Controls
Controls are birds ringed elsewhere which we subsequently catch at Rye Meads. We control a lot fewer birds than we get recoveries from those that we ring, but it is always exciting to catch a bird with a strange ring, especially if that ring is from a foreign ringing scheme.
The details can sometimes take a while to come through to us, but here are some of the more interesting Controls whose ringing details have been notified to the Group.
July – August 2018
A period dominated by heat and drought resulted in few birds, and very disappointing migration numbers. Best bird was our fourth Little Tern, and the first at this time of year.
More…May – June 2018
Spoonbill, Black Tern, two Starts and a Chat, and record counts of Mute Swan and Hobby were the highlights of May and June at Rye Meads.
More…March – April 2018
Lots of legs in the news this period, with Great White Egret, Avocets, both Godwits, Curlew and Spotted Redshank visiting!
More…January – February 2018
A very quiet winter period, with only a site record count of Red Kites and a ‘tristis’ type Chiffchaff particularly notable.
More…Pullus ringing does give interesting results
Toby Spall has long been a dedicated nest-finder and pullus-ringer - you may have read his article in the recent issue of BTO News. But he still finds great pleasure in small rewards from this activity, as he explains here.
More…November – December 2017
From Whoopers to Hawfinches, with the spice of more detailed counts of our everyday birds, the early winter period was not without its interest!
More…