Sabine's Gull - 1994

Scarce passage migrant

Mathew (1894) cites three Pembrokeshire occurrences, at Milford Haven in the autumn of 1839, near Amroth on 12 November 1892 and an undated record of a bird taken at Stackpole. No more were recorded until one was seen at Skokholm on 11 October 1968, followed by single birds in five years up to 1979. Since 1980 Sabine's Gulls have been seen annually, mostly as single birds, or two together, blown inshore by gales in the period from 22 August to 23 November. They have been noted at Skokholm, the Smalls, the Gann, Newgale, St David's Head and Fishguard, while 130 passed Strumble Head between 1980 and 1992, with a maximum of 25 in a year and up to six passing in a day.

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