Press Releases - Sept/Oct 2006 - Item 2

No. 2006/09/38
Sept 2006

Norfolk Blackbird speeds back to Finland

The BTO Ringing Unit has just received details of the speedy migration
of a Norfolk Blackbird. This female Blackbird, a familiar garden bird to
many people, was found on migration in southern Finland.

Not to be outdone by Homer the Blackbird, who has regularly commuted between Thetford and Devon in recent years, this bird (with ring number CT90769) made the 1,700km journey to Finland in just over three weeks.

This bird was originally caught by local Norfolk ringer Ashley Saunders near Fakenham, who commented that “We caught this bird during a routine session at our winter feeding site in woodland near Kettlestone. We normally catch large numbers of Blue and Great Tits there, with just the occasional Blackbird - little could we have known how far this bird would eventually travel.”

Mark Grantham, Ringing Officer in the BTO’s Ringing Unit, confirmed that “Since the ringing scheme in Britain and Ireland began over 95 years ago, only 13 Blackbirds ringed in Norfolk have been found in Finland, so this is a very unusual record. People may be surprised though that their regular winter Blackbirds may be from as far afield as Finland, Germany or even Russia.”

Notes for Editors

1. Anyone finding a ringed bird is asked to report it via www.ring.ac

2. Across Britain and Ireland, 2000 volunteer ringers ring about 800,000 birds each year. They give freely of their time and expertise and also provide a substantial part of the Scheme's funding. Much 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 National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland).

3. Anyone can contribute to the work of the BTO Ringing Scheme by looking out for ringed birds. If you find a dead bird, remember to check its legs for rings. Any ringed bird should be reported to the BTO, either via the web at www.ring.ac or by calling the Ringing Unit on 01842 750050.

4. Images are available from Ashley Saunders on

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