We were delighted to welcome the North Cornwall Ringing Group, led by Pete Roseveare, for their second visit to Gower over the weekend of 21/22 August 2026.  The visit allowed trainees and C Permit holders from both groups to work with different trainers and exchange ideas. The combined Gower and North Cornwall team spent the majority of their time at Oxwich Marsh, also visiting the saltmarsh at Weobley during the evening of 22 August.

The species and numbers captured at Oxwich are below:

The highlights in terms of birds captured were our second young nightjar of the year and good numbers of tree pipit. Pipits were recorded moving overhead on both Saturday and Sunday, with the total of 26 ringed representing a small proportion of the birds heard and seen. The Saturday also saw our first substantial influx of blackcap, with a day total of seven garden warbler being notable for the site. A young kingfisher on the Sunday was our fifth in a matter of a few weeks, while steady numbers of grasshopper warbler also point to a good breeding season in that species. We have already exceeded our best ever year total for reed warbler at the site, suggesting they have done very well; we expect to continue to catch them during late August and the first half of September.

There was a light passage of yellow wagtail and a few waders moved over mainly before dawn including greenshank and ringed plover.  Non-avian migrants included a clouded yellow butterfly, and the moths olive-tree pearl Palpita vitrealis, numerous rush veneer and the odd silver-y and rusty-dot pearl.

The visit to Weobley was less successful. The tides weren’t favourable, and despite numerous small waders on the Burry Inlet we managed to capture a solitary ringed plover.

The overall take away was how useful it is to be able to learn from different trainers and experienced ringers. The groups also got on very well and we hope to welcome North Cornwall again in future years.

Owain Gabb

24/08/2026