There was no opportunity to ring swans in the broads last year due to restrictions linked to Avian Influenza, so we hoped for a decent number of birds to target. As it was, it appeared that numbers were down due to birds having been infected with the contagion. MR joined us, and said that this was the case across much of the country. He was, however, pleased to see a reasonable number of surviving cygnets from this year at Hoveton.
This was the only location with a number of swans. Whitlingham had only one swan, already with a darvic, that came to food. At Wroxham Broad there were none at all.
The team made up of MR, CL, DKL, CJH, PAM, DRB, CD & CT.
In total 16 swans were captured. One of these was a cygnet with a three barbed fishing hook imbedded in its neck. We were able to remove that, but did not ring it as it had angelwing.
We managed to get a couple of Mallards with a hand net, one for each visiting trainee.
Total ringed:16 (1)
Mallard - 2
Mute Swan - 14 (1)
Re-sightings
Black-Headed Gull - 2
Mute Swan - 9
