HELIGOLAND.
Ornithological Almanac for 1885.[11]
[11] Contributed by Mr Gätke.
January
1st and 2d.—
3d.—Fringilla chloris, very many. Alauda arvensis and Turdus pilaris, numerous.
4th to 8th.—Guillemots on hatching ridges in rocks by thousands.
9th and 10th.—
11th, evening, N.E.—Extensive migration during the night: Numenius, Char. auratus, Tringa.
12th, N.E., light wind, 1 deg. frost, a little snow.—Fring. chloris, very many; cannabina and montium, fewer; Turdus pilaris, iliacus, merula, and viscivorus, numerous, the latter individually. Anth. pratensis, pretty many; Num. arquata and Char. auratus, all numerous, migrating overhead.
13th, S.E., fine.—Fring. chloris, again very many, twenty at one shot; cannabina and montium, also very many; Turdus pilaris and Alauda arvensis, also very many; Sturnus, fifty to sixty.
14th, N.E., heavy, thick, overcast.—Nothing.
Up to 27th, frost 3-5 deg., fine weather.—During the whole time only stray birds: Sturnus merula, Al. arvensis, Emb. miliaria.
28th, 29th, 30th, S.W., overcast, mild.—Fr. chloris, very many. Merula, pilaris, Sturnus, Al. arvensis, many passing on.
February
1st and 2d.—Nothing.
3d.—Al. arvensis, extraordinary many. Fr. chloris and cannabina, also many. T. merula, musicus, iliacus, also pretty many. Char. auratus, Num. arquata, many passing on.
4th, southerly.—All the above, but considerably fewer. Corv. frugilegus, a swarm of at least one hundred.
Till 9th westerly wind, often fog.—Nothing. 9th, Guillemots in rocks.
10th, 11th, 12th, S.E. and S.—Nothing. Stray merula. Many Fr. chloris.
13th to 17th, S.W., fog.—Turd. viscivorus, ten or twelve on 17th. C. frugilegus, a great flight.
Up to 23d.—Nothing passing.
24th, S.S.W., still, fine weather.—Mot. lugubris, one [male]. Sax. rubicola, several [male]. Anth. rupestris and pratensis. Alauda arvensis, few. Arborea, a couple.
25th, S.W., clear, fine; in evening south.—Corvus monedula, a tolerably great flight. Turd. merula and iliacus, pretty many. Viscivorus, ten to fifteen. Sax. rubicola, [male]. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Al. arvensis, a great many. Arborea, a few. Fring. chloris and cannabina, numerous. Scol. rusticula, one.
26th, S.W., early fog; P.M. clear, fine.—Corv. frugilegus, ten thousands. Cornix, few. Sturnus, many. Merula, few. Alauda passing on overhead. S. rubicola, several Fr. chloris, cannabina, cœlebs, many, particularly the first. F. domesticus, a great flight passing high overhead eastward. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, many. Mot. lugubris, a fine [male]. Char. auratus, vanellus, and hiaticula. Fr. alpina and. Num. arquata all migrating in great numbers.
27th, S., S.S.E. forenoon, fog; P.M. clear, fine.—All the above, but less in number. Mot. lugubris, fine [male].
28th, S.W., still, dense fog.—Corv. frugilegus, flights overhead passing. Sax. rubicola, two in the garden. Mot. lugubris, fine old [male]. Emb. schœniclus, a few. Anser cinereus, seventeen passing low overhead.
March
1st, early, 8 to 9, fog, still; later, N., light, clear; P.M., N.W., fresh.—Merula, early a couple hundreds.
2d.—F. peregrinus, one old bird. Accentor, several in the garden.
3d, S.S.W. to S.E.—F. tinnunculus. Corv. frugilegus, many. Cornix, few. Alauda arvensis, Anth. pratensis and rupestris, few. Fr. cannabina, many. Chloris, fewer. Char. vanellus, ten to fifteen. Auratus, a couple.
4th.—Almost nothing: A few Al. arvensis and alpestris. Emb. schœniclus and nivalis.
5th, N.W., light, overcast.—F. æsalon, one old 6. Corv. frugilegus and Sturnus, not many. Merula, several. Al. arvensis, very many, numerous flights overload passing. Mot. lugubris, a few females and young male. Emb. schœniclus, several. Char. vanellus, thousands. Auratus, hundreds. Hiaticula, twenty to fifty. Num. arquata and Fring. alpina, many. Scol. rusticula, one.
6th, N.E., fresh, little wet snow.—Milvus, one. Sturnus, merula, and scolopax, several. Al. arvensis, several large flights. Ans. albifrons, one, one year old.
7th, N.W. to W., clear, cold 1 deg.—F. æsalon, one [male]. Sturnus and Alauda, stray birds. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, somewhat more.
8th, W., S.W.; in evening fog.—Nothing. A few Mot. lugubris. Few Sturnus. One Woodcock.
9th, N.N.W., windy, cold, now and then fine snow, and clear.—Corv. cornix, little flights. Mot. lugubris, a couple. Two Woodcocks.
10th, N.W., fresh, loose scattered clouds, cold.—Nothing.
11th, N.N.W., fresh; P.M., N.E., clear, cold.—Merula and Sturnus, a few.
12th, W.N.W., slight wind, thick, almost fog.—Merula, Anth. pratensis and rupestris, a few.
13th, N.W., fresh, misty.—Almost not a bird. A few miserable Pewits.
14th, N.N.W. to N., fresh, cold.—Nothing. A few Mot. alba.
15th, N.N.W., windy, cold, overcast; in evening fog till 1.30 A.M.—T. merula, tolerable, ten caught in bush, 8 old [male], 2 [female]. Sturnus, flights. Mot. alba, singly. Vanellus, early, some flights. Four to five Woodcocks. Several Snipes and Plover.
16th, W., violent, cold, overcast; in evening clear.—Corv. cornix, six to ten. Sturnus, till nine in morning; flights of hundreds and thousands. Merula, a few hundred. Iliacus, fewer. Mot. alba, few. Anth. rupestris, some. Pratensis, none. Al. arvensis, many. Fr. cœlebs and cannabina, few. Char. vanellus and auratus passing on overhead. Woodcocks, three shot. Tr. alpina, early, great flights.
From two o'clock till daylight at Lighthouse.—Sturnus vulgaris, extraordinary many, 300 to 400 being caught. Merula, very many, Alauda, Char. vanellus and auratus, also very many. Also ducks.
17th, W., fresh, overcast, cold; P.M. wind heavy.—Nothing.
18th, and 19th, W. and N.W., windy, very cold.—Nothing.
20th, W.S.W., very heavy, thick.—Nothing.
21st, N.W. to N., stormy, hail showers.—Nothing.
22d and 23d, N.E., hail, snow.—Nothing.
24th, E. by N., light, clear; in evening frost.—Nothing.
25th, E. by S., light, overcast.—Nothing.
26th, calm, overcast; in evening clear and cold, S.E., light.
F. peregrinus, one. Corv. cornix, very many. T. merula, less, nearly all old Scol. rusticula, thirty to forty shot. Ral. aquaticus, a couple. Sax. ænanthe, some [male]. Alauda alpestris, great flights. Fr. cœlebs, cannabina, and chloris, pretty many. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, do. Vanellus and Tr. alpina passing on overhead early.
27th, S.S.W. violent, overcast, cold; in evening ten o'clock fog.—F. æsalon [male]. Lanius major, one. Corv. cornix, early, a few great flights, very high, 1000 feet, passing on. Turdus, Fringilla, Anthus, stray birds. Sax. ænanthe, a couple old [male]. Fr. montana, some (the first). Col. palumbus, pretty many. Vanellus, early, pretty many. Scolopax, twenty to thirty been shot.
28th, N.N.W., slight; early overcast, later clear, fine.—Corv. cornix, single flights. Sturnus, some flights. Merula, pretty many, only half of them black. Musicus, some. Alauda, Fringilla, Anthus, few. Alauda alpestris, some flights. Woodcocks, 140 to 150 being shot. Sy. rufa, two in garden.
29th, northerly, light, clear, early hoar-frost.—Corv. cornix, not many. Monedula and frugilegus, pretty numerous. Sturnus, small flights. Merula, early, pretty many. Iliacus, scattered. Sy. rubecula, a couple. Regulus flavicapillus, two. Mot. alba, several small flights and single birds. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Emb. schœniclus and citrinella. F. cœlebs, all very single. Scolopax, about twenty shot.
30th, E., S.S.E., slight, clear, fine, early, very sharp hoar-frost, in evening E.N.E., cool.—All the above, but in little numbers.
T. viscivorus, daily a few; never coming numerous. Char. auratus and vanellus, as Tot. calidris only singly. Ought to have been merula and scolopax, but if hoar-frost turns up early, there is never much visible migration.
31st, S.E., quite light, clear, strong hoar-frost, during daytime warm.—Early, nothing, and during daytime almost nothing, in spite of fine weather. C. cornix and monedula, very single small flights. No Sturnus, no merula, no Woodcocks shot. S. titys, one. F. cœlebs, cannabina, chloris, as Anthus all very single.
