Ortolan Bunting - 2016 Skokholm

Emberiza hortulana Scarce - 51 previous records of 68 birds over 77 dates, with a maximum of four but only 7 in spring

Earliest 29th April 1987 Latest 15th November 2010 (17th August 2016)

1936-1976: 6 trapped

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A vocal bird on and around Home Meadow on the 17th was the first August record since 25th August 1975 and the earliest autumn record to date (GE, RDB et al.); the five other August birds occurred on either the 27th or 28th in 1970, 1966, 1959, 1957 and 1947. This was the third consecutive year with a sighting, the other observations this decade coming on 20th May 2015, 4th September 2014 and 15th November 2010. The majority of previous records have occurred in September.

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From the Skokhom Annual Report 2016

Ortolan Bunting - 2016

Very scarce passage migrant.

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird List (2018 update) edited by Mike Young-Powell on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Ortonlan Bunting - 1949 status

Emberiza hortulana

Recorded only from the islands: Skokholm 2 June 1931, 11 Sept 1936, 19 May 1938, 26 Aug 1947; Skomer 7 Sept 1946, Ramsey, three 18/21 Sept 1941.

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

Ortolan Bunting - 1994

Scarce visitor

The first recorded Ortolan Bunting in Pembrokeshire was at Skokholm on 2 June 1931, according to Lockley et al. (1949) who also noted occurrences of single birds at Skokholm on 11 September 1936,19 May 1938 and 26 August 1947, with one at Skomer on 7 September 1946 and three at Ramsey from 18 to 21 September 1941. Subsequently up to five have been recorded in 29 years between 19 May and 23 June and between 22 August and 16 October. They have been seen more frequently in the autumn than the spring. Most were at Skokholm (about 42 birds), but birds have been recorded 11 times at Skomer, three times at Strumble Head, twice at Mathry and the Smalls and once at Martin's Haven, Ramsey and Solva.

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