News

Skomer puffin count breaks record with 52,019 birds

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2026

THE WILDLIFE TRUST OF SOUTH AND WEST WALES has announced a record-breaking year for puffins on Skomer Island, with 52,019 birds counted during this year’s survey.

The new figure smashes the previous record of 43,626, which was set in 2025, and marks another major boost for one of Pembrokeshire’s most important wildlife sites.

Skomer, off the Pembrokeshire coast, is internationally recognised for its seabird colonies. Each spring, staff from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales carry out the annual puffin count to monitor the breeding population returning to the island.

Leighton Newman, Skomer Island Warden for the trust, said: “After the tragic number of seabirds washing up on beaches across southern Europe earlier this year, we weren’t expecting a count this high this season. It’s a very pleasant surprise to see the puffin population thriving.”

Counting puffins may sound straightforward, but with more than 50,000 birds involved it is a demanding task. Each spring, the Skomer team heads out on a calm, clear evening armed with binoculars and notepads to count every puffin on land, at sea and in the air.

The island is divided into seven sections, with wardens working carefully against the light and the weather to ensure no area is missed. Timing is crucial. If the count is carried out too early, many birds may not yet have returned. Too late, and many will already be tucked away in burrows incubating eggs.

The trust said the same counting method has been used since the 1980s, allowing more than four decades of puffin population data to be compared consistently.

Monitoring on Skomer goes far beyond puffins. Every summer, the team also carries out boat-based surveys of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars breeding on the island’s cliffs. Volunteers and researchers also help monitor manx shearwaters, reptiles, marine mammals and the island’s unique Skomer vole.

The trust said long-term monitoring is vital for understanding how seabird populations are changing and for spotting problems early.

Seabirds face a growing number of threats, both at sea and on land, including pollution, invasive predators, avian influenza and offshore renewable development. Globally, seabirds are among the fastest-declining bird groups.

Mr Newman added: “Puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend – and it’s thanks to long-term monitoring work that we know this. It’s special that Skomer is a refuge for so many seabirds and it’s a privilege to be able to work to protect them, but we want to see seabird populations thriving across the UK.”

The trust believes the rise in puffin numbers on Skomer is likely linked to good food availability in the wider area, providing plenty of fish for chicks and helping deliver strong breeding success. Good adult survival over winter, along with the absence of rats and other predators on the island, is also thought to have played an important part.

The annual counts are submitted to a national dataset used by decision-makers to help shape seabird conservation strategies in the UK and beyond. The data is also made available to academics to support further research.

This year, the charity is urging wildlife lovers to back its Big Give appeal, which runs from April 22 to April 29, with a target of raising £40,000 to support vital seabird monitoring work on Skomer.

Crime

Man who assaulted woman remanded after failing to attend court

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A 50-YEAR-OLD man of no fixed abode has been remanded in custody after admitting failing to surrender to court bail.

Michael Sudbury, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 23) following the execution of a bench warrant.

Sudbury admitted failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 20), having previously been released on bail at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The court also dealt with a common assault matter. Sudbury had denied assaulting the female in Haverfordwest on October 22, 2025, but was found guilty on Monday (Apr 20).

Magistrates Mr S Weatherall, Mr C Rees and Mr J Ross committed Sudbury to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody on the basis that inquiries are needed and to determine the most suitable way of dealing with the case. The court recorded bail exceptions including a likelihood of further offending and a risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a victim personal statement is expected to be presented to the court.

Sudbury will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, at 9:00am.

Community

Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguard represents Wales at Buckingham Palace

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lifeguard supervisor attended special reception marking Queen Elizabeth II centenary

A PEMBROKESHIRE RNLI lifeguard has represented Wales at Buckingham Palace during a special event marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

Matty McLeod, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire, attended the reception on Tuesday (Apr 21) alongside three other RNLI representatives, with one chosen from each UK nation.

The event commemorated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the RNLI’s longest-serving patron. Her Late Majesty held the role for 70 years.

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion.

“Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.”

Matty, who has been part of the RNLI for 12 years, was nominated in recognition of his dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.

This year also marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK and Channel Islands.

Growing up on the coast and becoming a keen surfer, Matty developed a strong interest in water safety and helping people around the coastline.

He said: “I feel very grateful to have attended such a prestigious occasion and represent Wales and West RNLI lifeguards in their 25th anniversary year.”

Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades. During that time, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.

Her Late Majesty attended many RNLI occasions during her reign and recognised the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers through visits to lifeboat stations, national honours, and Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.

Her connection with the charity included the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on July 24, 2004, accompanied by Prince Philip and the RNLI President, the Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI took place on May 17, 2013, when she unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.

Crime

Hakin resident fined £1,330 over repeated noise and intimidation breaches

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN resident has been ordered to pay £1,330 after repeatedly breaching a community protection notice over loud music, shouting and intimidation.

Tania Evans, aged 47, of James Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 23), where guilty pleas were entered to six offences.

The court heard that Evans had been issued with a community protection notice requiring behaviour at the property not to have an unreasonable and detrimental effect on people living nearby.

However, the notice was breached on six separate dates: October 28, December 3, December 9, December 23, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

The breaches involved excessive and persistent loud music, abusive or excessive shouting, and the use of intimidation by Evans or visitors to the property.

One of the later breaches stated that Evans failed to ensure that people at the property did not act in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress through amplified music, shouting or intimidation in the local area.

Magistrates fined Evans £162 for each of the first three offences. No separate penalty was imposed for the remaining three matters, but the guilty pleas were taken into account.

Evans was also ordered to pay a £194 victim surcharge and £650 costs, bringing the total to £1,330.

A collection order was made, with the court noting that deductions from benefits could be used if necessary.