Richard Manliffe Barrington

“ 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. ”

“ On the Tuskar Rock lighthouse I have counted twelve hundred killed in one night, and hundreds more fell into the sea that we did not get. At Rockabill lighthouse also I have got great numbers killed, and frequently four and six Teal or small duck, and Snipe and Woodcock. I have not seen since I came to this station one Wild Duck or Goose, nor any flock of migrating birds. I have kept a good look-out for the last two months, and have not seen any birds except a few Gannets and Sea Gulls."—Thomas McKenna. ”

“ It would almost appear that the great rush of migrants in September on the Bell Rock, and more noticeably on Isle of May, would also account for the collection of birds at stations on the west coast south of the Firth of Clyde, as the dates tally with each other on both coasts, to see which it is only necessary to compare between them under several of the species. ”

“ 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. ”

“ At present we cannot positively state from our present data whether an actual or only an apparent preponderance of birds pass south of the Tweed in autumn. It appears a little curious to find, however, a highway of migration by the Pentland Firth so much further north than the stations mentioned. Writing from North Ronaldshay Mr. Tulloch remarks upon the usual scarcity of birds there, and says "they keep more direct for the mainland"; and he remarks also upon the abundance of birds seen in September and November at Pentland Skerries, where he was lighthouse-keeper for four years. ”

“ Rushes are normal phenomena in the West of Europe, because westerly or north-westerly or southwesterly winds usually prevail there. Regular or more dispersed movements of birds in the West of Europe are abnormal, because easterly winds are abnormal there. In 1880 we had a spread-fan -55- of migration, if I may so express it. In 1879 and 1881, in Scotland, we had a closed-fan of migration. The natural result of the wide-spread fan is continuous streams of migration and no rushes ”

“ Regarding the spring migration, the Bell Rock and the Isle of May have hitherto held their place as yielding the largest returns, and very considerable numerical returns are given for 1881. Now, Sandwich Terns pass every spring up north along the coast of Forfarshire, but shoot off from the land again, and do not breed upon much of the suitable lands they pass over. An occasional pair of birds do remain and breed, as is shown by the nesting of this species on Inch Mickery, in the Firth of Forth, this past season, and on a previous occasion at the same place. ”

“ Blackbirds only seen in frosty weather; some killed by striking lantern. 'Titmouses' seen in all weathers; build on the Rock. Stormy Petrels from March to September, at all hours of the night; build on the Rock. Larks in flocks of 100 to 300, only seen in frosty weather; a large number killed by striking glass. I have seen some strange birds rest here on their passage to the mainland, but do not know their names. I have seen a Hoopoe on one occasion rest here. There has been a species of Sea Gull of a deep cream-colour on the coast last August, supposed to be a North American bird. ”

“ In 1879 there was scarcity of birds at many important stations, such as Butt of Lewis and Monach Island, Skerryvore and Dhuheartach. In that year westerly and N.W. winds prevailed. In 1880 larger numbers were noted. In that year easterly gales and winds prevailed all through the migratory season. In 1879 migrants were scarce at the more northerly stations, being compressed by the westerly winds more towards the south, but in 1880 they reached much further north, being expanded by the following easterly gales and winds, as we have seen in treating of the east coast of Scotland this year. ”

“ They are not very numerous, and seldom visit except from August to the end of October. Very few land-birds visit here, except in severe frosts and snow in winter; then the Starling, Thrush, Blackbird, Lark, &c., come down from the mountains. Hundreds of Starlings, Thrushes, and Curlews died last January in this locality by severe frost and snow. There are not any birds strike this lantern. Very few strike land-lights, but on the South Maiden lighthouse I have seen hundreds of Starlings, Thrushes, and Blackbirds strike and kill themselves in one night, and frequently Snipe and Woodcock. ”

“ From the commencement of August to the end of October the prevailing winds have been from northerly and easterly directions, blowing more or less -39- 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 ”

“ In the same way we know that Grey Plover, Knot, and Bar-tailed Godwit shoot off the land at Spurn Point, as they are obtained there in full breeding dress, but nowhere to the north of it in breeding plumage, except in isolated cases. The routes of spring migrants, while they are usually more direct than those of autumn migrants, are perhaps more difficult to trace, and our statistics as yet are far from perfect. Since the above remarks were penned I have a well-filled schedule from Isle of May relating to the spring migration of 1882, which, however, will be included in our next Report. ”

“ Garret, P.K., writes:—"These birds (Sea Swallows, which breed on the island) seem to take no notice of the fog-horn, while others, such as Starlings, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, &c., keep off while the horn is sounding, so that very few are seen round the lantern now, while formerly, in thick or misty weather during February and November, the lantern-gallery would be full of birds; each on striking would drop into the gallery and remain till daylight, when, if not too much injured, they would fly; but with strong winds a great number, chiefly Starlings, would be killed." ”

“ The season of 1881-82 will long be remembered by east coast ornithologists for the number of rare visitants which have appeared from time to time, driven to westward of their ordinary -42- migration lines by the prevailing winds from N. and N.E. to E. and S.E., generally strong and frequently increasing to a severe gale. The fact of ten Ospreys having been seen or procured has already been mentioned; there were two occurrences of Tengmalm's Owl; the Rustic Bunting at Spurn; Lapp Bunting at Tetney, on Lincolnshire coast ”

