Thursday 24 April 2014

Good Fences - Helogoland trap

As most of you know, I was on the Bird Observatory Copeland Island last weekend and we used this Helogoland trap to catch the birds so that we could ring them.  Even though it is called a trap I am sure you would agree that the birds were ‘fenced’ in!  This post is twined with the one I posted this morning, entitled, Birds on Copeland Island Part 1.  CLICK HERE

A Heligoland trap (or funnel trap) is a large, building-sized, funnel-shaped, rigid structure of wire mesh or netting used to trap birds, so that they can be banded or otherwise studied by ornithologists.


The name is taken from the site of the first such trap, the Heligoland Bird Observatory on the island of Heligoland, Germany, where it was developed by Hugo Weigold who established the observatory and initiated the banding program there. The trap has a series of linked funnels that guides birds or other animals in but makes it hard for them to leave.  Funnel traps of smaller size can also be used to trap squirrels and insects.

There are shrubs a long one side of this trap and the birds often would be found sitting there, so they are encouraged to go further into the trap.  You can just see in this first shot that it goes round the corner.



This is the first bird we caught in the Heligoland trap . Sorry about the quality but this operation of catching the bird has to be done as quickly as possible so the bird is not distressed and the glass was reflecting badly.


You need at least 2 people to successfully operate it.  One person to direct them to this part of the trap and another person the let the flap down.  Then the birds are very carefully caught, measured, aged and ringed, recorded, then released.    

I came across this bird in the trap however I was on my own at the time and as I am not a trained ringer I was not able to operate the trap and so the bird flew out again.



 Just a couple more fence shots from around the island.


I hope you enjoyed this unusual ‘fence’ and hearing a little about it.

Thanks you for visiting.

Many thanks for leaving comments on any of my posts.

25 comments:

  1. definitely qualifies for fencing, margaret! :) thanks for linking in!

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  2. This is an interesting little bird trap. It reminds me of our sparrow studies....this net is much more enclosed and looks interesting to operate. But as with any of these types of birds, several people are needed as the birds are very quick:)

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  3. Wow, this is interesting. It reminds me also of some butterfly houses around here!

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  4. I've seen similar construction here with the college and ornithologists. Very interesting narrative Margaret.

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  5. Thank you for informing us about funnel traps. Fascinating process.

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  6. I often wondered how they "trapped" birds. Very interesting Margaret! I love the view through the fence in your last shot!

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  7. How interesting. I would think all kinds of birds could be tagged. A great fence entry!
    You mentioned that your daughter was moving to Malawi. Our son in law travels there on occasion with the World Health Org.

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  8. Very interesting. It seems to be quit a task.

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  9. That is quite an operation!

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  10. Interesting, I have never seen such a thing.

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  11. I have never seen one of those before. Very interesting Margaret, thank you!

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  12. How interesting! It's very unique and I enjoyed reading about what you're doing. Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane

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  13. I love the lighthouse in the bottom photo.

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  14. Fascinating, I had no idea this is how birds are captured for study/tagging/etc.

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  15. Very interesting post, Margaret! I was glad to read down to the part where the birds are released. Nice photos, especially the lighthouse and water as seen through the rail. Thanks for commenting on my maple syruping post. I can't respond to you except here, for you show up as a 'no reply blogger' so I hope you don't mind that I respond here. Have a good night!

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  16. I found this very interesting. Thanks for sharing it along with the fences.

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  17. I have seen similar trapping. And I have mixed feelings even on banding the birds. Thanks for sharing the info and post.. Have a happy weekend!

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  18. I found this trap to be very interesting, and I agree that it qualifies as a fence.

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  19. That is an unusual fence. I've learned something new!

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  20. I did find your post very interesting. It's great to learn new things. Too bad that one little bird got away. Loved the view of the lighthouse too.

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  21. Dearest Margaret;
    Oh, how interesting to see how they trap birds♡♡♡ thank you very much for sharing.

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  22. Interesting post. Enjoyed learning something new. Love the lighthouse in the last one, too.

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  23. this was a very interesting post. looks like the birds have plenty of room to move around in the enclosure and the trap itself is effective for your important work. hope all is well. have a great day~

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