Bluethroat - 1994

Scarce visitor

The first recorded Bluethroat in Wales remained for just an hour at Skomer on 9 May 1946 (S. Marchant). Since then a total of 14 have been recorded between 1946 and 1992, four in spring, between 9 and 24 May, and ten in autumn, between 12 September and 20 October. All were at Skokholm apart from birds at Skomer, from 19 to 23 September 1988 and on 24 May 1990, and at Caldey, on 16 October 1990.

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

Nightingale - 1994

Scarce visitor

Mathew (1894) did not record the Nightingale but Lockley et al. (1949) noted one singing at Pointz Castle from 12 to 31 May 1948 and speculated whether claims at Amroth in 1923 and Wiston in 1936 and 1944 should have been taken seriously.

Since then single Nightingales have been observed in 20 years between 1951 and 1992, but not more than three have been recorded in any one year. Most have occurred in spring, between 20 April and 31 May, some singing for three weeks at localities including Llysyfran, Lawrenny and West Williamston. Autumn records all come from the islands of Skokholm and Skomer between 14 August and 25 September.

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

Robin - 1994

Breeding resident

Mathew (1894) knew this bird as the Redbreast, and described it as a common resident, a view echoed by Lockleyetal. (1949). Today the Robin is a widespread breeding bird in Pembrokeshire, absent only from the mountain tops and the offshore islands other than Caldey, though they have occasionally bred on Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm. At an estimated average density of 100 pairs per tetrad the total breeding population is probably about 43,000 pairs.

There is an influx from mid-August which is not entirely due to dispersal on the part of local breedingbirds, and these birds take up territories on headlands and islands where they were absent during the nesting season. A Robin ringed on the Calf of Man in April 1962 was recovered at Goodwick in January 1963, another ringed on Skokholm in April 1968 was recovered in France in December 1970 and others from Grampian, Belgium and Estonia have been recovered in Pembrokeshire in the autumn. They have reached most of the isolated islets, including Grassholm and the Smalls, during spring and autumn and have been recorded at the lantern of the Smalls lighthouse at night in March, May and September.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 295

Orange = breeding probable = 123

Yellow = breeding possible = 16

Total tetrads in which registered = 434 (90.8%)

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

Dunnock - 1994

Breeding resident

A common resident (as it was for Mathew 1894 and Lockley et al. 1949) the Hedge Sparrow is absent as a breeding bird on the mountain tops and smallest offshore islands. At an estimated average density of 50 pairs per tetrad, there were probably 22,000 pairs during the Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988.

Numbers are depleted in severe winters but they are capable of steady recovery in subsequent breeding seasons. Island breeders, and those which inhabit exposed headlands, are noticeably reduced or even wiped out during hard weather but are replaced as the general population expands again.

Peaks in numbers are detected at Skomer in spring and autumn, suggesting migration, but the only confirmed movement was of a nestling ringed on Skokholm in July 1970 and recovered at Dale in November 1970.

  

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 188

Orange = breeding probable = 208

Yellow = breeding possible = 38

Total tetrads in which registered = 434 (90.8%)

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

Wren - 1994

Breeding resident

A common resident to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949). Today Wrens nest everywhere in Pembrokeshire apart from the mountain tops and the smallest offshore islets such as Grassholm and the Smalls (see map). At an estimated 100 pairs per tetrad the population probably totalled about 40,000 pairs during the 1984-1988 Breeding Birds Survey.

Wrens suffer high mortality during severe winters, that of 1963 being particularly devastating. Numbers recover quickly in subsequent breeding seasons provided no further cold winters intervene. Wrens are predominantly woodland birds in Pembroke­shire during times of low population, suggesting that this is their preferred habitat and that other places are occupied as increasing numbers enforce expansion; for instance, Skokholm was colonised for the first time in 1987 when the mainland population was high.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 210

Orange = breeding probable = 230

Yellow = breeding possible = 8

Total tetrads in which registered = 448 (93.7%)

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

Dipper - 1994

Breeding resident

Described as "a common resident to be met by every stream" by Mathew (1894), and as being "fairly well distributed on larger streams in hilly country" by Lockley et al. (1949).

Dippers now breed along most of the major rivers and several minor streams in Pembrokeshire. They are found from the slopes of the Preseli Mountains almost down to sea level, as at Blackpool Mill, where they nest below the mill itself.

An estimated average density of one to two pairs per occupied tetrad suggests a total of about 70-140 pairs, but it is thought that the map derived from the Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 could be incomplete as far as the eastern regions are concerned. The estimated density figure might also err on the side of caution, since ringing on the Nevem revealed a larger population than was previously suspected. None could be found on the Afon Solva, which looks suitable and where they have been seen in the winter. Our knowledge of Pembrokeshire's Dippers would be greatly improved by further investigation.

One reached Skomer on 3 May 1946 (Lockley et al. ).

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 26

Orange = breeding probable = 14

Yellow = breeding possible = 29

Total tetrads in which registered = 69 (14.4%)

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

Waxwing - 1994

Rare visitor. Not recorded from April to September

Mathew (1894) was unable to report any records of Waxwings, so the first was one at St Ishmael's in November 1946. They were subsequently recorded in 1946, 1957, 1959, 1965, 1970 and 1979. Most sightings were of one or two birds, between late October and December, but seven were at Goodwick in October 1965 and 25 arrived at Penally on 13 November 1965, some of which stayed until 27 November. A single bird found at Haverfordwest on 9 February 1959 stayed until 10 March.

