Part 4

Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_, Linn.--First week in Sept., small flights in N.E. Lincolnshire. On the 6th, Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke, writing from Spurn, says, "a long waved line extending at least three or four miles passed over, extending far over the Humber towards Lincolnshire coast, 5.15 p.m., wind changing from N. to S., direction of flight N." At the Farne Islands, during the month, hundreds of Golden Plovers and Lapwings coming off to the islands in morning, and leaving for the land at night. At the same station, Nov. 5th, great numbers to W.S.W.

Grey Plover, _Squatarola helvetica_ (Linn.).--Humber foreshore, June 1st, one old male in summer plumage, and five less advanced; another, in the same flock, in winter plumage. At Spurn, on June 13th, 4 p.m., N.E., clear, Grey Plovers were seen passing S. to N. In the autumn, in the first week in August, three old birds in breeding plumage on Humber muds; also several old black-breasted birds seen at Spurn on 24th. The young of the year arrived in large numbers last of August and first week of September. Seven shot near Spurn, on Sept. 12th, were two males and four females, and one lost; all were in fine summer plumage; were very numerous on Humber flats during September and October; with the above exceptions, birds of the year or old having completed the autumn moult.

Kentish Plover, _Ægialitis cantiana_ (Lath.).--One, an immature example, was shot on the shore at Friskney, near Boston, on Oct. 8th; subsequently came into the hands of Mr. A. S. Hutchinson, of Derby.

Ringed Plover, _Ægialitis hiaticula_ (Linn.).--May 27th, a flock numbering about twenty of the small race, _Ægialitis intermedius_ (Ménétriés), on Humber muds.

Dotterel, _Eudromias morinellus_ (Linn.).--May 14th to 21st, some "trips" in N.E. Lincolnshire marshes, also at localities in Holderness; twenty seen in one flock, thirty in another.

Lapwing, _Vanellus vulgaris_, Bechst.--At the north-eastern stations, noticeably at Inner Farne L.H., Hunstanton L.H., Inner Dowsing L.V., and Lynn Wells L.V., where very large numbers passed from Oct. 6th to Nov. 12th, general direction S.E. to N.W. At Teesmouth (Redcar), Nov. 4th, an immense immigration between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., passing westward, flocks numbering from 50 up to 500 birds, a flock coming in from seaward every ten minutes or thereabouts; S.W., light, fine, and mild.

Turnstone, _Strepsilas interpres_ (Linn.).--May 25th, many both mature and immature on coasts of N.E. Lincolnshire and Holderness. Teesmouth, in the autumn, not so plentiful as usual; common in other localities.

Oystercatcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_, Linn.--At Teesmouth (Redcar), Aug. 18th, 6 a.m., three or four hundred, N.N.E., light, dull and showery. Hunstanton L.H., flocks S.W. at ebb, and E. at flood, throughout August.

Red-necked Phalarope, _Phalaropus hyperboreus_ (Linn.).--One near Grimsby, Sept. 26th; one Spurn and one Withernsea, Oct. 9th; two on Suffolk coast, same month ('Field,' Oct. 29th, 1881).

Grey Phalarope, _Phalaropus fulicarias_, Linn.--Teesmouth (Redcar), Oct. 15th, two, in adult plumage, only a few grey feathers on back, N.N.W. gale; one seen near Redcar same day.

Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticula_, Linn.--May 24th, Outer Dowsing L.V., one, 10.30 a.m., E.S.E. (4), passing from W. by N. to E.S.E. At numerous stations in the autumn [principally in the north and mid-east], from Inner Farne L.H. to East Godwin L.V. First at Spurn, on Sept. 4th; last at Heligoland, Nov. 30th, "a few Woodcocks and Snipe" (first and only occurrence there in 1881). Greatest flight on English coast night of Oct. 28th, N.E., snow and sleet. Woodcocks have dropped in very irregularly throughout the autumn, by two's and three's during October, and not in those great rushes which usually characterise their immigration. Migrate generally during the night; frequent exceptions to this rule. Casualties against the lanterns of lighthouses and light-vessels from midnight till daybreak.

Double Snipe, _Gallinago major_ (Gmel.).--One, Sept. 15th, was shot in a clover field about fifteen miles from Redcar. One, Sept. 4th, at Spurn, killed against the telegraph-wire; another, same locality, 16th; one, Seaton Carew, Durham, 27th same month.

