Part 1

Transcriber Note

Text emphasis is denoted as _Italics_.

REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

FOURTH REPORT, 1882.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54, HATTON GARDEN

1883.

Price Two Shillings.

REPORT

ON THE

MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1882.

BY

Mr. JOHN A. HARVIE BROWN, Mr. JOHN CORDEAUX, Mr. R. M. BARRINGTON and Mr. A. G. MORE.

"It is much to be wished that some of the light-keepers of our lighthouses would make notes of their observations concerning seals, whales, birds, fishes, and other animals. Such records would be valuable; and might not some of them occupy their leisure hours in the study of Natural History? ... Interesting observations would then certainly be made, and new facts added to our stores of knowledge."--'Chambers' Journal,' p. 831; Dec. 23, 1876.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54, HATTON GARDEN.

1883.

(_East Coast of Scotland_, p. 1.)

"Whither, midst falling dew, While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue Thy solitary way? * * * * * Seek'st thou the plashy brink Of weedy lake, or marge of river wide, Or where the rocking billows rise and sink On the chafed ocean's side? * * * * * All day thy wings have fanned At that far height, the cold, thin, atmosphere. Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land, Though the dark night is near."

Cullen Bryant.

(_East Coast of England_, p. 27.)

.... "Wild birds that change Their season in the night, and wail their way From cloud to cloud," ....

(_West Coast of Scotland_, p. 55.)

"Where the Northern Ocean in vast whirls Boils round the naked, melancholy Isles Of further Thule, .... * * * * * Who can recount what transmigrations there Are annually made? What nations come and go? And how the living clouds arise. Infinite wings! till all the plume-dark air And rude resounding shore are one wild cry?"

(_Irish Coast_, p. 73.)

"Islets, so freshly fair. That never hath bird come nigh them, But from his course thro' air He has been won down by them."

PREFACE.

The following Report contains a summary of investigations of a Committee, appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at Southampton, in 1882, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, Mr. John Cordeaux, Mr. Philip M. C. Kermode, Mr. K. 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 Migration of Birds at Lighthouses and Lightships, and of reporting upon the same at Southport in 1883. Mr. Cordeaux to be the Secretary.

An abstract of the Report was read by Mr. John Cordeaux at the Meeting of the Association, held at Southport, in September, 1883.

The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; 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 55

Irish Coast 73

FOURTH REPORT:

ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1882.

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND, &c.

Faroe.--From Faroe, thanks to Herr Müller, we have the following Report:--In spring one _Recurvirostra avocetta_ was seen on May 30th, and two Arctic Terns on same day; wind W., and sunshine. Of _Anatidæ_, _Œdemia nigra_ occurred on May 15th at Strómó, and two, male and female, on 27th at same place. Two also, male and female, seen at same place in the plumage of the second year at Kalbat, Strómó, on June 2nd. In autumn,--_i.e._, taking certain occurrences after the middle of June as "autumn manœuvres,"--of _Turdidæ_, six or more Fieldfares were killed or seen at Thorshavn on Dec. 7th, easterly breezes having prevailed. Of _Phylloscopinæ_, a rush of _Regulus cristatus_ appears to have taken place on Oct. 21st, as many were seen at Thorshavn and elsewhere, and dead ones brought to Herr Müller. One dead Robin was brought from Kollefjord, and several more had been seen on the same date. One _Caprimulgus europæus_ was sent from Gauredal on June 16th. _Loxia curvirostra_ appeared round Thorshavn for several days, and are recorded on June 29th, and again on July 9th, on which latter date those killed with stones at Tofle were in good condition. One Common Swift was caught on board a fishing-smack midway between Iceland and Faroe, also on June 29th. One White Wagtail, _Motacilla alba_, appeared with N. wind on July 30th. One female Roller, _Coracias garrula_, was shot at Thorshavn on July 22nd, wind E., and one Pomatorhine Skua was seen on July 25th. One Woodcock was shot in Vaagó, Suderó, during a S.E. storm, in clear weather; and of _Cygnidæ_, in all eleven--4 and 7--Wild Swans flew past high in air from N.W. to S.E. on Nov. 5th. On Nov. 4th was N.E. wind, but on 5th N.W. and W. and showery. The prevailing winds at the Faroe Isles were easterly; in October, from the 7th to the end of the month, steady easterly and S.E.

The ordinary papers, &c., were sent to thirty stations on the East Coast of Scotland, Faroe, and Iceland, as was done in 1881.

