Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1881. Third Report

by J. A. Harvie-Brown; Richard Manliffe Barrington; John Cordeaux; P. M. C. Kermode; Alexander Goodman More

14th.—Galley Head, Duck, number not known, 3 a.m., wind W. strong breeze, clear, flying W. Arklow South Lt.-ship, two Gannets, 6 a.m., wind light N.E., cloudy, going N.E.; five Gannets, 8.25 a.m., going in same direction; three Titlarks, 8.40 a.m., passing inland N.W. Copeland Island, thirteen Herring Gulls, 4 p.m., wind light N., clear; also six Gannets; both after fry and fish.

15th.—Arklow South Lt.-ship, one flock of Titlarks, 7.40 a.m., wind light N.N.E., clear, passing N.W.; five Gannets, 8 a.m., passing N.E. Howth Baily, continuous flocks of Gulls and Puffins flying N. and S., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., wind light N.W., clear. Copeland Island, fifteen Lapwings, remained all day between Mew and Copeland Islands. Rathlin Island, forty Black Crows, 2 p.m., wind very strong S.W., cloudy, going S.

16th.—Barrels Rock Lt.-ship, about thirty Swallows, 11 a.m., wind very light E.N.E., clear, going N.E. Arklow South Lt.-ship, six Gannets, 7.30 a.m., wind light N.E., cloudy, passing N.E. Copeland Island, twenty-three Gannets, 4 p.m., wind light S.E., clear, coming from Ailsa Craig.

17th.—Copeland Island, fourteen Grey Linnets, 3 p.m., wind light S.S.W., rain, remained some time. Oyster Island North, twenty Wigeon going S.E., 11 a.m., wind mod. S.E., clear.

18th.—Barrels Rock Lt.-ship, flock of Grey Gulls, 5.10 p.m., wind very light N.N.E., clear, going W. Tuskar, one Owl, 8 a.m., wind light N., cloudy. Arklow South Lt.-ship, one flock of Swallows, 6.20 a.m., wind fresh N.E., gloomy, passing N.N.W. Innishtrahull, four Lapwings, 12 noon, wind light N., clear.

19th.—Tuskar, about 1000 Gulls alighted 6 a.m., left 7 a.m., wind light S.W., cloudy, gloomy, appeared young; 12.30 p.m., a large flock of Gulls going S. Arklow South Lt.-ship, five Gannets, 8 a.m., wind light W.S.W., cloudy, passing N.E.; four Swallows, 9.20 a.m., passing N.W.

20th.—Oyster Island North, about 100 Barnacles, 9.30 a.m., wind strong S., clear, going S. Clare Island, large flock of Wild Ducks, 2 p.m., wind strong W., overcast, rain, going E. Slyne Head North, one Snipe, 3 a.m., wind fresh S., showers, killed.

21st.—Barrels Rock Lt.-ship, flock of "grey" Gulls, 9.30 a.m., wind light W.N.W., showery, going N. Tuskar, a large flock of Skua Gulls alighted 5 a.m., wind light N., overcast, rain, appeared old birds. Copeland Island, one young Corn Crake, wind strong E.S.E., "reared on Copeland Island." Rathlin O'Birne, about fifteen Gannets, 10 a.m., wind strong N., rain, remained in vicinity until Oct. 14th.

22nd.—Arklow South Lt.-ship, one flock of Swallows, 7.15 a.m., wind very light N.W., clear, passing S.W. Copeland Island, Sept. 22nd to 26th, between these dates Terns which come to breed on Mew Island all left. Slyne Head South, nine Curlews flew to N.E., wind fresh W.S.W., gloomy.

23rd.—Arklow South Lt.-ship, one flock of Swallows, 6 a.m., wind very light E., gloomy, passing N.W. Howth Baily, eight Gannets flying S., 12.30 p.m., wind fresh S., clear. Rathlin O'Birne, continuous flocks of Puffins, 10 a.m., wind light S.E., overcast, went southwards, continued passing until Oct. 1st.