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NVINOSHLINS S3IuVUE Beals Ww) ae ne joe << Oo faa) eS SF SMITHSONIAN _INSTITUTI -~ %, > ae 8 | : = ” NVINOSHLINS S23 i\YVvVUugd Lg ay eB w O = sy | P {Ss 3 er ef | ‘THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 1 SPRING 1976 Price 75p 1976 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon) MTAIT, Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, ACEA. All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. All with guest lecturers and a tour manager. KASHMIR & KULU .. . June 6-20 .. .. Birds and Flowers Gooders, Huxley and Hodgkins. PELOPONNESE & CRETE ... May 24-June 7... Sites and Flowers .. . Trevor Rowley, B.Litt, BA and Hugh Synge, BSc. NORTHERN GREECE ... June 9-23 ... Flowers . . . Petros Broussalis, outstanding Greek botanist. NEMRUT DAG, CAPPADOCIA, AEGEAN TURKY ... May 5-19 Birds and Flowers ... Dr Susan Coles and Michael Rowntree, MA. AMAZON & GALAPAGOS ... Aug 9-28 . . . Dr Chris Perrins (Oxford University) and Allen Paterson (Curator, Chelsea Physic Garden). BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS .. .. Sept 22-29 ... Repeat of successful 1975 tour... Sir Hugh Elliott and Raymond Hodgkins. ETHIOPIA... Birds and Wilderness... Oct 5-19...A new tour to relatively untrodden areas surveyed by John Gooders in Oct. 1975. ncludes Oma National Park (Tented Camp). Accompanied by Ji: AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS ... Birds, Sites, Leisure, Migrants... Oct 12-21 . . . Michael Rowntree (Birds), Trevor Rowley, B.Litt (Sites). An essential sequel to “Spring in Argolis’”. Should be excellent for migrants. AUTUMN IN CRETE... Nov 1-8... Leisure & Late Sun. Another super holiday at the de luxe Minos Beach Agios Nikolaos at little more than the lowest return air fare. CHRISTMAS IN CRETE .. . Dec 23-31 ... Birds, Flowers, Sites, Repeat of the successes of 1974 and 75: same programme of casual excursions with experts at the famous Minos Beach. Dr Jim Flegg (Birds), Trevor Rowley, B.Litt (Sites), Hugh Synge, BSc (Flowers). CHRISTMAS IN ATHENS .. . Dec 23-31 ... Sites and Leisure at de luxe Royal Olympic Hotel. Another Peregrine Holidays Special with a Mediaeval Banquet and traditional English and Greek Christmas festivities. Many optional excursions. £585 £285 £280 £399 £850 £165 £465* £148* £135* £140* £145* The Early April Bird and Flower Tours are heavily booked at time of going to Press but may have cancellations up to March 20. (*Provisional) Brochures and information from PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 41 SOUTH PARADE, .B, ae SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, = wiz OX2 7uP. Ag ES Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 y eS Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B ||soss@@ bmoculars LONGON I OBSERVE 1& CONSERVE BINOCULARS TELESCOPES SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER OF 33”%% Retail price Our price SWIFT AUDUBON Mk. Il 8.5 x 44 ~~ £68.00 £58.25 SWIFT SARATOGA Mk. II 8 x 40 £46.00 £39.39 GRAND PRIX 8 x 40 Mk. | £38.00 £32.55 SWIFT NEWPORT Mk. Il 10 x 50 £52.00 £44.55 SWIFT SUPER TECNAR 8 x 40 £28.00 £23.98 ZEISS JENA JENOPTEM 8 x 30 £45.34 £28.10 CARL ZEISS 8 x 30B Dialyt £214.06 £142.71 LEITZ 8 x 40B Hard Case — £201.31 LEITZ 10 x 40B Hard Case — £208.32 PERL 9 x 35 £24.37 £19.50 HABICHT DIANA 10 x 40 W/A £156.18 £112.34 Nickel Supra Telescope 15 x 60 x 60 £124.88 £84.00 Hertel & Reuss Televari25x60x60 £119.38 £82.00 All complete with case. Fully guaranteed. Always 120 models in stock from £11.00 to £300.00 CWO; please add 50p part P&P. Available on 14 days approval—Remittance with order. The Heron 8 x 40 BCF. Retail approx. £31.00, our price £22.30. As used by Forestry Commission. Ask for our free brochure ‘Your guide to Binocular/Telescope ‘ Ownership’ and price list. All prices correct at time of going to press. SR I SE a PE SPIE LETS Send too for Price Lists for all Camping, Climbing, Rambling Equipment from our as- sociate company FIELD & TREK (equipment) Ltd., same top quality, same keen prices, SAME ADDRESS. HERON OPTICAL Company Ltd. (Dept. 3SB) 23/25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex. Tel. (STD 0277) 221259/219418. Please despatch to me immediately ..................ceeseeeeees for which | enclose €............ | eae Please send me your Free Brochure described above plus Binocular/Telescope Price List. (Delete as appropriate) PPPrrrrerrrerereeeryer ere eee eee cee eee ree PINE CROSSBILLS | A Scottish contribution by DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON This new study by the author of The Greenshank, The Dotterel, Highland Birds, etc, is the product of field study and research for more than thirty years into the life style, ecology and origins of this especially interesting bird. It is that all too rare book, a work of scholarship and research that is wholly readable, in which the author’s delight in his chosen subject becomes the reader's, too. “This is the fourth monograph of a Scottish bird by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson, and | am tempted to say the best... likely to remain the definite study of this fascinating group of finches for a very long time.” Kenneth Williamson Nat. Hist. Book Reviews. There are line drawings by Donald Watson and 24 photographs. £5.00 net DUCKS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE by M.A. OGILVIE All 41 species found in the wild are treated under such headings as Behaviour, Breeding, Identification, Distribution, etc. There are detailed descriptions of young, eclipse and adult birds, line drawings and in-flight recognition colour plates of male and female birds, plus 24 distribution maps. £5.00 net T&ADPOYSER SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 1, SPRING 1976 Page Editorial oe, oe am cee 4 ae Asal eT 1 - BTO Ornithological Sites peester work in Scotland (Rob Fuller) — ‘ae 2 Waterfowl at effluent discharges in Scottish coastal waters (B. Pounder) e: te The seabirds of Shetland in 1974 (M. P. Harris) ... fi 37 Short Note Buzzard taking Manx Shearwater at night (Robert L. Swann, Alan F. Leitch) ae aie 69 Obituary : Eddie Balfour (David Lea) a 2p che 69 Review tr Waterfowl Populations in Denmark 1965-1973 by Anders Holm Joenson (J. J. D. Greenwood) _.... 7A Letter The Flanders Moss Lesser Black-backed est (Dougal G. Andrew) y ae, Ue Scottish Ornithologists’ Club sia are ve se i3 Requests for Information Bs. ae eS i, +o 87 Current Notes See ee Ae nae ae oa 88 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe RSPB SAVES PLACES FOR BIRDS LOCH GARTEN Birds such as this crested tit are now assured of at least one place to live. This is because the RSPB has_ purchased over 1500 acres of Abernethy forest around Loch Garten, Speyside. EXPENSIVE Though the peace and the beauty are free, the cost to the RSPB to keep it that way was not. Timber and land are expensive. RSPB members and the general public will still have access to the area to enjoy themselves. “SAVE A PLACE FOR BIRDS” Will you give towards the Appeal —not just for Loch Garten but for other reserves which are being purchased? BIRDS The superb Old Caledonian Pine Forest is the home of capercaillie and siskin, osprey and crossbill, roe deer and red _ squirrel, and many more exciting birds, mammals and plants. Donations to the Appeal should be sent to: ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS 17 REGENT TERRACE, EDINBURGH. 031 556 5624 SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 1 Spring 1976 Edited by D. J. Bates Editorial BTO Ornithological Sites Register An article by Rob Fuller on this ornithological Domesday Book for the British Isles appears in the following pages. Scotland has many species and habitats of national and international importance. The apparent re- moteness of many hills, glens and islands is no protection against the potential threats of their development as industrial sites, holiday resorts, motorways and so on. Data about good habitats must be readily available in the Register to meet these threats. Many readers have already provided, or intend to provide, information about sites they know well, but many may be diffident about distant places they know less well, or even local sites, if they assume that there must be others better qualified to describe them. Unfortunately the better qualified, where they exist, are not necessarily inclined to put pen to paper, so the help of everybody, not just a few experts nor even BTO members, is needed here. If you are uncertain whether a site has already been documented, do ask the appropriate organ- izers. Again, if you are uncertain of the value of a site then document it. Superfluous data can be discarded later, gaps in our knowledge cannot be so easily filled. This country was not covered by the original Domesday Survey—this time it will be ! SOC members must ensure that Scotland with its prime sites gets prime coverage. Scottish Birds The index and binding instructions for volume 8 will be published with the next issue. The 1975 Scottish Bird Report should appear in the autumn number. The ever increas- ing load of records, even though capably handled by Local Recorders and the compiler, Roy Dennis, seems to make the possibility of earlier publication remote indeed. The first of a new feature of Current Notes appears at the end of this issue. These notes are not intended to replace or supplement the annual Bird Reports, but only to keep readers informed of recent bird news. Most of the information is sent to the editor by the Local Recorders, to whom observers are 2 EDITORIAL 9(1) asked to send items of interest at the end of each April, July, October and January. Incidentally, it would help Local Recorders if all correspon- dents would either enclose a stamped addressed envelope if acknowledgment is required, or alternatively state that no reply is necessary. ers literature Recent material of Scottish interest in- cludes : Asynchronous hatching and chick mortality in the Herring Gull Larus argentatus. J. Parsons, 1975. Ibis 117: 517-520. (Study on Isle of May). BTO Ornithological Sites Register work in Scotland ROB FULLER (National Organizer) 1976 is a vital year for this very important conservation project. All important sites for birds must be documented on Sites Register forms by the end of 1976. Therefore, all gaps in coverage must be filled without delay. The map opposite shows the known situation in Scotland at the beginning of 1976. Black circles indicate sites for which completed Sites Register forms are held. We do not yet have information for open circle sites—can you help by supplying details on the birds using any of these areas? Information would also be welcomed for any other good bird sites not marked on the map. 3 It is generally, the upland and more remote regions (partic- ularly Argyll, Borders, the Grampians, Inner Hebrides, Lewis and Harris, Ross-shire and Sutherland) that need work most urgently. Even incomplete accounts of sites in these regions are valuable. If you can help, please contact the appropriate Regional Organizer (see below) to ensure that there is no overlap with other observers. Register forms and instructions are also available from Organizers and forms should be returned to them as soon as they are reasonably complete. If there is no Organizer, write to: Sites Register, BTO, Beech Grove, Tring, Herts, HP23 5NR. Sites Register Regional Organizers Shetland Dr B. Marshall, Whalsay, Shetland. Orkney D. Lea, Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney. Outer Hebrides Dr P. G. Hopkins, 31 Glentrool Village, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway. 1976 BTO ORNITHOLOGICAL SITES REGISTER WORK 3 Shetland SCOTLAND - SITES REGISTER ° COVERAGE WINTER 1975-76 O sites listed but not documented ®@ documented sites 4 BTO ORNITHOLOGICAL SITES REGISTER WORK 9(1) Caithness Mrs P. Collett, Sandyquoy, East Gills, Scrabster, Highland, KW14 7UH. Sutherland no organizer. Roe (mainland) C. G. Headlam, Dallachie, Fearn, Highland, IV20 Inverness-shire (mainland more than 18 miles from Inverness) R. H. Den- nis, Landberg, Kessock, Inverness, Highland, IV1 1XD. Inverness-shire (within 18 miles of Inverness) Dr M. Rusk, 18 Morven Road, Inverness, Highland IV2 4BU. Nairnshire and Morayshire Dr R. Richter, 55 Dunbar Street, Burghead, Grampian. Banffshire J. Edelsten, 14 South High Street, Portsoy, Grampian, AB4 2NT. Aberdeenshire and North Kincardineshire S. Baillie, Aberdeen University Bird Club, Zoology Dept., Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB9 2TN. South Kincardineshire and Angus N. K. Atkinson, 90 Bellevue Gardens, Arbroath, Tayside. Skye, Rhum, Eigg, Tiree, Coll A. D. K. Ramsay, Warden’s House, Ber- stane Road, Kirkwall, Orkney. Argyllshire (including Mull) M. J. P. Gregory, Duiletter, Kilmory Road, Lochgilphead, Strathclyde, PA31 8NL. Perthshire R. L. McMillan, 44 Durley Dene Crescent, Kintillo, Bridge of Earn, Tayside. Fife (east of A90 road) D. W. Oliver, East Cottage, Balass, Cupar, Fife. Glasgow area, North (Dunbartonshire and West Stirling) Dr I. T. Draper, Otter’s Holt, 37 Dumbrock Road, Strathblane, Glasgow, G63 9DG. Glasgow area, South (North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire) H. Galbraith, 96 Neilston Road, Paisley, Strathclyde, PA2 6EL. Stirling area (West Fife, East Stirling and Clackmannanshire) A. B. Mit- chell, 7 Gladstone Place, Stirling, FK8 2NN. Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay C. G. Booth, Cairn Cottage, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, PA42 7AT. Kinross-shire Miss B. H. Moore, Loch Leven Nature Centre, Vane Farm, Kinross. West Lothian L. W. G. Alexander, 3 Barnton Gardens, Edinburgh EH4 6AF. Midlothian and Forth Islands R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loan- head, Lothian, EH20 9SJ. ers een K. S. Macgregor, 16 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh, EH10 Buteshire (Arran and Bute) Mrs M. H. Dunn, Tigh-An-Droma, Kings Cross, Isle of Arran, KA27 8RG. Borders Region Dr J. I. Meikle, Bridgeheugh, Lindean, by Galashiels, Borders. Ayrshire J. Miller, 7 Kirkhill Crescent, Prestwick, Strathclyde, KA9 2DF. South Lanarkshire Dr E. Bignal, Nature Conservancy Council, The Castle, Loch Lomond Park, Balloch, Strathclyde. Dumfriesshire Mrs A. Harding, Woodside, Scaur Glen, Penpont, Dumfries and Galloway. Kirkcudbrightshire A. D. Watson, Barone, 54 Main Street, Dalry, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, DG7 3UW. Wigtownshire R. C. Dickson, 3 Galloway Place, West Freugh, by Stran- raer, Dumfries and Galloway. 