Part 1

REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1881.

BY

Mr. JOHN A. HARVIE BROWN, Mr. JOHN CORDEAUX, Mr. PHILIP M. C. KERMODE, 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's Journal,' p. 831; Dec. 23, 1876.

LONDON:

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

1882.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN AND CO.

HATTON GARDEN, E.C.

PREFACE.

The following Report contains a summary of investigations of a Committee, appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at York, in 1881, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, Mr. John Cordeaux, Mr. Philip M. C. Kermode, Mr. J. Hardy, 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 Migration of Birds at lighthouses and lightships, and of reporting upon the same at Southampton in 1882. Mr. Cordeaux to be the Secretary.

An abstract of the Report was read by Mr. Philip M. C. Kermode at the meeting of the Association, held at Southampton, in August, 1882.

The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; the West Coast of England, by Mr. Kermode; 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 16

West Coast of Scotland 43

West Coast of England 58

Irish Coast 78

THIRD REPORT:

ON

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1881.

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

Iceland and Faroe.--Schedules, &c., were, as before, forwarded to Iceland and Faroe. Returns have come from Faroe, the results of which I prefer to keep under a separate heading, as they usually come in when the rest of the Report is well advanced.

Of _Saxicolinæ_ there is one record on May 13th, when one Wheatear was seen on board the 'Arcturus,' thirty miles east of the Orkney Isles. Of _Hirundinidæ_, one seen at Thorshavn on May 22nd. Of _Otidæ_, one Long-eared Owl was seen at Vivalvig, Strómó, on June 27th. Of _Ardeidæ_, one Night Heron, _Nycticorax griseus_ (Linn.), was killed at Videreijde on May 4th. In autumn several Turtle Doves, _Columba Turtur_, were seen, and one shot at Nólsó on Sept. 7th. Of _Rallidæ_, one Water Rail was killed in the hospital garden, at Thorshavn, on Oct. 31st. Of Laridæ, one Pomatorhine Skua (young), was killed near Kirkebó on Oct. 26th. Of Rallidæ, one Coot, _Fulica atra_, was shot at Nólsó on Nov. 8th.

The winds prevailing at the time of the above records for the most part southerly and easterly in Faroe, but on May 13th and 22nd southerly and westerly, and also S.W. on Nov. 8th.

The usual papers were sent to twenty-six stations, as before. With Iceland, Faroe and Fair Isle we have on this line thirty stations in all.

Twelve stations on the East Coast of Scotland returned filled-in schedules, against eight last year--1880--out of the twenty-six. Many of these returns are very light, but those from Isle of May, Bell Rock and Pentland Skerries are unusually full, showing great highways of migration, and also that from Sumburgh Head. We shall have more to say on this in our general remarks at the end of the Report.

The stations are as follows, commencing in the north. The dates upon which the various stations have sent in returns are shown in the list by the positions of the asterisks preceding the consecutive numbers. The work done compares favourably with that of 1880, but we receive as yet only twelve returns from twenty-six stations; however short, others will be acceptable, even if only negative information.

Those sending no returns have not in all cases given reasons. Attention to this is earnestly requested (vide 2nd Report, p. 2).

The numbers are the same as in the 2nd Report, 1880, but another for Fair Isle has been inserted as "7B."

East Coast of Scotland.

1879, '80, '81. * * 4. North Uist, Shetland 230 ft. Robert Burnett. * * 5. Whalsey Skerries, Shetland 145 " Neven Kerr. 6. Bressay, Shetland 105 " * * * 7. Sumburgh Head, Shetland 300 " John Wilson. 7B. Fair Isle ? " --Lawrence.

Orkney.

* * * 8. North Ronaldshay 140 " John Tulloch. 9. Start Point 80 " * * * 10. Auskerry 110 " John MacDonald. * 11. Hoy Sound (Low) 55 " Alexander Harp. 12. Hoy Sound (High) 315 " 13. Cantick Head 115 " * * * 14. Pentland Skerries 170 " D. MacDonald.

Mainland.

