Teesmouth Bird Club

Just a heads up and quick reminder about colour ringed birds. Thanks to Ian F we've had some really interesting Curlew, Knot and Purple Sandpiper records recently. There have also been a few gulls with rings on that have been too distant to read clearly. If everyone could check, where possible, for waders, gulls and wildfowl and if you are lucky enough to see something then please note the combinations, colouring and or lettering. If possible get a photograph as the original ringers always like to has confirmation. Hopefully Ian F can post some links of web sites where you can send your sightings to.....

I must admit it's an area that I'm very interested in. Whilst it's great seeing the various species we get locally I also like to know a little more about where our birds are coming from and moving to.

Another different colour ringed Curlew was on Seaton Common yesterday, along with five others previously noted last week. I've sent off the details of the new bird. Over several years Robin Ward ran a Curlew ringing project. A large white ring is the marker to identify the project. A combination of colour rings are used identify the bird. Considering their longevity of around 30yrs we still get several of these each year in Spring and Autumn/Winter as they pass to and from the breeding grounds.

Several thousands of waders are colour ringed in Scandinavia each year. Locally we get lots either passing through with some staying for winter. Over the last few weeks as Toby says we've had several Knot and Purple Sandpiper with rings/flags from Spitsbergen. These records have helped show the passage/movement of these birds - both for the ringers and for local birders to gain a better understanding of where our birds are coming from.

The main place to report sightings is European Colour-ring Birding - better known as CR-Birding - http://www.cr-birding.org/

They're 'migrating' to this new website at present where eventually all records will be held. Some schemes are still on the old web site - http://www.cr-birding.be/ - just scroll down the page to see each bird group and then click on the link to view each species. From the combination of rings you can identify the scheme and contact the ringer direct on the email addresses provided. Some schemes have automated web sites where entering the ring combination identifies the bird and gives the history. In many cases the ringers respond very quickly with details of the birds history or point you in the right direction if it wasn't one of their birds.

If the scheme can't be identified from the ring combination then the fall back method is to report the bird to the BTO as you would for any bird with a metal ring on it's leg where you've noted the details from it. http://blx1.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/rings.jsp?country=EN . I find that system works well for reporting birds with metal rings but not so good for colour ringed birds.

Hi, Just attaching a link to an article about a Purple Sandpiper and Dunlin colour ringing project which is on the Birdguides website and may be of interest. http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=3017
Thanks,
Adam

Yes, it's K.M. Soot who has been ringing the Purple Sandpipers that we've been getting. If any are seen with the orange or green flags and an orange marker he is the guy to email. Apparently there were at least two more in Northumberland the last day or two.

A few results over the last week.

Quote
Curlew - on Seaton Common 5th/6th December 2011


Ring    Age/   Capture
   number   Typ         Date   Init   Details
Curlew
   FP13664        N   6    29/08/00   MAE   Seal Sands, Hartlepool
   O   2    Sighted (R)   13/12/00   RM   Seaton Common, Teesmouth, Hartlepool (2 km, N, 106 days)
   O   2    Sighted (R)   19/09/02   RM   Seal Sands, Hartlepool (2 yrs 21days)
   O   4    Sighted (R)   17/02/03   RM   Seal Sands, Hartlepool (2 yrs 172days)
   O   2    Sighted (R)   11/08/05   RM   Seal Sands, Hartlepool (4 yrs 347days)
   O   4    Sighted (R)   15/10/08   RM   Seal Sands, Hartlepool (8 yrs 47days)
   O   4    Sighted (R)   17/09/09   RM   Seal Sands, Hartlepool (9 yrs 19days)
   O   4    Sighted    06/12/11   Seaton Common, Teesmouth, Hartlepool (2 km, N, 11 yrs 99days)

Quote
Curlew from Seaton Common on 28th/29th November 2011 -

1. "OY NY" was ringed on 7th September 1991 as a juvenile bird (BTO ring no. FC48911). The bird remained using Seal Sands & Seaton Common throughout the winter and when over-summering and moulting during 1992 as a first summer. Sightings would suggest it emigrated in it's second summer sometime after 22nd March 1993, returning by 5th July. Thereafter it was generally recorded on Seal Sands during the late summer/autumn (July - August) and then again late winter (January – March, once in April; 11th in 1995). Since our team was disbanded at the University in late 2001, the few observations made were by the two of us, largely of the bird foraging on Seaton Common in autumn and winter. You were last to report the bird, on Seaton Common on 22nd March 2008.

