'German Geordie' returns to Lothian

'German Geordie' is an old friend to Tom Dougall and members of Borders Ringing Group.


He's a male Blackbird ringed on the German island of Helgoland on 10 March 2005, and was presumably on return migration there, breeding further to the north or east in Scandinavia. He was the first caught near Gifford, East Lothian, on 16 February 2008, a farmland site fed up by Mike McDowall.

Though some birds are quite faithful to their wintering areas, it was a surprise when he was caught again on 14 December 2008 (and 3 January 2009). Even more interesting, he was caught again recently, on 30 January 2010. Presuming he'd been in the area all along this would have been his sixth winter, and he looks very good for it!

Thanks to Tom for letting us know about 'German Geordie' and to Duncan Priddle for the photos.