The Birds of Pembrokeshire - 1949

Species accounts reproduced by kind permission of the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales (direct descendents of the West Wales Field Society).

The species accounts take up the second half of the original book - the first half is devoted to a description of the county and it's birding sites, with an overview of some of the bird groups, particularly the seabirds, and some historical references.

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

Quail - 1949

Coturnix coturnix coturnix

Mentioned as breeding by Geo. Owen, 1603.  It was very numerous and many bred in the summers of 1870 and 1899 (Game Book of Newport Castle, Sept 1899; three bevys - one of 11 - seen, and three quail shot). Mathew rather surprisingly says that "the only occurrences which came under our own notice were all of singe birds obtained in the winter".  An almost regular passage migrant on the islands and mainland, and heard in most springtimes calling from young corn and hay along the coast.  A bevy was raised at Dinas Island, 1948 (R.M.L.)

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

Red-legged Partridge - 1949

Alectoris rufa rufa

According to Mathew, attempts at introduction had failed, and the only record of which he knew was of one shot at Picton.  It was introduced, amongst other places, at Fishguard, but died out.  One shot at St Dogmaels, 23 Nove 1910 (T.Ground)

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

Common Partridge - 1949

Perdix perdix perdix

Mathew described it as a fairly common resident, especially in the south.  This is true today, but the stock has decreased during and since the last war, due to the use of rabbit gin-traps.  Occaiosnally nests on Ramsey and has been seen on Caldey.

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

Pheasant - 1949

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 

British Red Grouse - 1949

Lagopus scoticus scoticus

Listed by Geo Owen as breeding in 1603.  Mathew doubted if any were still left on Prescelly, where a few used to breed.  The last he knew of were shot in 1885.  No known records since then.

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

British Black Grouse - 1949

Lyrurus tetrax britannicus

Mathew describeds it as a former resident, long extinct in spite of an attempt at re-introduction at Trecwm.  Not re-established in the county.

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

Coot - 1949

Fulica atra atra

Mathew describes it as resident on the few large pools in the summer but not numerous, even in winter.  Breeds (1948) at Bosherston Pools, and three pools near St Davids (including Dowrog).  A winter visitor in small numbers, except in severe weather when thousands appear on Milford Haven estuary (eg winter 1933-34 and 1946-47).  Recorded occasionally Skokholm in autumn.  One adult and a jvenile seen on the sea off Grassholm, 6 Aug 1933.

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

Moorhen - 1949

Gallinula chloropus chloropus

Common resident.  One at the South Bishop lighthouse at 1am, 9 Oct 1884, but there is little evidence of true migration.  Breeds Skokholm, Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey.

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

Water Rail - 1949

Rallus aquaticus aquaticus

A passage migrant on the islands, having been recorded even from the Smalls lighthouse several times.  Has bred on Skokholm, and H.A.Gilbert records that it has bred in the marsh between Tenby and Penally.  Common in winter, from late August onwards.  Mathew conisdered it bred, but gave no definite evidence; he described it as numerous in winter, and not less numerous in summer!

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

Spotted Crake - 1949

Porzana porzana

Rare autumn visitor.  One Trewellwell, 10 Jan 1910 (Dr Mills). One possibly heard Dowrog, May 1923 (O.Wynn). One shot St Davids, undated (B.Lloyd). H.A.Gilbert records two Solva, 26 Oct 1928 and Dowrog 27 Oct 1928.  One, Goodwick, winter 1945 (P.J.Panting).  One caught and ringed Skomer 15 Sept 1946 by West Wales Field Society.

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

Corn-Crake - 1949

Crex crex

In Mathew's day a numerous summer visitor in most parts of the county.  Norris states that the decrease was first noted about 1916, and in 1938-9 it was said to be still numerous about St Davids.  Scarce passage migrant on the islands, and a pair bred Skokholm, 1930.  A late record: one killed Pembroke by flying into telephone wires, 10 Dec 1929 (G.C.S.I).  About twelve records of birds calling in spring 1947, and seven in spring 1948 in the whole of county.

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