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

Pied Wagtail - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

A common resident in Mathew's (1894) day and a numerous breeder to Lockley et al. (1949). Today the Pied Wagtail subspecies yarrelli breeds throughout the county, but its distribution is a little patchy (see map). It is most numerous in the south of the county and in the Preseli Mountains area, being scarcer over much of the dairyland that dominates central Pembrokeshire. At an estimated average density of five to six pairs per tetrad the total population is about 1,400-1,700 pairs.

There appears to be a small spring passage, with birds in fresh plumage appearing briefly on the coast and islands.

Small numbers, up to ten at a time, are seen on autumn passage on the islands and passing down the coast, and a nestling ringed at St David's in June 1963 was recovered in France in November 1963.

They form communal roosts during the winter. The roost sites are prone to change, sometimes after being used for years. Roost sizes are mainly between 100 and 300 birds but Lockley et al. recorded up to about 1,000 at Martletwy between January and March 1935.

White Wagtails subspecies alba pass through Pembrokeshire in both spring (from March to May) and autumn (late August to October), sometimes in considerable numbers, such as 200 at Skokholm on 15 September 1988. Many of these originate in Iceland, judging by ringing recoveries, but it is likely that others are Scandinavian, as their passage coincides with the occurrence of other species from that area, such as Grey-headed Wagtails, Scandinavian Rock Pipits and Bluethroats. Ringing also shows that birds passing through Pembrokeshire journey on to France and Spain on the return migration.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 159

Orange = breeding probable = 38

Yellow = breeding possible = 90

Total tetrads in which registered = 287 (60%)

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

Grey Wagtail - 1994

Breeding resident

A common resident to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al (1949).  Today Grey Wagtails breed along all of the major, and many of the minor, brooks and rivers in Pembrokeshire, from the mountains right down to sea level. They are not confined to fast flowing water, breeding by many slow moving streams and even by ponds, such as Bosherston Pools. At an average of four pairs per occupied tetrad, based on counts along suitable rivers and streams, the population during the 1984-1988 Breeding Birds Survey was probably about 450 pairs.

Small numbers, up to 25, move through the islands and coastal regions between July and October but it is not known whether this equates to dispersal or emigration. They are more widespread in winter when they frequent farm ditches and estuaries and some move into the towns and villages. Prolonged severe weather causes marked reductions in the population size, but they are capable of fairly rapid recovery.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 40

Orange = breeding probable = 21

Yellow = breeding possible = 52

Total tetrads in which registered = 113 (23.6%)

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

Yellow Wagtail - 1994

Passage migrant, has bred. Not recorded from December to February

To Mathew (1894), a rare visitor in spring and autumn, whereas Lockley et al. (1949) found them to be regular passage migrants that were not abundant and did not breed.

A pair bred successfully at Lower Broadmoor, Talbenny, in 1977. The male was of the Blue- headed race M. f. /lava, as was the male of a pair that probably attempted breeding at Treginnis in 1983.

Migrant Yellow Wagtails (M. f. flavissima) pass through Pembrokeshire in the spring, generally between late April and June but sometimes from 3 April onwards. One was at Skokholm on 17 March 1948. Up to four birds are seen at various coastal localities, most frequently the offshore islands, but a few have been recorded inland.

They occur again from mid-August to early October, occasionally as early as 9 July and as late as 23 October, with very late birds at Mullock Bridge on 2 November 1981 and at Skokholm on 1  November 1967. Groups of up to eight pass through coastal regions with occasional larger gatherings, the maximum recorded being 50 at Talbenny on 31 August 1963.

Blue-headed Wagtails (M. f. (lava) occur in most springs, between 6 May and 29 June. Grey- headed Wagtails (M. f. thunbergii) have been recorded on at least nine occasions, between 13 April and 25 June. A Black-headed Wagtail (M. f. feldegg) was on Skomer on 7 May 1986, a Spanish Blue-headed Wagtail (M. f. iberiae) at Skokholm on 19 April 1989 and an Ashy-headed Wagtail (M. f. cinereocapilla) at Skomer from 17 to 20 May 1992.

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

Water Pipit - 1994

Scarce visitor. Not recorded from June to September

The first Water Pipits were identified at Skokholm in 1933 and 1934 (Lockley et al. 1949). They have since been recorded at the islands and coast in eight years between 1965 and 1992, in April, May, October and November, all birds that quickly moved on. They overwintered at Newgale Marsh in 1965, 1987 and 1989, with further winter records from Cardigan Wildlife Park and Dowrog Common.

This alpine pipit favours freshwater habitat during the winter, often inhabiting long grass. It is difficult to approach closely and is probably overlooked and therefore under- recorded.

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

Rock Pipit - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

A common resident to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949), today Rock Pipits breed all around the rocky outer coastline, on the offshore islands and some way up the shores of the Cleddau Estuary (see map). An estimate average density of eight pairs per tetrad, based on census data from Skokholm and Skomer suggests a total breeding population of about 1,000 pairs.

They are found around all of the estuaries during the winter but otherwise appear to be sedentary. However, Scandinavian Rock Pipits subspecies littoralis have been noted on passage in May, a period when Grey-headed Wagtails bound for Scandinavian regions have also been seen. Scandinavian Rock Pipits were also identified at Skomer from 7 to 11 September 1990 and at Hook on 6 December 1981.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 71

Orange = breeding probable = 23

Yellow = breeding possible = 15

Total tetrads in which registered = 109 (22.8%)

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