Ringing Report 30 December 2025
The weather was cold, dry and still. The catch this time was of a similar size as the one at the beginning of December but the mix of ages was very different. Where as the early December catch was two thirds juveniles, this catch was almost 50% adults and a much higher percentage of re-trap birds, with over two thirds re-traps whereas in early December just over half.
The weather is now much colder and this and predators are taking their toll of the younger birds. The adults are now looking for food and coming to the reserve for extra food. Amongst the Blue Tits were five ringed in 2023, and one each from 2022 and 2021. There were birds fledged from boxes 2 and 5. Also a Great Tit fledged from Box 10 in 2022. There were a number of birds that had survived predators with a Blue Tit with only one leg and a Long-tailed Tit that had lost a foot.
The Redwing was ringed on the Island on 18 January 2023, so in its third winter. The Cetti’s Warbler was a female, the fourth of this autumn/winter.
Photos: Julian Limentani
Left – Chaffinch, male; below – Redwing