2. "RY GR" was ringed on 6th March 1992 as an adult (BTO ring no. FA25118) – born in a year previous to 1991. Sightings would suggest the bird largely uses Seal Sands during the late summer/autumn with all winter sightings from Seaton Common. This is the second sighting for 2011, the previous in October from Seaton Common.

3. "WR OY" was ringed on 21st July 1997 as an adult (BTO ring no. FC80366) – born in a year previous to 1997. This bird's pattern of occurrence and location is similar to that of the previous individual. You were also the last to report this bird, 16th March 2008 at Seaton Common.

4. "WR WR" was ringed on 21st July 1997 as an adult (BTO ring no. FC80379) – born in a year previous to 1997. The few sightings of this bird again reflects a pattern of occurrence similar to the previous two individuals though John Grieveson did record it on Seal Sands in January 2005. I last sighted the bird, this feeding on Seal Sands on 17th September 2008.

5. "GY WN" was ringed on 16th July 2001 as an adult (BTO ring no. FA86718) – born in a year previous to 2001. There has only been three previous re-sightings of this bird, twice on Seal Sands (Sept 2002, August 2008) and Seaton Common (November 2009).

A few other notable birds -

Quote

Knot - The Headland, Hartlepool 20th November 2011

Colourcode:   L4LYGL   Date of catch:   02-Sep-11
   Place of catch:   De Richel
   53.17.00 N, 5.08.00 E
   Sightings of this bird:
   Date(d/m/y)   Place   Observer
   20-Nov-11   Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland, England   Ian Forrest
   54.42.00 N, 01.12.00 W

Quote
Purple Sandpiper -

Ring no : Stavanger 8B11860 - 8B11874
Flag EUA-EUY ( Left tarsus : metal. Left tibia : orange colour ring.  Right tibia: (dark) green flag engraved with three white letters EUA-EUY.)
Age/sex/biometrics: 1K ,  hatched 2011.
Ringing date: 02.09. 23 hrs- 03.09.11 hrs .
Ringing place: Longyearbyen (78.13.13N-15.40.06E)  Svalbard / Spitzbergen
Ringer: Kjell Mork Soot

Finding date:05.12.2011, 10 hrs.
Observed : The Headland, Hartlepool (54.41N-01.12W) Durham, England
Observer : Ken Tait
Distance: 2695  km  SSW. Direction:  204 deg.
Time: 0-3-2. (3 months, 2 days)
Remarks: Photographed, only partial reading could be made. (EUH is observed at the same place 06.11.2011 by Derek Clayton)

Quote
Purple Sandpiper -

Ring no : Stavanger 8B09900
Flag CAT ( Left tarsus : metal. Left tibia : orange colour ring.  Right tibia: lime flag engraved with three black letters CAT.)
Age/sex/biometrics: F2K+ (female, hatched 2009 or before)
Ringing date: 07.06.2010, 16 hrs.
Ringing place: Longyearbyen (78.13.13N-15.40.06E)  Svalbard / Spitzbergen
Ringers: Ole Edvard Torland and  Kjell Mork Soot

Finding date: 07.12.2011, 13 hrs.
Observed : The Headland, Hartlepool (54.41N-01.12W) Durham, England
Observer : Ian Forrest
Distance: 2695  km  SSW. Direction:  204 deg.
Time: 1-6-0. (1 year, 6 months).
Remarks: Photographed, distinct photos of flag and letters. Around 25 Purple Sandpipers observed.

Quote
Purple Sandpiper -

Ring no : Stavanger 8B10179.
Flag  lime EJT ( Left tarsus : metal. Left tibia : orange colour ring.  Right tibia: lime flag engraved with three black letters EJT.)
Age/sex: 2K+  male/ 2cy+ male (hatched 2009 or before). Wing 126mm. Weight 63,1g.  Bill 28,9 mm.
Ringing date: 13.06.2010, 21 hrs.  Observed same place 05.09.2010, 18 hrs (Kjell Mork Soot))
Ringing place: Longyearbyen (78.13.13N-15.40.06E)  Svalbard / Spitzbergen
Ringer: Ole Edgar Torland


Finding date: 20.11.2011, 10 hrs.
Observed : The Headland (54.42N-01.11W) Hartlepool, Cleveland, England.
Observer: Ian Forrest
Remarks: a) Photographed by Ian Forrest. Flag and letters  distinct.  b) Also observed 22.03.2011 The Headland (Allan Snape) .
Distance: 2693 km SSW. Direction:  204  deg. Time :1-5-7 . (1 year-5 months-7 days).

An interesting bird was a Bar-tailed Godwit seen at Seaton Snook on 1st February 2011. Interesting due to it's age and that I just received the details this morning.

