Keith Duckers e-mailed last week with an interesting theory relating to British common bird migration theory, and here in his own words it is (with some very minor adjustments! - Ed). Thanks, Keith.I believe 75% + of our common garden birds go south for the winter and are replaced by their continental cousins. I know we have migrants coming from mainland Europe in winter, but I think there are a lot more than first realised.
In October it is quite difficult to see blackbirds, finches and robins as most have departed south, whilst in November these common species seem to re-emerge. Some items to consider regarding my theory:
A female blackbird found in the Newton catching box on Hilbre Island by Colin Jones had a Dutch ring with the words ARNHEM HOLLAND on it. (Truly fitting that it was found on Armistice day!!) http://hilbrebirdobs.blogspot.com/2009/11/11th-november-2009.html
Have you ever noticed that many robins seen in the garden in winter have an extra blue fringe around their red breasts? I noticed that there seemed to be about six of these particular birds at the Inner Marsh Farm hide, Burton, last winter, whereas in the Spring/Summer the red breasted variety exists.
I am pretty sure these are of the Scandinavian/Germanic species. - I have read this somewhere and I would appreciate any readers comments
A lot of work is done for uncommon birds regarding ringing, but I feel somebody needs to do some research with the common birds too (if they are not already). I feel sure that results from this research would reveal some surprising statistics.
Some questions for us all:
1 Where do our common garden birds go for the winter?
2 Are our Dutch friends already doing this type of research?
3 Do the 1st year young common birds follow their parents south?
4 Why did the Dutch blackbird make an epic trip to Hilbre Island?
5 Was it 'lost'?
6 Was it a young bird?
Food for thought?
I hope this has inspired readers to start inquiring about the current birding rhetoric (thinking outside the box!!!) rather than accepting the usual birding doctrine that has been passed down over the years - after all we all need something to think about during these dark and inclement winter months.
I would appreciate any comments...
Keith Duckers.
P.S - If anyone else wishes to contribute any articles (250-500 words) on anything interesting relating to birds or birding then I will consider them for publication. You can email me at pdshenton@yahoo.co.uk
3 comments:
Paul
if you check the Hilbre blog you'll see the Blackbird was actually processed by Colin Jones. Steve wasn't on the Island. The photo's on the Hilbre blog also show it's an adult male. Continental Blackbirds migrate as far west as Ireland. The theory that some of our garden birds move durign the winter isn't new - a colur ringed Blackbird was found to regularly move between Norfolk & Devon (I think!) Best regards.
Thanks Phil, ammendments have been made!
Cheers, Paul.
Paul
Unbeleivably Hlbre have done it again with a Blackbird ringed in Germany being caught today. I've also just had word of a German ringed Blackbird being found dead at Camel Lairds, Birkenhead on the 11th November.
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