Common Snipe, _Gallinago cælestis_ (Frenzel).--Some few last week in July, main body last week of October to first week in November, rapidly passing on. Nov. 23rd, Gull L.V., 10.30 a.m., about 100 to. W. Spring migration, 1882, second week in March.

Jack Snipe, _Gallinago gallinula_ (Linn.).--The only occurrences recorded at Inner Farne L.H., from Sept. 23rd to Nov. 4th. Mouth of Deben, Suffolk, both this and the former are recorded from Sept. 30th to Oct. 1st, at full moon, with E. wind, in large quantities, continuing to arrive for some time; remarkable by its entire absence from its ordinary winter quarters.

Dunlin, _Tringa alpina_, Linn.--Spurn, May 25th, very large flocks, composed of birds some in summer plumage, others having no appearance of changing from ordinary winter garb. Enormous flocks were seen at some north-eastern stations in October. Great number at Teesmouth (Redcar), from Sept. 15th to Oct. 12th, all going W.N.W., towards the Tees.

Little Stint, _Tringa minuta_, Leisl.--In small flocks on Humber foreshores, from Sept. 2nd to as late as Oct. 8th. Fresh arrivals easily recognisable by their extreme tameness. Comparatively plentiful on coasts of Holderness, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk during the same period.

Temminck's Stint, _Tringa Temmincki_, Leisl.--One early in September, near Yarmouth; a few regularly occur at this season on the east coast, although rarely obtained, and probably also frequently overlooked.

Pigmy Curlew, _Tringa subarquata_ (Güld.).--First at Spurn, July 21st, two in summer plumage. Flocks of young, thirty to fifty, numerous through September and October in the same districts as the Little Stint.

Knot, _Tringa canutus_, Linn.--Spurn, June 7th, 6 p.m., "Plover-Knot" from N. to S. Some, birds of the previous year, and which do not acquire the summer dress, remain on the east coast during the summer. The first arrivals of young Knot occurred during the first week in August; great rush (young birds) first week in September, the old coming during the last week, in October. Mr. Winson, the captain of the Spurn life-boat, picked up a Knot on Nov. 7th, which was killed by flying against the telegraph-wire; this bird was in faded summer plumage, the upper parts nearly black, with edgings of buff on the margins of the feathers.

Ruff and Reeve, _Machetes pugnax_ (Linn.).--On Sept. 3rd, two shot from a flock of nine on Cowpen Marsh, near Redcar, N.E., stormy. One Ruff and two Reeves were also obtained at Spurn early in September.

Sanderling, _Calidris arenaria_ (Linn.).--May 25th, some at Spurn, young of previous year, and in immature plumage. Aug. 1st, flock of nine; and henceforward in large numbers during August and September, many remaining on the coast till end of the year, and into 1882. At Teesmouth (Redcar) they are reported scarcer this season than they have been for many years.

Common Sandpiper, _Totanus hypoleucus_ (Linn.).--May 14th to 20th, North-east Lincolnshire, flocks passing along the coast northward, returning first week in September.

Green Sandpiper, _Totanus ochropus_ (Linn.).--July 30th, returning.

Wood Sandpiper, _Totanus glareola_ (Linn.).--Aug. 6th, one shot near Redcar; small flock seen.

Common Redshank, _Totanus calidris_ (Linn.).--Scarce near Teesmouth in the autumn. At Spurn, July 31st, many.

Spotted Redshank, _Totanus fuscus_ (Linn.).--Teesmouth, about Sept. 15th; one, a fully-matured bird, obtained.

Greenshank, _Totanus canescens_ (Gmel.).--Comparatively numerous in Humber district in September and October, more than have been seen for many years.

Bar-tailed Godwit, _Limosa lapponica_ (Linn.).--Passed the Tees in considerable numbers first week in September. Very common in Humber district in September and October. At Redcar (Teesmouth), between July 4th and 7th, about thirty passed each morning to W. On Sept. 22nd, a slight "rush"; several large flocks with Knots, both in morning and afternoon, going W.; E. gale, stormy, with heavy rain.

Whimbrel, _Numenius phæopus_ (Linn.).--At Spurn, May 25th, three seen. Teesmouth (Redcar), July 4th to 7th, each day a few seen in morning, S.W., fine. Aug. 17th, continuous flocks with Curlews and Godwits from 6 to 9 a.m., and also the preceding night, W., calm; and at intervals to Sept. 23rd, all flying W. or N.W. Last occurrence Oct. 22nd. 5 Buoy Tees L.V., at 11 a.m., twenty to S.W.

