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Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Two Hens

Too windy for nets today, so for Kevin it was back to setting the cage trap at Wolverhampton Racecourse. Baited with pieces of bread smeared with tuna-flavoured cat food, (yummy?), which Moorhens seem to find irresistible. It was not long before two birds were attracted and duly caught. Both adult males, it brings the total caught at the site since the first on 5th January to five. 

Moorhens occur all year round at the Racecourse, but their numbers fluctuate, from none during freezing conditions to ten or more after the breeding season. 

Previous recoveries of birds ringed elsewhere have shown that Moorhens do migrate significant distances, including between Britain and Scandinavia, as well as other parts of Europe. Although birds typically live for three or so years, the oldest have survived over ten years after ringing.
 
https://blx1.bto.org/ring/countyrec/resultsall/rec4240all.htm

It will be fascinating to learn of any future recoveries of those ringed at the Racecourse to see if they stay locally or travel much further, and for how long they live.

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