* * 15. Dunnet Head, Caithness 346 " David Laidlaw. * 16. Holborn Head, Caithness 75 " David Charleson. * 17. Noss Head, Caithness 175 " * * 18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross 175 " W. Davidson. * 19. Cromarty, East Cromarty 60 " Robt. S. Ritson. 20. Chanonry Point, Elgin 40 " 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin 160 " 22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen 120 " 23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen 130 " * 24. Girdleness, Aberdeen 185 " John McGill. 25. Montroseness, Aberdeen 124 " * * * 26. Bell Rock, off 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 "

Notes received from other sources will appear, as before, after the paragraphs on each species, as it is desirable to keep the two sets of observations distinct. I would also refer here to my "Third Report on Scottish Ornithology," already referred to in 'Migration Report, 1880,' p. 4, as having been read, but not yet printed (Feb. 1882).

Notes have been kept upon about 25 species of waterfowl and about 50 species of land birds by our reporters on the east coast. Spring migration I have not kept distinct in this Report. Obituary at each station, inappreciable at Scottish stations, will be noticed where necessary under General Remarks.

Owing to Mr. T. Anderson having been almost entirely sailing to and fro in the Mediterranean, I regret that I can show no returns this year from Mid-Atlantic, which is to be regretted, as it would be instructive to learn what are the results of a contrary prevailing wind to that of 1880. Possibly, however, Mr. R. Gray may yet be able to give us some returns of interest culled from the Mediterranean log, which may raise other points of interest.

The following short notes on weather are compiled from the 'Times' Register for 1881, and checked by my own schedules:--A sudden change of temperature at the beginning of August, colder by about two degrees than July. Rainfall excessive over all Scotland, except northern half where it was less than average; cold and wet all August, about six degrees colder than corresponding period of 1880. Prevailing wind W., seldom veering to E., until Aug. 23rd; thereafter in Scotland prevailing E. and N.E.; on Aug. 31st N. winds prevailed, N.E., and continued till about Sept. 6th; thereafter W. and N.W. till 16th; then S. and S.E. till 21st; from 22nd to 24th E.; 24th to 30th S. to W.; Oct. 1st to 10th S.; 10th to 13th strong W.; 14th gale from E., and continued E. and S.E. to end of month. S.E. to S. strong winds and gales, or light from Nov. 1st to 11th; S.W. strong and a gale 15th and 16th; frost on 17th; 22nd S. to S.W. and W., heavy gales in N. and W. Unsettled, with frequent changes of wind and weather, many W. gales till end of month, and till Dec. 8th. N. and E. on both coasts from Dec. 9th to 12th, S. on 13th, and S. and W. on 14th; S. and W. till 20th, when E.; and W.N.W. on 21st. Prevailing W. and S.W. till end of month.

_Notes._--Prevailing winds at the time of the rush of _Falconidæ_ were W., veering from S.W. to N.W. in Aug.; after 23rd E.; on and after Aug. 31st till Sept. 6th N. At XIV., on Aug. 19th, a Sparrowhawk was seen sitting on the ground, and almost daily for some time after. The nearest breeding-place I know of is at Tongue, N. Sutherland; wind at the time was light S., and weather clear. No doubt it is difficult to discriminate often between local and general migrations of Hawks by our data; thus at XIV. also, on Aug. 23rd and 24th, a Sparrowhawk was seen flying south on the former date, and N.E. on the latter; on the former date the wind was light S., on the latter N.E.; this would therefore appear like a local migration.

The only addition to the list of stations is Fair Isle, No. 7 b.

In all spring records the numbers of stations begin at the most southerly, or with the higher numbers. In all autumn records the numbers of stations begin at the most northerly, or with the lower numbers. The maximum station, or station sending most returns of the species, is indicated when thought necessary.

Turdidæ.--Autumn: Records at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Girdleness, Bell Rock, and Isle of May (maximum). Earliest at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd; latest at Sumburgh Head, Dec. 8th. Rushes at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd to 30th (see notes _infra_); also Oct. 20th. Redwings and female Blackbirds migrating between 14th and 24th. Great S.E. gale on 14th. At Pentland Skerries, Fieldfares, Thrushes, and Blackbirds, Nov. 5th and 6th, flying N.E. all day; also smaller rushes at Sumburgh Head, Dec. 1st to 8th. Time of day: Mostly daytime, but night of 13th to 14th at Bell Pock. "Storm burst at 10.10 a.m. on 14th." Notes: A great rush of migrants took place at the date of 22nd to 23rd Sept. at Isle of May (station 27), but no corresponding rush is recorded at Bell Rock (station 26). At Isle of May it continued all day. The weather was thick haze, approaching to fog, with a continuous downpour of rain; wind S.E. "All the birds seen to-day appeared perfectly bewildered." The following species occurred on 22nd alone: Thrushes, Redstarts, one Robin, one Blue-throated Warbler (_C. Wolfi_), Swallows, Chaffinches, one Nightjar (the first ever captured or seen here, and sent to me along with the Blue-throated Warbler and others), one Corn Crake (seldom seen here). Golden Plovers (large flock), Ringed Plovers, Lapwings, "rush" of Curlews, two Snipe, Sandpipers and Waders, and Dunlins. This great migration continued more or less all the latter part of September at this locality, during which time there appeared Yellow Buntings, Bramblings, Wheatears (or Stonechats), Pipits, and Wagtails; numbers of Robins on 23rd. N.B. Later in the report under these species I will refer back to this note.

