John Cordeaux

“ There is one remarkable exception to the general rule of an east to west route in the case of the lightvessel on the Galloper Bank, forty miles S.S.E. of Orfordness. All entries in this return show birds passing to the E. or S.S.E. or S.E. during October. We can only account for this anomalous line by supposing the birds which cross the Galloper have previously struck the English coast at some higher latitude, and after skirting the coast line -187- shot off again somewhere near Orfordness and crossed the North Sea to the Belgian and French coasts between Nieuport and Dunkerque. ”

“ During long experience at these and other stations, the several observers do not remember such great scarcity of birds during the autumn migration. From other observers' remarks it would appear that several of the west coast stations are not suitable for observations being made, from their land-locked situations or other local influences, such as Kyleakin, Sound of Mull, Corran Ferry, and others.
Many birds are killed at the lanterns of the more isolated lighthouses and are blown into the sea. ”

“ When the nights are dark and cloudy, no stars appearing, in rain, fogs and snowstorms, flocks of birds during the night migrations will crowd round the lanterns of the lightships; many strike the glass and are killed, falling on deck or pitching overboard. On these nights birds will often remain for hours in the vicinity of a light, circling round and round, evidently having lost their way; at the first break in the clouds, the stars becoming visible, or the first streak of early dawn, they will resume their flight to the nearest land. ”

“ A great northward rush appears to have taken place at Bell Rock lighthouse between the 2nd and 11th of March, 1880, as noted in the duplicate schedule by Mr. James Jack, lately received by me. On the 2nd March great numbers of birds were seen flying about the lantern, apparently of various species, of which Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Mavises were recognised; wind S., light breeze, heavy sleet; sexes unidentified; a great number continued to strike hard on lantern all night from 10 p.m., and rebounding off, fell into the sea. ”

“ The unusual scarcity of migrants is very generally reported upon at almost all the east coast stations. The remarks of the reporters, comparing the observations with former years, generally show this to be the case. Thus, commencing with our most northerly station. North Unst, I find it stated that, in most seasons, "Land birds, as Snow Buntings, Stonechats, and Starlings, strike the lantern." ”

“ As might have been expected, large flocks of Ducks are constantly noted, so frequently indeed, as to defy repetition; this is more particularly the case in the returns from the lightships. They are noted sometimes flying S., from the land or to the land, and in fact in every direction. Many of these would be local flocks going to and from their feeding grounds. Immense numbers, however, coming from the north, passed along the coast in November and December. ”

“ These birds would all cross at the narrowest part of the North Sea directly from E. to W. to the English coast. The long prevalence of north-westerly winds in October and November may to a great extent have deflected the lines of migration much farther to the south than is generally the case.
Migrants have passed the stations at all hours of the day and night, flying at no great altitude and in almost all winds and weather. ”

“ I have not been able to trace from actual data, except in a few cases, the direction of the flight of the migrants, as such has not, as a rule, been noted by the reporters. It would be an advantage to have this done next season, under the column in the schedule for "General Observations." The species which have appeared in greatest numbers are Thrushes and Blackbirds, Larks, Wheatears, and Swallows; whilst Hooded Crows—noted as most numerous on the English east coast—are absent from all the Scottish returns, and Rooks occur only in one very far north instance, viz., at North Unst. ”

“ The latest date is Dec. 6th, when one struck at 9 p.m.; wind S.E., fresh, and haze, at Corsewall; the time thus occupied was one hundred and twelve days (but the last was no doubt due to the severe frost inland at that time) . The previous date is Nov. 18th, which would make the time only seventy-nine days. The greatest rush appears to have been in October, about the 12th to 24th, but the numbers observed are so small that it is difficult to judge. The locality most favoured was Dhuheartach, whence I have returns on eight different dates, between Aug. 17th and Nov. 24th. ”

“ Notes from other stations can hardly be considered as applying to anything but local daily migration in search of food, as is constantly witnessed at any rock-bird station on the coast; thus, at Rhu Stoir large numbers passed towards S.W., and are specially noted on June 12th to 15th; also at Kyleakin, a large flock passed southward at 2 p.m., wind S.E. When at the Shiant Isles this summer, at the end of June, I witnessed a regular departure of thousands of Puffins to their feeding-grounds in the Little Minch, about 9 to 10 a.m. ”

