Gull training for GSPCA staff and volunteers - Thank you to Paul Veron
Submitted by GSPCA on 11:33, 6th Aug, 2013 |
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Today Shelter staff and volunteers had the pleasure of a local expert in Gulls give a talk on their movements, the tracking of them and their behaviour.
Paul Veron who has been ringing birds since 1976 and has rung over 53,000 himself since starting has a wealth of knowledge that he shared with the GSPCA team before they started their work.
Paul talked primarily about the movements and ringing work of the Herring Gull, Black Back Gull and Lesser Back Gull all of which breed around the Bailiwick.
The GSPCA have been working closely with Paul to ring the Gulls for a number of years that arrive at the Shelter sick, orphaned or injured.
On average the GSPCA receive an average of 40 to 50 Gulls each year although back at the end of 2011 we saw over 50 Gulls in less than a month due to an out break of illness (to see this story please click here).
Currently at the GSPCA we have 5 Gulls that are nearly fit enough to release so Paul after the training session popped down to ring the birds before they go back to the wild.
Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said 'It was so interesting to find out about the movements of the Gulls and never realised that they go as far in the Winter.'
'From Gambia to Iceland and to think many of our local Gulls pop over to the Bay of Biscay in Spain for the Winter months.'
'It was a lovely talk and we all really enjoyed it and many of us have volunteered when Paul needs help ringing Gulls in the wild.'
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said 'We all want to thank Paul for a very interesting and informative talk on Gulls.'
'The work we do is invaluable to local wildlife but we need to know what happens to the animals we release back to the wild and what Paul does is just fantastic and so useful to rescue organisations like ourselves to know that it is worth while.'
'Paul regularly gives us updates on birds that we have helped and it is always good to know that they are fit and well.'
To see the Guernsey Gull Blog Spot please click here.
Before Paul left he rung Biggin a Black Back Gull as well as Buddy, Grey Beard, Roger and Shane 4 juvenile Herring Gulls.
Just some facts the GSPCA team learnt from Paul were -
One Gull had migrated to Gambia
Between 2009 and 2011 there have been 64 adult and 245 Black Back Gull chicks rung
Between 2009 and 2013 there have been 5,011 adult and 618 Herring Gull chicks rung
Between 2008 and 2013 there have been 2,381 adult and 964 Lesser Black Back Gull chicks rung
Local population of Herring Gulls is around 4,100 pairs
Local population of Lesser Black Back Gulls is around 1,700 pairs
Local population of Black Back Gulls is around 280 pairs
Ringing chicks take place on Alderney, Herm, Sark, Jethou and Guernsey
All of the team would like to pass on their thanks to Paul for his time and the very interesting training session.
If you would like to donate to Nouska the Husky's operation and the other animals in need please call 01481 257261, pop into the Shelter in St Andrews or click on the Paypal link below and reference 'Nouska's Appeal'
If you have found a baby bird then for advice on what to do please
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The following are events planned for 2013
Every Tuesday during term time between 10.30am and 12pm at the GSPCA we have a coffee morning with bric-a-brac and pet supplies on sale (free entry) also guided tours at £5 per person minimum donation available at 11am. Please click here for more details
9th - 10th August 2013 South Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
14th - 15th August 2013 West Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
17th August Donkey Derby GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
21st - 22nd August 2013 North Show GSPCA stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
GSPCA Flag Day August 24th - we are looking for volunteers to help make this the biggest and best flag day the GSPCA has held
Sunday 25th August - Vale Earth Fair - volunteers needed to help with the stand
Wednesday 4th September 6.30pm - Volunteer Induction Evening - to be held at the Shelter, more details to follow
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