At Lochindaul also, while Thrushes seem to have been little
observed at the time of the rush, there are a few records, 19th, 27th,
and 28th, and one of Blackbirds on 27th. [The position of Lochindaul
(Station CIII.) may sufficiently account for this; nor, however, does
the rush appear quite so heavy at Rhinns of Islay (CII.) as it does at
Skerryvore (XCIII.), nor at Dhuheartach (XCIV.), whilst Dhuheartach is
lighter than Skerryvore. This may or may not indicate that the great
body of the migrants have passed to the westward of Rhinns of Islay and
even of Dhuheartach, making for the Irish coast. It will be interesting
to note what our Irish Committee report upon this.--J. A. H.-B.]
At Turnberry (S. of Clyde) records date 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, and 18th, but
all are quite light, and no rush whatever is apparent on 5th and 6th
October, only records of one, two, three, or four Thrushes, Blackbirds,
and Ring Ouzels being entered.
At Corsewall (S. of Clyde), 2d and 3d of Thrushes (only three or
four each time), but "great rush" of Blackbirds on 5th, and of the
latter single records on 23d and 29th. Winds as generally--easterly.
[_Note._--Thus routes of Blackbirds and Thrushes appear to have
been rather different in 1886. _Compare_ with reports from other
stations.--J. A. H.-B.]
At Mull of Galloway.--Bush indicated pretty distinctly, and striking
all night of 5th, mingled with a few Blackbirds, some of which were
killed at light. Large flocks seen all day of 6th. Dropping in up to
28th.
At Little Boss, on 3d October, four Thrushes--S.E., fresh--three
killed; haze.
So much for the October rush at all stations yielding returns; and we
have enlarged upon items here as illustrative of the whole general
character of the autumn migration of 1886.
In November, migration of Thrushes (_vera_) almost _nil_. Solitary
returns on 24th from Skerryvore, and from Turnberry and Little Boss.
But a few more records of Redwing, Fieldfare, and Blackbird at same
station. In December one single Thrush on 8th at noon at Dhuheartach;
and a few Blackbirds and Redwings on 17th, 18th, and 20th at Rhinns of
Islay. _No returns of Turdidæ S. of Clyde._ No returns of _Turdidæ_
anywhere in January 1887.
Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears (often called "Stonechats;" a name more
correctly applied to another species of the group), Stonechat (a small
bird having the head black in the male and dark-brown in the female),
Whinchat, Redstart, etc.
_In Spring_, Stonechats (?) arrived at Rona, Skye--[no doubt
_these_ are Wheatears; but it is hard to say in all cases which are
intended.--J. A. H.-B.]--on the 24th March, and on same date at
Skervuile--S.S.E. breeze, hazy; also on the same date at Turnberry. On
4th of April, one pair arrived to breed at Rhinns of Islay, followed by
several pairs on the 5th and 6th, which remain to breed. On 30th April,
and one or two other dates, straggling birds seen at Dhuheartach, and
again at Turnberry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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