Coastal Passerine Migration Monitoring

Coastal Passerine Migration Monitoring
The Methodology:
• Each spring and autumn we target passerines that are migrating through a North Cornwall headland valley using mist nets.
• Ringers operate the same nets in the same locations each year allowing us to determine winter survival rates and summer productivity within the species encountered.
• Being a coastal location, we can catch a multitude of different species that may not be from the area and come from much further afield.
NCRG Coastal Location:
• The group are very fortunate to have acquired permission to ring on a private site located at Polly Joke valley near Newquay.
• The valley is overshadowed by unimproved calcareous grassland of Cubert Common, which has developed over wind-blown sand.
• The stream valley itself supports a small amount of woodland with adjacent herb-rich meadows. In addition there are small areas of scrub vegetation, wet flushes, intertidal habitats and offshore islands.
• The site has only been in operation since 2023 but the group are confident will be of great interest moving forward once net placement and gentle habitat management have been achieved in the coming years.