Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve Bird Ringing Report 2013
Above: A juvenile Spotted Flycatcher held in the ‘ringers grip’. nd
This bird was ringed on 20/08/13 in the area south of the River Flit and is only the 2 ringed at SSNR.
Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Above: Long Tailed Tit DPN712 controlled at SSNR, originally ringed at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Cambs
Bird ringing at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR) in 2013 resulted in the highest year total for handlings since regular ringing began in 2010. There were 1124 handlings, comprising of 616 new birds and 508 recaptures, involving 709 different birds. Three new species ringed for SSNR were singles of Sparrowhawk, Redwing and Jay. New longevity records for SSNR were set for: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll and Reed Bunting. There were 44 captures of Great Spotted Woodpeckers during 2013. This data proved 17 different birds visited the feeding station during the year with 12 of those birds recaptured a further 27 times between them, thus adding to their life histories. An additional, well placed mist net has helped increase captures of this species with 6 individuals caught in one day and 5 on two other occasions. It was the best year (new birds only) at SSNR for: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper and Chaffinch. A lot of juvenile Chaffinches were ringed indicating a good breeding year. A notable absentee from 2013 ringing list is Siskin - a species that is hard to catch at SSNR as they won’t respond to tape lure and rarely feed on the feeders as there are large amounts of natural food high up in the alder trees! The weather in 2013 was unusually cold in spring with reduced feeding opportunities, delaying breeding and thus making it a poor breeding year for a lot of species.
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Figure 1 (below) shows a comparison of cumulative handlings during the year for each of the last 3 years. Figure 2 (below) shows the accurate numbers used for Figure 1.
Figure 1: Cumulative total of handlings (new and retraps) by month
2011 (blue) was a good breeding year and more typical of what one expects. The graph clearly shows a jump in June/July in handlings, this is due to the fledging of juveniles. 2012 (red) shows a much smaller jump in July as fewer juveniles fledged due to the amount of rainfall leading to reduced feeding opportunities and survival rates. 2013 (Green) shows a jump in July/August. Fledging was later this year for a lot of species due to the unusually cold spring and the negative effect this had on food availability at a critical time. Cumulative Handlings January Jan-Feb Jan-Mar Jan-April Jan-May Jan-June Jan-July Jan-Aug Jan-Sept Jan-Oct Jan-Nov Jan-Dec
2011 Total 25 70 130 182 208 366 665 717 864 974 974 999
2012 Total 71 169 220 239 286 315 441 503 600 710 814 1002
2013 Total 27 83 131 159 251 346 487 740 925 1002 1087 1124
Figure 2: Cumulative handlings per month per year
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Figure 3 (below) shows a breakdown and comparison of the number of handlings per year. New for year totals are the number of different birds caught during the year (includes new, first retrap from a previous year and first capture of birds ringed elsewhere & caught at SSNR).
Figure 3: A breakdown and comparison of handlings per year
More effort (longer hours) was put in during 2012 to reach 1000 handlings for the year but the lower number of new birds and higher total of retraps shows it was not as good a year as 2011.
Effort in 2013 included an extra net or 2 as well as longer hours. However, fewer visits were made (see figure 4 below). I have also become more adept at catching certain species (either by use of tape lure [ouside the breeding season], placing of nets and/or placing of the feeding station). This has helped with species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Redpoll and Long Tailed Tit.
VISITS Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2010 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 4 0 3 1 16 2011 3 1 5 4 2 3 5 3 5 3 0 2 36 2012 3 5 5 3 3 1 4 3 3 2 2 4 38 2013 2 3 3 2 6 3 3 4 3 2 2 1 34 Total 8 9 13 10 11 10 15 12 15 7 7 8 125 Average 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 1 1 2 Figure 4: Number of ringing visits per month
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Recoveries and Controls: Controls are classified as birds recaught more than 5 km away from the original ringing site (in this case SSNR). Recoveries are classified as birds ringed at SSNR and recaught or found dead elsewhere (can involve birds moving less than 5km). The 16 point compass has been used to indicate direction of movement (e.g. NNW = North North West).
Y486613 - Lesser Redpoll ringed on 08/12/12 at SSNR was controlled in Swarland near Alnwick, Northumberland on 01/05/13, 144 days later. A movement of 376 km in a NNW direction.
Y486532 - Lesser Redpoll ringed on 24/11/12 at SSNR was controlled in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire on 05/05/13, 162 days later. A movement of 275 km NNW.
Lesser Redpolls do not breed at SSNR and are an overwintering species. The timing of the movement (Spring) shows these 2 birds moving north back to their breeding grounds.
Y486583 - Siskin ringed on 08/12/12 at SSNR was controlled in Callander, Scotland on 11/05/13, 154 days later. A movement of 530km NNW.
