Motacillidæ.--Spring: Bell Rock and Isle of May (only two). Wagtails.
Earliest at Isle of May, March 12th; latest at Bell Rock, April
13th. General Remarks:--The latter "running over the rocks, but
leaving at high tide, as all birds do that land upon these rocks" (J.
Agnew).--Autumn: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May (three records).
Wagtails. Earliest at Pentland Skerries (three all day), when a
gale from N., Aug. 27th; latest at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, "when a
few new-comers, having more white upon them than the few residents,
appeared." Also occurred at Pentland Skerries, Sept. 10th. Pipits at
Whalsey Skerries, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May (few records).
Earliest at Whalsey Skerries, Aug. 28th (following Sparrowhawk), but
all left next day; latest at Pentland Skerries, Oct. 25th (six struck
at night). Rush (on small scale) at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, 25th, and
26th. General Notes:--Mr. Agnew speaks of some being always here, but
additions on Sept. 24th. Possibly Mr. Agnew alludes, however, to Rock
Pipits as the residents. The Meadow Pipit is probably the species first
seen as additions on Sept. 24th. N.B. The Rock Pipit is a larger bird
than the Meadow Pipit; please shoot one of the "resident birds" and
then one of the "additions," and if carefully compared, I think Mr.
Agnew will detect the difference.
Hirundinidæ.--Spring: Cromarty, Auskerry, Sumburgh Head, and Whalsey
Skerries. First arrivals at Auskerry, May 1st (Martins and Swallows
remained three days and then left); latest, at Whalsey Skerries, June
27th (a few flying about). Rush hardly perceptible. General Notes:--At
Sumburgh Head four pairs all summer; all disappeared on night of July
20th. That night one pair slept on the staircase-window.--Autumn:
Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty,
and Isle of May (a number). Earliest (see remarks under Spring
Migration, supra, July 20th); latest at Sumburgh Head, Oct. 1st (one
seen). No great rush appreciable, but flocks of Swallows and Martins
seen at Auskerry Aug. 1st and 4th, and on 1st at Isle of May (one found
dead previous night after heavy gales); (see Notes under Turdidæ,
supra) part of a general rush of migrants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account