Country life
Recording the birds
The Island has always
been a significant area
for birds, in terms of
breeding, wintering and
also during migration.
Regular recording has been
important for studying the changes
that occur in the populations of
different species, and the resulting
data can be used to help conserve
our wildlife. An example of this
is that the Willow Warbler no
longer breeds on the Island. Global
warming has moved the breeding
further North, and the numbers are
increasing in Scotland.
How are birds studied and the
populations counted? The majority
of the work is done by regular
counts, and on the Island, with
its extensive coastline, regular
monthly counts of the bird species
and numbers in the estuaries have
been undertaken by dedicated
birders for many years.
Another method of study is by
ringing the birds. A small metal
ring is put on a leg by a trained
80
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ringer. The ring has both an
address and a number, and the
information for each bird ringed is
then put on the national computer
where it can be used to work out
the changes of populations, and
also if that bird is either found by a
member of the public, or is caught
by another ringer. This system
works around the world. From