Black Tern - 1994

Passage migrant. Not recorded from December to March or in June and July

Mathew (1894) cited only two undated occurrences at Castle Martin and Fishguard, Lockley et al. (1949) adding one shot at St David's in September 1904. Up to six were seen in 15 of the next 32 years, though there were 12 at Skokholm on 8 September 1958. Black Terns have been annual in the autumn since 1981, occurring between 11 August and 11 November, the bulk from mid-August to mid- September. They have been seen in most offshore areas, including Grassholm, Skokholm and Skomer, all around the coastline at localities such as St Ann's Head and Tenby, and on adjacent fresh waters, including Bosherston Pools, but at times of heavy passage are principally seen at Strumble Head. Normally up to six are seen at a time but 23 were at Skokholm on 21 August 1983, 98 at Strumble Head on 14 August 1985 and 100 there on 12 September 1981.

Very few have been seen in Pembrokeshire in the spring; up to three have occurred between 19 April and 8 May but they are not annual.

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

Little Tern - 1994

Scarce passage migrant. Not recorded from December to March or July

Both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949) considered the Little Tern to be an occasional passage migrant, noting records of up to six birds at Grassholm, Skokholm and Solva. B. Lloyd's diaries for 1930-1937 include records of ones and twos at Fishguard Harbour in August 1930, September 1935 and October 1936 with one at Bosherston Pools in May 1937.

They are now recorded on passage at the islands and coast most years and occasionally enter Fishguard Harbour and the Cleddau Estuary, particularly at the Gann. One or two are seen between 25 April and 16 June and up to seven between 11 August and 27 October, 90% of the records referring to the autumn. An exceptional passage occurred between 22 August and 12 September 1992 with up to six at Strumble Head, 11 at Skokholm and 23 at Skomer. Late birds were noted at Tenby on 6 November 1961 and off Skokholm on 1 and 6 November 1980.

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

Common and Arctic Tern - 1994

Passage migrant. Not recorded from December to February

It is often difficult to separate Common from Arctic Terns, particularly at a distance, and consequently the majority of records received refer to 'Comic' Terns (Common or Arctic). The following summary is based on such records.

There is a sparse spring passage of birds passing northwards between 2 April and 30 June; Lockley (1961) also includes March but gives no specific dates. This passage is most visible from the offshore islands, when typically only small parties of up to five are seen on scattered dates, but groups of up to 14 have been noted.

They are much more frequent and numerous in the autumn, between July and late October, when they explore inshore waters to a greater extent than in spring. Some birds penetrate into the estuaries with notable gatherings at rich food sources, such as 300 off Skomer in August 1975, over 400 at Broad Haven (north) in September 1974 and 800 off St Ann's Head on 22 September 1979. This kind of incursion apart, most 'Comic' terns occurring in Pembrokeshire pass out of the Irish Sea and along the north coast, passing out to sea once clear of the Bishops and Clerks. Up to 20 pass Strumble Head daily during August and September, with occasional peaks of larger numbers, such as 277 on 3 September 1983 (926 birds were logged in the autumn of 1983, between 12 August and 23 October), and 458 on 27 August 1990 (848 birds were seen passing on the three days from 26 to 28 August).

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

Arctic Tern - 1994

Passage migrant. Not recorded from December to March

Mathew (1894) considered the Arctic Tern to be common in spring and autumn whereas Lockley et al. (1949) stated it was no longer seen commonly, noting just three occurrences, singles at Goodwick on 13 August 1935 and at Skokholm on 8 June 1938, with 20 at Dale at the end of April 1947.

It is now sparsely recorded in spring when up to eight at a time are seen passing, mainly off the west coast and islands, between 13 April and 23 June. It is more numerous in the autumn, when up to 30 in a day are seen passing between 21 July and 22 November, principally off the north coast.

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

Common Tern - 1994

Passage migrant, formerly bred. Not recorded from November to March

Sage (1956) concluded that the terns mentioned by Ray in 1662 as breeding at Caldey were "almost certainly Common Terns". Mathew (1894) recorded a colony of about 20 pairs on Skokholm Stack which Lockley et al. (1949) believed had ceased to breed in 1916.

Mathew reported the Common Tern as "seen commonly on passage in spring and autumn" and Lockley et al. that it was "now by no means common on passage, when it is chiefly seen in September and October". It has since proved to be sparse in spring, with up to 12 a day seen passing northwards off the west coast and islands between 12 April and 12 June. In the autumn it is more numerous, and has been recorded between 21 July and 28 October, principally off the north coast. The largest recorded count is of 182 passing Strumble Head on 26 August 1990.

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

Roseate Tern - 1994

Scarce visitor, formerly bred. Not recorded from November to March

Mathew (1894) stated that Roseate Terns formerly bred on Skokholm Stack. E. Lort Phillips visited a small colony breeding on Grassholm in 1883 and Lockley et al. (1949) referred to breeding on Grassholm in about 1885.

Roseate Terns were not recorded in the present century until one was seen at Skokholm on 1 September 1963, followed by sightings in 18 years between 1983 and 1992.

There are single records for April, May and October, all other records being between July and September. Numbers are small, and no more than five have been seen on any occasion apart from 11 fishing off Strumble Head on 29 July 1989. Other locations include Skokholm, Cwm yr Eglwys, St Govan's Head, Freshwater East and, once, inside the estuaries of the Nevem and Cleddau.

