Wow. We had had a great result from the Linnet mentioned on here a day or two ago.
As suspected, ring number AYD5167 that Andy and I caught at Gulf Lane on 24th December had been ringed in Scotland. Better still, the Linnet location on 8th September 2018 was the Scottish island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney some 605 km due north of Gulf Lane.
Wiki - “The main purpose of the island's bird observatory, established in 1987, is to conduct long-term monitoring of bird populations and migration. North Ronaldsay is well known as one of the best birdwatching sites in the country during the spring and autumn migration periods.”
Linnet - North Ronaldsay to Gulf Lane, Pilling/Cockerham
North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory - Mike Pennington
Given the location of North Ronaldsay there is a good chance that AYD5167 was passing through and that its original location and birth place in the summer months was Shetland, or even Norway. We cannot know for certain where it began the long journey south, however this latest information is now the third link between the wintering Linnets of Gulf Lane and the far North of Scotland.
The Orkney Islands UK
My one visit to North Ronaldsay was more years ago than I care to remember, but I do recall, quote - “the quantity and variety of birds that can be seen at these times is often spectacular.” It was too and I recall catching Long-eared Owls, Yellow-browed Warblers, Waxwings, hundreds of Scandinavian Blackbirds, and a real rarity, a single Pine Bunting.
Pine Bunting - by Jargal Lamjav
There was even a Linnet or two.
Linnet
Stay tuned. Wednesday is looking good for more birding and ringing.
Linking this post to Anni's Birding Blog.
Linking this post to Anni's Birding Blog.
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11 comments:
In the meantime...Happy New Year!
Good morning Phil: How truly exciting this is. I can only imagine your elation as more pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. Perhaps the next step will be a nestling banded in the Isles or in Norway, so you will have further information to follow the migratory route and accurately establish the age of the bird. I have never been to The Shetlands, The Orkneys, or any of those other remote northern islands, and I doubt that I ever will, and I had no former knowledge of the bird observatory on North Ronaldsay, but I can understand how significant it doubtless is. I am sure you are happy that, if only once, you had the opportunity to band there. The older we get the more precious these memories are.
Yes David. We are very excited about this and especially to add it to the previous one in Shetland. Thanks for your appreciative support.
That is extremely cool!!! All my best this year! I'll be in a town called Llagoed in Wales in March to do some birding. Looking forward to the challenges! Happy New Year!
Very cool!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/12/king-of-mountain-kitty-style.html, and best wishes for the new year!
Congratulations on all the work you do catching and recording birds. It certainly adds to bird knowledge for the rest of us. Birds are beautiful and wonderful little creatures and your work just proves it.
I'm always amazed by how far birds travel, Nice work!
How exciting for you to get results from your ringing, I am sure that you must be over the moon. Birds travel such great distances it never ceases to amaze me. Happy New Year, Diane
So pleased to read about the great result :)
All the best Jan
You do such good work and share such wonderful photos with us. I love learning more about what you do and what you see! Enjoy your weekend!
I so enjoy reading about banded birds (ringed)...I find it extremely fascinating. Those incredible journeys! All from the likes & determination (not to mention a lifetime of loyalty of your work) of birders like you & Adam.
We, at I'd Rather B Birdin, enjoyed your post this week...thanks for linking in.
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