Curlew with satellite transmitter
An ongoing project with wintering curlews in the area of Inverness and Tain by the Highland Ringing Group. It began in 2009 when a satellite transmitter was put on a bird caught in Bunchrew Bay near Inverness. The results showed a loop migration from Scotland to Finland.
Migration route
You can read the full paper HERE
On 7th March 2016, I joined the group to catch curlews by cannon netting on Bunchrew Bay.
Laying cannon net
It was a good catch, Final tally of all the birds was 106.
Wigeon 1
Teal 4
Oystercatcher 1
Dunlin 2
Curlew 8
Redshank 74
Black Headed Gull 13
Common Gull 3
Of the re-traps, both Curlew were from Bunchrew. One ringed in Aug 14 and the other in October 94, making it at least 21 years old. The record stands at 32.
Of the Redshank one was from Alturlie (Dec14) and two from Muirton Basin, Inverness (Jan07) making them 9+ years old.
We attached 7 geo locators to the curlews – here is one flying away after processing.
Curlew released with geolocator
Results will be posted as soon as they are available.