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

Update on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 11:16AM by Pembrokeshire Avifauna committee

The second paragraph appears to contain a mis-print.  GHR record files show Roseate Terns on 21 dates between 1983 and 1992 (inclusive), but excludes the 11 at Strumble on 29/7/89.

However, it should more likely read that Roseate Terns were recorded in 18 of the years between the 1973 Skokholm record and 1992.

Four further 20th century records - 1958, 1963, 1967 and 1971 - have come to light since the publication of the book.

Sandwich Tern - 1994

Passage migrant. Not recorded from December to February

Mathew (1894) had no records of Sandwich Tern but from his experience in North Devon thought that they must occur occasionally. Lockley et al. (1949) noted seven occurrences totalling 14 birds, at Newport, Goodwick, Skokholm, St Ann's Head and Dale. The subsequent record until the 1970s shows occurrences of up to 66 birds per year, the totals increasing year by year and occurring on all coasts from the islands to the estuaries. However, frequent seawatching during the 1980s made it necessary to reappraise the status of the Sandwich Tern in Pembrokeshire.

There is a small spring passage between 16 March and June, when groups of up to ten pass northwards, sometimes pausing to fish in places such as Dale Roads or Newport Bay.

They begin to move southwards again by July, and the autumn passage is much more extensive. Groups of up to 15 are seen in coastal areas, including Newgale and the Gann, between July and late October. At Strumble Head up to 50 may be seen daily between mid-July and early October, with peak counts much higher, such as 202 passing on 3 September 1986, 240 on 10 September 1983 and 372 on 17 September 1983. Most appear to put out to sea once clear of the Bishops and Clerks.

Single Sandwich Terns were seen at Dale on 6 November 1936, at Whitesands on 6 November 1984, at Fishguard Harbour on 19 November 1989 and at Broad Haven (north) on 28 November 1987.

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

Gull-billed Tern - 1994

Vagrant

The Danish and west German breeding population of this tern disperses to the coast before migrating southwards (Cramp 1985) and was probably the origin of single birds seen at Dale Roads on 21 September 1968 (P.J.Morgan) and at Strumble Head on 16 October 1983 (J.W.Donovan, G.H.Rees, and G.J.Walker) and on 30 July 1985 (R.Dobbins). 

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

Ivory Gull - 1994

Vagrant

One Ivory Gull at Giltar Point was seen at close range on 24 August 1950 (Cusa 1951)

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

Update on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 10:15AM by Pembrokeshire Avifauna committee

A review of British rarities published for 1950 - 1957 was conducted by Messrs Wallace, Bradshaw and Rogers who considered the description accompanying this record was inadequate for acceptance as an Ivory Gull. British Birds 99, 460-464.

Kittiwake - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

There has been little change in Kittiwake breeding distribution in Pembrokeshire since Mathew's (1894) time; he described it as an abundant resident but did not include St Margaret's Island among his sites. Lockley et al. (1949) agreed with Mathew's assessment but added St Margaret's.

Since then, colony sizes have fluctuated with an overall population growth of about 23% between 1969-1970, when Operation Seafarer recorded 3,037 pairs, and 1985-1987, when the Seabird Register found 3,935 pairs. Just over half breed on Skomer and a good series of counts from there illustrates the nature of the increase (see Table 18).

The colonies are occupied in early March, after sporadic visits, and deserted by late August/ early September. There is a large through passage past Strumble Head between September and December, with many more passing than could be accounted for by the local colonies; examples include 18,000 on 20 October 1984, 24,000 on 14 October 1987 and 30,000 on 9 November 1985. These movements may well involve birds from Scotland, and possibly from Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland, for a kittiwake ringed at Penally on 4 March 1982 was shot in Thule, Greenland, on 24 June 1985.

Small numbers feed around the mainland coast during the winter with larger groups further offshore, an example being 300 at the Smalls in January and February 1984.

Normally, Kittiwakes are only seen inside the estuaries during stormy weather, such as on 21 December 1986, when 100 were seen in fishguard Harbour sheltering from a gale.  Hence Lloyd's observation of "a fair number haunting the Milford Docks quay for fish offal" on 22 May 1926 becomes of great interest, for they have not been seen doing this in recent years when the fishing industry has considerably declined.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 7

Total tetrads in which registered = 7 (1.5%)

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

Ross's Gull - 1994

An adult Ross's Gull at Fishguard Harbour on 15 and 16 February 1981 (J.W.Donovan, A.J.Hansen, G.H.Rees et al) remains the sole record for Wales of this evocative Arctic species.

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

Glaucous Gull - 1994

Irregular winter visitor. Not recorded in June

Mathew (1894) noted one shot at Tenby "many years ago" and another there in the winter of 1891. Lockley et al. (1949) listed singles at Solva in about 1870 and from 24 to 26 January 1913, at the Pembroke River on 28 December 1899, at Dale on 10 February 1938 and at Elegug Stacks on 14 May 1943.

One or two Glaucous Gulls have since been recorded on about 38 occasions in 16 different years up to 1992. They have mainly been seen around the coast or estuaries, particularly at sewage outfalls, but also feeding with other gulls further inland, as far as Llysyfran reservoir. The majority of the records fall into the period November to February, with usually one or two birds in each year of occurrence but, sometimes more, for example eight individuals were seen in 1983.

A hybrid, presumed to be a Gloucous/Herring Gull cross, was seen at the Gann on 22 July 1984.

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