“ With a dry hot summer in Northern Europe migration is -41- 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. ”

“ Still we should be glad to hear from these and the other stations that have not reported, and hope that next year all will send in returns, however slight, as "every little helps." Special thanks are due to those who have reported; they have given themselves considerable trouble, which will, however, not be thrown away; and the novelty and interesting nature of the work may in some degree perhaps compensate them for their pains. Mr. Baker writes, from Milford, "It would be a great help if a book could be supplied to different reporters, with a print of the different birds in it." ”

“ 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. ”

“ Blackbirds and "Fieldfares or Mountain Thrushes" striking occasionally between same hours, seven Blackbirds and fifteen Fieldfares killed; many of these birds will die on rock, being too exhausted to leave, particularly Starlings. Rockabill, six Larks, three young Starlings, and one female Blackbird killed in night, wind E., stormy, very dark, Starlings much wasted. Rathlin Island, thirty Linnets, 12 noon, wind fresh S.E., overcast, remained on island. Arran Island North, thirty Gulls different species all day, wind light S.E., gloomy. ”

“ Still the evidence shows that birds, as a rule, migrate with the wind on the shoulder, and not strong. When they do fly with the wind, and the wind strong, it is probably because they have been taken by surprise, and are unable to save themselves.
-78-
IRISH COAST: AUTUMN.
Printed schedules were forwarded to forty light stations around the coast. Thirty stations replied by returning the schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by sending letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds or on their general movements. ”

“ Have not observed birds migrating. No birds struck the lantern this winter. Have not observed the Gannet or other sea birds taking a continuous flight."—Thomas Sweeney.
20. Arranmore.—"Barnacle Geese generally commence to come from the north on the 15th or 16th of October in flocks averaging four to eighty, that being the most counted in one flock. They pass at intervals of from two to twelve hours both day and night until the end of the month, when they cease. They commence to appear again on the 10th or 12th of April, coming from south, but in larger flocks and shorter intervals. ”

“ 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. ”

“ On Dec. 14th, 300 passed S.W. at noon, mod. S.W. breeze, mist, rain; and constant occurrences are noted at this station up to Feb. 7th, 1882. On Dec. 23rd a large flock passed to E., 8.30 a.m., calm; and on 31st, at same hour, a large flock passed to S.E., gentle S.S.E. breeze, fine and clear. On Jan. 16th, 1882, at 7.50 p.m., some struck the lantern, strong S. breeze, misty. At Skerries, on 17th, a great many passed all night, fifteen killed, strong S.W. breeze, mist; and at sunrise large flocks flying towards the land. On 20th, at Hartland Point, one struck, 9 p.m., calm. ”

“ The daily weather-charts show last winter to have been exceptional in the number and violence of the cyclonic disturbances, which moved generally in a north-easterly direction along our west coasts; but the entries in the schedules -79- are too few to generalise or draw any conclusions regarding the influence of the successive storms on the migratory movement. ”

“ That birds profit by experience cannot, I -76- think, be doubted, and I expect that the unrestrained destruction of them along a particular route will gradually effect a change in their ways. I believe that the scarcity now for some years generally noticed may be due in a measure to the ruthless destruction met with at certain points on the Continent in their line of annual flight. ”

“ Where one bird comes every winter and becomes so tame as to eat out of the hand. It arrived this year on Nov. 30th.
Phylloscopinæ.—Gold Crest. No Spring records. Autumn: At Skervuile, Lamlash. Turnberry, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway, Little Ross, and Douglas Head; in other words, mostly in southwest of Scotland. Earliest on Aug. 21st, at Douglas Head, the southernmost on this list (see W.C. of England stations) ; latest Oct. 27th, at Corsewall. No great rush, unless at Mull of Galloway on Oct. 24th, when "numbers flew about lantern all night," and at Little Ross "for a few nights" between Sept. ”

“ At South Stack Gulls are reported as remaining till Aug. 29th. At Bideford hundreds of Common Gulls seen in September. At Bull Point, on Sept. 16th, a Black-backed Gull passed W.S.W., 10.15 a.m.; on 17th, at Morecambe, continuous flocks of Gulls, Black-headed, Grey, and different species. Thence to Oct. 19th. Flocks of Common Gulls and different species are constantly recorded; winds from N.N.E. to S.E. by S. (never directly E. or N., nor indeed N. of E.) ; greatest number Sept. 19th to 22nd inclusive. At Nash, Oct. 13th, a very large flock of Gulls and Crows seen inland from 8 a.m. ”

“ They are not seen after first week in October. "Great numbers" on April 12th at Mull of Galloway. Intermittent in May, except 5th, at Island Glass, when they were seen all day—about thirty-five in all—wind S.S.E. Between 20th and 30th, at Skervuile, flying in all directions, along with Gulls and sea-birds. In July flocks flying north, on 26th, at Cape Wrath, and continued to do so till end of August. Daily average about forty. Flying past all August; flying north on 13th at Portpatrick all day. Great rush flying north in thousands on 3rd, 4th, and 5th at Rhu Stoir. ”