Great Reed Warbler at Gunwalloe, Cornwall

A Great Reed Warbler was found in the reed bed at Gunwalloe yesterday by Ted Griffiths.  This is suprisingly just the seventh record for mainland Cornwall.  The last was a bird trapped at Nanjizal and present for a week in April 2011.  The site is private and there is no public access so we have to trawl way back to 1988 when one was present for three days in mid May.  Thus, this species is sought after and a well-needed county tick.  Sadly, the views today were decidedly difficult.  Always distant, the most anyone saw was a brief flight view today.  It was also heard singing briefly this morning.

The first was at Par Marsh in 1960, then three at Marazion Marsh 1962, 1963 and 1977, Crowan Res 1988, then the trapped bird at Nanjizal 2011.

Great Reed twitch, Gunwalloe, image by Bob Davey.