Strange, that in forenoon, after all hoar-frost had disappeared, and it became quite warm and sunny, not a merula or scolopax arrived, and no Crows passed, the few flights of the latter passing surprisingly high, certainly several thousand feet, which is very uncommon, as the usual normal boundary is 500 to 600 feet. Can this give rise to the conclusion that other species whose normal route of migration lays always very high, should under the influence of hoar-frost migrate so high that they can neither be seen nor heard, which would be in the case of Crows about 10,000 feet?
In rare cases I have seen Rooks and Daws pass so high, that my attention being roused by their call, they were only visible in the shape of very fine dust.
The same also happens that under favourable atmospheric circumstances, the calls sound down clear from a height to which the sense of sight is unable to penetrate.
April
1st, westerly, slight sunny; warmer. Highest cirri, N.O.—Only very little visible migration. The few flights of Corv. cornix and monedula extraordinary high, 3000 to 4000 feet. Merula, not many; more than half old [female]. Musicus and iliacus, some. Rubecula, Accentor, Regulus fl., Sax. ænanthe and rubicola, all only few. Mot. alba, Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Larks, few. Fr. cœlebs, montifringilla, cannabina, and montium, all pretty many. Scolopax rusticula, a couple. Anas nigra [male], very many on the sea.
2d, N.N.W., light; early fog, flying clouds, W.S.W.; P.M. North overcast, cold.—Nothing during daytime. Early, from three to four o'clock, Woodcocks and Thrushes, Five to seven fog; in evening cold, clouds very slow from North. Sy. titys, a couple. Merula, very few.
3d, N.E., fresh, cold, clear; early, hasty cloud-flocks.—Nothing. F. æsalon and tinnunculus, of each a couple. Merula, passing the whole day singly. Al. alpestris, pretty many. Scolopax, singly.
4th, N.E., slight, cool, clear; in evening, E. by S., cloudy.—Nothing. Merula, passing singly the whole day. F. æsalon and tinnunculus, a couple. Al. alpestris, pretty many, flights of twenty to thirty. Scolopax, forty to fifty being shot.
5th, S.E., fresh, thick, cloudy; hasty clouds, low, loose; cold.—Early not a bird; during day few Starlings, Thrushes, Hedge Sparrows, and Shore Larks. Guillemots arrived by thousands in hatching places.
6th, S.E., pretty sharp, later, stiller, clear, not cold.—F. peregrinus, æsalon, and tinnunculus, pretty many. Corv. cornix, pretty many. Monedula, few. T. merula, few. Musicus, more. Pilaris, some. Rubecula and accentor, several.Sax. ænanthe, [female], and Mot. alba, pretty many. Al. alpestris, very many, passing on. Fringilla and Anthus, only few. Col. palumbus and Scolopax, not many.
7th, E., windy, overcast, cool; in evening, E. by N., rain.—F. peregrinus, æsalon, and tinnunculus, several. T. musicus, few; torquatus, a couple. Anth. pratensis, many; rupestris, few. Al. arvensis, alpestris, and arborea, small flights. Emb. miliaria, some. Fr. cœlebs, many on the move. Col. palumbus and Scolopax, some. Totanus glareola, one.
8th, E. by S., fresh, overcast, clouds moving from S.E. and S.S.E. past; night cold, from 11 to 2 fog; early, at 5 o'clock, again fog.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, very many, passing on over the sea. Mot. alba and Emb. citrinella, pretty many. Miliaria, less; almost nothing besides.
9th, E. by N., slight, weather good, clouds from S.S.E.; in evening, east wind, dark; during night rain.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, several. C. cornix and monedula, pretty many early. Turdus, almost none. Al. arvensis, pretty many; alpestris, very many. Sy. trochilus, two to three. Rubecula, many. Accentor, tolerable. Mot. alba, many. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, fewer. Emb. citrinella, many schœniclus, fewer. Fr. cœlebs, montifringilla, and cannabina, many. Par. major, many. Reg. flavicapillus and Sax. ænanthe, also pretty many. Scolopax, only a few. Sy. leucocyanea, two fine old [male], one of them nearly uniform blue.
10th, easterly, light, thick, fine rain; in evening W. and W. by N., light. During the past night, from 2 o'clock, very many Turdus and Saxicola migrating. During the day extremely many of all the above species passing over the sea.
F. peregrinus, æsalon, and tinnunculus, many; haliaëtos, one. Corv. cornix and monedula, pretty many. Sturnus, fewer. T. musicus, many; merula, fewer; pilaris, very many, great flights. Sy. rubecula, extraordinary many; not a single Sylvia besides. Accentor, pretty many. Sax. ænanthe, in astonishing numbers. Mot. alba, Anth. pratensis and rupestris, very many. Al. arvensis, very many; alpestris, in flights of hundreds. Emb. citrinella, miliaria, and schœniclus, singly. F. cœlebs, montifringilla, and cannabina passing in uncountable numbers the whole day till evening. Col. palumbus, about ten. Scolopax, none. Char. auratus, vanellus, and hiaticula, as Tringa and Totanus, very many migrating.
11th, easterly, light, dull, very fine drizzly rain.—During the past night, from 2 o'clock, extensive migration of Thrushes, Wheatears, and all sorts of Longshanks; particularly uncountable numbers of Pewits. F. tinnunculus, several. Strix otus, one in the garden. Turd. merula, pretty many, almost all [female]; musicus and pilaris, also many. Rubecula, very many; not a warbler. Accentor, few. Mot. alba, many; lugubris, one. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, many. Emb. citrinella and miliaria, many; schœniclus, fewer. Scol. rusticula, only a few. Gallinago, early, extraordinary many. Early in the morning Pewits, Plover, and hiaticula, extraordinarily numerous.
12th, S.E., light, dull, overcast.—F. tinnunculus, C. cornix, Mot. alba, only singly. Al. alpestris, pretty many. Altogether little migration.
13th, N. by E., slight, clear; P.M., wind somewhat fresher, cool.—F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, as C. cornix, all pretty many. Turdus, stray birds. Sylvia and Wheatears, almost none. Sy. titys, one [male]. Motacilla, Anthus, and Accentor, only few. Al. alpestris, many great flights. Fringilla, pretty many, especially cannabina. Columba and Scolopax, a few. Lar. glacialis, one young bird in summer plumage shot.
14th, northerly, quite light, clear, air cool; in evening overcast.—Very slight migration. Several little Falcons, æsalon, now, females and young. Corv. cornix and monedula, early some. Turdus, almost none. Sylvia, none at all. Fringilla, very few; one linaria. Mot. flava, some, the first. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Alauda alpestris, pretty many. Char. auratus, one fine old bird, in summer plumage. No Pigeons; no Woodcocks.
15th, S.E., almost calm during night and early morning, very fine rain, cool.—Very little migration; a few little Falcon; early a few flights of Crows. T. torquatus, merula, musicus, pilaris, all singly. Sy. rubecula, rufa, and Accentor, only very singly. Al. alpestris, very many. Fringilla, singly. Col. palumbus, some. Woodcocks, three shot.
16th, E., early slight; in evening, fresh, clear, wind cool.—Very little migration, as previous day. Sylvia trochilus, some. Mot. flava, several Anth. arborea, one. Hir. rustica, one. Fr. coccothraustes, a couple.
17th, E. and N.E., very fresh, clear, wind cool—Extremely little migration. F. peregrinus, one fine old bird. Little Falcons and F. nisus, pretty many; æsalon, only females and young males. T. musicus, few; merula, old [male], but only with half a tail. Sy. leucocyanea, one [male]; trochilus and rubecula, a few. Accentor, few. Fringilla, very few; coccothraustes, one.
18th, E. by N., fresh, clear, a little warmer.—Very little migration. Mot. flava, Hir. rustica, Anth. arborea, some. F. coccothraustes, one in garden; everything besides very singly. Still too cold.
19th, E. by S., S.S.E., slight, quite clear, warm.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, pretty many, all [female]. Corv. cornix, extraordinary many; even late in afternoon passing on overhead till 6 o'clock, which is the greatest exception, as the normal migration ceases by 2 o'clock in the afternoon. T. musicus, pretty many; merula, still pretty many, females; pilaris, many; viscivorus, singly. Sylvia, stray birds. Regulus, Accentor, ditto. Saxicola, tolerable, females. Al. arvensis, some; alpestris, pretty many. Hir. rustica, a few. Cic. alba, one. Scolopax, five to six being shot. Rallus, some. Numenius and Totanus, a few.
20th, S.W., little wind, clear, bank to northward, W. and N.W., freshing up; in evening, light.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, females, a few; Buteo, one; Corvus, stray birds. T. musicus, early, pretty many; torquatus and merula, females, singly. Sylvia, almost none; a few trochilus and rubecula. Anth. pratensis, few; arborea, a couple. Fringilla, few; two coccothraustes; just before evening, a large flight of montifringilla, about 100 to 150. Al. alpestris, few small flights. Hir. rustica, ten to twenty. Col. palumbus, early many. Scolopax, few. Char. auratus, one fine old bird.
21st, W.N.W. and N.W.—During past night extensive migration of all Longshanks; as small birds, commencing already at 10 P.M. on 20th.
During the day all those of yesterday, but only very singly.
