Part 1

REPORT

ON THE

MIGRATION OF BIRDS.

EIGHTH REPORT, 1886.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY M'FARLANE & ERSKINE, 14 and 19 ST JAMES SQUARE.

1887.

Price Two Shillings.

REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1886.

BY

Mr J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, Mr J. CORDEAUX, Mr R. M. BARRINGTON, Mr A. G. MORE, AND Mr W. EAGLE CLARKE.

EIGHTH REPORT.

(Vol. II, No. 3.)

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY M'FARLANE & ERSKINE, 14 and 19 ST JAMES SQUARE.

1887.

PREFACE.

The following Report contains a summary of the investigations of a Committee reappointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at Birmingham, in 1886, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown, Mr John Cordeaux, Mr W. Eagle Clarke, Mr R. M. Barrington, and Mr A. G. More, for the purpose of obtaining (with the consent of the Master and Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights) observations on the Migrations of Birds at Lighthouses and Lightships, and of reporting on the same at Manchester in 1887. Mr Cordeaux to be the Secretary.

The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr Cordeaux; for the West Coast of England, by Mr W. Eagle Clarke; and those for the Coasts of Ireland, by Mr R. M. Barrington and Mr A. G. More.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

East Coast of Scotland, 1

East Coast of England, 27

West Coast of Scotland, 54

West Coast of England and Wales, and the Isle of Man, 79

Irish Coasts, 119

LIST OF STATIONS.

1. Iceland. =England--East Coast.= 2. Do. 3. Faroe. 30. Longstone L.H. 3_b_. Fair Isle. 31. Inner Farn L.H. 32. Coquet Island L.H. =Scotland--East Coast.= 33. 5 Buoy Tees L.V. 34. Whitby High L.H. 4. N. Unst. 35. Flamborough Head L.H. 5. Whalsey Skerries. 36. Spurn Point L.H. 6. Bressay Sound. 37. Spurn L.V. 7. Sumburgh Head. 38. Inner Dowsing L.V. 8. N Ronaldshay. 39. Dudgeon L.V. 9. Start Point. 40. Outer Dowsing L.V. 10. Auskerry. 41. Llyn Wells L.V. { 11. Hoy Sound (Low). 42. Hasbro' L.V. { 12. Hoy Sound (High), 43. Leman and Ower L.V. 13. Cantick Head. 44. Hunstanton L.H. 14. Pentland Skerries. 45. Cromer L.H. 15. Dunnet Head. 46. Hasbro' L.H. 16. Holborn Head. 47. Winterton L.H. 17. Noss Head. 48. Newarp L.V. 18. Tarbet Ness. 49. Cookie L.V. 19. Cromarty. 50. Corton L.V. 20. Chanonry Point. 51. Orfordness L.H. 21. Covesea Skerries. 52. Languard Point L.H. 22. Kinnaird Head. 53. Shipwash L.V. 23. Buchan Ness. 54. Swin Middle L.V. 24. Girdleness. 55. Nore L.V. 25. Montroseness. 56. Tongue L.V. 26. Bell Rock. 57. Kentish Knock L.V. 27. Isle of May. 58. Galloper L.V. 28. Inchkeith. 59. North Foreland L.H. 28_b_. Fidra (1885). 60. North Sand Head L.V. 29. St Abbs Head. 61. Gull L.V. 62. Eastside L.V. 63. South Foreland L.H. 64. South Sand Head L.V. 65. Varne L.V.

=Scotland--West Coast.= =England--West Coast.

