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)

Goldcrest - 1980s winter atlas

The BTO winter atlas showed that Goldcrests were present in most 10km squares during the winters of 1981-82, 1982-82 and 1983-84.

The darker the colour, the higher the relative total count for each 10km square.  The darkest blue represents over 20 birds.

However, it should be noted that the figures show a high correlation with the number of recording cards returned (therefore related to recording effort) for each 10km square. 

Graham Rees 

Chiff-chaff - 1980s winter atlas

The BTO winter atlas showed that Chiffchaffs were present in 41% of 10km squares during the winters of 1981-82, 1982-82 and 1983-84.

The darker the colour, the higher the relative total count for each 10km square.  The darkest blue represents 3 or more birds seen in a day.

However, it should be noted that the figures show a high correlation with the number of recording cards returned (therefore related to recording effort) for each 10km square. 

Graham Rees 

Dusky Warbler - 2008

Phylloscopus fuscatus

Vagrant.

The Dusky Warbler breeds from Siberia to Mongolia wintering to the south but is a vagrant of annual occurrence to Britain.

The first Dusky Warbler recorded in Pembrokeshire was at Strumble Head on the 15th October 1988, being seen by Stuart Devonald, Graham Rees and John Stafford. Initially seen in the open it behaved in an agitated manner. When the observers backed off it immediately flew into deep cover in gorse. It was only subsequently viewable by using a car as a makeshift hide when it foraged on the ground.

The second to be recorded was found by Paull Grennard at Porth Clais, and was seen from the 10th to the 15th of November 2003. It was also skulking but this time in willows and with patience was seen by many observers.

Graham Rees.

(Covers records up to and including 2008).

Grasshopper Warbler - 1894

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

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Sedge Warbler - 1894

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

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Melodius Warbler - 1894

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

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Wood Warbler - 1894

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

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Willow Warbler - 1894

Phylloscopus trochilus

A not very numerous summer visitor. A nest found at Stone Hall, near a pond much frequented by Herons, was entirely lined with the small grey feathers of those birds.

Mathew M.A. 1894, Birds of Pembrokeshire and it's Islands

Chiffchaff - 1894

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

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Goldcrest - 1894

Regulus cristatus

A common resident, receiving accessions to its numbers in the winter from northern countries. Mr. Dix saw a flock of about fifty in a plantation on 6th November. Goldcrests were always numerous in the larch plantations at Stone Hall, where we came across numbers of their beautiful nests. One we found close to the house was entirely lined with the feathers of the Green Woodpecker. There was a nest of these birds in an adjoining sycamore tree. We have had several bright plumaged male Goldcrests sent to us by friends for Firecrests. Although the Firecrest is extremely likely to occur in the winter-time in Pembrokeshire, we have not yet either seen or heard of a county specimen. It may be useful to remark that the Firecrest is always to be easily distinguished from the Goldcrest by the white line above the eye.

Mathew M.A. 1894, Birds of Pembrokeshire and it's Islands

Garden warbler - 1894

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

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