The raptor species have provided some interesting recoveries this year. Both Kestrels travelled south, this has also been found in previous years, one wonders why a Buzzard would be found dead on a beach – but the recovery shows that our young birds range widely in winter. At nearly 10 years old the female Merlin is still going strong, our studies indicate that young Merlins leave the breeding areas soon after fledging whist the adults remain longer. The recovery date of this bird suggests it may have been breeding in Wiltshire.

Distance record this year goes to the Sand Martin on return passage from Africa, quite possibly back to Ben Rhydding, as indicated by previous recoveries
The Garden Warbler recovery shows the bird started travelling south on migration soon after fledging, building up its fat reserves on route, whilst the Pied Flycatcher is in line with previous recoveries in indicating that local breeders often only move a few km if they change sites.

The Siskin recoveries show the amount of movement these birds undertake and within a short space of time, suggesting many of our winter/spring birds have a distance to travel to their breeding grounds. We have included some 2004 returns (just in) to show the pattern emerging.

Euring Age Codes

1 Pullus (nestling or chick)
2 Fully grown, year of hatching unknown
3 Hatched current year
3J Hatched current year – still showing juvenile plumage
4 Hatched before current calendar year, year unknown
5 Hatched previous calendar year
6 Hatched before last calendar year, year unknown
Sex codes M= Male F=Female
Controlled Intentionally taken by ringer

Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all the landowners and estate and reserve managers that have allowed us to continue and develop our ringing studies during 2003, Hansons PLC, Yorkshire Water, Otley Wetlands Trust, Denton Hall Estate, Blubberhouses Estate, H Walker, Mrs F Caton, Harrogate Council, Otley Town Council, Weston Estate, Pool Paper Mills, Bradford Council

Please note, many of the sites we use are on private land and therefore not open to the public but if BOG members wish to observe some ringing or learn more please feel free to contact any of the ringers.
T Kuechel 2004
pp. Colin Harrison, Peter Roe, Andy Jowett