Our 2026 breeding season on the marshes has been our most successful to date for wader pullus-ringing. Dedicated BTO ringers led by Brian Watmough, Fiona McKinnon, and Maria Mak, carried out targeted fieldwork across Elmley and Stray marshes on 05, 19 and 25 May. A total of 42 wader chicks were ringed, boosting our dataset for these declining species.
2026 Catch Summary
BTO ringers Martin and Charlie fitting Lapwing chicks with colour rings. Elmley wardens Simon H and Fiona in the background providing support. © Maria Mak
- Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus): 28 pulli ringed, 24 of whichcolour ringed (the other 4 were too small at time of captureto colour ring)
- Redshank (Tringa totanus): 9 chicks ringed
- Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus): 5 chicks ringed
Impact and Resightings
The 24 Lapwing pulli were fitted with unique combinations of colour rings and flags as part of a project licensed by IWSG colour ring programme and BTO Special Methods. This non-invasive tracking method allows for field identification via binoculars and spotting scopes without needing to recapture. The data gathered provides critical insights into survival rates, migration routes and habitat selection, which are vital for reversing the steep population decline of breeding waders.
Early indicators are incredibly positive: two Lapwing pulli colour ringed on 05 May were already resighted on 02 June, showing excellent growth and development.
Call for Sightings
Colour-marked Lapwing pulli from 05/05/2026. © Maria Mak
Please keep a sharp lookout for any Lapwings carrying a blue flag. Please log the exact colour sequence, date, time and location coordinates directly onto the Swale Ringing Group platform to help us build a complete picture of their survival and movements.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following individuals for their invaluable contributions to the project:
- Fiona McKinnon (Nature Warden, Elmley NNR) formeticulous breeding wader surveys.
- Ian Ridgers (Head Volunteer, Elmley NNR) for dedicatedlogistics support.
- Swale Ringing Group members- Martin Flores, TobyWheeler, Becky Johnson, Terry Hilsden, Charlie Lee- fortheir superb efforts and enthusiasm.
- Gareth Fulton (Co-Director and Reserve Manager, ElmleyNNR) for his continued support and encouragement.
Same individuals resighted on 02/06/2026. © Fiona McKinnon