Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10:00AM Vagrant
Single birds have been recorded at Skokholm on 13 October 1970, from 19-23 September 1989 and on 17 and 27 September 1992 and at Skomer on 6-8 September 1991. They were presumably migrants from north Scandinavia or western Russia which winter in tropical Africa (Cramp 1988).
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:57AM Breeding resident and passage migrant
Both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949) regarded the Meadow Pipit as a common resident. Although still a common species, it is now locally distributed (see map). It is probably less numerous than formerly, as sweeping changes in land management have taken place since the previous reviews, erstwhile suitable habitat being eradicated by the establishment of dairy and arable regimes. Breeding is now confined to the rougher areas of the coastal fringe, mountains, bogs and commons, and the islands and pockets of the least intensively farmed areas, such as Templeton airfield. At an estimated average density of 20 pairs per occupied tetrad, the total breeding population would be about 4,000 pairs.
There is a distinct passage between mid- February and April, when small parties of up to 20 are seen flying in off the sea from the south, passing through the western coastlands and islands and departing from the north coast between north-west and north-east. They frequently stop off to feed on the way and can accumulate into groups of 100 or more, but soon move on. They also pass at night, for about 20 were seen at the lantern of the South Bishop lighthouse on the night of 27 February 1976 and "a lot" on the following night.
Migrants begin to pass through again in August, with a peak in passage from September to mid- October, when up to 500 have occurred at Skomer and 1,000 at Skokholm, continuing on a diminishing scale into mid-November. They predominantly pass southwards and ringing returns show that some continue as far as France, Portugal and Spain. There is also a small north-westerly movement in October which may consist of birds moving to Ireland.
Meadow Pipits can be found on the tops of the Preseli Mountains during mild winters but not in colder weather, when they presumably descend to lower ground. Others are sparsely distributed across Pembrokeshire during the winter. A walk will reveal ones and twos per field but they sometimes gather into small groups at favoured spots, particularly at places that were recently covered by floodwater and at cattle feeding areas. They also frequent urban gardens in winter.
Severe winter weather causes an accumulation in coastal areas but it is not known whether these are from the immediate hinterland or represent birds from further east trying to keep ahead of advancing cold conditions. Prolonged bad weather causes hardship, for example 23 were found dead on Skomer in the cold of January 1962 (Harris 1962), and of dozens gathered in the farmyard at Southern Pitts (Garron) during snow in January 1985, attracted to gleanings of maize, barley and silage, many died and others fell victim to marauding cats.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 96
Orange = breeding probable = 62
Yellow = breeding possible = 56
Total tetrads in which registered = 214 (44.8%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:55AM Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Not recorded from November to February
Mathew (1894) described the Tree Pipit as a common summer visitor. Lockley et al. ( 1949) stated that Tree Pipits did not breed on the exposed western coast and Saunders (1976) that they were only encountered on passage in the western coastal fringe. However, the Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 found them breeding in several places on the western coastal plain (see map), but they mainly breed east of a line running north to south through Haverfordwest. At an estimated average of ten pairs per tetrad, the breeding population is probably about 800 pairs.
Only small numbers of Tree Pipits are seen on passage in Pembrokeshire, mostly along the coast and on the offshore islands. Passage occurs between 1 April and early June, with an early bird at Skokholm on 16 March 1966, and again from August to 13 October, with a late occurrence at Strumble Head on 22 October 1983.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 13
Orange = breeding probable = 65
Yellow = breeding possible = 6
Total tetrads in which registered = 84 (17.6%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:53AM Anthus hodgsoni
Vagrant
A pipit was caught in the Garden Trap at Skokholm from 14 to 18 April 1948 by J. Keighley (now J. Jenkins) and P.J. Conder. It was unidentified at the time but after examination of the pipit skins in the Natural History Museum collection P.J. Conder decided that the bird was an Olive-backed Pipit. Conder "hesitated to submit such an unusual record: not only a first for Britain and Ireland, but of a little-known species and at what seemed an extraordinary time of year for an Asiatic vagrant" (Conder 1979). When it was submitted to British Birds, in 1967, as an Olive-backed Pipit their answer was "probably but not sufficient evidence". The chance discovery of a photograph of the bird ten years later in the British Birds files led to a reassessment of the record and its acceptance as the first for Britain and Ireland.
1994 BoP in Olive-backed Pipit Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:52AM Rare visitor
The Tawny Pipit was first recorded at Skokholm on 19 September 1961 and subsequently at the same place on 18 and 26-28 September 1968,13 September 1970 and 30 September 1975, with two at Skomer on 10 October 1975, one there from 9-11 September 1988 and one at Ramsey on 18 September 1978.