22d, S.W., light, slightly cloudy, the first warm day.—Again little migration; everything there, but singly. No Bluethroats; no Sylviæ, curruca, phœnicurus. One Mot. flava and one Raii, Anth. arborea, Hir. rustica, of each a small party of about fifteen to twenty. Al. alpestris still up to 100 during the day.
23d, S.W., light, overcast; in night, very fine rain.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, females, some. C. cornix, a small flight. Sturnus, still only few. Sy. luscinia, one; trochilus, some; phœnicurus, ditto. Mot. flava, few. Raii, one. Anth. arborea, some. Sax. ænanthe, stray birds; rubetra, one; altogether very little. A few small Totanus.
24th, W., S., E.S.E., quite light, warm, slightly cloudy.—Early not a bird; later in day the above, but very singly. Sixty to eighty pilaris.
25th, early, S.S.E.; A.M., S.S.W., fresh, overcast; P.M. and evening, quite light, S.E., warm.—Emb. hortulana, Jynx torquilla, and Up. epops, the first ones. F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, few females. T. musicus, torquatus, and pilaris, not many. Anth. arborea, some; pratensis, more, but not many. Sax. rubetra, pretty many. Sy. rubecula and trochilus, pretty many; no suecica nor curruca. Mot. flava, tolerable. Al. alpestris, few, small flights. F. cœlebs, montifringilla, and cannabina, scattered. Tot. ochropus, some, Num. arquata, still a few flights. Ard. cinerea, a couple.
26th, S.S.W., slight, thick, overcast, but will not rain; in evening, E.S.E.—Mus. luctuosa, a fine old male in garden. Sy. cinerea, curruca, phragmitis, and locustella, the first ones.
F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, females, scattered. T. musicus and torquatus, pretty many. Sy. rubecula and trochilus, tolerable; phœnicurus, less; no suecica. Anth. arborea, Sax. ænanthe and rubetra., not many. Mot. flava, tolerable; alba, still some. Al. arvensis, a small flight; alpestris, few. Fringillæ, scattered. Up. epops, I. torquilla, some. Crex pratensis, several. Scol. gallinula, some. Char. auratus, fine old birds. Morinellus, some.
27th, S.E., fresh, thick, overcast, clouds moving from S.S.W.; all evening, E. and E. by N.; fog and rain all night.—Early, at 5 o'clock, many T. musicus; at 8 o'clock everything gone. Hir. urbica, riparia, cypselus, some of each, the first ones. Trochilus, rubecula, cinerea, flava, rubetra—M. luctuosa, Fringilla, all very single in course of day; no suecica.
28th, N.N.W., slight, fog, above sunny.—Nothing. Caprimulgus, one, the first. Hortulana, some.
29th, E., slight, early at 5 o'clock fog, later clear.—Almost nothing. Seasonable birds scattered.
30th, E. by N. and E., fresh, thick, overcast, cold.—Very little. Torquatus and musicus, some. Pilaris, several great flights. Sy. curruca, several; other Sylviæ, few. Suecica, still not yet. Mot. flava, tolerable. Lugubris, one. M. luctuosa, some Anth. arborea and Emb. hortulana, of each about twenty to thirty. Fringilla montana, scattered since middle of month.
May
1st, S.E., very fresh, cloudy, hasty loose clouds, cold; noon, clear, warm; in evening, fine, damp.—Early, almost nothing. Noon and later, strong migration. F. tinnunculus and æsalon, female. Turdus, few. Sy. curruca and cinerea, many. Trochilus, few. Phœnicurus, fine old male. Suecica, none at all. M. luctuosa, pretty many, fine old males. Sax. ænanthe, female; and rubetra, many. Mot. flava, in afternoon extremely many. Anth. arborea and Emb. hortulana, many. Fringilla, stray birds. Tot. ochropus and glareola, several. Glottis, one. No Swallows.
2d, S.E., light, warm, thick fine rain; in evening, E, fresh, cooler.—F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, Buteo, and haliaëtos; Strix brachyotus, pretty many. Lan. collurio, some [male]. T. torquatus, extremely many. Musicus, also many. Pilaris, very great flights. Sy. cinerea, curruca, atricapilla, phœnicurus, [male], all pretty many. Trochilus, only few. Sibilatrix, one. Suecica, some males. M. luctuosa. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, many. Mot. flava, many. Anth. arborea, extremely many; pratensis, fewer. Campestris, one. Emb. hortulana, extremely many. Schœniclus, some. Fringilla, but few. Scol. gallinago, few. Gallinula, many. Char. morinellus, several. Auratus, just ten. Tot. glottis, glareola, and ochropus, great contingent. Tr. pugnax, several. Cic, alba, one.
3d, E., violent, rain, cold.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, many. Peregrinus, one. Haliaëtos, one. Strix brachyotus, some. Turd, torquatus and musicus, tolerable. Sylviæ, few. Anthus, few. Campestris, one. Emb. hortulana and Alauda alpestris, some. Totanus, Charadrius, Numenius, singly. Altogether slight migration, too cold and too windy.
4th, S.E., E., middling, dull, overcast; P.M., sun visible.—F. peregrinus and subbuteo, males; æsalon and tinnunculus, few. Haliaëtos, one. T. torquatus, early, very many. Musicus, fewer. Sy. rubecula, curruca, cinerea, atricapilla, trochilus, all, not many. Suecica, some males. Mot. flava and Anthus, few. Hirundo and I. torquilla, some. Sterna cantiaca, high overhead, with plenty noise, chasing by couples.
5th, N.W., fresh, thick, cold, in night, N., fog; noon, sunny; in evening, W., clear.—F. peregrinus, subbuteo, æsalon, tinnunculus, the latter few. T. torquatus and musicus, few. Pilaris, more. Sylviæ, altogether few. Rubecula, still many during the season. Curruca, cinerea, atricapilla, and trochilus, few. Nisoria, some fine males. Phœnicurus, still pretty many. M. luctuosa. many old males. Sax. ænanthe, still many. Rubetra, very many. Mot. flava, pretty many. Anth. arborea and many. Al. alpestris, a flight of fifty and one of seven. Emb. hortulana, many. Fringilla, few. Coccothraustes, one, female. I. torquilla, some. Cuc. canorus, a fine male. Char. morinellus and auratus, some. Sy. philomela, one caught at lighthouse, the first since about fifty years.
6th, W., fresh, cirri, and low light clouds, W., sunny.—F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, the latter few. C. cornix and monedula, a flight. Sylviæ, Anthus, Motacilla, all but singly. Al. alpestris, a flight of twenty. Fringillæ, scattered.
7th, early, and forenoon calm, sunny; P.M., thick, suddenly fresh, N.W. rain.—Very slight migration of season suiting species. Mot. flava and Anth. pratensis, pretty many; both species very often turn up with much wind, especially in autumn. Al. alpestris, still in flights of ten to fifteen.
8th, N.W., fresh, cold, early hail.—Nothing. Num. phæopus, the first ones.
9th, S.W., moderate, early rain, hail, thunder, later on clear.—Nothing.
10th, W., windy; in evening, very violent, thunder, lightning, very cold.—Nothing.
11th, N.W. and N.N.W., stormy, early rain and hail squalls.—Nothing.
12th, N.W. and N.N.W., somewhat less wind, hail showers in great intervals.—Nothing.
13th, N.N.W., clouds from N., better, but yet cold.—Nothing. Stray torquatus and musicus; some Sylviæ. Mot. flava, a couple of hundred. A. pratensis, pretty many.
14th, N. light, warmer, clear.—F. tinnunculus and nisus, a few. T. torquatus and musicus, very single. Sy. phœnicurus and trochilus, very singly. Nisoria, one. Mus. luctuosa, some. Mot. flava and Anth. pratensis, pretty many. Al. alpestris, ten to twenty. Hir. rustica, some. Urbica, few.
15th, N., light, early light rain showers, cold.—Nothing at all.
16th, S.S.W., fresh, clear; P.M., a rain shower with hail; evening, clear, light.—A few little Falcons. Early some torquatus and musicus. Sy. phœnicurus, half of them female. Suecica and curruca, some. Cinerea, many. Trochilus, pretty many. Phragmitis, several. Mus. luctuosa, pretty many, half female. Sax. rubetra, ditto. Mot. flava, many. Anth. arborea, and Emb. hortulana, fewer. Hir. rustica and urbica. Ch. morinellus, some. Starlings commenced building nest in hatch-box early to-day.
17th, W., fresh, cloudy; P.M., S.W.—Little migration. Sy. phœnicurus, trochilus, and cinerea, as Mus. luctuosa and Sax. rubetra, some. Swallows, but few.
18th, S.W., slight, light cloudy, fine in evening, easterly light, warmer.—Very little migration early. Turdus, very single. Sy. suecica, a couple. Phœnicurus, trochilus, cinerea, atricapilla, tolerable. Hortensis appears. Mot. flava, many. Melanocephala, some. Sax. ænanthe, tolerable. Rubetra, many. Char. squatarola, a very fine male. Morinellus, a few.
F. tinnunculus and nisus, a few shabby females. Subbuteo, a fine male.
19th, S.S.W., slight, light cloudy.—All the above, but altogether only slight migration.
