It has been another rain and wind affected couple of weeks.
During this time we have managed to get three sessions in, two of which have been significantly wind affected, while during the other we suffered from a general lack of birds!
The combined total is as follows:
|
Species Name
|
Ringed
|
Recaptured
|
Total
|
|
Blackbird
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
Blue Tit
|
4
|
24
|
28
|
|
Chaffinch
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
|
Coal Tit
|
2
|
4
|
6
|
|
Dunnock
|
1
|
6
|
7
|
|
Goldfinch
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
|
Great
Spotted Woodpecker |
|
2
|
2
|
|
Great
Tit |
5
|
15
|
20
|
|
Greenfinch
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
Long-tailed
Tit |
2
|
|
2
|
|
Mute
Swan |
|
1
|
1
|
|
Reed
Bunting |
1
|
3
|
4
|
|
Robin
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
|
Siskin
|
10
|
14
|
24
|
|
Snipe
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
Song
Thrush |
|
1
|
1
|
|
Grand Total
|
38
|
78
|
116
|
As is typical of March, the majority of birds have been recaptures. Highlights have included:
- A between-winter snipe. This bird was ringed in early 2018 and captured again on 24 March.
- A couple of new long-tailed tits. These birds appear to be starting to nest close to one of our net rides. We typically capture the species in flocks in the late autumn.
- A ring read mute swan. This bird was ringed in Dorset in 2010, and has bred on the marsh for the past few years.
- Some recaptured siskins, including an adult male from 2015. These birds are now showing cloacal protruberances and brood patches (as are the local dunnocks, great spotted woodpeckers and blackbirds).
The real highlight of the last couple of weeks, however, was the visit of Swansea University students looking to get some experience of bird identification, sexing and ageing techniques.
The visit was organised by Kelvin Jones, Welsh Development Officer for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Martin Georgiev, BTO Student Representative for Swansea University, and was attended by Year 1 and 2 Zoology, Biology and Marine Biology students. It proved very popular, and was considerably over subscribed (the site can only accommodate relatively small groups easily).
A total of 18 students (in two groups) were talked through the process of ageing and sexing birds and shown how to take biometric data. They were also able to see the mist nets in situ. A good range of species were captured, including siskins, goldfinches and great spotted woodpeckers, and the groups were very enthusiastic about and engaged with the demonstration.
Martin Georgiev said:
“The event offered students a unique opportunity to obtain both specific and transferable skills in a very professional and friendly environment. Everyone thoroughly
enjoyed the experience, and learned a lot from it.”
Gower Ringing Group would be very keen to host Swansea University students again. The Group already has a number of undergraduates, PhD students, post doctoral researchers and alumni of the university, and is keen to foster further links.
Thanks to all who Gower RG members who have made it out over the past few weeks: Heather Coats, Keith Vaughton, Val Wilson, Sarah Davies, Jo Conway, Bethan Dalton, Sophie de Grissac, Richard Dann, Dionne Jenkins, Kathryn Dunnett, Colin Baker, Andrew Roberts and Claudia Allen.
Owain Gabb
26/03/2019
Photographs are below.
 |
| Martin Georgiev (centre), with Swansea University students and Gower Ringing Group members |
 |
| Swansea University Group 1, with Gower RG members to the right and the ringing station in the foreground |
