Nanjizal 19-26 September

A group of us had a week's ringing in Cornwall, at a small wooded valley, located about 2-3 Km NE of Land's End.  Late in the afternoon of Sat 19th, Gareth, George and Jerry arrived at their cottage in Sennen Cove, and had an hour or so "gull watching" on the beach.  They recorded a variety of colour ringed Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls, as well as others with only metal rings.  The terns came from Grampian Region (2), while the gulls were from France (2) and Poland. 

Med gull with Polish darvic ring

View from the cottage at Sennen Cove

In the evening Kester Wilson (local ringer) arrived to take us to see the site.  There were seventeen net lanes (three with double nets), scattered through the extensive scrub, with lots of board walks and bridges over the wet areas/streams.  Fortunately he doesn't record indivual net lanes for the captures, but does note fat and pectoral muscle scores for migrants.  First impression was that it would be a long net round.

Overview of the site

George making the long slog around the nets

This open net lane had previously caught booted warbler!

Sunday - on site by 6.30, to await the first net round at 6.45, Kester had already unfurled the nets and set some tapes (as he did every morning), but then had to leave.  Three tape systems were playing Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Grasshopper Warber song at different nets in the central part of the site.  The first round was busy, mainly Blackcap, but with a bit of other warbler variety, and a few Reed Warbler to keep us alert.  We were joined by Peter (a local C ringer) who was familiar with the site and had come along to help.  Numbers had tailed off by 11.00, and the day total was 133 + (22).  Two Firecrest were ringing ticks for both Gareth and George. 

Firecrest ringed by George

In the late afternoon, we were joined by Ron, keeping the team at four, and reducing the number of net rounds each would have to undertake on subsequent mornings.

Monday - overnight rain didn't clear until 09.00, so we arrived on site to open six nets (for just a couple of hours ringing), from mid morning.  The catch was just 8 + (5), but included only the second Redstart for the season.  George had to leave late morning.

Tuesday - a very windy night/morning, so the three of us opted for some sea watching at Pendeen, the best of which was about 100 Manx Shearwater (plus a few Balearics), 3 Scoter and three Arctic Skua, while flying over the headland were nine Chough.

Jerry and Ron at the seaside

Wednesday - ringing conditions were perfect, and after a busy first couple of net rounds, the day ended on 107 + (12), dominated by Blackcap.  The star bird was a juvenile Scarlet Rosefinch (ringed by Ron).  In the afternoon, Gareth had to leave, but Andy and Vaughan Thomas arrived shortly afterwards.

Rosefinch, a rare treat!

Another first for Gareth

New arrival, Andy, joins Jerry and Ron at the ringing table 

Thursday - some light rain passed through during the early hours, which had a marked impact on the catch.  Amongst the total of 24 + (20) was another Firecrest ringing tick, this time for Vaughan.

The bird giving more ticks

In what was otherwise an uneventful day, Ron decided to take a headlong dive off the bridge, but because the stream was shallow, he only managed to get his head and lower arms wet.

No diving off the board walks, Ron!

Friday - excellent netting conditions, and after a clear night with light winds and a 3/4 moon, good numbers of birds moving.  Another busy hour or so extracting, and a day total of 106 + (18), which included no less than eight Firecrest (four together) thanks to Vaughan's playback system.

Saturday - excellent conditions continued, and we had our biggest catch of the week with 163 + (12).  Blackcaps again dominated the catch (and for the first time exceeded 100), at 105.

Over the course of the week the individual species ringing totals were -

Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 2, Cettis Warbler 1, Grasshopper Warbler 8, Reed Warbler 8, Sedge Warbler 10, Blackcap 279, Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 91, Willow Warbler 4, Goldcrest 28, Firecrest 16, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Wren 9, Robin 30, Redstart 1, Dunnock 11, Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 1, Blue Tit 6, Great Tit 11, Long-tailed Tit 4, Jay 1, Chaffinch 15, Scarlet Rosefinch 1.