There has been only one spring record, a bird at Skomer on 13 May 1974.
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:51AM Scarce visitor
This bird was first recorded at Skokholm on 13 September 1967, and has since been noted in 18 years between 1967 and 1992, up to five having occurred at Skokholm, Skomer, the Smalls, Dowrog Common, Strumble Head, Stackpole Warren and Wooltack Point. Records fall between 12 September and 25 November, 75% of all occurrences being from Skokholm, with singles at Skomer on 9 April 1989 and 11 March 1992 being the only spring records.
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:49AM Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Not recorded in January and December
A common summer visitor to both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949), today House Martins are widespread breeding birds (see map). Most nest on buildings, but there are also thriving cliff colonies at many places around the coast, as at Ceibwr and Nolton Haven, and a colony of three pairs was at Skomer in 1969. At an estimated 20 pairs per tetrad the breeding population is probably about 4,000 pairs.
The first House Martins usually arrive here in early to mid-April. However, birds occur from 20 March in some years, and really early birds were at Pointz Castle on 17 February 1958 and at Moylgrove on 23 February 1984, and one was found freshly dead at Dale on 10 February 1982. This latter record followed a period of southerly winds bearing Saharan sand, which might have borne the bird, displacing it in the same way as moths are taken way beyond their normal range. Northward passage continues on a broad front across the county but most densely at the coast, throughout April and May and into early June. They often pause over freshwater sites, particularly during rain or fog, when congregations of up to 200 occur, as at Pembroke Mill Pond on 17 April 1983.
Southwards movement occurs from late July and continues until October, with stragglers until 19 November in some years. The volume is probably larger than in spring with fewer concentrations, though 250 have been recorded at Skokholm.
Although principally a diurnal migrant they were recorded at lighthouse attractions at the South Bishop on 29 May 1975 and at the Smalls on 20 May 1984 and 29 and 30 September 1983.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 197
Orange = breeding probable = 7
Total tetrads in which registered = 204 (42.7%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:47AM Vagrant
Single birds have been seen at Dale on 5 March 1977 (R.W.Brock), at Bosherston Pools on 30 June 1977 (I.Cotsgrove) and at Skokholm on 30 April 1990 (H.Morgan)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:44AM Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant
A common summer visitor to Mathew (1894), arriving in April and departing by early October. Lockley et al. (1949) agreed that the Swallow was a common summer visitor and added that it was abundant on passage. Today they breed commonly throughout the county (see map). At an average density of 20 pairs per tetrad there must be at least 8,500 pairs. Most nests are situated in farm buildings but other inhabited and derelict buildings are also utilised. They regularly breed in a sea cave at Martin's Haven, providing endless entertainment to folk waiting for the Skomer boat. A pair bred underground in a heating duct at Stackpole in 1987.
The first Swallows usually arrive in Pembrokeshire in the last week of March, occasionally from the 8 March onwards. Spring migrants are sometimes seen flying south again, a ringing recovery of one marked at Skokholm and recovered in Cornwall three days later suggesting that they may sometimes overshoot their destination or can retreat if they outstrip favourable weather conditions. They pass northwards across the county throughout April and May and a few can still be seen passing until early July. Many pause to hawk for food, freshwater proving a particularly attractive diversion. Bad weather, particularly drizzle, can cause a temporary halt and hundreds of Swallows will gather at places such as Pembroke Mill Ponds and Llysyfran reservoir. They move on rapidly as soon as the weather clears. Ringing recoveries show that these migrants reach a variety of destinations, from County Clare, Ireland, to Shropshire.
Swallows pass southwards again from late July, the movement increasing in volume to a peak in September. Massive movements take place on some autumn days. A particularly large passage was noted on 22 September 1983, when they were seen streaming in off the sea at Strumble Head from 07.45 hours (GMT) onwards. About 1,000 were counted over a 0.8 km front during the first hour, about 2,000 in the second hour and an average of about 500 in the following hours. Observation ceased at Strumble Head at 11.30 hours, when a journey to St David's established that they were coming in all along the coast. If the Strumble figures were representative of the movement as a whole, then at least 90,000 would have passed by during the movement. They continue to be seen on a diminishing scale through October until early December. They also migrate at night, judging by an occurrence at the lantern of the Smalls lighthouse on the night of 20 May 1984.
