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)

Saturday 28 November 2015

Long-tailed Tits on the Move

Five Long-tailed Tits which were ringed by Mark in his large garden at Newton on the edge of Bowland on 11 October 2014 have obviously moved as a flock for two were caught near Runcorn in Cheshire 66 km SSW on 16th November 36 days after ringing. A third has now been caught in the same area on 12 November 2015.

Such a movement by this usually  sedentary species is interesting.  The Group has ringed 2693 Long-tailed Tits since 2001 and had  1469 retraps all showing  no movement. During that period we have had only one other recovery showing any movement and this was just 17 km. However going further back we had five birds ringed together on 23 October 1993 and caught together 38 km north 17 days later. Most outstanding though was one ringed on 23 October 1993 and caught 306 km north in North Scotland 19 days later.

John

Friday 13 November 2015

Goldcrest and Lesser Redpoll Movements

Two species that have been present  our area this autumn in good numbers are Lesser Redpoll and Goldcrests. The later is probably a reflection of the large arrival of continental birds recorded on the east coast. That this was the case  was signaled by the catching of one at Leighton Moss on October 23 which had been ringed 11 days previously  at Whitby North Yorkshire. One ringed on spring migration at Heysham was caught at  Spurn on October 9th. Another bird ringed in mid winter in Somerset was caught at Heysham on October 4th was also probably a continental bird

Another migrant was a Lesser Redpoll ringed in Aberdeenshire on 28th September was caught at Leighton Moss 17 days later. This is our first Redpoll from NE Scotland. A Redpoll ringed in mid winter in Surrey was  caught on August 7th at Newton. This is our 13th bird in winter from Surrey which is obviously a prime wintering area for passage and breeding birds from our area.   We also caught 2 birds from Northumberland and one from Worcester.


A Siskin ringed at Newton on the edge of Bowland on 22 September was caught 39 days later in Hampshire only our second Siskin from that area.

John