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)

Sunday 10 February 2013

Garden Siskin




First indications are that it could be a good late winter and spring for Siskin visiting garden feeders. Paul caught 22 in his Lancaster garden yesterday, including a  control. Andrew has started catching small numbers in his Over Kellet garden  and Mark in Bowland has been catching them from late January.

 In total the Group have ringed 1660 Siskin over the years mainly in gardens in late winter and early spring . These have generated 47 recoveries which firstly reveal the breeding area of our wintering birds to be Northern Scotland (12), Southern Scotland (9) and one in southern Sweden, rather sadly killed by a cat.

Birds caught in our gardens in late winter or early spring have been wintering right across southern England from Suffolk and Kent through Surrey and Greater London to Hampshire and Shropshire. They have also been mainly ringed in gardens and are passing through our area one assumes on their way to the breeding areas in Scotland.

John

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