Robinson’s Cairn and Pillar, Ennerdale - Peter Ullrich April 2015
Bird Monitoring 2015
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus survey
Contents
Contents 2
Introduction and background 3
3
Methodology 5
Survey Results 6
Ring ouzel Survey No1 - 09/04/2015 6
Ring ouzel survey No 2 - 10/04/2015 7
Ring ouzel survey No 3 - 18/04/2015 8
Ring ouzel survey No 4 - 18/04/2015 9
Ring ouzel survey No 5 - 21/04/2015 10
Ring Ouzel Survey No 6 – 22/04/2015 11
Ring Ouzel Survey No 7 – 30/04/2015 12
Ring Ouzel Survey No 8 – 02/05/2015 13
Observations and Discussion 14
Summary 14
Comparison between The 2007 and 2015 surveys 14
Discussion 18
Recommendations 21
Acknowledgements 22
References, further reading and useful links 23
Appendix A – The 2015 Surveys 24
Appeal for Records 28
Maps 29
Introduction and background
Male ring ouzel Hind Cove, Ennerdale – Peter Ullrich 10th April 2015
This report should be read in conjunction with the base line 2007 Ring Ouzel Report which can be found on the Wild Ennerdale website on the Monitoring page http://www.wildennerdale.co.uk/managing/monitoring/ under the “Birds“ section. It is useful to read the 2007 report in conjunction with this one. The 2007 report details interesting historical background data. Much of this is still relevant, but to avoid repetition will not feature in this report.
The Wild Ennerdale project is committed to long term monitoring of 3 key indicator bird species red grouse, ring ouzel and dipper. These iconic species have been chosen as their presence or absence can give us an insight in to the health of the particular habitats that these specialists inhabit. The first surveys were undertaken in 2007.
Ring ouzel Turdus torquatus is a long distant migrant that breeds in the high fells, usually above the 250 metre contour line and at times not far short of the high tops. It is a striking member of the thrush family and can be readily distinguished from its lowland cousin the blackbird Turdus merula by a white crescent on its breast. The song of the male is a simple two or three note phrase. This mournful lament is repeatedly delivered from a favourite perch such as a tree or rocky prominence and can carry for some considerable distance. Quite often the singing bird is heard yet it cannot be visually located. Birds start returning to their Lakeland breeding grounds from the end of March. There is also a spring passage of birds moving further north with the bulk of these passage birds moving through during April.
Ring ouzel is a red list Bird of Conservation Concern4 (BOCC 4 2015), a species of the highest conservation concern, having suffered large declines in population levels and a reduction in its breeding range at a county and national level and is recognized as an important member of the upland bird community within the Wild Ennerdale Project area. The project recognizes the importance of long-term monitoring for this key upland species, particularly as significant changes in habitat and management are likely to occur during the course of the project.
In 2007 it was decided to carry out an intensive species-specific survey to estimate the number of ring ouzel breeding territories within a defined study area within The Wild Ennerdale Project area.
It was decided to adopt the same methods as used by RSPB in monitoring the Mardale and Swineside ring ouzel populations.
This involves locating the singing males from mid-April to mid-June, pre/post dusk and pre/post dawn, these being the periods of peak song activity by males. Invariably Dave Shackleton (RSPB) who carries out the Mardale and Swinside surveys covers them during the pre-dawn period.
Unlike the 2007 survey no dusk and daytime surveys were undertaken. To fall in line with the RSPB surveys all 2015 surveys were carried out starting pre-dawn.
The 2007 established a baseline population for the ring ouzel study area, the study area being confined to the “southern rim” of the Wild Ennerdale Project area, and is defined as all suitable habitat between Goat Gill (six figure grid ref NY077148) in the west, to Greengable Crags (six figure grid ref NY214108) in the east. See map at the end of the report for extent of the ring ouzel study area.
The 2015 survey was scaled down and concentrated on locations that had a track record of breeding ring ouzel. (Using data from the 2007 Wild Ennerdale ring ouzel survey and the Cumbria Bird Club archive.
The 2015 ring ouzel survey will compare its findings with the 2007 survey.
Methodology
The objectives of this survey differ from those of the 2007 baseline survey and can be described as such:-
To estimate the number of singing (territorial) males present at known historical sites (see above) along the southern rim of the Wild Ennerdale Project area, to be carried out in a cost effective and readily repeatable method.
· Timing - Carry out survey work from Mid-April to Mid-June.
· Weather - Ideally dry and no wind, but it is possible to carry out the survey in light to moderate winds.
