Linnet - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

The Linnet was a common resident during the times of both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949). It is still a widespread breeding species but is probably less numerous, as many rough areas of the county have been reclaimed for agricultural purposes in recent years. The unsprayed roadside margins are important feeding grounds. With an estimated average density of 25 pairs per tetrad, about 8,600 pairs probably breed at present.

A small spring passage has been recorded between 19 March and 29 May, when groups of up to 30 pass; some are apparently still on the move until 15 June. Larger numbers have been recorded moving through coastal regions in the autumn, from early September to late October, with up to 100 passing in a day.

They are less widespread in winter and some may emigrate, but flocks of 100-500 do gather at good food sources. Turnips that have gone to seed prove particularly attractive, as does unharvested flax.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 137

Orange = breeding probable = 109

Yellow = breeding possible = 98

Total tetrads in which registered = 344 (72%)

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

Siskin - 1994

Breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant

Mathew (1894) had just one record, a flock of 20 seen at Stone Hall in December 1866, but Lockley et al. (1949) considered that the Siskin was a regular but not numerous visitor between October and March, and was probably increasing. Saunders (1976) noted Siskins as winter visitors, but speculated that they might breed soon as they had already nested in Carmarthenshire and Ceridigion, part of a national spread in response to increased afforestation with conifers (Sharrock 1976).

Siskins began to frequent the conifer plantations on the flanks of the Preseli Mountains from about 1979, but breeding was not proven until 1986 when a brood was seen at Pantmaenog Forest. The population slowly increased to 10-15 pairs by 1990 with a considerable increase in 1991. This followed a winter in which flocks were widespread and numerous, the largest being about 130 at Trecwn on 29 January 1991. They now breed in all the plantations, including Pantmaenog Forest, Coed Glyn Aeron, Canaston Woods and Westerton, with others elsewhere including Ty Canol and Trecwn.

Groups of up to five appear at the coast in spring, between 8 April and 2 May. Occasional occurrences at the coast from 27 June to August may involve birds dispersing from Welsh breeding sites. Autumn migrants pass in variable numbers between mid-September and late November. Small parties of up to ten are seen coasting or pausing in coastal areas, especially in October, and there are occasional falls which are particularly noticeable on the offshore islands. An outstanding movement occurred at headlands including Dinas and Strumble during October 1988, with at least 1,200 descending upon Skokholm during fog on the 26 October.

They have become more widespread in recent winters, having learnt to exploit food put out at bird-tables.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 1

Yellow = breeding possible = 2

Total tetrads in which registered = 3 (0.6%)

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

Goldfinch - 1994

Breeding resident

Mathew (1894) remarked that Goldfinches remained abundant in Pembrokeshire despite great numbers being taken in the autumn by bird-catchers. Bird- catching had largely died out by the time of Lloyd's diaries of 1927-1933, in which he detailed a summer distribution that was very similar to the current situation. Lockley et al. (1949) described them as common. They breed in all parts of Pembrokeshire where there are suitable scattered trees, but are absent from open mountain areas, deep woodland and the offshore islands. At an estimated average density of 15-20 pairs per tetrad a county total of between 4,000 and 6,000 pairs is suggested.

After the breeding season family parties gather along the roadside verges, which are now important feeding areas for finches. The County Council have a policy of not spraying the verges and they become rich with grasses and other seed bearing plants which are largely absent from the mostly weed-free fields of today's agricultural landscape.

There is a marked spring arrival from late March to early May, when they reoccupy breeding grounds that have been deserted during the winter and occur on the islands, where some continue to pass until mid-June.

Although occasional flocks are encountered during the winter it is probable that many emigrate, though we know of no ringing recoveries to confirm this. A small coastal passage has been noted between early September and November, when up to 35 a day move south while others head west towards Ireland. Goldfinches land on the offshore islands, including Grassholm, at this time.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 85

Orange = breeding probable = 113

Yellow = breeding possible = 96

Total tetrads in which registered = 294 (61.5%)

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

Greenfinch - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

A common resident/according to Mathew (1894) and Lockley et ai. (1949), the Greenfinch currently breeds across Pembrokeshire (see map) being found especially around gardens and where there are scattered trees. At an estimated 15 to 20 pairs per tetrad the county total would be 4,000-5,000 pairs.

Small numbers are recorded passing through coastal areas between 7 March and 12 June, and again from 27 September to 6 December. They stop off at the islands, including the remoter isles such as the Smalls, and one ringed at Skokholm was later recovered in County Wexford, Ireland.

They flock in winter at good food sources, such as seeded turnips and flax, are increasingly frequent at bird-tables and form communal roosts in dense shrubbery, for instance in blackthorn at the Gann.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 70

Orange = breeding probable = 134

Yellow = breeding possible = 57

Total tetrads in which registered = 261 (54.6%)

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

Serin - 1994

Rare visitor

Serins have been spreading northwards in Europe since at least 1800, first breeding in Great Britain in 1967 (Sharrock 1976). The first Serins recorded in Pembrokeshire were two at Marloes on 20 October 1933 (R.M. Lockley), followed by singles at Skomer on 2 April 1946 and 30-31 May 1974, at Marloes on 8 October 1949, at Skokholm on 10 June 1967 and 11 May 1974, at St David's on 8-9 June 1972 and at Strumble Head on 10 April 1973 and 1 November 1980.

