If we look at the UK and Ireland ringing totals for Jack Snipe over the past 12 years since 2001 we can see that it is an infrequently caught bird where the numbers ringed fluctuates greatly in relation to the weather conditions. Since the start of our extensive Woodcock and Golden Plover ringing projects in 2009 we have started to catch good numbers and currently ring a significant proportion of all Jack Snipe ringed each year (over 20% in 2011).
This year early indications were of a good influx of birds into Britain as detailed on the BTO's Birdtrack
Our own ringing has supported this and last night I scored another "hat-trick" and at the same time ringed the 23rd Jack Snipe of the year. So far we have ringed 94 Jack Snipe since 1981 but have yet to have our first bird recovered. Up to the end of 2012 just 4,554 Jack Snipe had ever been ringed in UK and Ireland and although recovery rates are low these have provided a good insight into where our winter birds originate from and travel on to.
Hopefully one or two of these recent birds may one day also grace the updated page on the BTO website.
Hopefully more to come yet :)
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, December could yield quite a few more, especially if we get this cold weather they're promising. Had another hat-trick tonight so on 24 now!
ReplyDeleteBlimey, a record year indeed then. So how many waders have you caught since the 16th November?
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