50 years of Rye Meads Ringing Group
In 1960, a small band of ringers obtained permission to begin ringing operations on the newly built Sewage Works just outside Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. They operated from field stations near whichever ringing location they were using at that time, and in that first year, ringed a grand total of 161 birds, including the first two Snipe, which were to become the logo of the RMRG.
Still going strong
To everyone's amazement, 50 years later the Group is still going strong. We now have two permanent ringing laboratories, and operate two Constant Effort sites. Most importantly, we collect a great deal of data about the birdlife of the locality - major efforts are put in each year to survey the breeding birds, complete nest record cards, and to ring as many birds as possible. By the end of our 50th year we expect to have moved our grand total on to around 215,000 birds, currently of 139 species.
There have of course been many changes in those 50 years - in ringing equipment, net quality and of course in ageing and sexing techniques. Most significantly, however, there have been big changes in both the habitat of the site and the bird populations which occur here. From a largely bare site with freshly dug settlement lagoons, it has developed to one with a great deal of scrub and reedbed, which is carefully managed throughout the year.
Above: The site in 1960 (left) and in 2009, showing how it has changed and matured.
Hence there are now more warblers and tits, and fewer waders, wagtails, finches and buntings than was the case 50 years ago. We have lost a large resident population of Tree Sparrows - still 17th in our all time species list, despite none being ringed since 1992 - but have gained breeding populations of Cettis Warbler and Gadwall. Our ringing list now includes species like Little Egret, and we regularly observe Hobby, Buzzard and Red Kite, which would have been unimaginable in 1960.
But most importantly, we have the continuity of data which enables us to monitor those changing populations and to contribute significantly to our understanding of birds in Britain. We have the data to show how populations have waxed and waned, and the Group itself has published 64 papers to date, including on non-avian wildlife of the area, with data contributions to studies by non-Group members. We have also published a fascinating book, "The Birds of Rye Meads" by Group members Alan Harris and Paul Roper, detailing observations and changes since 1960.
This continuity has been made possible by an ever changing population of dedicated Group members. Many were trained at Rye Meads and never left the Group; many others who trained here have undergone 'post-juvenile dispersion' and can now be found as professional ornithologists as far afield as Hong Kong and Australia.
Celebration barbecue
So it was with great pleasure that the Group celebrated our 50 years with a long weekend 'ringing fest' and barbecue, with many old members rejoining us for a chat and a reminiscence. Blessed with good weather, John and Jan Griffin provided us with a fine barbecue and it was a splendid few hours reminiscing and catching up with friends.
It was remarkable that original group members Tom and Janet Gladwin, Bernie Nau and Nigel Robson were able to attend, with Nigel travelling down from Norfolk. Indeed it was gratifying to find people who had made considerable effort, not least Paul Leader who came for a long weekend all the way from Hong Kong (and he got a ringing tick!). Spare a thought for Billy Rutherford who ambled down to the hut on the Saturday morning, having travelled from Australia. Imagine our surprise to find he was totally unaware of the planned celebration (and had to miss it to go to a family barbecue instead!)
Above: The members and guests at our 50th anniversary celebration barbecue.
Tom Gladwin spoke of the early days and congratulated the group on its many achievements, emphasised the importance of our continuous and meticulously collected data set and our contribution to the ornithology of Hertfordshire. He reminded us that many members have gone on to make a considerable mark in UK and worldwide ornithology, a fact that the Rye Meads Ringing Group is justifiably proud of. He also read a message of congratulation from the Wicken Fen Ringing Group. Our current Chairman, Toby Spall, eloquently described his personal motivation within the group, the continuous fascinating questions and discoveries thrown up on an almost weekly basis, surely a sentiment shared by us all.
Few tempted fate by booking a place for the next 50 year celebration in 2060, the more down to earth thought celebrations should be on a more regular basis, and one dour soul, surveying the grey haired throng (if indeed they had hair), dared to suggest that perhaps it should now be annual!
The next 50 years
And what of the next 50 years? Well, most of the current members won't be around for the Centenary barbecue, but the Group has continually renewed itself over the years with new trainees and new members taking up the baton at a site which has a significant contribution to make for one so far inland. There will no doubt be further changes in bird populations as climate changes, as the nature of the countryside as a whole alters with farming policy and practice, and as the site matures further.
Will our successors be ringing Aquatic Warblers, Serins and Bee-eaters? Will there still be Redpolls and Linnets? At least there will continue to be detailed data on the birds of Rye Meads in an unbroken line back to 1960 for future ornithologists to study.