Biodiversity
Cotswold Water Park Ringing Group
The Cotswold Water Park Ringing Group (CWRG) was established in 2003 to promote the study of our bird populations through monitoring and bird ringing studies.
- To promote the study and monitoring of bird populations within the CWP, to enable increased understanding of the way birds use habitats in the CWP for breeding, migration and wintering.
- To undertake ringing studies and monitoring of ecological and research value, of species characteristic of the area, thereby contributing to the Cotswold Water Park Biodiversity Action Plan (CWP BAP).
Key Aims
Welcome to the Cotswold Water Park Ringing Group
For several years bird ringers from Wiltshire and Gloucestershire recognised the need for a co-coordinated approach to bird study in the Cotswold Water Park (CWP) across the county boundary. This led, in partnership with the Cotswold Water Park Society, to the formation of the CWRG in March 2003.
All bird ringing in and around the CWP is now co-ordinated by a partnership of the CWRG and Cotswold Water Park Society. The Society coordinates access to private land (including active mineral sites), coordinates health and safety procedures, logistics and funding. This enables the members of CWRG to undertake many hours of bird monitoring and ringing in the CWP each year, increasing our understanding of these populations.
Key Projects
The Constant Effort Ringing Site (Waterhay Ringing Station)
Waterhay Ringing Station is operated as part of the national Constant Effort Scheme (see: http://www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/ces/index.htm) ensuring that efforts within the CWP contribute to national bird monitoring programmes.
The Sand Martin RAS Project
Each year in the CWP, up to 1500 pairs of Sand Martins breed within the active quarries, encouraged and supported by the mineral companies operating here. The Recapture for Adult Survival (RAS) enables effective long term monitoring of our Sand Martins, linked to national studies. The CWP Sand Martin RAS is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, since it is undertaken at landscape level at several colonies across the CWP (see http://www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/ras/index.htm for further details).
The Black Headed Gull Colour Ringing Project
The chicks of our gulls have been ringed with plastic rings bearing a unique numbered code since 2004. This enables the CWRG and local birders to monitor the movements of these birds around the UK. During the winter, our birds have moved as far afield as southern Ireland, South Wales, Devon, Cornwall and even Calais. During 2006 we have seen many of the birds ringed as chicks in 2004 return here to breed.
If you see any colour ringed Black Headed Gulls, please note the location, time, date and age of the bird and contact us as soon as possible.
The Reed Bunting Colour Ringing Project
Reed Buntings have been a focus of study for several years in the CWP, in part because they are a CWP Biodiversity Action Plan species. Several hundred birds have now been individually colour ringed and many may be seen whilst birding in the CWP and surrounding area.
If you see any colour ringed Reed Buntings, please note the exact combination of coloured rings and their positions, along with the location, time and date. We'd love to hear from you!
Grey Heron Colour Marking (Wing Tags)
Grey Herons have been wing tagged in the CWP for several years as part of a project covering the Severn Vale and CWP. Wing tagged Grey Herons are regularly seen at the Waterhay and at Keynes Country Park, so please look out for them. Each bird will have 1 tag on both wings, with a 2 digit code. Please note the colour of the tags and the code. Please also look out for the red ring on one leg.
Further Information
If you have any comments on this web page or would like further information on these projects, please contact Gareth Harris, Biodiversity Officer on 01285 861459, by email on gareth.harris@waterpark.org or at the address on the contacts page.
