Along with the RSPB and their volunteers we accessed some red kite nests in June, when the chicks were almost fully grown, and attached some tags (number redacted for sensitivity purposes). The nest trees were accessed by professional climbers and the birds were lowered to the ground in a sturdy bag. The tags were attached … Continue reading Tagging – Part 2 →

It has been a whirlwind year since training for GPS-tagging last year. Much of the winter was spent trying to bait and trap free-flying juvenile buzzards and red kites. We had great success with the birds coming to the bait but less success getting them to come to the bait once the trap was set! … Continue reading Tagging – Part 1 →

Marking birds is a method used to track movements and determine patterns. Various methods are used to are used depending on the species, the questions to be answered, the budget, and the available technology. Technology is getting ever smarter, and smaller, and more cost effective. Satellite transmitters are now small enough to attach to birds, … Continue reading We’ve got the hardware! →

Colleagues from the Scottish Raptor Study Group (SRSG) were kind enough to invite myself (Eimear) and Dr Kendrew Colhoun to their patch in Scotland to train in fitting GPS tags. I am already trained and licenced to handle birds of prey, and I have ran a wing-tagging marking programme of buzzards in Northern Ireland since … Continue reading A training expedition I’ll never forget… →

Advice to help you recognise suspicious activity related to bird of prey persecution