This bird was ringed on same date as the controlled Belgian bird in 2012 (details below), proving mixed origin of the Siskin flock at SSNR.
DPN712 - Long Tailed Tit ringed on 20/09/11 at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire was controlled at SSNR on 29/03/13, 1 year 190 days later. A movement of 26km SSW.
Long Tailed Tits are relatively sedentary birds but this shows how far they can disperse/roam.
BJL258 - Chiff Chaff ringed on 01/07/13 at Temple End, Hertfordshire was controlled at SSNR on 01/09/13, 62 days later. A movement of 13km NNW.
This shows an unexpected movement NNW at a time when they would be moving south on migration, however you could speculate that this bird was roaming around looking for potential breeding sites for subsequent years. A Chiffchaff in 2012 ringed at SSNR on 15/07/12 was controlled in Letchworth on 27/8/12. A more predictable movement!
Y350267 - Reed Bunting ringed at SSNR on 26/05/12 was controlled at Southill (ring read in field) on 12/04/13, 321 days later. A movement of 6km NE.
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
In addition, the following birds were ringed or recaught 1km away, overwintering in a nearby field in Beadlow where a crop strip is left for wildlife during winter:
Y350412 - Blue Tit ringed at SSNR on 15/07/12 was recaptured in Beadlow on 09/02/13, 209 days later. A movement of 1km W.
This Blue Tit was also recaptured back at SSNR on 28/06/13. It is highly likely that Blue Tits (and other species) travel between feeding stations at SSNR and Beadlow (there is at least 1 garden with feeders up there).
Y486533 – Chaffinch ringed at SSNR on 24/11/12 was recaptured in Beadlow on 09/02/13, 77 days later. A movement of 1km W.
Y840707 - Chaffinch ringed at Beadlow on 09/02/13 was recaptured SSNR 86 days later. A movement of 1km W.
Y350181 - Reed Bunting ringed at SSNR on 11/03/12, was recaptured in Beadlow on 09/02/13, 335 days later. A movement of 1km W.
Y350182 - Reed Bunting ringed at SSNR on 11/03/12, was recaptured in Beadlow on 09/02/13, 335 days later. A movement of 1km W.
Y751140 – Common Whitethroat ringed at Henlow, Bedfordshire on 02/09/12, was controlled at SSNR on 17/05/13, 257 days later. A movement of 6km W.
Of course, this Whitethroat has migrated to Africa and back inbetween being ringed and recaptured! Ringed as a juvenile, it is probably a bird that has come to find a breeding site.
D261238 – Blue Tit ringed at Waterloo Farm, Everton, Bedfordshire on 21/07/13, was controlled at SSNR on 17/11/13, 119 days later. A movement of 15km SSW.
This capture of a Blue Tit is evidence of a juvenile on dispersal from where it fledged.
I am awaiting the details of a Strasbourg ringed Blackcap caught at SSNR in December 2012. It could be some time yet before the information is sent through.
In addition, an update on news from 2012, a foreign control Siskin (BLB.12630225) caught at SSNR on 08/12/12 was ringed in Wibrin, Belgium on 24/02/12, 288 days previously, 474km away in a WNW direction. Belgian Siskins are known to winter in England and 1 other Belgian Siskin was controlled in Bedfordshire during the same winter.
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
Photographs from 2013:
Above: Redwing ringed 07/04/13
Above: Jackdaw ringed 07/07/13
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
2013
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
Above: Jay ringed 28/06/13
Above: Green Woodpecker ringed 13/04/13
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
2013
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Species Totals: New for Year Counts Barn Owl
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 5
3
4
3
0
2
2
Sparrowhawk
1
Kestrel
1
Kingfisher
3
Green Woodpecker
1 1
2
2
2
Great Spotted Woodpecker
2
6
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
12
17
1
House Martin
1
Meadow Pipit
13
Wren
1
11
22
25
26
Dunnock
3
10
27
29
39
2
8
15
15
7
20
12
1
7
4
Robin Wheatear
1
Blackbird Song Thrush
2
Mistle Thrush
1
Redwing
1
Grasshopper Warbler
1
5
1
8
13
4
38
124 6
2
4
Blackcap
1
73
32
38
Chiff Chaff
8
22
8
32
Willow Warbler
8
9
4
12
8
11
Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler
11
5
26
55
2
1
Whitethroat Garden Warbler
Goldcrest Spotted Flycatcher
1
1
Long Tailed Tit
19
20
Marsh Tit
39
32
52 2
2
Coal Tit
1
7
7
14
Blue Tit
