and returning to breed for the first time 13 returned to the wood where they were born but 22 moved to another wood. This later figure may increase  when the Ringing Office forwards any controls outside our area.   
John

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