Breeding resident
The first Cetti's Warbler found in Pembrokeshire stayed at Bosherston Pools from 24 January to 28 March 1979 (D. Henshilwood and J.W. Donovan). The second sang from a reedbed at Poppit on 27 May 1981. These were forerunners of the colonisation which has continued since April 1983. Breeding has been confirmed, and at least five pairs are resident at two sites in the south of the county. They have occupied up to six sites in the breeding season, all south of the Cleddau Estuary (see map) until the Pentood Marshes were colonised in 1990, where there are now at least eight to ten pairs.
They have been recorded at Skokholm, Skomer and Strumble Head outside the breeding period, and such wanderers give hope that they will eventually find other breeding localities; for instance, Mullock, Newgale and Goodwick reedbeds appear to be suitable habitat.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 1
Orange = breeding probable = 6
Total tetrads in which registered = 7 (1.5%)