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 5 Waterfowl at effluent discharges in Scottish coastal waters B. POUNDER The following report summarizes the results of a survey, instigated by the Research Committee of the SOC, locating outfalls of domestic sewage and industrial effluents into Scot- tish coastal waters, both those that are attractive and those that might become hazardous to wintering wildfowl concentra- tions. Several recent reports have highlighted the importance of effluent discharge sites to wintering wildfowl (Thom 1969, Player 1970, 1971, Ballantyne 1973, Milne and Campbell 1973, Pounder 1974) and O’Connor (1974) has described an associa- tion between Kittiwakes* and an outfall in Northern Ireland. At several major outfalls enrichment of the local ecosystems by the organic matter in the effluents leads to increased sup- plies of the foods on which the birds depend, but such dis- charges also raise threats. Firstly the supply of enrichment is always liable to be cut off following intervention by River Purification Boards or local authorities or by the implemen- tation of sewage treatment schemes. Secondly many important sites are in areas where large-scale industrial developments are likely in the near future. Thirdly the risk of toxic dischar- ges is ever present. Some of the most important industrial developments round the Scottish coasts are in connection with North Sea oil, for example, oilrig supply depots at Dundee, Montrose, Aberdeen and Peterhead, a tanker loading facility at Cramond in the Forth, and oil platform construction sites at Methil, Ardersier, Nigg Bay, the outer Clyde and possibly some sea lochs on the west coast. There is also a proposal for an oil refinery complex at Campbeltown (Kintyre) and interest in others at several sites on both the east and west coasts. Dunnet (1974) has de- scribed the totai impact of oil developments on birds on the Scottish coasts, and the situation in 1974 regarding proposed developments in the Clyde estuary has been reviewed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (1974). Areas where major changes in sewage disposal methods will be implemented during the next few years involving full treat- ment, settlement or the combining of separate outfalls into single major outfalls discharging into deep water are at Leith, Grangemouth, Leven, St Andrews, Dundee, Invergordon, the *Scientific names of birds are given in Appendix F. 6 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) Clyde (Leven Valley) and Ayr Bay (Irvine Valley). Many more schemes are under discussion and several are at the initial engineering consultancy stages. The Leith scheme is particu- larly important to Scottish ornithology. What will happen to the large proportion of the European population of Scaups and several thousands of Eiders, Goldeneyes and Pochards that feed off the present outfalls at Leith ? It was questions such as this which led the Research Committee to instigate this survey. Effluent discharges have a direct and immediately adverse eff- ect on wildfowl only when they contain appreciable quantities of oil or toxic chemicals. However, indirect and less immediate effects are many and depend upon the complex interactions between the discharges and the food chains on which the birds depend. The following notes are intended to illustrate some of the more important effects of different categories of discharge. Domestic sewage It is estimated that on average, each person in the UK con- tributes about 40 gallons per day to the overall domestic sewage load. Thus the daily discharge from a town of 25,000 inhabitants will amount to approximately one million gallons, and should the town be situated on a coastal site, it is likely that this discharge will be made directly and without treatment to the sea. The reason for this is easy to understand if the enormous degree of dilution is considered. For ex- ample, the million gallons would occupy approximately the same volume as a million one-gallon cans which could be stacked in 100 layers with 100 cans along the side of each layer. Such a volume is insignificant when compared with the volume of water in even a small estuary. However, the biologi- cal effects of such a small volume need not be insignificant, especially when it is remembered that the discharge is made each day, and accompanied by the trade and industrial effluents from a wide variety of premises typical of a town of 25,000 people. Domestic sewage discharges are sources of food for their local ecosystems and the food is suitable for many species of birds, either directly or after being processed through the diff- erent links in the food chains utilized by the birds, links that include worms, molluscs, crustaceans and fish. The most im- portant processors are the bacteria which break down organic matter. These multiply in the presence of an enhanced supply of organic matter, and themselves provide food for higher levels in the food chain and also liberate essential minerals for the flora of the outfall environment. Most of the bacteria are aerobic, that is they convert organic matter to substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrates, sulphates and phosphates. In so 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 7 doing they remove dissolved oxygen from the water, and al- though this is rapidly replaced in a marine environment, it may become seriously depleted in the waters trapped within the bottom sediments with marked effects on the fauna living within the sediments. Moderate discharges of domestic sewage increase the overall biomass in the outfall environment without having much effect on the variety of species. Such sites are good for birds since they supply a rich and varied amount of food. However, too large a discharge can cause an over enrichment and some species of the marine fauna can multiply and flourish at the expense of others. Such discharges are unable to support a wide variety of species but could well be attractive to a small num- ber of species. Under the most extreme conditions of deoxygenation, dom- estic sewage outfall sites might be unattractive to birds of any species, except perhaps gulls which can feed directly on solid matter in the discharges, and under such conditions the bottom fauna is often dominated by a few species of worms, particularly Capitella capitata. This worm, ragworms (Nerei- dae) and round worms (Nematoda) have been described by Player (1970) as features of the bottom sediments off the Leith outfalls in the Forth. An example of over-enrichment in the Clyde has been described recently by Perkins and Abbott (1972) in a study of dense summer growths of the green alga Enteromorpha on sand flats enriched by sewage treatment plant effluents. Respiration and the rapid initial decay of the algal mats depleted the sands of oxygen so that decay had to proceed by means of anaerobic bacteria (species able to exist in the absence of dissolved oxygen) which converted the or- ganic matter to smelly sulphur compounds. Shellfish such as Cockles Cerastoderma edule and Tellins Macoma balthica mov- ed upwards through the sulphide blackened sands into the more aerated surface layers where they would have suffered heavy predation, especially by waders such as Oystercatchers. Thus waders would have derived a temporary benefit followed by a longer term loss in food supply. In studies in the Ythan McLusky (1968) found that polluted black sediments did not support the burrowing crustacean Corophium volutator, one of the staple items in the diet of Redshanks. On the other hand, blackened faecal tumuli of lugworms are a common sight in the vicinity of sewage outfalls, so long-billed waders such as Curlews and godwits Limosa spp. should be assured of a supply of food on moderately polluted sand flats. Player (1970, 1971) has demonstrated a direct correlation between the feeding habits of diving ducks in the vicinity of the Leith outfalls and the solid matter discharged in the 8 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) effluents, particularly seeds and barley husks. Seeds dischar- ged from outfalls might be a very important item of food for a variety of wildfowl. They may be exotic varieties introduced into the sewers from kitchen sinks or varieties blown by wind on to the paved areas in cities and washed into sewers via rain water drains. Many forms of organic detritus must be attractive to Shore Crabs Carcinus maenas and other bottom- living small crustaceans which can be taken by diving ducks. Trade and industrial effluents These have varied biological effects, depending upon their magnitude and composition, and are best divided into a num- ber of categories to simplify the discussion. Food factory discharges Wastes discharged from food fac- tories, milk processing plants, granaries, breweries and distil- leries have the same overall effects as domestic sewage but in addition often contain matter that can be eaten directly by birds of several species. This has been noticeable in the Tay and in the South Esk at Montrose where large herds of Mute Swans feed on potatoes and other vegetable wastes throughout the winter (Pounder (1974). Tufted Ducks also rely upon potato wastes in the Tay during spells of cold weather. Eiders are known to feed on barley at waste heaps in the Ythan (Milne 1965), and the attraction of Goldeneyes to sites where barley is discharged has been discussed by Pounder (1976). Barley and grain husks might also be attractive to waders and dabbling ducks, and even to really marine ducks such as Long- tailed Ducks (Harrison 1919). Discharges of distillery wastes are causing concern in sev- eral areas in Scotland and there have been attempts to reduce the number of complaints about the offensive smells by trans- porting liquid wastes by road tanker to coastal sites for dis- charge into the sea. The Buckie outfall has been used for this purpose. However, Banff County Council is taking action to stop both river and sea discharges in its area. In addition, the recent increases in world food costs are making it worthwhile for distillery companies to seriously consider converting their wastes into high protein animal foodstuffs and if this comes about, there will be a marked reduction in the amounts of man- made food supplies available to coastal bird flocks in several important areas. Chemical effluents Large discharges of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and oils, are generally toxic to marine life, either directly as in the case of substances such as sulphuric acid, cyanides and phenols (from gas works), or indirectly via the fractions which result from the partial breakdown of or- ganic matter by bacteria. However, birds seem able to avoid 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9 some of the grosser chemical effluents, even when these are discharged near important feeding areas, such as the inner Forth and the Mersey, and some of the more visually spectac- ular sources of pollution are known to have little adverse effects on their local environments. A good example of this last fact is provided by the steel complex at Workington (Perkins 1972). Oil discharges are well known to be highly detrimental to diving ducks, but they also affect waders by killing off the fauna in the sediments on which the waders feed. However, oils are at least partially biodegradable under natural condi- tions and the effects of stranded oil are generally assumed to be relatively short lived. Unfortunately, oil slicks are often treated by chemical dispersal agents which can be much more toxic than the oil itself, and even the so-called non-toxic var- ieties might have long term biological effects because of damage to reproductive processes. This has been demonstra- ted for the common polychaetes Cirriforma tentaculata and Cirratulus cirratus (George 1971) and is worthy of further study. Two chemicals that have caused serious concern in recent years are DDE, a breakdown product of DDT, and the chlorin- ated biphenyls or PCBs which were used by a wide range of industries before being voluntarily restricted in the UK in 1971. The effects of DDE on predatory birds (including some sea birds) are well known by now in ornithological circles, and PCBs have been associated with the Irish Sea seabird wreck in 1969 (Holdgate 1971). The sources of DDE are widespread because of natural run-off from agricultural land. PCBs are thought to be derived from large outfalls of industrial effluents and sewage sludge dumping grounds. Both types of chemical are now widespread over the oceans, for example across the Atlantic and into the Arctic, and the maximum concentrations in sea birds are found in the larger gulls which feed off trawler wastes (Bogan and Bourne 1972). They must therefore be widespread in fish, and this must be of considerable impor- tance to man as well as birds. Although much is now known about the toxicity of PCBs (e.g. Prestt et al 1970), many more side effects are likely to be discovered as time goes on. For example, Common and Roseate Terns that breed in Long Island Sound (New York) exhibit a statistically significant in- cidence of gross physical deformities, similar to those pro- duced when PCBs are injected into chick embryos. The deformed terns are found to have relatively large concentra- tions of PCBs in their bodies (Hays and Risebrough 1972). Perhaps as harmful as PCBs are the heavy metals contained in suspended matter discharged from many industrial outfalls. 