I visited this year Buchan Ness Lighthouse, on the Aberdeenshire coast, and Mr. Andrew Gallie showed me a Manx Shearwater which he had found dead on the balcony in the winter of 1879—80. Mr. Geo. Sim, who was with me at the time, told me it was the first he had ever had record of on the N.E. coast of Aberdeenshire.
I visited also Cape Wrath Lighthouse. There, I was told, very few birds are ever seen at the lights, owing to its great height above the sea.
Turdidæ.—In spring, at Isle of May, March 2nd, after E. to S.E. gale for twenty-four hours, a few Redwings (accompanied by Lapwings, Reed Buntings, Rooks, and Hooded Crows among land birds, and Eider Duck, Teal, and Black Guillemots amongst water-birds). At same station, on April 8th and 19th, with E. winds. Redwings appeared; and on April 15th and 28th, single specimens of Ring Ouzels, again with strong E. or N.E. winds (see [Land Notes] infra). In autumn, no records till September; then at Whalsey, N. Ronaldshay, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, Isle of May (max.), from Sept. 20th, records on to Jan. 25th, 1883—the last record at N. Ronaldshay. The earliest, Sept. 20th, was at Isle of May. All the species recorded occurred all throughout the season, viz., Fieldfares, Redwings, Missel Thrushes (min.). Common Thrushes (max.). Blackbirds; but Fieldfares and Redwings also very abundant. Rushes, first at Auskerry and at N. Ronaldshay on Sept. 27th, and indications of the same also at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Numbers of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Missel Thrushes frequented N. Ronaldshay for three days after this date. At the northern stations, wind strong S.E.; at Isle of May, N.E. gale. A vast rush of many species took place, commencing on Oct. 8th, and continued till about the 18th in force at all the stations sending in returns, except Auskerry. We will speak fully of this movement in this place, and afterwards will refer back to it under other species. Migration general over whole coast-line. Wind during that time was N.E. to S.E. to E., with fog and rain; on the 16th S. at southern stations, and generally S.E. over all the coast. But at Pentland Skerries, mod. S. and S.W. on 10th, 11th, and 13th. The rush here on 12th was, however, with S.S.E. fresh, and fog. At N. Ronaldshay, on 7th—8th, numbers of Thrushes were seen coming from the S.E., and more continued coming till the 16th, all the time with strong S.E. wind. On 16th wind changed to S., and all left. All stations send in heavy returns; but the heaviest is from Isle of May, and hundreds were seen at Bell Rock on the 12th-14th. A desultory migration, with frequent rushes, was kept up all October; also all November, the following dates bulking largest, viz., Nov. 5th, 9th, 12th, 18th, and 27th, the northerly stations of Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries having during this month heavier returns on the whole than the more southerly ones. Wind during this time at Sumburgh Head fresh W., when fifty Redwings appeared on 5th. But at same place, light N.N.E. on 9th, when thirty Redwings were seen. On 27th, at same place, twenty-five Redwings were seen flying S.W., with wind fresh W.; and at Isle of May, on 18th, several flocks of Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels—which usually appear here together—appeared with fresh S. breeze. All during the intermediate time between the above dates migration was carried on. In December the same continued, but in diminishing numbers; and an indication of a small rush occurred between the 6th and 12th, but this appeared to be greatly due to N.E. gales accompanied by snow-storms and severe frost on the mainland, causing local migration, as is partly evident from the species accompanying them, such as Larks, &c., and the exhausted and emaciated appearance, especially of the Redwings, even on the Isle of May. Between the 15th and 31st, at Auskerry, a great flock of Buntings was seen daily. In January large flocks were seen from 4th on to date of last entries in the schedules, and as late as 25th. Fieldfares at Pentland Skerries, where the most were seen on the 13th. At N. Ronaldshay, also, many Blackbirds, Common Thrushes, and Missel Thrushes up to 24th, as already stated. Having detailed the movements, and given dates and circumstances of these rushes, I will now name the species which, along with Thrushes of various kinds, participated in the movement, and this may serve as indicating the general lines of 1882. During the September rush we shall have occasion to refer amongst others to the following species or groups of species:—Saxicolinæ (which began to move, however, as early as August), some Silviinæ (as Robin, Whitethroat, &c.). Golden-crested Wrens and Phylloscopinæ (end of August), Paridæ, Motacillidæ, Pied