Ortolan Bunting - 1994

Scarce visitor

The first recorded Ortolan Bunting in Pembrokeshire was at Skokholm on 2 June 1931, according to Lockley et al. (1949) who also noted occurrences of single birds at Skokholm on 11 September 1936,19 May 1938 and 26 August 1947, with one at Skomer on 7 September 1946 and three at Ramsey from 18 to 21 September 1941. Subsequently up to five have been recorded in 29 years between 19 May and 23 June and between 22 August and 16 October. They have been seen more frequently in the autumn than the spring. Most were at Skokholm (about 42 birds), but birds have been recorded 11 times at Skomer, three times at Strumble Head, twice at Mathry and the Smalls and once at Martin's Haven, Ramsey and Solva.

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