10 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) These are toxic to many forms of marine life in only a few parts per million concentrations and are known to be wide- spread over large areas of inshore waters, particularly in the Irish Sea (where many could be derived from natural run-off from mineralized areas and old mine workings in North Wales), and off the Mersey (Abdullah et al 1972). High mercury levels have been reported in molluscs recently in the Tay (Jones et al 1973), and heavy metal pollution off the coast of South Wales is thought to be derived from the opposite shore of the Bristol Channel (Nickless et al 1972), a fact which is relevant to possible future conditions in the Forth. Although there is no direct evidence of heavy metal poisoning of sea birds, a long-term threat must be considered, especially because many marine animals taken by sea-birds as food are able to concen- trate metals. The problem is aggravated by the development of resistance to heavy metal poisoning by some organisms, for example, tolerance to copper in the marine alga Ecotcarpus silicolosus (Russell and Morris 1970) and in the very common polychaete Nereis diversicolor (Bryan and Hummerstone 1971). The effects of heavy metals on the marine micro-fauna have been overlooked by many workers but they are possibly of great importance. For example, the larvae of Shrimps Crangon crangon and Shore Crabs are much less tolerant of mercury than the adults (Connor 1972), which are taken by several species of sea-birds and ducks, and fewer survive to maturity. Gray and Ventilla (1971) have shown that very small concen- trations of heavy metals impair the growth of the bacteri- vorous sediment-living ciliate Cristigera. They point out that an adverse effect at such a low level in the food chain would cause marked changes to a whole ecosystem that depended upon it. Seaweeds are affected by heavy metals, for example red algae (Rhodophyta) and kelps (Laminariaceae) (Bellamy et al 1967, Hopkin and Kain 1971, Edwards 1972) but it is not known how this might affect sea-birds. However, it is certain that seaweeds exert a large influence on the ecology of large areas of bottom sediments, especially by controlling the amount of light admitted to deep water and in the wide variety of fauna dependent on the environment afforded by the holdfasts. It is also known that Bladder Wrack Fucus vesiculosus can con- centrate heavy metals (Bryan and Hummerstone 1973) and this could be passed on to Eiders and Pochards, both of which are known to eat wrack, though to an extent that is difficult to assess. The effects of chemical pollution on fish life are important, especially to those species of birds that sustain themselves solely on a fish diet, for example, Cormorants, Shags and 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES ; 11 terns. Unfortunately, most of the work has concentrated on determining toxicity levels under laboratory conditions which may not be directly applicable to the natural environment (Mawdesley-Thomas 1971). Mine water discharges Mine water discharges into Scottish coastal waters should be relatively non-toxic because of the lack of mineralization in the strata through which the waters percolate. However, Scottish discharges are often heavily laden with silt and very ferruginous in some areas and the dis- charges can be lethal to the fauna of the discharge environ- ment by smothering the bottom sediments. Pulp mill discharges The suspended matter in pulp mill dis- charges can have the same smothering effect as the silt in mine waters, since although it is mostly organic (cellulose), biode- gradation is very slow. The only information available for Scotland (Pearson 1970) has shown that as a result of good design to ensure efficient mixing between the discharges and the fast flowing tidal currents, there are no important biological effects in the Fort William area. There are no obviously deleterious effects in the inner Forth and in the Eden estuary at Guardbridge, despite frequent sightings in the latter area of coloured slicks washed over the flats on which large num- bers of Shelducks and Wigeons feed. Cooling water discharges Water drawn through the conden- sers of electricity generating stations at coastal sites warms up the immediate marine environment and the resulting bio- logical effects could be large and complex. For example, since fishes are attracted to warm water which makes them more active, fish-eating sea birds should derive benefit. However, the increased metabolism in fishes following increases in the ambient temperature, combined with a parallel difficulty in abstracting oxygen from the haemoglobin in the blood makes even moderately small temperature rises potentially hazardous to several fish species (Clark 1969). Clark also points out that the seasonal migrations of fish, as well as the spawning habits of some fish and shellfish, are dependent on temperature. These high temperature problems are likely to increase when very high power nuclear stations become more common at coastal sites since these waste approximately 60% more heat than conventional stations of comparable size. Scotland is fortunate in that most of her coastal generating stations are situated in areas where there is good water cir- culation and it is probable that the biological effects on the stations are more important than the effects of the stations on the local biology, particularly because of the tendency of Mussels Mytilus edulis to grow and flourish on the almost ideal substratum provided by the concrete walls of the cooling 12 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) ducts. The Mussel growths affect the water flow rates and block and damage the cooling tubes. Chlorination is often used to combat the Mussels but there have been no reports that this has caused any undesirable effects on the marine flora and fauna outside the immediate vicinities of the conduits. The future for Scotland appears to present no problems from thermal pollution, despite a massive increase in electricity power generation planned for the next 20 years. Two large generating stations at Hunterston and Inverkip will increase the South of Scotland Electricity Board’s capacity from 6,000 to 9,300 megawatts. These are already under construction and it is hoped to add another 7,000MW before 1990 by means of pairs of nuclear stations at Torness Point, Dunbar, and Chapel Donan near Girvan, and a gas/oil station at Carriden near Bo'ness. Sludge dumping It is common practice for sludges from sewage settlement tanks to be dumped in deep water at sea and this will increase in Scottish waters during the next few years when plans for many of the currently untreated coastal discharges are completed. Dumping areas will almost certainly be developed off the Forth and Tay. Approximately one million tons a year are dumped in the Clyde, one mile south of Garroch Head, Bute, but a study of the bottom fauna in the area (Hal- crow et al 1973) has not shown any important adverse biolog- ical effects outside the immediate dumping area. Similarly, no obviously important adverse effects have been reported from the Southampton sludge dumping ground off the Isle of Wight (Jenkinson 1972), nor in the outer Thames estuary (Shelton 1971). Unfortunately, sludge dumps are a cause for concern for they are often sources of heavy metal pollution, and PCBs in the Irish Sea are known to be derived, at least in part, from the Clyde dumping site (Holden 1970, Waddington and Best 1972). Methods and results Details of individual outfalls are presented in the appendices. They were derived from a number of different sources—River Purification Boards and their annual reports, local authorities, engineering consultants, and the general technical literature on the water pollution subject. Water pollution is sometimes a sensitive subject, and further, since technical difficulties make it impossible to vouch for the accuracy of effluent discharge data, it was thought best not to cite the individual sources of information. In the great majority of cases, the official bodies and individuals approached for information gave all the help they could and only two bodies declined to assist on legal grounds. 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 13 The discharge rates in the tables are in most cases estimates, and in the case of tourist areas, for winter periods only. Many are based upon the average discharge per person assumed by the different local authorities, which appeared to vary between 30 and 50 gallons a day. Rainwater discharges via sewers are not included. The Biological Oxygen Demands (BOD) and Suspended Solid (SS) figures, where given, are useful for com- parative purposes only. Obviously they vary from day to day and it is not known how far from the outfalls or under what conditions they were deduced. Sewage discharged into tidal waters is often regarded as weak, average or strong according to the following criteria: BOD (milligrams per litre) Weak Less than 200 Average 200 - 400 Strong More than 400 It is interesting that the BOD values off the large sewage works outfalls in the Clyde are comparable with or less than values estimated for localities such as Arrochar or Tarbet. Volunteer helpers who responded to a request for assistance in Scottish Birds and many others recruited by Local Recorders and Regional Organizers for the National Wildfowl Count Scheme were asked to count wildfowl in the vicinities of out- falls on or near the middle Sundays of November 1973 and February 1974. It was left to the counters’ experience and judgement to interpret what was meant by ‘vicinity’. Wildfowl only were counted in order not to ask too much of the coun- ters, and to take advantage of the National Wildfowl Counts which would have been carried out on those dates in any case. Out of 210 forms sent out for distribution to counters, 172 were returned completed. The forms contained the outfall locations, and included spaces for the wildfowl counts, count dates, weather and tide conditions, flock locations in relation to the outfalls and general notes. The counters were also asked if the results were typical for their sites and whether local fresh waters were frozen. The counts were carried out in a variety of weather condi- tions during the middle of November 1973 and February 1974. There was a cold spell during November but the remainder of this particular winter was exceptionally mild. Not all the counts in one month were made on the same day and this intro- duced a source of error in that some birds might have been counted more than once at different sites. In some cases more than one count was available for a particular site, usually with a few days separating the counts. Maximum counts were used when such choices were available. 14 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) Primary sites Counts at the primary outfall sites are shown in table 1, which illustrates the importance of the Forth, particularly the south shore off Edinburgh and to the west, and the results are summarized in column A of table 2. The percentages in this column show the importance of these primary outfall sites to Scaups, Goldeneyes and Eiders, which together made up 85.8% of the total. A similar result is shown in column B but Mallard and Wigeon numbers are more important at the secondary sites and cause the percentages of the diving ducks to be some- what less than in column A. Column C illustrates the quite diff- erent distribution of species feeding in clean waters and this is at first sight rather surprising since there can be no lack of food at Tyninghame and in the Eden estuary for diving ducks. Both areas possess extensive Mussel beds. A particularly surprising result in table 1 is the large num- bers of wildfowl, particularly Shelducks, in the Bo’ness- Grangemouth area, which from the data given in appendix A might be expected to be one of the most highly polluted estuarine areas in Scotland. Unfortunately, the composition of the petrochemical industry discharges is not known. Unless they are made up mostly of water (which is quite probable), the effluents must have some biological effects on the inter- tidal sediments on which the Shelducks feed. However, these effects must do little harm to the food chains utilized by Hydrobia, a small snail which is the staple diet of Shelducks, and it is even possible that hydrocarbon effluents, if they are indeed discharged in significant quantities, are of benefit to the food chain following processing by bacterial breakdown. It does not follow that petrochemical complexes elsewhere would not have an adverse effect on wildfowl since so much depends upon exactly what is discharged and the hydrological conditions in the vicinities of the outfalls. Numbers of Pochards in table 1 are small but it is thought that the flock that roosts on Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh, and which numbers several thousand at times, feeds by night at outfalls in the Forth (Player 1970, Ballantyne 1973). The most important by far of the sites in table 1 is Seafield, Leith, from which most of the wastes of Edinburgh are dis- charged and which is obviously of prime importance to Scaups, Eiders and Goldeneyes, in addition to being attractive to Long- tailed Ducks and Great Crested Grebes. The Scaups and Gol- deneyes often mass amongst the gulls right at the outfall out- let when feeding but the Eiders tend to remain a little further distant. It is very difficult to assess the true sizes of the Scaup and Goldeneye flocks, not only because of the dense concen- trations in which they feed, but also because when disturbed or 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 15 when weather conditions make it necessary, the birds fly to other outfall sites as far as Levenhall a little to the west. In addition to the wildfowl flocks that winter in the immed- iate vicinity of the Seafield outfall, there are others, partic- ularly the flocks of several hundred scoters and Long-tailed Ducks further downstream off Gullane, that might be indirect- ly dependent upon the discharges because of enrichment of the sea bed and it is interesting that a similar situation obtains on the other side of the Forth off the Fife coast. Here the big Methil-Leven outfall discharges a large volume of domestic sewage, trade and distillery wastes, and supports other large flocks of Goldeneyes and Scaups (as well as Pochards on oc- casions and Tufted Ducks during cold weather periods) and Mallards that feed at the outlet of the River Leven, and a little downstream in Largo Bay is another concentration of scoters and Long-tailed Ducks. The most important site in the north is the Cromarty Firth at Dalmore where Mute and Whooper Swans feed over stony mud flats over which distillery wastes are discharged, and Invergordon where Mute Swans mass at the outfall in addition to a large flock of Goldeneyes. Distillery wastes are also dis- charged at Invergordon, and since the domestic sewage load must be small relative to that in the Forth and Tay for example, the distillery wastes must be the important factor in attracting the Goldeneyes to the site. However, the Invergordon outfall poses some questions, for example, why do the Goldeneye flocks contain so few adult males (quite unlike the situation elsewhere on the east coast) and if distillery wastes are indeed the important factor, why do the Goldeneyes show so little interest in other distillery waste discharge areas, particularly at Dalmore, only a few minutes flying time away ? Some of the sites included in table 1 are considered to be of importance despite the relatively low counts obtained during this survey. For example, 250-300 Goldeneyes are usually resident at Alloa but there was disturbance during the survey. Similar numbers of Goldeneyes have also been common off the outfall at Stannergate, Dundee (F5, M10), during several recent winters but numbers were low during the mild seasons of 1972-3 and 1973-4. The Stannergate is also important for Tufted Ducks and Mute Swans when a vegetable food proces- sing factory at the site is in operation. Vegetable wastes have supported herds of swans in excess of 100 during recent win- ters and flocks of 200 to 300 Tufted Ducks in cold weather, rising to 800 to 900 when inland waters were frozen. One of the Inverness outfalls (at Clachnaharry) is also important to Tufted Ducks in cold weather, and is included in table 1 on this account. The Dundee outfall at the mouth of the Dighty (M11) regularly supports several hundreds each of Mallards and WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) 16 GLé 4 £44 vL8 OL8¢I 6PrS8T S ol B ae So a ~~ = 0) [lal 8 es | fs IS11 3 ll11 g 6 _ 118 | lub baba ~* Dt | min = ow Pebal aba x oS o>) Sf) S on at e on wd ~ SL isi bay N N S Rs oD eo 188 | oOo co ee o se) So = oS oOo =e aba Mili1ig Denes ak i=) te) N | MITT Edt osaae— 11 || 1 | SS | LO N i=) eh Gent se) g i) —_ me g = te | c= 4 Pub Pie! lil bl A | | [SS1 1188 x g te] io.