The Whitethroat trials

With a good number of territories of Whitethroats held across Durlston NNR we have decided to undergo trial ringing sessions to see if a Ringing Adults for Survival (RAS) project is feasible. 
This study looks at the longevity of targeted breeding birds and tells us whether numbers are stable, decreasing or increasing. If there is a change in numbers, particularly a decrease, then conservation action can then be targeted appropriately.

With 50 birds (new birds and retraps) needed to satisfy the BTO's scheme requirements, this morning we added to the years totals making it 5 new and 2 retrapped bird so. A bit further to go, but plenty more territories to work through...

Working away from our normal sites we ringed ringed 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Song Thrush and re-trapped a Blue Tit.

Common Whitethroat 

Second Calender Year Song thrush showing nice backward pointing thorns on its greater coverts

Not birds but fantastic to discover this Eyed Hawkmoth back in the centres moth trap.

   Posted by: Simon Breeze

Fleets Corner - spring migration corridor

More ringing at Fleets Corner (AKA PC World Drain) has shown it to be an interesting spring migration route for passerines such as Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Garden ,Willow and Sedge Warblers and Chiff Chaffs among others.

Here are a few pictures of recently ringed birds from the past few weeks. Thank you to Paul M for these.

Lesser Whitethroats 

 

Garden Warbler

And the age of this bird is....?