In autumn, as usual, we have numerous records, especially of Snow
Buntings, at most stations, _viz._, N. Unst, Sumburgh Head, Pentland
Skerries, Tarbat Ness, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, and Isle of May.
Earliest at Isle of May on Sept. 21st. A rush on 22nd and 27th; fresh
E. to heavy S.W. gale on 26th and 27th. Latest records to Jan. 18th,
1884. Bushes in September _ut sup._, a few in October, many all through
November, but principally on 13th-15th, 16th, and in lesser degree on
1st and 2nd. Snow Buntings often appear with gales and snow or sleet,
but during this month S. and W. winds rather prevailed. They arrived
before the great W. gales, which began about the 16th. Of other species
we have as follows: Yellow Bunting, "Grey Bunting," "Green Bunting" (?
Green Linnet), and Cirl Bunting (one bird sent in spirits was not a
Cirl Bunting, but a young male Yellow Bunting). All these are recorded
from Isle of May, but no other station, and are distributed almost
entirely in October and December; prevailing winds westerly, with
stormy weather and gales.
Cuculidæ.--One spring record from Cromarty station: Arrived on April
29th; E., fresh breeze, haze.
One autumn record only, and the only record I have received from any
station during autumn migration, _viz._, one young bird at Isle of May
on August 23rd, light W., clear. Possibly amongst the many records of
"Hawks" at other stations some occurrences of the young brown-coloured
Cuckoo may have been included, as they are very like small Hawks in
their flight.
_Land Notes._--Cuckoo heard at Dunipace, Stirlingshire, on April 9th,
1883, a very early record. Not heard again till May. Cuckoo recorded
from Busby, at Lee Farm, near Sheddens, on April 14th. Cuckoo heard on
Tinwald Downs, Dumfries, on April 23rd.
Strigidæ.--In spring a Tawny Owl at Isle of May on April 28th, S.E.
fresh, haze; and at Auskerry an Owl (which is probably the Short-eared
Owl) came on the 14th, with stiff S.E. and showers, and remained a
week. "This Owl visits Auskerry annually in May."
In autumn, in September, one Owl on 28th at Pentland Skerries, strong
N.N.E. and showers. In October four single records of Large Owl at
Pentland Skerries on 31st and 13th, and of Short-eared Owls at Isle of
May on 3rd and 13th. None in December, and one Owl at Pentland Skerries
all day on island on 1st; light N.W. showers.
_Land Notes._--Short-eared Owls were reported unusually abundant on
Flanders Moss, Stirlingshire, in the autumn; and I saw two as late as
the 31st January, 1884, on Latham Moss, in the same county, so that
some appear to remain all winter.
Falconidæ.--Spring records in March and April only, March 2nd to April
30th. At Pentland Skerries and Isle of May all single or light entries;
wind easterly, except on March 2nd, when it was S.W. and clear, and one
Kestrel was seen. The Merlin is twice noted. "Light Brown Hawks twice
at Isle of May and Pentland Skerries."
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