Saxicolinæ.--Spring: Bell Rock, and Whalsey Skerries. Wheatears. Earliest at Bell Rock, April 14th; latest at Bell Rock, May 2nd. Rush on May 2nd, at Bell Rock. General Notes:--Accompanied by many other species not recognised; on that day also a large bird struck, rebounded, and fell into sea.--Autumn: Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Wheatears. Earliest at Sumburgh Head, Aug. 14th; latest at Pentland Skerries, Sept. 30th. Rushes scarcely appreciable, Aug. 22nd and 28th, at Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, and Pentland Skerries; and Sept. 24th and 30th, at Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Rushes at Pentland Skerries on several dates. Besides Wheatears, Redstarts. Earliest at Isle of May, Aug. 22nd; latest at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd. Whinchats (or Blue Janets), also at Isle of May, Sept. 21st. Prevailing winds E. and S.E. General Notes (see under Turdidæ).

Sylviinæ.--Spring: Robins at Cromarty and Montroseness; only two records. Earlier at Cromarty, March 20th, but left same date; later at Montroseness, April 14th, flying about rock.--Autumn: Tarbat Ness, Cromarty, and Isle of May. Robins. Earliest at Cromarty, Sept. 16th, and were the first seen since March 6th (see Spring); latest seen Dec. 15th. At Tarbat Ness first seen Oct. 10th. Rush Sept. 22nd and 23rd, at Isle of May (see Notes under Turdidæ); also Oct. 21st, at Isle of May ("appear to be very small specimens.") Mr. Agnew preserved one for me in spirits on Dec. 15th, but whether one of these small specimens I cannot as yet say. N.B. Spanish examples are known to be very much smaller than British (_vide_ Howard Saunders and H. E. Dresser).

Phylloscopinæ.--Autumn: Gold Crests at Sumburgh Head, Tarbat Ness, and Isle of May. Earliest at Tarbat Ness, Sept. 10th (two seen); latest at Isle of May, Sept. 27th. Rush, a small one, Oct. 24th, 25th, and 27th, at Isle of May. General Remarks:--Mr. Agnew says, "I expect more," but no more appeared in his later schedules. A general movement of this species appreciable also about Sept. 10th to 18th.

Paridæ.--Spring: Tit. One record at Isle of May, April 23rd. General Remark:--One alighted on lantern at 11 p.m.--Autumn: Tits at Pentland Skerries and Inch Keith. Earliest at Inch Keith, Aug. 5th (a number at night); latest at Pentland Skerries, Oct. 6th (one all day). Another struck N.W. side of lantern of Inch Keith on night of 5th to 6th. General Remarks:--Aug. 5th, at Inch Keith (as above), "earlier than usual."

Troglodytidæ.--Spring: Common Wren. One record from Isle of May, March 19th.--Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest at Sumburgh Head, Aug. 3rd (left); latest at Pentland Skerries, Nov. 16th. Others Oct. 6th and 8th. Rush (inappreciable) on these later dates.

Motacillidæ.--Spring: Bell Rock and Isle of May (only two). Wagtails. Earliest at Isle of May, March 12th; latest at Bell Rock, April 13th. General Remarks:--The latter "running over the rocks, but leaving at high tide, as all birds do that land upon these rocks" (J. Agnew).--Autumn: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May (three records). Wagtails. Earliest at Pentland Skerries (three all day), when a gale from N., Aug. 27th; latest at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, "when a few new-comers, having more white upon them than the few residents, appeared." Also occurred at Pentland Skerries, Sept. 10th. Pipits at Whalsey Skerries, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May (few records). Earliest at Whalsey Skerries, Aug. 28th (following Sparrowhawk), but all left next day; latest at Pentland Skerries, Oct. 25th (six struck at night). Rush (on small scale) at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, 25th, and 26th. General Notes:--Mr. Agnew speaks of some being always here, but additions on Sept. 24th. Possibly Mr. Agnew alludes, however, to Rock Pipits as the residents. The Meadow Pipit is probably the species first seen as additions on Sept. 24th. N.B. The Rock Pipit is a larger bird than the Meadow Pipit; please shoot one of the "resident birds" and then one of the "additions," and if carefully compared, I think Mr. Agnew will detect the difference.

