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)

Wednesday 22 July 2015

A Dissapointing Season So Far

The poor season continues in the  reed bed at Leighton Moss. To date we have only ringed 18 juvenile Bearded Tits  this compares with 53 in the same period  last year. Our Reed  Warbler RAS is going well in catching adults, 106 so far  compared to 115 in the same period last year, half of which are retraps from previous years. But juveniles are disappointing, only 39 to date compared to 230 by this time last year.

Other warblers are doing better with similar numbers to last year of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler. Although the main influx for these species is usually  from late July on.

Why Reed Warbler productivity should be so low when the adult population appears normal is interesting. Is it due to the poor  spring weather or is it a late start to the season? One other factor is that for the first time half the reedbed is being dried out in an attempt to re-invigorate the reed in future years, the other half is being held at normal water levels. To date we have caught most of the juvenile Reed Warblers in the wet area.

Will be interesting to see how the season progresses. We will continue to study these important reed bed populations and their productivity This is the 19th year of our study
John
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