Richard Manliffe Barrington

“ On the 11th, Whimbrel arrived, and, along with Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, and Whitethroats, struck against the Nash lantern. The weather entirely broke up on the 15th, and thunderstorms began to prevail. The 19th and 20th were very cold, and at night slight ground frosts occurred in several localities. During this spell of rough weather a number of summer birds were recorded as emigrating—Swifts, Swallows, Martins, Warblers, Flycatchers, and Land Rails. The weather then mended, and became fine and hot, and little migration appears to be recorded for the latter days of the month. ”

“ Some light-keepers are more fortunately situated than others, and the excellence of a schedule is to some extent dependent on locality. At the same time at a bad station a watchful observer can often supply notes which enable us to comprehend more clearly the range over which the movements of certain species extend. ”

“ The data from light stations is too scanty to speak positively; but, unlike the Snow Bunting, the Brambling and Siskin seem to have no preference for the N. and N.W. coasts. "Linnets" is a term which has appeared in reports from the commencement. It occasionally includes, there is little doubt, other birds besides the Grey Linnet. Not a single leg or wing of the Grey Linnet has yet been received. The Bullfinch is seldom alluded to, and so far—using only the Irish migration reports—there is little or no evidence that it migrates at all. ”

“ Chickens Rock L.H., very great flock of Thrushes, Fieldfares, Larks, Linnets, Blackbirds, Starlings, Lapwings, Curlews, and a few Goldcrests, from about an hour after lighting time till the light was extinguished. A great number struck the dome of lantern and were killed, falling into the sea. Mr Black says—"The flocks are most dense to-night, and are all mixed together. It is no use trying to give numbers. ”

“ The autumn rushes of most species were on a larger scale than usual, and between the 10th and 13th of November the greatest migratory movement yet recorded on the Irish coast took place. As usual the S.E. stations experienced the rush most, but it was felt on the W. coast also. At the Tuskar countless numbers of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Starlings passed. Chaffinches and Larks and other birds in smaller numbers accompanied them. ”

“ This lasted until the 9th, and during its prevalence not unimportant movements occurred from the 5th to the 9th, when Larks, Thrushes, Ring Ouzels, Finches, Warblers of several species, Swallows, and Gold crests appeared at the lanterns. After the 9th a period of very unsettled cyclonic weather ensued; the wind became northerly and increased in force, and showers of snow, sleet, or cold rain continued to fall over the United Kingdom; and cold and unsettled weather continued with us until nearly the middle of the month, with no migration. ”

“ Best winds are S. to S.E. to bring the most birds. On October 9th, 1000's of Puffins appeared "flying North;" Iceland Gull on 10th; six Choughs seen on island on 16th, no doubt local birds. Heavy returns from October 19th onwards to 25th, of Larks and Starlings. Local visitation of Rooks owing to shooting going on - 64 - through the island, and their leaving the rookeries at Bridgend, etc.; also Jackdaws. No great migration recorded in November of small land birds. (Compare with Monach Isles returns.) ”

“ Their regular occurrence along and over all our coasts, at all seasons, and independent of breeding stations, makes statistics of a value difficult to ascertain. But one thing seems quite certain, their migrations, local movements, curious presence at all points, and at all times, is not dependent upon the movements of deep-sea fishes. The Heron's food-supplies are of a much more cosmopolitan nature, and he finds that which he requires to keep him at all seasons, in all weathers, at all tides ”

“ Even trained ornithologists might readily err in distinguishing species flying past or around the lanterns, and it cannot be too strongly impressed on the light-keepers that it is of vital importance to send a leg and wing of at least one specimen of every species killed striking. Uncommon birds should be forwarded in the flesh. ”

“ February 19th, two small Royal Gulls, all day. April 12th, two Royal Gulls, last year's birds; 30th, a small Gull. November 10th, several Gulls about rock; also four "large, light-grey Gulls, not so light as the Iceland Gull; flew very sluggishly;" wind light S.E.; 20th, several flocks of Gulls flying high to N.W.; clear, wind light N.W. December 1st, two Great Black-backed Gulls about rock; 5th, a pet Gull about rock, first time this winter; comes every winter, and is very tame and fed regularly; 6th, several Gulls all day flying N.W. ”

