An introduction to the Doncaster Ringing Group...

Doncaster Ringing Group was established in 1993 in response to a quite serious decline in the number of active ringers operating in Doncaster.
To try and redress this problem an official group was constituted which has made considerable efforts to raise the profile of ringing activities including the quite considerable benefits derived from our exertions.
The Group has strengthened in depth and currently comprises a mix of experienced ringers, enthusiastic trainees and associate members.
The boundary for our activities coincides with the Metropolitan boundary of Doncaster and the group operates a number of very diverse sites spread throughout this area.   Over 100 different species have been ringed in the last ten years ranging from Nightjars to Nuthatches and Waders to Warblers.
The annual numbers of birds ringed fluctuates depending upon the success of a given breeding season but typical totals would be in the 4 – 5,000 bracket.   This figure also includes a significant number of youngsters ringed at or near the nest.

Recoveries of birds ringed or caught in Doncaster nearly span the globe. Swallows in South Africa, Blackcaps in North Africa, Lesser Whitethroats throughout the Middle East and Bramblings up into the Arctic Circle. An awful lot of local study goes on too, with population monitoring work that looks at survival and breeding success of our more humble species like Robins and Blue Tits.

Volunteers and trainees are always welcome.   You don’t need to be an academic to make a good ringer.   Common sense and bags of enthusiasm usually suffices.   The group regularly holds demonstrations but if you want to see how it works close up or would like to earn the privilege of holding some of these fantastic species then please contact the Secretary of Doncaster Ringing Group.

Please see the Ringing data section for more detailed information on the species ringed in the last few years...