Hirundinidæ.--Spring: Cromarty, Auskerry, Sumburgh Head, and Whalsey Skerries. First arrivals at Auskerry, May 1st (Martins and Swallows remained three days and then left); latest, at Whalsey Skerries, June 27th (a few flying about). Rush hardly perceptible. General Notes:--At Sumburgh Head four pairs all summer; all disappeared on night of July 20th. That night one pair slept on the staircase-window.--Autumn: Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty, and Isle of May (a number). Earliest (see remarks under Spring Migration, supra, July 20th); latest at Sumburgh Head, Oct. 1st (one seen). No great rush appreciable, but flocks of Swallows and Martins seen at Auskerry Aug. 1st and 4th, and on 1st at Isle of May (one found dead previous night after heavy gales); (see Notes under Turdidæ, supra) part of a general rush of migrants.

Fringillidæ.--Spring: Isle of May, Bell Rock, Sumburgh Head (considerable movement). Linnets. Earliest at Isle of May, March 4th (asleep all night on doorway): two green Linnets. Latest at Isle of May, April 14th (seen). General Notes:--Two days previous "considerable number of Chaffinches, which are very unusual at this season; also one Bullfinch." From a remark of Mr. Agnew, that some of the latter breed on Isle of May, I suspect these "Linnets" will prove to be Twites or Mountain Linnets, _Linota flavirostris ?_ These Linnets are also noted at Bell Rock on April 10th, and at Sumburgh Head on March 7th.--Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Isle of May, and Inch Keith (large movement). Earliest (Grey Linnets) at Isle of May, Aug. 18th (mostly young, apparently in broods, in large numbers); latest at Sumburgh Head, Jan. 14th, 1882 (three seen). Rushes (Chaffinches) at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd to 26th (see Notes under Turdidæ). Brambling also on 24th (one sent me for identification). Siskin at Inch Keith, Sept. 25th. [General Notes:--A desultory migration, kept up of Linnets and Siskins (which are rare on the Isle of May), occurred Oct. 4th and 5th. A Redpole on 8th, at Sumburgh Head.] A rush between Oct. 20th and 27th at Isle of May, during which time Redpoles (20th and 24th), Chaffinches (22nd), Bramblings (21st), one Siskin (27th), and Grey Linnets or Twites (24th), at Sumburgh Head; about fifty, along with ten Larks (see Alaudidæ.). Occasional birds seen at Isle of May:--Nov. 12th, one Siskin; 28th, one hen Linnet; and on Nov. 21st, at Inch Keith, one Siskin. On Dec. 3rd, at Isle of May, one Redpole, preserved in spirits (_vide infra_), and one Brambling, same time and place. On the 4th, Green Linnets at Sumburgh Head, and in Jan., 1882 (latest), three Green Linnets on 14th. In Shetland prevailing winds during the winter were from S.W., "and consequently no strange birds visited us." A flock of Mealy Redpoles arrived at Lerwick, and took up their abode for a time in Mr. P. T. Garrick's garden, at Prospect House. This movement doubtless belongs to the Spring Migration of 1882. In August unusually large flocks of Greenfinches were observed by Mr. Service near Dumfries; left after two weeks, and reappeared in January, 1882.

