Breeding Bird Survey 2011
This year the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) was impacted greatly by a busy season with visitors and, to
a further extent, media coverage. It was agreed I would cover most of the island and Chris would do
The Neck. However, Chris’s season turned very hectic , therefore, data on The Neck area is limited.
Due to the lack of time available in the mornings to carry out surveys myself, some gaps in coverage
occurred.
Here is a list of findings to accompany the map work. It does not include seabirds, which are
monitored separately.
CANADA GOOSE
16 pairs were recorded and breeding was largely successful.
MALLARD
A pair of Mallards attempted to breed on North Pond, however it is believe most attempts end in
predation of the young.
SHOVELER
After a pair was seen frequently on Moorey Mere. On the 23rd April a pair were seen mating and
followed by a day when the male was observed on the pond calling discreetly, presumably to a
female on a nest, however, ducklings were never seen and it is thought this attempt was
unsuccessful.
PHEASANT
Present and bred all over the island.
BUZZARD
Up to four pairs bred on Skomer this year. Pairs were at Bull Hole, the Wick Basin, The Neck and a
possible pair along the Northeast coastline.
KESTREL
A pair was often seen around North Haven and breeding was thought to take place on The Neck.
PEREGRINE
A maximum of four pairs bred on Skomer this year. One along the North Coast, one by High Cliff, one
close to North Castle and one on the neck. Three fledglings were seen near the Garland Stone on the
14th June. This is an impressive population for such a small island.
MOORHEN
Four territories were marked. These four were plotted at North and South ponds, Moorey Mere and
at the East Bog/Green Pond area. Chicks were often seen at North Pond and Moorey Mere.
OYSTERCATCHER
30 territories were recorded. It is amazing how close these territories are to one another, especially
in the central fields. These birds appeared to favour the grass areas clear from Bracken, but used this
cover for hiding young when required.
CURLEW
Five pairs were marked on the map and these pairs were fairly evenly spread across Skomer. Once
with chicks, the bird were very mobile and continued monitoring was tricky.
WOODPIGEON
Three pairs were mapped; more were probably present on the island though.
LITTLE OWL
One pair raised three chicks west of the farm complex within a dry stone wall. Unfortunately, Dave
Boyle found Storm Petrel wings close to the nest site.
SHORT-EARED OWL
A pair bred in North Valley, they raised six chicks. Later in the season a dead Short-eared Owl was
found. Whether this is one of these birds or not is unknown.
CHOUGH
Pairs were located at the Amos, near Kittiwake Cove and along the North Coast.
MAGPIE
Magpie bred all over the island and were very active making territory mapping very challenging.
JACKDAW
These birds bred all over the island and later in the summer large flocks were seen roosting in the
trees and shrubs of North Valley. Two albino fledglings were found in North Haven by Maria Gill and
one remained for several weeks.
CARRION CROW
Nine nests were found. The majority of these were on rocky outcrops, although a nest made from
Manx Shearwater wings and Rabbit bones was found just outside Moorey Mere in a Willow tree. It
was particularly unnerving!
RAVEN
Territories were mapped between Garland Stone and Bull Hole, at the Mew Stone and a probable
nest on The Neck, totally three pairs.
SKYLARK
Nine pairs were noted. Most were located in the central fields.
BARN SWALLOW
Four pairs bred around the Farm Complex and one pair in the Lime Kiln at North Haven. Most of
these pairs raised three broods, taking their breeding season right into September.
WHITETHROAT
10 pairs were recorded. More are thought to have bred on the island. The recorded pairs were
around the farm, in South Valley and in North Valley.
SEDGE WARBLER
As with the Whitethroat, popular breeding sites were in the two main valleys, around the farm,
above North Haven and in the Bull Hole/Anvil Rock area. 26 territories were mapped; again, this is
probably and underestimate.
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER
One bird was seen nest building near North Pond Research Hide by Dave Boyle, the outcome is
unknown. This is the first nesting attempt from this species on Skomer.
WREN
21 territories were mapped but this is surely a huge underestimate. However, unless every inch of
the island is walked over, finding every individual territory is difficult.
DUNNOCK
Dunnocks were recorded all over the island with large numbers of juveniles seen in the autumn,
probably a combination of mainland birds and Skomer birds being chased out of territories, thus
making them very obvious.
BLACKBIRD
Six pairs were recorded. Two in South Stream, one at the farm, one on Gorse Hill, one at Green Pond
and one near North Pond Public Hide.
WHEATEAR
Four pairs were mapped, two on South Plateau, one by South Pond and one near Skomer Head.
PIED WAGTAIL
Eight territories were recorded this season and recently fledged birds were observed at the farm and
near Moorey Mere. The pair at the farm, at least, had a second brood.
MEADOW PIPIT
40 territories were marked on a map. Looking at the map, every territory is extremely evenly placed,
as though every possible space has been filled. As with the Wren, any pairs on The Neck were
unfortunately missed.
ROCK PIPIT
It was impossible to record all territories of this species, getting close to the cliff edges is difficult in
many areas due to Puffin and Manx Shearwater burrows. However, looking at the high density of
territories along the southwest coast of South Plateau (four territories from the Mew Stone to the
Wick entrance), the population is thought to be very high.
REED BUNTING
Five Reed Bunting pairs were located. Two in North Valley, one inland of Pigstone Bay, one by
Moorey Mere and lastly one above North Haven, between the Harold Stone and Captain Kites.
Hopefully more time will specifically be allocated for morning Breeding Bird Surveys in the future to
allow for a more thorough look at the breeding birds of Skomer. Thanks to all that helped.
Sarah Harris
(Assistant Warden 2011)