Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:52AM Carduelis cannabina cannabina
Numerous resident, breeding wherever there is gorse, including Skomer, Ramsey, Caldey and once Skokholm.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Friday, August 24, 2012 at 9:28PM The Linnet is a common finch of Pembrokeshire, though in decline elsewhere. The male with a red wash to the breast and forehead, twittering flight calls, and white edgings to wings and tail, is still a familiar sight, particularly around the coast and hills. The Linnet breeds in areas of rough grassland, sometimes in loose colonies. Much of this type of grassland has now been lost to more intensive agriculture, although some areas remain here, perhaps more so than elsewhere in the UK.
During the 1984-88 survey a figure of 25 pairs per tetrad was used to estimate the total population, which produced the figure of 8,600 pairs for Pembrokeshire. During the 2003-07 survey, the number of tetrads in which Linnet was recorded has increased by c.10%; the total tetrads with probable breeding increasing by c. 100%. Whether the breeding density has changed is perhaps for further testing. The BBS has recorded a decline of 27% in the Linnet population for the UK between 1994 and 2006. The long term trend 1974–2006 showed a decline in the order of 57%. Pembrokeshire may therefore be an important stronghold for this species.
Richard Dobbins
Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 127
Orange = breeding probable = 205
Yellow = breeding possible = 49
Total tetrads in which registered = 381 (77.8%)
PBBA 2003-7, RD in Linnet Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 9:01PM Breeding resident and passage migrant
The Linnet was a common resident during the times of both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949). It is still a widespread breeding species but is probably less numerous, as many rough areas of the county have been reclaimed for agricultural purposes in recent years. The unsprayed roadside margins are important feeding grounds. With an estimated average density of 25 pairs per tetrad, about 8,600 pairs probably breed at present.
A small spring passage has been recorded between 19 March and 29 May, when groups of up to 30 pass; some are apparently still on the move until 15 June. Larger numbers have been recorded moving through coastal regions in the autumn, from early September to late October, with up to 100 passing in a day.
They are less widespread in winter and some may emigrate, but flocks of 100-500 do gather at good food sources. Turnips that have gone to seed prove particularly attractive, as does unharvested flax.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 137
Orange = breeding probable = 109
Yellow = breeding possible = 98
Total tetrads in which registered = 344 (72%)
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 4:42PM 
Red = breeding confirmed
Orange = breeding probable
Yellow = breeding possible
Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 5:51PM 
The BTO winter atlas showed that Linnets 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 99 birds.
Linnets can be difficult to find in wintertime because the majority can flock in small areas.
Graham Rees
Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 9:11AM Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"
