New student: Bruno Eusebi
Name: Bruno Eusebi
Date of birth: 07/10/1995
After graduating from the university of Luxembourg with a bachelor in biology in my pocket, I followed up with a master in ecology and conservation at the university of Uppsala. There, a particularly great teacher sparked a dormant passion in me: birds. After plenty of early morning birding excursions, I realised what I was even more passionate about: birds of prey; especially eagles.
Before starting my master thesis on Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, I had the opportunity to perform a 3 months internship and I applied at “Schlammwiss” bird ringing station as it seemed there was a very professional but also friendly team working there.
I see this internship as an amazing first-hand experience in bird handling and bird identification as well as a good practice in teamwork, which will prove helpful for my future avian-adventures.
New study: Weight comparison on recapture in migratory birds
My name is Merit Finia Pokriefke and I am studying Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management in my master’s programme at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna.
During the last years, the birdringers of the nature reserve Schlammwiss could observe, that some of the migrating birds are staying longer in the reserve than others and it seems that they are gaining weight. Over one month, in the course of my internship, I will investigate the weight gain of recaptured birds during their stay in the area. Considering that fat is the main energy resource for migrating birds (Odum et al., 1961) a weight gain before migration is essential (Newton, 2008).
The main research questions are:
- How long does a bird stay in the area of the Schlammwiss?
- How does the body weight of a bird change over time?
The collected data could show how important wetlands, such as the Schlammwiss, are for birds during their migration (Mitsch & Gosselink, 2000).
Report of the month - June
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In June, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 983 birds of 43 species. This number is subdivided in 685 E, 226 W and 72 K. 1 bird foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month June is higher (+112) than the average amount of birds caught at the station from 2001-2018 and higher (+151) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this and last year at the station Schlammwiss.
E: first capture of this individual
W: recapture of an individual which was already captured this year
K: individuals which were ringed one or more years ago or individuals with a foreign country or station
Top 5
| 1. | PARMAJ | Great Tit | 130 |
| 2. | PARCAE | Blue Tit |
107 |
| 3. | SYLATR | Blackcap | 105 |
| 4. | ACRSCI | Reed Warbler | 77 |
| 5. | ACOPAL | Marsh Warbler | 67 |
Interesting birds captured:
-
12 Falco tinnunculus
- 8 Athene noctua
- 6 Tyto alba
- 4 Hippolais polyglotta
- 1 Ficedula hypoleuca
Report of the month - May
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In May, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 832 birds of 50 species. This number is subdivided in 595 E, 172 W and 65 K. 5 birds foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month May is higher (+150) than the average amount of birds caught at the station from 2001-2018 and higher (+124) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this and last year at the station Schlammwiss.
E: first capture of this individual
W: recapture of an individual which was already captured this year
K: individuals which were ringed one or more years ago or individuals with a foreign country or station
Top 5
| 1. | ACRSCI | Reed Warbler | 168 |
| 2. | PARMAJ | Great Tit |
147 |
| 3. | SYLCOM | Whitethroat | 45 |
| 4. | SYLATR | Blackcap | 38 |
| 5. | ACRPAL | Marsh Warbler | 28 |
Interesting birds captured:
- 7 Hippolais polyglotta
- 6 Saxicola rubetra
- 4 Coloeus monedula
- 3 Actitis hypoleucos
- 1 Athene noctua
- 1 Crex crex
- 1 Delichon urbicum
- 1 Falco tinnunculus
- 1 Ficedula hypoleuca
- 1 Porzana porzana
R.I.P. Fernand Kinnen
Today we lost a very important member of our team..
Report of the month - April
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In March, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 914 birds of 44 species. This number is subdivided in 580 E, 260 W and 74 K. 3 bird foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month March is lower (-53) than the average amount of birds caught at the station from 2001-2018 and higher (+104) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this and last year at the station Schlammwiss.
E: first capture of this individual
W: recapture of an individual which was already captured this year
K: individuals which were ringed one or more years ago or individuals with a foreign country or station
Top 5
| 1. | SYLATR | Blackcap | 296 |
| 2. | ERIRUB | Robin |
66 |
| 3. | PHYCOL | Chiffchaff | 41 |
| 4. | EMBSCH | Reed Bunting | 25 |
| 5. | STUVUL | Staring | 25 |
Interesting birds captured:
-
11 Anthus spinoletta
- 7 Coccothraustes coccothraustes
- 3 Luscinia svecica
- 2 Pica pica
- 1 Acrocephalus paludicola
- 1 Gallinago gallinago
- 1 Luscinia svecica cyanecula
- 1 Lymnocryptes minimus
- 1 Porzana porzana
- 1 Saxicola subetra
Two articles about the water pipit project - published by REGULUS
The link for more interesting articles published in REGULUS: https://www.luxnatur.lu/lnvlwb.htm
Überprüfung der morphologischen Unterschiede zur Geschlechterbestimmung beim Bergpieper
Abstract:
Check of morphological differences to define the sex of the Water pipit Anthus spinoletta
To investigate morphological differences between the sexes of the Water pipit Anthus spinoletta, 351 of 691 data sets dealing with wing length and partial feather length were evaluated based on the criteria of the Ornithological Station Sempach. 282 individuals (80%) were thus classified as males and 65 (19%) as females. For four pipits, no sex could be defined.