“ A general scarcity of birds is reported by a great majority of the observers on our east coast, which partly accounts for the absence of returns from several stations. Those sent in have been carefully prepared by the various reporters so far as materials allowed. Excluding Swans, Geese, Ducks, and Rock-birds, notes have been made on about twenty-eight different species. ”

“ This scarcity is still felt. In the birch-woods of the west coast I saw small flocks on Oct. 28th, 1879.
Rook, Corvus frugilegus.—At Sumburgh Head numbers were seen about 9 am on Nov. 2nd, wind N.N.W., strong to fresh, with sleet and snow showers. "Rooks do not breed in Shetland, but are often seen in the spring time, but very seldom in the fall, crossing, as is supposed, between Norway and Scotland." At Dunnet Head about 100 Rooks, mostly young birds, were seen at 12 noon, with fresh breeze from S.E. to S.W.
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—Noted at only two stations. ”

“ A later rush about Nov. 15th to 18th at Dhuheartach, Skervuile, and Rhinns of Islay, -196- but of small dimensions. Larks appear to migrate principally when the wind is W. to S.W., or late in the season, when still more southerly, say S. Exceptions occur at Dhuheartach on Nov. 24, when wind was N.E., fresh, and weather clear; at Rhinns of Islay on Nov. 7th, wind N.W., light breeze; at Skervuile on Oct. 10th, when wind was N.; they migrate in calm, variable, light, or fresh winds, and are noticed at lanterns principally in haze and fog. ”

“ Leaving out the Farn Island date as exceptional, [10] we find the regular migration of this species to have commenced on Oct. 25th and finished Dec. 20th—fifty-seven days.
[10] In a note to Yarrell's 'British Birds' (vol. ii., p. 6, 4th ed.) , Prof. Newton cites, on my authority, the occurrence of a Snow Bunting on the Lincolnshire coast on Sept. 16th, 1875, as perhaps the earliest date for England. The Farn Island bird must now take precedence by eleven days.—J. C.
Chaffinch, Fringilla cœlebs.—Has occurred at several stations, and both north and south of the Humber. ”

“ Martin, Hirundo urbica.—Martins are noticed at two stations only, viz., Butt of Lewis and Corsewall. The migration lasted between July 29th and Aug. 16th, or during eighteen days (but data are defective) . They travelled during the day, resting around the lighthouses at night, with S. to S.E. and S.W. winds; the only one killed was when wind was N.N.E., at Corsewall.
Wren.—The records are few of this species: usually noticed on migration in large numbers; they appeared at Monach Island and Dhuheartach. ”

“ Yellowhammer.—At Lamlash on Aug. 17th, one struck at 10 a.m., in light W. wind, and fog.
Snow Bunting.—At Monach Island, farthest north recorded, and at Dhuheartach and Corsewall. Earliest appearance Sept. 19th, when a flock was seen at Monach Island at noon, with S.W. light wind, and clear weather. Latest date Dec. 10th, when one was caught at Corsewall at 10 p.m.; wind variable, light, and haze; thus, time occupied was eighty-two days. A. rush took place probably about Sept. 19th, when a flock was seen at Monach Island,—but our data are scanty,—and another about Nov. ”

“ The Short-eared -174- Owl occurs only at Teesmouth; on Sept. 29th one passed at daybreak, one on Oct. 1st at 7 a.m., and another on the 16th at 3 p.m.
I saw the first Short-eared Owl on the Lincolnshire coast on Oct. 30th. Twelve were seen at Spurn the same morning. It thus appears that the migration of this species has extended just over a month, from Sept. 29th to Oct. 30th.
Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola.—At the Galloper on Sept. 13th, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., hazy, 200 to 300 birds, mostly Flycatchers; twenty killed against glass of lantern. ”

“ Rushes took place more frequently than with most species noted; thus, Sept. 19th, Oct. 12th to 25th, and Nov. 11th and 17th, may all be characterised as dates of rushes. The most favoured localities were Corsewall and Portpatrick, for frequency of records; and Ardnamurchan Point, Dhuheartach, Portpatrick, and Point of Ayr, for numbers of individuals. Starlings do not seem to have any choice of wind, as far as returns show. We find them migrating with N., W., and S.E. winds in almost equal proportions, with a preference—but very slight—to W. winds. ”

