Press Releases - September / October 2008
Item 5

No. 2008/10/34
October 2008

Scandinavian invaders arrive en masse

While the prolonged easterlies during the early autumn brought a whole host of vagrants, as well as large numbers of Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers, they were also responsible for one of the biggest arrivals of Scandinavian birds of prey in recent times.

From late August into September, no fewer than eight Scandinavian-ringed Kestrels were found along the south and east coasts. These were all picked up in poor condition, with birds being taken to RSPCA centres and raptor trusts. One was even seen following a tractor searching for food.

Since the founding of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Ringing Scheme in 1909, there have only been 19 reports of Kestrels from Norway, 35 from Sweden and 40 from Finland. Kestrels are generally short-distance migrants in Scandinavia, but have had a fantastic breeding season in both Sweden and Finland this year. With the population boosted, birds were perhaps forced to move further afield than normal. It looks like the easterly airflow may have then pushed some of these birds a bit too far west on migration, indeed more have been recorded at Swedish Bird Observatories than would normally be expected. Presumably the birds arriving in Britain were trying to continue their migration, but had arrived in such poor condition that this wasn’t possible. These weren’t even inexperienced juveniles, as several of the birds found were over three years old.

Mark Grantham, Population Biologist at the BTO, commented: “It is only thanks to the keen eyes of the general public that these arrivals came to light. These reports of ringed birds are incredibly valuable, and anyone can help out by looking for rings. Anyone lucky enough to find one should report it online at www.ring.ac or telephone 01842 750050.”

The arrival wasn’t just restricted to Kestrels though, with a Norwegian-ringed Peregrine found in Norfolk (now in care), and two Swedish Ospreys. Both were found in poor condition, with one found dying in Dorset and another found with a fractured wing in Norfolk. There have been just 16 previous records of Swedish-ringed Ospreys in Britain, with one from Norway and three from Finland.

Notes for Editors

1. The British Trust for Ornithology is the UK’s leading bird research organisation. Over thirty thousand birdwatchers contribute to the BTO’s surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 90 at its offices in Norfolk and Stirling, who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO’s investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.

2. Bird ringing in Britain and Ireland is organised and co-ordinated by the BTO. The BTO also host the EURING databank which holds ring recovery data gathered by bird ringing schemes throughout Europe, for further information please see, www.bto.org/ringing/index.htm. 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 Northern Ireland Environment Agency). 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.

3. On average, less than one out of every fifty birds ringed is subsequently reported to the BTO, so every report of a ringed bird is of value. To report a ringed bird, phone 01842 750050, write to Ringing Unit, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU or log on to www.ring.ac

4. Bird photographs are available for use alongside articles. E-mail images@bto.org with your request quoting reference number 2008/10/34

5. The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Mark Grantham on 01842 750050 or email: press@bto.org (during office hours)

Paul Stancliffe on 01842 750050 or email: press@bto.org (during office hours)