Bird Ringing Scheme
BTO published a new statement on COVID-19 on 15 April 2021. We ask that ringers follow this advice, and specific advice received by email.
Bird ringing generates information on the survival, productivity and movements of birds, helping us to understand why populations are changing.
Ringing data make a major contribution to the study of population changes and to our understanding of species declines. Bird populations are determined by the number of fledglings raised and the survival of both juveniles and adults.
Whilst ringers collect data on survival, volunteers for the Nest Record Scheme collect information on productivity. The results can be analysed in combination with population trend data, such as that collected through the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, to determine at which stage of a bird’s life cycle there might be a problem. This enables scientists and conservationists to target appropriate mitigation measures.
Time / skill required
Project timeline, contributions & findings
Project timeline
- 1909 – Ringing began in Britain & Ireland
- 1937 – BTO took over running of the Ringing Scheme
- 1957 – Ringers’ Bulletin launched
- 1965 – First edition of the Ringers’ Manual published
- 1975 – Ringing & Migration journal first published
- 1983 – Constant Effort Scheme (CES) launched
- 1998 – Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) Scheme launched
Contributions & findings
- Winter wren populations show adaptation to local climate
- Flexibility in the timing of post-breeding moult in British passerines
- Latitudinal gradients in the productivity of European migrant warblers have not shifted northwards during a period of climate change
- Integrating demographic data: towards a framework for monitoring wildlife populations at large spatial scales
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