Dunlin - 1994

Winter visitor and passage migrant

There is no evidence of any change in status since Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al (1949).

A considerable autumn passage commences in early July and continues into November, with peak movement in September.  Some birds pause to feed on the estuaries and to a lesser extent on mainland beaches and offshore islands.  They have also been seen passing during the day from ships offshore and from the Smalls and off Strumble Head, as well as being detected moving at night at the lighthouses of the latter two localities.  Observations at Stumble head confirm the September peak which is also reflected in counts from the Cleddau, Teifi and Nevern estuaries.

The main winter arrival occurs in November and December and is nocturnal.  The principal areas of the Cleddau Estuary used are between Hook and Llangwm, Carew/Cressell Rivers, Llandstadwell, Pembroke River and Angle Bay.

On average about 80 dunlin winter on the Teifi Estuary and 20-30 on the Nevern Estuary.  They are scarce and irregular elsewhere. 

Departure takes place in March, is rapid and thought to be nocturnal.  Ringing has shown that some winter birds arrive via Scandinavia; for example, on ringed on 31 August 1952 at Ottenby in Sweden was recovered at Milford Haven on 10 December.

Small numbers pass through Pembrokeshire from April to mid-June, pausing briefly on the offshore islands, the Gann and the Nevern and Teifi estuaries, with a rapid turnover of individual.  They can sometimes be seen departing northwards on calm evenings from places such as Angle Bay and the Gann, when they rise from the flats and circled in tight groups, calling incessantly, sudddinly falling quiet as they set off on a bearing.

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire