Richard Manliffe Barrington

“ I notice a visible decrease annually in the numbers of both land and sea birds, a decrease attributed to the island not being so quiet as it was some years ago, before the lighthouse was built, when the birds had the island all to themselves, and there was no one residing on it, but was only used by the natives for grazing purposes. Now the keepers and their families going round the island, the small birds are disturbed at the period of incubation.
"In January and February a few Terns, Snow Buntings, Twites, and Rock Pipits struck the lantern, the wind being south. ”

“ The easterly winds referred to occur throughout all the dates where any occurrences are recorded, viz., on the 4th and 15th September, October 4th, 5th, to 9th, and January 7th, 1887, at which latter date a "great rush" of Larks, coming from the N.W. and going S.E., is recorded. Again, the October 4th, 5th, and 6th rush is distinctly recorded. Not a single record is entered under a westerly wind. They naturally pick up (catch up) the trend of - 65 - the coast south of Clyde in any winds, but normal westerly winds may—and do—confine them to normal routes more than easterly winds do. ”

“ There was snow, with a very strong wind. At Rathlin O'Birne (West Donegal) immense flocks of birds—Starlings, Thrushes, and Fieldfares—passed west December 18th to 23d. The nearest land to the west of this rocky island is America, and one is puzzled to know where the birds were going; but this is not an isolated occurrence—the westerly flight of land birds at stations off the west coast of Ireland has been noticed on other occasions. ”

“ Thus, whilst only 1, 2, or 3 birds struck, or were seen at the lantern all through the season, a spring movement was more observable about the 10th February; and the autumn migration rush was emphasised by 13 birds at the lantern on the famous 5th and 6th October, and 5 the following night. Thus, comparatively speaking, the rush was also apparent on that date as elsewhere. All returns at other dates are light. ”

“ It seems probable, however, from a careful examination of the records, that the right wing at least of these Irish migrants extends as far south as the Land's-End stations, and those from Land's-End to Start Point. This is made evident by the several independent—if they may be so termed—and important movements which are recorded in the diary, for this portion of the coast alone, under the following dates; August 22d, September 3d, and October 24th, 25th, and 26th, and which not only indicate the route followed, but also its origin (Ireland) , by reason of the circumscribed area affected. ”

“ Those migrants, which in the autumn follow the East Coast from north to south, pass directly from the Spurn to the Lincolnshire coast without entering the Humber; and there are no indications that they follow the shores of the Wash in and out, but shape their course from about Gibraltar Point to the Norfolk coast. ”

“ Gulls seen off Blackrock, Mayo, November 5th, and also seen in August 1881, April and May 1882, and October 11th, 1884 (see Report, 1884, p. 181) , were probably Iceland Gulls. The Gannet is well known to every light-keeper, and its movements are not likely to be confounded with any other bird. The entries, therefore, under it may be examined with confidence. Species which are ill-defined, or named with doubtful accuracy in the Report, are put in in inverted commas. In Ireland birds are far less numerous than in Great Britain, and their movements are less distinctly marked. ”

“ In May, Tysties at Lochindaul on the 20th, and Puffins—twenty—flying west on 2d, at Kyleakin. In June, great numbers all day of Razorbills fishing around Lochindaul. In August a few all day on 28th at same place. In September, one young Tystie on 15th at Dhuheartach, "eating fish on the rocks." In October on 19th and 21st continuous flocks, 6 to 10 A.M., N., light, clear, flying south. This "rush" of sea birds is almost as sudden and remarkable as that of our land birds this year. A few still found in December at Skervuile. No notices South of Clyde. ”

“ Any doubts which may exist about a species will be removed if the light-keepers send a leg and wing of every bird killed striking, with the schedule, in the envelopes provided for this purpose.
The stations sending most specimens were the Tuskar, Rockabill, and Mine Head; but they were also received from eleven others. The rarities received were numerous. Mr Thomas Fortune sent the second Irish specimen of the Wryneck from Arran Island, N., Co. Galway, killed striking at 2 A.M. on October 6th. The first specimen was shot at Dunmore, Co. Waterford, October 5th, 1877. ”

