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Wigeons Ringed to Uncover Migration Secrets
17 Jan
Summary
- European wigeons are being tagged with rings at Abberton Reservoir.
- Researchers aim to understand their feeding, roosting, and threat-escape behaviors.
- The study balances drinking water production with reservoir ecological status.
Wildlife experts have initiated a study to track European wigeons, a species of duck, by tagging them with rings at Abberton Reservoir. This effort aims to shed light on the birds' behavior, including their feeding, roosting, and avoidance of threats within their environment. The initial day of this color ringing project was deemed highly successful, providing a foundation for collecting crucial data on wigeon movements.
These ducks may travel significant distances, potentially up to 4,000 km, before reaching Abberton Reservoir. The color ringing technique involves attaching individually coded, brightly colored tags to the birds' legs, allowing for remote observation and data recording when spotted. This collaborative research involves academics from the University of Essex and volunteer groups.
Beyond understanding bird migration, the study will also explore the complex relationship between producing safe drinking water and maintaining the ecological integrity of reservoirs. Abberton Reservoir, a designated site of special scientific interest, plays a key role in this research.
