Pied Flycatcher - 2003-07

Pied Flycatchers were first proved to breed in Pembrokeshire, at Ffynone, in 1978 but they may have bred at Llancych in 1936. Colonisation of Pembrokeshire took place in the late 1970’s and 1980’s and the 1984-88 survey estimated the county population was about 100 pairs by 1988. Since then the population has undergone a decrease, so by the time of the 2003-07 survey there had been a 39% contraction in its county distribution. Even during the course of the survey there was known contraction, those breeding at Blackpool Mill Leat in 2003 having disappeared by 2004. It is estimated that 30 pairs were nesting in Pembrokeshire by the end of 2007. Pied Flycatchers decreased in the UK by 49% between 1996 and 2006 according to the BTO, early indications being because they have not adapted to peak food availability being advanced as a result of the trend towards earlier springs. Consequently the Pied Flycatcher has been amber-listed under the Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Eaton et al., 2009). 

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 4

Orange = breeding probable = 15

Total tetrads in which registered = 19 (3.9%)