Friday, October 25, 2013 at 9:35AM Larus marinus
In Mathew's day there were only a few pairs resident on the islands, and he only mentions the Bishop's Rock and St Margaret's. It has now greatly increased, and is found on all the islands, and along the whole coast, breeding. At least 150 pairs Skomer and Middleholm in 1946.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Friday, October 25, 2013 at 9:32AM Larus fuscus graellsii
"A common resident. Not so numerous as the Herring Gull" - Mathew, who says it bred 1894 in colonies of only 20-30 pairs, and if this was correct, it has increased considerably since. In 1946 approx 800 pairs were breeding Skokholm, and 1000 pairs Skomer. Breeds also Caldey, St Margerat's, Ramsey and islants, Sheep Island, and some mainland cliffs (eg Pwll Deri)
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Friday, October 25, 2013 at 9:30AM Larus fuscus fuscus
This race has been identified in winter at Haverfordwest (1947-48) by members of the West Wales Field Society (W. Simister). One Skokholm 2 April 1934.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Friday, October 25, 2013 at 9:28AM Larus argentatus argentatus
This species had already increased considerably by 1894, and was then a common resident, and seems to have continued to increase steadily. There are colonies of varying size all along coastal cliffs and on the islands (eg 300 pairs Newport Head, 300 pairs Skokholm, 650 pairs Skomer - all in 1946)
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:57PM Larus canus canus
Common autumn and winter visitor, arriving in September and leaving in March
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:54PM Larus ridibundus ridibundus
There was said to be a large colony on Caldey in 1662, the only one on record until 1947, when three or four pairs were present in the St Davids area, and were believed to have bred, but if so, the eggs were taken by local countrymen. In 1948 J.F. found breeding, six pairs of Dowrog and four pairs at Trefeiddan, and photographed nests with eggs and young. A common winter visitor from July to April, and some birds are seen in May and June.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:53PM Larus minutus
Mathew records two (one shot) at Tenby early Jan 1892. The late T.A.Coward saw one immature, St David's, 12 Sept 1927.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:51PM Larus philadelphia
One, shot at Solva, spring, 1888, in the collection of the late H.W.Evans.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:10AM Xema sabini
Mathew records one at Milford Haven, autumn, 1839, another near Amroth, 12 Nov 1892, and a third killed at Stackpole (no date)
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:07AM Sterna albifrons albifrons
Occasionally seen on passage, as in Mathew's time, chiefly offshore between Grassholm and the mainland. One Skokholm, 24 June 1936. Six fishing in Solva harbour (one shot) 8 May 1916 (H.W.Evans)
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:05AM Sterna macrura
It is no longer, as in Mathew's day, "seen commonly on passage in the spring and autumn". Once recorded Skokholm, 8 June 1938. One seen Goodwick, 13 Aug 1935 (Bertram Lloyd). During the widespread inshore passage of this species at the end of april 1947, about twenty were seen over Dale beach (J.F. and P.Garnett)
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 9:03AM Sterna hirundo hirundo
In Mathew's time there was stil a small colony on Skokholm Stack, and it was also a common migrant in spring and autumn. It is believed that it ceased to breed Skokholm in 1916. Now by no means common even on passage, when it is chiefly seen in September and October.
R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society