¢) 1g | qeq AON Q o — qe AON AON ea oO 2 ® a > ° vA A iS Zz o cd 3 Zz (OTIN ‘Sa) (gw) (SI-FD (TIN) C8SC STe}OL —_— ueMS JadoOOuM —- UBMS sn] = yonplsys Z JosuBsIOIN pojseveiq-poy 008T Joply a 19}09G UOWUWOD 0S yonq peyie}-su0T O9T eAauaplop — pieyoodg 5 yond peijnt 00S dnvos = [requld —_ uossIM, ag [eo L OL p1ei[PIl — 942a1ID posed yeaIH AON (sopod IOJ : ddev 3aas) ojes19uUe} (61) usAed] yynowsdurly (EW ‘ZIN) Ysinqyessny] soadipus : woot BIIMOSIIAUT -TIU°IA ApyeoyIr -ssou 0g pleyees -[[PquoAoT soyg yey3ng saSIeyoSIp JUON[Ye pue siequinu psiq useeMjeq UOHEIIIIOD & SI 9194) IOYM Saz]s ]][VJINO Vd] 3 S}UNOD [MOJPTIM “T FAPL 17 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 1976 TOLZE CELET OT OP IZI 88 1OcT § SOET 0S cll C688 PPSL 8G G9 99 OOT GcLb «OG 9E A Lit Ge bSE IS€SGT €08zI 99 VG IZS CLET ve COP cvOlT €6ET 6 09 qo. AON S[e}0 1, cS8 Sr6I = 9L cl og € Le LOL OOST OS CG aa cl SIT 00S GG GOT 8S Ge qo AON (ZIS-6S) uPvIOpUddIeID -SSOIpIe) 8&6 L9OIZ — OF Zz G 61 9 ¢ FI a IPI I GT 000r — 008 L¥9 Zl OFT bz 6SI qeaqt AON (LIA) Avs] L XA 4 “lal & ble | i * 10 Sie ete Perle ists Q ® = 3 Z (9TIN) UOpIOSIOAUT €0b 669 Ghr PFI Or - — — L8 q8 IZ 9 06 v —- — FI — g9e GE z — o¢ 89 — Ge oo ose — — — o0ge 9 — qe9f AON qeq AON (AjreU0ID) (sozs ¢) oIOU] ed SSOUJOAUT (penuyju0D) [ Iqe1 968 6LET S[B}0L — — uBvMS JodoouA oe — UBMS 3IN]I ae eel yONplsys OT 9 Josueslof[ peysevoig-poy 009 006 Japa GZ OL 13}09$ UOUWIWIOD — — yond pejie}-suoT LS OE aAauap[oyH = = yond pen Sis —_ dneos — — [reyuld 0€ 09 uossIM v 6 [BOL 89T POT preT [PIA — — 9dQ2ID poejsoIg yeaIy qo.T AON (TTD (Sapoo 105 (AqYy31q) sooipuedde aac) sepund SOS TejINO WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) 18 1v9Z P'8P (L°0) 61 VCe (oo) O L'9F (00) O Lt t0'0 I TSS¢ €1) ve GL (zZ'0) & v'96 (0'0) O 9°8P ( (9'SE) OFG PHI (SLE (7HP) LOTT 0'9€ ( (O'S ) O12 Ge ( (O'OT) $92 (q/V¥ X00T) ,ovumeysuluAL, Soys [[ejWNO pue Alenj}sq Arewyid ye sodejuodleg Uuepy 410J eed d 2) (s[e}0} UUINTOD 94} JO seSejusoied se s}un0d ssoidxe sjayov1q Ul SIIqUINN) *(G) UOTNG!IysIpP soyeds oY} B7e1XSNIIT 09 (9) saqis paynyjodun om} 3e pue (q) Sezs [Te}INo [Je (v) Ses [eyo Areurid ye spezo} JUNOD “g2,J-"AON 98eIBAY “% AEL ‘(uepy) SurmND ‘[ ‘(eureysuTUA]) YWUIS ‘f “M “Ux SS86P 1680€ s[e1OL (Ol) GLP (L'0) 0&2 UBMS INIA (L°0) Z9€ (€'0) Ig JesuRSIZIY poyseoiq-poy oe GL (T'0) SE BqeaIH peyseiD yeI1H 8'0) Z8E (ZI) PSE yond pen ( (662) 7@Z6PFT ( (9°92) 8128 Japry (F'OL)( (ZIT) O8Ss (98°E8)( (9ST) 80zF afauepjoy ( (€°6Z) FOOFT ((9°St) LLOPT dnvos (ZS) SLSZ (1%) €SZI yonpreys (G1) 9EL9 (Te) ZL6 uossIM (FI) 089 (80) ShZ [ea,L (6°9) POPE (6°€) SIZ psel[eI (8-€ SoTqeL (I 21981 woly 23e0) wo1j vjeq) da V 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 19 Goldeneyes and a flock of Eiders which appears to have been increasing in size during the past few seasons. The Goldeneyes and some of the Mallards feed with gulls in the sewage slicks but the Eiders feed a little distance away in an area where some of the sewage is known to settle, and which contains a rich fauna of worms and crustaceans. The Eiders rarely feed over a dense and extensive Mussel bed only 0.5km to the west of their feeding area. The sites at Loch Indaal (Islay) and Dalmore (Cromarty Firth) are special in that they do not possess large outfalls of domestic sewage. However, they are both distillery sites and large grain discharges are likely at both places. Secondary sites It would be impracticable to include counts of wildfowl at all the sites visited during the survey. The results are there- fore summarized in tables 3 to 8 and are amplified as follows. Table 3. Summaries of counts at all outfall sites : Forth, south shore St Abbs- Levenhall- Bo’ness- Primary outfalls Dirleton | Corstorphine* Kennet Pans Totals (See appendices (Il, F1) (13, M1-M5) (14-110, F2-F4, for codes) S2-S4, M6) No of sites 9 10 11 30 visited Nov Feb Nov Feb Nov Feb Nov Feb Great Crested Grebe — — 50 60 20 9 70 69 Mallard 6 2 82 148 238 L7s 326 321 Teal — — — = 6 2 6 2 Wigeon 16 9 —_ — 250 57 266 66 Pintail — a= a= — 24 66 2 66 Scaup — — 12200 14000 — — 12200 14000 Tufted Duck —_ — 50 —_ — 50: 6 Pochard — a 40 10 — — 40 10 Goldeneye AT 10 1990 2806 188 E39 32205 2955 Long-tailed Duck 1 36 50 21 — —_ 51 OF Common Scoter — — —_ 18 — — — 18 Velvet Scoter — — — —_ —_— —_— — — Eider 32 103 2900 6600 a — 2932 6703 Red-breasted Merganser 4 — —_ 12 30 17 34 29 Goosander — — — — — — — —_ Shelduck — 8 — — 1329 1082 1329 #£«21090 Mute Swan 2, 4 — 36 es 22 2 62 Whooper Swan — “= —~ _ —_ —_ _— — Totals 88 Mia) 17362 Y2Z37hi+ ~ 2085) 1565 +» 19535: (125454 *This outfall serves Corstorphine WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) 20 ocseé LIPS 78 86 gcse 91h OLE PL8 CV 661 sTeyOL —_ — — —_— —_ —_ — -—— — — ueMS IJodooOuM = v a <= a = = Vv = = ueMsS 9}NA — as ae = — nal age ai = = Monpleys — —_ — -~ — — — —_ — — Jopuersooy 02 Go a = Z €€ _ _ €1 — IosuBsIa} poyseelq-poy €L6 ce0e G9 GE v06 000g PF = a = Jopry Zz —_ Z ae a —— —_ oo — — 19}]09$ JATIA £02 cc = = c6I 0S rt G = — 419}00g uoWWOD GY 0s = = cv 0S = — = — yonq pojte}-suo0y GVCT. S9¢l- = 068 00S cce GOL = =o eAsuep[oH — GL — —— = 0S => cc ae am preyood 0SZ 0} pos = OSC = = 0S = — yond pen 063051 2. = oss #08 S2— = = St dneos _ _ _ _ = = = = == ee [leyUld 02 c9l aa = = = s = 02 col uoesIM nae OT > “a — = = OT ey ae [®oL 602 €¢S GI €9 c8T 807 — GT 6 LE pre] [el € G a oe € G = ca = — 8qalH poysolg WwoalH qoeq AON qoeq AON Qed AON qaji AON qe4 #£xAON Powys 8c G v 6 OT SoyS JO “ON (Apeoxstyy + (Sapod 10J (SI ‘SO) ‘PII “TID (LW ‘FO ‘€D) = Saotpuedde aes A1aTyjoo pera Keg o31ey = Aodqseyte uingAh1I0y,, = Syjeyqyno Arewrig s[ejoL oa “114391 -Ajyosjeq =: UT peu] S10US YIIOU “YII0,4 : SOUS [TeJINO [je 3 SzUNOD JO soleUIUINS *p O1GeL 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 21 Firth of Forth (tables 3 and 4) In addition to the primary sites included in table 1, a large number of sewage outfalls dis- charge into the inner Forth, particularly to the west of Kin- cardine Bridge, and along the Fife shore. The domestic sewage outfalls are mostly small but numerous, and there is a number of industrial discharges (See appendices). This makes it diffi- cult to associate particular outfalls with particular duck flocks and the problem is aggravated by the existence of ash pan areas into which power station wastes are dumped. These are attractive roosting areas. Goldeneyes are numerous at sites polluted by domestic sewage, and dabbling ducks and Shel- ducks occur on polluted mud flats. However, it is not known if there is any correlation between the dabbling duck feeding areas and sewage discharges. A number of the counters poin- ted out that Zostera was common wherever Wigeons were found feeding. St Andrews to Montrose (table 5) The St Andrews area is very important to wintering wildfowl but only the small num- bers shown in the table appear to be associated with sewage outfalls. The large numbers of Mallards and Common Scoters (several hundred of each) that winter in St Andrews Bay are well away from sources of pollution, as are the Wigeons and Shelducks (over 1,000 of each) in the Eden estuary. Further north at the mouth of the Tay there are Eider flocks numbering up to 20,000 in early winter and approximately 15,000 in late winter but these cannot be affected by sewage borne pollution. The same is true of a flock of Goosanders (several hundred) that feeds between the Tay Bridges, but both these and the Eiders are extremely vulnerable to the effects of oil discharges from sewer outfalls. The geography of the Tay is such that oil slicks can become trapped in the estuary for several days at a time and Greenwood and Keddie (1969) have described the high mortality among Eiders that can result from even moderate oil discharges. The Montrose Basin counts present problems of interpreta- tion. The Shelducks feed near an outfall from which domestic sewage and distillery wastes are discharged and also near a rubbish dump from which much organic matter must be leached out by rain. Swans also feed here and, until the com- mencement of harbour developments at Montrose, on vege- table wastes discharged from a food processing factory. How- ever, during the past two winters the swans have deserted the factory site in favour of the Basin proper where they divide their time between the polluted area and the unpolluted area in the north-west corner. The Wigeons feed near the polluted area, but not so near that a direct correlation between their food chain and effluent discharges can be assumed. 901) WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 22 cec6 Ss BOG 6rT LLI OSE OLT 61 v Or 9 cLg¢sc =: LOOT (A Ol col 9LZ G =—_ IZ 9ETS €€ —=s OOT = OSPI Ose Vv 6€ SI€l vIctl qoai AON II s[ej0], 9961 crc ZI9 CEP PLES 907 0zI SEI — — 6Z 6E 0€Z OST _— —_ 09 _ if Z _ — SI c —_ — — _ OI 9 09€ O€ OST 09 000S 006 — _— — — GZ OI G v Ze CZ LS 0&7 — — — — vA — — _ _ — IL 9&7 OOT — — — — — OOIT 0002 002 002 Of 09 _ O€ — — v 6 OS OOT 00Z OST 89S p9S qo AON qo AON qe AON Z Zz ¥ (94 ‘SID (ITN ulseg ywoIqry YIOYIUOIA] aSOI}JUOAL sI}SnoulIED -sopung 0OL9 [ISl1 3 Xe) re ESP el ib Bape gy fel oO oO Te) oS oO See We ee 3 amMuis}uUe J, -}1WLIOM\ Hf AON re s]eqOL, UBMS IJadOOUM UBMS dN] yoNpPYs Jepuesooy JasuesIsjl pojsevoig-poy Joply 19}09S JOATPA 1a}00S UOWIWOD yond pelie}-suoT eAausp[oy paeyood yond pejny, dneos [requid uossIM, [eoL prey eA aqoIy poyselD yeaIH ee ee Pah es Dee ars lu kesal lice Il el We IR POUSIA T SoyIS JO “ON (sapod 10J saoipuedde 3as) syjejjno Areunrig SMoIpPUY 3S QsOIUOJA 0} SMAIPUY IS : SezS Te} Te ye syuNod Jo sopreuuNs °¢ e[qe2L 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 23 North-east coast (table 6) Apart from the sites included in table 1 and a food processing plant discharge at Peterhead that supports a small but regular flock of Goldeneyes, the only important site in this section is the Dornoch Firth (Edderton) where there is an important Wigeon concentration and one of the few flocks of Scaups outwith the Forth. Domestic sewage discharge into the firth must be relatively small, but there is probably a considerable load of distillery effluents, much of which probably settles in Edderton Bay where the Scaups feed. These discharges may or may not be beneficial to the Wigeons. A possibly important site that might have been missed dur- ing the survey is Burghead on the Moray Firth (F1l) where there is a large maltings. Large numbers of Goldeneyes have been reported at this site (D. M. Bryant, pers. comm.). North and west coasts (table 7) With the exception of Loch Indaal, Islay, nothing of importance was found along the coast- line from Embo in the north-east to Fort William in the west, and even the distillery sites on Skye and the fish offal at Mallaig appeared not to attract diving ducks. South-west coasts (table 8) It was unfortunate that no re- turns were obtained from the Clyde estuary sites which would have made an interesting comparison with the Forth, nor from the unpolluted Solway coast. The Clyde results in table 8 were obtained from the BTO Birds of Estuaries counts from which it appeared that the biggest duck flocks were in the Cardross-Craigendoran area where large quantities of sewage treatment plant effluents occur, From the Clyde to Stranraer, the situation was similar to that at small sites in the Forth in that Eiders and Goldeneyes were found feeding in the vicinities of outfalls of domestic sewage. It was perhaps fortunate that no large flocks were found in the north end of Ayr Bay where large quantities of chemical and industrial effluents are dis- charged from the Irvine and Garnoch Valley outfalls. Discussion The results of this survey amply illustrate the importance of sewer outfall sites to diving ducks, particularly Scaups, Eiders and Goldeneyes and probably also to Pochards if the Duddingston flock does indeed feed off the Leith outfalls at night. Several outfalls also appear to be of great importance to Mute Swans. During recent winters Eiders have shown a clear and documented tendency to forsake their Mussel bed feeding areas for sites near large outfalls of domestic sewage in the Forth, where they appear to be feeding on worms that concentrate in large numbers in soft substrata enriched by sewage-born organic detritus (Player 1970, 1971). Player also showed that Scaups in the Forth fed on worms associated with WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) 24 czep £068 P6SI 78IS 92IIT c90I_ vrS 887 190I ILI¢e S[TeIOL OL — <= —_ OI _— oo — — —_ ueMsS JodoouM Let CLI 8 8 s0T SST TZ 9 = — uBMS 9INI 8&4 IZ Tcl L9 06 v =e a = <9 yonplsys Z od — —_ —_ — Zz — — — Jopuesooy P C —_ _ “6 _ — ~~ 6 CG IesuBsIo]\[ po}seoiq-poy 696 SFL: =r- — = ae a ea 696 OPLI Joply — — —_ _— — —_ _ —_ —_— — 19}]00S JAPA ae € —_ —_ — — —_ — — € 19}00S UuOWW0D 61 VIP = G s == is = 61 ZIP ONC pejte}-suoy] 1ocl O0€ 6 Ol an Zi [ea L CSE LOV OTE OO€ — = 0¢ LOT (44 = pse[ eI — —_ —_ _— — — — _ _— — eqoin peysalD }e91IH qo AON qe AON qe AON qe AON qo AON PoPISTA O€ 4 vA él FI SoysS JO “ON (SIN (FIIN-ZIW (Sepod 103 (Izi ‘OTN ‘PIA ‘TIa) ‘OTA ‘6A‘LD) — SedTpuadde 999) (uOpiO SI9AUT sjjejqno Areurtig (Aeg uovI0ppa) -o10Weq) SSeuIsAUl YsiInqiesel yj S[ej0OL UNI yoousog yy Aywwo1y -YsInqiesel,y -UdAePYIUO}S JSvod 7Sd-YVIOU :S9zIS ][VJINO [Je 7 sjzUNOD JO sofeWUINS “9 GEL WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 1976 S[RIOL, IST PIG —_ 74 9£ ILI 79 Lt 82 092 LI — 8 él qo AON Il (911) proydsqoo'y “WEHTM 110.7 = S se) eo S = S[BIOL 9soOH seule es00H delAoIy ueMS JadooyM UBMS 9]n/ yonplsys JapuRrsooy JasuBds1oy poeysevoiq-poy Topi 19}09S$ JAVA 19}09S UOUIUIOD yond pa|ie}-duo'T aAauaploy paeyoog WON psn dneos [equ uoesI KM, STI“IIIE able ix BEPOUPPIIS tS ELI. 3 2 | 5 AHS 18 SPT, TUS BUT Ble ed Bl oman a ey bPbPPbiig2ais Pan iN = [op] ww = i f 1 q pa1sarg IwaiH 2 o em 5 Zz 3 5 Zz 2 o = > | ON PoOvISTA I I Il SOS JO ‘ON (Sapod 10} (LI sooipuedde aas) (eepuy yoy) = (91a ‘GTA) (89) syeyino Aaewyig AVIS] Avg veduog OsINY,-oquiy ISOM PUY YPIOU ; $9715 [[VJINO Tw IV SUNOS Jo soyrvUTUNS *z o[qQUT, 9(1) WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 26 s6€9 1506 Ter 6S9T €€6 €8L1 veoc 6095S s[ejOL — ¥ a el — —_— — ¥ ueBMS JadoouM 0S coT 9€ ¢9 —= —= FI OOT UBMS 90] POST 90T eel = = = TZ9T~ =: 90T HONpleys — — —_ — — — — — Jopuesooy 6c LIV cl EL7 Il 8 90T 9ET Josuesioy pojseoiq-poy 6rcz )6=sC« GLIBC € 00S 006 €PLi CLCE Toply — — — — — —_ — — 19}09S JAPA — — — — a a —_ — Ia}09S UOWIWIOD —_— — od — —_— —_— — —_ yond poyley-suoyT SEL OSP SL cc 99T 96T P6P 627 aAauaploy <7, Zl to To == i co Gl preyood = = = = = — =a ss yond peyjny OL SIT OL Te = = <= SIT dnveos P61 OsT vS “== = = OFT OsT [leyUuld Gre 6407 =«OF 6321 ss = Ze GOE SSL uodssIM VE GGL a G ras] == VE Oz . [eoL C8L 0cZcI G is 9SZ L¥9 LéS IZS pelle —_ € — — — —_ — € aqeaIH posjsoIDg }eaIH go AON go AON go AON qo AON SI € V Il POSIA SO}IS JO “ON (IZIN-61IN (STIN (Sepod 103 Aeg WSiuqpnoyIIy ‘OZA‘6GII-LID ‘LIN ‘Z1S-SS) sooipuedde 099) -Aeg oon] IAY S[e1OL -uvAy yI0T -UO00I]-dUIAI] opA[D J3UUT syjvjjno Alewiig {SOM-YINOS :SozIS [[eJjNo [Je 7 syuNOD Jo safTeWIWNS “g 2qRL 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 27 areas polluted by domestic sewage and on barley, while Gol- deneyes were found to contain seeds (mostly exotic varieties that could only have entered the river via sewers) and barley. Despite the small samples used in Player’s research, his results are consistent with observations elsewhere, such as