50
112
111
134
Great Tit
27
92
87
110
Nuthatch
1
Tree Creeper
1
4
2
Jay
1
Magpie
1
Jackdaw
1
Starling
3
Chaffinch
2
42
Brambling
44
1 69
1
Greenfinch
5
2
4
Goldfinch
67
29
28
20
27
Siskin
16
Linnet
1
Common Redpoll
1
Lesser Redpoll
2
62
Bullfinch
1
1
Reed Bunting
12
5
5
TOTAL
5
3
32
214
738
623
711
YEAR
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Figure 5: This table shows proven minimum population for each species per year 9|Page
Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
New Bird Counts
2013
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals
Barn Owl
5
3
4
3
2
Sparrowhawk Kestrel
1
Kingfisher
3
Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker
2
19
1
1
1
2
2
1
6
2
2
4
11
25
5
7
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
1
House Martin
1
Meadow Pipit
2
1 1
13
13
Wren
1
11
22
22
23
79
Dunnock
3
10
27
20
30
90
2
7
13
11
33
Robin Wheatear
1
Blackbird Song Thrush
2
1
7
19
7
33
1
7
1
11
Mistle Thrush
1
Redwing Grasshopper Warbler
1 1
1
11
3
35
2
3
18
48
226
1
5
1
8
12
4
38
118 6
2
4
12
Blackcap
1
73
30
38
142
Chiff Chaff
8
22
8
31
69
Willow Warbler
8
9
4
12
33
8
9
17
Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler
6
1
Whitethroat Garden Warbler
Goldcrest Spotted Flycatcher
1
Long Tailed Tit
19
20
Marsh Tit
32
28
2
1
2
43
142
2
4
Coal Tit
1
6
5
12
24
Blue Tit
50
94
80
116
340
Great Tit
27
84
73
94
278
Nuthatch
1
Tree Creeper
1
2
Jay Magpie
1
Jackdaw
1
Starling
1 4
7
1
1 1
1
2
65
146
3
Chaffinch
2
40
Brambling
39
3
1
Greenfinch
1
5
2
4
11
67
28
27
122
20
26
62
Linnet
1
1
Common Redpoll
1
1
Goldfinch Siskin
16
Lesser Redpoll
2
62
Bullfinch
1
1
11
2
Reed Bunting
5
5
10
TOTAL
5
3
32
214
693
535
618
YEAR
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
75
2100
Figure 6: A table showing total number of new birds ringed of each species per year
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
Total Handlings
2013
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals
Barn Owl
5
3
4
3
0
2
Sparrowhawk Kestrel
1
Kingfisher
3
2
2
12
Green Woodpecker
19
1
1
1
2 1
2
Great Spotted Woodpecker
2
39
6
2
4
44
97
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
1
1
House Martin
1
1
Meadow Pipit
13
13
Wren
1
15
31
30
37
114
Dunnock
3
12
55
72
70
212
2
9
25
23
59
Robin Wheatear
1
Blackbird
8
28
15
51
1
7
4
14
Song Thrush
2
Mistle Thrush
1
1
Redwing
1 1
Grasshopper Warbler Sedge Warbler
1
1
11
9
15
Reed Warbler
12 19
1
Whitethroat
4
43
Garden Warbler
1
8
52
2
3 308
156
34
71
7
3
10
20
Blackcap
1
74
33
43
151
Chiff Chaff
8
23
8
34
73
Willow Warbler
8
9
4
12
33
12
12
24
1
2
73
199
Goldcrest Spotted Flycatcher
1
Long Tailed Tit
19
20
Marsh Tit
41
46
2
2
4
Coal Tit
1
10
15
18
44
Blue Tit
74
186
227
240
727
Great Tit
38
175
205
265
683
Nuthatch
1
Tree Creeper
1
2
Jay Magpie
1
Jackdaw
1
Starling
3
Chaffinch
2
49
Brambling
52
1 6
9
1
1 1
1
2
83
186
3
1
1
Greenfinch
5
2
4
11
Goldfinch
71
29
28
128
20
27
63
Linnet
1
1
Common Redpoll
1
Siskin
16
1
Lesser Redpoll
2
64
12
Bullfinch
1
1
2
Reed Bunting
5
5
10
TOTAL
5
3
32
261
999
1004
1126
YEAR
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
78
3430
Figure 7: This table shows total number of handlings per species per year. 11 | P a g e Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Species Longevity at SSNR: Barn Owl – Unknown recapture/recovery history (co-ordinated by Schedule 1 licensed ringers) Sparrowhawk - No Recapture History Kestrel - No Recapture History Kingfisher - No Recapture History Green Woodpecker - No Recapture History Great Spotted Woodpecker - CW08915 - 2 years, 108 days Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - No Recapture History House Martin - No Recapture History Meadow Pipit - No Recapture History Wren - DKE726 - 1 year, 73 days Dunnock - L302732 - 2 years, 152 days Robin - V670969 - 1 year, 125 days Wheatear - No Recapture History Blackbird - CW08913 - 1 year, 13 days Song Thrush - RF59741 - 0 years, 77 days Mistle Thrush - No Recapture History Redwing - No Recapture History Grasshopper Warbler - L302794 - 0 years, 71 days Sedge Warbler - Y350388 - 0 years, 316 days Reed Warbler - No Recapture History Whitethroat - L302789 - 2 years, 31 days Garden Warbler - Y840768 - 0 years, 41 days Blackcap - Y291547 - 0 years, 322 days Chiffchaff - BJL258 - 0 years, 62 days Willow Warbler - No Recapture History Goldcrest - ELX033 - 0 years, 104 days Spotted Flycatcher - No Recapture History Long Tailed Tit - CJA 170 - 2 years, 80 days Marsh Tit - No Recapture History Coal Tit - L302731 - 0 years, 360 days Blue Tit - V670911 - 2 years, 178 days 12 | P a g e
Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Great Tit - V670873 - 2 years, 259 days Nuthatch - No Recapture History Treecreeper - ELX269 - 0 years, 99 days Jay - No Recapture History Magpie - No Recapture History Jackdaw - No Recapture History Starling - No Recapture History Chaffinch - L302734 - 2 years, 180 days Brambling - No Recapture History Greenfinch - No Recapture History Goldfinch - Y027718 - 0 years, 210 days Siskin – BLB.12630225 – 0 years, 288 days Linnet - No Recapture History Common Redpoll - No Recapture History Lesser Redpoll - Y486532 - 0 years, 162 days Bullfinch - No Recapture History Reed Bunting - Y350182 - 0 years, 355 days
Interesting facts: If you find a ringed bird: Report it at www.ring.ac or write to the address on the ring! Remember to note down the finding details (e.g. location, species, ring no. and date) Oldest bird: Great Tit at 2 years and 259 days Rarest bird: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Most Caught Species: Blue Tit (340 new birds and 387 retraps) Longest recorded movement: Siskin ringed at SSNR, controlled in Callander, Scotland, 154 days later 540 km away (see recoveries & controls section above). Foreign movement: Siskin ringed in Wibrin, Belgium caught at SSNR, 228 days later 474km away. Number of species ringed: 48 Total number of new birds ringed: 2100 birds Total number of handlings: 3430 birds
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Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve: Bird Ringing Report
2013
Overall biggest catch: 111 birds on 01/07/2011 2013 biggest catch: 100 birds on 10/08/13 2012 biggest catch: 76 birds on 08/12/12 2011 biggest catch: 111 birds on 01/07/11
Overall average catch (125 visits): 27 birds (comprising of 17 new birds and 11 retraps of 8 species) 2013 average catch (34 visits): 33 birds (comprising of 18 new birds and 15 retraps of 9 species) 2012 average catch (38 visits): 26 birds (comprising of 14 new birds and 12 retraps of 9 species) 2011 average catch (36 visits): 28 birds (comprising of 19 new birds and 9 retraps of 7 species)
Acknowledgements: Thanks must go to The Greensand Trust and their volunteers who manage Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, for allowing me to ring on their site and for the support they have provided. In particular I would like to mention Liz Millbank and Steve Squire. Various members of the Ivel Ringing Group (of which I am a member) deserve thanks and have helped at SSNR over the years including David Howes, Mike Reed, Vic Inzani, Amanda Proud, Martin Anstee and a few other visiting ringers. Not forgetting IRG group secretary Graham Buss for checking & submitting the data and keeping me informed of recovery and control data. Graham is also my current trainer. Thanks also go to my original trainer, Errol Newman who ran a ringing demo at SSNR in 2009. Thanks also to the BTO who provide the licenses, the rings and run the ringing scheme. My family and friends have supported my ringing over the years. In particular I would like to mention David Green, my father, who passed away on 07/07/13. A very strange day started very nicely with very good weather and a catch of 51 birds (see session totals below) at SSNR, including a Jackdaw (only my second and second for SSNR). It also included increasing the longevity record for Great Spotted Woodpecker and a good number of Common Whitethroats. I then watched Andy Murray win Wimbledon whilst enjoying a nice cold cider or two. Then, in the evening, news came through that he was going to hospital and before the end of the evening, he had died of a heart attack. He took a great interest in my ringing as well as helping me fund it and I miss telling him all about it. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dunock Blackbird Sedge Warbler Whitethroat Blackcap
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0 (2) 2 (1) 2 (1) 0 (1) 16 (0) 3 (1)
Chiffchaff 1 (0) Blue Tit 6 (0) Great Tit 5 (6) Jackdaw 1 (0) Chaffinch 2 (1) Ringing Totals on 07/07/13 (retraps in brackets)
Compiled by: Ed Green, Ivel Ringing Group
