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| Snipe - a declining marshland species |
VALUABLE information about the migration of Snipe is being revealed by ongoing research.
In March this year, seven birds were tagged - one in Fife and six in Cornwall with a view to establishing where they breed.
Data from the GPS tags suggests that two of the birds have remained in situ, but the latest whereabouts of the other five records have been at sites in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Germany.
Bleddyn Thomas, who captured the birds and tagged them at both sites, comments: "It is not possible yet to say with certainty whether these are where our tagged Snipe will breed, as they could continue to travel further.
"Nevertheless, the differences in the directions taken by these individuals highlights the geographic variation in the breeding locations of the UK's overwintering snipe.
"We will now wait and see where they remain over summer."
According to the Game and Wildlife Cnservation Trust, which is undertaking the research, the tags being used are some of the smallest available for bird migration studies and weigh only two grammes, but when the leg harnesses and foam bases are added to the tags, the weight increases to three grammes.
It is a requirement that the weight of the tag should not be over three per cent of the body weight of the bird to ensure that the tag does not impede its natural behaviour.
Once a familiar sight in our wetlands, breeding numbers of Snipe have notably declined across the UK lowlands and in many parts of Europe, and this has affected the British wintering population.
Historical changes in land use have been the main driver of the decline, with wet meadows being drained and wetland habitats being lost or degraded.
Climate change may also be affecting breeding and migration patterns.
Researchers hope that the study will indicate how best to support conservation of the species.
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| Tagged and ready for release - one of the Snipe |
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