The Report for the West Coast of England and Wales, and the Isle of Man, refers to the seasonal movements during 1886 of 104 species.
The first vernal migratory movement occurred on the 24th of March, and was sustained until the 26th. During this interval Phylloscopus trochilus, Saxicola œnanthe, Pratincola rubicola, and Hirundo rustica, along with Turdus iliacus, T. pilaris, Scolopax rusticula, and also Turdus musicus, T. merula, and Alauda arvensis, were observed—all at the lanterns, save Hirundo rustica, which occurred during the daytime. The weather prior to this initiatory migration had been severe and unsettled, and the movement was concurrent with the temporary prevalence of favourable conditions (see [p. 82]) over our Islands.
The spring immigrants flowed in gently at intervals during April and early May. The only rush recorded was on the 23d of April, when many Wheatears, Warblers, and "Flycatchers" occurred—the movement being especially pronounced at the Nash and the Eddystone; minor barometric depressions and low temperature, the wind being N.E., had prevailed prior to the 23d, on which day more favourable conditions set in, producing moderate southerly and south-easterly gales, and a rise in the temperature. The immigration of summer visitors extended until the 10th and 11th of May, when Phylloscopus trochilus, Acrocephalus phragmitis, and Sylvia cinerea were killed, and Cypselus apus observed at Langness. Of the transvolant spring migrants, Numenius phæopus was noticed at Langness on the 16th of May.
August.—The autumnal movements commenced with an emigration of Cuculus canorus, Cypselus apus, and Phylloscopus trochilus, several of which were killed at the Nash lantern on the 1st of August. This was followed by movements of Phylloscopus rufa, Turdus torquatus, Sylvia cinerea, Saxicola œnanthe, Anthus trivialis, Motacilla rayi, Cotile riparia, and Cypselus apus, extending from August the 3d to the 9th, and chiefly observed at southerly stations. On the night of the 22d there was a great rush of birds at the Nash, when some hundreds of Acrocephalus phragmitis, Sylvia cinerea, and many Saxicola œnanthe were flying around the lantern from 9 to 10.30 P.M., twenty-nine being killed. Emigrating summer visitors were also observed on the 23d, 27th, and 31st of the month.
September.—On the 3d there was a decided rush of birds at the Nash, on which Mr Nicholas remarks as follows:—"There was an enormous arrival of small birds, the greatest number ever seen here at any one time." This singular movement lasted from 2.10 A.M. to 3.15 A.M., or a little over an hour, during which brief interval unfortunate individuals of the following species perished at the lantern:—Caprimulgus europæus, Emberiza miliaria, Sylvia cinerea, Phylloscopus trochilus, Cuculus canoras, Passer domesticus, Erithacus rubecula, Saxicola œnanthe, and Turdus merula.[16] A general emigration of summer birds on the 23d and 24th, when a very decided fall of temperature was recorded, was the only other movement during the month.
[16] For further particulars of this interesting movement, see [p. 88].
October.—There were important migrations of summer birds and partial migrants on the 3d, 4th, and 5th, commencing simultaneously with the passing away of adverse meteorological conditions (see [p. 91]). Afterwards the records indicate a complete blank until the 18th, up to which day the weather was exceedingly unsettled, with strong winds and gales. From the 18th to the 31st, conditions were quieter, with north-easterly, easterly, and south-easterly winds, and under what may be termed mildly unfavourable conditions (see pp. [94] and [96]), a steady and unbroken flow of migrants was kept up; during which the winter visitors first appeared at the stations, where, also, the departing summer birds put in a final appearance for the season.
November.—The only movement during the month took the form of rush, and extended from the 22d to 27th. This was, doubtless, occasioned by the outburst and prevalence of low temperature (see Meteorological conditions, [p. 100]) then experienced in our Islands, causing birds—Turdinæ, Alauda arvensis, Vanellus vulgaris, Scolopax rusticula, Gallinago cœlestis, Numenius arquatus, and a few Regulus cristatus,—which would otherwise have been contented to remain with us, to seek more genial winter quarters.
The returns for this section of the coast again bear out the opinions expressed in former reports,—First, That the main body of the autumnal migrants reach the west coast of Wales and the south-west coast of England—and probably Ireland, too—by way of the Isle of Man; the north-western coast of England only receiving a comparatively small share in these movements; Second, That emigrants from Ireland, and other birds migrating viâ Irish routes, strike the British coast at the mouth of the Bristol Channel, along whose north shore it is believed many pass. It seems probable, however, from a careful examination of the records, that the right wing at least of these Irish migrants extends as far south as the Land's-End stations, and those from Land's-End to Start Point. This is made evident by the several independent—if they may be so termed—and important movements which are recorded in the diary, for this portion of the coast alone, under the following dates; August 22d, September 3d, and October 24th, 25th, and 26th, and which not only indicate the route followed, but also its origin (Ireland), by reason of the circumscribed area affected.
Corvus cornix, Plectrophanes nivalis, Asio accipitrinus, Bernicla brenta, Fringilla montifringilla, and Passer montanus are again absent, or very rarely mentioned in the returns; while Scolopax rusticula and Regulus cristatus were not at all frequent during the season under consideration.