Birdringingactivity in Nieuwpoort / Belgium

On Tuesday 9 December 2014, me (Joseph Dunlop) and Charel Klein, left Luxembourg early in the morning to head to the Belgian coast city of Nieuwpoort to take part in a cannon netting activity aimed in catching and ringing coastal birds. The activity was organised by the Belgian Royal Institute of Natural sciences and was managed by ringer Norbert Roothaert. We arrived around midday and the team was already in place more than 20 ringers and volunteers were present. The nets were set on the beach and the circuit was in place while the wait started for the birds to come on the beach as the tide retreats. While we were waiting, we observed several hundreds of oystercatchers and Lapwings, good numbers of Dunlins, Cormorants, Turnstones and Gulls. The wait was long as we had to be sure that the tide was in the right place, firstly, so that we get the maximum birds possible and most important that it is safe for the birds.  When it was the right time , the switch was hit and the nets were shot.  73 oystercatchers were ringed, 16 recaptures. 2 more than 22 yrs old !! It was a great experience , the teamwork was excellent in making the process fast and efficient.  Routine measurements were taken on the birds and we learned a lot about ageing waders.  It was worth the long drive, it is always great to make an experience like this different from our routine of ringing passerines.

Autor: Joseph Dunlop