Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 8:17AM Motacilla cinerea cinerea
Common resident on all fast-moving streams even close to the sea. Irregular visitors to the island. Numbers fluctuate somewhat.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:27PM During the 1984-88 tetrad survey, Grey Wagtails were found to be widespread in Pembrokeshire, breeding on all major and many of the minor streams and rivers, from the Preseli Hills to the coast. The results of the 2003-07 tetrad survey suggest that they are still widespread in the county, although there have been some localised losses, e.g. parts of the Western Cleddau catchment area and from watercourses to the south and east of Haverfordwest. Gains have occurred in eastern parts of Pembrokeshire and in one or two tetrads in the west of the county. The data also indicate a 31% increase in the number of tetrads where breeding was confirmed, and a 12% increase in the number of tetrads where breeding was probable. The BBS index suggests a population change at UK level between 1994 and 2007 of +26%.
In general, Grey Wagtails appear to be doing well in the county, possibly reflecting the recent trend towards milder winters which will have helped to improve and maintain winter survival, hence recruitment to the breeding population. They are sensitive to prolonged spells of cold weather, although population crashes are usually followed by quite rapid recovery. Other factors that are likely to influence Grey Wagtail breeding populations include water quality and the management of watercourses and associated vegetation by the sides of the banks. Operations such as the removal of gravel shoals could be detrimental, as could clearance of mature bank-side vegetation.
Following the 1984-88 tetrad survey, the breeding population was estimated to be around 450 pairs, based on an average of four pairs per tetrad. An estimate of the breeding population following the 2003-07 tetrad survey would probably be very similar, i.e. around 450 pairs.
Jane Hodges
Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 58
Orange = breeding probable = 24
Yellow = breeding possible = 32
Total tetrads in which registered = 114 (23.3%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10:14AM Breeding resident
A common resident to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al (1949). Today Grey Wagtails breed along all of the major, and many of the minor, brooks and rivers in Pembrokeshire, from the mountains right down to sea level. They are not confined to fast flowing water, breeding by many slow moving streams and even by ponds, such as Bosherston Pools. At an average of four pairs per occupied tetrad, based on counts along suitable rivers and streams, the population during the 1984-1988 Breeding Birds Survey was probably about 450 pairs.
Small numbers, up to 25, move through the islands and coastal regions between July and October but it is not known whether this equates to dispersal or emigration. They are more widespread in winter when they frequent farm ditches and estuaries and some move into the towns and villages. Prolonged severe weather causes marked reductions in the population size, but they are capable of fairly rapid recovery.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 40
Orange = breeding probable = 21
Yellow = breeding possible = 52
Total tetrads in which registered = 113 (23.6%)
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 1:03PM 
Red = breeding confirmed
Orange = breeding probable
Yellow = breeding possible
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 4:17PM 
The BTO winter atlas showed that Grey Wagtails were present in most 10km squares during the winters of 1981-82, 1982-82 and 1983-84.
The darker the colour, the higher the relative total count for each 10km square. The darkest blue represents over 4 birds.
The map plot shows a slightly wider winter distribution than that of the breeding season.
Graham Rees
Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 9:57PM Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"