Several ringing recoveries show that Pembrokeshire Swallows go as far as South Africa during the winter, but one was still at Little Milford for a few days from 29 February 1960, another was near Manorbier on 1 February 1966 and one wintered at Haverfordwest in 1989, spending much of its time hawking insects over the river between the two bridges. It was first seen in January and thought to have succumbed during a sudden sharp frost on 1 March, but it has subsequently come to light that a Swallow appeared at Clarydale (about 5 miles to the east) on that date and was present until 14 March.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 294
Orange = breeding probable = 70
Yellow = breeding possible = 62
Total tetrads in which registered = 426 (89.1%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:42AM Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Not recorded in January and December
A common summer visitor to Mathew (1894) "nesting in banks, the sides of gravel pits and old quarries". Lockley et al. (1949) noted the Sand Martin as a summer visitor to small colonies in river banks and gravel pits and as a passage migrant. Colonies in Pembrokeshire today are found in river banks, such as the Western Cleddau, sand pits such as Dale and Gupton, quarries including Treffgame and sea cliffs such as Abermawr. The occupation of sites varies according to the availability of suitably exposed sandy faces. River bank colonies are prone to move, so as to occupy the bends where there has been a fresh bank fall caused by spate during the previous winter. Sites that were occupied in the past, such as Dale sand pit, have become disused as they have become unsuitable. Some sites are only used for second broods, such as the sand pit at Trecwn. The Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 found a total of 72 pairs breeding in Pembrokeshire (see map).
The first Sand Martins generally arrive in Pembrokeshire in the last week of March, but in some years they can be as early as 10 March, and one was at Bosherston Pools on 23 February 1989. Passage continues throughout April and May, sometimes until mid-June. Most pass through coastal areas and the offshore islands. They can be seen coming in off the sea along the southern shores, coasting along the western seaboard and departing out to sea from the north coast. They frequently stop off to feed on the way, especially over fresh water, including Pembroke Mill Ponds, Marloes Mere and Trefeiddan where aggregations of up to 200 occur. The Sand Martin population crash of 1983-1984 (Mead 1984) resulted in far fewer than normal passing through in the springs of those years, but there has been a steady revival in numbers since.
They begin to pass southwards on a broad front from July and continue until mid-September, numbers being smaller than in spring with usually less than 100 at any locality. Stragglers continuing up to 26 October are not rare, and one was seen at Bosherston Pools on 4 November 1986.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 9
Orange = breeding probable = 1
Total tetrads in which registered = 10 (2.1%)
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:41AM Rare visitor
Single Shorelarks have been noted at Skokholm from 23 to 24 April 1957, from 23 to 25 April 1961 and on 4 June 1990, at Marloes Mere from 30 October to 1 November 1964, at Bicton reservoir on 1 September 1968, at Dale in mid-October 1973 and at Carnledi in the first week of October 1988.
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:37AM Breeding resident and passage migrant
Both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949) considered the Skylark to be a common resident. Although still widely distributed it is probably less abundant now. There have been major changes in land management since Mathew's day, many of which have not suited Skylarks. A Camrose farmer has commented that they are less numerous on his farm than they used to be. He has converted from mixed farming to a large dairy herd with an intensive grazing regime and cultivates long silage paddocks which are not ideal habitat for the species.
The Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 found Skylarks to be sparser on the dairy farms than in Mountains, the St David's commons and the offshore islands of Skokholm and Skomer. Allowing for this and taking an average density of 15 pairs per tetrad, the total breeding population is probably about 8,000 pairs.
There is a strong diurnal passage towards Ireland from late September to mid- November but no comparable visible spring return movement. This could mean they largely return at night, and they have been seen at lighthouse attractions at the South Bishop in late February and at the Smalls in March. They also migrate at night in the autumn, when casualties occur at the same lighthouses.
Skylarks flock during the mild winters normally experienced in Pembrokeshire, large areas then being devoid of them as they group in single fields or rough patches. Large numbers accumulate in the coastal strip during severe weather when many also pass through towards Ireland; for example, a count of a broad movement was made at Marloes on 26 January 1952 when 300-400 passed west in just 15 minutes (Conder 1954). Should the hard conditions persist many of those that stay may die, sometimes in thousands (Lockley et al. 1949). On Skomer, during hard weather in January 1962, Harris (1962) noted that large numbers of Skylarks were present but suffered little. A year later hundreds of weakened Skylarks were killed and eaten by Carrion Crows at Goodwick during the arctic winter of 1963.
Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)
Red = breeding confirmed = 68
Orange = breeding probable = 317
Yellow = breeding possible = 36
Total tetrads in which registered = 421 (88.1%)