Marsh Harrier - 2016

Scarce visitor, breeding attempted recently but so far unsuccessfully.

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird List (2018 update) edited by Mike Young-Powell on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Honey Buzzard - 1993 onwards

Pernis apivorus - Rare visitor.

1995 - Singles were at Marloes 11 April (GHR) and soaring over Pantmaenog Forest 6 May (GHR)

1996 - An individual came in off the sea at Porthlisky on 28 April (MEB), one at Skokholm 6 June and one at Slebech 20 Aug (JWD)

1998 - one at Dinas Island 4 July (MSh)

1999 - Passage birds noted over Ramsey 22 April (RH) and going east Strumble Head 25 Oct (CB, GHR)

2000 -  Singles in September at Skomer on the 16th (JGB) (3rd record for the island) and at Whitchurch on the 30th (MS).

2001 - A single flew south over Newgale 26 Aug.  (MB).

2003 - Single seen coming in off the sea at Strumble Hd 22 Aug (CB, GHR, RS).

2004 - One on Ramsey on 24 Sept was the only record (GJW).

2005 - Single seen coming in off the sea at Strumble Head, 7 Aug (GHR)

2009 - There were three records of singles on passage in the autumn: at Stumble Head on 7 and 13 August (GHR) and at Dale Airfield 25 Sept (AH)

2011 - The only record was of a single bird on Ramsey on 19th Apr (LM).

2012 - The only record was of one was seen on Skomer on 27th May (DRM).

2013 - The only record was of one over the Deer Park, Martin’s Haven on 20th Sept.

2017 - What was presumably the same bird was seen over Skomer then Llanychaer on 27th June. The only other record was of one over Skokholm on 24th May.

Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

Black-necked Grebe - 1992 onwards

Podiceps nigricollis  - Scarce and irregular winter visitor

1995 - one Bosherston Pools, 25-26 January

1997 - one at Angle Bay, 21 Nov - 31 Dec (RJE et al)

1998 - one at Angle Bay, 1-7 Jan (TJP, GHR)

2000 - One Gann, 20-21 Sept (DJA, OR) and 2 there 26 Dec (TJP).

2004 - Singles Newport Bay, 10 & 13 Aug (SB) and Heathfield G P, 28 Nov (M-YP et al).

2005 - One at Treginnis, 4-14 Dec (JB, LL, MS et al)

2006 - One Llys y fran Res, 2 Jan – 1 Apr (DJA et al)

2007 - The only record was a single at Westfield Pill, 18-22 Nov, (AJH, LL)

2008 - Two records of single birds: at Angle Bay, 12 Jan - 1 March (RC, TJP et al) and at Llys-y-fran, reservoir 22 Jan - 6 March (PKG et al)

2009 - Only two records this year, the first being at Llys-y-fran Reservoir 18 Jan - 20 Feb (AR), the second seen off Tenby on 2nd March (PKG)

2010 - Only two individuals were recorded this year: the returning Llys y fran individual present from 16th Jan until 6th Feb then returned on 12th Dec until the end of the year (DJA). Another was at Fishguard Harbour from 29th Dec into 2011(WJ).

2011 - Just two records this year of singles in Fishguard Harbour from 2010 last reported on 9th Jan and at Llys y fran Res from 2nd Jan until 23rd (WJ, DJA et al).

2012 - The only records for 2012 were two birds at Frainslake Mill on 26th Feb (MS) and one that passed Strumble Head on 15th October was the first record of the species for the site (R Liford).

 Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

Red-necked Grebe - 2000 onwards

Podiceps grisgena - Uncommon winter visitor

2000 - One Strumble Hd 8 Nov (CB, GHR et al).

2001 - One Strumble Hd 31 Oct (CB, PM, GHR)

2003 - Singles Strumble Hd 24 Sept (CB, GHR) and Bosherston 11 & 12 Nov (DJa et al).

2004 - One Fishguard Harb 9-28 Dec (AR et al).

2005 - One Teifi Estuary 12 Feb - 14 Mar (JG PN)

2006 - One Angle Bay 26 – 31 Dec (PRH et al).

