Wildlifewriter Founder member
Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Norn Iron
|
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:18 pm Post subject: Bird rings |
|
|
I had an e-mail query this morning. The sender & family had found a dead bird (a lapwing, by the sound of it) which was seen to have a ring on its leg. He wanted to know what to do. I thought that the Forum might be interested to know something about this, as well...
Hi, and thanks for your message.
Firstly: you did the right thing in not letting the kids touch the bird. It might have died of something nasty, - or it might not have been dead at all, in which case they could've got pecked or scratched.
To answer your question: bird rings in the UK are pretty straightforward. There are two main clearing houses for the return of ring information:
1) Pigeons: Usually have a code on the ring indicating country of origin. Those with "GB" codes can be reported here: Royal Pigeon Racing Association site. There can be rings belonging to local associations, but the RPRA will usually clear them.
2) Everything else: The British Trust for Ornithology clears ring info on behalf of the Euring organization, either by phone, letter, or online form. The website portal is HERE
BTO receive a great many reports and can get a bit sniffy if full information is not provided with the report. This is a pity because it doesn't encourage the general public to help. They DO need (as well as the ring number) a date, time, and place found - at the very least - for the data to be of scientific use.
Hope this helps, & best regards
(etc)
-Wlw. _________________ A brussels sprout is for life, not just for Christmas |
|