Merlin - 2007

Falco columbarius

Annual mainly coastal records of assumed migrants from a number of widespread locations during

April and May.

In 2006 present all year on Ramsey, where might have bred. Three juveniles were seen at St Justinian's on 15th July.

Hobby - 2007

Falco subbuteo

Several summer sightings during the atlas period (typically in May/June) thought to involve non-breeding migrants which may have summered. Those of note included one in the Roch area 18th June 2005; a late June record at Rudbaxton in 2006; and one close to suitable breeding habitat near Cresselly in August 2006.

Yellowhammer - breeding atlas change map

Orange = distribution in 1984-88 survey

Large dots = confirmed breeding 2003-07

Medium dots = probable breeding 2003-07

Small dots = possible breeding 2003-07

Percentage change = 50% reduction

Little Owl - 2003-07 breeding

Little Owls are found in open lowland country; they often perch in quite prominent positions close to nest sites and so are not quite as difficult to census, compared with the larger owls. According to Donovan and Rees (1994) Little Owls were thought to be increasing again following a gradual decline in the middle part of the 20^th Century.

Recent data suggest that there has clearly been a significant crash in their population during the years between 1984-88 and 2003-07. During the earlier atlas period, Little Owls were recorded in 31 tetrads, but from only six tetrads during 2003-07, an 81% decline. All atlas categories registered fairly large declines.

Donovan and Rees (1994) estimated that there were probably 50 pairs breeding in Pembrokeshire in the 1980s. During the recent atlas period, breeding was confirmed only on Skomer Island and on Ramsey Island. On the Pembrokeshire mainland they were recorded at just a thin scattering of widely distributed locations where breeding was not proven. 

Although this is an introduced species to Britain, first recorded in Pembrokeshire at Solva in 1920 (Donovan and Rees, 1994), the Little Owl is now one of our rarest breeding species.  Judging by the latest distribution maps, it would appear to be one we could lose, at least on the Pembrokeshire mainland.

Bob Haycock

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 1 

Orange = breeding probable = 2

Yellow = breeding possible = 3

Total tetrads in which registered = 6 (1.2%)

Chaffinch - 2003-07 breeding

The colourful male Chaffinch, with its distinctive reddish pink underparts, blue grey crown and bold white wing bars, is a familiar sight throughout the county. The short but emphatic and frequently uttered song is a characteristic sound in the summertime countryside. The female is a browner version of the male.

The Chaffinch nests in trees and bushes, being found in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens, being absent in the county only from the tops of the Preseli Hills and most of the offshore islands. It has usually bred on the partly wooded Caldey Island and has nested on Ramsey Island, most recently in 2006.

Little change in distribution was detected between the two surveys. Chaffinches take up territory in late winter but do not normally lay eggs until early May. With such a long period of song it seems unlikely that many were overlooked, even in marginal tetrads. The population estimate accompanying the 1984-88 survey was based on census results from reserves which were mostly woodland plots. The resultant value of 120 pairs per tetrad was applied to the whole county. However, woodland in the county represents only about the equivalent of 11 tetrads, the remainder being mostly farmland which carries smaller densities of Chaffinches.

A reappraisal required an assessment which accommodates farmland. The 1988-91 National Atlas supplied an average density for the UK. If this is applied to the 1984-88 distribution, a revised estimate for Pembrokeshire at that time was about 38,000 pairs. The BBS noted a decrease of 13% in Wales between 1994 and 2007, which if applied to the earlier estimate, suggests a breeding population of 29,000 pairs in Pembrokeshire at the end of 2007.    

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 155

Orange = breeding probable = 278

Yellow = breeding possible = 13

Total tetrads in which registered = 446 (91%)

Coot - 2003-07

A comparison of the results from the two surveys indicates a 23% increase in distribution by the latter period. However, the overall number involved has decreased. At least two previously occupied sites have disappeared, while a change in use at another has caused Coots to desert it. There has been a marked decrease at Bosherston, coincident with an increase in Otter activity there, which was where the greatest concentration was found in the 1980’s. There were probably no more than 52 pairs breeding in the county by 2007, compared to 75 pairs in 1988.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 19

Orange = breeding probable = 8 

Yellow = breeding possible = 5 

Total tetrads in which registered = 32 (6.5%)

Reed Bunting - 2003-07

The Reed Bunting is a largely inconspicuous bird with streaky black brown and off white plumage and white outer tail feathers. Breeding males have a striking black head and bib and broad white collar, females lack these. The preferred habitat is marsh, fen and boggy areas, in which they place their nests low down among rank vegetation.

It was estimated that about 500 pairs were nesting in Pembrokeshire at the time of the 1984-88 survey. Because this was based on experience of the species within its specialised distribution, it was thought to be a realistic assessment. The survey of 2003-07 found there had been a 38% spread in distribution, which if added to the earlier estimate suggests the population in the county had reached about 690 pairs. The introduction of oilseed rape as a crop has probably been the main factor affecting the increase in Reed Bunting distribution, permitting them to expand out of wet areas.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 22

Orange = breeding probable = 101

Yellow = breeding possible = 15

Total tetrads in which registered = 138 (28.2%)

Yellowhammer - 2003-07

Historically common and widespread in the county, it was still well-distributed during the 1984-88 survey, being detected in 82% of the tetrads. In the absence of comprehensive census data, three small sample areas were surveyed during 1989 and singing males recorded. On this basis extrapolation arrived at a county total of 14,000 – 15,000 territories.  However, using data from the 1988-91 National Atlas, modified by the species' relative abundance in Pembrokeshire a figure of about 13,000 pairs can be derived for the county.

