Black Guillemot - 2003-08

A supplement to the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pembrokeshire 2003-2007.

On 13th June 2003, a black guillemot in summer plumage flew into the cliffs at Penally.

In 2007, two birds were recorded in Fishguard Harbour in June and July raising speculation that they may have attempted to breed.

In 2008, a year after fieldwork for the Breeding Birds Atlas was over, breeding was confirmed at Fishguard - the first confirmation of successful breeding in the county since the early 19th Century.

Reference:

Rees, G., Haycock, A., Haycock, B., Hodges, J., Sutcliffe, S., Jenks, P and Dobbins, R. et al. 2009 Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pembrokeshire 2003-2007. Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Black Guillemot - 1949

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Montagu (1820) said that a few then bred near Tenby.  Mathew know of no recent record in 1894.  Since then it has been seen: one Teifi estuary, July 1914 (T.Ground); one St Davids Head, 18 June 1924 (C.M.Acland); and one same place 16 July 1925 (Bertam Lloyd); one 15 July 1932 and 15 July 1933 in Jack Sound (R.M.L.)

R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society

Black Guillemot - 1994

Sporadic visitor, former breeder

Montague (1866) said of the Black Guillemot "we have seen it rarely on the coast of Wales near Tenbeigh where a few breed annually". Mathew (1894) knew of no further occurrences but Lockley et al. (1949) added five records of single birds at the Teifi Estuary, St David's Head and Jack Sound, all in June and July between 1914 and 1933.

Since then up to four have been recorded in 26 years, 60% in June and July. They have mostly been single birds, but a pair was seen around Ramsey Sound throughout the summers of 1968 and 1969 which, with one standing next to a hole in the cliffs of Stackpole Head in 1987, raised hopes of colonisation. All sightings have been from the outer coast ranging from Ceibwr to Strumble Head, Ramsey, Borough Head, Jack Sound, Skomer, Skokholm, Elegug Stacks and St Margaret's Island, apart from one far up the Cleddau Estuary at Hook Quay on 31 January 1971.

The origin of these birds is not known; they may have come southwards from Anglesey or the Isle of Man, but most probably they have flown from Ireland.

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

Black Guillemot - 1970s breeding

 

Red = breeding confirmed

Orange = breeding probable

Yellow = breeding possible

Black Guillemot - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

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