“ The greatest number perhaps on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October. Throughout September there was a steady and almost daily increasing migration observed at East Coast stations, but from the 29th and throughout October to November 3d, there was an almost continuous night and day rush of immigrants, the chief of those recorded being Crows, Rooks, Daws, Starlings, Larks, Chaffinches, Linnets, and Sparrows. In fact, during this time much the greater proportion of the entries in the schedules consists of a weary reiteration of these readily distinguished species. ”

“ They are twenty miles apart, and both about nine miles from shore. There is no land to the westward nearer than America. On both occasions the birds are said to have appeared tired. On April 12th, a Hoopoe was shot at Eagle Island, E. (Mr Daniel Hawkins) , off Mayo, and forwarded in the flesh.
From Blackrock (Mayo) , Mr Edward Rohu forwarded a Turtle Dove—a rare and unexpected visitor in such a locality. From the Tearaght, Co. Kerry (Mr F. Ryan) , the skin of a Spotted Crake—very rare in Ireland—was sent. Bird caught August 21st. ”

“ A Manx Shearwater is reported as caught on the lantern on the 20th April, and another was seen next morning. They are the first of the kind the keepers ever remember seeing. The occurrence thus makes it appear that Manx Shearwaters probably pair early, if they do not pair for life.
On August 2d, clouds of Midges round the lantern; and on 13th, from twenty to thirty Daddy-longlegs were captured. This season the very worst for Caterpillars (or "Kail-worm") . Glass rarely below 60° on the N. side at midnight, and again as warm on 10th September. ”

“ On November 4th Mr Agnew reports the rushes of migrants as "very extraordinary." "That of yesterday larger than that of 1st," and in moonlight and clear. The advanced guard were Starlings from N.E., flying down the coast line, with wind "on the port bow." [Note.—Mr Agnew's notes are so voluminous and so interesting, that I hope some way may be found to utilise them more fully. Many letters deserve a better fate than oblivion. A great variety of species participated in this rush, including Woodcock.—J. A. H.-B.]
Barra Head.—Mr Chas. ”

“ Breed. Make for shore in winter at night—only with us during the day. Fewer land birds in 1887 than in most seasons, except greater numbers of Linnets (Twites?) in day time. Stormy Petrels were the most persistent night-callers we had. More Cormorants than usual in winter and more Eider Ducks than in former years. No Swans seen to date of 31st December 1887. Strange fact noted: No Solan Geese seen between October 28th and November 20th, although for certain there were plenty of fish about, and the weather fine."
Under date of March 7th, Mr Nichol in a letter describes a whale chase. ”

“ Blackrock, Mayo.—April 29th, one at lantern, 1 A.M.; wind fresh N.E. September 3d, "used to breed here in large numbers, but owing to mice, a cat was introduced, and I don't think there are over one dozen Petrels breeding this year. I have often counted twelve pair of Petrel's wings and tails in the morning—killed by the cat. They are easily captured."
Slyne Head, S.—October 20th, one killed striking. ”

“ We have had a number of schedules entirely devoted to Gannets at some of the more prominent stations, and these, with other accounts already published, will at some future date constitute material for a very thorough treatment of the movements of the species, and their relations to the migrations of the Herring. ”

“ Iceland Gull seen at head of Lochindaul on the 9th of February 1888 (in lit. 15th February 1888.)
Lochindaul: Islay.—Mr James Edgar sends eight carefully filled and interesting schedules. Reports a Shearwater at the lantern on 21st April; it rested all night. [No doubt the same bird seen the day before at Rhinns of Islay along with the one which was killed. This is interesting, as showing a line of flight and the certainty bright lights have of luring birds to them.—J. A. H.-B.]
Lamlash.—Unsigned: one small return of five entries, between March 10th and September 17th, of Curlews, Thrush. ”

“ October 8th.—Skerries Rock L.H., several flocks of Linnets at 8 A.M. flying N.W. One Chaffinch on island at 2.30 P.M. (N.E., 5; C. G. V.) South Stack L.H., Starlings, Larks, Finches, and Linnets in continuous flocks to N.W. from 7 A.M. till noon. Eddystone L.H., small birds crossing E. in small flocks all day—chiefly Linnets. (Light and variable; gloomy and misty.) Birds crossing all night—Lapwings, Thrushes, Ouzels, Storm Petrels; also several small birds, a Robin amongst them, busy eating moths, of which there were scores against the glazing. ”

