Monitoring bird populations
One way of monitoring bird population numbers is via ringing. It’s important to be able to monitor bird numbers in different areas due to UK conservation policies and the biodiversity action plan. One of the UK themes involves a more positive approach to UK conservation at land and at sea. A way to measure this involves measuring bird population numbers in different areas. The best method for monitoring bird numbers is via ringing.
Ringing birds is essential if we are to learn about how long they live and when and where they move-questions that are vital for bird conservation. Placing a lightweight, uniquely numbered, metal ring around a bird’s leg provides a reliable and harmless method of identifying birds as individuals. The main focus of ringing schemes today is to monitor their population numbers.
Birds may be captured by being taken as young birds at the nest or as adults, captured in fine mist nets, baited traps, heligoland traps, drag nets, cannon nets, or by other methods.
When a bird is caught, a ring of suitable size (usually made of aluminium or other lightweight material) is attached to the bird’s leg, and has on it a unique number, as well as a contact address. The bird is often weighed and measured, examined for data relevant to the ringer’s project, and then released. The rings are very light, and are designed to have no adverse effect on the birds – indeed, the whole basis of using ringing to gain data about the birds is that ringed birds should behave in all respects in the same way as the unringed population. The birds so tagged can then be identified when they are re-trapped, or found dead, later.
Bird handling
This is an example of the ringers grip, used to capture the bird and for taking wing measurements etc.
This is an example of the photographers grip, which is used to allow the bird to comfortably sit in your hand.
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