QuoteThe colour-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit is an interesting bird as it would appear to be an individual marked as juvenile on 23rd October 1985 (BTO ring DN63313).  This would make the bird 26 years old; the UK longevity record is 33 years 11 month 13 days.  143 birds were marked and the colour-ring combination you've reported.  There are only three previous re-sightings of this bird, 16th January 1992, 12th January 1995 and 21st December 1998, all at Seal Sands.

Just for information there's at least one colour ringed Shag in the harbour at Hartlepool. Seen from Pilot Pier this morning. There's a metal ring on it's right leg and a red colour ring with white letters on it's left leg. I couldn't get the full details this morning but worth bearing in mind. The ring is best seen when it's diving. The last two winters there's been two colour ringed Shags in the harbour/Jacksons Landing from East Scotland.

Purple Sandpipers CAT and EUH still present yesterday morning.

QuoteRing no : Stavanger 8B11863.
Flag EUH ( Left tarsus : metal. Left tibia : orange colour ring.  Right tibia: (dark) green flag engraved with three white letters EUH.)
Age/sex/biometrics: F1K , female hatched 2011.Wing 133 mm.Weight 67,6g. Bill 30,6 mm.
Ringing date: 02.09.2011, 23 hrs.
Ringing place: Longyearbyen (78.13.13N-15.40.06E)  Svalbard / Spitzbergen
Ringer: Kjell Mork Soot

Finding date: 16.12.2011 11 hrs.
Observed : The Headland, Hartlepool (54.41N-01.12W) Cleveland, England
Observer : Ian Forrest. Distinct photo of the flag and code.
Distance: 2695  km  SSW. Direction:  204 deg.
Time: 0-3-14. (3 months, 14 days)
Remarks:   16 Purples  in total. Lime  CAT also seen. Also photographed 06.11.2011 in the same area, and observed 03.12.2011 in the same area.

A colour ringed Mediterranean Gull PAU2 was back in the car park behind The Almighty Cod at Seaton Carew. It's been around for about a week now but I managed to catch up with it today thanks to Dave Harrison.

A partial history is given below. Info from Northumbrian Birding website. There maybe additional more recent sightings from 2010 onwards.

QuoteDetails received of Med Gull PAU2 as featured in the header.

Ornithological Station
Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences
Nadwiślańska 108, 80-680 Gdańsk 40, Poland
phone (+48 58) 308-07-59, fax (+48 58) 308-09-82
e-mail: monikaz@miiz.waw.pl

Sightings and recoveries relating to the Polish colour-ringing programme of Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Status
O trapped and ringed R roosting
V controlled; ring read * ring found
T controlled; bird trapped A ring added
X found dead C ring changed
& shot
B breeding


Colour ring number: RED PAU2 metal ring number: Gdansk FN 08382

Colour ring position: right tarsus metal ring position: left tarsus

Ringing data


St Date Age Place Coordinates Ringer/observer
OB. 07.05.2006 > 3 CY PACZKOWSKI RESERVOIR, KOZIELNO, WROCLAW, POLAND 50.29 N 16.58 E KOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.


Life history


VB 21.05.2006 > 3 CY PACZKOWSKI RESERVOIR, KOZIELNO, WROCLAW, POLAND 50.29 N 16.58 E KOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.
VB 27.05.2006 > 3 CY PACZKOWSKI RESERVOIR, KOZIELNO, WROCLAW, POLAND 50.29 N 16.58 E KOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.
VB 04.06.2006 > 3 CY PACZKOWSKI RESERVOIR, KOZIELNO, WROCLAW, POLAND 50.29 N 16.58 E KOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.
V 24.07.2006 CRIMDON BEACH, NORTH OF HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM, UK 54.72 N 01.24 W FORSTER, C.
V 18.12.2007 SEATON CAREW, NORTH EAST ENGLAND, UK 54.39 N 01.11 W ROWBOTTOM, M.
V 03.03.2008 AD SCALBY MILLS, SCARBOROUGH, NORTH YERKSHIRE, UK ADDEY, N
V 28.10.2008 WHITLEY BAY, NORTHUMBERLAND, UK 55.03 N 01.27 W HODGSON, M. S.
V 04.01.2009 AD SEATON CAREW, COUNTY DURHAM, UK 54.39 N 01.11 W DEIGHTON, A.
V 25.10.2009 AD NORTH SHIELDS, FISH QUAY, TYNE RIVER MOUTH, UK 55.01 N 01.30 W TURNER, D.
TB 23.05.2010 > 3 CY MIETKOW RESERVOIR, WROCLAW, POLAND 50.59 N 16.40 E KOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.
V 05.10.2010 ST MARY'S ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND, UK BULLOUGH, B.
V 21.10.2010 WHITLEY BAY, NORTHUMBERLAND, UK 55.03 N 01.27 W HODGSON, M. S.

