The Filey & Flamborough Ringing & Migration Week kicks off on 14th October and this year it's bigger and better than ever! While our respective recording areas create a seamless zone of coverage along this famously bird-rich stretch of the UK coastline, 2017's programme sees the two neighbouring Observatories collaborating for the first time for a wonderfully varied programme that is, as always, absolutely free and open to everyone.
Building on the successes of last year's Filey Ringing and Migration Week (which in turn built on FBOG's long-running annual ringing weeks many years previously),
this joint event - which actually runs for a full nine days - aims to provide a wealth of accessible, exciting and instructive activities that are all suitable for everyone, from beginner to expert, young to not-so-young, novice to experienced.
Both Observatories are running daily ringing demonstrations, where our experts are on hand to show the birds up close and explain their amazing journeys. Recent Ringing Weeks have involved the catching of everything from huge arrivals of Scandinavian thrushes and Goldcrests to Short-eared Owls and Sparrowhawks and Siberian gems such as Pallas's, Yellow-browed and Dusky Warblers; families and children are especially welcome, and it's a rare occasion when a younger attendee isn't entranced by these awe-inspiring travellers in the hand. The Filey ringing station remains in its traditional spot in the Country Park (turn left after the cafe for 100 metres) and will be operating from dawn to dusk each day, while Flamborough's team will be stationed at the dedicated ringing lab at the Living Seas Centre, South Landing, from 10 to 12 each morning.
Guided Migration Walks are taking place daily at a variety of spots across both recording areas - including Bempton Cliffs RSPB - and are all led by local experts who are more than happy to explain the mysteries behind the arrivals and departures as they happen. In addition, we'll be hosting Visible Migration Drop-in Sessions for those who want a taster of this wonderful live spectacle along the Yorkshire coast.
There's also a varied programme of five evening talks, which kick off with RSPB's Mark Thomas sharing his exclusive insights about Protecting the UK's Rare Breeders (a collaboration with our friends at Scarborough Birders), and ends with the inaugural Martin Garner Inspirational Talk on the final Saturday night - Yoav Perlman on Israel - Where Migration is Defined. Yoav's knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for migration are well known, and as a close friend of the mighty and much-missed Mr Garner, we couldn't have found a more perfect speaker.
Remember, it's all free, voluntarily run and open to everyone. See you there!
Mark Pearson (co-ordinator)
Note that all ringing demos and talks are weather-dependent and final updates will be posted at 7pm each evening on fbog.co.uk and fbo.org.uk - be sure to check before attending.