81. Cape Wrath. 119. Bahama Bank L.V. 82. Rhu Stoir. 120. St Bees L.H. 83. Butt of Lewis. 121. Selker L.V. 84. Stornoway. 122. Morecambe Bay L.V. 85. Island Ghlais. 123. Dee L.V. 86. Monach Isles. 124. Air L.H. 87. Ushenish. 125. Menai L.H. 88. Barra Head. 126. Skerries L.H. 89. Rona. 127. Holyhead Breakwater L.H. 90. Kyleakin. 128. South Stack L.H. 91. Isle Ornsay. 129. Carnarvon Bay L.V. 92. Ardnamurchan. 130. St Tudwalls L.H. 93. Skerryvore and Hynish 131. Bardsey Island L.H. Signal Tower, Tiree, 132. Cardigan Bay L.V. 94. Dhuheartach. 133. South Bishop L.H. 95. Sound of Mull. 134. Smalls L.H. 96. Corran Ferry. 135. Great Castlehead L.H. 97. Lismore. 136. Milford L.H. 98. Fladda, Easdale. 137. Caldy L.H. 99. Rhuvaal. 138. Helwick L.V. 100. M'Arthur's Head. 139. Scarweather L.V. 101. Skervuile. 140. Nash L.H. 102. Rhinns of May. 141. Breaksea L.V. 103. Lochindaul. 142. Flatholm L.H. 104. Mull of Kintyre. 143. English and Welsh 105. Sanda. Grounds L.V. 106. Devaar. 144. Usk L.H. 107. Pladda, Arran. 145. Avon L.H. 108. Lamlash. 146. Burnham L.H. 109. Turnberry. 147. Bull Point L.H. 109_b_. Ailsa Craig 148. Bideford L.H. (building, 1885). 149. Lundy L.H. 110. Corsewall. 150. Hartland Point L.H. 111. Loch Ryan. 151. Trevose Head L.H. 112. Portpatrick. 152. Godrevy L.H. 113. Mull of Galloway. 153. Longships L.H. 114. Little Ross. 154. Sevenstones L.V. 155. Wolf-Rock L.H. =Isle of Man.= 156. Scilly L.H. 157. Bishop's Rock L.H. 115. Point of Ayre. 158. Lizard L.H. 116. Douglas Head. 159. Falmouth Harbour L.H. 117. Langness (1880). 160. Eddystone L.H. 118. Chickens Rock. 161. Plymouth Breakwater L.H. 162. Start L.H.

=Ireland.=

1. Fastnet. 20. Arranmore. 2. Galley Head. 21. Rathlin O'Birne. 3. Old Head, Kinsale. 22. Killybegs. 4. Mine Head. 23. Oyster Island. 5. Dungarvan. 24. Broadhaven. 5*.Coningbeg. Lt.-ship. 25. Eagle Island, E. 6. Barrels Rock Lt.-ship. 26. Eagle Island, W. 7. Tuskar. 27. Blackrock, Mayo. 8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship. 28. Blacksod Point. 8*.Arklow N. Lt.-ship. 29. Clare Island. 10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship. 30. Slyne Head, N. 11. Howth Baily. 31. Slyne Head, S. 12. Rockabill. 32. Arran Island, N. 13. Copeland Island. 33. Straw Island. 14. Maidens. 34. Arran Island, S. 15. Rathlin. 36. Samphire Island. 16. Innishtrahull. 37. Tearaght. 17. Dunree Head. 38. Valentia. 18. Lough Swilly. 39. Skelligs. 19. Tory Island. 40. Dursey Island.

=Outlying Stations.=

Heligoland, Stevns Fyr, Zealand. Malmo, Sweden. Casquets L.H., Alderney. Hanois L.H., Guernsey.

EIGHTH REPORT

ON

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1886.

==============

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

The usual schedules were sent to all the stations, except Tay Light-ship and Carr Rock. Twelve stations on the East Coast of Scotland have returned thirty-six schedules. Pentland Skerries gives the heaviest returns with nine schedules. Isle of May follows with eight schedules; and N. Unst is next in importance. Then Bell Rock with two, and Fidra with three, run it very close. We would like returns from Carr Rock and Tay Light-ship next season, and will forward schedules, &c.

We follow the same plan as in previous reports. The present year's returns are indicated by asterisks.

The migration values of the various stations of the Scottish Coasts are explained in the Report for 1884, p. 10, and need not be repeated here.

EAST OF SCOTLAND.

The names of the Reporters are given under "Diary from the Stations."

Returns in 8 years 1886. including Actual 1886. returns. Values. Feet.

Shetland.

6 * 4. N. Unst, IV. 230 5. Whalsey Skerries, II. 143 6. Bressay, III. 105 6 * 7. Sumburgh Head, I.

Orkney.

7 * 8. N. Ronaldshay, IV. 9. Start Point. V. 6 10. Auskerry, I. 11. Hoy Sound (Low), V. 12. Hoy Sound (High), V. 13. Cantick Head, III. 8 14. Pentland Skerries, I. 8 * 15. Dunnet Head, Caithness, V. 16. Holborn Head, Caithness, V. 1st * 17. Noss Head, Caithness, V. 18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross, V. 6 * 19. Cromarty, East Cromarty, V. 4 20. Chanonry Point, Elgin, V. 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin, V. 22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen, V. 23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen, V. 1st * 24. Girdleness, Aberdeen, V. 25. Montroseness, Forfar, V. 8 * 26. Bell Rock, Fife Coast, I. 26B. Carr Rock Light-ship, Fife Coast, ? ? 5 * 27. Isle of May, Firth of Forth, I. 7 * 28. Inchkeith, Firth of Forth, IV. 2 * 28B. Fidra, Firth of Forth, instituted 1886, ? ? 29. St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, V. 224

