| Cabragh Wetlands |
Constant Effort Site (CES) mist netting has been undertaken
at the Cabragh Wetlands, near Thurles in Co. Tipperary, since 2006. The CES
methodology standardises ringing between sites and years to allow comparisons
to be made. Briefly, it requires that the same nets be operated in the same
locations for the same time in each year. A total of 12 visits are undertaken
each year between early May and late August. There is typically a ten-day window
within which a visit can take place, and visits have to be spaced a minimum of
six days apart (for full detail of the CES methods, see http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/surveys/ces.
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| A mist net full of Reed Buntings |
Of these, Sedge Warbler is the commonest species caught, with 591 individuals captured to date, followed by 214 Wrens, 136 Reed Buntings, 126 Blackbirds, 120 Blue Tits and 107 Robins. The standardised nature of the methodology allows comparisons for a range of population metrics for common species, such as over-winter survival (the number of adult birds present on the site in the first six visits) and breeding performance (by looking at the ratio of adults:juveniles). It is planned to undertake a full analysis of these data after ten years of visits have been completed.
Cabragh is a wondergful nature reserve to visit at any time of the year. It is located south of Thurles on the old Holycross Road (see map opposite). Ringing helpers are always welcome at Cabragh provided you like early mornings (as early as 3am) and bring biscuits! Ringing takes place once every ten days between the start of May and the end of August. The average CES catch in 2013 was 52 birds per three-hour session (varying from 18 to 103). We occasionally do non-CES ringing (there is an autumn Swallow roost at the site) and have used it as a base for residential ringing courses. For more information about the Cabragh Wetlands, please see http://www.cabraghwetlands.ie/blog/about/. If you are interested in ringing, please leave a comment.