Bird ringing and peregrines - is this really necessary?

Outlaw · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 11:25 PM

There was a bit on the BBC's Springwatch tonight on ringing peregrine chicks which I found concerning, to say the least.

For those of you who didn't see it, Martin Hughes Games, the long haired one, scaled down the Avon Gorge to ring 5 peregrine chicks. Each one was taken from the nest, put into a bag and winched up the cliff face. There they were ringed and presumably weighed, then stuck back in the bag and lowered down the cliff again.

Now I know there are some benefits to bird ringing, the data it provides, etc, but I can't help thinking in cases like these the stress caused to the chicks really outweighs any real benefit. Peregrines have probably never been so common, they're doing quite nicely thanks. I don't see that they need to have this kind of intrusion. Am I being overly-sensitive here, or do others have concerns about this kind of operation?

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 04:40 AM

I think the stress to the birds is minimal + I think the data that results is worthwhile. Yes Peregrines are more common than they have been, but it's useful to know more about their movements,etc.

The biggest stress must be having to go down the cliff for the ringers- I wouldn't fancy it!

Rob_D · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 08:37 AM

Ringing is a really important way to find out vital information on species. Eg how long do they live? If you don't have good data on typical lifespans in wild situations, you really won't be able to understand population changes.

Only a low percentage of rings ever get recovered. Hence, you need to ring lots of birds to get even small bits of useful information. It's every bit as important (if not more important arguably) to study and conserve common species as rare ones.

It didn't appear that the chicks were overly stressed, and the ringers are using a protocol that has been devised to avoid seriously affecting their chances.

SheffieldLass · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 04:31 PM

I think the only real issue may be that be showing it on television, some people might think that if it is ok for a licensed ringer to pick up and handle chicks, then it is ok for them to go to the nests in their gardens and handle the chicks there ... Oh, and rock climbers to ignore the cliff closure notices ....

captivebolt · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 04:42 PM

And how do we know they are becoming common? By ringing them.

CB

Fauna · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 05:16 PM

I've got mixed feelings on ringing, but, i'm going to keep them to myself.

What i would like to know (as we are on this subject) do Bullfinch get highly stressed to the point of death from being netted for ringing. I've been told this on a number of occassions by several participants in bird netting/ringing that they do?

Goatboy · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 06:37 PM

I think the most stressful thing would be being gawped at by the flowncy long haired fop.

Is he really necessary?

Meta menardi · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatboy

I think the most stressful thing would be being gawped at by the flowncy long haired fop.

Is he really necessary?

As we can see from your avatar, you are a truly handsome person. Be a little more magnanimous!

RKB · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 08:05 PM

Bottom line is that birds have very stressful lives, and they are adapted to cope with stress. The stress of handling the chicks is not enough to affect their survival chances, and they just deal with it and have probably forgotten 10 minutes later. If it affected them in any meaningful way then ringing would be useless, as it aims to gather data on birds in natural conditions.

It's thanks to ringing that we no longer think that Swallows winter at the bottom of ponds. It's vital for monitoring populations and gathering behavioural data that helps us conserve them. We shouldn't project our own ideas about stress and hardship onto birds, which have the threat of starvation or being eaten hanging over them every single day. Ringing wont be the best day of their lives, but it will be far from the worst, and the benefit to the species (through giving us knowledge) is more than worth it.

Rob_D · #10 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatboy

I think the most stressful thing would be being gawped at by the flowncy long haired fop.

Is he really necessary?

Got to agree with that comment. He was certainly not doing anything useful in that sequence.

BTONews arrived yesterday with a piece about ringing British Hobbies. 2000 birds ringed <3% ever recovered, and only 3 ever found abroad!