20th, S.S.W., light, light clouds; P.M. and evening, S.S.E. to S.E. fresh, cool.—In trifling numbers. T. musicus and torquatus, Sy. trochilus, phœnicurus, cinerea, hortensis, atricapilla, and phragmitis. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra. Mot. flava, and some melanocephala; Anth. pratensis, and few arborea. Hir. riparia, some. Col. turtur, two to three. Char. squatarola, three. Tot. glottis, one.
21st, S.E., violent, overcast; A.M., stiller, S. rain; in evening, light.—T. torquatus, few. Sy. cinerea, hortensis, and atricapilla, tolerable. Nisoria, two to three. Mus. luctuosa, few males, the most females. Grisola, one in the garden. Sax. ænanthe, yet pretty many. Rubetra, many. Mot. flava, many females. Melanocephala, some. Anth. arborea and Emb. hortulana, few. Cypselus apus, pretty many, passing on overhead. Riparia, pretty many. Char. morinellus, ten to fifteen. Tot. glottis and smaller Totani, pretty many.
22d, S.E. and S. fresh, sunny, fine; in evening, violent, rain.—All the above, but not numerous. Some Sy. suecica and Sy. hypolais.
23d, S.W., very violent, rain; P.M., clear, lighter; in evening cool.—The above, but very singly. Lan. collurio, five to six, one female. Char. morinellus, a few females. The females of the latter known as being finest black, white, and rust-red coloured.
24th, westerly, slight, early thunderstorm, rain.—Almost nothing. Thunderstorm, as fog and hoar-frost, put a stop on almost all migration.
25th, W. and N.W., light, rain, during day fine, but thunderstorm clouds.—Everything, but quite scattered. A few Sylviæ, etc. Col. turtur, a couple.
26th, southerly, still; in night, rain, early clear; P.M., violent, highest cirri, and lower light clouds from N.W.; in evening, cloudy from S.W.—Early, much singing of Warblers, trochilus, curruca, cinerea, etc., in the gardens. In course of the day, but only scattered. Sylviæ and Mus. luctuosa, and a couple of grisola. During the night at about 2 and later, temporary fog.
27th, light, W. and S.W., cirri N.W.; early light fog, later thick; evening, clear.—Curruca, Redstarts, and Warblers as Chats, all tolerable, but not many; also Mus. luctuosa, young male and female. Mot. flava, Anth. arborea, and Emb. hortulana, pretty many. Col. turtur and Crex pratensis, some.
28th, southerly, light, fine, clear, highest little clouds, and cirri from W. and W. by N., warm; P.M. and in evening S.S.E., clouds from W.—Early, very many curruca, cinerea, hortensis. atricapilla, and trochilus singing by hundreds in the gardens. Later on Lanius major, one male. Mus. grisola, many. Luctuosa, the same, the latter mostly females. Mot. flava, few females. Anth. arborea, many. Emb. hortulana, but single. Cypselus, pretty many. Hir. rustica and urbica, the same. Caprimulgus, a couple. Col. turtur, strikingly many, ten to fifteen being shot.
29th, S.S.E. and S., light, clouds from W.; noon, wind suddenly N.W., violent, clear, thunderstorm clouds from S. by W.—All those as yesterday, but much fewer. Falco subbuteo, male. Tinnunculus, female. 31. grisola, many. Luctuosa, fewer, most female. Hir. rustica, urbica, and riparia, as Cypselus, pretty many. Cuc. canorus, one. Col. turtur, very many; these latter do not mind violent wind.
30th, S.W. fresh, clear, cirri W. and W. by N.—Early, nothing at all. The whole day nothing.
31st, S.W., violent, thick low speedy rain clouds; in evening, N.W., cold.—Of course not a single bird.
June
1st and 2d, N.W., fresh, very cold.—Nothing.
3d and 4th, S.S.W., lighter; in evening, 4° calm, very warm, clear.—Few. Sy. hypolais, one. Mus. grisola, pretty many. Col. turtur, very many, up to forty.
5th, S.S.W., light, clear, hot, every day outermost cirri, N.W., 26° C.—Seen, a great Grey Shrike, uniform coloured ash grey, band through eye scarcely marked. Mus. grisola, Hir. rustica and riparia, scattered. Col. turtur, many. Pyrrhula rosea? yellowish-green, white band on wings, larger than P. erythrinus, not obtained.
6th, S.S.W., clear, fine; P.M., N. and N. by E., overcast; in evening, cool.—Mus. grisola, singly; Hirundo, some. Col. turtur, several.
7th, E. by N. slight, early overcast; P.M., thunderstorm, rain, W.; in night fog.—Nothing. Sy. cinerea and Mus. grisola, quite few.
8th, fog, calm.—Nothing.
9th and 10th, N.W., violent, cold.—Nothing.
11th, N., less wind, a little warmer.—Nothing.
12th, W. slight, overcast; later on, clear from north. Cirri from N. and N. by E.—Hir. rustica, some. Ch. auratus, one in fine summer plumage.
13th, early, quite calm, clear, later S.W. and S.S.W., warm, fine; in evening, N.W. slight.—Mus. grisola, some. Hir. rustica, urbica, and Cypselus, ditto. Caprimulgus, one. Col. turtur, some.
14th, E., light, clear, warm, clouds from N.E.; in evening, fresh.—Lan. minor, two, very rare appearance here. Hir. urbica, some. Cypselus, many hundreds.
15th, E. by N., slight, clear, warm; P.M., N.E., fresh.—Early, many Cypselus, almost nothing besides. Mus. grisola. Sax. rubetra, and Fr. montifringilla, very single.
16th, N., fresh, clear, very cold, high clouds from W., low loose ditto from East.—Nothing.
17th, E.N.E., fresh; cirri from S.W.; low loose clouds from N.E., cold; about dusk, thick with rain from S.W., but wind E. by N.—Nothing.
18th, E. by N., slight; in evening N., windy, cold, clouds moving from N.W.—Nothing.
19th, N.W. to S.W., overcast, cool; P.M., thick with rain.—Nothing.
20th, 21st, and 22d, N.W., windy, cold.—F. linaria, one. Hir. urbica, four to five.
24th and 25th, S.E., clear, hot.—During the last days Num. phæopus returning.
26th, N., early cold.—Also Hir. urbica and Cypselus overhead, but
27th, N. by W., warmer.—Can scarcely be birds that have done hatching. Young Starlings in hatch-box flew out on 26th.
28th, S.E., slight, cloudy; in evening, E.—Fr. rufescens, one young male, very faded, a slight rosy hue.
29th, E.S.E., clear, hot.—Hirundo and Cypselus, many. phæopus, returning.
July.
1st and 2d, E. by N., and N.E. and N., clear, fine, wind very cool, cirri from S.—Hir. rustica, several.
Until 6th, northerly to E.N.E., clear, during day hot, great dryness.—Cypselus, daily, pretty many, returning ones (?). Numenius and Char. hiaticula, returning.
Until 9th, N.E. and E.N.E., clear, dry.—Sturnus, young birds, daily flights of twenty to fifty.
10th, easterly, clear, hot, dry.—Sax. ænanthe, one young, quite motley bird. Sax. rubetra, ten to twenty young birds. Numenius, Char. hiaticula, Tot. glottis, young birds.
11th, southerly, clear, hot, dry; in evening, thunderstorm clouds, slight fine rain.—Sturnus, flights of twenty to fifty young birds.
12th, N., clouds from S.W., cold, dry.—Nothing.
13th, E.N.E., clouds from S.W., cirri W., cool.—Nothing.
14th, E.N.E., clear, hot; in evening, cool, clouds and cirri from S.W.—Sy. trochilus and titys, some young birds. Sax. ænanthe, some young birds. Vanellus, Numenius, Tot. calidris, glottis, Ch. hiaticula, numerous, all young birds.
Up to 20th, westerly, changeable, very trifling rain.—Nothing.
21st, N., fresh.—Vanellus, young ones, hundreds.
Until end of the month, northerly winds, almost always violent and cold, with low loose hasty clouds. Migration trifling, almost only Longshanks. The last week Tot. hypoleucus, Hæ. ostralegus, vanellus, pretty many. Sax. ænanthe, scattered; all the named being young birds. No Sylviæ.
August
1st, N., in evening N.W. and W.N.W., thick, cloudy.—Sax. ænanthe, ten to twenty young. Vanellus, Tot. hypoleucus, calidris, and glottis; Numenius, all but stray birds and young ones.
Up to 5th, N.E. and N.; in evening, light, S.E., quite calm, fine rain.—On the 5th, from 10 o'clock in the evening, very strong migration of Tringæ and Totanus of all species, as Ch. hiaticula and Num. phœopus during the day. Sax. ænanthe and Sy. trochilus, young ones.
6th, easterly, light, clouds from south; in evening, N.E.—Trochilus, as all the above Longshanks. Char. auratus, young ones appear.
7th, W., light, clouds south; night and early morning, heavy rain; P.M., clear, warm, fine.—Mus. grisola, Sy. trochilus, and phragmitis, few. Sax. ænanthe, young, pretty many; rubetra, fewer. Upupa, one. Cuculus, some young ones. Charadrius, Totanus, Tringa, etc., etc.
8th, westerly, light, rain; later on, clear; in evening, slight E.—Single ænanthe, trochilus, and Ch. auratus, jr.
9th, N.W., windy; P.M., stiller, fine.—Nothing besides few Wheatears.