the Eiders off the large outfall near Monifieth in the Tay, Scaups at dis- tillery discharge sites in the Dornoch Firth and on Islay, and Goldeneyes that flock to almost any outfall of domestic sewage and particularly to those that include distillery or maltings effluents in their discharges. Small crustaceans nor- mally make up an important part of the diet of Goldeneyes (Olney & Mills 1963, Madsen 1954) and the dense concentra- tions of many species of these animals that feed on the detritus in bottom sediments near sewer outfalls must be an added attraction to Goldeneyes. It is interesting to speculate on the reaction of these diving ducks when the east coast sewage treatment plans are com- pleted, since the environmental changes will be sudden and the birds will have little time to adapt to more natural condi- tions which they may well be no longer equipped to exploit. Many of the young birds probably know of no other wintering environment and it is important to realize the extent to which their feeding habits will have to change. For example, the Duddingston Pochard flock is probably the only marine feeding flock of this species in Europe; Pochards normally only venture to salt water when forced to do so by freezing conditions inland. Scaups and Goldeneyes are normally highly predatory ducks that feed on bivalves such as Mussels, small gastropods, and in the case of Goldeneyes, small crustaceans. Player (1970) considers that both species are now almost entirely vegetarian in their winter quarters in the Forth. However, adapt the birds must when the time comes and there is fortunately no lack of suitable alternative sites around the Scottish coasts. For ex- ample, despite the large numbers of Eiders at the major outfall sites, there are other large or larger flocks along both rocky and sandy shores, and where Eiders are able to find food, so too must Scaups and Goldeneyes since Mussels and the other fauna associated with Mussel beds are important to all three species under natural conditions. It is obviously in the long term interest of these diving ducks to vacate the major outfall sites and other areas close to centres of large-scale industrialization. Indeed, it is difficult to understand how the Scaups at Leith have managed to sur- vive in the area for so long, having narrowly escaped an oiling disaster in 1970 (Editorial, Scot. Birds 6: 1-2). Scaups are not even safe on Islay where a relatively small oil discharge in October 1969 might have had serious consequences had the 28 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) wintering flock been present at the time (Ogilvie and Booth 1970). Eiders, Goldeneyes, Pochards and Mergansers are also very vulnerable in the inner Forth because of the dense con- centrations they maintain in highly dangerous areas. However, in the case of Eiders in the Forth, a major kill would not be too serious to the Scottish breeding population as a whole since large flocks winter elsewhere, but this is certainly not true in the Tay where oil pollution is a constant and very real threat to a significant proportion of the Scottish breeding pop- ulation. Toxic discharges in the Forth could have a doubly serious effect on Pochards and Goldeneyes because of the un- balanced male: female ratios. The Forth Pochard flocks contain a marked excess of male birds and adult males made up 60% to 65% of the Goldeneye flocks counted during this survey. Unbalanced sex ratios have been noticed in Goldeneye flocks in other coastal areas in Scotland, particularly at Invergordon where adult males are in a marked minority. Tufted Ducks are much less vulnerable when feeding at out- fall sites, since they only move to these areas in large numbers when inland waters are frozen. However, Thom (1969) recor- ded flocks of up to 2,000 in the Kennet Pans area in the Forth during spells of freezing weather and these are the very periods when the birds will be in relatively poor condition and hence more likely to succumb to the effects of toxic wastes. Mallards and Mute Swans are relatively omnivorous and adaptable and appear to be little affected by toxic discharges including oil. Mallards do not figure prominently in reports of birds killed by oil, despite the dangerous areas in which many of them feed, while swans, although frequently affected by oil (for example in the Cromarty Firth during this survey), have great powers of recovery, probably because they are able to come ashore where they are always able to find food and shel- ter of some sort. It is difficult to see what correlation, if any, there is between the large concentrations of Wigeons and Shelducks counted in this survey and effluent discharges. Wigeons feed over Zostera beds and on swards of the salt marsh grasses, such as Agrostis spp, and seeds probably make up an important part of their diet. If so, moderate degrees of pollution from domestic sewage could be to their benefit. It is also likely that Wigeons take grain. Shelducks have much more specialized feeding habits and appear to be very much dependent upon the small snail Hydrobia ulvae found in intertidal flats. To what extent Hydrobia are dependent on or affected by sewage is not known. What is clear from the results of this survey is that flocks of Wigeons and Shelducks winter in polluted waters particularly where distillery effluents are present (such as the 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 29 Cromarty and Dornoch Firths) although other large flocks are equally happy to remain in clean areas. It appears that current pollution loads are having no detrimental effects on these species. It is difficult to draw any conclusions regarding scoters and Long-tailed Ducks. Scoters are reported to depend heavily on Mussels for food (Madsen 1954) so might be expected to mass at outfalls where Mussels flourish. However, they do not and appear to remain relatively well offshore in areas such as Spey and Burghead Bays and the mouth of the Dornoch Firth (Milne and Campbell 1973), off Aberlady Bay and in St An- drews Bay. All these areas are supplied with very large amounts of river borne organic detritus suitable for the devel- opment of extensive sub-littoral faunas (but probably not in- cluding Mussels) and while most of the organic matter must be of natural origin or from agriculture, it might be significant that with the exception of St Andrews Bay (where scoter numbers seem to have decreased during recent years) these areas are also enriched by distillery and maltings wastes. Long-tailed Ducks are more omnivorous than scoters and eat a variety of animal food including almost any species of mollusc of suitable size, crustaceans and even rock pool fishes such as Sea Scorpions Cottus bubalis and gobies Gobius spp (Madsen 1954, Stoner 1934). Thus they should be well able to exploit sewer outfall sites but although they were recorded in large numbers at such places in this survey, they do tend to keep further away from the pipe outlets than species such as Goldeneye. This is very noticeable near Leven and Leith. It is interesting that both Leven and Leith are sources of barley which Long-tailed Ducks are known to take (Player 1970, Harrison 1919) and so is Burghead Bay where Milne and Campbell (1973) recorded a flock of about 1,000 Long-tailed Ducks which were stated as sometimes feeding closer inshore than the scoters. Although the west coast coverage for this survey was relatively poor, the results clearly indicate that the west coast holds much smaller numbers of wildfowl than the east coast, a point stressed by Thom (1969). However, it is significant that one of the most important sites is in the Clyde at Dum- barton and a little to the west, very similar both in geography and in sewage load to important wildfowl areas in the inner Forth. This area is mentioned several times in Thom’s review. Perhaps the most hazardous area to wildfowl on the west coast is Ayr Bay because of the large amounts of chemical and industrial effluents discharged from near Irvine, the pres- ence of the Clyde sludge dumping ground to the north and also the tanker traffic to and from the outer Clyde terminals. 30 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) Fortunately there are few ducks in the area but there might be a connection between the effluent discharges and the fact that maximum numbers of dead auks were recorded in Ayr Bay in Stewart’s (1970) review of the Scottish aspects of the 1969 Irish seabird wreck. However, it must be stressed that many other factors could be involved, not least being the relative ease of finding and recording dead birds along this section of the coast. It might appear from this report that the bulk of wildfowl wintering along the Scottish coasts are only to be found in polluted areas. However, with the exception of Goldeneyes, Scaups and to a certain extent Eiders, this is not the case. Un- fortunately, it is not possible to present a valid comparison between the numbers of wildfowl in polluted and unpolluted areas, especially as sea ducks such as scoters and Long-tailed Ducks do not feature in the National Wildfowl Counts, and many flocks of Mallards roost in large numbers on the sea off a number of wide sandy bays. The Mallards in St Andrews Bay and Lunan Bay alone must number well over 1,000 and flocks of several hundred Wigeons are common on the sea near Montrose. Any comprehensive survey of the total numbers of wintering wildfowl along the Scottish coasts would have to include these marine areas in addition to other well-known areas such as the Solway coast and Nigg Bay in the north-east. Acknowledgments It is unfortunately not possible to acknowledge personally all those willing helpers who did the real work of this survey—the foot-slogging, counting and organization in the field, much of which entailed consid- erable expense. On behalf of the SOC, many thanks to you all. I must also thank the many people in public authorities and industry for their assistance in providing details and locations of the outfalls, and others not directly involved in the survey who nonetheless were willing to provide so much information. Particular thanks must go to J. Ballan- tyne, R. W. J. Smith and A. J. Prater and also to the members of the SOC Research Committee and its chairman Andrew T. Macmillan for their assistance with the drafts of this report. Summary A general review of some possible effects on wildfowl and shore birds of domestic sewage, trade and industrial wastes discharged into coastal waters is given as an introduction to the results of a survey in Novem- ber 1973 and February 1974 of wildfowl numbers in the vicinities of sewer outfalls along the Scottish coast. Details of the major outfalls are included. The results of the survey demonstrate the importance of large effluent discharge sites particularly to Scaups, Eiders, Goldeneyes and Mute Swans. The largest flocks of diving ducks were found in the inner Forth, particularly along the south shore where the bulk of the Scaups and Goldeneyes were located in waters polluted by large vol- umes of untreated domestic sewage and trade wastes including grain. Goldeneyes and Eiders were also found at almost every other large 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 31 outfall of domestic sewage visited during the survey with the Golden- eyes feeding close up to the pipe outlets and the Eiders some little dis- tance away. Large concentrations of Mallards, Wigeons and Shelducks were found in both heavily polluted and clean areas and appear to be suffering little if any harm. However, all large concentrations of wild- fowl, including the more marine species such as scoters and Long-tailed Ducks which feed downstream of the effluent discharges in the Forth, are very vulnerable to transient discharges of toxic matter from sewage outfalls and particularly to oil, some of which is known to be derived from these sources. References ABDULLAH, M. I., Royse, L. G. & Morris, A. W. 1972. Heavy metal concentrations in coastal waters. Nature 3525: 158-160. BALLANTYNE, J. 1975. Report on estuary bird counts in the Firth of Forth October 1972-March 1975. (Unpublished). BELLAMY, D. J., BELLAMY, R., JOHN, D.M., & WHITTICK, A. 1967. Some effects of pollution on coastal marine macrophytes on the N.E. coast of England. Br. Phycol, Bull 3: 409. Bogan, J. A., & BouRNE, W. R. P. 1972. Organochlorine levels in Atlantic seabirds. Nature 240: 358. Bryan, C. W., & HUMMERSTONE, L. G. 1971. Adaptation of the polychaete Nereis diversicolor to estuarine sediments containing high concentrations of heavy metals. 1: General observations and adaptation to copper. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 51: 845-863. Bryan, C. W., & HuMMERSTONE, L. G. 1975. Brown seaweeds as an indicator of heavy metals in estuaries in S.W. England. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K, 53: 705-720. CLARK, J. R. 1969. Thermal pollution and aquatic life. Sc. Am. 220: 18-26. Connork, P. M. 1972. Acute toxicity of heavy metals to some marine larvae, Mar. Poll. Bull. 3: 190-192. DunneET, G. M. 1974. Impact of the oil industry on Scotland’s coasts and birds. Scot. Birds 8: 5-16. EpwaRkps, P. 1972. Cultured red algae to measure pollution. Mar. Poll. Bull. 3: 184-188. GEORGE, J. D. 1971. The effects of pollution by oil and oil dispersants on the common intertidal polychaetes Cirriforma tentaculadia and Cirratulus cirratus. J. App. Ecol. 8: 411-420. Gray, J. S., & VENTILLA, R. J. 1971. Pollution effects on macro and mei-fauna of sand. Mar, Poll, Bull. 2: 39-43. GREENWOOD, J. J. D., & KEDDIE, J. P. F. 1969. Birds killed by oil in the Tay estuary, March and April 1968. Scot. Birds 5: 189-196. Hatcrow, W., Mackay, D. W., & THORNTON, I. 1975. The distribution of trace metals and fauna in the Firth of Clyde in relation to the disposal of sewage sludge. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 53: 721-733 HarpRison, J. M. 1919. Long-tailed Duck feeding on grain. Brit. Birds 135: 85-86. Hays, H., & RISEBROUGH, R. W. 1972. Reported in Mar. Poll. Bull. 3: 4. HoupeEn, A. VY. 1970. Source of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in the marine environment. Nature 228: 1220-1221. HoutpcatTre, N. W. 1971. The seabird wreck of 1969 in the Irish Sea. N.E.R.C. Re- port. London. Hopxin, R., & Kain, J. M. 1971 The effects of marine pollutants on Laminaria saccharina. Mar. Poll. Bull, 2: 75-77. JENKINSON, I. R. 1972. Sludge dumping and benthic communities. Mar. Poll. Bull. 3: 102-105. JONES, A. M., JONES, K., & STEWART, W. D. P. 1972. Mercury in marine organisms of the Tay region. Nature 238: 164-165. ManpDseEn, F. J. 1954. On the food habits of diving ducks in Denmark. Dan. Rev. Game Biol. 2: 157-166. 32 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) MAWDESLEY-THOMAS, L. E. 1971. Toxic chemicals-the risk to fish. New Scientist 49(734): 74-75. McLusky, D. S. 1968. Some effects of salinity on the distribution and abundance of Corophium vovutator in the Ythan. J. Mar, Biol. Ass. U.K. 48: 443-454. MILNE, H., & CAMPBELL, L. H. 1975. Wintering sea-ducks off the east coast of Scotland. Bird Study. 