Bird ringing and nest recording in Britain and Ireland in 2022

This is the 86th annual report of the British Trust for Ornithology’s Ringing Scheme, incorporating the report of the Nest Record Scheme and covering work carried out and data processed in 2022. A total of 101 Constant Effort Sites (CES) submitted data for the year. Significant changes to the long-term abundance trends (1983–2022) were observed in 20 of the 24 species monitored through CES; 18 species are exhibiting significant long-term changes in productivity, while 10 species recorded significant long-term changes in survival. Short-term trends, which compare the current year to the five-year mean for 2017–21, show significant changes in abundance for seven species, significant changes in productivity for six species and significant changes in survival for four species. The Garden CES trial continued in 2022, with 47 sites submitting data. Submissions were received for 112 sites that participated in the winter ringing project over winter 2022/23. The number of Retrapping Adults for Survival projects that were able to run and submit data in 2022 was 180. In total, 60 species were monitored, with Starling Sturnus vulgaris (21 projects), Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca (20 projects), House Sparrow Passer domesticus (17 projects) and Sand Martin Riparia riparia (10 projects) the species most studied. A total of 915 113 birds were ringed during the year, comprising 140 784 nestlings, 457 825 first-year birds, 288 710 adults (birds in their second calendar year or older) and 27 794 birds whose age could not be determined. In addition, there were 213 990 recaptures of ringed birds at or near the ringing site. In total, 49 581 recoveries (birds found dead, recaptured or resighted at least 5 km from the place of ringing) of British- or Irish-ringed birds were reported in 2022. The Appendix highlights a selection of recoveries that have extended our knowledge of movements, as well as longevity records established during the year. A total of 41 038 NRS submissions were received in 2022. Mean laying dates for 2022 were significantly earlier than the average for eight species; no species laid significantly later than normal. Four species displayed a significant change in fledglings per breeding attempt, with one recording increased productivity and three recording reduced productivity. Permits or licences to disturb breeding birds on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) were prepared and issued in 2022 to 628 ringers and nest recorders. During 2022, 1895 marking endorsements (excluding standard colour ringing), 891 sampling endorsements and 188 trapping endorsements were issued in the UK and overseas relating to 523 marking projects.