Читать книгу Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1880. - J. A. Harvie-Brown - Страница 7

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As already mentioned, we have received fewer returns this year from the East Coast than in 1879, having returns only from eight stations in 1880, against thirteen in 1879. This arises principally from actual scarcity of birds at many stations, and at some, from extra work devoted to duties of the reporters, owing to fogs and stormy weather. This scarcity appears to have extended all along our Scottish E. coast, and even showed itself for some distance down the East English coast. That, at no time, can our East of Scotland returns approach in magnitude those of the East English coast, I fully believe, because, in the weather most favourable for observation at the stations,—viz., foggy or thick nights,—lanterns placed a few feet above the water, as they are in lightships, must attract far more birds than higher lanterns at the lighthouses. The peculiar situations also of many of our Scottish stations—in the midst of towns (as at Cromarty and Kinnaird Head, in Frazerburgh), in inland bays and arms of the sea (as at Chanonry, and at many localities on our west coast)—must very materially alter the conditions of observation. At our more northern stations the lighthouses for the most part stand at great elevations, and it is worthy of note that from such stations as the Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, and Whalsey Skerries, on the east coast, and Dhuheartach and Skerryvore, on the west coast, &c., we have the best filled schedules, showing that stations upon lower and isolated elevations are the best points of observation.

At the conclusion of my report for 1879, under the West Coast stations, I take notice of the N.W. to S.E. trend of the migration across Tyree and Loch Assapol in the Ross of Mull, and of the direction taken by birds across the narrow part of Scotland between the Firths of Forth and Clyde (vide 'The Zoologist,' May, 1880, pp. 202-204).

My present impression—from these and many similar observations in Stirlingshire and the districts named—is, that a semi-circular migration is probably carried on; birds which strike our coasts at more northerly points, or start from localities further north in Scotland itself, at certain points trend more southerly from their original E. to W. direction; and again, at certain other points, again trend more easterly from their previous N. to S. direction, and pass finally, as far as our British Islands are concerned, from N.W. to S.E. directions. This, of course, is more patent in some seasons than in others, depending upon prevailing winds and weather. Birds came to us all through the migratory season from E. to W. across the North Sea, except in 1879 at the Galloper Bank L.V. (Zool., May, 1880, p. 203). In 1879, I believe, as further indicated at the end of my report on the West Coast, that the migration was compressed by prevailing N.W. winds, and deflected further south, but in 1880 was more expanded, or less compressed, by prevalence of N.E. and E. winds, and that therefore the horizontal area of migration covered a larger surface. In 1880 we thus find birds migrating from directions south of East to directions north of West across the English Channel, or crossing from France to England (vide Cordeaux's Report antea). These points are put forward not as intended to be conclusive, but simply for the purpose of directing attention for further statistics. I will only further direct attention here to my "Third Ornithological Report for Scotland, 1880-81," read to the Natural History Society of Glasgow, session 1880-81.

In our last Report, 1879 (Zool., May, 1880), under our lists of lighthouses, we gave the descriptions of the lights, whether white or red, fixed, flash, revolving, or intermittent, or with other lights or action. What influence in attracting birds these various descriptions of light have, it would not yet be easy to ascertain, because—given the different colours and descriptions—we have them at different localities, which makes it almost impossible to compare them. However, broadly speaking, we would imagine the brightest, whitest, fixed lights to have most influence in penetrating fog or haze, and therefore of attracting birds. We considered it advisable to give these descriptions in our first Report, because we thought that in time such may prove of some value when our knowledge of migration increases. In the Report for 1880 we have not repeated these particulars, but, instead, we give, after the name of each lighthouse station, the heights of the lanterns above the sea, not because we can positively affirm that the height of any given light influences the total of birds seen or killed at that light, but because we believe that this particular may possibly elicit facts in future. Some of our reporters state extreme height above the sea as a cause of birds seldom or never striking the glass, or never being seen hovering round the light. Certainly, returns show a preponderance of deaths or other records, first, at lightships (the average height of the lights of which above the sea is only a few feet); secondly, at such stations—upon isolated rocks—as the Bell Rock, Dhuheartach, or Skerryvore (the lanterns of which are not more than sixty or seventy feet above the water); and a great preponderance above such stations as Cape Wrath (which is 400 feet above the sea) or other similarly elevated lights. During the daytime, whilst crossing towards the English coasts and past the lightships, flocks are usually seen flying low; and across the Firth of Forth and other narrow estuaries the same thing is observed. At times birds are seen passing high in air "almost beyond the range of vision," and when clouds or fogs rapidly lift or clear off during the time of migration, the said migration appears often to "cease to mortal vision," indicating, some say, a reascent to higher levels. Birds also are known to descend upon Heligoland almost perpendicularly from the sky, indicating, it is presumed, a course of migration at a great height, and a descent therefrom upon fog- or haze-covered land to rest or feed. To birds passing through the air above, a local fog beneath probably indicates land in the midst of water, and, if this be so, hence a descent upon it. The various numerical returns of those killed at lanterns are probably a good deal dependent on the height at which birds fly in foggy weather. We might call this the vertical area of birds' migration flight as opposed to lateral area.

