The Zoologist/4th series, vol 2 (1898)/Issue 686/Migration at the Spurn Lighthouse in 1897–98

by John Cordeaux

 

MIGRATION at the SPURN LIGHTHOUSE in 1897–98.

By John Cordeaux, F.R.G.S., M.B.O.U.

 

I am again (as in 1896) indebted to Mr. W.G. Cawnter, one of the light-keepers of the Spurn, for the following notes of birds observed by him at the Light in 1897 and part of 1898:—

 

February, 1897.

15th.—A few Starlings struck, and a Thrush killed.

 

March.

30th.—One Lapwing, one Grey Plover, one Little Grebe, two Larks, one Fieldfare, and several Chaffinches struck and were killed. Wind W.N.W., overcast, and drizzling rain.

 

April.

18th.—The Ringed Plovers are breeding; several nests have from one to two eggs.

19th.—A very large flock of Dunlins on the coast.

27th.—Lesser Tern seen for the first time.

28th.—Several Redstarts, Warblers, and Chiffchaffs struck. S.W. breeze, very gentle; night very dark.

 

May.

6th.—Several Chiffchaffs struck. Overcast, W., gentle breeze.

8th, 2 a.m.—Several Chiffchaffs and Redstarts striking. S.S.W., gentle, overcast.

26th.—Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, and Redstarts flying around lantern. Light air from S.; night very dark.

 

June.

17th.— Swift killed at lantern; several flying around.

 

July.

1st.— Young Starling killed against lantern. N.E. (4), overcast and drizzle.

4th.—Flock of young Rooks flying about the place.

25th.—Large numbers of Swallows flying southward.

20th.—Several to south.

28th.—Two Fern-owls on the sands.

 

August.

26th.—A Gull struck dome of lantern and was killed. "It is nineteen years since a Gull struck a lantern in my charge."

27th.—Several Swifts observed.

30th.—Several Warblers and Whitethroats struck. S.W., moderate, overcast and rain.

31st.—A few Swifts flying around.

 

September.

2nd.—A large number of Swifts (about fifty) roosting in the tower-windows. Some Warblers flying around and striking lantern. W.N.W., moderate, dark and overcast.

3rd.—Towards evening a number of Swifts flying around, but less than on the 2nd: several roosting in tower-windows.

4th.— Several Kestrels observed flying south.

30th.—A large number of birds flying about light, a few Knots striking. Several Snipe during the day.

 

October.

2nd.—A large number of birds— Curlews, Knots, Thrushes, Larks, Plovers, and Golden-crested Wrens—flying around the light. W.S.W., gentle, dark and overcast.

7th.—Several Starlings struck; two Wigeon (young males) struck the base of the lantern and were killed. W.S.W., dark, overcast, showery.

9th.—Many Golden-crested Wrens about the place.

18th.—Lark struck and killed; several Crows passing to the south; also great numbers of Linnets.

21st.—First flight of Woodcocks.

23rd.—Several Starlings struck the lantern. E., moderate, overcast, but very clear. Robin observed for first time.

24th.—Several Starlings and Larks struck.

27th, 3 a.m. to daylight.—A few Starlings struck.

 

November.

1st.—A lot of Crows flying south; several Thrushes about dunes, and also striking.

5th.—A few Starlings struck. Dark, and drizzling rain.

20th.—Stormy Petrel caught on lantern gallery. W., dark and misty. Flock of Geese seen flying south during day.

21st.—Flock of Ducks to south.

24th.—An immense number of Knots flying south. A large number of birds flying around the light—Knots, Golden, Grey, and Green Plovers, Woodcocks, Snipes, Starlings, and Thrushes; many killed by striking. S., night dark and clear, with frequent showers of drizzle.

25th.—Several Woodcocks shot amongst dunes.

26th, 7 p.m.—A Knot struck and was killed.

29th.—Several Geese about; one shot. {{dhr}

December.

7th.—Two flights of Stock Doves to the south during day. (These would probably be King Doves, Columba palumbus.—J.C.)

11th.—During the week large numbers of Books to south.

24th.—Large flock of Ducks to south.

26th, 5 a.m.—Sanderling struck and killed. {{dhr}

January, 1898.

12th.— Knots, Curlews, and Plovers flying around light. S.S.W. (2), overcast, misty.

13th.—Gulls, Wigeons, Knots, and Plovers flying around light. S.W. (2), overcast, misty.

14th.—Larks and Starlings around light; Sanderling killed. W.S.W. (2), overcast.

15th.—The same. {{dhr}

March.

11th.—Starlings and Larks striking lantern. S.E. (3), overcast.

13th, 1 until 2.30 a.m.—Starlings, Curlews, Lapwings, and Sanderlings around light. Overcast, misty.

16th.—Starlings and Larks around light.

17th.—The same.

22nd, 1 to 3 a.m.—Starlings and Larks striking.

24th, 4 a.m.—A few Starlings flying round; Gold-crested Wren struck and killed.

 

Mr. Thomas O. Hall sends the following notes from Flamborough Lighthouse: —

"We had a very straggling migration of Rooks and Jackdaws; they commenced on Oct. 21st, and, as we had a continuance of winds from S.S.E. to S.S.W. for seventeen or eighteen days, so the migration continued to Nov. 7th. We had then a great rush of Fieldfares, with scarcely any other birds. It was. the greatest rush of Fieldfares I have seen for at least twenty years during the autumn migration. They commenced about 11 p.m. on the night of Nov. 24th, and continued to daylight on the 25th. I once saw as large a rush of Fieldfares four years ago, in January, coming from the north and flying south; this was after a heavy fall of snow in Scotland.

"On Feb. 13th, at midnight, there was a slight migration of Fieldfares and Golden Plovers; they appeared to come from the eastward, at least they were travelling westward.

"On Feb. 9th, at 9.30 a.m., I was up in the lantern, and, hearing a great cawing, I looked out, and saw a flock of about two hundred Rooks coming from the eastward; they flew over the top of the lantern and settled in the field beyond, feeding for an hour, and then going west. There has been a great migration, but no sorts of birds in any quantity except the Fieldfare. I think this light has never been a good one for birds; they get in the red rays of light and fly away, but in the white ray they get dazzled, and fly to the lantern-windows."