Colour-ringing of four of the Gower chough chicks at two locations
in 2015 was undertaken by members of the Cardiff Bay Ringing Group. Following liaison with local ringers (members
of the Gower RG) and bird watchers / naturalists to determine breeding locations, permission to ring choughs on
the Gower coast was sought and received from the land owner, the National Trust. Nests were then visited, under license, by
Mike Shewring (an experienced climber) and James Vafidis (‘A’ ringer and
ringing trainer).
in 2015 was undertaken by members of the Cardiff Bay Ringing Group. Following liaison with local ringers (members
of the Gower RG) and bird watchers / naturalists to determine breeding locations, permission to ring choughs on
the Gower coast was sought and received from the land owner, the National Trust. Nests were then visited, under license, by
Mike Shewring (an experienced climber) and James Vafidis (‘A’ ringer and
ringing trainer).
This post provides the details of the ring combinations
used, and has been written in order to publicise and maximise the potential for
obtaining re-sighting data concerning these birds. Any data returned will provide
the detailed information on both population structure and habitat use of the
Gower birds that can potentially be used to inform future habitat management.
used, and has been written in order to publicise and maximise the potential for
obtaining re-sighting data concerning these birds. Any data returned will provide
the detailed information on both population structure and habitat use of the
Gower birds that can potentially be used to inform future habitat management.
The details of the colour ring combinations used in 2015
(and some biometric measurements at the time of ringing) are provided below
(and some biometric measurements at the time of ringing) are provided below
- BTO (metal) ring
no. – ET43051. 235mm wing, 305g weight, 61.5 Tarsus. Colour rings – Right leg
Purple/ metal and Left leg Yellow/Lime Green. - BTO (metal) ring
no. ET43052. 226mm wing, 305g weight, 62 Tarsus. Colour rings – Right leg Purple/
metal and Left leg Yellow/Green - BTO (metal) ring
no. – ET43053. 175mm wing, 335g weight, 65 Tarsus. Colour rings – Right leg Purple/
metal and Left leg Yellow/Blue - BTO (metal) ring
no. – ET43054. 169mm wing, 335g weight, 63.4 Tarsus. Colour rings – Right leg
Purple/ metal and Left leg Yellow/Black.
 |
| A nestling chough from the west Gower site we successfully visited |
As with all collaborative projects a lot of people made this
possible and as such I would like to thank Gower Ringing Group, Tony Cross,
Paddy Jenks, Bob Haycock, Gwen Potter, Gareth Watkins, James Vafidis, Owain
Gabb, Barry Stewart and Richard Facey for their help and support. Already
looking forward to next year!
If you see a
chough on Gower please check out its legs and report any colour ring
combinations to myself (mike.shewring@gmail.com) and on the BTO website (http://ow.ly/P9E9f).
chough on Gower please check out its legs and report any colour ring
combinations to myself (mike.shewring@gmail.com) and on the BTO website (http://ow.ly/P9E9f).
Well Choughed!
Mike Shewring
03/07/2015