Now it seems that light-vessels always return the best-filled schedules, and therefore a preponderance of birds are noticed all along the East English Coast, where light-vessels are most abundant. Whilst upon the East Scottish Coast the returns are infinitely smaller where there are no light-vessels, but only lighthouses, whose lanterns are at a greater height; and the question very naturally arises, "If the Scottish coasts were lighted with light-vessels, would not the number of records be very considerably augmented?"

Mr. J. Hardy's Notes from Berwickshire and the Borders.

Swallows.—Began to take up their residence on May 12th; left September 26th. Much later elsewhere in central districts.

Martin.—Returned on May 15th to sea-side nesting-places on rocks and cavern-mouths. On September 22nd the great body departed, and on 27th had all left but one.

Sand Martin.—April 23rd, on sea-coast.

Starling.—Most of the young birds had left the upper part of Berwickshire before October 31st.

Thrush.—March 21st, a few birds scattered here and there; very scarce. Left mostly by September; only a few later.

Redshank.—Dispersed before March 18th, when only one was heard. A pair returned March 20th. June 24th a pair had returned. On July 17th six or seven frequented the coast. On August 31st a small compact band noticed.

Eider Duck.—A flock of six appeared on the coast, March 18th and 22nd. There were eight on March 27th and four on March 30th.

Wild Duck (Anas boschas).—Continued on coast till March 22nd; greatly diminished by March 27th. One reappeared at sea September 25th. On October 16th they amounted to thirty, and on November 15th about one hundred were enumerated. In December they nearly all left the coast. On December 29th only nine remained.

Great Crested Grebe.—A party of twelve noted for the last time March 22nd, 1880. They reappeared, to the number of fifteen, on December 20th, and continued all winter.

Raven.—January 24th, one seen; storm of snow.

Curlew.—March 27th and 30th, most had left the coast; only one bird left on April 17th. One reappeared June 7th, and more on the 9th. A great flock on September 20th; shifted their ground before December 16th; only one or two left at the close of the year.

Pied Wagtail.—February 7th, one first seen; the next arrived March 27th. Left September 24th.

Wheatear.—March 25th, appeared off coast, but were absent on March 27th. March 29th, a little band of seven or eight arrived, but disappeared. April 17th, a few appeared inland. Noted again on the coast July 15th; September 17th, last seen. Were seen at Berwick, October 14th, but the conditions are very different from here.

Whinchat.—A family newly hatched on the coast a mile to the south of this on August 9th; not seen again.

Stonechat.—Not in some of its old haunts this year. On coast on Cockburn's-path, April 30th.

Redstart.—May 2nd. Scarce this year.

Sedge Warbler.—May 20th, arriving in a band of late migrants.

Willow Warbler.—April 18th, in garden. April 23rd and 24th, singing sweetly; last seen September 4th.

Swift.—May 16th.

Greater Whitethroat.—May 13th, arrived; 16th, general. August 6th, haunts the garden; a single bird left September 19th. Observed in some localities till end of October, but not here.