· Locate singing males pre-dawn at the pre-selected sites. Each potential ring ouzel site must have at least one visit during this peak time. Secondary surveys can be undertaken post dawn at sites where there is likely looking habitat but without a history of breeding ring ouzel.
· In effect this survey to comprise both a vantage point and a walkover component, thus ensuring good coverage of the suitable habitat.
· The length of time spent at each vantage point should be 30 minutes However if it is established beyond reasonable doubt that there is a ring ouzel territory in less time than 30 minutes, then move on to the next VP as it is important to gather as much data in the peak song activity period around dawn as possible.
· A global positioning system (GPS) to be used to record the survey track and all vantage points to be entered in to the device. The track log and waypoints to be downloaded on to Memory Map software and stored on a personal computer (PC).
· On arrival at the VP all ring ouzel activity to be mapped as accurately as possible and recorded on to a field survey map. The aim is to estimate the number of singing males and/or pairs. Each observation to be given a unique code. Locations, flight lines, displays and calling birds to be mapped using standard British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) notation.
· A note of any ring ouzel singing simultaneously is particularly important, as this establishes the locations of different/adjacent territories. Birds are likely to move between locations during the survey and a close watch on the movement of specific individuals should be made so as to avoid the risk of double counting. Any uncertainty as to whether the bird has been previously recorded should be noted, as this will help to estimate the true number of males recorded. Again, this can be shown using standard BTO notation.
· As part of the survey work is to be carried out in the dark and the survey area is extremely rugged in nature with patchy mobile phone coverage the surveyor to use a “SPOT” satellite messenger to keep in touch with a designated “buddy”. Additionally and in the interests of safety the surveyor must be kitted out with appropriate mountain equipment, survival equipment, navigational equipment, head torch and spare batteries and must be First Aid trained and carries a First Aid Kit. The surveyor should also have experience of working in the mountain environment.
· Make hard copies of each survey map which clearly show the findings.
· At the end of the survey estimate the number of ring ouzel territories, as indicated by singing males or pairs.
Survey Results
For details of survey routes, vantage points and locations of sightings please refer to the appendix (Pp19-22) and appropriate survey maps at the back of the report. All times are BST.
Ring ouzel Survey No1 - 09/04/2015
Site No 4 - Location of singing male – Spoil heap near ancient holly – looking east from VP1 at NY1007 1456 – 285m asl – Peter Ulrich
VP1 - NE flanks of Crag Fell - site no 4
VP at spoil heap – Grid ref NY1007 1456 - 05:17-06:25hrs
Reg 1 - male RZ flies in to rowan c80m SE of VP1 and sings 06:17-06:25hrs at NY10101453 - 300m asl
Reg 2 - 06:25 hrs same RZ flies NW to a rowan and sings. NY10001459 - 300m asl
Reg 3 - 06:30hrs same RZ to rock and sings. NY09901473 - 300m asl
VP2 – Revelin Crag/The Pinnacles – site no 3 –
VP at the Pinnacles - Grid ref NY0960 1471– 07:00-07:30hrs
No registrations
Summary of results:
Site no 3 - Revelin Crag/The Pinnacles – No registrations
Site no 4 - N.E. flanks of Crag Fell - 1 singing male
Ring ouzel survey No 2 - 10/04/2015
Site no 14 – Looking west towards Hind Cove from High level route – Peter Ulrich
VP1 - PillarCove/Pillar Rock - site no 13 (Grid ref NY1720 1267 - 05:30-05:45hrs)
Reg 1 - 05:38 - RZ "chacks" 100m to west - too dark to see.
05:40 - RZ male sings high up on Pillar Rock c750m asl. It is thought this is same bird as heard at 05:38hrs.
On walk up to Robinson's cairn
Reg 2 - 06:14-06:20hrs - 2 male RZ sing simultaneously one on Shamrock the other on ridge above Robinson's cairn - both are seen and heard - both approx at c750m asl
VP2 - Hind Cove - site no14 (Grid ref NY NY1779 1220 - 06:40-07:10hrs)
Reg 3 - 06:54hrs - RZ pair seen foraging at Potentilla Cinquefoil site.
07:00hrs - the pair fly overhead and forage 100m NW of VP2, watched until 07:07hrs.
The male RZ that sings above Robinson's cairn in reg 2 is thought to be the same male as seen in reg 3 that is paired up with a female seen in Hind Cove.