10th, south, fresh, clear, warm, fine.—Several trochilus and phragmitis; ænanthe, not many. Longshanks, pretty many.
11th, 12th, 13th, W.N.W. and N.N.W., stormy, with rain squalls. 14th, somewhat better—All the time no birds.
Up to 18th, W.N.W. and N.N.W., violent to stormy.—Almost no migration at all. Sy. trochilus and Sax. ænanthe, very few.
19th, N. by E., at intervals still, and rain squalls; in evening, N.E., clear, cold.—F. nisus, jr., several. Sy. phœnicurus and trochilus, several; cinerea, many; hypolais, several, appears always, but singly. Mus. luctuosa, pretty many, jr. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, many. Mot. flava, scattered. Anth. arboreus, several. Emb. hortulana, one. Cuc. canorus, several young. Char. auratus and hiaticula, Tr. alpina and minuta, Tot. glottis, three shot, all young birds.
20th, early, E., fresh; noon, S.E., clouds and cirri the same, cold.—All the above, but only few. Cypselus, jr., several.
21st.—Nothing considerable.
22d, early, E., light; later, westerly to north, slight.—F. peregrinus, nisus, jr., several; milvus, one. Mus. grisola, many; luctuosa, very many; all young birds. Sy. phœnicurus, cinerea, and trochilus, many; hortensis and curruca, fewer; hypolais, some—all young. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, very many. Mot. flava, many. Anth. arboreus and Emb. hortulana, pretty many. I. torquilla, very many. Cuculus, several. Alcedo ispida, two shot. Crex porzana, some. Ch. auratus, morinellus, and hiaticula, many. Numenius, Totanus, Tringa, and relative species, all very numerous. All the named, without an exception, young birds.
Freshly pulled out tail-feathers of Musc. parva been found.
23d, N.E. and E.N.E., fresh.—All those mentioned on previous days again in great numbers. Sax. ænanthe, jr., very particularly numerous.
24th, N., fresh,—Sax. ænanthe, jr., again very many; but besides those, less migration.
25th, N.W., fresh.—Ditto, ditto, ditto.
26th, N.N.W., light, overcast, cool; noon, warmer; in evening, calm, E. (?).—The above, but only scattered during the early hours. At noon, pretty many Sylviæ, Anth. arboreus, and Emb. hortulana. Caprimulgus, some. Picus major, a couple. F. haliaëtos, two been shot. All young birds.
27th, early, calm, then light E.N.E.; in evening, cold.—Turd. musicus, scattered. Al. arvensis, some. Mus. grisola and luctuosa, pretty many. Sylviæ, less. Saxicola, pretty many. Anth. arboreus and Emb. hortulana, some. All young.
28th, S.E. by E., fresh, clouds from N.W.—Sylviæ and musicapa, but very scattered. Saxicola, pretty many. Anth. arborea and Emb. hortulana, singly. Ch. auratus, few.
29th, S.E. and E., light, clear, warm.—Mus. grisola, pretty many; luctuosa, fewer. Sylviæ, few. Saxicola, pretty many. Mot. flava, some. Par. cæruleus, some. Ard. cinerea, a couple. Char. auratus, hiaticula, Tringæ, Tot. glottis and calidris; Tringæ, daily more or less. Num. phœopus passing. F. nisus, daily some.
30th, early, E.N.E., clear, fine, thick clouds northerly; noon, N., clear, cold.—Very slight migration of Sylviæ, Mus. grisola, Saxicola, and Emb. hortulana. Early a few flights of Num. arquata passing.
31st, N.W. and W., fresh, cloudy, cold; in evening, rain.—Almost nothing at all.
Note.—Until end of the month all the mentioned species, almost without an exception, young autumnal birds.
September
1st, N. by W., fresh, cool.—Very little migration. Sax. ænanthe, jr., pretty many. M. grisola, many in the gardens; luctuosa, few. Sylviæ, single. E. hortulana, scattered. Anth. pratensis, some, the first.
2nd, westerly, light, clear, warm, in evening, east.—Mus. grisola and luctuosa, many in the garden. Sy. phœnicurus, and trochilus, pretty many. Sy. suecica, some, the first. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, many, young. Anth. arboreus, few. Emb. hortulana, pretty many. Hir. rustica, urbica, and riparia, tolerable.
3d, S.E. and S.S.E., violent, clouds from W.; in evening, rain, light.—The above, but fewer than previous day. F. nisus, some. Char. auratus, several.
4th, S.S.W., light, early, dull, then fog; in evening, E.N.E., rain torrents, violent N.E.—Pyrrhula erythrinus, one young bird. Anth. campestris, one. Sy. suecica, phœnicurus, and trochilus, Mus. grisola and luctuosa, Sax. ænanthe and rubetra—of all but few. Emb. hortulana, single. Mot. flava, a flight of at least 100. M. alba.
5th, S.W. and W., rain squalls, windy; in evening and night, lightning.—Nothing.
6th, S.W., fresh, clouds westerly; in evening, clear, light.—Nothing.
7th, light, clear, S.S.W., high clouds west, lower clouds south; P.M., S.E.; in evening, rain.—Very few Sylviæ. Wheatears and Chats, as M. flava; also some suecica; and about evening, some F. nisus.
At Cuxhaven and Bremen, fog.
8th, S.E. and S., light; early, rain; noon, clear, S.S.W.—F. nisus, jr., some. Mus. luctuosa, many. Sy. phœnicurus, suecica, hortensis, and trochilus, many. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, pretty many. Mot. flava, very many; alba, some. Anth. arboreus, tolerable; Richardi, one. Emb. hortulana, many, all young. I. torquilla, some. Up. epops, one; appears scarcely ever in autumn here. Hir. rustica and urbica, as Cypselus, many. Picus major, one.
9th, S.W., windy, rain, low clouds, W. high clouds; in evening, N.W., violent squalls.—Mus. luctuosa, Sy. phœnicurus and trochilus, pretty many, in spite of the south-west wind and rain. In night, stormy—thunder, lightning, rain, and hail.
10th, W. by N. and N.W., stormy, rain squalls; in evening, light.—Luctuosa, phœnicurus, trochilus, pretty many in garden, under shelter of shrubs.
11th, S., lighter, overcast; noon, S.E.; P.M., rain.—The above, but not many. Sy. suecica, pretty many. Emb. hortulana, the first old birds. I. torquilla; Hir. rustica, urbica, and Cypselus; Mot. flava; Scol. gallinula.
12th, early, N. by E., fine, clouds N.W.; noon, wind W., clear; in evening, S.W., violent, rain; midnight, storm, No. 9.—The above, but few. Char. auratus and Tot. calidris, some.
13th, W., stormy, clear.—Nothing.
14th, W., moderate, clouds S.W., cirri N.W.—Hum. arquata, almost nothing besides; Anth. rupestris, the first.
15th, S.W., rain; noon, sunny; in evening, lightning, with clear sky.—Forenoon, nothing. Afternoon, Sax. ænanthe and Sy. trochilus, single.
16th, S.W., fresh; early, rain; noon, sun visible.—Nothing during day. In evening, from 10 o'clock, migration of Charadrius, Numenius, and Tot. calidris; also many Saxicola, two score being caught at lighthouse.
17th, early, calm, clouds, S.W., thick rain; 8.30, easterly; 11 o'clock, thunderstorm, with torrents of rain; P.M., E.N.E., violent.—Sylviæ, but many scattered. M. luctuosa, tolerable. M. flava, many. Emb. hortulana, very many. Sy. rubecula, some. Al. arvensis, some. The first old Starlings and first old Wheatears. Crex pratensis, Char. auratus and vanellus, several.
18th, E. by N., moderate, overcast; in evening, N., fine, cold.—During the past night, much migration. All Longshanks suiting the season numerous. Turdus torquatus, Sy. phœnicurus, Mus. luctuosa, and Sax. ænanthe, many at lighthouse. Early, very many. Char. auratus and Col. palumbus. Turd. torquatus, many; musicus, fewer. Sy. phœnicurus, suecica, cinerea, trochilus, rubecula; very many. Mus. luctuosa, ditto. Anth. rupestris, very many; pratensis, fewer. Emb. hortulana, very many. Crex pratensis; Scol, major, gallinago, and gallinula, both the latter numerous; the first appears here always, but very single. F. æsalon and nisus, some young. Altogether, very strong migration.
19th, early calm, clear, light clouds W., vapour S.S.W.; in evening wind S.W., fresh, thick, overcast.—F. peregrinus, one; nisus, some. Sturnus, some flights of fifteen to twenty. Turd. musicus and torquatus, Num. luctuosa, Sy. phœnicurus, suecica, rubecula, cinerea, and trochilus, all pretty many. Anth. arboreus, some; rupestris and pratensis, many. Sax. ænanthe, many; rubetra, fewer. Emb. hortulana, not many. C. pratensis, Scol. gallinago, gallinula, and Col. palumbus, scattered.
20th, early, light W. clouds, W. cirri; N. and N. by E. in evening, wind fresh. Nothing.—Sax. ænanthe, early, from 8th to 9th very many arrived, but besides these, all the species suiting the season, but singly.
21st, S.W., violent, thick, rain; noon clear, N.W.; in evening N.N.W., cold.—Nothing. Very few ænanthe.
