Robin - 2003-07

Voted national bird of Britain, depicted on Christmas cards, and being conspicuous in gardens, Robins are recognised by most people. Widespread in Pembrokeshire they are found in most habitats, being absent only from the tops of the Preseli Hills, dense conifer plantations and the offshore islands, save for Caldey. However, they have bred from time to time at Skokholm and Skomer, and during the 2003-07 survey at Ramsey. Nests are placed on the ground, in trees, bushes, nest boxes and other man - made objects, they are versatile birds.

When the county breeding population estimate was made at the end of the 1984-88 survey, the only local census results available came from a few nature reserves, which were mostly wooded. On this basis an average density of 100 pairs per tetrad was applied to the distribution plot, suggesting a total of 43,000 pairs in Pembrokeshire. The National Atlas of 1968–72, using extensive BTO Common Bird Census and other census data, took an average of 60 pairs per tetrad. However the 1988-91 National Atlas includes an abundance map which showed Pembrokeshire contained areas of maximum and medium densities, suggesting a higher figure locally than the average UK value, probably about 20% higher at just over 70 per tetrad. Since then the BBS has indicated a 7% increase in Wales during the period 1994 – 2007. Applying these approximations to the 2003-07 survey results gives an estimate of about 40,000 pairs breeding in Pembrokeshire.

Graham Rees

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 284

Orange = breeding probable = 155

Yellow = breeding possible = 8

Total tetrads in which registered = 447 (91.2%)