Belgium
BeBirds, the Belgian Ringing Centre, is hosted at the Directorate Natural Environment (OD Nature) of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, one of the 10 scientific institutions of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO).
By ringing wild birds in Belgium, and beyond through international collaborations (e.g. with Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Russia, Greece, Senegal), we aim to participate to the development of knowledge on the movements and demography of wild birds at a European level and at larger geographical scales. Our essential principle is, through our network of dedicated collaborators and ringers, to organize the collection of high quality data, to make them readily available and to act as a data depository for the (very) long term.
Beside data collection, it is our objective to develop programs, highly preferable in collaboration, targeting issues of high societal value. Long term monitoring of fragile species, unraveling of particular migration patterns, epidemiological surveillance, evaluation of the impact of specific human activities, information and awareness-raising of the public are the main themes followed.
Participating to the training of students in order to share our data and expertise is another focus.
At every stage, we are keen to target the motto of the Institute: Bringing nature into everyone’s life !
Ringing of wild birds in Belgium is carried out through a network of some 300 extremely dedicated volunteers ringers. Each one is certified through a minimum 4 years long procedure of internship and practical and theoretical exams. Ca 50 students and academic staff complete the network.
The ringers are grouped into ca 50 regional ringing groups in order to stimulate team-work and to streamline data transmission. Every group is lead by a very experienced collaborator who plays an essential role in the effective functioning of the system.
Belgium is a Federal State. The authorization to catch and mark wild birds are therefore granted by the Brussels Capital Region, the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region authorities.
We are very grateful to everyone - volunteer-ringers, ringing group leaders, public institutions, private companies and land-owners, for offering their support for our objectives and thus contributing to improved knowledge and more effective conservation of wild bird populations
Contact the scheme: ring@naturalsciences.be