Press Releases - July/Aug 2006 - Item 8

No. 2006/08/36
August 2006

Minsmere reserve attracts foreign settlers

May at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve in Suffolk must be an attractive proposition, as seemingly Avocets from across Europe are now choosing to breed there. The BTO Ringing Unit revealed these movements today after coordinating with colleagues from other ringing schemes in Europe.

The first bird to show up at the reserve was sporting three coloured leg rings, and was first recorded by birders on 11 May and later on 19 May after it had settled down to breed. The colour-ring details allowed the BTO to trace this bird back to one that was originally ringed as a nestling at Beltringharder Koog in the east of The Netherlands. It was originally ringed there as a nestling in July 2005 (with ring 3508298), but had since chosen Minsmere as its new home.

Just a week later on 25 May, diligent birders managed to read the details on a metal ring on the main scrape. Ring 5303955 proved that this bird was again a continental immigrant, first ringed in Gelderland in northern Germany. This too was ringed as a nestling, but way back in June 1997.

Mark Grantham of the BTO said “These reports really are great examples of the kind of information we can get from ringing and colour-ringing. Knowing details of these changes of breeding areas by species such as Avocets is vital to understand how this expanding species colonises new areas.”

Birders are now asked to look out for these birds, as greatly reduced water levels at Minsmere has meant that all of the Avocets there have now moved on. These missing birds are presumably somewhere on one of the local estuaries, and it is only through birders reporting colour-ringed birds that we will ever know. If you do see any of these colour-ringed Avocets (or Black-tailed Godwits, geese, Yellow Wagtails or a myriad of other species) then make sure you note the combination and report them at www.ring.ac Your reports really do count!

Notes for Editors

1) BTO volunteers ring over 800,000 birds every year. Part of the BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the BTO and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland). The scheme also receives support from Duchas the Heritage Service – National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland). The volunteer ringers give freely of their time and expertise and also provide a substantial part of the Scheme’s funding.

2) Ringing, as a practical science, can only be learnt working in the ‘field’ with a qualified Trainer, of which there are over 300 in the country. The BTO runs the Ringing Scheme and issues ringing permits under license from the Government agencies. After undergoing a period of training, usually of two years or more, a successful trainee is awarded a C permit, allowing him or her to ring alone, but still on behalf of a trainer. See: www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/become-a-ringer.htm

3) For photographs to support this story contact

4) The BTO has an ISDN line for interviews.

For further information contact:

Mark Grantham on 01842 750050 or E-mail:

or

Ian Barthorpe, RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve on 01728 648281
or E-mail:

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