The BTO in conjunction with Exeter and Oxford Universities, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology are looking at the origins and genetics of the UK's over wintering Blackcap populations. Prior to this winter period we were issued with a series of colour ring combinations to fit to any Blackcaps caught, plus if any feathers are dropped during handling these need to be collected and sent off for sampling.
We have already had a male Blackcap in the garden, but today we had a female, which with the use of a short period of audio lure was caught, processed and fitted with very light plastic colour rings, and released back into the garden. Alas no feathers were dropped and we have not applied to be added to the licence to take samples, so none were obtained.
We have already had a male Blackcap in the garden, but today we had a female, which with the use of a short period of audio lure was caught, processed and fitted with very light plastic colour rings, and released back into the garden. Alas no feathers were dropped and we have not applied to be added to the licence to take samples, so none were obtained.
Blackcap, female, age 3
