Colour-ringed Redshank on The Swale
The Swale Wader Group is conducting a colour-ringing project on Redshank on the Isle of Sheppey. The primary objectives are to determine the annual movements of Redshank, understand their utilisation of the Swale Special Protection Area (SPA), and assess their longevity.
Birds are captured at Harty, located on the north shore of The Swale, using mist nets at night during high tide as they fly into pools. Each individual is ringed, weighed, measured, and fitted with a unique combination of colour rings. All ringing activities are carried out under license, and the colour ring scheme is officially registered with the International Wader Study Group.
By the end of December 2025, 121 Redshank had been colour-ringed, with more than 77 (63%) subsequently resighted. While most resightings have occurred at Oare and along the North Kent coast, observations from Iceland, the Netherlands, and France indicate that The Swale serves as a significant hub for various Redshank populations.
For example, DT45977 was ringed at Harty 0n 2nd November 2021 and reported near Saint Brieuc in Brittany January, February and November 2022, in November 2023, 2024 and February 2025.
Another example DT87232 was ringed at Harty on 15th August 2023, was at RSPB Salthome in April 2025 and then at Oare in July 2025.
More typical is DY04982 which was ringed at Harty on 20th September 2025 and has already been reported seven times at Oare.
All these observations are dependent on reporting by birders across the flyway and we are especially grateful to Damon Smith and Michael Baldock for their regular observations on the North Kent Coast.
