Colour-ringing of Oystercatchers in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Dominic Cimiotti Michael-Otto-Institut im NABU, Bergenhusen [email protected] Background Since 2010: use of Dutch colour rings in the German Wadden Sea Distribution of the STW ringsystem. Source: Wadertrack R. Stecher Who we are Ilka Hoppe, Schutzstation Wattenmeer Angelika Kühn Hermann Hötker Dominic Cimiotti Coordination: Maria Schiffler working at Oland Martin Kühn, National park ranger Interested: Frank Hofeditz and Sabrina Langhans Klaus Günther Rainer Rehm Overview ringing sites Hallig Oland Actual study sites Hallig Langeneß Planned study sites Hamburger Hallig Pellworm Numbers of c-ringed birds: Meldorfer Bucht 63 ad + 3 juv. (2010-2012) Hedwigenkoog foreland Oland 47 juv. (2011-2012) Langeneß 9 juv. (2012) Meldorfer Bucht Hooge 9 juv. (2011) NABU study Study site „Meldorfer Bucht“ Two sub-areas: • Helmsand (salt marsh) national park • Meldorfer Speicherkoog (polder) nature reserves, sheep farming Scientific objectives: • survival rates • breeding success • migratory behaviour R. Stecher First results Meldorfer Bucht Breeding success • (nearly) no breeding success only 3 chicks ringed • high predation rates of nests • chicks mainly on roofs First results Meldorfer Bucht Survival rates • high survial from 2010 to 2011 • low survival from 2011 to 2012 (strong late-winter) Annual return rates 100 90 80 rate rate (%) 70 60 50 40 30 20 Observed return 10 0 2011 (n = 30) 2012 (n = 56) Year First results Meldorfer Bucht Migratory behaviour • only one record outside Meldorfer Bucht (dead bird on Borkum) • several observations within study site in winter stationary? • use of light-level geolocators 2011 and 2012 (c. 30 birds) A. Thorenmeier Outlook • New study site Pellworm? (island with high numbers and breeding success) comparison good/poor breeding sites (Meldorf/Pellworm) ringing of chicks, juvenile survival • Re-catch of birds with geolocators (Meldorfer Bucht) • Up to 2 new study sites of other ringers (Hamburger Hallig, Hedwigenkoog) Thank you for your attention! .