Richard Manliffe Barrington

“ James Ewing, of Dhuheartach, says of the spring migration and the long-continued east winds:—"A few Larks in March, and some Stonechats in the first days of April, are all that we have seen of the spring migration. I am convinced that a change of wind happening during the migratory season tends more to lead the birds astray than strong breezes. It will be interesting to note if there is any increase during this autumn, as our light, which was red towards Mull, has been changed to a white occulting light." ”

“ The work will not be limited to the accumulation of records of the times of arrival and departure of the different species, but will embrace the collection of all data that may aid in determining the causes which influence the progress of migration from season to season. For example, severe storms, gales of wind, protracted periods of unusually high or low temperature (for the locality and time of year) are among the atmospheric conditions that are known to exert marked effects upon the movements of birds. ”

“ We now come to the autumn movement, if we take the same dates as for many land birds; but this is apt to be mixed up with the later summer movements of old and young birds, and therefore we will keep July by itself. All the records here relate, as before, to Pentland Skerries. An equally exact record from each salient or conspicuous station round our coasts could not fail to give us exact knowledge as regards the movements of sea-fowl, or rather of rock birds. ”

“ Birds seem rarely to fly directly with the wind. Attention is drawn to this point in order to have it confirmed or otherwise.
In order to diminish the errors in the identification of species the light-keepers have been instructed to forward, when possible, a leg and wing of every bird about which they are doubtful, and we trust they will do so.
Some entries seem very improbable, and others are isolated and apparently valueless. When records accumulate, both may prove useful. ”

“ The first great rush of birds on the English coast was on Sept. 21st, and two following days; and a similar great movement or rush is indicated in Mr. Gätke's notes from his island outpost, as well as on our more distant light-ships. The prevailing winds on the North Sea on Sept. 21st were moderate north-easterly and easterly off the coasts of Denmark and Holland, blowing strong easterly on to our northern coasts north of the Humber, with southerly and south-westerly off the southeast -60- coasts, causing cross-currents over the North sea. ”

“ The ordinary papers were sent to thirty stations on the East Coast of Scotland, Faroe, and Iceland, as in former years. Twelve stations on this coast have sent in forty-two schedules out of the twenty-six E.C. stations of Scotland. All returns are much lighter than in 1882, and this is more readily noticed when we compare the numbers of schedules returned from our principal stations. Thus, from Sumburgh Head we have three; from Pentland Skerries twelve (three more than in 1882) ; from Bell -5- Rock two; and from Isle of May only ten, as against nineteen in 1882. ”

“ In November Carrion and Hooded Crows attended the rush of migrants on 1st, coming from the north. On the 3rd the Isle of May was literally swarming with birds, and on the 9th Jackdaws, two in number, reappeared; light W., clear. In December, at Sumburgh Head, two "large Black Crows" (Carrion Crows?) , or, as the natives call them, "Scotch Crows"; strong breeze and hail showers. A very regular local migration of Crows or Rooks takes place day after day past Chanonry from and to Nairn, feeding in the morning and back at night. At Sumburgh Head Grey Crows are seen almost daily. ”

“ The number of migrants passing in the autumn seems to have been greater than usual. A great rush of Thrushes (including probably Redwings) , Blackbirds, and Starlings, took place at our south eastern and southern stations between Oct. 25th and Nov. 2nd—notably at the Tuskar, on the Wexford coast, which is the best Irish station. Smaller rushes of these and other birds are also recorded, but it is premature at present to analyse the movements of each species or the dates on which they occurred. After a few years conclusions will be far more satisfactory. ”

“ One bird Mr. Agnew "feels almost sure was a Goshawk, and not a Sparrowhawk." The rush, if any, would appear to be in September, but its faintness precludes us from any feeling of certainty. A late schedule from Sumburgh Head contains record of an Eagle ["Silver-crested Eagle"; probably the Sea Eagle] wounded at Fitful Head by Mr. Birnie. At 11.15 a.m. on January 29th, 1884, this bird landed on the high rocks, half a mile north of the Read. Mr. Birnie says it cannot live long, as it was severely wounded. Mr. Birnie is employed by the landed proprietors to kill all the birds of prey in Shetland. ”

