Ringed chiffchaff

[johnpw]

This was definitely a chiffchaff (from the song). Probably a ridiculous question but can anyone tell where this comes from by the ring? I assume there aren't too many people ringing them but I might be wrong. Image blown up to show the ring more than the bird.


Regards
John

[demicav]

I can't think why it would be ringed. Maybe it was a rescue- release .

[demicav]

I just did some googling and apparantly Chiffchaffs do get ringed in this country by certain bird groups due to it being a bird that migrates.

[GuyF]

To find out for sure, you'd probably need to see all the numbers from the ring, but it could well be from one of the bird observatories around the UK. Some of these places (Portland is the nearest to me) put out nets which catch migrant birds which are then ringed to help find out more about their migrations and breeding habits. It may have been ringed somewhere else in Europe as well but you can't tell without seeing the ring in detail.
Guy

[johnpw]

I thought it was too optimistic. I see from Google that some Chiffchaffs are ringed with coloured identifiers on the other leg. Shame this isn't always done when ringing birds so that you don't have to wait until they are caught or dead.
Regards
John

[Adam Cheeseman]

From my experience there are ringing clubs and individuals all over the place not just at observatories on the coast that ring every bird that comes into their nets.

The only way to tell where your bird comes from is to try and read the number on the ring and then get in touch with the natural history museum and ask them. They will then be able to send you a report about the bird.

The Runnymede Ringing Club cover numerous sites in Berks, Middx, and Surrey, including Bedfont Lakes where I work. If it wasn't for their invaluable efforts over the years we wouldn't have had at least half the data they provide, not only about migrant populations, but the state of resident species too.

Cheers,

Adam