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Ringed Black-headed Gull. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter crapbirder
- Start date
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Unfortunately, not without the full number. The ring is extremely worn, so it must be a very old bird - I'd guess at least 20+ years.
crapbirder
Well-known member
Many thanks for your response.
Certainly a full adult bird so could well be the age you suggest. The ring looks as if it was meant to be over-lapped rather than butted so could be further indication of the passage of time since this bird was ringed.
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Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Reading up a bit, I'd suspect it's because it's an aluminium ring, rather then incoloy or steel - softer metal which wears more quickly. Interesting article here:
http://gull-research.org/papers/papers8/Black-headed_Gull_33years_DB_2014_249-252.pdf
http://gull-research.org/papers/papers8/Black-headed_Gull_33years_DB_2014_249-252.pdf
crapbirder
Well-known member
Again my thanks for your response and providing the link, most informative.
I freely admit to not considering we might be looking at an aluminium-magnesium alloy ring here. While not fully conversant with the requirements of every Euring member scheme (always assuming this ring is from a registered scheme), I have the impression that the use of Incoloy or stainless steel rings for gulls and other relevant species has been mandatory for many years.
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
That's why I thought it might be over 20 years - but clearly some places were still using aluminium at least as of 2006. Perhaps old stock held by a ringer who doesn't do many gulls??
crapbirder
Well-known member
Intriguing information from a colleague who keeps extensive records of marked birds of all species seen in the Cley, Norfolk area.
Right leg; metal ring no. 6186226, Riksmuseum, Stockholm. Ring dull and very worn particularly the top of the 86.
Ringed 22/6/00 as a nestling at Soederhamn, Haelsingland, E Sweden (61 19N 17 10E). Seen:-Salthouse duck pond 3-8/3/10(last number not seen), 9/2/15 and 14/1/16.
My colleague further reports the ring was missing extensive semi-circular portions of both the upper and lower circumference and the full number difficult to read due to erosion.
Right leg; metal ring no. 6186226, Riksmuseum, Stockholm. Ring dull and very worn particularly the top of the 86.
Ringed 22/6/00 as a nestling at Soederhamn, Haelsingland, E Sweden (61 19N 17 10E). Seen:-Salthouse duck pond 3-8/3/10(last number not seen), 9/2/15 and 14/1/16.
My colleague further reports the ring was missing extensive semi-circular portions of both the upper and lower circumference and the full number difficult to read due to erosion.