20: 155-172. NICKLESS, G., STENNER, R., & TERILLE, N. 1972. Distribution of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the Bristol Channel. Mar. Poll. Bull. 3: 188-190. O’ConnoR, R. J. 1974. Feeding behaviour of the Kittiwake. Bird Study 21: 185-192. OaILViIE, M. A., & BootH, C. G. 1970. An oil spillage on Islay in October 1969. Scot. Birds 6: 149-155. OunEy, P. J. S., & Miuus, D. H. 1963. The food and feeding habits of Goldeneye in Great Britain. Ibis 105: 293-300. : PEARSON, T. H. 1970. Effects of pulp mill effluents on the fauna of sea lochs. Mar. Poll. Bull. 1: 92-94. PERKINS, E. J. 1972. Effects of steel works effluents. Mar. Poll. Bull. 5: 86-88. PERKINS, E. J., & ABBOTT, D. J. 1972. Nutrient enrichment and sand flat fauna Mar. Poll. Bull. 5: 70-72. PLAYER, P. V. 1970. The food and feeding habits of diving ducks at Seafield, Edin- burgh. Thesis, Edinburgh University. PLAYER, P. V. 1971. Food and feeding habits of the Common Eider at Seafield, Edinburgh, in winter. Wildfowl 22: 100-106. PouNDER, B. 1974. Wildfowl and pollution in the Tay estuary. Mar. Poll. Bull. 5: 35-38. PouUNDER, B. 1976. Wintering flocks of Goldeneyes at sewage outfalls in the Tay. Bird Study (In press). PRESTT, I., JEFFRIES, D. J., & MOORE, N. W. 1970. Polychlorinated biphenyls in wild birds in Britain and their toxicity. Env. Poll. 1: 5-26. RUSSELL, G., & Morris, Q. P. 1970. Copper tolerance in the marine fouling alga Ecotcarpus silicolosus, Nature 228: 288-289. ScoTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST 1974. Where in the Clyde estuary? Scottish Wildlife 10(2): 10-13. SHELTON, R. G. J. 1971. Sludge dumping in the Thames estuary. Mar. Poll. Bull. 2: 24-27. STEWART, A. G. 1970. The seabird wreck - autumn 1969. Scot. Birds 6: 142-149. STONER, C. R. 1934. Long-tailed Duck feeding on Sea Scorpion. Scot. Nat, No. 205: 50. THom, V. M. 1969. Wintering duck in Scotland 1962-68. Scot. Birds 5: 417-466. WADDINGTON, J. I., & Best, G. A. 1972. PCBs in the Clyde. Scottish Wildlife Trust Newsletter 22: 28. 20a yf es Tr Te y ScauP by Keith Brockie 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 33 Appendices Key to abbreviations : SS—suspended solids in milligrams per litre BOD—biological oxygen demand in milligrams per litre Mg/d—millions of gallons per day NA—not available. Appendix A. Details of large industrial outfalls (code D Code Grid ref. Outfall Discharge Notes (where rate known) (Mg/d) Il White Sands NA Cement works. I2 Prestonpans 3.5 Ferruginous mine water. 13 Gas Board 2.0 Gas work & ink industry wastes. 14 NS963813 Grangemouth 1.0 Petrochems (settled). I5 NS958813 Grangemouth B.P. 4.7 Petrochems. I6é NS953805 Grangemouth B.P. 1.1 Petrochems. I7 NS953822 Grangemouth B.P. 10.0 Petrochems & proteins (chemical flocculation & settlement). I8 NTO19822 Grangemouth I.C.I. 4.5 Drugs & dyes. I9 NS919889 J. A. Weir 1.5 Paper (partial filtration). 110 NT131823 Inveresk 3.5 Paper. Ill NT281895_ Seafield Coll. 4.3. Mine water. 112 NT310937 Frances Coll. 2.5 Mine water. 113) NT338961 Michael Coll. 3.0 Mine water. 114 NT368987 Wellesley Coll. 0.8 Mine water. 115 NO718569 Montrose NA Pharmaceutical. 116 Annat 0.2 Paper. 117 NS318355 Ayr Bay NA _ Organic chemicals. 118 NS313359 Beechams 0.5 Pharmaceuticals. 119 NS274395 Stevenston I.C.I. 1.0 Nylon works. Appendix B. Electricity generating station cooling water discharges (code C) Code Grid ref. Outfall Discharge Notes (where known) rate (Mg/d) C1 Cockenzie 750 C2 NT310740 Portobello 144 C3 NS923850 Kincardine 600 C4 NS971856 Longannet 1728 C5 NT382003 Methil 66 Includes ash transport water. C6 NO425307 Dundee NA C7 Peterhead NA C8 Dounreay NA os mn A RRR RRA AAA IT 34 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 9(1) Appendix C. Food and agricultural waste discharges (code F) Code Grid ref. Outfall Discharge Notes (where known) rate (Mg/d) Fl NT945645 Eyemouth 0.12 Domestic & shellfish processing wastes. F2 NS787955_ Stirling 0.01 Agricultural (settled). F3 NS789964 Stirling 0.02 Pig farm wastes (filtered & settled). F4 NS844940 Cambus 3.2. Distillery (cooling). F5 NO433309 Dundee NA _ Potato wastes. F6 NO712573 Montrose NA Vegetable wastes. F7 NJ947055 Aberdeen NA Fish wastes. F8 NJ949052 Aberdeen NA Fish wastes. F9 NJ970130 Murcar 0.7. Slaughterhouse. F10 NK114386 Bullars of Buchan small Distillery. Fl1l Burghead east 0.15 Maltings. F12 Buckie 0.10 90% pot ale, 10% spent lees. (Pot ale to be re- duced by 30%). F13 Sandend 0.015 Distillery. F14 Boyndie NA Distillery & hospital. F15 HY434088 Scapa NA Distillery. F16 HY438088 Scapa NA Milk processing. F17 Islay NA Distillery. F18 NS397751 Clyde 6.0 Disa BOD 220, F19 NS299760 Clyde 0.8 Edible oils. F20 NX186994 Girvan NA ree ee BOD 205, F21 NH666687 Dalmore NA Distillery. Appendix D. Sewage treatment works discharges (code S) Code Grid ref. Outfall Discharge Notes (where known) rate (Mg/d) S1 NS953797 Polmonthill 0.2 S2 NS902820 Falkirk 2.5 30% distillery, food, tar, metals & general engin- eering industry wastes. S3 NS861912 Cowie NA Domestic & tile works wastes. S4 NS836924 Fallin NA Domestic wastes & mine water. S5 NS536664 Shieldhall 35 Domestic & food, chem- ical, metals & general engineering industry wastes, BOD 150. S6 NS476708 Dalmuir 55 Domestic & food, dis- tillery, chemical, metals & general engineering industry wastes, BOD 150. 1976 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES 35 Appendix D (Continued) S7 NS406754 Dumbarton E 15 Domestic & engineering industry wastes, BOD 200. S8 NS375755 Dumbarton W 0.3. Domestic, BOD 160. S9 NS313812 Craigendoran 0.15 Domestic, BOD 150. S10 NS460729 Old Kilpatrick 0.2 Domestic, BOD 150. S11 NS445737 Bowling 0.1 Domestic, BOD 150. S12 NS345773 Cardross 0.06 Domestic, BOD 150. S13. NX972754 Creetown 0.3. From Newton Stewart. S14. NY191644 Dumfries 2.5 Domestic, S15 Annan NA Appendix E. Mixed domestic-industrial discharges of more than 1.0 Mg/d Code Grid ref. Outfall Discharge Dominant non- (where known) rate domestic wastes (Mg/d) Ml NT361733 Levenhall 1-15 General trade wastes. M2 NT288758 _ Seafield 17.0 Brewing, hospital, BOD 1200, SS 900. M3 NT282765) Water of Leith 19.3 Brewing, distillery, NT281766) paper, tanning, BOD 270, SS 250. M4 NT253772 Trinity 2.0 Food, fish, BOD 530, SS 400. M5 N1I229775 Corstorphine-Granton 12.3. Paper, hospital, tanning, BOD 310, SS 430. M6 NS809935_ Stirling 1.0 20% agriculture, tex- tiles & general engineer- ing (settled: biological treatment to be imple- mented). M7 NT127804 Dunfermline 4.5 25% textiles & rubber (screened & settled). M8 NO384000 Leven 10.0 70% distillery, paper, poultry & general en- gineering. (Treatment proposed). M9 NO351301) Invergowrie 3.8 70% general engineer- NO370293) ing. M10 NO434309 Dundee 1.85 40% general engineer- ing. M11 N0O490319 Dundee 2.4 20% general engineer- ing. M12 NJ974053 Aberdeen Paper, general engineer- ing. M13 Peterhead NA _ Fish, vegetables, M14 Fraserburgh NA Fish. NH665470) NA Distillery, general en- M15 NH660472) Inverness gineering. (To be made NH645466) redundant). Mi6 NH708683 Invergordon NA Distillery, general en- gineering. HL TORS: FOR. TRRDORODSROTN MPSS RRA RR PTE CIPRO ——-— ————— rem rc er 1 A BRE CR. OE REI RE --- o 36 WATERFOWL AT EFFLUENT DISCHARGES Appendix E (Continued) NS374744 Vale of Leven NS335743) Port Glasgow NS230772) NS272401 Garnoch Valley NS303377 Irvine NS317353 Irvine Valley 9(1) 1.5 Distillery, metals _ in- dustry, BOD 125, SS 150 11.0 Sugar, heavy engineer- ing, BOD 250. 2.5 24% pharmaceuticals, BOD 320, SS 140. 1.2 17% general engineer- ing. 5.0 24% general engineer- ing. Appendix F. Scientific names of birds mentioned in text Great Crested Grebe Cormorant Shag Mallard Teal Wigeon Pintail Scaup Tufted Duck Pochard Goldeneye Long-tailed Duck Velvet Scoter Common Scoter Hider Red-breasted Merganser Goosander Shelduck Greylag Goose Barnacle Goose Mute Swan Whooper Swan Oystercatcher Curlew Redshank Kittiwake Common Tern Roseate Tern Podiceps cristatus Phalacrocorax carbo P. aristotelis Anas platyrhynchos A. crecca A. penelope A. acuta Aythya marila A. fuligula A. ferina Bucephala clangula Clangula hyemalis Melanitta. fusca M. nigra Somateria mollissima Mergus serrator M. merganser Tadorna tadorna Anser anser Branta leucopsis Cygnus olor C. cygnus Haematopus ostralegus Numenius arquata Tringa totanus Rissa tridactyla Sterna hirundo S. dougallit Bede Pounder, 64 Forfar Road, Dundee, Angus. 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 37 The seabirds of Shetland in 1974 M. P. HARRIS (Plates 1 - 8) Introduction In the nineteenth century many of the larger birds of Shet- land were severely persecuted and their populations declined. With protection from 1885 most species have gradually in- creased (Bourne and Dixon 1974). In addition the Fulmar’, now by far the commonest bird, colonized the islands, perhaps after a change in its food and/or the birds’ increased tolerance of warmer water (Fisher 1952, Wynne-Edwards 1962). Delib- erate human depredations on seabirds are now exceptional although numbers are killed accidentally during fishing. In future, the exploitation of North Sea oil with its inevitable disruption of the environment is certain to have a great in- fluence on the seabirds of the area. Although the literature contains general impressions by reliable observers and even a few counts of the seabirds in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Baxter and Rintoul 1953, Venables and Venables 1955), the first detailed counts for the commoner species, such as Fulmar and Gannet, were in the early years of this century (Harvie-Brown 1912, Fisher and Vevers 1943). Recently an increasing interest in seabirds and an awareness of their vulnerability to pollution resulted in Operation Seafarer—a detailed survey in 1969 and 1970 of all Britain’s seabirds by many observers for the Seabird Group (Cramp, Bourne and Saunders 1974). Unfortunately no repeat counts were possible due to observer shortage for the large areas covered so the accuracy of the Seafarer counts cannot be assessed. In 1974 the Nature Conservancy Council commissioned the Institute of Terrestial Ecology to design a monitoring scheme suitable for detecting changes in the seabird colonies of national importance in Shetland. This paper reports on the results of my survey of the main Shetland seabird colonies and includes an assessment of the accuracy that could be achieved by the methods described. Methods All major and many minor seabird colonies were visited between 10th June and 12th July 1974, when virtually all birds would have laid and few young have fledged. In most *Scientific names are given in the species list under Methods below. 38 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) areas all seabirds were counted, but in a few places where this was not practicable, well defined sample areas were covered. The majority of counts were made from the land and with care it was possible to cover the majority of cliffs. In a few places these counts were supplemented by others done from the sea but such estimates are considered far less reliable than those from the land. Observations were made through binoculars or telescope from as near to the birds as possible without disturbing them. During much of the time I had an assistant who counted the extremely numerous Fulmars while I concentrated on the other species. These counts were marked directly onto a 1:10,000 map. When faced with a large or difficult cliff, or at colonies where counts were to be replicated, I took Polaroid photo- graphs of the cliff and marked on them at the time the areas counted with the totals of birds in each area. Such marked prints are needed for reliable replication of results. At the end of each day counts were totalled following the areas delimited in Seafarer. Where there was the possibility of confusion, ad- joining areas were lumped. The individual area counts, with the relevant times and other details, are deposited with the Nature Conservancy Council and only summaries are presen- ted here. All comparisons made throughout this paper are between my counts and the raw Seafarer data taken from the cards completed by the observers. In 1974 the weather was good so that error due to counts being made in windy or uncomfortably wet conditions can be discounted. In many of the Seafarer counts the weather was bad and several of the counters re- marked on the dubious accuracy of counts. Each species poses a different problem in counting and the units usually counted are shown below. Criteria are the same as in the Seafarer counts and it is especially important that the same methods are used in future years. Earlier counts were sometimes expressed in different units and, rather than compound inaccuracies by converting these to the units used in 1974, these units are kept in the tables. Unless specifically stated the units used throughout this paper are as follows. FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis. Only birds sitting tight on places where nesting was possible (= apparently occupied nest-site) were counted and then only one bird per site. This abundant species was not counted in all areas. GANNET Sula bassana. All pairs with nests were counted. The total must have included an unknown proportion built by adult-plumaged non-breeders. 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 39 CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo. Occupied nests were counted. SHAG P. aristotelis. Where possible occupied nests were counted but many large colonies were in inaccessible boulder beaches and here all adults seen were counted. GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua, ARCTIC SKUA S. parasiticus. Pairs that showed annoyance or injury-feigning when an ob- server passed close were counted. No serious attempt was made to census skuas and the results are minimal. So many skuas nest inland that counts made only near the coast are misleading. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus, LESSER BLACK- BACKED GULL L. fuscus, HERRING GULL L. argentatus. Where birds occurred in small numbers direct counting of pairs was possible but large colonies were watched from a distance and the size estimated by a combination of the numbers of adults present and their distribution on the ground. Numbers of non- breeders must have been included and the results should be treated with caution. KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla. All pairs with nests were coun- ted. These must include some non-breeders. ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea. The figures are little more than general impressions of the sizes of colonies and must be treated with caution. A few CoMMON TERNS S. hirundo occur- red in some colonies. RAZORBILL Alca torda, GUILLEMOT Uria aalge. Counts were of individual adults present on the breeding ledges at defined times of day. Birds ashore on sea-rocks and on the sea were counted separately. BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle. A total count of birds on land and on the sea. PuFFIN Fratercula arctica. The totals are of all birds on land and on the sea at defined times of day. In a few places it was possible to estimate roughly the numbers of burrows. MANx SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus, and STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus were not considered. The colonies covered were chosen to give a good geographic spread and to include as high a proportion as possible of Shet- land’s cliff-nesting seabirds. My coverage of the population of each species varied as follows. The percentage in brackets was the proportion of the Shetland population of that species to be expected in those areas that I censused in 1974, according to the Seafarer census of 1969/70. Thus my coverage was complete for the Gannet (100%) since I visited the only two 40 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) colonies then in Shetland, and was lowest for the Black Guille- mot (19%) since the areas I visited held only 19% of the pop- ulation according to Seafarer. In between were Kittiwake (76%), Razorbill (52%), Shag (44%), the larger gulls (21-24%), Fulmar (23%). A figure of 11% for Guillemot underestimates my coverage for if the more realistic total of 33,-37,000 Guille- mots of Foula is used instead of the 1969 estimate of 5,000 birds, the percentage cover is increased to over 50%. Sources of error The number of seabirds at a colony depends on the time of day, season, weather, availability of food and previous breeding and mortality affecting recruitment. Auk populations are the most difficult to count. Nests or eggs are usually hidden so that the observer has to count in- dividual birds. Previous results show that the number of in- dividual Guillemots can vary by 40% with a constant number of nests (Harris 1965) and counts of Razorbills by a factor of three within a single day during incubation (Lloyd 1973). With Puffins the numbers present may vary by a factor of a thous- and within one day making single counts useless. Thus samples based on counts of individuals are obviously unsat- isfactory but are the best that can be made if time available is limited. Even in the case of birds with obvious nests, such as Kitti- wakes, there is variation in the number of nests during a season. Failed breeders leave the colony and non-breeders build nests late, Nests with young may join together so that two nests appear as one, or young birds may leave their nests before they can fly and form groups, for example Shags and Cormorants. Several workers (especially R. Broad, T. Birkhead, C. Lloyd (1975)) are studying the fluctuations in the numbers of auks at colonies but it is not yet possible to interpret counts in terms of breeding pairs nor even to say when counts are best under- taken. There may well be no best time so it is desirable that a series of counts be made at each colony throughout the breed- ing cycle. Failing that, six to ten counts are needed in a single month to attain an accuracy of at least 10%. ‘Checks during the 1974 research The only test of accuracy possible was a test of consistency. I frequently made two or three counts within a ten minute period and, although consis- tency varied slightly from place to place and species to species, my differences were normally less than 5%. I had time to visit 17 areas on more than one day. Fifty-one replicate counts were done later on different days and table 1 shows that the variation between counts was far in excess of 5% in all four species considered. There is no doubt that the variation is PLATES 1-8. The seabirds of Shetland in 1974 (pages 37-68). Photographs by M. P. Harris. PLATE 1. Gannets, Kittiwakes and Guillemots, looking south from Charlie’s Holm. Noss, 21st June (p. 54). Notice the dense pack of Guillemots in the lower centre. PLATE 2. Guillemots and Kittiwakes on the east side of Cradle Holm, Noss (p 54). This colony is completely invisible from the land. PTraTE 3 (opposite). Guillemot colony below Compass Head. Note the non-breeding or off-duty birds on the lower rocks. There are 887 birds visible on the photo- graph among the boulders. In the field the number was put at 1,100 (table 2, p. 49). PLATE 4. Part of the east face of Skerry of Eshaness from the sea on 7th July. On the whole face 1,200 Kittiwake nests and 2,300 Guillemots were counted in the field; the corresponding figures from photographs are 1,069 and 1,885. The field counts on 22nd June 1969 were 2,500 and 3,500 respectively (table 2, p. 49; table 6, p. 54). Colonies like this are difficult and counts in anything but the calmest conditions are worthless. PLATE 5 (opposite). Moo Stack off Eshaness. On 17th June there were 161 Kittiwake nests and 54 Guillemots whereas enlargements of this photograph show only 118 and 358 respectively (table 2, p. 49; p. 53). PLate 6. A virtually uncountable Guillemot colony among boulders west of Sandy Head, Foula, from the sea, 3rd July (p. 57). PLATE 7 (opposite). The Cormorant colony near Braewick. On 7th July there were 21 occupied nests (p. 62). ee Se ee Daggett tlle Wt Hy PLATE 8. Guillemots on the main stack in Broad Geo, Sumburgh Head, 25th June. The maximum count here was 1,500 birds (p. 50). 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 49 Table 1. Replicate counts of seabirds in 1974 The difference between successive counts is expressed as a percentage of the lower of the two counts. Number of counts Mean difference (+ standard error) Fulmar (sites) 6 714 2.1 Shag (nests) 12 25.7 + 6.2 Kittiwake (nests) 15 276 + 7.3 Guillemot (birds) 18 54.7 + 10.0 real, underlining the need for a series of counts at each colony before there can be hope of obtaining counts accurate enough to detect minor population changes. Photographic counts Immediately after being counted, several colonies were photographed with a Mamiya Press Camera fitted with a 150mm lens and loaded with FP4 film. Full-plate prints were made of the 2} inch square negatives and the birds re-counted using a binocular microscope. The only species that can easily be counted are Kittiwakes and Guillemots, for other species tend to be hidden under boulders, in holes or by dense vegetation. All four photographic counts of Kittiwakes were lower than the field counts—by an average of 12% (table 2, plates 3-4). The main difficulty with the photographs was to separate a bird standing on a nest from one on a roosting rock. Possibly I was too conservative in my classification of the birds in the photographs. Most Guillemot counts from photographs were also lower—by an average of 17%—probably because it is Table 2. Comparisons of counts of Kittiwake and Guillemot colonies in the field and from photographs Field count Photographic count Kittiwake (nests) No Ness 225 190 Dore Holm 344 318 Skerry of Eshaness 1200 1069 Moo Stack 161 118 Guillemots (individual adults on breeding ledges) Burravoe 129 99 Papa Stour (i) roa 187 Papa Stour (ii) 264 223 No Ness 123 129 Dore Holm 300 318 Moo Stack 54 38 Compass Head 1100 887 Sumburgh 1400 1106 Skerry of Eshaness 2300 1885 Note : the relatively few Razorbills are included with the Guillemot totals as it is impossible to separate them in photographs. SRO A x j é ss 50. SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) difficult to pick out birds facing inwards against a dark back- ground. The Moo Stack colony (at Esha Ness) was photographed from a distance of about 300 feet and then the colony counted immediately after from about 100 feet. The counts of both Kittiwakes and Guillemots from the resulting photographs were about 30% too low. This might well be the order of error involved in counting birds on photographs taken from the sea. Monitoring by photographs is useful and enables later checks to be made on unexpectedly high or low counts which have to be made from the sea and cannot be easily replicated. Photographs also allow changes in the areas of cliffs occupied by birds, and sometimes even the density of nesting birds to be detected (Nettleship 1974). However, it would be unwise to compare counts made in this way with direct field observa- tions. In my experience direct field counts are the most accur- ate. Counts made from the sea Land counts are sometimes incom- plete because stretches of cliff and the insides of caves may be hidden from view. These missing areas may be seen from a boat but this view in turn will overlook nests in narrow geos, boulders at the bases of cliffs and high up on cliffs. Some of the Noss Fulmars were counted from the sea in 1969 and from the land in 1970 and the counts varied by a factor of 30. Land counts can be made and checked in relative comfort whereas sea counts are often made under difficult or rushed conditions. Sea counts of anything but the smallest colonies are always less accurate than land counts, and should be checked by photographs even then. For a complete census of large colonies, such as Noss and Foula, both land and sea counts are essential but the two counts are difficult to combine without missing areas or counting some ledges twice. Photo- graphy can go some way to overcoming these problems. For regular monitoring, land counts are to be preferred. The colonies The colonies counted are shown in fig. 1. All counts were used in the section comparing the 1969/70 and 1974 data but only the most important colonies are discussed below. Sumburgh Head (table 3, plate 8). There are three complete surveys of this major seabird colony—a combined land and sea count by M. Carins in June/July 1967, the Seafarer counts in atrocious conditions on late dates of 10th and 14th July 1969, and mine on 25th and 26th June 1974. The three counts vary considerably and there is no consistency for any species. Many of the differences are presumably due to the differences in dates and techniques (for instance the 1969 sea count missed 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 51 Saxa Vord Herma Ness--) .: North Neaps Uyea __ Fetlar ‘\ N Birrier Esha Ness & ---- islands ‘Burravoe 1 ! 1 Braewick Papa Stour a Wats Ness- Vaila-~© 1) 3 ayen 3 Westerwick f p-Mousa ~No Ness Fitful Head- - i Sumburgh Head ..- -U 15 Miles —— eee) Fic. 1. Shetland seabird colonies (except Fair Isle) counted in 1974 and used in this analysis. 52 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) Table 3. The birds of Sumburgh Head 1967 1969 1974 Fulmar (sites) 1250 2876 * Shag (nests) 700 242 482. Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 35 0 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 50 0 c.2000 Herring Gull (pairs) 125 50 130 Kittiwake (pairs) 550 1349 1778 Razorbill 400 pairs 61 pairs 819 birds Guillemot 1750 pairs 578 c.7000 Black Guillemot 45 pairs 1 bird 12 birds Puffin 1670 pairs 263 birds 4500-5500 birds *present but not counted 1967 count by M. Carins. two major Guillemot colonies and many of the larger gulls) but there have also been some apparently genuine increases, for D. Saunders (who made part of the 1969 count) is sure that the Guillemot and Kittiwake colonies were not as exten- sive in 1969 as in 1974. Guillemots had increased by some 67% between 1966 and 1967 (Carins) and this trend apparently continues. Vaila (table 4). This island was counted on 13th June 1970 and 8th June 1974 and there is fair agreement except for apparent large increases in Shags and Great Black-backed Gulls. The single pair of Arctic Skuas in 1974 was apparently a new breeding species to the island but the long-standing colony of Cormorants formerly on Gaada Stack was deserted except for a single immature bird. Table 4. The birds of Vaila 1970 1974 Fulmar (sites) 1840 2388 Cormorant (nests) 28 0 Shag (nests) 53 91 Great Skua (pairs) 6 5 Arctic Skua (pairs) 0 1 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 49 125 Lesser Black-backed Gull Sai 0 10 Herring Gull (pairs) 41 188 Kittiwake (nests) i83 177 Arctic Tern (pairs) 1-9 82 Razorbill (birds) 14 72 Guillemot (birds) 350 436 Black Guillemot (birds) 31 26 Puffin (birds) 17 6 Papa Stour (table 5). The birds were first described by Raeburn (1891) who found Herring Gulls common though far outnum- bered by Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Kittiwakes common but ie ee ee 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 53 Table 5. The birds of Papa Stour (including Fogla and Lyra Skerries) These are incomplete counts but the same areas were covered each year. 1969-70 1974 Fulmar (sites) 1479 1892 Shag (nests) 250 119 Great Skua (pairs) 6 + Arctic Skua (pairs) 15 30 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 146 393 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 2 120 Herring Gull (pairs) 53 Kittiwake (nests) 749 226 Arctic Tern (pairs) St c.1000 Razorbill (birds) 20 10 Guillemot (birds) 1534 1814 Black Guillemot (birds) 14 23 Puffin (birds) 11-99 9 *present but not counted. mainly on the main island cliffs, Guillemots abundant, but only one Fulmar and no Puffins. The Seafarer estimate was an amalgam of two counts in two different years, the first on 14th-24th July 1969 excluding Razorbills and Guillemots, which were counted on 17th June 1970. My count was on 19th June 1974. The larger gulls, Arctic Terns, Arctic Skuas and Guillemots were all more numerous in 1974 than in 1969/70 whereas Shags and Kittiwakes ap- peared to have drastically declined. The differences in Shag counts may be an artifact due to some colonies being over- looked in the very numerous caves. Kittiwake nests on Fogla and Lyra Skerries, which were visible from the land, were counted in 1969, 1970 and 1974—the respective counts (Fogla + Lyra) for these years were 300 + 85, 115 + 106, 62 + 54, so there can be little doubt that there has been a decline. Esha Ness (table 6, plates 4-5). There are three seabird colonies near Esha Ness: one just north of the lighthouse and two on the isolated Dore Holm and Skerry of Eshaness. All were counted on 21st-22nd June 1969 and 17th June and 7th July 1974— the former from the land, the latter two from a boat. The 1974 boat counts were later checked with photographs taken at the same time. On the mainland there were many more Fulmars, Razorbills and Guillemots in 1974 than in 1969 but similar numbers of Kittiwakes. There was no such agreement in the two years’ counts of the stacks; perhaps my Guillemot count was too late (7th July) to allow a meaningful comparison but the great differences in Kittiwake totals are worrying. The Skerry is difficult to count but there is no problem with Dore Holm for 54 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) Table 6. The birds of Esha Ness and islands Skerry Esha Ness Dore Holm of Eshaness 1969 1974 1969 1974 1969 1974 Fulmar (sites) 271 489 123 : 30 * Shag (pairs) 1 5 0 0 0 0 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 0 10 0 * 0 0 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 2 0 0 0 0 0 Herring Gull (pairs) 16 20 0 0 300 * Kittiwake (nests) 830 835 1000 344 2900 1200 Razorbill (birds) 10 38 0 5 100 few Guillemot (birds) 171 464 900 300 3500 2300 Black Guillemot (birds) 0 13 0 0 0 0 Puffin (birds) 9 di 400 0 0 * *present but not counted. Note : in 1969 there were about 500 pairs of Kittiwakes reported from Isle of Stenness, in 1974 there were only roosting birds. the birds are widely scattered. In 1969 the Isle of Stenness (between Skerry of Eshaness