Welsh Journals

HOUSE MARTIN. Pembs. On the 18th May 1955 between 50 and 60 House Martins, evidently tired migrants, settled in a crowd on two upper window sills of a house in Tenby. They remained from 2 to 4 hours. (M. C. GOLDSTRAW). SAND MARTIN. Cards. What was presumably early return migration was observed at Ynyslas on 11th July 1955 when about 12 Sand Martins passed quickly due south down the coast following the line of the dunes. There is no nesting colony in the neighbour- hood. (W. M. CONDRY). GOLDEN ORIOLE. Pembs. A pair were seen in Carne Woods, Goodwick, on the evening of 26th April 1955. The male bird was especially approachable and was watched for some 25 minutes closely enough for all field characters to be clearly seen. Despite a dull light the yellows on his plumage were strikingly brilliant. Neither bird was seen subsequently though the wood was watched. (P. PANTING). LESSER REDPOLL. Mer. 2 nests, both with one egg, were found about 100 yards apart in Forestry Commission plantations on 23rd May 1955. (W. M. CONDRY). MALLARD ATTACKING BUZZARD At 18.00 hours on May 20th, 1955, I saw a Buzzard glide down upon a clump of yellow iris in one of the ponds at Orielton, and vainly endeavour to snatch one of a brood of Mallard ducklings which a wild duck had hatched about ten days previously. The female Mallard attacked the Buzzard with loud quacks and vigorous onslaught of wings and bill. She managed to alight on the Buzzard's back and both plunged into the shallow water, the Buzzard completely immersing. As I ran to get a close view the duck saw me and rose into the air. The Buzzard was dazed and soaking wet, and it is possible that if I had not intervened it might have been drowned. It made its way feebly to the shore and was completely exhausted when I picked it up. It was a well fleshed bird, a little thin, but not starving, as it passed two large faecal droppings during the two hours of captivity while it was drying off before I ringed and released it. R. M. LOCKLEY. ROOKS IN WEST WALES IN 1955 A rookery in St. Ishmaels, Pembs., where there were 94 nests on 3rd April was completely deserted by May 16th. I have since heard that it was raided by boys, but they could scarcely have robbed every nest. In 1953, the rookery had 124 nests, the most it has ever had and there were 120 in 1954. The average for the past seven seasons is 104 nests. Some young were reared in a rookery about half a mile from this one, but my informant did not