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| CHELMARSH SCRAPE |
Formation of Chelmarsh Ringing Group
Chelmarsh R.G. was formally set up in 2002, although Dave Fulton and Tony Crossman have been ringing on the site, and
locally since 1978. They were joined in 1990 by Joe Jordan, and in 2001 by Dave Bastin. Trainees, Dave Rogers, Doug
Wall, are also group members. Linda Munday and Stuart Cowper, who joined the group as trainees in 2006 have just
qualified for C licences, and Joe Jordan is now an 'initial' trainer.
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Chelmarsh reservoir is situated 4 miles South of Bridgnorth, in South Shropshire. The site is owned by The South Staffordshire
Water Authority, and Chelmarsh Bird Reserve is an area of marsh land, phragmites reedbed, and wader scrape, adjacent
to the reservoir. This area was leased by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, until Sept. 08 but this has now ceased. It
is hoped that the Shropshire Ornithological Society will take over the full lease in due course.
Back in 1978, the reserve was just an area of mainly Willow Herb, then in that year, Dave F. and colleagues planted 100
roots of Phragmites Reed on the site. It was slow at first to gain a hold but then expanded rapidly to what we have today.
The number of Reed Warbler pairs breeding on the reserve has increased from nil, to over 30 pairs as the area of
reedbed increased.
The next important habitat change followed the involvement of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, the Scrape was made. This
is an area of approx.1 hectare over which the water levels can be controlled. In summer and winter the area is flooded and
becomes a haven for ducks, swans, and geese. In the spring and autumn, the water level is dropped to expose mud and feeding
areas for migrating waders.
The following tables shows the number of birds ringed at all sites in the UK each year by Chelmarsh Ringing Group.
Year 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010
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F.Grown 2430 2120 1122 1589 1650 2617 2425 1533 2012 1614 664 1590
548 530 810 665 951 1847 1228 1353 1732 1284 1354 1066 1530 2671 2756 2265 2460 1219 2472 2020
1184
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Pullus 165 453 676 420 737 1198 772 1105 585 686 725 456 506 514 428 374 313 512 321 538 559 557 362 249 420 419 425 397 439 557 441 614
577
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Total 2595 2573 1798 2009 2387 3815 3197 2638 2597 2300 1389 2046 1054 1044 1238 1039 1264 2359 1549 1891 2291 1841 1716 1315 1950 3090 3181 2662 2899 1776 2913 2634
1761
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Total
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Birds
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Ringed
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70811
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This table should not be used as an indicator of population levels. There are many reasons for the fluctuations, effort,
weather conditions, as well as varying numbers.
Bat Survey work can now be undertaken by Dave and Tony for barn
conversions etc.
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Chelmarsh Cuckoo This juvenile Cuckoo was hatched out at Chelmarsh Reservoir
site by a pair of Reed Warblers. Juvenile Cuckoo's have been reared at Chelmarsh for the last 3 or 4 years, but this is
the first time we have managed to trap and ring one. Caught on 25th. July 2010, ringed and released.
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Some of the 'Gang'... Doug, Dave B, Tony, Dave F, and Joe, enjoying
the local hospitality at Santo Andre.
Although Chelmarsh Reservoir is the main base for the group, they are active throughout the year at various
other locations.
- Oct...Feb. Most Sunday afternoons, weather permitting, at Chelmarsh. Catching
finches, tits etc. at the feeding stations which are provided by Chelmarsh R.G. In the evening the roost in the phragmites
reedbed can turn up good numbers of Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtails, Starlings etc.
- Mar...Apr. Catches continue at Chelmarsh, but Dave F concentrates his efforts
on the Siskin, Goldfinch, and Greenfinch in his garden in Highley.
- May...Jul. While Andy tends to the 300+ nestboxes in the Wyre Forest, the rest
of the group spend every weekend on Clee Hill, Nr. Cleobury Mortimer monitoring breeding Stonechat and Wheatear. An R.A.S.
(Retrapping Adults for Survival) project is carried out on each of these species.
- Jul...Sep. The group returns to Chelmarsh to monitor the breeding warbler populations.
Swallow and Sand Martin Roosts also sometimes build up in the reedbeds, and an occasional all night netting session turns
up some interesting waders.
- Sep. As the summer migrants
drift back towards warmer climes, the group makes its annual pilgrimage to Santo Andre in Portugal. Here at this time, the
migration is in full swing, and high numbers of the more exotic warblers are caught on passage. Grasshopper, Sardinian, Sub
Alpine, and Melodious Warblers, and good numbers of Bluethroat join the many reed Warblers moving through.
- Oct The annual cycle
starts once more.
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Chelmarsh Ringing Group are all members of The British Trust
for Ornithology and are all active wardens of Chelmarsh Nature reserve. If we are ringing birds or carrying out
maintenance on the site when you visit, please come and speak to us. We will be glad to show you birds in the hand, and who
knows, we may even persuade you to take up a spade to help with the maintenance work.
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Any donations of birdfood would be most welcome between October and March. Please leave in bins in 'old' scrape hide.
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| DINNEY FARM COTTAGES |
For local HOLIDAY COTTAGES self catering or B&B at Dinney Farm overlooking Chelmarsh Reservoir. Click here.
BULLS HEAD Chelmarsh for good food and accommodation. (CLICK HERE)
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