13/04/12 - 2011...an impressive year!

Last week the BTO published the provisional UK ringing totals for 2011, there are still likely to be additions to this as more data is filtered in but here’s a first stab at putting some of our 2011 totals into context. It’s quite impressive (even if we do say so ourselves!).

After looking through the data we’ve pulled out some of the most pleasing species, three in particular have to be Shelduck, Shoveler and Wigeon. Within the LDV area we did 100% of pulli (unfledged) Shelduck in the UK, 43% of the total Shoveler and 46% of all Wigeon! Below are a few stats with each photograph from other species that the LDV Team have really contributed data to:

Little Grebe - 50% of the UK total (3 of the 6)

 

Whooper Swan - 3% of the UK total

 

Greylag Goose - 14% of the UK total, 30% of pulli

 

Shoveler - 43% of the UK total 

Shelduck - 32% of the UK total, 100% of pulli

 

Wigeon - 46% of the UK total

 

Gadwall - 5% of the UK total, 50% of pulli

 

Teal - 30% of the UK total

 

 

Mallard - 36% of the UK total, 82% of pulli

 

Pintail - 24% of the UK total

 

Tufted Duck - 10% of pulli

 

Moorhen - 10% of the UK total

 

Despite a poor wader year, we did 4% of all Common Snipe and 1% of Curlew (plus 3% of the pulli).

Far more surprising was that the LDV area contributed to over 1% of the total Sedge Warblers, 1.5% of the total Willow Warblers, over 1% of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and 6% of Corn Buntings (18% of adults). Also not forgetting the 1 Great Grey Shrike out the 9 done across the whole of the UK and 1 Cuckoo out the 48.

All in all 2011 was a very impressive year and it just shows what a great contribution the Lower Derwent Valley and we make to ringing in the UK, especially for waterfowl, but also, given the small numbers ringed, to some waders. Additionally the fact that 8 of the species listed above are being colour-ringed too adds to their significance in getting data back. 

Well done and thanks for everyones input, time and effort!