“ Thousands of Black Backed Gulls and other Gulls on 14th September at Rhinns of Islay. "Dirty Allens" at Dhuheartach on 31st October, and all November numbers of Gulls at Skervuile. Iceland Gulls at Dhuheartach on 12th December, and again at Rhinns of Islay on 7th.
Terns arrived on 20th May at Barra Head, and a flock stayed a week at Little Ross and then left, after the 14th June. There are only a few scattered records in autumn. The curious unsettled behaviour of Terns, whether Arctic or Common, is a subject worthy of remark during their breeding season. ”

“ The two men, however, whose special duty will be in the light-room, may take up the subject, and do something; but I would say—be very thankful for what you have already got from Isle of May." In a later letter (26th October) , Mr Agnew says: "I am now almost convinced that few birds will come near the lantern, the revolutions are so quick, viz., eight flashes in the minute. We can see the birds going round with the rays, and though they make a dash at the lantern, before they reach it the light leaves them, and they turn round after it again, and repeat the same. ”

“ On the 24th the system covered the North Sea, England, and the north-western half of France. For a day or two more the anticyclone grew higher, temperature became very low over - 101 - the inland counties as the anticyclone increased, so that early on the 24th minima were recorded as low as 27°. The centre of the system now moved westward, and the temperature rose decidedly. On the 25th the anticyclone moved to the westward of Ireland, and had afterwards decreased in intensity. The winds during its prevalence were light to moderate at most of the coast stations, calm inland ”

“ As usual Rooks, Daws, Hooded Crows, Starlings, and Larks, occupy a considerable portion of the schedules. Chaffinches also have crossed in extraordinary numbers. They are always - 51 - numerous, but this autumn their migration has been in considerable excess of previous years. With these exceptions, however, there has been a singular and very marked falling off in some species whose breeding range lies chiefly in the north of Europe. This is specially noticeable in the small arrivals recorded of Fieldfares, Redwings, Ring Ouzels, Bramblings, Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owls, and Woodcocks. ”

“ The light has been revolving for the last two months with the oil lamp, and though some birds have come to the lantern, I don't think, considering the numbers of birds, so many have struck as heretofore. But as I am leaving this, I very much fear the reports will be very meagre in future, if there be any at all. The man who succeeds me has been here for a month or more, and he seems to have no notion of the matter, and has never interested himself in it ”

“ In the Cheviots I - 52 - have observed, for two years in succession, that the streams of small migrants from Scotland follow those main valleys which run nearest north and south, sticking closely to the lowest levels, where the brushwood and bracken beds offer greater privacy and security than the bare fell sides. Birds also, when migrating, follow from choice low-lying tracks of land and river courses in preference to elevated plateau and the summit line of mountain ranges. ”

“ On the 9th September we had a severe gale—wind variable—and the island is quite deserted by land birds, the only ones remaining being a few Twites. I caught several during the gale dying from exposure. The only sea birds I can see are a few Gannets fishing for food; but they too leave in the evening in the direction of Barra. A few pairs of Curlews and a few Herring Gulls returned with their young. On the 17th September I observed a solitary Heron feeding around the shore ”

“ Corsewall.—An unsigned schedule, well filled and neatly executed, to hand, dating February 4th to October 29th, shows an early spring migration, also in February, of Starlings, Thrushes, and Larks; and "a great rush" of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Larks (both male and female) , and Goldcrests, began to strike at 9 P.M., and continued till daylight. A great many killed of all kinds. ”

“ Curiously enough there are no records made of movements at Isle of May; but at Pentland Skerries, and again at Fidra, very full notice is taken. No records in November. Only one in December at Pentland Skerries.
Procellariidæ.—Petrels, Stormy Petrel.—The Stormy Petrels often appear at lanterns at night in midsummer, but this is in all probability merely a local movement. Being nocturnal in their habits, and abroad only at night, certain lighthouses lure them to their light more readily than others, owing to proximity to breeding stations or lines of flight to and from their feeding grounds. ”