22d, N.W., fresh, cloudy; P.M., W., clear.—Nothing.
23d, W. to N.W., fresh, overcast.—Nothing. Char. auratus, pretty many. One Bat.
24th, northerly, light, cirri violent from W.; P.M., N.W. Early not a bird; later on some. M. luctuosa and Char. auratus. Winter Sparrows arrived.
25th, westerly, light, heavy cumuli, showers of rain with hail; in evening light northerly.—F. æsalon and nisus, some. Sturnus, many. T. musicus, pretty many. Sy. rubecula, very numerous; phœnicurus, many; cinerea and curruca, fewer; trochilus, many; rufa, fewer. Anth. arboreus, few; pratensis and rupestris, many. Sax. ænanthe and rubetra, many. Mot. flava, many; alba, fewer. Al. arvensis, some; arborea, a couple, Emb. schœniclus, very many; hortulana, fewer; nivalis, some. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, some. Col. palumbus, several. Scol. gallinula and gallinago, scattered. In afternoon a flight of Corv. cornix of several hundreds.
Note.—It is striking that with such monstrous heavy cumuli, that have the appearance of storm-clouds, so much migration takes place. There must be better weather at hand.
26th, early calm, draught of air southerly, still so heavy threatening cumuli at W. and N., but in spite thereof much migration; in evening south-easterly, light, clear, clouds disappear, therefore more favourable weather for migration.—Very numerous migration. F. peregrinus, one; æsalon and nisus, several. C. corax, a little flight, about fifteen. T. musicus and torquatus, many. All Sylviæ, especially rubecula, very many. Sax. ænanthe, many; rubetra, fewer. Trog. parvulus, pretty many. Anthus and Motacilla, fewer. Al. alpestris, pretty many. Emberiza, fewer; several nivalis; cœlebs, many; montifringilla, fewer. Col. palumbus, pretty many. First Woodcock shot; two or three more. Gallinula and gallinago, pretty many. Tr. alpina, many; subarquata and maritima, of each a young bird. Sy. superciliosa, one, Anth. richardi and cervinus, of each one.
27th, S.E., slight, overcast.—F. peregrinus and æsalon, young. Strix brachyotus, about fifteen. C. cornix, 400 to 500. Sturnus, many flights. T. torquatus and musicus, pretty many. Sy. suecica, cinerea, atricapilla, trochilus, and rufa, many. Mot. flava, few; alba, pretty many. Sax. ænanthe, many; rubetra, fewer; Anthus, few; richardi, a couple. Fringillæ, few, Emb. hortulana, some. Certh. familiaris, several. Hir. rustica, pretty many; Cypselus, some late. Col. palumbus, Scol. gallinula and gallinago, tolerable. Fr. cœlebs, very many arrived about evening.
28th, E.N.E., slight, light clouds, sunny.—F. peregrinus, old and young; æsalon, young; nisus arrived about evening. It is strange that nisus mostly and suddenly arrives late in the afternoon in great numbers. C. cornix, not many. Sturnus, numerous flights. T. musicus, pretty many; torquatus, fewer; pilaris, some. Mus. luctuosa, few. Sax. ænanthe, many; rubetra ceases. Sy. rubecula, phœnicurus, cinerea, atricapilla, and trochilus, numerous; rufa, fewer; of trochilus, now mostly old faded birds. Sy. superciliosus, two very fine specimens been shot. Another warbler with light bands on wings, the size of rufa, wounded, but not obtained. Mot. flava, few; alba, more. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, many; arborea ceases. Emb. schœniclus, many; nivalis, very many; hortulana ceases. F. cœlebs, many; montifringilla, do.; spinus, some. Al. alpestris, a few. Regulus flavicapillus, pretty many. Hir. rustica, many. Col. palumbus, tolerable. Scolopax, pretty many; rusticula, five been shot. Ch. auratus, many. Tringæ, many, all young birds. Procellaria glacialis, a fine old bird with white head obtained.
29th, S. by E., light, later fresh, S.E. clouds, S. by W. to W.; P.M., wind S.W.; about evening rain. Storm notified from America between 28th and 30th.—F. æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus; St. brachyotus—all, but singly. C. cornix, several flights of hundreds; frugilegus, about eighty. Sturnus, some flights of a hundred and above. T. musicus and torquatus, early, many. Sylviæ, few. Muscicapa, over. Reg. flavicapillus, many. Hir. rustica, tolerable. Al. arvensis, pretty many early in forenoon. Emb. schœniclus, many. Fringillæ, few. Anthus, do. Scol. rusticula, some.
30th, early, light, N.N.W., clear; P.M., S. by W., thick, windy.—Almost nothing at all. Only very scattered C. cornix, Turdus, Sturnus, and Sylviæ. Trochilus, Anth. arborea, and hortulana, over.
October
1st, S.W.; violent in night, N.W., stormy. No. 7, heavy rain, squalls strong, lightning.—Nothing. Parus major and cæruleus, some.
2d, N.W. to W., stormy, squalls, No. 7; in night, No, 8 to 9.—Nothing.
3d, S.W., thick, very stormy, No. 8.—Nothing. A great flight of Snow Buntings. Par. major and cæruleus, a few.
4th, S.W., fresh, overcast; in evening, S.W., clear to northward.—Nothing. At noon pretty many young Hit. rustica. Several Sax. ænanthe and rubicola. Char. auratus, ten to fifteen.
5th, S.W., stormy, early. No. 9; in evening and night, thunder, lightning, and hail.—Nothing. A couple of Par. major.
6th, W. by S., W. to N., violent; early, thunder, lightning, and hail squalls; in evening stiller, W.—Nothing. Hir. rustica, pretty many young birds; urbica, fewer. Some 31. flava and alba and Anth. pratensis.
7th, N. and N.N.W., better, clear; later, violent, with rain squalls.—C. cornix, flights of hundreds. Sturnus, great flights. T. musicus, scattered. Mot. alba, some. Sax. ænanthe and rubicola, both stray old birds. Al. arvensis, tolerable flights; alpestris, scattered. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, not many. Par. major and cæruleus, a little party. Col. palumbus, some. Char. auratus, several. Lar. minutus, many at sea off the island.
8th, W.N.W., fresh, cloudy; P.M., violent, overcast; in evening, S.W., stormy. Scotland, low minimum.—F. æsalon, [male]; nisus, jr., some. C. cornix, many flights. Sturnus, pretty many. T. musicus, tolerable; merula, some jr.; iliacus, a couple. No Sylviæ. Sax. ænanthe and rubicola, some. 31. alba, few. Anthus, pretty many. Al. arvensis, tolerable; alpestris, flights of twenty to thirty; arborea, some. Troglodytes, many. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, pretty many; cannabina, fewer. Par. cæruleus, scattered. Scol. rusticula, six to eight been shot; gallinago, some.
9th, S.W. by S., fresh, cloudy, rain; in evening, light, clear, stars, on mainland S., slight.—F. nisus, some. T. musicus, pretty many; merula, jr., fewer; torquatus, some. No Sylviæ. Sax. ænanthe, tolerable. Mot. alba and Anthus, do. Troglodytes, many. Al. arvensis, many, especially passing on over the sea numerously; alpestris, little flights; arborea, a couple. Fr. cœlebs, montifringilla, and cannabina, many. Par. major and cæruleus, some. Hir. rustica and urbica, tolerable. Few Woodcocks. Altogether but slight migration.
10th, S.W., violent, chasing loose clouds; in evening light, southerly, misty; later clear.—Almost nothing. T. musicus, torquatus, and passing on overhead; pilaris, some. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, many; cannabina, fewer.
11th, E.S.E., moderate; A.M., rain; P.M., clear; in evening E.N.E., light, clear.—F. nisus, some. C. cornix, innumerable flights; monedula, very many. Sturnus, flights like clouds in many thousands. T. musicus, tolerable; torquatus, scattered. No Sylviæ. Accentor, a couple. Troglodytes, tolerable. Mot. alba, some. Anthus, many. Al. arvensis, many, extremely many passing over the sea; alpestris, pretty many; arborea, single. F. cœlebs, montifringilla, cannabina, spinus, not very many. Hir. rustica and urbica, scattered. Col. palumbus, Scolopax, and Char. auratus, all not many.
12th, N.N.E., light; in evening S.W., slight; rain showers during day.—All the above, but in considerably smaller numbers. F. peregrinus, one old bird shot. Sy. rubecula, very many; rufa, also pretty many. Accentor, also many. Reg. flavicapillus, pretty many. Fr. linaria, some.
13th, S.W., violent, overcast, rain shower.—Nothing. T. iliacus, flights; musicus and torquatus, few.
14th, S. by E., very violent, thick clouds, overcast.—Nothing. Fr. cœlebs, montifringilla, and cannabina, some flights passing. Thrushes, almost none. Regulus, some.