Landrail and Cuckoo.—Not heard in the neighbourhood this season.

Blackcap Warbler.—May 22nd, in Peasedean; not heard on 16th.

Spotted Flycatcher.—May 25th, numerous arrival along with other migrants, as was the case last year. Last seen September 5th.

Black-headed Gull.—June 11th, two returned to the sea-side; more appeared July 15th, 16th and 17th. By the end of the year the numbers were reduced to one or two.

Fieldfare.—October 31st and November 9th, arrived, but few in number, and only one remained to face the storms of 1881; very scarce. No Redwings seen here. A great scarcity or total absence is recorded from a large number of Scottish localities for the past two years.—J. A. H. B.

Wood Pigeons.—A large migratory band proceeding high over head flying from N. to S., on October 30th.

Snow Bunting.—A very large flock of Snowflakes arrived at Penmanshiel on October 30th, but left after resting a few days. Again numerous there, November 30th. A few remained at Old Cambus, January 7th, 1881. October 18th, one landed in East Lothian in a storm of wind and rain from the North, near Thornton Loch.

Grey-backed Crow.—November 5th, arrived.

Woodcock.—Did not leave till second week in May. Returned to Peasedean, November 2nd. One flushed at Blackburn, Chirnside, October 20th.

Lark.—December 16th, flock of about one hundred seen; most of them remained and departed in March.

Grey Linnet.—December 29th, flocks that fully numbered one hundred birds feeding on the sea-coast ploughed fields infested by wild mustard. Had all left, except four or five, by January 9th, 1881, when that number came to the stack- and poultry-yards.

Brambling.—Only two present in the great snow on January 15th and 19th—at corn laid out for poultry—along with Finches.

Wild Geese (Greylag probably).—February 8th, first band returning north. Continued in neighbourhood till April 24th. In autumn return first seen October 11th and 30th. Did not rest.

Lapwing.—In inland fields, March 7th. July 15th, returned to turnip-fields. Disappeared in January, 1881.

Grey Wagtail.—March 8th, a pair returned. On May 25th several new arrivals along with a rush of migrants, consisting of Flycatchers, Sedge Warblers, and Common Martins.

Waterhen.—March 9th returned to its breeding pools.

Heron.—April 17th, still three on the coast. On July 15th there were seven or eight. On August 6th there were sixteen, and on August 31st twelve.

Cormorant.—Began to disperse about March 9th, when there were six. Only one on March 18th, and two on March 25th. March 27th and 30th, only one. Were not again noted till August 9th and 12th, when only a pair had returned. Scarcer this winter than usual.

Rare Birds recorded by others on my List.—Hoopoe in Northumberland. One Greater Shrike in Berwickshire, others in Northumberland. Bohemian Chatterer, Kelso; Turtle Dove, Rough-legged Buzzard (one).

Notes from the Faroe Isles.

The following notes from Herr H. C. Müller and Dr. Madsen, of Thorshavn, Faroe, have been received too late for insertion in the General Report, but not too late for addition as an Appendix. These notes were all made after the 1st January, 1881. They came to hand on May 1st, 1881:—

Cygnus musicus.—Five Wild Swans were seen on Jan. 1st, 1881; three killed at Suderö on 22nd; one seen near Thorshavn on 10th; probably all belonging to the same flock. Wind S.W., force 3-4. Rain.

Numenius arquata.—One killed at Hvidenov, near Thorshavn, on Jan. 30th. Wind S.S.E., force 4. Rain.

Columba palumbus, Linn.—One seen along with Columba livia at Thorshavn on Feb. 7th. wind E., force 5. Rain and hail.

Larus tridactylus.—Four seen at Thorshavn at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10th. Wind E., force 3-4. Snow.

Alauda arvensis.—One hundred in a flock seen at Thorshavn at 9 a.m. on March 8th, 1881. Wind S.W., fine. For the five days previous storm from S.E.

Vanellus cristatus.—Four seen same time as the above noted Larks, in and after similar weather.