“ Edgar supplies the general information that the Solan Geese pass the station, arriving first in May, and leaving in the latter end of October, but giving no particulars as to direction of flight. At Mull of Galloway Solan Geese are reported as passing, on July 19th, in flocks. Mr. N. B. Morrison reports as follows:—"Saw them flying past to W.S.W. in wedge-shaped flocks as if on a passage, or changing locality." This was during the forenoon; wind S., light, and haze. "At 1 p.m. it began to rain, and continued for twenty-four hours; rain guage at 9 a.m. of 20th, 1·72 inches. ”

“ Our observers have not usually reported the direction taken by the migrants, but there are enough data to prove the above lines. It would appear, therefore, that birds when passing from east to west often overshoot the land, and are compelled to turn back upon a new course, according to the direction of the wind. ”

“ Others occurred in November and December at Rhuvaal and Devaar. At Rhuvaal, between Nov. 1st and 30th, three or four hundred Ducks passed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind variable, light, and showery weather. Most of the migration seems to have been observed through the day. In none of the reports are the species identified, being described as either "Ducks" or "Wild Ducks." ”

“ At Heligoland this year there have been no young Starlings during July; Mr. Gätke says he may perhaps have seen a hundred, and this is all.
[13] This bears out Mr. Gätke's observation in a letter dated Heligoland, 1879, when he says, "Hundreds of thousands of young Starlings from end of June to end of July. Hundreds of thousands of old birds during October, November, and later; young and old strictly divided in their migrations."
Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix; Rook, C. frugilegus; Daw, C. monedula.—The migration of Rooks is not noted on the English coast north of the Humber ”

“ Heron, Ardea cinerea.—At Girdleness on October 23rd two Herons were seen at 3.30 p.m., wind S.W., clear.
Curlew, Numenius arquata.—Only three records, one of which no doubt refers to local migration or to late spring or summer. On June 29th a flock was seen at Pentland Skerries at 7.40 p.m. At Sumburgh Head, on July 30th, "a number crying very loud" were heard about 11 a.m., wind W.S.W. (gale on Aug. 1st) , with haze and rain. At Pentland Skerries, on Dec. 11th, a flock was noted at 7.40 p.m. during light W. wind and clear. ”

“ A few struck lantern-lights and flew off again; sexes not made out. A perceptible increase in our birds at inland localities took place about this time, and notes on migration taken at various inland localities corroborate the rush at coast stations. Curlews were seen passing inland on March 6th for first time. Great Tits much increased in numbers, as also Chaffinches, Starlings, Thrushes, Blackbirds, &c. ”

“ On the 24th a large Redpoll was shot, which Mr. Gätke thinks can only be the Greenland bird, Linota Hornemanni.
A summary of the various returns show that four species, Larks, Starlings, Rooks and Hooded Crows, in the order given respectively, far outnumber any other, and of these four the Lark far exceeds the rest in migratory numbers. As a rule, the lines of migration followed have been from E. to W., or S.E. to N.W. direct on to the English coast. To the middle of October we find birds rarely coming from points north of east ”

“ On 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, -202- very strong breeze, and showers; wind W.N.W. to S.W." Again at same station (Mull of Galloway) flocks continued passing all day; wind S.E., fresh, fog, and rain, flying in same direction. On 8th and 9th, wind S., gale; 10th, wind W., strong. In a later note Mr. M'Gill believes "that the Solan Geese strike the land first at Cape Wrath," and that the Geese which pass it are from Suliskerry.
On the west coast of Scotland, also, many observers make particular mention of the scarcity of autumnal migrants in 1879. ”

“ The earliest date is Aug. 17th (passing N.W.) , and the latest Dec. 15th (twenty-four passing W., at Sound of Mull) . A migratory movement is thus seen to have extended over one hundred and nineteen days. A rush took place on Oct. 20th and 21st, at Sound of Mull and M'Arthur's Head; and again on December 18th, 14th and 15th, at Monach Island, M'Arthur's Head, and Sound of Mull -199- respectively; the direction of their flight was usually W. or N.W. On Dec. 13th a flock passed S.; most passed with a S., S.S.W. or S.W. breeze, in cloudy or clear weather; in two instances with a N.W. wind. ”

“ The length of time occupied in migration was between Sept. 17th and Dec. 3rd. "Rushes" of migrants took place between Oct. 15th and 21st, but the reports are very meagre, being in most cases instanced by single birds striking at North Ronaldshay, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Again a rush between Nov. 11th and 19th at North Ronaldshay and Girdleness; and again between Dec. 1st and 3rd at North Ronaldshay and Tarbet Ness. In two cases only have more than single birds been recorded. The migration took place principally when the wind was between S. and W. ”