2007 - All records came from two sites.  2 were at Angle Bay on 6 Jan, a single there on 18 Jan, 4 Feb and 2nd Mar (CH et al).  A single passed Strumble Head on 17 Oct (GHR)

2008 - Only two records this year, both of singles: at Angle Bay on 26 Jan - 6 March (CH et al); and at Carew Millpond 15 Dec to end of year (DGI et al)

2011 - A single bird at Cwm Yr Eglwys from 5th Jan to 1st Feb (SEB) and another at Gann/Dale Roads from 29th Jan until 13th Mar (DJA).

2015 - Single birds at Amroth on 5th Jan and at Angle Bay from 8th - 17th Jan were the only records for the year.

2016 - A single bird at Westfield Pill from 3rd to 12th Nov was the only record received.

Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

This species has been added to WRP Description list as of 1st Jan. 2017.

Glossy Ibis - 2012

Rare but 12 records since 2000. 

This includes a flock of 23 between 28th January and 4th February 2012 that toured various site in the Carew Cheriton/Milton/Sageston area. They roosted near Carew River. Smaller numbers at other sites that year may have been part of the same flock? 

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird report, 2012.

Pembrokeshire Neyland, two, 12th January (A. Hansen), presumed same St Davids Head, 13th January to 1st February, photo (M. Young-Powell et al.). Sageston, 14th January, photo (M. Arnold per Pembrokeshire Recorder). Marloes Mere, three, 18th January to 12th May, then four on 13th May to 9th June, one from 10th June into 2013, photo (M. Howe et al. per Pembrokeshire Recorder) (Brit. Birds 105: plate 98). Carew, 23, 28th January to 14th February, photo (R. Ellis et al.). Walwyn’s Castle, 28th–31st January, photo (D. & L. Bowen, P. Lewis). Pembrokeshire Neyland, two, 12th January (A. Hansen), presumed same St David’s Head, 13th January to 1st February, photo (M. Young-Powell et al.). Sageston, 14th January, photo (M. Arnold per Pembrokeshire Recorder). Marloes Mere, three, 18th January to 12th May, then four on 13th May to 9th June, one from 10th June into 2013, photo (M. Howe et al. per Pembrokeshire Recorder) (Brit. Birds 105: plate 98). Carew, 23, 28th January to 14th February,photo (R. Ellis et al.). Walwyn’s Castle, 28th–31st January, photo (D. & L. Bowen, P. Lewis).

Source - British Birds Rarity Committee report 2012

NB their arrival coincided with very dry (drought) conditions in Spain and other parts of southern Europe which possibly contributed to their dispersal away from usual/regular wintering areas.

White Stork - 2016

Nine records, 4 since 2000.

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird List (2018 update) edited by Mike Young-Powell on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Purple Heron - 2000-2018

13 records, 9 since 2000. (the four previous records are mentioned in Purple Heron - 1994)

2001 One Skomer 22 March (JGB)

2006 Single Knapp’s Farm, Martletwy, 12 April – 12 May (MS et al)

2006 Single Orielton 24 – 26 Apr (CH)

2006 Single Bosherston 29 April (DE, EE).

2010 A single at Llan Mill near Narberth from 22nd March was last reported on the 27th of the same month (A. Hart).  Accepted by WRP. 

2012 An adult was seen at Treleddyd Fawr near St.David’s on 27th March (MYP). Accepted by WRP.

2013 Only one accepted record of one at Penally/Ritec area 3rd & 4th June (A.Collens).

2014 A single flyover bird at Skokholm on 8th June was the first record for the island & only the 12th County record (WJ, RD, RB). Accepted by WRP.

2017 A single adult at Bosherston on 6th May (PKG, BS). Accepted WRP.

SOURCE: Pembrokeshire Bird Reports 2000-2018

Additional note from the Skomer Bird Report 2001 - The first for the island made landfall in North Valley on 22 March, sinking into the iris bed before moving to Well Pond to refuel. The bird was in breeding splendour, and the brightness of the plumage indicates that it was probably an adult male.

Additional note from Welsh Birds, vol 5.2 (2007) - 2006 records One would have expected that all three records in one area of Pembrokeshire would relate to the same bird, except that there are overlapping dates

Great White Egret - 2006 onwards

 Egretta alba - Vagrant, but now increasingly regular visitor.