Emberizidæ.--Spring: Isle of May and Bell Rock. Earliest at Bell Rock, March 17th (one "Snowflake" flying from N.W. to S.E.); latest (and only other spring record) at Isle of May, April 9th (three "Mountain Sparrows" identified as Snow Buntings).--Autumn: Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Tarbat Ness, Isle of May, and Inch Keith, Snow Buntings, numerous records, and reported as unusually plentiful at many stations. Earliest at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, where, Mr. Agnew writes, "they are never plentiful"; latest, Dec. 10th to Jan. 28th, at Isle of May. Rushes at Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Dunnet Head, Sept. 20th to 25th (note migration of other species at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd--see notes under Turdidæ). Rushes spasmodical, at different places, on different dates. Rush Dec. 3rd to 21st; after, stragglers (_i.e._, flocks of forty or fifty).--Weather: In October winds S. and N.W., at Sumburgh Head, to fresh E. and N., cloudy, clear, or showery. In November S. gale on 4th at Pentland Skerries. Calm or N. on 9th, S.S.W. or S. on 14th, and on 17th S. or N. December variable from light S.W. at Isle of May to fresh N.E. and S.E., light W. and light S.W. Besides Snow Buntings, a flock of about 250 Common Buntings are reported from Sumburgh Head on Nov. 6th ("a compact flock"), at 10 a.m.

Alaudidæ.--Spring: A spring rush is reported at Bell Rock between Feb. 5th and 25th; or possibly this may only belong to migration of 1880. Great numbers of Larks mixed with Rose Linnets, Starlings, and other species, from 2 to 5 a.m.; great numbers struck; wind on arrival light S.W., on departure fresh N.E., fog and rain. Feb. 18th, great numbers, all Larks, greatly exhausted, seen asleep, and others struck, but none found dead; wind light E.S.E., haze. On 19th, "small birds, not recognised, flew about for an hour, and left at dawn"; and on 25th great numbers, all Larks, much exhausted, at 1.30 a.m.; left after an hour's rest at dawn, flying N.W.--Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May (numerous). Earliest at Sumburgh Head, Sept. 15th (breeds here, but left to-day); latest at Isle of May, Dec. 1st (two seen). Rushes at Isle of May, Sept. 24th; numbers on 25th and 26th, increased up to 27th; also at Pentland Skerries (accompanying Wheatears); also fewer on Sept. 15th, 16th, and 18th. Rush at Pentland Skerries, striking all night, Oct. 26th; stragglers on 1st and 8th.--Weather: Fresh S. wind Sept. 1st to 8th, to fresh S.E. and clear on 26th. Nov. 24th, at Sumburgh Head (along with Grey Linnets), fresh S., cloudy; and Dec. 1st, at Isle of May, two seen, as above recorded.

Sturninæ.--Autumn: Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, and Isle of May. Unusually few, but all about same time. Earliest at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, Oct. 20th and 21st; latest at Dunnet Head, Jan. 15th, 1882 (date of return of schedule). General Notes:--Resident all winter at many localities as at Auskerry ("all winter"). The scarcity of the Starling on migration this autumn is noteworthy (_vide_ conditions of wind and weather as compared with other years).

Corvidæ.--Spring: Bell Rock and Isle of May. Earliest at Bell Rock, March 10th (seen on balcony-rail); latest, "five Rooks," at Bell Rock, flying about. May 1st. Rush (apparently, April 12th and 13th) at Bell Rock (Black Crows and a good many "Grey Crows" with them). On 16th, three Rooks flying N.--Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest July 15th, at Pentland Skerries (mixed with Jackdaws); remained till middle of August, and then disappeared; latest Nov. 10th, two Ravens at Pentland Skerries, flying W., but no Rooks after Aug. 15th. Ravens also at Pentland Skerries, July 29th. Hooded Crows. Earliest Sept. 14th, at Pentland Skerries; latest on Nov. 5th, at Pentland Skerries. Rush on Oct. 2nd, at Isle of May (large numbers).

Cypselidæ.--Autumn: Only records at Sumburgh Head. Earliest Sept. 13th, five seen at 6 p.m., light N.W. airs, clear; next record Sept. 16th, one seen, light W., clear; latest Sept. 27th, one, light S.W., haze.

Caprimulgidæ.--Autumn: Only one record at Isle of May, where the first was observed, Sept. 26th, along with a great Rush of other migrants (see Notes under Turdidæ, _antea_).

Strigidæ.--Autumn: Records at Auskerry and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 25th, when one "Grey Owl" seen at Isle of May, fresh E., heavy rain, and haze; latest Dec. 19th, one reddish brown Owl, at 1 p.m., S.W., clear, at same station. Other dates, Oct. 15th to 18th, two Owls stayed three days, arriving at 4 p.m. on 15th, leaving at 4 p.m. on 18th, at Auskerry, N.W. gale, showers, and haze. Also Oct. 24th, one "light brown" Owl at Isle of May, S.S.E., showery; also Nov. 28rd, one seen at Isle of May, 3 p.m., S.W., clear.