“ In August five records, three at Isle of May of Sparrowhawk and "Hawks"; one at Pentland Skerries of "Falcon Hawk"; and one at Sumburgh Head of one Large Brown Hawk. The "Falcon Hawk" is described as "hovering," so is more likely a Kestrel Hawk. In September ten records; two at Pentland Skerries, two "Hawks" and one "Game Hawk," and at Isle of May one Sparrowhawk caught at gratings, and a "Hawk." Hawks are usually found attending the rush of small migrants. In October only one record, a Game Hawk at Pentland Skerries; four in November, all at Pentland Skerries. ”

“ It would seem they do not migrate. There are several flocks of birds which seem to fly north the one day and in a few days to fly back to the south; they seem to be the same flocks that have been feeding." From Chanonry Mr. McGill writes:—"Only one bird has struck the lantern since I came here in the summer of 1882, and only two lighted on the lantern. None killed." The returns from this station almost all relate to local movements, but are not on this account less valuable, but rather more so, as giving good opportunity of making comparisons and deductions. ”

“ In autumn the migration was pronounced, and confined principally to October and November. Yet the earliest record we have yet received in Scotland in our schedules occurred on Aug. 28th, at Isle of May, of two Song Thrushes, followed by a single record on Sept. 21st; also at Isle of May, "a few Redwings and Ring Ouzels." Again, passing at present over October and November, only one record in December of a solitary Fieldfare on the 5th; and in January, 1884, a flock on the 7th and three birds on the 22nd, during a wild W. gale. ”

“ Andrew Lyall says, "Very few birds at Rhinns of Islay this season, and not many striking." But the rush at end of October and beginning of November was very marked.
Mr. David Waters has few night records to chronicle, most of his observations being made during the day.
Mr. James Begg, Port Patrick, writes:—"Flocks of migrants very scarce this winter. Great many sea-gulls flying inland and coming back to sea daily. The Gannets commence to go south and return north in flight past this station from March to September in great numbers." ”

“ I believe from the want of small fry. None breed on this island, it being low and flat. Autumn: Birds scarcely ever strike the lantern in consequence of the light appearing in a different direction to the general flight of birds, being also a red light. It is 26 feet above high water, and ten miles from land. I have remarked a greater number of Blackbirds and Starlings this winter than since the great frost of 1880. On Oct. 28th a flock of Wild Duck alighted, apparently much exhausted, and remained a few hours, and went S.E., towards land."—Charles Boyle. ”

“ In bad weather a few Seals frequent the rock, and a quantity of Gulls and Sea Parrots—the latter I have frequently seen killed and eaten by the Royal Gull. The Gannet is here all the year. No birds breed. On Nov. 2nd, from one a.m. to seven a.m., there were killed by striking the lantern twenty-two Thrushes, eleven Blackbirds, four Woodcocks, seventeen Starlings, eight Linnets, five Larks, and seven Robins. ”

“ Mr. Agnew writes:—"The night of Sept. 2nd was very stormy, wind S.E., shifting to N.E., with heavy rain. The birds were all in large numbers throughout the night, except a Blue-throated Warbler, adult, which was solitary." On the 12th, nearly all Wheatears left the Isle of May. On the 4th, at Pentland Skerries, a rush all day with strong N. wind and rain. Indications at Bell Rock very faint throughout. In the vast rush of Turdidæ and other species (see Turdidæ under date) of Nov. 1st, one solitary Wheatear is first recorded, the first notice since Sept. 12th. ”

“ Aug. 20th, only about half a dozen Sea-parrots on the island; left about this date. When they arrive on April 1st they remain perhaps a week on the water before they come on the island; then they mostly rise in one body, and hover some time before they rest. They all go down to the water again when getting dark, except when breeding; those hatching remain. As a rule there is a rush to the island every day about 4 p.m. Sometimes there are two rushes in the day. Their fighting propensities are often put into practice, and when so engaged they can readily be captured ”

“ The opening of the leaves and the flowering of certain plants, with the correlative appearance of a multitude of insects, are also among the factors that have to do with the abundance of many species. ”

“ Clare Island.—"The Eagles still inhabit the cliffs, and have been as usual destructive to young lambs and fowls belonging to the inhabitants. In December they make very bold, and not having sea birds to feed on, are often observed near the villages, principally when the wind is east." ”

“ These light-vessels, as well as those off the mouth of the Thames, are very uniform in their returns, the birds scheduled being the most abundant and commonest of our immigrants, and it is seldom a rare visitor is chronicled. ”