Flycatchers, Swallows, Fringillidæ, Emberizidæ, Alaudidæ, as also references throughout to Hawks, Owls, Herons, and sea-birds. During the great October rush, between 8th and 18th or 23rd, at the Isle of May, during thick fog and S.E. to E. winds, Mr. Agnew describes the movement as beyond comparison with any former experience of his. A vast rush of Bramblings, Chaffinches, Golden-crested Wrens without number, Silviinæ, Robins, Hedge Accentors, Siskins, Larks, Redwings, Ring Ouzels, Woodcocks, Blackcaps (a few). Sedge Warblers, Jack Snipes; and this movement continued in pulsing throbs and also continuously, covering all October, November, and December, and far into 1883. For night after night hundreds of thousands of small birds circled round the lanterns, flying "against the sun" at Isle of May. From the Isle of May alone, as already stated, I have nineteen schedules filled to overflowing with Mr. Agnew's careful records. A separate paper on the Isle of May, which I hope to prepare when I have leisure, is the only way to do justice to the locality and its recorder. Curious that, although such vast numbers were seen at Isle of May, the numbers at the more inland station, or rather more landlocked station, of Inch Keith show quite a small numerical return; but of these matters I shall have more to say in my General Remarks. Six species of Turdidæ occur recorded in the East Coast returns. Land Notes.—Mr. J. T. Garrioch, writing to me under date March 13th, 1883, and remarking upon the vast nature of the general migration between Oct. 8th and 25th, during an E. to S.E. gale, mentions a few Fieldfares and one Thrush on the 9th which seemed much exhausted. In spring of 1882, Fieldfares remained late into April in Stirlingshire. A flock was seen among the foothills of the Denny range by myself on April 16th.
Saxicolinæ.—In spring, Wheatears ("Stonechats" must be included here.[2] Another season Mr. Agnew will be able to distinguish between true Stonechats and Wheatears, and I hope other reporters also). Whinchats, Redstarts: First record (Wheatear) at Isle of May, March 29th, strong W. wind, clear; latest (Redstart) June 29th, light E., fog. But this may belong to autumn; next latest (Redstart) May 24th, at Isle of May. Earliest Wheatear March 29th; latest, and a rush, on May 2nd (along with other birds unknown), N.E., rain and fog, at Bell Rock. A large bird struck heavily, and fell into the sea. Rush of Wheatears, April 5th. Earliest Whinchat, March 29th; latest and rush, on April 15th, at Isle of May. Earliest Redstart, April 2nd, at Isle of May; latest June 29th, and next May 24th. No great rush apparent. Of the above, Whinchats are also named "Blue Janets," a name usually applied, however, to the Hedgesparrow or Hedge Accentor. The record of June 29th, of a Redstart in light E. wind, seems more of an accidental nature, as it is separated from the one before by a month, and from the true autumn migration by six weeks. Three species of Saxicolinæ on East Coast in spring. In autumn, the same species. Records from Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. (Note.—These are the same stations that reported last season.) Earliest Stonechat, and earliest record, at Bell Rock on Aug. 9th, light S. breeze and fog; latest Stonechat Sept. 22nd, also at Bell Rock. Indications of a rush at Pentland Skerries on Sept. 3rd. "Blue Janets" participated in the October rush already spoken of (see under [Turdidæ]). Earliest Wheatear, Aug. 17th, at Pentland Skerries; latest Sept. 17th. Earliest Redstart Sept. 15th; latest Oct. 22nd. No additional species of Saxicolinæ appeared in autumn.
[2] In so far as the records apply at Isle of May.
Silviinæ.—In spring, Robins at Bell Rock only; one seen on April 10th, struck lantern, but not killed. But "unusual numbers" were seen at Isle of May in April, and in spring generally. In autumn, Robins at Sumburgh Head (where they are very rarely seen), N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Chanonry, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest at Isle of May, Aug. 18th; latest at Chanonry, Dec. 20th, where one rested two days. No quantity till vast rush of October, when Mr. Agnew says he never saw so many Robins before. Greatest numbers seen on 12th. Enormous and uncommon numbers also on 18th at Isle of May, and all gone on 23rd. Large rush on 12th also at Pentland Skerries, when numbers seen all day flying S.W. Indications of the same movement also at N. Ronaldshay, and to a less extent at Sumburgh Head (see under [Turdidæ]). Of other Silviinæ, in spring, a few Whitethroats (identified from a specimen in spirits) showed at Isle of May on May 6th, and in autumn a rush took place at same place on Aug. 16th (specimen No. 33 in spirits); but I have no other records. A single Blackcap on Oct. 14th participated in the rush at Isle of May. Three species of Silviinæ occurred.
