On Sat 8th, the first group (Ron, Vaughan, Jerry and Merlin) headed down to Cornwall, arriving late afternoon (a couple of weeks later than the 2015 visit). As they were approaching Penzance, Jerry had a call from Jeremy to let him know about the Lake's first Yellow-browed Warbler. Expectations for the week ahead were therefor high, as after a period of easterly winds, several Siberian species had arrived in the east of the country. On Sunday morningthey arrived at the valley for first light (just after 7am), and there were good numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff on the first round. As predicted by Kester, the second round was more likely to have some Yellow-browed Warblers (in fact 3 new and 1 retrap). Later in the morning, a Dusky Warbler was caught, having been heard hanging around the pool area since first light. Unfortunately, neither the Dark-throated Thrush/Red-breasted Flycatcher seen/heard at first light, nor the Little Bunting from Saturday, hung around.
The session ended on 166 + (21), with the main species Blackcap 79 and Chiffchaff 39. Other "good" species were 2 Firecrest, 2 Reed Warbler and a Redstart. In the evening Carlton and Andy arrived, so it was back to the site to set some nets across a stubble field - to try for Skylark, moving the birds around at dusk failed to push any into the nets, which were then furled for the morning.
On Monday morning, Carlton and Andy headed for the stubble field, and managed to catch 2 Skylark and a Meadow Pipit, unfortunately the handful of Lapland Bunting in the field didn't get caught. The other three opened the main nets (soon joined by Carlton and Andy). It was quieter than yesterday - reflected in the catch of 99 + (34), which included just 28 Blackcap, 24 Chiffchaff, 9 (nine) Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrest, 2 Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler and 3 Redwing. In the evening, Vaughan had to leave to attend to a home emergency (loss of power), but it did mean that the cottage (especially the double bed) was a little less congested.
Tuesday was another "quiet" day with 89 + (10). Blackcap had picked up a bit to 39, but Chiffchaff stayed on 24. Other species included Kingfisher, a single (disappointing after yesterday's number) Yellow-browed Warbler, Redstart and Whitethroat. Several Song Thrush that were caught were clearly continental birds. The Little Bunting and Wryneck in the nearby fields didn't venture into the valley, however. Not to be deterred by the lack of success in the stubble field, three baited spring traps were set for Lapland Bunting (about five present), but none (nor the c40 Skylark) showed any interest, though on the final check, two Short-eared Owls were flushed from close to the traps.
At the beginning of the week, the forecast for Wednesday/Thursday was for strong winds, but the more recent forecast was better, and with the wind coming from the SE, it looked possible to set most/all nets. Catches were 66 + (22) on Wednesday, and 58 + (38) on Thursday. The main species remained Blackcap and Chiffchaff, plus 7 Yellow-browed Warbler on Wed (only retraps on Thurs). Over the two days they also ringed 3 Firecrest, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (eastern race), Garden Warbler, Redwing and a Lesser Redpoll. In the evening, Mark Grantham (West Cornwall R Gp) arrived to set more nets in the stubble, in readiness for a dawn session after Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Lapland Bunting. The forecast was for the wind to drop completely in the morning. Wednesday saw our only visit to the "chippie" - unlike last year, and also the only pub visit of our stay.
On Friday, the catch picked up a little to end on 74 + (23), which included a Firecrest and 4 more Yellow-browed Warbler (24 now ringed in total, plus approx 10 birds re-caught - all of which had increased their mass, by up to about 0.6 gms), and a retrap Grey Wagtail. The stubble nets produced just 2 Meadow Pipit. Surprisingly, given the time of year, relatively few Goldcrest were being caught, just 45 in the six mornings (max 11 on Sunday). Saturday morning was forecast to be wet, so the team had a bit of a lie in, packed and left just after breakfast.
The week's total was 552 + (148). New birds comprised -
Kingfisher 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Skylark 2, Robin 34, Redstart 2, Song Thrush 18, Redwing 4, Blackbird 9, Wren 13, Dunnock 6, Chiffchaff 148, Willow Warbler 2, Dusky Warbler 1, Yellow-browed Warbler 24, Reed Warbler 5, Blackcap 204, Garden Warbler 2, Whitethroat 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Goldcrest 45, Firecrest 8, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 6, Coal Tit 1, Chaffinch 5, Lesser Redpoll 1 and Bullfinch 4. Additional species caught (that had been ringed previously) were Great-spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail and Long-tailed Tit.
Dusky warbler
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