2008 Pembrokeshire Bird report

The 2008 Pembrokeshire Bird Report is NOW AVAILABLE

Many thanks to those involved with it’s production and to those who submitted records.

To obtain a copy please send your cheque for £6.50 (which includes postage) made payable to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group, to. Jon Green, Crud yr Awel, Bowls Road, Blaenporth, Cardigan, SA43 2AR

Scallop Dredging - an update

This activity is no longer confined to Cardiganshire but as of this week at least six boats are operating from Fishguard and are harvesting just to the North of Fishguard. There are a number of Web sites covering this issue.

It is not clear whether the 6 mile exclusion zone requested recently by the Minister is a requirement or simply a request, or indeed if it applies outside Cardiganshire Perhaps I can ask you to find out all you can about this activity and maybe pass on your feelings to those concerned – see postings below

Scallop Dredging in Cardigan Bay

Further to my posting below on the subject, you may wish to look at the following link on the BBC Web site regarding Scallop Dredging in Cardigan Bay:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7881045.stm

Lyndon Lomax

Are our Sea Birds at Risk ?

At the moment over 40 Scallop Dredgers are working off the Cardiganshire coast potentially causing serious long term damage to habitat.

In my opinion we should be concerned here in Pembrokeshire because thousands of our sea birds find the majority of their food in Cardiganshire waters e.g. in particular Gannets and Manx Shearwaters. Of course the knock on of damage to the Sea bed affects the whole Eco System and is applicable to many species as well as birds. I make reference to birds here because they are our particular interest. In Pembrokeshire the breeding colonies enjoy protection as far as we possibly can but it seems that when it comes to this form of fishing the designation of Special Area of Conservation means little

The W.A.G. (Welsh Assembly Government) could consider putting a stop to these operations or at least impose limitations on the number of licences issued and restrictions placed on the areas open for scallop dredging. If you wish you can write and express your opinion to the respective W.A.G. ministers. They are :-Jane Davidson (AM), Minister for Environment, Sustainability & Housing,National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff. CF99 1NAElin Jones (AM), Minister for Rural Affairs,National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff. CF99 1NA
The views expressed in this posting are purely my own as the situation has not been fully discussed by the Pembrokeshire Bird Group.

Lyndon Lomax

Fishguard Harbour

Great views of 3 Purple Sandpipers on the annual walk round the Fishguard Outer Breakwater on 17 February together with a couple of Red Throated Divers and 2 Ringed Plovers - all in glorious, warm weather.

Late afternoon a few went on to see the Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhug which performed well.

See pics here