Cormorant. (Carbo cormoranus, Meyer.) Locally known as the “Isle of Wight parson.”
Shag. (Carbo cristatus, Tem.)
Herring Gull. (Lotus argentatus, Brün.) It is to be seen at all seasons with the four birds above mentioned, breeding like them in the Freshwater Cliffs of the Isle of Wight. The shag and the cormorant were the commonest birds along the south-east coast of the Forest in Gilpin’s time (vol. II. pp. 172, 302, third edition), but are now becoming rare; and Mr. More, in his excellent account of the birds of the Isle of Wight, doubts whether more than one or two pairs now annually breed in the Island.
Thus the Forest possesses in all seventy-two residents. The common buzzard, the merlin, the henharrier, the three owls, and as many woodpeckers, with the nuthatch and the stockdove, well indicate its woody and heathy character. Upon comparing this with Mr. More’s list of the residents of the Isle of Wight, we find that the Forest possesses fourteen more than that Island. The principal additions consist, as might be expected, of the common buzzard, black-grouse, green and great and lesser spotted woodpeckers, common snipe, and woodcock, although by the way the last, to my knowledge, breeds in the Island, as also probably the little grebe.
The summer visitors are arranged by the date of the arrival of the main body, drawn partly from Mr. Rake’s and my own observations. In a few cases, as a further criterion, I have given the dates of their nesting spread over the last four years.
Chiffchaff. (Sylvia rufa, Lath.) Arrives about the middle and end of March. Common.
Wheatear. (Sylvia ænanthe, Lath.) Follows very close after the chiffchaff; but the bird is scarce.
Sandmartin. (Hirundo riparia, Lath.) In 1862, Mr. Rake saw some specimens near Fordingbridge on March 15th, about a week earlier than usual.
Martin. (Hirundo urbica, Lin.) Arrives with the sandmartin about the end of March, though sometimes both are seen a little earlier.
Swallow. (Hirundo rustica, Lin.)