“ On the 3d and 4th, extraordinary rushes of summer immigrants occurred at the Eddystone and Nash stations (and at Helwick on the 4th) , when Wheatears, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Willow Wrens, Wood Warblers, Blackcaps, Reed Warblers, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, and Swallows were killed—some in considerable numbers—at the lanterns. On the 16th and 18th, in varying weather, there were arrivals of summer and transient birds at the S.W. stations. Conditions afterwards were most unsettled until the 24th, the weather being wretchedly cold and rough. ”

“ Lucifer Shoals Light-ship.—October 16th, at lantern all night; several killed striking; flocks in daytime going N.W.; 26th, one at lantern; 28th, flock going N.W. November 24th, several at lantern, 4.30 A.M.; wind N.W., clear.
Arklow South Light-ship.—February 28th, flock going N.E., 6 P.M. March 2d and 3d, about lantern, midnight to 4 A.M.; two killed striking; cloudy. October 21st, about lantern, 12 to 3 A.M.; one killed striking; gloomy: also, 10 P.M. to 7 A.M. on 22d, about lantern; cloudy; some killed; 25th, one; 26th, some at lantern, 3 to 4 A.M.; gloomy; wind S.W., strong. ”

“ Slyne Head, S.—November 12th, two killed striking; 13th, two on island. December 22d, one picked up dead.
Arran Island, N.—December 16th, two at 8 A.M.
"Sand Larks."
Fastnet.—February 20th, about fifty "Sand Larks" on rock. These birds are regular visitors at intervals. March 5th, large numbers of "Sand Larks" at 10 A.M. feeding on rock; wind light S.E., hazy; 20th, twelve all day; wind light S.E. April 10th, six. October 9th, six on rock; 20th, four; 21st, numbers about light at night; clear. November 17th, numbers about light, 10 P.M. to midnight; hazy. ”

“ October 16th, two killed striking; wind light N.E., clear. [Leg and wing received.] 17th, twelve on rock, three killed striking; wind light, clear. [Leg and wing received.] 20th, some on rock all day; wind S., light; 22d, three at lantern; wind fresh, clear; 23d, 24th, 25th, and 30th, a few in daytime; wind strong, variable. November 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th, Chaffinches; two or three entered daily; seem to have accompanied the tremendous rush of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Starlings, which took place in November 1887 at the Tuskar. ”

“ A very strongly pronounced movement was also observed at Hanois L.H., Guernsey, on May 2d. The weather, in the first instance, being rainy and unsettled in S.E., and very cold over England with N.E. winds. On the 30th, thunderstorm in S.W. of France, with very cold, unsettled, and rainy weather generally in the south.
Various shorebirds and waders were observed passing down the coast from S. to N., on May 12th and subsequently. - 57 - A Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) was killed at the Cockle L.V. on the night of May 21st; another at the Goodwin L.V. on the night of October 16th. ”

“ March.—Stations are: Skerryvore (one) , and Dhuheartach (one) . Rhinns of Islay, a few records of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Redwings. "Rush" at Ailsa Craig on 11th; strong N.E. breeze, snow. Little Ross, scattered records between 1st and 26th of Thrushes and Blackbirds.
April.—Only record is of two Fieldfares at Little Ross on 20th. Nothing in May to September—intermittent of Thrushes, only four dates at four places, viz., Barra Head, Kyleakin, Dhuheartach, and Corsewall.
October.—Numbers travelling, yet not so very densely. Rush of Thrushes on 16th at Corsewall. ”

“ November.—Stations:—Butt of Lewis, Monach, Lochindaul, and Ailsa for Snow Buntings; "many" at the latter on 27th. Scarcely any migration seen after November.
Alaudidæ.—Trifling in January and March; September, large flocks at Monach on 23d; April (Monach) . Numbers in February at several stations [I suspect these are mostly very local flights.—J. A. H.-B.] ; a few in March, early leading up. A great rush daily by 28th, at Rhinns of Islay; 11th, at Ailsa (rush) ; 31st, at Lochindaul, daily. ”

“ Mr Nichol relates another whale hunt at Unst, on Wednesday, 28th September 1887. Also unsuccessful.
I must pay a passing tribute to the admirable schedules sent in by Mr Nichol, including two entirely devoted, as requested, - 4 - to movements of Solan Geese, which are sure to yield, some day, valuable information.
Sumburgh Head.—Mr James Youngclause.—A very short single schedule. Birds very scarce. Greenfinch found dead on 9th December. Mentions residents there, which may yet be utilised for minute records of distribution. Arrival and departure of rock birds—not one seen after the 12th August. ”