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 25 August 2021

Recent Wader Movements and Greenfinch Populations

 Three recent colour ringed sightings show unexpected movements. 

An adult Dunlin ringed in North Wales at 23.40 on August 11 was sighted on the RSPB Eric Morecambe Complex of wader pools on the edge of Morecambe Bay. It had travelled ca 200 kms north in ca 40 hours. It remains there at present.

A recently fledged Lapwing ringed in May 2020 was sighted on the southern edge of Morecambe Bay in mid August this year  a movement of 385 km NW.

An Avocet colour ringed before fledging on  June 1 as part of Ian Hartley's study on the south of Morecambe Bay moved  ca 25 km north along the Bay edge on 14th Julyto the Eric Morecambe pools. Seventeen days later it  was sighted in Lincolnshire then seven days later at Stockton-on Tees. So quite a mobile youngster.

Greenfinch  used to be one of the commonest birds caught at feeding stations, but numbers have declined over the last two decades due to the disease trichomonosis. Recent catches  though suggest something of a recovery. Typical was a catch of 16 in two  hours with a small net making it the commenest bird caught compared with just 11 Blue Tits. Increasing number have been reported from several local garden feeders. One reported that there had been no sightings of Greenfinch over the last two years, but this year they  are"eating him out of house and home"!

John


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