Red-breasted Merganser - 1949

Mergus serrator

Mathew knew of no dated or recent record, but Mathias and Dix included it in their lists.  H.E.Evans obtained four in Solva Harbour over a period of fifty years.  An immature male shot Teifi Estuary 20 Oct 1909 (B.Birds XVIII 234). One male, Dale, 8 Mar 1937; one 10 Feb 1938; two 13 Feb 1940.  Seen regularly in upper reaches of Milford Haven in winter (H.A.G and R.M.L.).

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

Goosander - 1949

Mergus merganser merganser

Scarce but regular winter visitor, chiefly to the waters of Milford Haven.  A female at Orielton 20 Jan 1936, and a male, 5 mar 1936 (H.A.Gilbert)

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

Velvet Scoter - 1949

Melanitta fusca fusca

Mathew records six seen Goodwick Bay, 16 Nov 1886; one picked up on the shore at Tenby, Dec 1889; and one other of uncertain date and place.  H.W.Evans had an immature specimen, shot in Solva harbour.  One adult male, Slebech Mill Pool, 8 Feb 1939 (H.A.Gilbert).  Seen occasionally in Dale Roads (recent records, 7 dec 1947, 22 Jan 1948)

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

Common Scoter - 1949

Melanitta nigra nigra

In Mathew's day a not rare winter visitor; now to be seen at all times of the year.  Rafts (up to 400) summer in St Bride's Bay and Carmarthen Bay, also off Strumble Head and St David's Head.  It may thus be more numerous in summer than in winter.

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

Common Eider - 1949

Somateria mollissima mollissima

Mathew mentions birds shot at Stockpole, near Pembroke, and a young drake at Dale, 18 Jan 1891.  There are no recent records.

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

Long-tailed Duck - 1949

Clangula hyemalis

Mathew records two immatures shot at Stackpole, and an adult male shot at Haverfordwest, 15 June 1843.  One female shot Milford Haven, 7 Dec 1906 (J.Wynne)

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

Goldeneye - 1949

Bucephala clangula clangula

Not very common winter visiotr, but regularly observed in Milford Haven, including Dale Roads and occasionally at Orielton.

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

Scaup-Duck - 1949

Aythya marila marila

Common but not numerous winter visitor, chiefly to Milford Haven.  Frequent at Orielton, where twenty were present in Feb/Mar 1937 (H.A.Gilbert)

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

Tufted Duck - 1949

Aythya fuligula

Mathew describes it as a common winter visitor, which may occaionally remain to nest and says that great numbers frequented the shallows of Goodwick Bay in winter.  There is, however, no evidence of breeding, even at Orielton, where as many as 150 have been seen at one time in winter, and in 1936 one pair remained thoughout the summer, but no nest was found (H.A.Gilbert)

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

Ferruginous Duck - 1949

Aythya nyroca nyroca

One shot Pembroke, 28 Dec 1900 (J.Wynne), and at Orielton Decoy 4 Feb 1937 (H.A.Gilbert)

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

Common Pochard - 1949

Aythya ferina

Mathew states: "Not uncommon" as a winter visitor.  Recently it has been seen only inside Milford Haven, where it is regular on the upper rached of the Cleddau, and occasionally at Orielton, where a pair remained un 17 May 1934 (H.A.Gilbert).

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

Red-crested Pochard - 1949

Netta rufina

Mathew records a duck shot at Stackpole (no date) and now in British Museum.

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