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%)

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%)

Goldfinch - 2003-07

The goldfinch is common in areas of scattered trees and hedgerows, less dense woodland and gardens. It likes to nest in evergreen trees, particularly Cypresses.  Although the species has always been common, the population is somewhat cyclic, and is currently increasing.

From the 1984-88 breeding bird survey it was suggested that the population may be in the order of 4-6,000 pairs, based on a density of 15-20 pairs per tetrad. The number of occupied tetrads increased by 35% between the two survey periods. This is consistent with an increase of 39% shown by the BBS for the period 1994-2007, and there appears no reason to believe that our county population has behaved any differently than the national trend. This would suggest an increased current population, due to both an increase in density and distribution, giving a new figure of 6-8,000 pairs.

Richard Dobbins

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 95

Orange = breeding probable = 254

Yellow = breeding possible = 48

Total tetrads in which registered = 397 (81%)

Greenfinch - 2003-07

Due to changes in agricultural practices, the greenfinch is becoming less common in farmland. Parks and gardens with tall trees are now the preferred habitat for breeding, especially if evergreen trees are present. The prevalence of such trees in towns and villages may be encouraging the birds to move there.

It was estimated that 4–5,000 pairs were nesting in the county during the 1984-88 survey. The distribution found during the 2003-07 survey shows an increase of 47% in the number of squares recorded, with an in–filling within the existing widespread range rather than any expansion. The 1984-88 survey estimated the density at 15 – 20 pairs per tetrad, if that estimate is still true then the increase in occupied squares would indicate an increase in the breeding population to c. 6–7,500 pairs. The BBS assessment of a 27% increase in the population between 1994 and 2002 would broadly agree with this.

A cautionary note should be added at this time, in some gardens birds are suffering from an infectious disease which can be fatal. How this may affect future breeding populations we will have to see.

Richard Dobbins

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 69

Orange = breeding probable = 286

Yellow = breeding possible = 28

Total tetrads in which registered = 383 (78.2%)