VP3 - Green Cove West - site no15 (Grid ref NY1819 1204 - 07:34-08:04 hrs)
Reg 4 - 07:36hrs - Possible RZ chacks briefly, bird not seen (VP at Proud Knott)
07:38hrs - Possible RZ sings very briefly, bird not seen presumably same bird as 07:36hrs
Note: Aural records at VP3 are low confidence due to extreme brevity of occurrence.
To verify RZ territory at this site it should be revisited and survey carried out at peak time before sunrise.
VP4 - Green Cove/Looking Stead - site no15 (Grid ref NY1841 1200 - 08:28-08:48hrs)
VP in Green Cove – No registrations
Summary of results:
Site no 13 - PillarCove/Pillar Rock - I singing male
Site no 14 - Hind Cove - 1 singing male (also seen foraging with female)
Site no 15 - Green Cove/Looking Stead - Possibly 1 singing male
Ring ouzel survey No 3 - 18/04/2015
Site no 16 – Kirkfell Crags –Peter Ullrich
VP 1 - site no 16 -Kirkfell Crags
Grid ref NY1940 1148 - 05:05-05:10 hrs
Reg 1 - 05:05hrs - male RZ sings, heard several times Kirkfell Crags, too dark to see
VP2 - site No 16 - Kirkfell Crags - 05:17-05:47hrs
Reg 1 - 05:40hrs - same male RZ heard singing on Kirkfell Crags as from VP1, good visibility now, but bird is never seen. Bird is probably c650-700m asl
VP3 - site no 17 - Boat How Crags (Kirkfell) - 06:43-07:13hrs
No registrations
VP4 - site no 18 - Gable Crag/Greengable Crag - 07:50-08:05hrs
No registrations
Summary of results:
Site no 16 - Kirkfell Crags - 1 singing male - bird heard, not seen
Site no 17 - Boat How Crags (Kirkfell) - No registrations
Site no 18 - Gable Crag/Greengable Crag - No registrations
Ring ouzel survey No 4 - 18/04/2015
Site no 9 – Mirk Cove and East slope Steeple –Peter Ullrich
VP1 - site no 10 - Long Crag
Grid ref NY1580 1211- 05:00 - 05:10 hrs
No registrations
VP2 - site no 9 - Mirk Cove/East slope Steeple
Grid ref NY1593 1171- 05:30-06:00hrs
Reg 1 - 05:45hrs - RZ pair on side of Steeple, birds seen and heard "chakking" - at c700m asl
05:54 hrs male flies east towards Mirk Cove - c650m asl
Summary of results:
Site no 9 - Mirk Cove/ East Slope Steeple - Pair seen foraging. Same bird(s) alarming - no singing heard
Site no 10 - Long Crag - No registrations
Ring ouzel survey No 5 - 21/04/2015
Site no 8 - Mirklin Cove –Peter Ullrich
VP1 - site no 8 - Mirklin Cove/West Slope of Steeple
Grid ref NY1533 1172 - 05:07-05:37 hrs
Reg 1 - 05:07- RZ male sings once, bird not seen
05:19 hrs - RZ male sings once, again bird not seen - therefore can only guess at location.
VP2 - site no 7 - Great Cove/Little Gowder Crag
Grid ref NY1460 1100 - 06:30-06:45hrs
No registrations
Summary of results:
Site no 8 - Mirklin Cove/West Slope of Steeple - RZ male sings, heard but not seen
Site no 7 - Great Cove/ Little Gowder Crag - No registrations
Ring Ouzel Survey No 6 – 22/04/2015
Site No 3 – photo looking east from the pinnacles VP2 at NY0960 1471 – 404m asl – Peter Ulrich
VP1 - site no 3 - Revelin Crag/The Pinnacles
Grid ref NY0938 1475 - 05:00-05:25 hrs
No registrations
VP2 - site No 3 - Revelin Crag/The Pinnacles
Grid ref NY0962 1472 - 05:35-05:50hrs
No registrations
VP3 - site no 2 - Ben Gill
Grid ref NY0891 1482 - 06:15-06:30hrs
No registrations
Summary of results:
Site No 3 - Revelin Crag/The Pinnacles – No registrations
Site no 2 - Ben Gill – No registrations
Ring Ouzel Survey No 7 – 30/04/2015
Site no 5 – Boathow Crag (Side) – Peter Ullrich
VP1 - site no5 - Boathow Crag (Side)
Grid ref NY 1115 1360 - 05:00-06:00hrs
Reg 1 - 05:00hrs - Probable Short-eared Owl flushed from heather - still dark