Also in the car park at Seaton Carew was a colour ringed Black-headed Gull - red ring with letters 3 . 7

A metal ring partial reading VOGELTREKSTATION, ARNHEM 3.691.859.

It looks as if it was ringed in the Netherlands sometime between 2004-2010. The details have been sent off.

Quote from: IanF on December 17, 2011, 05:56:48 PM
Also in the car park at Seaton Carew was a colour ringed Black-headed Gull - red ring with letters 3 . 7

A metal ring partial reading VOGELTREKSTATION, ARNHEM 3.691.859.

It looks as if it was ringed in the Netherlands sometime between 2004-2010. The details have been sent off.

The results came through this morning - ringed 30/11/2009 in Amsterdam. This the first sighting since April 2010.

QuoteRinging data
Arnhem   .3691859   R-37   Kokmeeuw   Larus ridibundus
   Leeftijd & geslacht  :   1 kj / 1 cy   man / male
   Ringdatum        :    30-11-2009
   Ringplaats        :    amsterdam, oosterpark   5221.37   N   455.17   E
   Ringer           :    Frank Majoor
   Opmerkingen        :
Recoveries
Melddatum   Meldplaats                  Melder
1-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Dennis Seijts
4-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
7-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Hannah Jansen
10-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
18-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
23-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
24-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
28-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Rob Voesten
29-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
31-12-2009   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
9-1-2010   amsterdam, artis   5.222,00   N   454,51   E   kleurring afgelezen   Willem van der Waal
11-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
12-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
19-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
20-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Guus van Duin
23-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
24-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Willem van der Waal
25-2-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Frank Majoor
10-3-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Jan Zorgdrager
12-3-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
13-3-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Frank Majoor
16-3-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
17-3-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
6-4-2010   amsterdam, oosterpark   5.221,37   N   455,17   E   kleurring afgelezen   Ruud Altenburg
17-12-2011   seaton carew, hartlepool, ENGELAND   5.439,34   N   111,12   W   kleurring afgelezen   Ian Forrest

I've just received a positive response about a colour ringed Common Sandpiper I saw on Saltholme west pond on 7th May 2011. The delay was due to my reporting the ring on the left leg as being white whereas it's actually pale blue which can be seen when the brightness/contrast is reduced in the photos I took - just as well there was a photo to send to the ringer to confirm.

Quote
The bird was ringed as a female (presumed first year) on 6th May 2011, the day before you saw it, at Grainfoot Inlet, Ladybower Reservoir (N arm, E shore), Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire (SK 190 879) with ring NW28767. It weighed 56 g at the time and had a wing length of 114 mm. I attach a photo of the bird as it was being ringed.

I found it interesting about the distance it covered overnight and from where it travelled.

A great result and a big thanks to Andre Thiel who persevered with tracking down the bird/ringer.

The colour ringed Purple Sandpiper EJT from Spitzbergen was still present this morning on the rocks below Albion Terrace.

Quoteurple Sandpiper -

Ring no : Stavanger 8B10179.
Flag  lime EJT ( Left tarsus : metal. Left tibia : orange colour ring.  Right tibia: lime flag engraved with three black letters EJT.)
Age/sex: 2K+  male/ 2cy+ male (hatched 2009 or before). Wing 126mm. Weight 63,1g.  Bill 28,9 mm.
Ringing date: 13.06.2010, 21 hrs.  Observed same place 05.09.2010, 18 hrs (Kjell Mork Soot))
Ringing place: Longyearbyen (78.13.13N-15.40.06E)  Svalbard / Spitzbergen
Ringer: Ole Edgar Torland


Finding date: 20.11.2011, 10 hrs.
Observed : The Headland (54.42N-01.11W) Hartlepool, Cleveland, England.
Observer: Ian Forrest
Remarks: a) Photographed by Ian Forrest. Flag and letters  distinct.  b) Also observed 22.03.2011 The Headland (Allan Snape) .
Distance: 2693 km SSW. Direction:  204  deg. Time :1-5-7 . (1 year-5 months-7 days).

One of the Curlews made the Evening Gazette tonight. A Similar article was in the Northern Echo last Saturday.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2012/02/07/curlew-tagged-20-years-ago-returns-to-tees-estuary-84229-30277381/