Curlew, _Numenius arquata_ (Linn.).--On May 1st and 18th, at Inner Farne and Flamborough, round lanterns during night. At various localities in the autumn, from July 17th to end of September. Great rush, with Whimbrels and Godwits, on Aug. 17th.

Terns, Sterninæ.--At the Farne Islands, in 1881, the Sandwich Terns returned on May 6th, the Arctic Terns on the 9th; they left again in a body, both old and young, on Aug. 21st. From Sept. 2nd to 5th, hundreds of both species revisited and settled upon their breeding grounds. After this, from Sept. 16th to the end of the month, two to three hundred Arctic Terns, both old and young, were observed daily fishing near island (Inner Farne L.H.), leaving again at night. Three Arctic Terns, two old and one young, were seen fishing off island on Oct. 27th, and on 29th a single young bird. A flock of about thirty Common Terns were to be seen in front of Redcar daily up to Oct. 14th, when the great storm evidently drove them south. Both at Redcar and Flamborough, throughout September, great numbers of Terns were noticed passing south. At Spurn, in May, 1881, small parties of Black Terns were passing north, a few returning southward by the same route in August. The Lesser Terns returned to their nesting quarters at Spurn in the third week in May. At Coquet Island L.H., on the night of Aug. 22nd, fog. Terns with Curlews were all night beating about the lantern. In 1882, March 29th, Spurn, two Terns [sp. ?] seen passing north.

Gulls, Larinæ.--The Herring Gulls returned to their breeding stations at Whitby on Feb. 14th; they left the cliffs with their young on Aug. 26th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were observed congregating at their nesting quarters, on the Farne Islands, on April 13th. At Flamborough, on July 4th, great numbers of Kittiwakes were passing to the south all day. Unusual numbers of Herring Gulls and Little Gulls (_L. minutus_, Pall.) were seen off Flamborough in September. At Spurn, on Oct. 26th, two Little Gulls were seen; and about the 22nd two immature Sabine's Gull, _Xema Sabinii_, procured on the Norfolk coast, some Little Gulls being seen at the same time. At Teesmouth (Redcar), on Sept. 22nd, continuous flocks of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, young birds, passed from daylight to dusk, all going N.W., strong E. gale, rain. On Oct. 23rd, and for several days previous. Great Black-backed Gulls had been passing to N.W., forty to one hundred in the course of a day, E.S.E. winds, all mature birds. It is many years since so large a number of Great Black-backs had been seen passing. At the Cockle L.V., on Nov. 11th, continuous flocks of Gulls were passing westward all day; and on Dec. 29th, at Lynn Wells L.V., flocks all day from E. to W.

Skuas, Stercorariinæ.--On July 12th, a flock of one hundred (probably _S. crepidatus_) passed at 8.30 p.m. to N.W., high over Redcar, wind W. On Sept. 16th a great many Skuas were seen on the fishing grounds, five to six miles out, Richardson's, Pomatorhine, and Buffon's busily engaged chasing the Gulls and Terns; and again on Sept. 29th, a great many Richardson's, Pomatorhine, and a few Buffon's Skuas seen from four to twelve miles at sea by fishermen similarly employed. On Oct. 14th, during the gale from N.N.W., great numbers of Pomatorhine came down from north, passing Redcar and going off inland, mostly flying high. The same day a large mixed flock of Pomatorhine and Buffon's Skua was seen near the Breakwater, crouching on the ground to get shelter from the tempest of wind and rain. Great numbers of Skuas passed Flamborough in September; on Oct. 4th, four Richardson's Skuas were seen off Yarmouth; and on Nov. 23rd, at Southsand Head L.V., great numbers ("Bonxie's and chasers") with Gannets.

