Site faithful Woodcock returns

Out last night on Y Frenni we caught the first retrap Woodcock of the winter.

It was in the same field, just 260 metres away from where it was ringed on January 30th this year. (yellow line on the map) Although we know how site faithful they are on their wintering grounds it is always humbling to think of the huge distance that the bird has flown since last seen.

The route on the map shows a fairly typical night out with the lamp - 4 kilometres and 168 metres of ascent on improved sheep pasture.Batteries dying are the only reason for stopping so with a new torch on the Christmas wish list, the route will hopefully be longer in the new year!
Location of the three new Woodcock ringed were logged when they were caught then ring numbers added to Google Earth once the night's track is uploaded.This adds to our database of ringing location at each site, building up a picture of distribution and density.

Another of our Woodcock ringed in Crymych won't be returning this year. News this week from the BTO that one ringed on 22nd January this year was shot near Lostwithiel in Cornwall on 28th November.