Twelve stations on this coast have returned filled-in schedules,--the same number as in 1881,--out of the twenty-six East Scotch stations. As formerly, many returns are light, but those from Isle of May, Pentland Skerries, and Sumburgh Head are fuller than before, again indicating favourite highway's of migration. Bell Rock returns are also very full, but not so full as Isle of May nor Pentland Skerries. From Isle of May alone I have no less than nineteen schedules, and I have also to thank Mr. Agnew for a jar of forty-three specimens of birds, besides others sent me in the flesh or carbolised. At another time I intend to write more fully concerning the birds of the Isle of May, which is a locality of special interest to the student of migration.[1] From the Pentland Skerries I have nine filled-in schedules, and from Sumburgh Head four; from the Bell Rock three closely-filled schedules.

[Footnote 1: I intend to present the collection of birds formed on the Isle of May to that station, to lie there in the skin, and serve both to identify birds in future and to be of interest to visitors who annually visit the Isle of May.]

Here follows the usual list of stations issued with each Report on the same plan as before, the dates of years upon which the various stations have sent in Reports being shown by asterisks.

Our thanks are especially due to those observers who have noted, as far as possible, the _directions of flight_ of the birds noticed. If this were done at all the stations returning schedules it would in a marked degree assist our generalisations.

East Coast of Scotland.

1879, '80, '81, '82. * * 4. North Uist, Shetland 230 ft. * * * 5. Whalsey Skerries, Shetland 145 " Nevin Kerr. * 6. Bressay, Shetland 105 " * * * * 7. Sumburgh Head, Shetland 300 " J. Wilson. 7B. Fair Isle ? "

Orkney.

* * * * 8. North Ronaldshay 140 " John Tulloch. 9. Start Point 80 " * * * * 10. Auskerry 110 " J. Macdonald. 11. Hoy Sound (Low) 55 " 12. Hoy Sound (High) 115 " 13. Cantick Head 115 " * * * * 14. Pentland Skerries 170 " D. MacDonald.

Mainland.

* * * 15. Dunnet Head, Caithness 346 " D. Laidlaw. 16. Holborn Head, Caithness 75 " 17. Noss Head, Caithness 175 " 18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross 175 " * * 19. Cromarty, East Cromarty 60 " R. S. Ritson. * 20. Chanonry Point, Elgin 40 " John McGill. 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin 160 " (_a_) 22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen 120 " D. M Scott. 23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen 130 " 24. Girdleness, Aberdeen 185 " 25. Montroseness, Aberdeen 124 " "No birds." * * * * 26. Bell Rock, Fife Coast 93 " James Jack. * * * * 27. Isle of May, Firth of Forth 240 " J. Agnew. * * * 28. Inch Keith, Firth of Forth 220 " R. Grierson. 29. St. Abb's Head, Berwick 224 "

(_a_) Describes a bird but no schedule.

It will be seen from the above that there is a long extent of coast-line whence I have scarcely received any returns since the beginning of the scheme, _viz._, in Aberdeenshire. Is this always due to actual scarcity of birds there, or to want of observing and recording? I cannot tell, as I never receive any communications positive or negative from these stations, except from Girdleness, whence last year I had a brief return. At Montroseness scarcity of birds, indeed almost utter absence, is the reason of no returns in most years, and we can hardly ever expect much from it owing to its position--"So near the town and all the paraphernalia of commerce," as Mr. P. E. Reid, the lighthouse-keeper, informs me. He says, "I have never been at a station where fewer birds come near the light; not over half a dozen for the past year, and these were, we suspect. Gulls." At Noss Head, Mr. Alex. Greig, not knowing the names of some of the birds, thought it "better not to send in a report that would be incorrect"; but if he sends me in a report on those he does know the name of; or some dates, and the winds prevailing at the time of great rushes of birds, without the names of the birds, such would be very useful. "Small birds" or "large birds" have a value to me in recording, though the names are not given. That a migration was observable in 1882 at Noss Head is a _fact_, obtained from Mr. Greig's reply to my post-card, and may prove a useful fact in arriving some day at conclusions.

I fear it is not to be expected that we get any returns from the Whaling Captains, the arduous duties they are engaged in making them always too glad of complete rest when obtainable. Our thanks are due to Mr. T. Southwell, however, for speaking to some of them on the subject; our own application, by distributing circulars at Dundee with the assistance of Mr. P. Henderson, naturalist of that town, not having produced any results.

I have received occasional notes from Mr. Anderson's log, through Mr. R. Gray (see Gannet, &c.). Mr. Anderson has again taken duty on an Atlantic Liner, after a temporary engagement in the Mediterranean, so we may hope to hear further of him and his observations.

As before, notes I have received from other sources besides the lighthouses I will enter after the paragraphs on each species or group. These are to be taken simply as corroborative evidence, or otherwise, of the lighthouse reports, or as supplementary to them.

Notes have been kept upon about twenty-two species of Waterfowl fifty-three species of land birds, and about eight or ten species of littoral birds or waders, by our reporters on the East Coast.