Petrels, Procellariidæ.--During the gale on Oct. 14th, several Storm Petrels seen coming past Redcar from the north; they also occurred from Aug. 10th to Nov. 20th at several stations, not unfrequently striking the lanterns of lighthouses and light-vessels on clear as well as on foggy nights. The Fork-tailed Petrel (_P. leucorrhoa_) occurred at various stations, both on the coast and inland, between Oct. 24th and Nov. 28th, one at Heligoland, in December, being only the second obtained during Mr. Gätke's long residence in the island. It is probable that this, being a west coast species, is driven in the autumn by heavy gales right across the island on to our east coast--that is, from N.W. to S.E.; its rarity at Heligoland in the autumn supports this view of the line taken by stragglers occurring inland, and on our east coast after heavy N. and S.W. gales. _Puffinus anglorum_ and _P. major_ passed Flamborough, in September, in considerable numbers.

Alcidæ.--At Flamborough, on April 28th, great numbers of Guillemots arrived during the day; and on the 29th the Puffins returned for the season. At the Farne Islands a white Guillemot was seen in June and July. The Guillemots and Puffins left their breeding stations between Aug. 20th and 28th. At Whitby, on Aug. 17th and 21st, very large flocks of Guillemots were seen passing north.

Colymbidæ.--From Aug. 13th to Nov. 8th, at intervals, many Great Northern and Red-throated Divers seen off Redcar. At the Inner Farne L.H., from Oct. 5th to 17th, both species common; two of the former, shot Dec. 8th and 10th, off the Inner Farne Island, weighed 12 and 12-1/2 pounds.

Podicipitidæ.--At the Inner Farne L.H., in February, 1881, an unusual number of Grebes and small Divers were observed.

General Remarks.

The results of the observations taken along the East Coast of England in the spring and autumn of 1881 have been satisfactory; it is true that, as already mentioned, the returns sent in have been less than in the previous year, yet what has been lost in quantity has more than been made up in the quality of the work. The observers have become trained by experience, and have learnt not only how to observe, but what to observe.

As in previous years, the main line of migration has been a broad stream from E. to W. or from S.E. to N.W. this year, covering the whole of our east coast in comparatively equal proportions; the occurrences of migrants coming from northerly directions, or from points anything north of east, are few and far between, and in these cases are consequent on birds striking the coast in more northern latitudes and following it to the south. Thus, north of Flamborough, Larks pass up the coast from north to south; at Spurn and south of Spurn they come in directly from the sea. The closeness with which both migrants and immigrants follow the coast line has also been verified in a remarkable degree,--an observer taking up his position at a short distance from the coast would see or know nothing of migration, yet within half-a-mile or less there might be a constant stream of birds, hour by hour and day by day passing to the south.

In the spring birds also return on the same lines they travelled in the autumn, from W. and N.W. to E. and S.E. A reference to the spring notes in the report on each separate species observed will show this. Our spring immigrants also arrive from the sea, and are first seen on or near the coast, gradually moving inland. Migration has been earlier than in 1880, in many cases birds arriving considerably in advance of recent years; this has been notably the case with some of the _Limicolæ_, such as have the widest ranges and where nesting grounds are circumpolar--that is, confined to lands surrounding the North Pole. Also in the case of the _Anatidæ_, which arrived fully a month before their average period.

It may be said the general features of migration, having reference to lines of flight, time, height of travelling, favourable winds or otherwise, circumstances of greatest casualties at lanterns of lighthouses and light-vessels, are the same as set forth in previous reports; yet in 1881 we find several important variations from the normal phenomenon, consequent on the directions of the wind and general character of the season. From the commencement of August to the end of October the prevailing winds have been from northerly and easterly directions, blowing more or less directly on to the coast, and therefore, as also shown in previous reports, unfavourable passage winds--for it may be laid down as an axiom that, with southerly or westerly winds, not amounting to gales, normal migration is the rule, but with winds in the opposite direction, the results are very opposite; such winds, more especially if strong, weary out the immigrants and compel them to drop on the first coast they make, often completely exhausted by the passage. The consequence has been that, on our east coast, with the prevailing winds, it has been a most favourable season for the observer; and generally the number of birds recorded is considerably in excess of any previous records.

The winter of 1881-82 has been remarkable for its high temperature, no such uniformly mild season having occurred for many years in England. The same has been the case over the whole of Northern Europe north of latitude 50° N. As might be expected, so exceptional a season has not been without its effect upon our immigrants. Fieldfares have crossed in very limited numbers, and have everywhere been remarkably scarce in localities along our east coast. Large numbers of birds which regularly arrive in the autumn, as the Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, and others, and which remain for a few days only and then pass on, have this winter continued for many weeks, and even months, resorting in immense flocks to the stubble-fields near the coast, where, with no severe weather to drive them away, they found an inexhaustible supply of food in the large quantity of grain dashed out in harvest-time by the great gale from S.W. to W. on August 26th. Snow Buntings have been considerably in excess of anything known for many years, the proportion of old birds not more than one in a hundred.

