Green-winged Teal - 1972 to 1997

Considered initially as an American race Anas crecca carolinensis.

Males were noted at Rosehill Marsh on 30^th January 1972; at the Gann on 22^nd - 27^th April 1977 and 2^nd March 1986 (Donovan and Rees, 1994).  

In 1996, individuals (perhaps the same one) at Skokholm 15^th to 17^th April (G Thompson) and Marloes Mere 3^rd to 11^th May 1996 (KJS Devonald, GH Rees et al). (1996 Pembrokeshire Bird Report). 

In 1997, a male at Skokholm 17^th April 1997 and at Skomer 18^th April to 1^st May. (1997 Pembrokeshire Bird Report). 

Green-winged Teal - 2000 to 2015

There have been a number of records (reported by various different observers) of drakes during the period reviewed here (2000 to 2015). These include:

In 2000, one Skomer 17^th to 20^th November.

In 2001, singles on Skokholm 22^nd February and 22^nd March; singles at Newgale 14^th to 30^th March; Marloes Mere 12-13^th May.

In 2003, One was at Little Milford 9^th January.

In 2004, one was at Skomer 16^th February and probably the same bird was also seen at Lawrenny 16^th February.

In 2005, one was at Newgale 2^nd to 12^th December and Skomer 26^th November, with two different males on the island on 28^th November; probably three birds were involved altogether.

In 2009, one was at Marloes Mere on 4^th May.

In 2010, there were two records: one at Marloes Mere from 8th to 25^th April and another at the Gann on 25^th December – both probably relating to the same returning male from last year.

A total of three birds were reported in 2011, all singles and probably relating to the same individual: In January at Sprinkle Pill on 16^th, at Marloes Mere a bird first seen on 12^th February was last recorded on 2^nd May, and at Penberry Reservoir on 6^th and 7^th May.

In 2013, singles were reported at Sprinkle Pill from 12^th January until 9^th February; at Marloes on 17^th June and later in the year at Milton on 27^th November; and finally at Newgale from 26^th December until the end of the year.

In 2014, one at Newgale Marsh from 2013 into 2014 was joined by a second bird on 19^th January to 1^st April.

In 2015, the presumed returning bird on the Cleddau was at Hook, close to Millin Pill, on 21^st February.

Dotterel - 2012 status

Scarce visitor

The Dotterel breeds on extensive open flat uplands, mountain ridges and plateaux, with sparse vegetation of moss, short grass or lichens and bare patches of rock, in tundra and alpine zones across the northern Palearctic, as far south as the highest mountains in Scotland. Winter quarters are in the semi-arid belt of the Middle East and North Africa, with a few in Spain.

Mathew (1894) recorded one Dotterel, Lockley et al (1949) none and Donovan and Rees (1994) noted occurrences on seven occasions in spring and on 21 in autumn.

In Pembrokeshire Dotterels have been found in open treeless areas with bare ground interspersed with short heavily grazed or saline vegetation, or heathland, or on fallow or newly ploughed agricultural land. Localities were on the islands of Skokholm, Skomer and Ramsey, in coastal areas at St Govan’s Head, Castle Martin ranges, Dale, St Ann’s Head, Kete, Dale airfield and St David’s airfield and inland at Plumstone Mountain, “Preseli Top” (Foel Eryr), Foel Cwmcerwyn and Dinas Mountain (Bedd Morris).  

Graham Rees

Little Tern - status

Sternula albifrons

Scarce passage migrant.

Little Terns breed from Britain eastwards into Europe and central Asia and south as far as North Africa and India. They nest on both sides of the Irish Sea and along the west coast of Scotland with just one colony in Wales, post 1989, in Flintshire. Those seen in Pembrokeshire probably originate from these Irish and west coast colonies.

The Little Tern was considered to be an occasional passage migrant by Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al (1949), whereas Donovan and Rees (1994), with the benefit of increased observer cover, concluded it was a scarce passage migrant seen in most years.

Little Terns have been recorded around the coast at Fishguard, Strumble Head, Abermawr, St David’s Head, Solva, Newgale, Broad Haven (North), Skomer, Skokholm, St Govan’s Head, Tenby and Caldey, further out to sea at Grassholm and The Smalls, inside the Teifi and Nevern Estuaries and within the extensive Cleddau Estuary  at the Gann, West Williamston and Picton Point. All were seen over salt water except for singles at Bosherston on the 31st August 1937 and on the 8th September 1993

Graham Rees.

(Covers records up to and including 2006).

Red Grouse - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

Click to read more ...

Pallas's Sandgrouse - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

Click to read more ...

Turtle Dove - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

Click to read more ...