Spring Migration I have kept distinct in this Report.

I have not given compiled notes on weather in this place this year, as all that requires to be said will be found under the treatment of the species, and a short paragraph under General Remarks.

The whole space of time included by our 1882 returns runs from February in spring onwards, and in autumn from July to January 27th, 1883, the date of the last returned schedules. In the General Remarks I notice briefly the spring migration of 1883--at Isle of May, &c.

I visited this year Buchan Ness Lighthouse, on the Aberdeenshire coast, and Mr. Andrew Gallie showed me a Manx Shearwater which he had found dead on the balcony in the winter of 1879--80. Mr. Geo. Sim, who was with me at the time, told me it was the first he had ever had record of on the N.E. coast of Aberdeenshire.

I visited also Cape Wrath Lighthouse. There, I was told, very few birds are ever seen at the lights, owing to its great height above the sea.

Turdidæ.--In spring, at Isle of May, March 2nd, after E. to S.E. gale for twenty-four hours, a few Redwings (accompanied by Lapwings, Reed Buntings, Rooks, and Hooded Crows among land birds, and Eider Duck, Teal, and Black Guillemots amongst water-birds). At same station, on April 8th and 19th, with E. winds. Redwings appeared; and on April 15th and 28th, single specimens of Ring Ouzels, again with strong E. or N.E. winds (see Land Notes _infra_). In autumn, no records till September; then at Whalsey, N. Ronaldshay, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, Isle of May (max.), from Sept. 20th, records on to Jan. 25th, 1883--the last record at N. Ronaldshay. The earliest, Sept. 20th, was at Isle of May. All the species recorded occurred all throughout the season, _viz._, Fieldfares, Redwings, Missel Thrushes (min.). Common Thrushes (max.). Blackbirds; but Fieldfares and Redwings also very abundant. Rushes, first at Auskerry and at N. Ronaldshay on Sept. 27th, and indications of the same also at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Numbers of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Missel Thrushes frequented N. Ronaldshay for three days after this date. At the northern stations, wind strong S.E.; at Isle of May, N.E. gale. A vast rush of many species took place, commencing on Oct. 8th, and continued till about the 18th in force at all the stations sending in returns, except Auskerry. We will speak fully of this movement in this place, and afterwards will refer back to it under other species. Migration general over whole coast-line. Wind during that time was N.E. to S.E. to E., with fog and rain; on the 16th S. at southern stations, and generally S.E. over all the coast. But at Pentland Skerries, mod. S. and S.W. on 10th, 11th, and 13th. The rush here on 12th was, however, with S.S.E. fresh, and fog. At N. Ronaldshay, on 7th--8th, numbers of Thrushes were seen coming from the S.E., and more continued coming till the 16th, all the time with strong S.E. wind. On 16th wind changed to S., and all left. All stations send in heavy returns; but the heaviest is from Isle of May, and hundreds were seen at Bell Rock on the 12th-14th. A desultory migration, with frequent rushes, was kept up all October; also all November, the following dates bulking largest, _viz._, Nov. 5th, 9th, 12th, 18th, and 27th, the northerly stations of Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries having during this month heavier returns on the whole than the more southerly ones. Wind during this time at Sumburgh Head fresh W., when fifty Redwings appeared on 5th. But at same place, light N.N.E. on 9th, when thirty Redwings were seen. On 27th, at same place, twenty-five Redwings were seen flying S.W., with wind fresh W.; and at Isle of May, on 18th, several flocks of Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels--which usually appear here together--appeared with fresh S. breeze. All during the intermediate time between the above dates migration was carried on. In December the same continued, but in diminishing numbers; and an indication of a small rush occurred between the 6th and 12th, but this appeared to be greatly due to N.E. gales accompanied by snow-storms and severe frost on the mainland, causing local migration, as is partly evident from the species accompanying them, such as Larks, &c., and the exhausted and emaciated appearance, especially of the Redwings, even on the Isle of May. Between the 15th and 31st, at Auskerry, a great flock of Buntings was seen daily. In January large flocks were seen from 4th on to date of last entries in the schedules, and as late as 25th. Fieldfares at Pentland Skerries, where the most were seen on the 13th. At N. Ronaldshay, also, many Blackbirds, Common Thrushes, and Missel Thrushes up to 24th, as already stated. Having detailed the movements, and given dates and circumstances of these rushes, I will now name the species which, along with Thrushes of various kinds, participated in the movement, and this may serve as indicating the general lines of 1882. During the September rush we shall have occasion to refer amongst others to the following species or groups of species:--_Saxicolinæ_ (which began to move, however, as early as August), some _Silviinæ_ (as Robin, Whitethroat, &c.). Golden-crested Wrens and _Phylloscopinæ_ (end of August), _Paridæ_, _Motacillidæ_, Pied Flycatchers, Swallows, _Fringillidæ_, _Emberizidæ_, _Alaudidæ_, as also references throughout to Hawks, Owls, Herons, and sea-birds. During the great October rush, between 8th and 18th or 23rd, at the Isle of May, during thick fog and S.E. to E. winds, Mr. Agnew describes the movement as beyond comparison with any former experience of his. A vast rush of Bramblings, Chaffinches, Golden-crested Wrens without number, _Silviinæ_, Robins, Hedge Accentors, Siskins, Larks, Redwings, Ring Ouzels, Woodcocks, Blackcaps (a few). Sedge Warblers, Jack Snipes; and this movement continued in pulsing throbs and also continuously, covering all October, November, and December, and far into 1883. For night after night hundreds of thousands of small birds circled round the lanterns, flying "against the sun" at Isle of May. From the Isle of May alone, as already stated, I have nineteen schedules filled to overflowing with Mr. Agnew's careful records. A separate paper on the Isle of May, which I hope to prepare when I have leisure, is the only way to do justice to the locality and its recorder. Curious that, although such vast numbers were seen at Isle of May, the numbers at the more inland station, or rather more landlocked station, of Inch Keith show quite a small numerical return; but of these matters I shall have more to say in my General Remarks. Six species of _Turdidæ_ occur recorded in the East Coast returns. Land _Notes._--Mr. J. T. Garrioch, writing to me under date March 13th, 1883, and remarking upon the vast nature of the general migration between Oct. 8th and 25th, during an E. to S.E. gale, mentions a few Fieldfares and one Thrush on the 9th which seemed much exhausted. In spring of 1882, Fieldfares remained late into April in Stirlingshire. A flock was seen among the foothills of the Denny range by myself on April 16th.