Another consequence of the mildness of the winter is the desultory fashion in which birds have migrated; there have been less of those great "rushes," when for days together one species after another rush helter-skelter on to our coast. Migration has also been greatly prolonged, and the latest returns received show Rooks, Starlings, and Larks still crossing the North Sea in February. The last week in August and first in September Wheatears and Redstarts passed as usual up the coast from N. to S., the line of migration being confined to the chain of sandhills. Also during the first week of September, and again about the 20th, there was an immense migration of the _Sylviinæ_ in the same direction. Migration appears to have reached its climax on or about Sept. 22nd, an enormous number of various immigrants coming in from this time to the end of the month. Not the least remarkable was the influx of the larger raptorial birds crossing Heligoland on Sept. 22nd and two following days, and were about the same period seen along the entire range of our eastern coast. From this date to the end of October ten Ospreys were procured from localities contiguous to the east coast of England, between the Tyne and the Thames. Again, the third week of October there was another large immigration of birds of various species. On the night of Oct. 24th great numbers of Mealy Redpoles came in on the Holderness coast; the same flight was also traceable as far north as the Farne Islands; the Mealy Redpoles appear to have been accompanied or closely followed by a flight of Siskins. Hooded Crows came with their usual regularity, almost to a day; this autumn the great flight crossed Heligoland on the afternoon of Oct. 17th, and on the 18th. There was a corresponding arrival along the whole of our east coast on the night of 17th or early morning of 18th, and on the 19th.

Short-eared Owls, Golden Crested Wrens, and Woodcocks arrive with great punctuality during the first fortnight in October, and are invariably associated in their migration--that is, coming at the same time; it is a curious fact that, in the last autumn, all three arrived in conjunction five weeks in advance of their average period; this perhaps may have been a local and coast movement from North Britain, and not across the North Sea.

In August and early in September, Knots, Grey Plovers, Sanderlings, Curlew Sandpipers, and Little Stints--all circumpolar in their nesting--had returned in large number, being unusually abundant and early in their movements up the coast.

The _Anatidæ_ have been remarkably scarce in shore and within our river estuaries, and it has been an almost blank season for the wildfowl-shooter; yet we find, in the returns from some light-vessels, they have occurred in extraordinary numbers out at sea, the weather having never been sufficiently severe to drive them inland or near the coast.

With a dry hot summer in Northern Europe migration is always earlier than in years of rain and low temperature, birds breeding sooner in the former, and the nestlings, like all other young things, with dry weather and sunshine, developing more rapidly.

Nothing is more remarkable in the phenomenon of migration than the punctuality with which certain species return in the autumn, one species regularly taking precedence of another; also in respect to the date of the arrival year after year. In the _Limicolæ_ and _Anatidæ_ the date of autumn migration varies--often considerably--from year to year. In some species, as the Wheatear, Redstart, Fieldfare, Redwing, Hooded Crow, Goldcrest and Woodcock, and others, we may almost predict to a day the time of their first appearance.

The period of the migratory flight in the autumn of any particular genus or species is most probably referable to two causes: the first one of temperature, affecting the time of nesting; the second is the period at which the young arrive at maturity, or rather that period when they throw off paternal control or are thrown off themselves. When able to act independently and procure food on their own account, they flock together and migrate in a body. We know that, with rare exceptions, the young of the year migrate some weeks in advance of the parent birds; thus we can readily conceive the whole of the large raptorial birds nesting about the same time over widely extending districts in Northern Europe; when the many young arrive at a self-dependent stage there would be a simultaneous movement, ending in a universal migratory rush. This period of self-dependence is arrived at much more quickly in some birds than in others, for species like the Knot, Grey Plover, Godwit, and Sanderling, nesting in very high latitudes, leave our shores the last in the spring of any of the migrants, and their young are amongst the first to return in autumn. The order of migration, more especially in connection with the shore birds, is the occurrence very early in autumn--July or August--of a few _old_ birds in summer plumage, either barren or such perhaps as have been prevented nesting, then the young in large flocks, and some weeks subsequently old birds.