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 28 March 2016

Garden Ringing Update

Been an interesting winter at Jerry and Barbara's woodland edge garden at Silverdale .  Highlights of our 13 visits  have been the catching of  20 Great Spotted Woodpeckers compared with  only 8 last winter with 8 visits. Nuthatch  were 19 this winter compared to only 5 last winter. We have colour ringed all the Nuthatch and have had 524 sightings logged to the end of February. In total 13 individuals were visiting the well stocked feeders in February. will be interesting to see how many continue to visit as the breeding season approaches.

Following poor productivity last breeding season Blue Tits  at 150  compared to 244 last year are well down,  but Coal Tits are up, 111 compared to 47 last year. Only one Siskin has been caught. Its interesting to compare  the catch at Mark's and Dave's gardens inland in NE Lancashire and close to the Bowland Fells. Up to mid March they had caught 288 Siskins and 185 Lesser Redpolls, but only 5 Nuthatch, 8 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 54 Coal Tits.

John