Cormorant
| 9006918 | 8 | 12.05.04 | Enkhuizen, De Ven, Noord-Holland NETHERLANDS | 52 44'N 05 17'E | ||
| RR | 13.02.05 | Snettisham | 326 KM | W |
Having been prevented from wader catching by strong winds during the February trip, most of the team spent the Sunday morning birdwatching, including spotting this colour-ringed Cormorant from the Netherlands.
Oystercatcher
| FV75993 | 1 | 16.06.79 | Kirton Marsh | |||
| R | 30.08.04 | Wainfleet | 30 KM |
A 25 year old, locally fledged, Oystercatcher.
| FA15150 | 3 | 27.11.88 | Heacham | |||
| V | 30.06.05 | Vareid, Flakstad, Nordland, NORWAY | 68 07'N 13 21'E | 1828 KM | NNE |
The northernmost Oystercatcher recovery of the year, this individual was found caught up in fishing netting used to protect poultry, and safely released.
Knot
| SX19816 | 5 | 03.07.04 | Heacham | |||
| R | 25.02.05 | Brora, Highland Region | 630 KM | NNW | ||
| SX55079 | 5 | 03.07.04 | Heacham | |||
| R | 25.02.05 | Brora, Highland Region | 630 KM | NNW |
Two individuals caught together in different locations. It is interesting to note that these birds, having been caught on The Wash in July had moved north and were, apparently, wintering around the Moray Firth.
| SX55713 | 3 | 27.12.03 | Terrington | |||
| VV | 31.03.05 | Strekdam THV Standpaal 1, Noord-Holland, NETHERLANDS | 52 57'N 04 43'E | 296 KM | E | |
| SX55144 | 5 | 03.07.04 | Heacham | |||
| VV | 31.03.05 | Strekdam THV Standpaal 1, Noord-Holland, NETHERLANDS | 52 57'N 04 43'E | 286 KM | E |
Two field sightings from one diligent Dutch birdwatcher.
Sanderling
| NT53140 | 4 | 01.08.04 | Snettisham | |||
| XL | 02.08.05 | Tavira, Algarve, PORTUGAL | 37 07 ’N 07 39 ’W | 1860 KM | SSW |
Only the fifth British-ringed Sanderling to be found in Portugal, and the first from The Wash. This bird will have been on its southward migration when caught at Snettisham, however being found 'long dead' it is not clear whether it had arrived particularly early in Portugal the following year, or had, in fact, failed to make the return journey in the spring.
Dunlin
| NR79443 | 3 | 15.08.04 | Bardsey Island, Gwynedd | |||
| R | 03.09.04 | Terrington | 344 KM | E |
An unusual relocation from the west coast to east during the autumn migration.
| DDH 0B05785 | 3 | 31.08.02 | Langenwerder, Nordwestmecklenburg, GERMANY | 54 02’N 11 30’E | ||
| R | 16.10.04 | Snettisham | 742 KM | W | ||
| DDH 0B08794 | 3 | 29.08.03 | Langenwerder, Nordwestmecklenburg, GERMANY | 54 02’N 11 30’E | ||
| R | 16.10.04 | Snettisham | 742 KM | W | ||
| DDH 0B08671 | 2 | 08.09.04 | Langenwerder, Nordwestmecklenburg, GERMANY | 54 02’N 11 30’E | ||
| R | 16.10.04 | Terrington | 754 KM | W |
Three from the same German site, showing a similar migration timing in successive years, before being captured together amongst the 800+ caught at Snettisham in October 2004.
Black-Tailed Godwit
| EP85094 | 4 | 30.08.96 | Holbeach | |||
| X | 04.10.04 | Loix, Vendee, FRANCE | 46 14'N 01 25'W | 745 KM | S |
The only overseas movement of a Wash-ringed Black-Tailed Godwit reported through the BTO during the year; the eighth from The Wash to be found in France.
Bar-Tailed Godwit
| DS66532 | 4 | 03.08.73 | Friskney | |||
| R | 21.08.05 | Wainfleet | LOCAL |
Amongst the 238 Bar-Tailed Godwit at Wainfleet in August this year was DS66532, which had been ringed, already as an adult bird, on 3rd August 1973. At 32 years after its original ringing, this extends the previous British-ringed longevity record for the species. The previous record had stood at 30 years 9 months since 1998, and was also set by a Wash-ringed bird.
Whimbrel
| ES28414 | 4 | 18.08.87 | North Sea Camp | |||
| + | 20.08.05 | Asnelles, Calvados, France | 49 21’N 03 33’W | 401 KM | S |
With only modest numbers of Whimbrel having been ringed over the years, overseas recoveries from The Wash are rare, this being only the second ever reported. Like the first, way back in 1982, this one also fell victim to a French shotgun.
| FP43050 | 4 | 01.08.77 | Terrington | |||
| XF | 17.05.05 | Harkamaentie, Pyhajarvi O, Oulu, FINLAND | 63 39’N 26 03’E | 1919 KM | NE |
This bird sets a new longevity record for a Wash-ringed Curlew; taken by a predatory bird 27 years 9 months after being ringed, this bird beats our previous record which was set back in 1995, but is still two years short of the national record holder.
Turnstone
| NAW 1313-59416 | 3 | 30.07.99 | Alert, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, CANADA | 82 30'N 62 20'W | ||
| RR | 05.03.05 | Thornham | 6378 KM | ESE |
It is known that some birds from the Greenland & Canadian breeding population winter on the Wash. This colour-ringed individual was spotted by a group member at Thornham, and is the third Canadian ringed Turnstone to be found around the Wash.
| SX55200 | 4 | 02.08.04 | Terrington Bund | |||
| ? | 20.04.05 | Conakry, GUINEA | 09 31'N 13 43'W | 4977 KM | SSW |
Whilst a few Turnstone from the Fennoscandian breeding population may also winter in Britain, most occur on passage, continuing southwards to northwest and West Africa. This example, however, is the first British-ringed Turnstone to be found in Guinea, although there have been three examples from neighbouring Guinea Bissau, including two from the Wash.
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
| GN72041 | 1 | 15.06.03 | Inner Westmark Knock | |||
| VV | 01.07.05 | Blaringhem, Nord, FRANCE | 50 40'N 02 23'E | 283 KM | SSE |
The first overseas recovery of a Lesser Black-Backed Gull from the Outer Bund breeding colony. It is known that many immature birds move to, and remain, south of their natal area until they are ready to breed; this one fitting with that behaviour, being spotted by a birdwatcher in inland northern France