@maggiemae Thank you, they are actually quite a common species, but I think their numbers might be in decline. They nest in very large colonies, unusually for sea birds often well inland. The idea behind this study, and with several other bird species is to see where else they get to through the year. To see if there is a particular problem for the birds there. With the traditional small metal ring that this bird is wearing, normally you need to find the dead body or occasionally be lucky and recapture a live bird. This over the years has provided much valuable information. However with larger blue leg-rings which can be seen and read with binoculars, telescopes or a decent camera lens from quite a long way away. Providing far more information.
For instance I am just outside Liverpool UK. Bird 225B has been to Lithuania for the summer and returned here, and think it’s 202B, has spent the last two summers in Oslo !!!
It gets quite interesting to try and collect the different numbers, when you report them online you get the birds known history.
They might be a rare breed. So a good photo to keep!
For instance I am just outside Liverpool UK. Bird 225B has been to Lithuania for the summer and returned here, and think it’s 202B, has spent the last two summers in Oslo !!!
It gets quite interesting to try and collect the different numbers, when you report them online you get the birds known history.