“ No records anywhere given in September. [We trust our reporters bear in mind that we desire movements of even our commonest species, and especially directions of flight.] In October a few records from Butt of Lewis, two killed, but Mr. Thompson considers these part of the residents; also at M'Arthur's Head and Lamlash. If any rush it was on Oct. 30th, and also 29th, when it was noticed at Island Ghlais [28] and at Rhinns of Islay; but the movement appears to have been insignificant. I have a single record in November from Monach Island, and one of a flock in December at Loch Ryan. One species. ”

“ For convenience in collecting and arranging the enormous mass of material which will be accumulated by the joint labours of this army of field workers, it has been deemed advisable to divide the vast expanse of territory embraced in the United States and British North America into thirteen districts, each of which will be placed under the immediate direction of a competent superintendent. ”

“ Whimbrel, "May-bird"; Turnstone, "Dotterel"; Ringed Plover, "Oxbird." On the Essex coast the Whimbrel is a "May-bird" or "Titterel," the latter from its cry; Godwits are "Pream;" Knot, "Marl"; Dunlin, "Oxbird"; Ringed Plover, "Stone-runner." At Spurn the Knot is a "Plover-knot," but on the Lincolnshire coast simply a "Knot". Local names, common to both sides of the Humber, are, Turnstone, "Dotterel" ”

“ Tory Island.—"Autumn: Very few birds past this station. I suppose owing to its being so far out to sea. I am informed that birds pass more frequently the east side of the island. On the islands between this and the mainland large flocks of Barnacle stop during the winter months. I have not seen a Snow Bunting, Snipe, or Starling this season. During heavy frost, snow-birds frequent the island from the mainland, but return as soon as the thaw commences."—Thomas H. Sweeny. ”

“ Twelve Gannets, twenty-four Ducks, six Sea-pies, and twelve Wild Geese are all the birds I have seen for three months."—Patrick Keenan.—"Autumn: I arrived here Sept. 25th, 1883, and saw no birds up to Oct. 15th, save Puffins, Sea Gulls, and Cormorants, and Sand Larks occasionally. Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Larks are rarely seen. Wild Duck do not strike the lantern glass."—Michael Barry.
Rathlin Island.—"April 12th: Blackbirds, Thrushes, Skylarks, Wild Ducks, Redshanks, Pigeons, and 'Sea Coot' seem to remain for the season. ”

“ At Corsewall first observed was on May 11th.
In autumn. Terns, as already stated, left Stornoway in August, but "about ten days later than usual." The last seen at Skervuile was on Sept. 6th. At Sound of Mull, on Sept. 30th, a flock rested for two hours, and then flew away S.E., composed of old and young together. Moderate wind.
An utter absence of records of any Gulls, Skuas, "Boatswains," or any other Laridæ. One or two species?
Procellariidæ.—One record of Storm Petrel at Lismore, where it is accounted very rare, on Oct. 3rd, when one was killed; strong N.W. wind, and haze. One species. ”

“ Then our Committee would have certainty to go by, not merely hypothesis. Mr. Davidson gives me the further information regarding this station, that he observed no further migration since Oct. 30th, the weather being so mild. It is usually before any changes in the weather that we see any birds passing here besides the birds which frequent the locality. The situation of Tarbat Ness is a very high tower, 175 feet, and is joined to farmhouses. It is not much sheltered, the tower being on the bare point. At some seasons great quantities of birds are seen (in lit., Jan. 20th, 1884) . ”

“ Mr. William Wither sends a light schedule from Storr Head, and speaks of the general scarcity of birds there, but at a locality a little more inland birds are plentiful in summer and autumn, and Mr. M'Ivor, teacher there, has kindly offered to keep land-notes another year.
Although so light at Dhuheartach, a considerable migration observed at Skerryvore both in spring and autumn. On Oct. 30th (the date of the universal rush of Thrushes, &c.) Mr. William Crow saw three Bullfinches on the rock, wind S., fresh, and fog, -66- and captured one of them with little difficulty. ”

“ The heaviest rush, observed at the time of a south wind, as compared with other years, at Isle of May, was on Oct. 13th and 14th, a S.E. wind, according to Mr. Agnew, being usually more favourable at that point. This October to November rush is undoubtedly the principal feature of our returns over the whole country. Of the expansion of the fan or wave our returns from both E. and W. coasts give a very fair indication. It seems likely that, although most land-stations have not returned very heavily-laden schedules,—not to compare, for instance, with 1882,—yet, as noticed by Mr. ”