Nanjizal 2023

Our now regular annual trip to Nanjizal was the first week of October this year. The team was George, Ron, Andy and Jerry, all previously having visited this exceptional site. They arrived during the course of Saturday afternoon to start ringing on Sunday morning. In contrast to previous visits, Kester was on holiday in Norfolk, so was unable to set tapes/unfurl nets in the early hours, and it was a slightly later start than usual - to enable a bit of dawn light to help navigate the boardwalks. There was only just enough time to see the conclusion of the evening's Rugby World Cup matches before an early bed. The weather was generally good, and they were able to set at least some nets every day. The evening meal was Andy's Cottage Pie with freshly picked spinach.

Sunday 1st - a 5.30 start in thick mist and some light drizzle. The mist persisted but did not trouble the ringing and the catch was 49 + (27). The migrant mix included 1 Redstart, 8 + (3) Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 + (3) Willow Warbler, 1 + (1) Goldcrest, 2 + (2) Firecrest, 23 + (7) Blackcap, (1) Cettis Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 + (2) Reed Warbler. A chicken stir fry in the evening was produced by George.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Monday 2nd - another misty start with light showers from about 10.00, prompted an earlier finish. Local ringer "Dr John" joined them for most of the session. The catch was 85 + (22), which included 33 + (7) Chiffchaff, 1 + (1) Yellow -browed Warbler, 1 + (1) Willow Warbler, 1 + (1) Goldcrest, 1 + (1) Firecrest, 35 + (3) Blackcap, 1 Melodious Warbler (discovered by George), 2 Sedge Warbler, and 1 + (1) Reed Warbler. It had been a good year for Medwa, although our first (during 10 years of visiting the site), with an additional 5 or 6 caught by Kester and team during August/September. Pizza by Jerry ("warmed up") in the evening.

Melodious Warbler

Tuesday 3rd - heavy overnight rain was forecast (due to clear by 07.00) so it was a short lie-in. It felt windy when they emerged from the cottage, and the WNW wind was too strong to allow opening of some nets. The catch was only 8 + (5), made up of (1) Sparrowhawk, 1 Song Thrush, (2) Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, (1) Goldcrest, and (1) Firecrest. A first check on the Sennon Cove gulls at high tide looked promising - a 20-25 mix of Black-headed and Mediterranean, but not a single ringed bird was found. One Sandwich Tern was present and fly overs included 4 Chough and 3 Whimbrel. While Andy/Jerry were checking the gulls, George/Ron had a walk to Land's End and back (working up an appetite for Fish & Chips, or Cornish Pasties - the choice for the tonight's meal).

Wednesday 4th - a hot day (tempered by a light breeze), and the team was joined by "Dr John" for a catch of 90 + (29). The migrants included 8 Meadow Pipit, 14 + (2) Chiffchaff, (1) Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, (2) Goldcrest, 41 + (5) Blackcap, 1 eastern Lesser Whitethroat (probably ssp blythi & dna sample to confirm), 1 Reed Warbler, and the star bird of the trip (also discovered by George, in the same net as the Medwa), a Black & White Warbler. Our first N American capture at Nanjizal, and only the second record for Cornwall. The news of its release (in a nearby copse soon after 10.00), was sent to local birders by "Dr John". This is the routine that Kester follows if any rarities are captured, and is appreciated by the local birders, as the actual ringing site has no public access. By the time the team was leaving the site, there were some 50/60 birders on the lane, and a lucky few managed a glimpse of the bird. Andy walked the coastal path (via Lands End) back to Sennon Cove at the close of ringing. The evening meal comprised left over stir fry with Spinach, followed by a visit to the pub to celebrate a memorable day's ringing.

 Black & White Warbler

 Black & White Warbler

Thursday 5th - a good start but the breeze moved round to the SW and built up during the morning (but did not unduly limit the netting). The catch of 62 + (6) included 30 Meadow Pipit, 4 + (1) Chiffchaff, 5 + (1) Firecrest, 16 + (2) Blackcap. The gulls at Sennon Cove had built to c45 but still no ringed birds. Little Egret, Whimbrel, Chough and an Oystercatcher were seen. Ron produced what was probably the meal of the week (Spaghetti Bolognaise) in the evening.

Friday 6th - after a decent first round it became steady for the rest of the morning. The catch of 92 + (15) included 5 Meadow Pipit, 8 + (1) Chiffchaff, Goldcrest 2 + (1), Firecrest 4 + (3), 56 + (3) Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, and 1 + (1) Reed Warbler. Still c15 birders waiting for a view of the star bird, which only occasionally showed briefly. Andy left for home in the late afternoon (getting home 21.30), just after Kester arrived back. The last of Ron's gourmet meal was finished in the evening. Some 40 gulls at high tide still didn't bear any rings.

Saturday 7th - Ron was excited for the final day's ringing and rose an hour before the alarm clock went off. Packing was completed and the cars loaded before arrival at the ringing site at the usual time, even though Kester had set the tapes and opened the nets. The catch was 65 + (6) including 14 Meadow Pipit 7 + (3) Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, 24 Blackcap, 5 Reed Warbler, and 1 Sedge Warbler. Leaving at about 14.00, they were back in Bristol at about 18.00, a better trip than on the way down.

Firecrest

This has been one of out more memorable visits to Nanjizal, not least because Firecrest outnumbered Goldcrest. Full daily list species included below.

2023 Totals