It was on December 2018 in Another Bird Blog, that I related the latest chapter in the chronicle of Project Linnet with Linnet AJD5167, caught on 18 September on the Scottish island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney, 605 km due north of Gulf Lane. We had recaptured the Linnet at Gulf Lane on 24th December 2018. This was a clear example of autumnal juvenile dispersal/migration to a wintering destination.
And now we have another Linnet that evidences the link between our locally wintering Linnets with Northern Scotland and the Northern Isles.
This latest one is a fine example of a first year wintering bird returning in the following spring to the same area in which it was born. AJD6518 was caught and ringed at Gulf Lane, Cockerham as a juvenile male 26th November 2018 and recaptured at the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, Orkney Isles on 07th May 2019. This is a time of year when the Linnet had either finished or was very close to the end of its spring migration, a journey of 605 km from Lancashire.
This latest one is a fine example of a first year wintering bird returning in the following spring to the same area in which it was born. AJD6518 was caught and ringed at Gulf Lane, Cockerham as a juvenile male 26th November 2018 and recaptured at the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, Orkney Isles on 07th May 2019. This is a time of year when the Linnet had either finished or was very close to the end of its spring migration, a journey of 605 km from Lancashire.
Linnet- Cockerham to Orkney
AJD6518 was one of only two Linnets captured on the day of 26th November during a period when the Linnets were proving very hard to trap. This result and others vindicate mine and Andy’s efforts at that time to continue with the project despite some very low catches with very cold and frustrating mornings when the Linnets would not cooperate.
The capture of AJD6518 with a wing measurement of 87 mm was one of several Linnets from the 650+ plus captured as part of the project over three winters that triggered “possible error” messages on DemOn, the BTO online database where ringers enter their captures.
"Possible Error" - BTO DemOn
As in previous captures/recaptures we have noted that these movements of Scottish birds involve slightly darker plumaged birds and those with slightly longer wings. In many species of birds a tendency to have longer wings than other individuals can be a pointer to clinal variation or sometimes a different sub species. Clinal definition - "a gradual change in a character or feature across the distributional range of a species or population, usually correlated with an environmental or geographic transition."
Linnet - Male
"Scottish" Linnet
At the present time our Project is on target to recommence in August/September 2019 and into spring 2020. Farmer Richard has sown the crop of bird seed mix, the spring and summer so far has been good for growth and we expect a healthy crop will lead to a good number of autumn and winter Linnets to ring, many of them from Scotland.
Results like these highlight the value and importance of agri-environment schemes that are designed to benefit farmland birds. In this case a wintering population of many hundreds of Linnets that use the small Gulf Lane site throughout the winter months, enabling them to survive, migrate in the spring and to then breed in order to maintain their population.
And finally, a reminder from The Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Survey of the population trend of the Linnet and the reason for our project.
Back soon.
In the meantime, linking to https://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com and http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com. Take a look.
And finally, a reminder from The Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Survey of the population trend of the Linnet and the reason for our project.
Linnet - 1966- 2017 via BTO
Back soon.
In the meantime, linking to https://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com and http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com. Take a look.
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12 comments:
Hello Phil: I like the part about you feeling vindicated in your decision to persevere with the Linnet project. If we all sought immediate gratification we would all be abandoning our projects very quickly. It is sticking to it, and amassing information over time that yields results, and you must have a particular sense of satisfaction with this individual who has filled in so many gaps in the distributional knowledge of the species. Good work, my friend.
wow...linnet extremely decrease from original population to 2007 population.
so sad
Interesting. Hope you are well, have a good weekend Diane
How sad to see the numbers plummet! And what good work you are doing. I'm learning so much reading your posts! Enjoy your weekend!
The population drop is scary. And your dedication for data/research is noted! Great work. You should be so proud of what you accomplish with each season. I look forward to future results in 2020. (I also think the farmers planting crops for bird seed is such an ideal solution...I don't think I've read this happening in America)
Ps...thanks for the help on the spotting scope. And yes, I have seen Susan's performance...it took my breath away. As soon as she recorded on CDs, I bought one.
For linking in with us this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin', I thank you. Happy birding!
just stop by to say hello..
# I agree with Anni> population dropping is scary
The drop in population is a sad feature of our times. Well done for all your hard work and dedication.
Helo,
It is sad to see any birds population drop. Great post and info. Something needs to be done. Enjoy your day, have a great new week ahead.
Sad statistics - great photos!
What a lovely bird, but sad to hear of its declining numbers.
We need all this kind of data so much these days - even if much of it is depressing.
Recapture data is a real thrill I think!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Phil - I can fully appreciate how satisfying this result is. Well done. I for one am very glad that your persist with your project. Keep calm and bird on!
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