Category Results

What we have learned from our ringing programme

A review of ringing in 2024

Head of a Stonechat
We ringed 3,065 new birds in 2024, our best year since 2019. Some species had really good totals, and some really low ones. See our recovery highlights and a full ringing table.

A review of ringing in 2023

Penduline Tit held in the hand
Once again this year we had to contend with restrictions on access to various parts of the site, as well as disappointing numbers of some birds. But there were some successes nevertheless! For the full list and a summary analysis, read on...

A review of ringing in 2022

A ringer holds a Great Tit chick for reserve visitors to photograph
In 2022 we ringed just under 3,000 birds, well down on our long term average but better than the previous two Covid-impacted years. There were however some records set!

A traveller returns

The Green Sandpiper with colour rings photographed in Skaugdalen in May 2023
We already know from BTO recoveries that wintering Green Sandpipers in the UK normally breed in Scandinavia, but now we have more specific news of where one of the Rye Meads wintering birds goes to breed. It's even been photographed there!

An update on our rehab Bittern

Bittern head
Back in September 2016, a juvenile female Bittern that had been in care after an accident was released at Rye Meads with one of our rings on it. Alan Harris provides the latest news on her story.

Ringing Review of 2021

A bad breeding season, no access to Thames Water land, further Covid restrictions... Ringing totals were low, but where were the bright spots?

Ringing Review of 2020

Given the restricted activities due to site closures and social distancing, it's not surprising that the ringing total was low; but there were still some highlights.