Saxicolinæ.--In spring, Wheatears ("Stonechats" must be included here.[2] Another season Mr. Agnew will be able to distinguish between true Stonechats and Wheatears, and I hope other reporters also). Whinchats, Redstarts: First record (Wheatear) at Isle of May, March 29th, strong W. wind, clear; latest (Redstart) June 29th, light E., fog. But this may belong to autumn; next latest (Redstart) May 24th, at Isle of May. Earliest Wheatear March 29th; latest, and a rush, on May 2nd (along with other birds unknown), N.E., rain and fog, at Bell Rock. A large bird struck heavily, and fell into the sea. Rush of Wheatears, April 5th. Earliest Whinchat, March 29th; latest and rush, on April 15th, at Isle of May. Earliest Redstart, April 2nd, at Isle of May; latest June 29th, and next May 24th. No great rush apparent. Of the above, Whinchats are also named "Blue Janets," a name usually applied, however, to the Hedgesparrow or Hedge Accentor. The record of June 29th, of a Redstart in light E. wind, seems more of an accidental nature, as it is separated from the one before by a month, and from the true autumn migration by six weeks. Three species of _Saxicolinæ_ on East Coast in spring. In autumn, the same species. Records from Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. (Note.--These are the same stations that reported last season.) Earliest Stonechat, and earliest record, at Bell Rock on Aug. 9th, light S. breeze and fog; latest Stonechat Sept. 22nd, also at Bell Rock. Indications of a rush at Pentland Skerries on Sept. 3rd. "Blue Janets" participated in the October rush already spoken of (see under Turdidæ). Earliest Wheatear, Aug. 17th, at Pentland Skerries; latest Sept. 17th. Earliest Redstart Sept. 15th; latest Oct. 22nd. No additional species of _Saxicolinæ_ appeared in autumn.

[Footnote 2: In so far as the records apply at Isle of May.]

Silviinæ.--In spring, Robins at Bell Rock only; one seen on April 10th, struck lantern, but not killed. But "unusual numbers" were seen at Isle of May in April, and in spring generally. In autumn, Robins at Sumburgh Head (where they are very rarely seen), N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Chanonry, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest at Isle of May, Aug. 18th; latest at Chanonry, Dec. 20th, where one rested two days. No quantity till vast rush of October, when Mr. Agnew says he never saw so many Robins before. Greatest numbers seen on 12th. Enormous and uncommon numbers also on 18th at Isle of May, and all gone on 23rd. Large rush on 12th also at Pentland Skerries, when numbers seen all day flying S.W. Indications of the same movement also at N. Ronaldshay, and to a less extent at Sumburgh Head (see under Turdidæ). Of other _Silviinæ_, in spring, a few Whitethroats (identified from a specimen in spirits) showed at Isle of May on May 6th, and in autumn a rush took place at same place on Aug. 16th (specimen No. 33 in spirits); but I have no other records. A single Blackcap on Oct. 14th participated in the rush at Isle of May. Three species of _Silviinæ_ occurred.