Lymington - Keyhaven Marsh - 2024 Bird Ringing Report

Jan 224 min read

New Forest Ringing Group

Marcus Ward, Andrew Colenutt, Tommy Saunders, Willow Bloomfield, Rob Farnworth, Elliot Frost, Emily-Louise Griffin, Katiana Saleiko, Tara & Amy Squire, Felix Walker-Nix, Jamie Ward.

Introduction

The ninth year of ringing at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes and our fourth year of the BTO CES (Constant Effort Survey) at Keyhaven. Poor weather had an impact on our work with, some extended spells of wet and windy weather in the summer and autumn months limiting effort. As with previous years, the main focus was on mist-netting at Keyhaven Marsh and Normandy Farm, in addition to Tern and Gull colour-ringing. A new project looking at nocturnal feeding waders across the marsh was initiated.

Overall, 1099 birds of 52 species were processed. in addition to 117 re-traps/controls.

CES

As with previous years, a diverse mix of species was recorded. Despite the poor breeding season experienced across the country, the CES produced a healthy total of 213 birds of 34 species (cf 203 birds of 26 species in 2023).

Figure 1; Totals from the 2024 Constant Effort Survey (totals includes retraps)

Seabird Ringing

A productive season with a record total of 73 Sandwich Tern pulli ringed in two colonies (Pylewell & Cockleshell), with a number of post-breeding dispersal sightings from around the UK. Despite the large number of Common Tern present on Normandy Lagoon, only a small number were ringed due to concerns surrounding disturbance of the Roseate Tern. As with the Common Tern, only one Little Tern was colour-ringed on Normandy Lagoon.

We have had three recoveries of Sandwich Tern ringed in 2023 from Gambia (x2) and Namibia; Sandwich Tern generally start breeding in their 2nd year so should be back this spring.

*Figure 2; Post fledging dispersal of pulli ringed at Pylewell and Cockleshell in 2024*

*Figure 3; Graphic showing dispersal of Sandwich Tern in 2024 and the colony at Cockleshell*

Nocturnal Survey

In 2024 we tested methodology for surveying feeding areas of nocturnal waders, chiefly Snipe, Jack Snipe and Woodcock using thermal imaging technology. Where practical we will catch and ring individuals in order to test feeding-site fidelity. The area is of a size that makes it impractical to survey the whole area over one evening, so we have broken down the area and plan to establish one or two locations for monthly surveys (possibly Oxey & Pennington Marsh) to keep track of changes over of time. We will then commit to surveying the remaining areas at least twice per winter. We will be applying for funding to support the survey, thus enabling us to commit more time. This will be part of a wider survey looking at Jack Snipe, Snipe and Woodcock across the lawns and heathland of the New Forest and some sections of adjacent farmland.

During the initial trial we have found significant numbers of Snipe across the area and smaller numbers of Jack Snipe. The snipe can be difficult to count; in some cases estimates are made, especially in wetter areas shared with wildfowl, in order to reduce the disturbance to both species.

*Figure 4; proposed recording areas for nocturnal wader survey*

Notable records and recoveries

Notable records included a good total of six juvenile Nightjar, again confirming breeding on site (up to six pairs recorded between Keyhaven and Oxey). Other good totals included a record number of Long-tailed Tits ringed with 75 new birds during the year suggesting a good season. Cetti’s Warbler also appeared to have a good year with 14 new birds recorded.

New species for the site included our first Pied Flycatcher (caught during a CES session). Notable recoveries included our third Reed Warbler movement to Llangorse Lake, Powys showing a definite connection between the site and mid/north Wales. Other interesting movements involved a Willow Warbler that was re-trapped on the Isle of Man and a Mediterranean Gull ringed as a rather tatty and scrappy chick was seen a month later by a birdwatcher at Par Beech Pool in Cornwall. Very pleasing that the only Mediterranean Gull ringed this year produced a recovery.

In addition to the great re-sighting of Sandwich Tern, we had some interesting re-sightings of Sandwich Terns ringed in 2023 with two seen off of The Gambia and one in Namibia, a staggering distance of 11250km. A Little Tern ringed in April in The Gambia was back on Normandy Lagoon on 11th May having travelled 5050km in just 38 days; it went on to breed on Normandy Lagoon. A Common Tern originally ringed in 2022 was observed back on Normandy Lagoon though it was not possible to confirm if it was breeding on site.

2024 Ringing recoveries

*Table 2: Controls and selected re-traps recorded in 2023 (see appendix 1 for full list of recoveries)*

Future Plans

In addition to continuation of the general ringing at both Keyhaven and Normandy, we plan to continue the CES at Keyhaven and the Tern and Gull colour-ringing project based around Normandy Marsh, Cockleshell and Pylewell.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Pete Durnell for arranging access and providing the relevant permissions and to Julian Sheppard and his team for maintaining the rides. Also thanks to the ringing team: Andrew Colenutt (A), Tommy Saunders (A), Willow Bloomfield (T), Rob Farnworth (T), Elliot Frost (T), Emily-Louise Griffin (T), Katiana Saleiko (T), Amy & Tara Squire (T), Felix Walker-Nix (T), Jamie Ward (T), along with the many ringers and trainees that joined us on site throughout the year.

Marcus Ward, January 2025