15th, S.E., slight clear, middle high clouds from W. by S.; noon, light, cloudy. Wind, E. by N., clouds from S. In evening, E. by N., violent, clouds from S. by E. In night, east, very violent, thick clouds from S.E.—F. peregrinus, old; æsalon, tinnunculus, nisus, of the latter three several. Corv. cornix, extraordinary many, hundred thousands. Monedula, flights of hundred and above. T. musicus, torquatus, iliacus, few. Viscivorus, a couple. Sylviæ, very strayed. Regulus, do. Accentor, none. Anth. pratensis, few. Richardi, one. Al. arvensis, very many; alpestris, hundreds. Emb. citrinella, some. Fr. cœlebs, numerous, passing on overhead, but so high that the call of thousands over thousands could only be heard from aloft without the birds being visible. Scol. gallinago, some. Rusticula, none.
Note.—According to the weather in the morning, there ought to have been considerable migration—Thrushes and Woodcocks but prominent westerly currents in higher regions acted adverse.
During the night to 16th, extraordinary strong migration of Larks, Thrushes, Starlings, Numenius and Charadrius; also Strix otus (?) was present, and robbed on the wing at light fire, especially T. musicus.
16th, E. and E. by S., violent, thick, low clouds S.E.; in evening, light, E., uniform thick, damp.—Early, six to seven, yet extremely strong migration of Thrushes, Larks, Finches, and Starlings. F. peregrinus, æsalon, tinnunculus, and nisus, strayed. Str. otus, some. Lan. excubitor, a couple. T. musicus, many during forenoon; iliacus and pilaris, many during day. Sturnus, very many. Sy. rubecula, pretty many, besides no Sylviæ and accentor, Regulus flavicapillus, pretty many. Anth. pratensis, many. Richardi, some. Emb. schœniclus, early, many. Pusilla, one. Al. arvensis, very many; alpestris, the same. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, many; cannabina, fewer. Par. major, pretty many. Scolopax, none. In the afternoon, from 5 to 6, a bat flew about in the garden, chasing.
17th, northerly, light, quite thick, with rain, low loose clouds, slowly from N.W. and N.; after midnight, dead calm.—During the early hours until 9 o'clock, extremely large flights of Thrushes, flying about high, just as if bad weather was approaching. F. tinnunculus and nisus, some. Corvus and Sturnus, few. T. musicus and torquatus, extraordinary many during the whole of the day; merula, iliacus, and viscivorus, fewer. Sy. rufa, many; rubecula, extremely many. Accentor, none. Regulus, many. Anthus pratensis, many. Alauda, very few. Emb. citrinella and schœniclus, some. Fr. cœlebs and montifringilla, many, the latter very many. Linaria, some. Spinus, many. Par. major, pretty many. Scol. rusticula, twenty to thirty shot. Gallinago, pretty many. Rallus aquaticus, some.
18th, N.N.W., slight, overcast, easterly, horizon clear; P.M., high cirri from E. by N., light, sunny, low clouds lazy from N.N.W.—F. æsalon, scattered; nisus, some. Str. brachyotus, few. Corvus, very single. Sturnus, some flights. Lan. excubitor, one. Turd. musicus and torquatus, many. Merula, iliacus, viscivorus, and pilaris, tolerable. Sy. rubecula and rufa, as Regulus, pretty many. Accentor, some. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Al. arvensis and alpestris, fewer. Emb. schœniclus, tolerable; nivalis, some. Par. major, pretty many. Fringilla, not many. Linaria, twenty to thirty; some spinus. Col. palumbus, some. Scol. rusticula, about thirty shot. Gallinula and gallinago, several. About eve a bat flying about in the garden, besides two observed.
19th, N.W., slight, light rain squalls.—Early, nothing. F. nisus, some. C. cornix, some flights; monedula, fewer. Sturnus, but few. Sy. rubecula and rufa, scattered. Par. major, few. About eve Blackbirds and Finches arrived. Linaria, the same. Al. brachydactyla, one male shot.
During the latter days plenty Lar. tridactyla on the sea, also minutus. Anas molissima, one old male shot.
20th, N. by E., slight, quite cloudy, rain showers; later, N.E., almost clear; in evening, clear, light.—Very little, more migration across the sea. Corvus, few. Sturnus, many. Turdus, very few. Sy. rubecula and rufa, few. Al. arvensis, pretty many; alpestris, very many, in flights of thirty to fifty. Woodcocks, but a few.
21st, westerly, light, and rain showers.—Very slight migration. Sturnus, pretty large flights. Lan. excubitor, one. Turdus, very few. Woodcocks, early, very many, 150 to 200 captured.
22d, E. and E. by N, light, clear, scattered clouds; in evening, highest clouds from N., middle W., low, loose, hasty clouds from E. by S.—F. peregrinus, a couple. Corv. cornix and monedula, not many. Sturnus, early flights of 2000 to 3000. Turdus, but few. Anthus, not many. Al. arvensis, few; alpestris, many. Emb. citrinella, some. Fringillæ, the same. Some Col. palumbus and Woodcocks.
The westerly currents in middle stratum of air may have acted unfavourably on migration.
23d, E. by S., fresh, light clouds from S.E.; in evening, E.S.E., very fresh; clouds hasty from S.E., at 9 o'clock, thick, overcast.—F. peregrinus and æsalon, some. C. cornix, very many; frugilegus, in afternoon, flights of several hundreds. Sturnus, single flights. Sy. rubecula and rufa, but strayed. Reg. flavicapillus, pretty many, but yet no pyrocephalus. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, pretty many. Al. arvensis, few; alpestris, many; brachydactyla, one shot, No Thrushes and but a few Woodcocks.
24th, early, S.S.E., violent, thick rain; 10 A.M., S.; P.M., S.S.W., rain, clear to northward.—Early and forenoon, nothing; afternoon, during calm, T. merula, Sturnus, Fr. cœlebs, and a few Woodcocks.
25th, S.W. and W.S.W., fresh, light, rain showers; in evening, lighter.—Nothing.
26th, S.W. to S. by W., violent, thick rain; P.M., very stormy, No. 8; in night, W. and W.N.W., No. 8.—Minimum, west, Scotland; stormy westerly winds in Nordsea. Almost nothing; very strayed single seasonable birds. Al. alpestris and Emb. nivalis, the most.
27th, W., lighter; during day, rain and hail squalls; P.M., W.N.W. and N.W., lighter betwixt squalls.—Nothing; two to three Woodcocks.
28th, early, N.W., No. 7, rain and hail squalls; noon, S.W., clear, high cirri and little clouds from E. by S.; in evening, W,, lighter.—Nothing; early, few merula, young birds. Pretty many Al. alpestris, and one flight Emb. nivalis.
29th, light, overcast; noon, clouds slowly from N.E.; 3 o clock in afternoon, E., fresh, wind and moving clouds.—C. cornix, many great flights, thousands. Sturnus, a flight of 500 to 600. T. musicus, few; pilaris, great flights; no merula. Sy. rubecula, numerous. Reg. flavicapillus and Par. major, pretty many. Anthus, few. Al. arvensis, pretty many passing on overhead; alpestris, flights of hundreds; arborea, twenty to thirty. Woodcocks, ten to fifteen obtained.
30th, E. by N., fresh, overcast, cold, clouds from E.—During the night many Tringæ passed. F. æsalon, several. C. cornix, very many passed. Sturnus, extremely many. Turdus, altogether few; merula, some; torquatus, few; pilaris, many. Sy. rubecula, scattered. Anthus, pretty many. Richardi, one. Al. arvensis, pretty many; alpestris, very numerous; arborea, some. Emb. citrinella and schœniclus, pretty many. Fr. linaria and montium, some flights; cœlebs and montifringilla, fewer. Woodcocks, twenty to thirty shot. Very many Geese and Ducks passed. Cinc. melanogaster, one fine male shot.
Late in evening, many Ch. squatarola overhead passing; the air full of call tones.
31st, E. to S.E., very fresh, cloudy, cold; in evening, wind again more easterly.—F. nisus and buteo, some. C. cornix, very many; monedula, some flights. Sturnus, few. T. merula, few; viscivorus, some; pilaris, many. Lan. major, one fine male. Sy. rubecula, scattered. Anth. pratensis and rupestris, tolerable. Accentor, the same. Al. arvensis, pretty many; alpestris, in masses. Emb. citrinella and nivalis, pretty many; miliaria, some. Par. major, many. F. cœlebs, extraordinary many passing on overhead; linaria, a few flights; cannabina and montium, some. Col. palumbus and Scol. rusticula, several.
Note.—In course of the month, almost no curruca at all; no Reg. pyrocephalus; very few Accentor; Lar. trydactyla, already early very numerous on the sea; Sula alba, the same; almost no Strix brachyotus at all.
November
1st, E. by N., fresh, clear, cold; P.M., light clouds from N. by W.; in evening, cloudy, light easterly.—Not particularly much migration. C. cornix, few flights. Sturnus, the same., Turdus, none at all. Rubecula and Accentor, pretty many. Al. arvensis, few; alpestris, very many passing on overhead. Emb. nivalis and Fr. montium, pretty many. Par. major and cæruleus, some. Woodcocks, few.
2nd, S.W., pretty violent, overcast; P.M., fine rain.—Nothing.
3rd, S.W., pretty violent, overcast; P.M., clear, little high clouds N.—Nothing; at Cuxhaven, fog.
4th, S.S.W., fresh, quite clear; in night, thick.—Nothing. T. pilaris, a little flight. Emb. nivalis and F. montium, several small flights. Par. major, ten to fifteen in the garden.
