Turdidæ.--In spring a considerable migration noticed at certain
stations, _viz._, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May.
Began Feb. 2nd, when a rush of Song Thrushes took place at Bell
Rock, and terminated May 10th, when, and upon the 9th, there were
indications of another rush of Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels. Whilst Song
Thrushes, Redwings, and Blackbirds seem usually to travel together,
the larger-winged Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels are usually associated
in our returns, though not invariably. Although this spring migration
was spread over such a very considerable time, none of the returns
are very heavy; but indications of rushes are sufficiently distinct.
At Bell Rock, as above stated, on Feb. 2nd, strong E.N.E., with haze.
Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels; at Isle of May, on March 2nd, light W.,
clear, Thrushes and Blackbirds--a decided but not large rush, which
stopped abruptly with wind changing to gales from S.E. to E.N.E. and
to N.W. (see Third Report, General Remarks, p. 67.--J. A. H. B.). In
April, light but fairly continuous entries at Pentland Skerries and
Isle of May, but little indication of a general movement, except on
April 27th, when a good many Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels were noted at
Isle of May, wind fresh S.E. Prevailing winds up to termination of
spring migration, easterly along whole coast. On May 2nd, and again on
9th and 10th, there were faint indications of rushes at Isle of May,
principally of Fieldfares.
In autumn the migration was pronounced, and confined principally to
October and November. Yet the earliest record we have yet received in
Scotland in our schedules occurred on Aug. 28th, at Isle of May, of
two Song Thrushes, followed by a single record on Sept. 21st; also
at Isle of May, "a few Redwings and Ring Ouzels." Again, passing at
present over October and November, only one record in December of a
solitary Fieldfare on the 5th; and in January, 1884, a flock on the
7th and three birds on the 22nd, during a wild W. gale. The month of
October has many entries, and I find the word "rush" opposite the
following dates and stations:--At Pentland Skerries and Isle of May,
but not at Bell Rock, on 13th-15th, hundreds of Redwings and Ring
Ouzels, also Blackbirds and Thrushes, besides many other birds whose
names I will give later. Also at N. Unst a few stragglers rested on
the 16th, and then flew south, with strong S.E. wind and haze. Again,
from about Oct. 28th to Nov. 5th, a great movement, developing into
vast rushes, between Oct. 30th and Nov. 3rd, on which latter day a
Dipper (_Cinclus_) was seen on the Isle of May; twice fired at for
the collection, but escaped. The stations, N. Unst, Sumburgh Head,
Pentland Skerries, Tarbat Ness, Bell Rock, and Isle of May participated
(maximum at Isle of May), but also large numbers at Pentland Skerries,
Bell Rock, and goodly appearance at Sumburgh Head on Nov. 1st. On
Oct. 13th-15th wind was S., but shifted to W. at Isle of May. On
Oct.
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