The chough chicks at Llechwedd Slate Caverns were ringed earlier this month by a crack team of rock climbers and licensed birds ringers. Ringing took place at the nest and was done as quickly as possible to avoid any unnecessary distress to the chicks.
Ringing birds is important as it helps us to monitor their progress and habits, and gives an indication of where they migrate to over the winter. Sadly, only about one in every 50 birds ringed are ever subsequently found and reported, so every report of a ringed bird is of value.
The ringing system used for chough is a combination of a metal ring, plus a plastic one with a number and a letter on it placed round one leg. The other leg gets two coloured plastic rings, which makes identifying the birds from a distance easier.
We also now know that all three of our chicks are girls - this (according to most visitors) explains why they’re so noisy! The chicks are doing very well and growing at a phenomenal rate, it's getting difficult to distinguish the chicks from the parents.
We'll be at the viewpoint until 17 July, so come and see us while you can.