Returning Whimbrel

When we started our Whimbrel colour-ringing project four years ago, one of the main questions we wanted to answer was to what extent birds used the same staging sites in West Wales in subsequent springs. So far we have had little evidence to support the idea that they do but last night Brendan, Hannah and I caught 11 more Whimbrel including A77 which was originally ringed at the same location on 13th May 2012 - our first ever record of a returning bird.

Also caught last night was a Dutch-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit, which, judging by the amount of wear on the metal ring, has been kicking about for a few years. As the bird was also colour-ringed it will be interesting to find out where else that has been seen.