Ringing group report for 1973

Abstract

During 1973 the members of the group were again very active. Though the number of ringers remained the same as in the past three years good results were obtained. Operating mainly during weekends, the seven members again succeeded in ringing over 6;000 birds, mostly spring and autumn migrants and winter visitors. Twelve recoveries were reported from abroad and these included the first locally ringed bird to be recovered south of the Sahara - a Spotted Flycatcher in the Congo basin. Of interest was also the first Robin to be recovered in its breeding grounds; some distance north-east of Moscow, in Russia. Other firsts were a Meadow Pipit and a Song Thrush in Italy, a Grey Wagtail in Sicily, and a Blackcap, a Chaffinch and a Starling in Tunisia.

Regretfully Br. Edmund had to leave the group in June when he left Malta to take up duty in Ethiopia. At the same ti'me T. Gauci qualified for a C permit. However it is unfortunate that no additional trainee member of the group has attained a ringing permit. This is because owing to various reasons (mainly transport and the lack of a permanent ringing site) on many occasions trainee members were unable to take part in ringing sessions.

Four new species were added to the ringing list: Barred Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Yellowhammer and Rustic Bunting. A second Grasshopper warbler was ringed in late August. Pulli ringed included the first Cetti's Warblers (clutch of 4) and Fan-tailed Warblers (clutch of 5). This report also lists thirty-six foreign ringed birds recovered in Malta. As in past years these included a number of firsts: 2 Gannets from Scotland, a Temminck's Stint, a Ruff and a Robin from Finland, a Curlew Sandpiper from Sweden, and a Blackcap from Poland. A second Paximada-ringed Eleonora's Falcon was recovered, again after two years of ringing as a pullus. Other interesting sting recoveries were a Great Skua from Scotland (the third in as many years) and three Caspian Terns from Sweden.

The Ringing and Migration Section of the British Trust for Ornithology continues to supply us with rings and to handle our recoveries. We are most grateful for their continued support. The encouragement of the Head of the Section, Robert Spencer, is ,greatly appreciated.

We also like to thank Fl. Lt. C.A. Pomeroy and the R.A.F. for granting us permission to ring at Wied Znuber, at Hal Far airfield.