What has become our annual visit to Nanjizal, Cornwall was October 6th - 12th this year. The main group comprised Jerry, George and Richard Clarke, with Jon Avon and Trevor Fletcher helping for short periods. The forecast was very poor, with limited opportunities for ringing, but it was actually a bit better than this. On Sunday 6th it was a wet morning and only a 3 hr afternoon ringing session was possible. The team included Trevor and the catch was a reasonable 33 + (14), including 2 + (1) Firecrest, and (1) eastern Lesser Whitethroat. Jon arrived in the evening.
Monday 7th, a morning session ended at 13.00 just as the afternoon rain was arriving. Trevor returned home in the afternoon. The weather discouraged bird movements with many remaining in the valley. The catch was a disappointing 15 + (25) including 1 + (2) Firecrest and the first Yellow-browed Warbler.
After a very wet overnight, and frequent showers through Tuesday 8th, there was no ringing. A colour ringed Chough was seen in the village - black and white left, with black over white right. With the absence of a metal ring, this was released before natural arrival of the species in Cornwall. Its mate was not ringed. A total of c30 small gulls collected on the rocks at high tide (c25 Black-headed, and 5 Mediterranean but no colour rings were found).
On Wednesday 9th Kester opened the nets, for our first "full day" ringing and a catch of 48 + (22) including 2 + (1) Firecrest, with late Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Jon left in the afternoon.
Windy overnight and a late start on Thursday 10th. Just 13 + (6) birds including 2 + (1) Firecrest and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.
A good forecast for overnight migration (Kester suggested we didn't put more tapes on until we could assess bird numbers in the valley). Wise advice as Friday 11th was busy, with a catch of 153 + (11), including 48 + (2) Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 65 + (1) Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Bunting, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, and our first Redwing. Our previous 2 Little Buntings and our only Red-breasted Flycatcher were also on the same day, suggesting a similar migration origin.
Saturday 12th was our last day, and more good conditions (so no extra tapes again) and a catch of 197 + (11) including 3 + (1) Firecrest, 51 + (1) Chiffchaff, 11 Yellow-browed Warbler (4 together in one net), 101 + (1) Blackcap, and late Wryneck, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher. This was the only Wryneck we have caught on our visits, on the last round of the last day.
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| The team at the "ringing hut" on 9th - Jerry, Richard, George and Jon. The last time this team was together was Portugal Sept 1985. |
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| This years totals. Once again showing the importance of the weather on the catch |
A selection of George's photo's are below.
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| The gents took in a football match! |
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| A panoramic shot of the valley |
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| Little Bunting |
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| Little Bunting |
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| Little Bunting |
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| Red Breasted Flycatcher |
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| Red Breasted Flycatcher |
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| Wryneck |
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| Jerry with a Wryneck |
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