In 2014 we really increased the effort at Oxwich, following a year of reconnaissance in 2013. 

 

The increase in effort was only possible due to the commitment of the group, which also runs two Constant Effort Sites (at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Site at Penclacwydd and at Kenfig [under the guise of Kenfig Ringing Group]) and a Re-trapping Adults for Survival project on pied flycatcher at Cwm Clydach.  As the group is relatively small, and individuals also have their own projects, this effort has been really appreciated.

 

The increased effort has also borne fruit.  In 2014 we captured 3,567 unique birds of 48 species at Oxwich.  These included 3,371 new birds, as well as many recaptures from 2013 and a few controls (birds initially ringed at other sites).  Among the latter were a dunnock, initially ringed in Suffolk  (this was possibly the most notable as this species is seldom recorded making substantial movements), as well as French and Spanish ringed reed and sedge warblers.  The most intriguing of the controls was a Cetti’s warbler: hopefully when data are returned they will indicate an interesting movement of this species, which is seldom seen outside wetland habitats, but is clearly capable of considerable dispersal (there have been some very interesting controls by Teifi RG of this species recently).

 

Highlights of 2014 have included local (relative) scarcities such as jack snipe, wood warbler, yellow-browed warbler and firecrest (3), sub-Saharan migrants including barn swallow (382), tree pipit (13), grasshopper warbler (6), sedge warbler (120), reed warbler (153), lesser whitethroat (2), garden warbler (21) and willow warbler (94).  Shorter distance migrants and resident species have included 7 kingfishers, 48 meadow pipit, 28 Cetti’s warblers, 140 chiffchaffs (including one tristis) 300 blackcaps, 73 goldcrests, 101 robins and 158 reed buntings.  Some of the reed buntings were ringed at the marsh over six years ago, when Barry Stewart was active at the site (particularly in spring and autumn).  Finch numbers have been good as well, with 444 unique goldfinch and 355 greenfinch captured, while siskin bred locally, possibly in response to the opportunity presented by our feeding station.

 

Some photographs are below, and the full report can be found by following this link:

 

http://www.bsg-ecology.com/index.php/oxwich-marsh-ringing-report-2014/

 

Many thanks to all the ringers and helpers who have contributed so much this year, and to Natural Resources Wales for their support.  We have learnt a lot about the marsh already – 2015 should be a good year.

 

Owain Gabb

06/01/2015