To be able to offer opinions, or even to speculate on the various problems connected with the migration of birds on the West Coast of England, will require much careful study based upon reports for some years, and it will be much regretted that this coast has been neglected for several seasons.
Chief attention should, perhaps, be paid to the relationship which exists between migration as observed on this coast and the great land mass of Ireland; thus to enable us, if possible, to give some indication of the lines of route, if any, taken by both summer and winter visitors and partial migrants on their passages to and from that country.
To this end a series of careful observations must and should be made, and special attention be given by observers to the direction taken by all migratory birds. This, it is thought, has not received the attention it deserves, and, as it may add a special value to the observations made, it is hoped that the light-keepers (especially those on light-vessels) and others, who have so very willingly helped in the past, will give attention to this request.
II.—Reports from Stations on the Season.
Carlisle District (Messrs. Macpherson and Duckworth).—After a westerly hurricane on Jan. 26th, land birds (Jackdaw and Moorhen), as well as Guillemots, Puffins, Gulls, and Sheldrakes were washed ashore, while Mr. Cook found a large Skua; many Oystercatchers were observed far inland. February and March were dull; the usual fowl on the Loughs, including Pintail, Shovellers, Tufted Duck, and Barnacle Geese, were numerous during the first half of March, and a large flock were seen; as also a Goosander in mid-April. The general calm of the first week of April induced the van of our army of summer visitants to push on early; but the subsequent prevalence of easterly and north-easterly winds checked the main body. On the afternoon of April 29th the wind changed from east to west, and we had an immense influx of House Martins and other birds on the 30th. August was fine, and many Waders arrived early; but it appeared that the chief arrivals took place between the last week this month and the second week of September. Geese and Ducks arrived before the middle of October; and the heavy westerly winds on the 26th and 27th brought ashore the Pomatorhine Skua and Leach's Petrel. The weather continued chiefly open until the end of the year, but most Waders had left by the end of October. In November and December the Geese and Ducks alone relieved the monotony of the Solway.
St. Bees L.H.—Mr. Henry Nott tells me that birds are generally few, unless Starlings and Lapwings; Starlings have been exceptionally numerous during the winter; as for Thrushes and Blackbirds he scarcely ever sees one.
Morecambe Bay L.V.—Mr. Henry Clavell informs me that very few birds have passed this station during the past two years.
Nash (E.) L.H. (Mr. Henry Nicholas).—Birds have not been noticed in such large flocks as last year. The most decided and general movement took place between the 2nd and 15th of November. Wild Ducks have been very scarce this year, and Sky Larks and Starlings have not been observed in such immense numbers as in years past.
Start L.H.—Mr. William Jones notes that in very few instances birds are observed at his station.
III.—Diary of Principal Movements.