Introduced from Ireland about 1586 according to Geo Owen. Later it became a common resident. Mathew says it "thrives remarkably well". It is now much scacer, due to losses in gin graps used by rabbit catchers. A few breed on Skomer, maintaining their numbers possibly by accretions from the mainland, as it has been seen to fly across Jack sound.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society