27 August 2024
Even in the colder months, Pembrokeshire is a twitcher's paradise. It provides the ideal stopping-off point for migrating birds and those blown off course by stormy weather. Plus, the warmth of the Gulf Stream makes it a safe spot for overwintering birds.
Record Your Sightings
Remember, by sending your sightings to the local county bird recorder you help them keep track of Pembrokeshire’s diverse bird life.
Where to Go
Strumble Head
It's a great place to be from September onwards, with plenty of rare seabirds making an appearance. However, there is little shelter and not much in the way of public facilities, so make sure you’re in warm clothing and with a hot flask.
Look out for:
Sabine’s gull
Leach’s storm petrel
Great, Cory’s and Sooty shearwater
Kittiwake
Guillemot
Razorbill
Puffin
Marloes Mere
Park in the National Trust car park and choose from hides with views to the north or the south to see ducks on the open water and geese grazing in the fields. There are no public facilities at this spot, so bring what you need to enjoy the day and definitely wear sturdy boots.
Look out for:
Geese
Merlin
Peregrine falcon
Chough
Llys-y-fran Lake
This visitor centre has parking, plenty of facilities and even a café with views across the lake. Just head along the eastern bank to see ducks, grebes and gulls on the water and roosting in the surrounding areas.
Look out for:
Little grebe
Great crested grebe
Black-necked grebe
Slavonian grebe
Black-headed gull
Glaucous-winged gull
Iceland gull
Canaston Woodland
Just after the Blackpool Mill, you will find the Forestry Commission car park. From the viewpoint, you can spot woodland species and estuary waders. With no public facilities, this is another spot where waterproof clothes and suitable footwear are essential.
Look out for:
Starling
Great spotted woodpecker
Lesser spotted woodpecker
Nuthatch
Blue tit
Great tit
Coal tit
Marsh tit
Shelduck
Redshank
Teal
Curlew
Dipper
Kingfisher
Grey Heron
The Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran
Bordering the Teifi estuary with woodland and extensive reedbed habitat, this nature reserve is fully equipped with accessible hides to see visiting waders and wildfowl.
Look out for:
Lesser spotted woodpeckers
Wood warblers
Redstart
Pied flycatchers
Richard’s pipit
Spotted crake
Aquatic warbler
Goshawk
Red kite
The Gann, near Dale
Close to the coastal village of Dale and with a small, free car park, this is an excellent spot for wintering waterbirds.
Look out for:
Dunlin
Curlew
Whimbrel
Greenshank
Bar-tailed Godwit
Wigeon
Teal
Shelduck
Red-necked grebe
Slavonian grebe
Bewick’s and Whooper swans
Spoonbills
Avocet
American wigeon
Long-billed dowitcher
White-winged black tern
Strumble Head
