This year we tracked two chicks from different nests: Bird 21197 and Bird 21251. One was tracked to Poole Harbour in Dorset and the other to Ayrshire and Newton Mearns; sadly both died or were probably killed illegally. The satellite transmitters were funded by the Tayside Biodiversity Fund; this project could not have been undertaken without this vital financial support; with additional funding from Tay Raptor Study Group, Fife Bird Club and Coralshore, Ltd.
Chick 21197
Chick 21197 was ringed in the Tay reed beds on 9th July 2006. It was a female and was fitted with BTO ring number FP14010 and a 20g Microwave Telemetry Transmitter, powered by a solar panel. It was hoped that this would provide longer tracking than a conventional battery model. She was the largest of four young.
The chick began its migration on 10th September. It migrated down the Ayrshire coast but unfortunately had a short-lived journey. The last good quality signal was received on 30th September, south of Glasgow. However, although we continued to receive occasional signals until February 2007, we concluded that the bird was dead, as the signals were always from the same location. Several people searched for the bird, but it was never found.
To view details of Chick 21197’s movements click here: Chick 21197 2006
Chick 21251
Chick 21251 was ringed in the Tay reed beds on 7th July 2006. It was a female and was fitted with BTO ring number FP06677. She was the largest of three young. This bird was fitted with a 20g Microwave Telemetry Transmitter, powered by a traditional long life battery which would hopefully give transmissions into the winter.
The chick began its migration on 28th August and headed to the Isle of Bute and then to Northern Ireland. By early October it had reached South Wales and then headed to southern England. The chick was seen at Poole Harbour on 10th October, but no further signals were received after this date and we suspect that she was illegally killed.
To view details of Chick 21251’s movements click here: Chick 21251 2006
Report on Marsh Harriers on the Tay in 2006
Steve Moyes and Harry Bell
The number of breeding marsh harriers increased markedly on the Tay estuary area during the 2006 breeding season with a total of seven pairs nesting in the area. Of these six nests were successful, fledging a total of 18 chicks. The seventh nest failed for the third time in five years almost certainly due to disturbance at the nest site by birdwatchers. The matter was been reported to Tayside Police who stated their intention to check on the site regularly in future years. Marsh harriers are extremely prone to human disturbance at the nest site and some females will not return to the nest if there is anyone within 400 metres. We would remind everyone that you could be prosecuted for disturbing any Schedule 1 bird without the appropriate disturbance licence.
All 18 chicks were ringed in 2006 and 14 were fitted with a single light green tag on the left wing. Two chicks were not tagged due to the difficulty of access to the nest site and the other two chicks had the satellite tags fitted.
