The skills necessary to become a ringer can only be learnt by practice under the close supervision of experienced ringers Essential skills include the safe and efficient trapping and handling of birds, identification, ageing, sexing, measuring, record keeping and reporting to the Ringing unit
For this reason, ringers undertake a period of training of at least one or two years, during which they are only allowed to ring birds under supervision. An independent ringer whose own ability has been judged to a high standard assesses progress through the permit system. In this way the BTO ringing scheme maintains very high standards of bird welfare and scientific data A BTO ringing permit is also a legal requirement and is, in many ways similar to a driving licence but has to be renewed annually. If you would like to find out more about learning to become a bird ringer you can contact the BTO direct [email protected] At present (September 2007) due to personal circumstances we are unable to take on any new trainees.
Andy Smith Dave Hill Nigel Judson Chris Flint Neil Hagley and Dave 'George' Bradley
The Ring.
Write down the ring number and, if the bird is dead, please enclose the ring taped to your letter. The ring will be returned to you if you wish to keep it. If it is not a BTO ring (address starting BTO or British Museum) please give the address as well.
Where & When.
Give the location the bird was found including the name of the nearest town or village and a grid reference if possible. Give the date the ringed bird was found.
The Circumstances.
Say if the bird was alive or dead. If dead, please give the cause of death if known, e.g. was it hit by a car, brought in by a cat, or found oiled on a beach? . Also note if the bird was freshly dead or decomposed etc. If the bird is alive please say what happened to it.
The bird.
Write down the type or species of bird if known
Your details.
Don't forget to give your name and address so that you can be sent the information about when and where the bird had been ringed. Details will normally be sent within a month, but there may be delays at busy times of year. Please send the details to The British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK If you send a report of a ringed bird by E-mail, please include your postal address. REPORT A RING FOUND ON LINE
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