During this time the Yellowhammer was probably decreasing and the BBS subsequently recorded a 41% decline across Wales between 1994 and 2007. The Pembrokeshire survey of 2003-07 found there had been a 50% reduction in distribution since 1988. This suggests the population had reduced to about 7,000 pairs, if no allowance is made for any decrease in density. However, field-workers found Yellowhammers to be sparsely distributed in the tetrads where they were found and an assessment suggested an average density of four pairs per tetrad was realistic. This would generate a county estimate of about 800 pairs breeding. However, in at least 10 tetrads which were visited frequently throughout the 2003-07 survey, birds located in 2003 and 2004 could not be found during 2005–2007. It therefore seems likely that the breeding population in Pembrokeshire at the end of 2007 had decreased to below 800 pairs and may be disappearing at an increasing rate.

Changes in agricultural practices, resulting in a huge reduction in winter stubbles and a general reduction of weeds, are thought to be a major factor in the Yellowhammers decline. A reduction in farm dung heaps has also probably contributed. As a consequence of significant national declines, the Yellow-hammer was red-listed by the review “Birds of Conservation Concern 3” (Eaton et al., 2009).   

Graham Rees

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 15

Orange = breeding probable = 142

Yellow = breeding possible = 31

Total tetrads in which registered = 188 (38.4%)

Bullfinch - 2003-07

The Bullfinch is a relatively common resident of large gardens, hedgerows and lightly wooded areas, including young plantations. It is absent from the islands, the Preseli tops and apparently the extremities of the Marloes and St. David’s peninsulas.

This is a large bright finch, in which the male is particularly conspicuous, with bright pink front, greyish blue back and black cap; the female shows a similar pattern but duller, both have a conspicuous white rump in flight. It feeds on new buds in spring, making make this species a pest to some ornamental and commercial growers.  However, it never appears in flocks, usually only in pairs or family groups.

The Bullfinch may make its simple nest in thick scrub 2-3m above the ground. It is seemingly quite secretive, with a low proportion of confirmed breeding recorded. 

It was estimated during the 1984-88 survey there was a breeding density of 10-15 pairs per tetrad, producing a population estimate of 4-5,000 pairs for the county. The breeding distribution maps look broadly the same, but there is a lower (c. 50%) proportion of records of confirmed breeding, and a corresponding increase in probable breeding.  With no known difference in surveying methods, is this a sign that the population is lower and not as easy to find and therefore confirm breeding? Should the BTO’s BBS (1994-2007) decline in the population across the UK of 18% be considered a fair measure for Pembrokeshire? If so then perhaps a lower density per tetrad should be considered giving rise to a population at the lower range of that given for 1984-88, probably nearer the 4,000 pairs for the county.

Richard Dobbins

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 72

Orange = breeding probable = 185

Yellow = breeding possible = 63

Total tetrads in which registered = 320 (65.3%)

Common Crossbill - 2003-07

No Common Crossbills were found during the 1984-88 survey. They were recorded in four tetrads during the 2003-07 survey, though there was no firm evidence of breeding in the county. This species breeds very early in the year and is strongly dispersive, which means on the dates birds were seen here they could have come from one of the neighbouring counties, in both of which they are habitual breeders. The only proven breeding in Pembrokeshire was in 1991, following an autumn invasion in 1990.

Crossbills in Ceredigion mostly fledge from February to April but fledging has been recorded from December to July (R. Liford, pers com). To be certain of breeding in Pembrokeshire nest sites must be found, which will require fieldwork effort early in the year. 

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07

Red = breeding confirmed = 0

Orange = breeding probable = 1

Yellow = breeding possible = 2

Total tetrads in which registered = 3

Lesser Redpoll - 2003-07

The Lesser Redpoll is a small brown, streaked finch with a red forehead and black bib. In Pembrokeshire it is found mostly in conifer plantations but also in parkland and orchards. Nests are placed in trees, variously against the trunk or further out on hanging branches.

The county breeding population was estimated to be about 100 pairs at the close of the 1984-88 survey. This was the equivalent of just over three per occupied tetrad. The survey of 2003-07 detected a 37% spread in distribution. Using the previous average density, it seems likely that the population was of the order of 130 – 140 pairs at the end of 2007. Recent extensive felling of conifer plantations is likely to have a detrimental effect on this species, which is already red-listed under Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Eaton et al., 2009), having declined nationally over the last 25 years.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 4

Orange = breeding probable = 25

Yellow = breeding possible = 12

Total tetrads in which registered = 41 (8.4%)

Linnet - 2003-07

The Linnet is a common finch of Pembrokeshire, though in decline elsewhere. The male with a red wash to the breast and forehead, twittering flight calls, and white edgings to wings and tail, is still a familiar sight, particularly around the coast and hills. The Linnet breeds in areas of rough grassland, sometimes in loose colonies. Much of this type of grassland has now been lost to more intensive agriculture, although some areas remain here, perhaps more so than elsewhere in the UK.

During the 1984-88 survey a figure of 25 pairs per tetrad was used to estimate the total population, which produced the figure of 8,600 pairs for Pembrokeshire. During the 2003-07 survey, the number of tetrads in which Linnet was recorded has increased by c.10%; the total tetrads with probable breeding increasing by c. 100%. Whether the breeding density has changed is perhaps for further testing. The BBS has recorded a decline of 27% in the Linnet population for the UK between 1994 and 2006. The long term trend 1974–2006 showed a decline in the order of 57%. Pembrokeshire may therefore be an important stronghold for this species.

Richard Dobbins

 

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 127

Orange = breeding probable = 205

Yellow = breeding possible = 49

Total tetrads in which registered = 381 (77.8%)