Coot ringing at Nosterfield

Tarmac and a bird watching group is continuing to monitor Coot populations in Nosterfield.

During the first two months of the year Tarmac has been working with the East Dales Ringing Group and Tees Ringing Group to ring Coot on Lingham Water, a semi restored area of Nosterfield Quarry.

Birds are caught using cannon nets and then weighed, measured and fitted with a standard metal number ring and plastic colour ring. These rings can then be read by bird watchers and their range and populations monitored.

The East Dales Ringing Group has been working with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust since 2014 to colour ring the small water birds.

Chris Pennock, section leader, said: “The partnership between the East Dales Ringing group and colleagues at Nosterfield Quarry is working really well and is allowing us to find out so much more about the birds that use our site.

“The Coot ringing involved a lot of work and coordination by all concerned but shows what can be achieved by making links with local groups.”

#BUILDINGOURFUTURE

“The partnership between the East Dales Ringing group and colleagues at Nosterfield Quarry works really well.”