Press Releases - Nov/Dec 2005 - Item 9

No. 2005/11/43
November 2005

Black is back (in Devon)

Commuting between its summer Norfolk home and its winter Devon one, the extraordinary journey continues for BTO-ringed Blackbird CL98725 as it reappears in its warmer, winter Devon garden for the third time.

First ringed in a Thetford garden on 5 July 2003 and given a unique set of coloured rings (blue, blue, red), it is now back again in Devon for its third winter. This time it has managed to turn up over a month earlier than usual, maybe it has got better at navigating its way there! Its trips between Norfolk and Newton Abbot are becoming the stuff of local legend and it really does go to show that we still have a lot to learn about even our commonest birds.

The travels of Blackbird CL98725 – blue, blue, red:

• Ringed 5 July 2003 as a young bird, newly out of the nest.
• It was caught again and colour-ringed on 20 September 2003, by which time it could be identified as a male (weighing 106g).
• Last seen in Thetford on 30 September 2003 (108g).

• Turned up in Newton Abbot on 26 December 2003.
• Seen regularly in the garden until 14 February 2004.

• Resighted back in Thetford 29 May 2004 and seen several times subsequently.
• Caught once more in Thetford 26 June 2004 when it was photographed.

• Resighted in Newton Abbot 26 December 2004 and seen there until 16 February 2005.
• Caught again in Thetford on 3 March 2005 and remained there until 22 October.
• Seen again in Newton Abbot 17 November 2005.

Notes for Editors

1) Each year, about 800,000 birds are ringed in Britain and Ireland by trained volunteers, operating on behalf of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Ringing, as a practical science, can only be learnt working in the ‘field’ with a qualified trainer, of which there are over 300 in the country. After undergoing a period of training, usually of two years or more, a successful trainee is awarded a C permit, allowing him or her to ring alone, but still on behalf of a trainer. See www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/become-a-ringer.htm

2) The volunteer ringers give freely of their time and expertise and also provide a substantial part of the scheme’s funding. Part of the BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the BTO and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland). The scheme also receives support from Duchas the Heritage Service – National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland).

3) Photographs of the colour-ringed Blackbird in Norfolk and Devon are available from Mark Grantham by emailing or phoning 01842 750050. Mark works in the BTO’s Ringing Office and will be happy to provide more information on ringing and to explain just how unusual this record is.

4) The BTO has an ISDN line for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Martin Fowlie on 01842 750050, or e-mail:
Mark Grantham on 01842 750050

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