The result of this investigation confirms other authors that found separate winter grounds for both sexes. Male water pipits appear to winter predominantly north of the Alps.
Zusammenfassung der Bergpieperberingung (Anthus spinoletta) in Luxemburg in den letzten 18 Jahren
Abstract:
Summary of Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta ringing in Luxembourg over the last 18 years
In 122 catching days 691 data sets of Water Pipits Anthus spinoletta were collected at the station of “Schlammwiss” in the last 18 years of ringing. The data concerned 521 individual birds. An improved catching method used since the winter 2011/12 led to increased numbers over the last winters and the maximum rate was achieved in 2017/18 with 104 individuals caught.
The data provide evidence that the Water Pipits reach their wintering grounds in Luxembourg in the 57th pentad (8.10. – 12.10.) and start to leave in the 17th pentad, some staying until the 23rd pentad (21.4. – 25.4.).
From the total of 691 catches, 104 concerned Water Pipits caught and ringed already during a preceding winter. The maximum time elapsed between ringing and recapture of an individual pipit was six years. In Autumn 57% of the Water Pipits are determined as juvenile, in Spring this percentage drops to 19%. The reasons therefore are discussed.
Report of the month - March
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In March, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 659 birds of 35 species. This number is subdivided in 331 E, 114 W and 214 K. 3 bird foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month March is lower (-139) than the average amount of birds caught at the station from 2001-2018 and lower (-123) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this and last year at the station Schlammwiss.
E: first capture of this individual
W: recapture of an individual which was already captured this year
K: individuals which were ringed one or more years ago or individuals with a foreign country or station
Top 5
| 1. | PHYCOL | Chiffchaff | 91 |
| 2. | EMBSCH | Reed Bunting |
72 |
| 3. | ERIRUB | Robin | 45 |
| 4. | CHLCHL | Greenfinch | 26 |
| 5. | CYACAE | Blue Tit | 26 |
Interesting birds captured:
- 23 Anthus spinoletta
- 3 Coccothraustes coccothraustes
- 2 Luscinia svecica
- 2 Regulus ignicapilla
- 2 Regulus Regulus
- 1 Phylloscopus collybita abietinus
- 1 Spotted Crake
Report of the month - February
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In February, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 549 birds of 24 species. This number is subdivided in 222 E, 212 W and 115 K. One bird foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month February is higher (+99) than the average amount of birds caught at the station from 2001-2018 and lower (-156) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this and last year at the station Schlammwiss.
E: first capture of this individual
W: recapture of an individual which was already captured this year
K: individuals which were ringed one or more years ago or individuals with a foreign country or station
Top 5
| 1. | CYACAE | Blue Tit | 112 |
| 2. | PARMAJ | Great Tit |
43 |
| 3. | CHLCHL | Greenfinch | 28 |
| 4. | TURMER | Blackbird | 27 |
| 5. | EMBSCH | Reed Bunting | 26 |
Interesting birds captured:
- 2 Anthus spinoletta
- 2 Dendrocopus medius
- 2 Rallus aquaticus
-
1 Spinus spinus
-
1 Certhia brachydactyla
- 1 Gallinago gallinago
Report of the month - January
History: The nature reserve "Schlammwiss" was founded in 1982 by the foundation"Hellef fir Natur" (HFN). Afterwards the group "Letzeburger Natur- a Vullenschutzliga" (LNVL) founded the station "Schlammwiss". The station is leaded by the "centrale ornithologique Luxembourg" (COL), a part of the asbl. Natur & Emwelt. Due to the fact that Luxembourg doesn't have its own bird ringing central, we work in cooperation with Royal Belgian Instutitute of Natural Sciences. Therefore, we use rings from the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences.
Location: The bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" is located in Luxembourg, between the communities Schuttrange & Munsbach. The nature reserve is part of the 375ha big Syrvalley and is an extremely important Natura 2000 zone. The reserve is periodicly flooded due to the Syr river, which is an important generator of biodiversity.
Research area: Around 30ha are used for researche, on a length of 1km and a width of 30-120m. The main area is covered by reeds and wetlands (20ha). Furthermore, the resarch area is subdivided and caracterized by an orchard, a forest, several ponds distributed throughout the reedbed and a purification plant (SIAS). The main techniques employed are mist nets and rail traps in order to realize population estimates (i.e. breeding population, migration, overwintering population) and survival estimates by Capture-Mark-Recapture. There are several projects running in the nature reserve and visitation are possible.
Summary of the ringing activity this month
In November, the bird ringing station "Schlammwiss" caught about 353 birds of 23 species. This number is subdivided in 138 E, 140 W and 215 K. One bird foreign origin has been caught.
The total amount of birds for the month January is higher (+151) than the average amount of birds caught in January at the station from 2001-2018 and higher (+10) than the number of last year. The graphic below shows the average amount of birds for each month during the years 2001-2018 in comparison of the numbers of this years, 2018 and the working time for this year at the station Schlammwiss.