Rough-legged Buzzard - 1988

An emaciated bird picked up near Merrion early October 1988.  Restored to health at Little Haven Bird Hospital and released at Dowrog on 22 Oct (RJH).

Record accepted by WRAG in 1989

Record extracted from Pembrokeshire Bird Report 1988 & 1989

Pectoral Sandpiper - 1950

One at the Gann, 11 August 1950.  (Barrett, 1959)

Common Rosefinch - 2015 Skokholm

Carpodacus erythrinus Llinos Goch

Rare 24 previous records including 11 in spring and all singles except for three on 11th October 2001

Earliest 3rd May 1970 (11th June 2015) Latest 12th October 1995

1 trapped

1936-1976: 4 trapped, 2011-2014: 4 trapped, 1 retrapped

A brown bird found outside of the Cottage on 11th June was the first spring record since 2013 and maintained the annual status of a species which has been logged in each of the last five years (RDB, GE); there were recent singles between the 5th and 10th September 2014, on 8th June 2013, between the 27th and 29th August 2012 and between the 2nd and 11th September 2011. Prior to these the most recent record was on 25th May 2003. Interestingly the last three spring records have all been one day birds whereas the last three autumn records have all lingered. This year’s bird was subsequently trapped in the Wheelhouse Heligoland and became the fifth to be ringed in five years, one more than marked during the first incarnation of Skokholm Bird Observatory.

Photos on Skokholm blog

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Skokholm Bird Observatory Annual Report 2015 (Richard Brown & Giselle Eagle)

Red-breasted Flycatcher - 2015 Skokholm

Ficedula parva Gwybedog Brongoch

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A first-winter found in the Courtyard on 6th October was later trapped in the Wheelhouse Heligoland

but not seen the following day (BB et al.). It spent much of the 6th flycatching from the Elders and occasionally plucking Cross Spiders Araneus diadematus from their webs.

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Remarkably the bird was controlled eight days later in a pub garden at Kilbaha, Loop Head, County Clare, Ireland (328km at 288 degrees westnorthwest); this was only the third time that a movement between Britain and another country has been recorded for this species. There have now been seven Skokholm birds in the past four years.

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Skokholm Bird Observatory Annual Report 2015 (Richard Brown & Giselle Eagle)

Barred Warbler - 2015 Skokholm

Rare Autumn Migrant 19 previous records

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A juvenile found in the Courtyard on the morning of 24th September appeared exhausted, feeding clumsily on Elderberries before returning to the same sunny branches where it regularly lost its balance and sat with its wings drooped (RDB et al.). Telescope views revealed that the bird was wearing a metal ring, however with it appearing so weak, no attempt was made to catch it and discover its provenance. Happily the bird appeared to perk up before disappearing over the westerly wall, not to be seen again.

More on Skokhom blog

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This was the first record since a bird on 8th September 2013 and only the 20th for Skokholm. Of the 18 other individuals, one was in the 1950s (the second for Wales on 12th September 1956), five were in the 1960s, one was in the 1970s, one was in the 1980s, eight were in the 1990s and two were in the first decade of this century.

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Skokholm Bird Observatory Annual Report 2015 (Richard Brown & Giselle Eagle)

Dark-eyed Junco - 2017

One found by a visiting birder on Skomer on 7th - 8th May 2017. Accepted by BBRC. The first county record  and only the second for Wales.

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2017

A singing male on Skokholm on 18th June 2017 was caught there and ringed. Accepted by BBRC.

Black Kite - post 1994

One flew over North Haven, Skomer 20 May 1998 (SS et al)

One flew over Skomer on 16th May 2014. Accepted by WRP.

One flew over Skomer on 14th May 2018. Accepted by WRP.

Records from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

American Royal Tern - 2018

The first county record was of one seen and photographed at the Gann 22nd December 2018. Presumed to be the bird seen a few days earlier in north Wales and subsequently in the Scillies. Accepted by BBRC.

Snowy Owl - 2018

First county record was of a female at St. Davids Head, 30th March – 6th April, then on Skomer 30th May.  Accepted by BBRC.

Green Heron - 2018

The second Welsh record and first for the county was at Llanmill, near Narberth from 28th April – 7th May.

Accepted by BBRC.

Bobolink - 2010

A 1st year bird was on Skomer from 8th to 11th October (D Boyle). Accepted by BBRC. A new record for the island and the second for the county.

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird Report, 2010.