2006 - One Strumble Hd 4 Sept (GHR, RR, RS,RW). Third Pembrokeshire record.

2008 - A single bird was seen at Mullock on 17 Oct, this was the 4th record for the county (PR & RR). Accepted WRP

2011 - The only accepted record was of an individual at Bosherston on 30th Nov (CH),

2012 - Two records of single birds flying through the county, the first at Ramsey on 15th May (GM – circulating WRP), the other flew past Fishguard Fort & up the Gwaun Valley on 4th Sept (SEB - accepted by WRP).

2013 - Although now breeding not that far away in the UK & reported widely from other parts of Wales still a very difficult bird to catch up with in the county. A single at Marloes Mere on 6th June (BS) & another flew over Fishguard on 30th Oct (AR). Both Accepted WRP. One on the Cleddau on 24th Nov still circulating WRP  (T. Lewis, I. Martin).

2014 - A single bird at Bosherston on 30th March (CH) photo opposite. Another was seen on St. David’s Airfield on 21st Apr (BD) and finally a third bird at Castlemartin Corse on 1st Nov (EL). All accepted by WRP

2015 - An immature observed flying over Skomer on 15th May (EMS) was the first record for the island, photo below

2016 - Two birds reported at Radford Farm Milton on 31st Oct, a single recorded at different areas of the Teifi from 16th to 25th July at least & another on the Teifi Marshes on 24th Nov and one over Skomer on 14th Sept

2017 - All records were of singles at Mullock Bridge on 21st Jan, Millin Pill on 26th May and at Sealyham on 14th Nov, except for two at Trefeiddan Marsh on 9th Oct. 

2018 - Singles: Goodwick Moor 30th Jan, Teifi Estuary 4th Feb, Penally 9th Feb, New Hedges 27th Feb, St. David’s 27th Apr, Landshipping 19th Oct, Picton Point and at Teifi Marshes 5th Dec. Three over Pencarnan, St. David’s and Martin’s Haven on 30th Sept, four passed over Brynberian on 21st Oct (having been seen previously passing Aberaeron, Ceredigion).

Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

Cattle Egret - 2010 onwards

Bubulcus ibis  - Rare visitor

2010 - After enjoying good numbers for the last two years 2010 produced just a single bird at Withybush Airfield from 15th Oct until 5th Nov (T. Gover). Accepted by WRP.

2014 - One on the creek at Teifi Marshes on 4th Oct (T. Evans, CHJ) spent the afternoon on both sides of the Ceredigion / Pembrokeshire border. Accepted by WRP.

2016 - A single at Newport from 10th Dec – into 2017 (K. Meatyard et al), presumed same as one at Goodwick on 15th Dec (photo below by K. Barnett). Accepted WRP.

2017 - Single birds were at Newport from December 2016 until 1st May at least (KM et al), in the Bosherston/Stackpole area on and off from 12th Mar until 8th June (per RE), at Skokholm 17th July (RB) and at Treleddyn Farm St. David’s on 8th to 10th Nov (M & JB et al). All were accepted by WRP.

2018 - One on Skokholm 9th Oct (RB et al). Accepted WRP

Records extracted from the Pembrokeshire Bird Reports

Night Heron (Black-crowned) - 2016

Scarce - 21 records, 6 since 2000 - these were:

In 2005 - one at Freshwater West in 16th April.

In 2006 - single adults at Dreen Hill at the end of March 2006, Upper Swanswell, Broadhaven (North) 20th March 2006 and at Esso on 21st March 2006.

In 2008 - One at Sealyham on 15th May.

In 2013 - An adult at the Ritec, Tenby on 25th May.

In 2019 - Two adults and an immature seen flying over Skokholm 30th May

Sources: Pembrokeshire Bird Reports (2005, 2006, 2008, 2013)

Pembrokeshire Birds List (2016 update) edited by Mike Young-Powell on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Wilson's Petrel - 2016

Nine records, 3 since 2000. 

Source: Pembrokeshire Bird List (2018 update) edited by Mike Young-Powell on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Fea's/Zino's Petrel - 2010

One was seen and photographed off Grassholm on 11th July 2010, accepted by BBRC.

Source: 2010 Pebrokeshire Bird Report.