Goldcrest - 2003-07

The Goldcrest suffers high mortality during severe winter weather. This was experienced in 1979, affecting the breeding population during the 1984-88 survey, when it was estimated that there were about 5,000 pairs by 1988. There were no severe winters thereafter up to and including the time of the 2003-07 survey. During this survey a 33% increase in distribution was detected, despite clear felling of some conifer plantations, probably because most had been surveyed before felling took place. The BBS found there had been a 14% increase in numbers in Wales in 2006–07, which if applied to Pembrokeshire suggests the population had risen to about 6,000 pairs during the survey of 2007 but this is likely to decrease following the loss of so many conifer plantations.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 72

Orange = breeding probable = 249

Yellow = breeding possible = 11

Total tetrads in which registered = 332 (67.8%)