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 4 November 2019

Bearded Tit RAS Update

Its been a rather difficult season for our study. Late season ringing has been impossible because of high water levels which flooded all the access paths at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve making out  boardwalks dangerous  to use. However the high water levels meant that the Bearded Tits had to get their grit,(which they need at this time of year as they move from  insects  to a rmainly reed seed diet) from our  specially prepared grit trays. So far we have  had 113 sightings of colour  ringed birds mainly on the trays and almost all of them were adults  from previous  years.

In total we have identified 24 adult males and 13 adult females. This compares with 23 males and 14 females in 2018.  We invariably get more males than females,partly because males are easier to mist net and also  males have a somewhat better survival rate than females.

Of the 37 adults, the oldest was  five years, one was four years, three  were three years old, 12 two years and 20, one year after ringing as juveniles. This gives a crude survival rate of 46%. But we may yet identify one or two more . We have a motion activated video of one set of trays yet to check through.

Since the water levels have dropped, exposing the visitor paths the reserve staff have topped up  some of the paths with fine limestone and some birds have been gritting here . This means that colour rings are more difficult to  record.
John

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