Phylloscopinæ.—A marvellous migration of Golden-crested Regulus both in spring and autumn. In spring, the only station giving returns is Isle of May, where Mr. Agnew says they are very unusual at this season. Earliest on March 9th, when one was seen at lights. Large numbers; a rush on 19th and one bird on 20th. All March records accompanied by N.W. through W. to S.W. winds. The rush took place with light S.W., and rain. Three other records are on April 1st, 4th, and 10th; a rush on the 10th of females; the males preceded the females by some weeks. Migration in spring thus lasted from March 9th to April 10th. In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest on Aug. 27th, at Isle of May; latest at same station on Nov. 12th. Rushes: steady influx all September after the 13th; a solitary bird on Oct. 4th; a rush on 8th, indicated at Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries. (Note.—This is their first appearance here for five years; it is marked "very rare" at Sumburgh Head, and indeed natives had not seen them before). More decided at Bell Rock, where they accompanied Bullfinches and Pipits on the 12th, and at Isle of May. The body of the rush occupied three days, from the 8th to the 12th; during that time, at Isle of May, Mr. Agnew describes their numbers as "enormous." Of other Phylloscopinæ, Leaf-warblers—the species, however, not always recognisable from descriptions—were fairly abundant. In spring, one record of either a Wood or Willow Warbler (probably the latter) on May 24th at Isle of May. In autumn, the Isle of May again produces all the records I have, the earliest being considerable numbers of Chiffchaffs (identified) on Aug. 9th, a few on Sept. 13th, 17th, and 27th, at Isle of May; a rush on Oct. 7th, 8th, and 9th, and all gone on 10th; a few on 14th, and all finally gone on 15th. Three (or four?) species of Phylloscopinæ recorded on East Coast. Land Notes.—On April 24th one Willow Warbler seen at Shirgarton, ten miles W. of Stirling. Mr. Garrioch, writing from Lerwick, says:—"In the evening of Oct. 9th my attention was called to a large flock of birds crossing the harbour from the Island of Bressay, and on coming to a spot on the shore where a large number had taken refuge from the storm I found the flock to consist of Goldcrests, and a few Firecrests amongst them. They continued to increase in numbers for a few days, and several specimens were sent to me for preservation from distant parts of the islands." These were preceded on the 8th by flocks of Willow Wrens, one flock numbering about twenty. "The Goldcrests spread over the entire islands, and were observed in considerable numbers till the middle of November, when they all disappeared." Subsequently, Mr. Garrioch, writing to me in reply to certain queries as to the authenticity of the "Fire-crested Wrens," says:—"Of one flock of Goldcrests, I observed five birds which I thought to be the Firecrest. I obtained one specimen very distinctly marked. It seemed to me that the Firecrests were very much more exhausted by the storm than the Goldcrests." Note.—I had in my letter shown the distinction between the male Goldcrest and the true Firecrest, the male Goldcrest having a mark above and below the eye, without the black line through the eye, the Firecrest showing three bars.
Acrocephalinæ.—In Spring, at Isle of May, Mr. Agnew believes he identifies "Reed Warblers" on April 4th; his description, however, would equally apply perhaps to Whitethroats or to Sedge Warblers. In autumn, a rush of similar birds took place there on Oct. 9th. Perhaps two species recorded.
Accentorinæ.—In March, "Blue Janets," of Mr. Agnew, which are represented by a Whinchat in spirits, but which name in Scotland is correctly applied only to the Hedgesparrow or Hedge Accentor. In autumn, one "Blue Janet" on Dec. 3rd. Whilst it is the most abundant of migratory species in autumn on the E. English Coast, next to the Goldcrest, it is curious to find scarcely any records on our E. Scotch Coast.
Paridæ.—Titmice: In spring, one record ("the first seen on the lantern for many years ") at Cromarty, on March 11th, fresh W. and clear. In autumn, considerable numbers of Titmice at Isle of May on Aug. 9th; occurred at Whalsey, N. Ronaldshay (in Oct., Nov., and Dec.), Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest as above, Aug. 9th, at Isle of May; latest at N. Ronaldshay, between Dec. 6th and 12th, when a few came with Robins in a snow-storm (probably local movement only); they accompanied Robins and Thrushes also at N. Ronaldshay on Nov. 12th; on Oct. 12th about sixteen stayed four days, and left on 16th; this is the only indication of a rush. Number of species of Paridæ unknown. Land Notes.—On Sept. 6th I heard Marsh Tit in our woods at Dunipace; this is the earliest autumn record I have, but spring records I have at other localities in the county.