Constant Effort Site

Constant Effort Site Ringing
The Methodology:
• The Constant Effort Sites (CES) scheme is the first national standardised ringing programme within the BTO Ringing Scheme and has been running since 1983.
• Ringers operate the same nets in the same locations over the same time period at regular intervals through the breeding season at approximately 120 sites throughout Britain and Ireland.
• 24 key species of bird are monitored across the country using this method.
NCRG CES Location:
• In North Cornwall, the group have been carrying out CES ringing on the Goss Moor NNR since 2018.
• The Goss Moor is situated in a broad relatively flat, valley basin which forms the headwaters of the River Fal. It contains areas of dry and wet heath, mire, fen and open water, and a diverse mix of wildlife habitats.
• The advantage of having such a variety of habitats means that the bird species diversity is also good. This has resulted in the group regularly ringing and processing 18 out of the 24 CES target species. We are lucky to include Willow Tit and Song Thrush which are 'Red list' Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC), and three Amber-listed species namely, Dunnock, Willow Warbler and Bullfinch.

A more in-depth summary of the CES ringing scheme can be found here: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/bird-ringing-scheme/ringing-surveys/constant-effort-sites