_Diary from the Stations._

_N. Unst._--John Nichol (principal) sends in seven well-filled schedules. Mr Nichol has the following notes: "March, 25th.--I am told the Black Crows were not seen in former years. Although a severe winter time, birds are much earlier seen, also of various kinds. August.--Stormy Petrels do not breed on this rock, but do so among the rocks on shore. Puffins, Razorbills, Tysties, Kittiwakes, and a few Gulls, also one pair of Seapies breed on the rock. Puffins are fewer in number this year than in former times. September.--Much greater movements in September 1886 than has been in former years. I am told that on an island four miles to the west of us Pictarnies breed in great numbers. None ever come near us." Mr J. N. sends one schedule devoted entirely to Solan Geese, and adds the note: "We do not see greater numbers together than twenty at a time, and down to one. General occupation is fishing; but flocks on 11th, 13th, and 14th October were supposed to be migrating right away." Mr J. N. then adds: "Since filling up this schedule (to date of 25th October), have been told that on 29th October three large Swans rested on the Loch of Cliff on their way south. November 5th.--One Eagle shot near Holderswick measured across the wings seven feet. A Woodpecker seen at Baltasound. When fish seem plentiful about the rock, Common Gulls are in abundance; occasionally Herring Gulls and Iceland Gulls, Black-backed Gulls, Common Skua Gull, of which a few breed at Unst. On shore at the Loch of Cliff, throughout the autumn, a Herring Bird, some Plovers, Curlews, Snipes, and Wild Ducks. A few of the latter breed at the Loch of Cliff. At Lerwick, on 10th October, two large flocks of Swans passed over the town, flying in a southerly direction; and one flew very low while near the town. Up to the date of 30th October 1886, no Wren has been seen; should I get one, shall not fail to send it on. One seen on 2 2d November; could not be caught." At date of December 20th, Mr J. N. writes: "All birds have now deserted us. None seen since the 1st December, except in favourable weather, such as are mentioned in the schedule for December 1885, _viz._:--Starlings, Sparrow Hawks, Crows, and Gulls. We had no great rushes of birds in the night time this year like last year; but a greater number seen in the day time. On November 18th sixty Bottle-nosed Whales, the largest about twenty-two feet long, were captured at Cullivoe, Unst. Five boats (manned) put off and gave chase. Boats having got to seaward, they were turned for the shore, and were getting well in, when they suddenly turned about and put to sea again. Boats, after a hard struggle, again got the off-side of them, and slowly commenced to shorten the distance between them and the shore. Not until 6 P.M., after six hours' chase, were the boats successful in reaching the 'school.' After the monsters were stranded the scene was very animated, as they lashed the water to foam with their tails in their frantic efforts to get away again. It was not till late at night that killing operations were accomplished. On 24th November sixty whales were exposed for sale, and realised a sum of £119. The number of buyers was limited, but the competition was keen." On January 11, 1887, Mr J. N., in a letter, records the occurrence of one Snowy Owl seen on the summit of Hermann's Hill; and an Eagle, flying high over, came down and gave the shepherd's dogs chase, but sheered off when it saw the shepherd.

_Sumburgh Head._--Sends one schedule, but adds: "Birds are very scarce here." Sent me a specimen of a rare bird, which I knew at once to be a specimen of _Phylloscopus superciliosus_, and which has already been recorded [_Proceedings Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh_, vol. for 1885-86, p. 298], and was exhibited at a meeting of that Society. Writing in reply to inquiries of mine, under 16th October, to Mr Youngclause, he writes: "I was after a small bird to-day about the dykes, very similar, but it got away."

_North Ronaldshay._--John Tulloch. One well-filled schedule, ranging from March 18 to September 15.

_Pentland Skerries._--John Gilmour (principal) sends nine heavily-filled schedules. In a letter of 1st October, Mr Gilmour speaks of great numbers of Twites on the island. "Of course they breed here; but I think their numbers have been increased of late, as there is a great flock of them." Later he adds: "I may mention that the Rock Pipit is resident here; and also the Lark, Starling, and Rock Dove are scarcely ever absent from the station." A little earlier--_viz._, 29th September--Mr G. writes: "The autumn migration is not yet quite commenced, although there have been a few birds seen; but should the wind work round to the east we will likely have a rush. I send you the names of all the birds that bred here this season (1886), _viz._:--Stormy Petrel, Puffin, Tern [two species,--J. A. H.-B.], Black Guillemot, Oyster-Catcher, Eider Duck, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing, Corncrake, Rock Dove, Starling, Lark, Twite, Wheatear, and Rock Pipit. The above are the only species which breed regularly here. The Herring Gull and Grey Crow build some seasons, but not this year. I have heard it said the Snipe breeds also, but I have never seen the nest during the last five years--the time I have been at this station.

