Avocet - 1994

Rare visitor

Two Avocets were taken near Pembroke, but no date was given, and one near Tenby in about 1883 (Mathew 1894). Lockley et al. (1949) listed two at Pembroke River in the winter of 1900, three at Milford Haven in the winter of 1927, and one at Carew from 1 to 3 February 1923. Since then the following sightings have been recorded: two at Little Milford on 29 January 1954, four there on 29 January 1955, one at Sandy Haven on 20 September 1972, one at Hook Reach from 10 November to 15 December 1974, two at Nevem Estuary from 17 to 19 September 1976 and on 14 March 1981, and one at Angle Bay on 15 November 1992. It is a little surprising that it does not occur more frequently considering its increase as a British breeding bird, and the large number which winter on estuaries in Devon and Cornwall.

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