Press Releases - Sept/Oct 2006 - Item 3

No. 2006/09/39
Sept 2006

Sanday Stormie in Sweden

A Storm Petrel ringed on Sanday in July has just been recaught by ringers
on the west coast of Sweden. This is the first time a Storm Petrel ringed
in Britain has been found in Sweden, and it made this unique journey in
just eight days! Sanday to Måseskär Island is over 800km, so this was
pretty fast going for a bird only the size of a Greenfinch.

The bird (ring number 2540712) was originally ringed at Tress Ness by Sanday Ranger Roderick Thorne of the Orkney Ringing Group. The group were surprised by the movement and hope that with more ringing in Sweden they might find out where a few more of their birds go!

Mark Grantham, Ringing Officer in the BTO’s Ringing Unit, confirmed that “This record is quite unprecedented, and it is remarkable that this bird moved so far in 8 days. Stormies can move big distances overnight, but this is a first. The only similar record was a bird ringed on Måseskär island in 1996 that was recaught on Faraid Head in Highland in 1997. So maybe Scotland was just returning the favour.”

Notes for Editors

1. Anyone finding a ringed bird is asked to report it via www.ring.ac

2. Across Britain and Ireland, 2000 volunteer ringers ring about 800,000 birds each year. They give freely of their time and expertise and also provide a substantial part of the Scheme's funding. Much 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 National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland).

3. Anyone can contribute to the work of the BTO Ringing Scheme by looking out for ringed birds. If you find a dead bird, remember to check its legs for rings. Any ringed bird should be reported to the BTO, either via the web at www.ring.ac or by calling the Ringing Unit on 01842 750050.

4. Images are available from Roderick Thorne on 01857 600341.

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