Can You Help?

The Goldcliff Ringing Group is undertaking a study of cormorants in Gwent and is looking for help from anyone who can provide sightings of birds seen in the area.

Starting in June 2001, birds caught in the County have been fitted with colour plastic “Darvic” rings and BTO rings. We are therefore keen to receive any records of cormorants, but especially those where birds are sporting rings. The details we are looking for are set out in the form that follows. We would however be pleased to receive details of any sightings, therefore if you are not able to complete all the boxes on the form please do not be put off, we would still like to hear from you.

If you would prefer to telephone or e-mail the details of your sighting please contact Richard Clarke on 01633 615581 or surveys@GwentBirds.org.uk. We will provide feedback on ringing details to anyone who identifies any of the birds we have caught previously.

Sightings of the project’s Colour-ringed Great Cormorants to date

Where seen	Date(s) seen	Distance & Direction from Denny Island	Year in which bird ringed	Days between ringing and initial sighting
Uskmouth, Newport, Gwent	26/08/01	12 km WNW	2001	50
Chard Reservoir, Somerset	September 2001 up to & including 01/05/02	72.km SSW	2001	56
Chew Valley Lake, Avon	22/08/01 and on several other dates up to & including 12/09/01	12.5 km SE	2001	46
Ot Moor, Oxfordshire	23/04/02 & 26/04/02	115 km ENE	2001	290
Stellendam, Netherlands	02/03/02	475 km E	2001	238
Llandegfedd Res. Gwent	13/09/02	22.5 km NW	2002	75
Blind Yeo, Clevedon, Somerset	15/12/02	12.5 km SW	2002	168

Goldcliff Ringing Group

Gwent Cormorant Study : bird-sighting report form

Where seen

Name of site: ……………………………….

6 figure map ref.

When seen

Date(s) & time(s)

Age of bird (a)

adult imm.

Name of Observer

(Block capitals please)

………………………

Activity

At roost (a)

tree pylon waterside

……………………………………………….

In Flight

direction flying height (metres)

……………………………………………….

Feeding (a)

Roost/Flock size

If at roost or in flight please specify total number of birds recorded

…………………

How many birds were immature?

…………………

BTO ring details

(metal ring)

Ring number

……………………

Ring fitted on which leg of bird (a)

Left

Right

Colour ring details

Ring colour

………………………

Ring number

………………………

Ring fitted on which leg of bird (a)

Left

Right

Thank you for your help

Further details (as appropriate ie your contact details – address, telephone number, e-mail address)

Please return completed forms to: Richard Clarke, Chykembro, 8 Lower Ochrwyth, Risca, Newport NP11 6EN