Ringing

[RichardB]

Could someone explain the system behind ringing please. I've attached a slightly enhanced picture from today on Bran Sands. I presume the colours on the legs are a result of ringing. What is the system involved? How can you find out where it was ringed and do the people who did the ringing like to be told of any observations and if so how?

[James Robson]

Here are a few links that should answer your questions:

http://www.euring.org/

[urlhttp://blx1.bto.org/euring/main/][/url]

http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/contact/bird_ringing.aspx

Ringers always welcome reports or controls (re-catches).

[IanF]

You didn't by any chance see it's feet did you?

If it also had a white ring on it's lower leg (ankle) then it's likely a bird ringed on Teesmouth by Robin Ward's team in the 1980's/1990's.

There's been quite a few around the estuary over winter on Seaton Common and Cowpen Marsh. I suspect it may well be one of those birds with that combination of rings, though I can't quite make them all out. Though it could also be from elsewhere.

I've seen two different birds with white over red on the left leg this winter - but none with what looks to be green or blue on the right leg. Once they arrive for winter I find they're pretty loyal to one particular area so I may well have not come across it if it's been around Bran Sands.

There'll likely be two coloured darvics rings on each tibia (above knee) - you need the full combination to identify a bird - unless you can read the metal ring number which will be present as well.

[RichardB]

Unfortunately I didn't see it's feet - a dog walker scared it off. All I saw was was red (or possibly white and red) left tibia and pale blue right tibia - I'll try to pay more attention in future.