Many of the UK bird species are in trouble, as indicated in the latest Birds of Conservation Concern (5) Report, where the number of Red-listed species (those of highest concern) has risen to 70.
Some familiar species here in Pembs., including Greenfinch, Swift and House Martin, are now on the “Red List”, due to worsening declines in their breeding populations in the UK.
 |
| The 1984-88 distribution map of Greenfinches breeding in Pembrokeshire showed that they occurred in 55% of tetrads in the county. The 2003-07 map indicated an increase to 78% of tetrads. However, since then, the story is all downhill https://pembsavifauna.co.uk/category/greenfinch/. It currently remains a scarce, but very much under-recorded species in the county. |
Four species have been added to the Red list due to worsening declines in non-breeding wintering populations in the UK, these include Goldeneye and Dunlin.
 |
| Although never a very numerous species, numbers of Goldeneye present in winter in Pembs have fallen according to WeBS data. Up to c.10 years ago for example, peak winter numbers of 20-30+ were regularly recorded at Bosherston Lakes (a favoured haunt). Since 2013/14 their max. numbers have barely made double figures for the whole county https://pembsavifauna.co.uk/category/goldeneye/ |
More information on BOCC5 and how species population changes are assessed can be found at https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/birds-conservation-concern
or at