Wryneck

Scientific Name: Jynx torquilla. Jynx comes from the Greek word for Wryneck. Torquilla is Latin for twisted (as in Torteval – twisted or winding valley) and was used for this bird from the fifteenth century. It is becuase of its unique manner of twisting its neck.

This bird was a lifer for me (first time I’ve ever seen one). I had the privilege and joy of extracting it from the mist net and ringing it, so that made it even more special. I was too excited to focus properly when I took the photo. It is the seventeenth Wryneck to be ringed locally.

This unique bird is only seen here during the spring and, more commonly, autumn migration months. This one was ringed at the Chateau de Marais, an undisturbed, low-lying area which is wet over the winter but also has a good covering of shrubs and trees. Most local sightings are from coastal locations where there is some cover, but as Trevor Bourgaize, my ringing trainer pointed out, they are birds of woodland and this area is under-recorded.

The crytpic plumage with fine barring and detailed, exquisite patterning is excellent camouflage. Even at close quarters it can be very hard to spot as they also remain still.

Diet: insects and invertebrates, particularly ants and ant larvae.

Distribution: Breeding – across most of continental Europe; overwinters in Spain, Portugal, Turkey and North Africa; Guernsey – scarce passage migrant.

Guernsey migration dates: Spring, mainly April – May, Autumn late August – early November