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

Brambling - 1994

Winter visitor and passage migrant. Not recorded from May to August

Mathew (1894) considered the Brambling a rare and irregular visitor, whereas Lockley et al. (1949) considered it regular.

Today they pass through Pembrokeshire in small numbers most autumns between 3 October and 28 November, though one was at Skokholm as early as 25 September in 1976. It is probable that more pass undetected at night as there are occasional falls of larger numbers, such as 800 seen at Skokholm on 22 October 1966.

A few can usually be found among other finches in winter, but larger flocks of 100-110 occur in some years, usually among turnips which have seeded, or, more recently, in unharvested flax.

A small and erratic spring passage has been recorded on the islands and in coastal districts between 4 March and 27 April.

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

Chaffinch - 1994

Breeding resident and passage migrant

"A common resident" wrote Mathew (1894); Lockley et al. (1949) noted the Chaffinch as an "abundant resident". It is a widespread breeding species today (see map). Using survey data from Dyfed Wildlife Trust reserves and other plots an estimated density of 120 pairs per tetrad suggests a total Pembrokeshire population of 54,000 pairs.

There is a massive through passage from October to mid-December, when flocks simultaneously pass southwards across the coast but the majority head west to north-west towards Ireland. Thousands of birds are involved; on clear days many pass too high to be seen but remain detectable to the ear. Large numbers drop out to feed in the coastal fields or pause on the offshore islands before continuing their migration. Records of ringed birds involve France, Belgium and Sweden, suggesting that these migrants are largely Continental in origin.

Chaffinches are common in winter but they are probably less numerous than they were earlier this century. The mixed farming and open rickyards of former times have mostly given way to dairy farming, which provides fewer feeding opportunities for the bird.

Lockley (1957) described a strong visible return passage from March to April which has not been detected in recent times, although a few Chaffinches still appear on the offshore islands during this period.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 209

Orange = breeding probable = 214

Yellow = breeding possible = 24

Total tetrads in which registered = 447 (93.5%)

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

Red-eyed Vireo - 1994

Vagrant

A bird at Skookholm on 14 October 1967 (C.Britton) was the fifth of 57 British records of this North American bird, which normally migrates to the north half of South America and has also wandered to Greenland and Morocco (Colston et al. 1991).

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

Tree Sparrow - 1994

Scarce breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant

Lockley et al. (1949) state that Tree Sparrows were first recorded at Marloes on 20 October 1933, and they also listed four other occurrences. Although increased observer cover has since shown them to be more frequent their full status is still not clear.

They bred at Skomer in 1964, near Houghton in 1966, at Templeton, Sandy Hill and Thornton in 1971, near Haverfordwest in 1987, at Pen Blewin and Pengawse in 1988 and at Marloes and Heathfield in 1990. They probably bred at Roch in 1988 and one was thought to have hybridised with a House Sparrow at Martin's Haven in 1965 and 1966. Tree Sparrows kept occurring in the Croesgoch/Mathry/Castle Morris area throughout the 1970s and 1980s, making it seem likely that they also bred in that region, but despite much searching no nests were found.

Small numbers pass through, from March to June and again from August to November, when they appear briefly on the offshore islands, prominent headlands and in coastal stubbles. They are also occasionally found feeding with finch flocks during the winter, usually in ones and twos. Sometimes up to ten are seen, and larger flocks have occurred: 32 birds were seen at Pengawse in February 1988 and 40 at Ratford Bridge on 27 January 1990.

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 3

Orange = breeding probable = 1

Yellow = breeding possible = 2

Total tetrads in which registered = 6 (1.3%)

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

Spanish Sparrow - 1994

Migrant

A partial migrant from a breeding range of central Spain, north Africa and eastwards from Sardinia into Asia Minor, the first for Wales, a male, was a Martin's Haven on 18 May 1993 (K.J.S.Devonald)

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

House Sparrow - 1994

Breeding resident

Mathew (1894) said of the House Sparrow that it was "a common resident but rather scarce in the mountain districts" while Lockley et al. (1949) considered it was "not numerous", being absent from some villages. Today it is found throughout Pembrokeshire in close association with man's settlements, being absent from woodland and the mountain tops. House Sparrows are not usually found on the offshore islands, but they have bred on Ramsey (Lockley et al.) and on Skomer, in 1965 and 1966, and were resident on Caldey until about 1985, since when they have become sporadic. They are well distributed about the towns but sparse in many rural areas, in which they become concentrated where non-intensive poultry rearing makes an abundance of food available, Llanfallteg West being a good example. They flock around the fields and hedges during the autumn. An estimate of eight pairs per tetrad in rural and 40 pairs per tetrad in urban areas gives a county population of about 3,500 pairs.

House Sparrows wander as far out as Skokholm, where they were recorded in 34 years between 1933 and 1992, but have not been recorded from any of the remoter isles.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 266

Orange = breeding probable = 50

Yellow = breeding possible = 55

Total tetrads in which registered = 371 (77.6%)

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

Rose-coloured Starling - 1994

Sturnus roseus

Rare visitor

Mathew (1894) noted Rose-coloured Starlings at St Lawrence and Castle Martin but gave no details. Lockley et al. (1949) recorded birds at Gateholm on 19 June 1937 and at Marloes on 16 October 1946.

Single birds were then recorded at Waterston on 2 January 1974, at Treginnis on 29 July 1975, at Flimston on 1 July 1984, at St David's from 4 November to 2 December 1986 and at Skomer on 28 September 1990.

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