Welsh Journals

WELSH BIRD REPORT FOR 1972 compiled by P. Hope Jones and P. E. Davis INTRODUCTION THE year saw the culmination of five seasons' efforts in mapping the distribution of breeding birds for the BTO's Atlas project. Local organisers have by now sent in their final records and comments, and the Atlas itself is awaited with interest. Weather during the year had contrary effects on birds. The series of mild winters may have brought about increases in populations of some species such as tits. Jay and Goldcrest, though our quantitative knowledge about common birds in Wales in winter is poor in the extreme. This mildness too may have been responsible for a relative shortage here of wintering wildfowl which had no need to move so far to the west as in harder continental winters. On the other hand, the particularly cold, wet and windy spring doubtless had a serious impact on the breeding success of many species, and although we are not really in a position to quantify this effect overall, the impact on passerines in nest-boxes was certainly severe. The usual autumn passage of thrushes was very marked in 1972; impressive diurnal passages were recorded at many localities, often with a broad spectrum of associated species. Crossbills "irrupted" into Wales from the east, especially during July, with better numbers recorded than for many years. A westward movement of Bearded Tits in October-November also produced an unusual number of Welsh records. Although it was not a great year for rarities, one species, the Least Sandpiper, was recorded for the first time in Wales. and other rare American visitors were Green- winged Teal. Surf Scoter, and Baird's Sandpiper. A Gyr Falcon of the Greenland race, two Red-footed Falcons, two Snowy Owls and two Serins were among other notable records. The records used in the Welsh Bird Report are abstracted from northern reports by PHJ and from southern ones by PED. Records for individual counties are always welcomed by the following recorders: Ang., Caern., Den., and Mer.: P. J. Dare, Tan-yr-allt, Trefriw, Caern. Flint.: R. R. Birch, 8 Thornberry Close, Saughall, Chester. Mont.: R. R. Lovegrove, The Walk Mill, Mochdre. Newtown. Card.: P. E. Davis, Ty Coed. Tregaron. Rad.: T. R. H. Owen. Lulham House, Madley, Herefords. Brec.: M. V. Preece. Stepaside. Llangynidr, nr. Crickhowell. Carm.: D. H. V. Roberts. 38, Heol Hathren, Cwmann. Lampeter. Card. Pem.: J. W. Donovan. The Burren. Dingle Lane. Crundale, Haverfordwest. Glam.: (Gower): H. Grenfell, The Woods. 14 Bryn Terrace. Mumbles. (E. of Swansea): S. F. Young. 197 Cathedral Road. Cardiff. Mon.: W. G. Lewis, 11, Ruth Road. New Inn, Pontypool. Reprints of this report may be obtained (price lOp post free) from PHJ. Bedwen. Bro Enddwyn, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merioneth, or from PED (address above) or from Secretaries of the Naturalists' Trusts. We gratefully acknowledge the co-operation of the following organisations and report editors: Cambrian Ornithological Society (P. J. Dare); Flintshire Or- nithological Society (R. R. Birch); Montgomeryshire Field Society (R. R. Lovegrove); West Wales Naturalists' Trust (J. W. Donovan); Herefordshire Ornithological Club (T. R. H. Owen); Brecknock County Naturalists' Trust (M. V. Preece); Skokholm Bird Observatory (J. Davis); Gower Ornithological Society (H. Grenfell); Cardiff Naturalists' Society (S. F. Young); Monmouthshire Ornithological Society (W. G. Lewis).