“ Visit Isle of May for some weeks in February, and remain in still larger numbers till late in March, but decreasing again in April. Preparing to breed at Fidra by 16th April. Breeds also at Isle of May, but cannot quite be looked upon as a resident there. Nests found on Fidra in June. Flocks of young every day at Isle of May in August. Rush did not take place till 5th at Fidra, 28th at Isle of May. Seemed to be collecting for some time previous to great rush on 28th. First autumn movement noticed at N. Unst was not till 10th to 12th November; then seen daily. ”

“ Since filling up this schedule (to date of 25th October) , have been told that on 29th October three large Swans rested on the Loch of Cliff on their way south. November 5th.—One Eagle shot near Holderswick measured across the wings seven feet. A Woodpecker seen at Baltasound. When fish seem plentiful about the rock, Common Gulls are in abundance; occasionally Herring Gulls and Iceland Gulls, Black-backed Gulls, Common Skua Gull, of which a few breed at Unst. On shore at the Loch of Cliff, throughout the autumn, a Herring Bird, some Plovers, Curlews, Snipes, and Wild Ducks. ”

“ Puffins are fewer in number this year than in former times. September.—Much greater movements in September 1886 than has been in former years. I am told that on an island four miles to the west of us Pictarnies breed in great numbers. None ever come near us." Mr J. N. sends one schedule devoted entirely to Solan Geese, and adds the note: "We do not see greater numbers together than twenty at a time, and down to one. General occupation is fishing; but flocks on 11th, 13th, and 14th October were - 3 - supposed to be migrating right away." ”

“ The above are the only species which breed regularly here. The Herring Gull and Grey Crow build some seasons, but not this year. I have heard it said the Snipe breeds also, but I have never seen the nest during the last five years—the time I have been at this station.
"I take little notice of Solans in the schedules, as I may say they have been going past all season in all weathers, and I still see some going east yet (29th September) ." (See also under Mull of Galloway, West Coast, visited by Mr G. on his holiday, 16th August to 6th September.) ”

“ M'Guffie send us four well-filled bulky schedules, as Dhuheartach has, along with Skerryvore, participated in the rush of 5th and 6th October, which appears to have been so universal all over the East Coast also. By the schedules the species appear to have been much the same as at Skerryvore—Larks, Mavis (many young) , Goldcrests, Snipe, Fieldfare, Wheatear, Robins, Firetails - 62 - (Redstarts) , Starlings, Blackbirds, young Swallows, and several Lapwings—the Larks predominating by hundreds, and the Mavis by tens over the others, so far as observed. ”

“ In March, one do. on 24th at same place. In April, no records. In May, two at Lochindaul on 7th, and on 10th at Kyleakin. No more records of G. N. Divers till 23d October, when one was seen at Rona, Skye, "swimming round the island." Then, 16th November, at Skervuile, and December 26th at same place.
By collecting careful notes on the appearance, residence on our coasts, and departure from different stations, much might be learned of the reason why some northern species remain to breed some seasons more than others, or remain longer resident into the summer months. ”

“ October again has largest number. Species noted are Peregrine ("or Falcon") , "Hawks," Kestrel (daily for a week at N. Unst) , Sparrow Hawk, Large Hawks (Bell Rock, 19th October) ; "flying W.," etc.
Of Cormorants we have spring records in April at N. Unst, daily fishing. Daily records at same place in September between 1st and 9th, about four or five pairs. One pair breeds regularly, and rears young at N. Unst (noted 11th July 1886) . Also at Fidra—six birds to twelve—from 6th to 29th (three records) . ”

“ They often occupy and then abandon their nesting places, apparently without any reason, for it is not always that they leave on account of persecution, though they are much more easily affected by persecution than almost any other sea birds. ”

“ Comparisons are said to be invidious, but we are quite sure none of his fellow-keepers will grudge him the fullest praise which our Migration Committee can accord. Mr Cordeaux says (16th Oct. 1886) : "I am much concerned that Agnew is leaving the Isle of May." We do not undervalue the observations of any of our reporters, many of whom have not the opportunities of observation which others have; but we can point to a good many more of the lighthouse keepers, both at the best stations and at the least frequented, who, according to their opportunities, are not far behind Mr Agnew, if at all ”