Grey Wagtail - 1994

Breeding resident

A common resident to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al (1949).  Today Grey Wagtails breed along all of the major, and many of the minor, brooks and rivers in Pembrokeshire, from the mountains right down to sea level. They are not confined to fast flowing water, breeding by many slow moving streams and even by ponds, such as Bosherston Pools. At an average of four pairs per occupied tetrad, based on counts along suitable rivers and streams, the population during the 1984-1988 Breeding Birds Survey was probably about 450 pairs.

Small numbers, up to 25, move through the islands and coastal regions between July and October but it is not known whether this equates to dispersal or emigration. They are more widespread in winter when they frequent farm ditches and estuaries and some move into the towns and villages. Prolonged severe weather causes marked reductions in the population size, but they are capable of fairly rapid recovery.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 40

Orange = breeding probable = 21

Yellow = breeding possible = 52

Total tetrads in which registered = 113 (23.6%)

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