Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report] — John Shaqi
Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Science
Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]
Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Birds -- Migration -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
Wren.--The records are few of this species: usually noticed on
migration in large numbers; they appeared at Monach Island and
Dhuheartach. The earliest date is Aug. 17th, when "some" struck at
10 p.m., and between that and 3 a.m.; wind W., and haze. The latest
date is Dec. 9th, when one was seen at 3 p.m., with S.W. breeze, and
showers. In fourteen years Mr. Edgar never saw a Wren at the Butt of
Lewis lighthouse.
Goldcrest, _Regulus cristatus_.--At Mull of Galloway on July 18th,
alighting all night and resting. Mr. Edgar's letter of 20th Sept.
supplies the information that he has never seen Goldcrests at the
Butt of Lewis--a negative fact of value in tracing their exact lines
of flight. Perhaps in our next reports observers will state in their
remarks if any of the species noticed in this one have hitherto been
rare, or entirely absent from their stations in past years.
Robin.--Appeared at Kyleakin, and thence southwards at Skerryvore,
Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and Corsewall. The largest number
recorded at Corsewall, where fifteen struck on Sept. 15th, at 11 p.m.;
wind S.W., light breeze, and haze. The earliest date is Sept. 10th--one
at Skervuile, at midnight; wind S.W., light, and cloudy. The latest is
at Rhuvaal, on Dec. 4th at 9 a.m., when one was seen; wind variable,
light breeze, clear. Thus, time occupied is between Sept. 10th and Dec.
4th. A rush took place in September between 10th and 21st, but no
large numbers are recorded; in October another rush between 7th and
18th; on the former date numbers migrated with Larks and other species
not known, and many were killed and fell into the sea at Skervuile.
At Skerryvore one seen at 7 p.m.; wind S., fresh, with fog and rain.
In September I have records on six days at four stations; in October
two at two stations, and in December one at one station--Rhuvaal; they
passed or struck mostly at night or morning, but a few through the day;
winds mostly southerly, and hazy or foggy; a few in cloudy and clear.
Hedgesparrow.--At M'Arthur's Head, on Sept. 28th, one struck at 1 a.m.;
wind N.W., strong, with haze and rain.
Wheatear.--Wheatears or "Stonechecks" are recorded from Skerryvore as
the most northerly station this year, and thence southward at Rhuvaal,
Skervuile, Turnberry, Corsewall, and Mull of Galloway. The earliest
appearance noted is on Aug. 15th, and the latest on Sept. 28th; thus
the migration extended over forty-four days. The greatest rush was
between Aug. 17th and 22nd. The migration took place entirely at night,
and principally with southerly winds--S., S.W., and to W.; fewer in
northerly or easterly winds. The favoured stations were Skerryvore,
Rhuvaal, and Skervuile.
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