Exciting Update from North Cornwall Ringing Group - In a remarkable turn of events that highlights the value of ongoing wildlife monitoring, the North Cornwall Bird Ringing Group is thrilled to report a significant update about one of the birds ringed at the Goss Moor.
Back in August 2018, Pete Roseveare, our Head Ringer, embarked on a project involving a family of Dartford Warblers located in the Goss Moor. His work included detailed monitoring and the careful ringing of these birds, which was aimed at tracking their movements and contributing to broader conservation efforts in the local area. This project was all done under a schedule 1 liscense.
Moving forward to April 2024, an intriguing development occurred when local birdwatcher, Mark Whittaker, encountered an adult male Dartford Warbler singing on his regular patch approximately four miles from Goss Moor. Mark managed to capture a few photographs of the bird and noticed a metal ring on its leg, then leaving it undisturbed, mindful of the need for a Schedule 1 permit to do anything more. With a keen eye and diligent approach, Mark was able to identify the unique ring combination. This discovery prompted him to contact the British Trust for Ornithology and local ringing experts to share his findings regarding the ring's code and the bird's current location.
To everyone's astonishment, it was confirmed that this particular Dartford Warbler was indeed one of the fledglings originally ringed in 2018. This revelation is especially significant as it sets a new longevity record for the species in the UK. Dartford Warblers typically have an average lifespan of about two years, making this bird's survival and continued breeding potential in 2024 a noteworthy anomaly. Pete expressed immense delight upon learning that one of the warblers he ringed has thrived for 5 years and 8 months, suggesting that perhaps its Cornish heritage played a role in its impressive longevity! His joy was further strengthened by the news that the bird was still active and showing signs of breeding.
This heartening update not only highlights the success of our ringing efforts but also provides valuable insights into the resilience and life history of the Dartford Warbler, enriching our understanding and informing future conservation strategies in Cornwall. The North Cornwall Ringing Group remains committed to its mission of bird study in the local area, with hopes high that this particular Dartford Warbler will continue to thrive for some time to come. This case wonderfully illustrates the impact of detailed, ongoing fieldwork and the unexpected joys it can bring to the scientific community and nature enthusiasts alike. We eagerly anticipate further exciting developments from our feathered friends in the region!
We would like to thank for sharing not only his finding, but the gorgeous photos of the Dartford Warbler we have shared on this blog too, please contact Mark if you would like to use any of the photos in the future.
For more detailed information about the species check out: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/dartford-warbler
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