5th, S.W., fresh, thick, with rain; afternoon, sun through.—Nothing; a few merula, Par. major, Regulus, E. nivalis, and F. montium.
6th, southerly, still, clear; evening, S.S.W., nearly calm.—Early, heavy dew; Bremen, fog; scarcely any passage. T. pilaris, some. Al. alpestris, pretty numerous; arvensis, few; E. nivalis, F. montium, and Par. major, some. Lestris catarrhactes, a very fine specimen obtained; waited thirty years for it!
7th, southerly, still, clear; 9 A.M., fog whole day and night.—Nothing: one Firecrest. 10 P.M., when for a short time clear, great many Num. arquata passing overhead.
8th, E., early, morning, fog; A.M., S.E., thick, with clouds; evening clear.—Nothing. Early in the morning, T. torquatus passing overhead. Towards evening, great many F. cœlebs and cannabina, alighting from great height.
9th, E.S.S., fresh, hazy clouds, cold.—T. pilaris, Al. arvensis, pretty numerous; arborea, a few.
Fr. cœlebs, chloris, spinus, linaria, cannabina, montium, all great many. E. citrinella and nivalis, also great many.
10th, S.E., fresh, hazy clouds drifting along; evening clear, still.—During night some Woodcocks and Ring Ouzels at lighthouse.
T. torquatus and pilaris, pretty numerous. Al. arvensis and alpestris, less. F. montium, many; linaria, some. A few Woodcocks.
11th, S.E., moderate, clear, fine; evening, fog.—St. otus, one in thrushbush. C. cornix, pretty numerous early in the morning. Sturnus, less so. Al. arvensis, not many; alpestris, great many; arborea, ten to fifteen. . Emb. miliaria and citrinella, pretty numerous. F. cœlebs, great many; cannabina, chloris, montium, linaria, many. Col. palumbus, some.
12th, southerly, fresh; night and all day, fog.—Nothing. During night, T. torquatus and pilaris, Ch. auratus, and Num. arquata, heard at lighthouse.
13th, S.W., moderate, thick.—Nothing. Some T. torquatus and pilaris. E. miliaria, a few.
14th, W., windy, rain.—Nothing. T. pilaris, rather numerous; perhaps east wind approaching.
15th, N.E., fresh; early, rain and hail squalls; from noon, clear.—C. cornix, a few small flights; merula and pilaris, rather numerous, particularly the latter; musicus also. A. arvensis, flights; also during night at Lighthouse. A. alpestris, small flights. F. montium, a party of from eighty to a hundred; E. nivalis, less.
16th, N. still, clear; during night some frost; evening calm, clouds from E.N.E., clear.—C. cornix, small flights. Sturnus, forty to fifty. T. pilaris, some flights. Al. arvensis, some; alpestris, great many; arborea, a few. E. nivalis, scattered; F. montium, twenty to forty. Woodcocks, about ten. Col. palumbus, some.
17th, S., faint, clear, somewhat below zero; evening, S.E., fresh.—Nothing; not a bird.
18th, S.S.E., still, clear, some frost.—Nothing. A few C. cornix, early passing overhead. P. major, a few flitting about.
19th, N., faint, scattered clouds, about zero; evening, E.N.E.—Nothing. Very few C. cornix, Al. arvensis, and E. nivalis. F. linaria, ten; carduelis, one. Par. major, some.
20th and 21st, S.E., windy, cloudy, below zero.—Nothing. C. cornix, about ten. F. linaria and E. nivalis, a few.
22d, S.E., little wind, thick.—Nothing. F. cannabina, eight to ten. Strix otus, one.
23d, E. still, very thick; noon, N.E.; evening, E. by S., faint.—T. pilaris, several large flights, from 300 to 500. C. cornix, also many. E. nivalis, considerable numbers. Ch. vanellus, great many.
24th, E., windy, overcast; during night, S.E., very hard.—C. cornix and T. pilaris, some flights. Accentor, some. Cinc. aquaticus (melanogaster), one. Anser and Anas, great many passing on.
25th, S.E., very hard, thick, some snow, a degree below zero.—Nothing. T. pilaris, a few. Some Scol. gallinago. Anser and Anas, great many passing on over the sea.
26th, S.E., blowing hard, cloudy; night, stormy.—Early and forenoon, hundreds of C. cornix passing overhead westward; otherwise, nothing.
27th, S.S.E., blowing hard, rain and snow; afternoon, S.W,—Nothing. Storm warning. Magnificent fall of stars, uninterrupted.
28th, S.S.W., windy, thick; night, stormy.—Nothing.
29th, N.W., somewhat better, windy, cloudy; evening, still, rain.—Nothing.
30th, W., fresh, clear.—Guillemots in the cliffs; rather early for these occasional visits.
December
1st and 2d, W., violent, open clouds N.W., cirri N.—T. pilaris, a few hundreds on 2d. Larus marinus and argentatus, astounding numbers in lee of Island.
3d, night, S.W. gale. Nos. 8 and 9, moving W., bitter; evening, S.W., moderate, cirri, N. by W.—Nothing. Storm warning.
4th, S.W., Nos. 8 and 9, rain and hail squalls.—Nothing.
5th, W. and W. by N., No. 8, hail and rain squalls; afternoon, a little better.—Uria, thousands in the cliffs at breeding places.
6th, Northerly, nearly calm.
7th, Northerly, nearly calm.—During night to 8th, larks pretty numerous at lighthouse.
8th, N.W., very faint, snow showers; evening, squally, with snow.—T. pilaris and merula, some. Fr. linaria, several; montium, small flight, thirty to fifty. Char. vanellus, several. Ch. auratus passing on at night during snow squalls.
9th, N. by W., violent, with snow squalls, between squalls still.—During night Ch. auratus and Num. arquata, numerous passing over.
10th, N. and N.E., fresh, early snow squalls.—C. cornix, several. T. pilaris, small flights; merula, single birds. F. linaria, some.
11th, N.E. and N.N.E., moderate, clear; evening, calm.—C. cornix, pretty numerous.
12th, S.W., fresh, overcast.—Alca alle, thousands flying about on sea.
13th, W.S.W., faint, overcast, upper clouds N.N.W.—Nothing.
14th, W. and N.W., calm, overcast.—Nothing. Some Lar. glaucus, jr., between argentatus and marinus.
15th, W., overcast, no wind.—Nothing.
16th, S.W., fresh; evening, very strong, W., rain.—Nothing.
17th, N.N.W., faint, overcast; evening, thick fine rain; night, fog.—Nothing.
18th, calm, fog; evening, faint, east.—Larus minutus, pretty numerous on sea.
19th, S.E. and S., faint, thick fog.—Al. arvensis, great many passing on, some alighting. Some Al. alpestris.
20th, 21st, 22d, S.W. and W., almost uninterrupted thick fog.
23d, N.E., very weak, cloudy.—T. pilaris, a flight of from 100 to 150. F. montium and Emb. nivalis, some.
24th and 25th, W., fresh, overcast; during night foggy.
26th, north, still, fine.—T. merula, eight to ten, mounting after sunset from my garden on migration.
27th, W., fresh, clear; evening and night, stormy. No. 8, S.W.—Nothing. Great many Lar. minutus.
28th, S.W., stormy. No. 8, storm warning.—Nothing. Great many Lar. minutus.
29th, W., violent, hail and snow squalls.—Nothing. Great many Lar. minutus.
30th, northerly, fresh to violent; evening, N.W., little wind.—Al. alpestris, pretty numerous, flights of twenty and thereabout passing on the whole day.
31st, S.S.W., violent, thick; afternoon and all night, thick fog.—Nothing.
Heligoland—Spring, 1886.
March 19th, S.E., 4 deg. below zero.—Corvus frugilegus, pretty numerous; cornix, a few. Sturnus, do. Al. arvensis, great many, enormous passage over sea.
Mem.—At Hanover astounding numbers of "Crows," and great flights of Ch. vanellus.
20th, S.S.E., little wind, overcast; afternoon, thawing; evening, fog.—F. æsalon and tinnunculus, some. C. frugilegus, thousands; cornix, less. Sturnus, merula, musicus, iliacus, all passing on. Al. arvensis, hundreds of thousands; alpestris and arboreus, a few. Anth. pratensis, great many; rupestris, less. F. cannabina, some flights. Ch. auratus, vanellus, hiaticula, all great many. Fr. alpina, less. Scol. gallinago, several. Col. palumbus, some. Enormous masses passing on across the sea.
Hanover.—Crows, Larks, Wood Pigeons, Ch. vanellus, all in enormous numbers. Ch. auratus, less.
21st, fog.—Larks and Plover passing on above fog, their voices heard in great profusion.
22d, 23d, 24th.—All like 20th, passing over in enormous masses, particularly during night.
25th.—Crows, Rooks, Daws, passing on in millions. Sturnus, astounding numbers. All the above also in full swing passing on, joined by rubecula. Wagtails, accentor. Sax. ænanthe, F. cœlebs, montium, Emb. citrinella, Syl. titys, and a few Gold-crests, etc., etc.
In previous years the Heligoland notes have been incorporated with the returns from the East Coast of England, and they are now printed separately for the first time. The special thanks of the Committee are due to Mr Gätke for his interesting and valuable contributions to their report.