Colour ringing schemes
The problem of colour rings and their further identification is well known to everybody working with migratory birds. Here comes an initial idea to coordinate it in Europe. The cooperation started in central Europe, but we warmly welcome all other groups interested in cooperation!
We propose to create a common scheme of colour ringing in as many countries as possible.
The first draft to be discussed is as follows:
First of all - any system is much better than no system.
In Poland an East Germany we use a double colour system for many years and that proved to be very effective – coloured ornithological ring (showing birds biotope – green in forests, red in mountains, yellow in cities and blue in see cliffs) plus black observatory ring for reintroduced birds and coloured ornithological ring for wild birds (blue rings in Poland)
Lack of cooperation causes problems to determine birds origin. In Poland in 2006 we had a huge problem to find out where one of our Peregrines came from. We found very similar letters and colour in 3 countries. That shows how important the cooperation is.
Second - the system we use in Poland and East Germany is not necessary for others, as we have birds in Poland and Germany in 3-4 biotops (mountains, cities, forests and see-cliffs) while in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic and many others - only 1 biotope - in mountains.
We propose to use 2 different systems for ornithological rings and for observatory rings.
With that it will be easier to recognise where the bird comes form.
We propose the following system for ornithological rings
- in Poland and Germany there is already a system with coloured ornithological rings.
Everybody is welcome to join, but is asked to use the same rules - 4 colours for 4 biotopes.
All other countries will use standard ornithological rings as do so far - "aluminium colour ". That will be also an information for all of us that this comes from the "second colour system"
The second system we propose for observatory rings.
Each of the countries will use its own colour for Peregrines.
Of course we have some birds already ringed before, but the system is designed for future.
With time going the number of birds with old rings will fall down soon.
We should also bear in mind, that there is a huge number of birds ringed already in some countries , so we should use those colours as they were if only possible.
We must remember that in Germany they use black rings for many years and will do so in future.
In Poland we use black and blue rings for many years.
What we propose is to use the following colours:
- Black in Germany (and for reintroduction in Poland)
- Blue in Poland
- Red in Hungary
- Yellow in Czech Republic
- Green in Slovakia
- Silver in Romania
The light colours should have black letters.
For other countries we can find out some other colours if possible in future and if necessary. We can also use a 2-coloured rings if necessary.
On the other hand in future we can set up different codes for countries with the same colours.
For the beginning each of countries will start with 1 letter and 1 number system (like A 1).
What is important that we should use only 18 letters - to avoid misunderstanding.
Letters used are : A B C D E H K M N P R S U V W X Y Z
At the second step we will use a 2 letter 1 number code starting with AA, than AB etc.
That will allow us in future to set up a different code for other countries - like starting form KA, PA, etc.
So that is the first idea - to be discussed.
We should also look in the existing systems in other countries to compare that idea with existing programmes.
We should harmonise our approach as soon as possible.
If we can harmonise it on European level that would work better.
More countries involved - the better.
