Oystercatchers dyed yellow to help tracking

Yellow dyed oystercatcher. Copyright Countryside Council for Wales.

November 2008. Last year more than 100 Oystercatchers were dyed yellow as part of a joint tracking project between the Countryside Council for Wales and the British Trust for Ornithology.

This winter birdwatchers are being asked to keep an eye out for more yellow Oystercatchers as the second phase of the project takes place. 155 Oystercatchers were caught and dyed at Whiteford National Nature Reserve on the Gower Peninsula, and, it is hoped more birds will be caught at a different location. The aim of the project is to learn more about the winter movements of the birds between the Burry Inlet and nearby areas, such as Carmarthen Bay.

Matt Murphy, an Ornithologist for the Countryside Council for Wales, said: "This year we hope to dye birds at two sites in order to see if there is a difference in their behaviour. The two groups will be marked on different parts of the body to allow us to tell them apart."

Report sightings
Niall Burton from the British Trust for Ornithology said: "In order to be a success, the project needs the help of the public. If anyone spots a yellow Oystercatcher, please report the sighting to the British Trust for Ornithology, stating the location, time and date and whether the bird was marked on its breast or tail."

If you are lucky enough to spot one of the yellow Oystercatchers please contact Niall Burton at the British Trust for Ornithology at niall.burton@bto.org or on 01842 750050.

The information gathered from sightings will be tied in with other detailed surveys, to gain an over-all picture of the birds' movements.

2007 sightings
Thanks to the help of the public, last year 60 sightings of the yellow Oystercatchers were reported, in and around the Burry Inlet. The project also produced some unexpected results with a sighting at Dale in Pembrokeshire, over 65 km from the catching area.

Niall added: "Overall, last year's results showed most of the Oystercatchers wintered in and around the Burry Inlet, although some did travel further. The information from the public was vital to understanding these movements."

The dye used is not harmful to the birds and will last the winter, disappearing as the birds naturally shed their feathers.