To the above-named ornithologists, and to Mr W. Cecil Scott, of Leeds, the writer begs to tender his best thanks for their valued co-operation.
Summary of Observations.
January.—On several occasions during the month a few Thrushes, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Larks, Starlings, and Curlews were observed at the lanterns, but all the movements recorded appear to be purely local in their nature.
February.—The same species are occasionally and locally noted as in January; but on the 17th, Wheatears were noted at the Chickens Rock lantern, and a Ring Ouzel was shot at St Tudwal's—these harbingers of spring making their appearance with the south-westerly winds and mild weather which then spread over our islands.
March.—The month commenced with a spell of anticyclonic weather—cold, gloomy, and foggy over England during the daytime, but with sharp frosts at night. The effect of this weather led to a renewal of the local movements of the Turdidæ, Chaffinches, Larks, Starlings, Lapwings, etc. Shallow local disturbances followed, and on the 15th, which was a most miserable and unsettled day all over England, there was a very great rush of birds at the Nash, flying before very heavy snow, from 8.30 A.M. to 3 P.M. Mr Nicholas says, "two or three hundred birds could be seen at a time," and that he recognised Skylarks, Starlings, Snipe, Woodcocks, Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Mallard, Teal, and many other birds flying in the snow. Anticyclones followed, prevailing until the 20th, producing a good deal of fog and severe frosts. The frost caused some of the lanterns to be visited by the usual gipsy species, but, among others, a "Woodcock, eight Pied Wagtails, and a Kingfisher were killed. Unsettled weather followed. On the 29th an anticyclone advanced completely over the British Islands, and with it fair, dry, quiet weather prevailed until the end of the month. On the 29th, amongst other species, scores of Wheatears fluttered around the Eddystone light; on the 30th, Razorbills and Puffins put in an appearance at their summer haunts on the Calf of Man; and Puffins arrived at St Tudwal's on the 31st.
April.—The month commenced with cold winds and showers of snow and sleet. After the 5th the disturbing conditions passed away, and on the 7th fine bright sunny weather was established, though the temperature remained low. On the 10th, Ring Ouzels and Wheatears were recorded, and the first Swallows appeared at four stations between Devon and the Isle of Man on the 11th. On the 17th the fine weather broke, and changeable, unsettled conditions prevailed over the country generally. During this period Ring Ouzels, Wheatears, and Willow and other Warblers were observed at the Eddystone, and a few Swallows at various stations. Towards the end of the month fine weather again prevailed, and on the 30th a Cuckoo was beard at St Bees, and numbers of Whinchats and Redstarts were captured at the lantern of the Shambles light-vessel.
May.—On the 3d the depression which prevailed during the earliest days of the month passed away, and variable breezes, with fair weather in some places and local showers in others, prevailed until the 5th. On the 3d and 4th, extraordinary rushes of summer immigrants occurred at the Eddystone and Nash stations (and at Helwick on the 4th), when Wheatears, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Willow Wrens, Wood Warblers, Blackcaps, Reed Warblers, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, and Swallows were killed—some in considerable numbers—at the lanterns. On the 16th and 18th, in varying weather, there were arrivals of summer and transient birds at the S.W. stations. Conditions afterwards were most unsettled until the 24th, the weather being wretchedly cold and rough. The only bird recorded during this period was the Swift—a species associated in some districts in England with such unsettled meteorological conditions. On the 25th a high-pressure system appeared, with northerly and easterly winds, though dull and cold for the time of the year. From this date to the end of the month there were continuous arrivals of summer birds, and many Sandpipers and Plovers passed the Eddystone on their way to the far north.
June.—The returns for this month are quite unimportant.
August.—The first movement from the breeding habitats was recorded for the 4th, when Curlews were noted at Menai, the Scarweather L.V., and at Bideford Bar. On the 11th, Whimbrel arrived, and, along with Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, and Whitethroats, struck against the Nash lantern. The weather entirely broke up on the 15th, and thunderstorms began to prevail. The 19th and 20th were very cold, and at night slight ground frosts occurred in several localities. During this spell of rough weather a number of summer birds were recorded as emigrating—Swifts, Swallows, Martins, Warblers, Flycatchers, and Land Rails. The weather then mended, and became fine and hot, and little migration appears to be recorded for the latter days of the month.
September.—The month commenced with a period of very rough weather, south-westerly and westerly gales blowing with great force in the Channel and on our South-West Coasts. On the passing, away of this severe disturbance, a series of smaller ones followed, and continued with little interruption until the middle of the month. The returns up to the 17th show an almost complete dearth of bird-movements during this interval. On the 17th an anticyclonic spell commenced, which lasted, without intermission, till the 25th, and concomitant with it were general migratory movements, full particulars of which are furnished in the Diary section of this report. A cyclonic distribution succeeded, during which the weather was on the whole fair and dry—foggy at times, and cold for the time of the year—and but little migration was noted.