We started the day with a boat trip over to Scolt. There were three Oystercatcher chicks that had reached a decent size and they needed darvic rings. The survival rate of Oystercatchers is causing concern and the colour ringing is a pre-curser to the radio tracking of chicks from hatching due to start next year.
We did better than expected and marked 4 youngsters with a fifth only large enough to take a metal ring. A chick marked on the 25th June was also observed. The hope is that these later broods will have a better chance of survival now that the local harriers and kites are no longer feeding chicks in the nest.
This area on Scolt Head shows the tell tale patches of feathers where
avian predators pluck prey before returning to the nest.
Colonies of gulls and terns once discovered are regarded as an open buffet
and other species also suffer from the sustained attention.
Total: 5 (1)
Oystercatcher - 5 (1)