I have been a licensed ringer with the British Trust for Ornithology for over 30 years and have an “A” Licence with full trainer status. In addition to my work in this country I have also gained experience with passerines at ringing stations in America, Canada, Israel, Russia and Scandinavia. My main interest is with Mute Swans and I have published papers on various aspects of their biology in Bird Study, Wildfowl, Waterbirds and Ardea. I am also co-author of the section on Mute Swans in “The Migration Atlas” published by the BTO. I am a Zoology graduate of the University of Wales and in 1991 was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of my work with Mute Swans.

As Ringing Secretary of the West Midland Bird Club I am in contact with most ringers in the West Midlands and each year prepare a ringing report for the West Midland Bird Club Annual Report. I have been a tutor for Extra Mural Classes in ornithology for a number of years and have also tutored modules on the Certificate in Ornithology Course at Birmingham University.

Birmingham University Ringing Group at Chaddesley Woods

Chaddesley Woods comprise some 100  hectares of ancient woodland, predominantly deciduous Oak but with stands of Birch and Conifer also present. It has a rich and varied avifauna, attracting both summer and winter migrant birds as well as holding a good number of resident species.

The 300 nest boxes installed by the University provide a large number of accessible nesting sites for Tits, Nuthatch and Flycatchers enabling studies on productivity, growth rates and fledging success to be undertaken. During autumn and winter feeding stations attract large numbers of over –wintering birds and winter roosts of thrushes and finches also occur. A number of fully qualified ringers/mist netters are associated with the Centre for Ornithology and can provide support for projects where ringing of birds is required. Also, where requested, training facilities for students who wish to achieve a ringing permit during the course of their studies can be arranged.

Publications

Watola, GV, Stone, DA, Smith, GC, Forrester, GJ, Coleman, AE, Coleman, JT, Goulding, MJ, Robinson, KA, Milsom, TP (2003) Analyses of two mute swan populations and the effects of clutch reduction: implications for population management. Journal of Applied Ecology 40 565-579 .

Coleman, JT, Coleman, AE (2002) A preliminary analysis of mute swan biometrics in relation to sex, region and breeding status. Waterbirds 25 Suppl. 1 340-345

Coleman, AE, Coleman, JT, Coleman, PA, Minton, CDT (2001) A 39 year study of a Mute Swan Cygnus olor population in the English  Midlands. Ardea 89 Sp. Iss. 123 -133.

Bacon, PJ, Coleman, AE (1986) An analysis of weight changes in the Mute Swan cygnus-olor. Bird Study. 33 145 -158