"I take little notice of Solans in the schedules, as I may say they have been going past all season in all weathers, and I still see some going east yet (29th September)." (See also under Mull of Galloway, West Coast, visited by Mr G. on his holiday, 16th August to 6th September.) A day-to-day return of Gannets or Solan Geese desired, and a separate schedule devoted to the species.

Writing again on 21st October, Mr G. says: "I again beg to send you two schedules. Since the 4th we have had a great rush of migrants. The prevailing wind being from the east, as soon as it shifted round to the west birds began to leave; but were back again as soon as the wind shifted to east. I send you wings and feet for identification, and will be much obliged by an early reply if I have named the species correctly."[1] Later he has the note: "Solans ceased going east about the end of September; only a straggler seen now and again during this month (October)." Besides the above, Mr Gilmour has many interesting notes, which, however, come to be more easily worked from the schedules into the text under species.

[Footnote 1: Correctly named:--Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker [Recorded _Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinb._, vol. for 1885-86, pp. 298, 299.--J. A. H.-B.]. Also immature Pied Flycatcher, 7th October.]

_Dunnet Head._--David Laidlaw (principal) sends one schedule, in which are the following notes: "On the 23d May a swallow entered Dunnet Established Church during the forenoon service (one of the doors being open), and after flying through the church for about half an hour, made its exit by the same door that it entered by. S.E., fresh breeze, clear." Under date of January 15, 1887, he writes: "For the last month I see a good many Song Thrushes about the fields daily. Starlings and Linnets are to be seen here in large flocks all the year round.[2] No birds struck or lighted on the lantern during the year except the Wren mentioned in schedule. As to sea-birds, the Gulls[3] came to breed about the 1st of March, and left about the latter end of September. The other birds arrived about six weeks later, and took their departure about a month earlier than the Gulls. During the latter end of July, and the months of August and September, almost every minute of the day, Solan Geese pass and re-pass in flocks of two or three up to twenty or thereby." [A day-to-day return of numbers in a schedule devoted to the species might prove valuable to our Committee.--J. A. H.-B.]

[Footnote 2: These are probably true Rose-Linnets, which abound in the north of Caithness. The Twite is comparatively rare, at least in summer.--J. A. H.-B.]

[Footnote 3: Herring Gulls breed in astonishing numbers all round the coast from Dwarwick Head.--J. A. H.-B. Lesser B. B. Gull is rare.]

_Noss Head._--James Ferrier sends a schedule, with the note: "Sorry I cannot give you as full a return (but I have given you all that we have taken note of) as I could have done from the Little Ross, having been transferred from there in February last. Several species of birds lay in the rocks about this headland, such as the Common Gull [? Herring Gull.--J. A. H.-B.], Cormorant, Tystie, Guillemot, Razorbill. The Gulls are very tame here, often sitting on the tops of the houses throughout the town (Wick), drawn there by the great quantity of fish caught, and hanging about the houses." We are very glad to get our first return from Noss Head, however light, and we hope Mr Ferrier will continue to assist us.--(See last Report, 1885, p. 15.)

_Cromarty Lighthouse._--Robt. S. Ritson sends one schedule, January 1886 to December 27, mostly referring to local migrations of Ducks, Geese, Gulls, which have always special interest also attaching to them.

_Girdleness._--C. C. Irvine sends one schedule, the first received from this station. He adds: "Very few birds come this way; but Rooks, Sparrows, and Gulls are to be seen almost every day; but as they are not migratory, I presume they are not worthy of notice, and our time being much occupied during the day, many may pass without our observing them."

_Bell Rock._--James Jack sends two carefully written schedules as usual, strictly adhering to the headings, which always makes the work of posting the items into the ledger easier for the Committee. Mr Jack, after an illness on shore between 23d October and 11th November, writes, on resuming duty: "As yet, Redwings have been the most prolific in numbers visiting this station this season; in fact, night after night, nothing else. All our usual winter feathered companions are now again thickly around us. Dunters are very abundant this season."

This remarkable immigration of Redwings is scarcely noted at any other stations; at least, with regard to its exclusiveness.