Larking around at the Dortset Bird Fair ringing demo

The weekend started with a ringing demonstration which attracted over 30 people all curious to come and look at how migrant birds are ringed, aged, weighed and measured and safely released to continue their journey on to their winter residence. Whenever we hold a ringing demonstration we always remind visitors that the welfare of the birds is of paramount importance and without the data gathered from this scientific and enjoyable pastime we would literally reduce our detailed knowledge of birds and their movements and behaviour by a considerable amount.



The usual flow of October migrants continued throughout the morning with Chiff and Blackcap being the most common. 145 and 31 respectively.

Highlight of the morning came just before the group packed away with 2 Woodlark.