and the mainland) held about 500 nesting pairs of Kittiwakes while in 1974 I could find only roosting birds. Probably there has been a large decline. Noss (table 7, plates 1-2). This is one of Britain’s largest and most spectacular seabird stations. Unfortunately it is also one of the hardest to sample due to the high cliffs (The Noup is 594 feet), the relatively straight run of the eastern cliffs, and the nature of the rock. Much of the area is invisible from the land, the cliffs are too high and some of the ledges too deep for there to be any hope of an accurate estimate of populations from the sea. An accurate census might be possible from a carefully combined land and sea count using photographic techniques to prevent overlapping of counts. Perry (1948) was the first to survey the birds of Noss and he also summarized past knowledge. The Seafarer survey on 3rd-7th July 1969 included a count of the main cliffs from the sea. Between 27th June and 17th July of the following year, J. den Held and M. Groenendaal repeated these counts from the land and den Held recounted the Gannets on 18th-21st July 1974. Considering the difficulties, there is fair agreement in some species but big discrepancies in the larger gulls (where one would have hoped for better agreement in consecutive years) and in the Fulmar. If the 1969 and 1970 Fulmar counts are broken down into approximately the same areas there is an even greater range of differences : 1969 1970 North coast 1240 658 East coast 110* 3649 South coast 730 522 *sea count - rest from the land. SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 5D 1976 * * Kk *« +09 * a G WOH epeio uO S}[NpPB BIF wW (4 £6 * S}[Npe £608 * DL6I ‘IewsUUTY ‘d ‘pos IA ‘V ‘PIPH Uep ‘¢ ‘eTBJeaS ‘(8PGI) A1J9q—S201NO0S * * x*K * +SP +G9LT OOTT G8 GS T1€6c CSI spiiq I[¢8T Sp1lq OCIE 0 OT STI90T OISsoT GiP 00S GI 0€ OI POE OV OF OLT O12 O€T I?ll synpe [818 S}SOU OQOEP 6E8P 080¢ OL6I 6961 ‘poqUNOd jou jNq jUESeId:. * (spiiq) uyjnd + (Spiiq) JowAT[IND yorlg SUIUI[IOp ‘AUO[OD osny sired OOO UB} SSoT (sated) Way, 91}01V (sjsou) dyBMI}NY * SUIUI[IEp (spiiq) JoweT[InD [liquozey poipuny [eldAes (Sited) [[ND sulsiey OOT *9 OSI-SET OF EI +001 sed ¢G//€-009Z +0001 961 SSON JO SPI O4L “ZL e142 (sired) |[ND poayoeq-yoRIg Josse’y (sured) [[NpD poexoeq-yoel JeolH (sured) enyS o91}01Vy (sated) enysg }eoIyH (sjsou) seus youuRy (Soys) 1eWN.J 56 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) Presumably some of the variation will be due to differences in technique but the differences are so great that they may weil have been genuine changes. Comparisons of counts of adult Gannets in 1970 and 1974 show greater similarity : July June Area 1970 1974 1974 1 2470 2655 2, 2600 2670 3 491 370 4 2540 2325 1300 nests (= 1165 nests) 5 80 73 23 nests (= 35 nests) Total 8181 8093 While these last counts suggest that the Gannet population is relatively stable, a few new areas (such as The Rump, scree of Rumble Wick) have been colonized since 1972. No Ness (table 8). This peninsula was counted from the land on 19th June 1970 and 26th June 1974 and from the sea on 10th July 1969. Some small sections of the cliff cannot be seen from the land and this could well explain the apparent small decline in Kittiwake numbers from 1,000 nests in 1969 to 901 in 1974. Conversely many Shags would certainly be invisible from the sea so it would be rash to assume that this species has greatly increased (30 to 159 nests). The disappearance of 570 pairs of Herring Gulls is a mystery. Mousa (table 8). Between 9th and 16th June 1964 a party led by D. M. Turner Ettlinger visited the island and produced a report on the birds (NCC files). The only serious differences between Table 8. The birds of Mousa and No Ness peninsula Mousa No Ness 1964 1969 1974 1969/70 1974 Fulmar (sites) * 235 313 1195 * Shag (nests) 50-100 11 23 30- 159 Great Skua (pairs) 16-27 12 * 0 5 Arctic Skua (pairs) 2-4 5 6+ 0 3 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 3 6 2 3 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 50-100 43 80 1 0 Herring Gull (pairs) many 50 68 700 130 hundreds Kittiwake (nests) 0 0 0 1000 901 Arctic Tern (pairs) 200-500 167 140 0 0 Razorbill (birds) 0 0 0 1-9 96 Guillemot (birds) 0 0 0 470 1024 Black Guillemot (birds) 12-20 96 33 2 17 Puffin (birds) 4-10 13 10 11-99 44 *present but not counted. 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 57 these figures and later ones are that Shags and gulls were then more common. However there were no detailed counts so perhaps the general impressions gained were slightly high. Foula (table 9, plate 6). Foula is one of the most spectacular islands in Britain with cliffs rising to 1,220 feet and not falling below 500 feet for two miles. Difficulties in census work are great and, like Noss, it is unrealistic to hope for accurate esti- mates of some species such as Shag and Razorbill which nest in the boulder screes. Jackson (1966) made a general survey of the seabirds in the early 1960s; J. Holbourn put his native Foulan talents to good use to a full land and sea survey in 1968. The Brathay Exploration Group counted the birds in 1969, but so late in the season (3rd-24th July) that many of the birds must have left. They were also landbound and, as I dis- covered from Ist-3rd July 1974, many of the largest colonies are invisible from the cliff tops. The 1974 counts, including a circumnavigation, attempted to cover all the colonies of Kitti- wakes, Guillemots and Razorbills. The history of the Kittiwake is confused. In 1822 there was only a single colony on Foula (Jackson) whereas now there are many. Venables and Venables (1955) thought they were declining and today this is still the view of the local people who point to several colonies that were much larger in their Table 9. The birds of Foula 1960-62 1968 1969 1974 Fulmar (sites) 4-8000 60000 very low * birds in March; 20000 order 5 pairs bred Shag (pairs) abundant 2500 very low abundant order 4 Great Skua (pairs) 200 1100-1200 1776 2500 Arctic Skua (pairs) 130 =: 1120- wil 100 200 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 15 ? 15 €. 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 2-3 ? 9 “ Herring Gull (pairs) 20 ? 34 c. 30 Kittiwake (nests) 5-8000 5460 1206 3853+ Arctic Tern (pair) 100-300 200-300 262 c. 1800 Razorbill (birds) large numbers 3000+ 533 1720 Guillemot (birds) large numbers 20-30000 c. 5000 33-37000 Black Guillemot (birds) 40 58 * Puffin (pairs) aes 250000 order 5 abundant thousands Notes : order 4 = 1000-9999 pairs, order 5 = 10,-99,999 pairs Sources 1960-62 Jackson (1966), 1968 J. Holbourn, 1969 Seafarer, 1974 R. Broad, J. W. F. Davis, L. Johnston, R. Furness, Brathay Exploration Group, personal observation. *Present but not counted. 58 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) youth. However, Jackson estimated 5,-8,000 pairs in 1961 and Holbourn counted 5,460 occupied nests in late June 1968—a great rise over the perhaps incomplete 1959 counts of 1,631 nests in five colonies given by Coulson (1963). My count was lower than other recent figures (excluding the incomplete 1969 survey) but I would hesitate to read anything into this as, from conversations with J. Holbourn it is apparent that I missed a large Kittiwake colony at the Stab which is invisible both from the sea and cliff-top. In 1968 this had 1,200 pairs! Guillemots have undoubtedly increased during the last de- cade and new ledges are being occupied every year. This could be true of Razorbills as Jackson noted very few on the eastern coast where I saw 428 birds ashore. However the island count was lower in 1974 than in 1968. Perhaps this is a return to a previous situation for in 1919 Greenaway (in Jackson) reported them as ‘“‘fast increasing” in this area. As with so many islands it is difficult to know the true status, or even the population trend, of the Puffin. It was thought to be increasing in the 1950s but suffered a decline in 1962 and 1963 (Jackson). Holbourn guessed at a maximum of 50,000 pairs in 1968. The Brathay report for 1971 reports a count of 2,000 pairs in July 1971 in an area where there were 6,157 pairs in 1969. However two islanders thought that the Puffins were more numerous in 1971! The species was abun- dant in 1974. Herma Ness (table 10). There are three complete counts for the National Nature Reserve : 18th June-lst July 1965 (Dott 1967), 26th June-lst July 1969 (Seafarer) and 6th-llth June 1974. The counts exclude the birds on Vesta Skerry and The Rumblings (which had had c.600 pairs of Gannets, 127 Kitti- wake nests and 220 Guillemots on the mainland side in 1974). The birds, spread along some seven miles of cliffs up to 500 feet high and on several stacks, are difficult to count. Even in good weather the 1974 single count took two man-weeks. Many of the boulder beaches are inaccessible and there can be little hope of obtaining good counts of Shags. In three geos it was possible both to count the birds and to search the boulders for nests. A total of 246 occupied nests were found where only 117 birds were seen. If this is a valid sample, the total Shag population would be about 1,900 pairs. The Fulmar first colonized the area in 1897 and had increas- ed to some 2,000 pairs by 1949 (Fisher 1952). This increase continues with the population increasing at 6% per year (fig. 2). A few pairs of Gannets were recorded nesting in 1917 and by 1949 3,150 pairs were visible from the land. In 1974 the popu- lation was estimated at 5,225 nests. There are no old counts 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 59 POPULATION (sites) 7 p> 10,000 8,000 6,000 t 4 4,000 | : og, population = ; 4-24 + -065 year a tA YEAR Fic. 2, The increase in the numbers of nest-sites of Fulmars at Hermaness National Nature Reserve. of Guillemots but the population has apparently increased greatly in the last decade. I have no faith in our or the previous counts of Puffins, but my general impression is of an enormous colony. There are also very large numbers on the other side of Burra Firth and the whole area probably supports a population running into six figures. Anyway, it is in the same class as the colony on St Kilda. There is no evidence that the population has increased greatly as many previous visitors to the area have remarked on the enormous numbers of Puffins. Many Razorbill colonies are hidden from view and the variations shown in the three counts are meaningless. Skuas were the subject of a special survey by the University of East Anglia Exploration Group— the large increases noted are to be documented in detail by them. 60 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) Table 10. The birds of Herma Ness 1965 1969 1974 Fulmar (sites) 5880 8491 9669 Gannet (nests) 3450 3618 5225 Shag 315 birds 887 pairs 691 birds Great Skua (pairs) 286 300 800 Arctic Skua (pairs) 113 30 70 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) ? 6 17 Herring Gull (pairs) B 46 53 Kittiwake (nests) 3303 4831 3952 Razorbill (birds) 780 2144 1102 Guillemot (birds) 8730 15983 18228 Black Guillemot (birds) 15 20 15 Puffin 8690 prs c.15000 birds abundant Notes: the 1974 counts exclude c.600 pairs of Gannets, 127 Kittiwakes and 220 individual Guillemots visible on the mainland side of Vesta Skerry and The Rumblings. Data for 1965 from Dott (1967) and the 1974 skua figures were by the University of East Anglia Exploration Group. Cramp et al (1974) gave 5894 pairs for the Gannet population in 1969 but this includes a partial aerial survey so this is not directly comparable with the above. Fair Isle The seabirds are monitored annually and R. Broad will produce his results separately. However, in sample areas Fulmars have increased from 4,109 sites in 1969 to 4,586 in 1974, Kittiwakes from 597 nests in 1966 to 1,530 in 1974, and Guillemots from 190 birds in 1966 to 1,070 in 1974. Out Skerries (table 11). The counts are the results of a visit on 24th July 1970 and all-season surveys of the four main islands by I. Robertson in 1973 and 1974. Fulmars and Kitti- wakes have increased. Perhaps the most revealing factor is the difference a resident experienced ornithologist finds Table 11. The birds of Out Skerries 1970 1973 1974 Fulmar (sites) 58 159 184 Shag (nests) 53 91 70 Great Black-backed Gull (pairs) 24 9 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull (pairs) 8 20 33 Herring Gull (pairs) 121 7, 116 Kittiwake (nests) 98 * 151 Arctic Tern (pairs) 701 570 635 Razorbill (pairs) ; 40 18 18 Guillemot (pairs) 14 3: 25 Black Guillemot (pairs) 37-42 69 69 Puffin (pairs) 290 207 222 *present but not counted. 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 61 between consecutive annual surveys. Although the numbers involved are small, the percentage changes are great. Comparisons of 1969/70 and 1974 data For each species each 1974 count was compared with the corresponding 1969/70 count. All the counts were used except for areas where counts were incomplete or not comparable, such as where the number of nests is given in one year and the number of birds seen is given the next. In most cases there was close agreement (sig- nificant correlation coefficient in table 12) but not for Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black Guillemot. In only two species (Fulmar and Great Black-backed Gull) did the 1974 results differ significantly from the Seafarer results when the data for each species were examined by the method of paired comparisons (Bailey 1959). It is, however, impossible to know whether the other populations have remained stable or whether the counts are too inaccurate to pick up any changes. My own opinion based on knowledge of the birds, the colonies and the fact that virtually all were single counts, is that it is more likely to be the latter. Table 12, Comparison of the 1969/70 and the 1974 counts ‘tv? value Number of Correlation by method counts coefficient of paired comparisons Fulmar 80 .889* Paccayh kee Shag 36 .827* 1.36 Great Black-backed Gull 39 .930* DATE Lesser Black-backed Gull 10 —.033 1.36 Herring Gull 62 152 33 Kittiwake 50 Doo 153 Razorbill 43 .380* 16 Guillemot 58 .680* 1.80 Black Guillemot 40 —.005 13 Puffin 33 .428* 48 Note: In most species there was a significant correlation (* P < .05) be- tween the 1969/70 and 1974 counts but only in Fulmar and Great Black-backed Gull were there significant population changes. Species List Fulmar Significantly more birds were counted in 1974 (fig. 3) than in 1969 or 1970. Obviously the past increase continues. It is gratifying that counting such an ill-defined unit as an ap- parently occupied nest-site can consistently show a regular trend. Gannet The population of Noss appears to have remained stable, although a few new areas have been colonized, whereas that on Herma Ness has slightly increased. 62 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) 10 000 ,@ 8 gee A ui ME xr’ 1000 : @ 2 e ¢ g ) & OO & @ Ot "@ ro) ® @ & ee = A A’ m= ee / ®@ a 7 © A @ a+ ll e0% ce 10 109 1000 10 000 1969/70 Count Fic. 3. The relationship between the 1969/70 and 1974 counts of Fulmars plotted on a log scale. The 1969-74 comparisons are marked by circles, the 1970-74 comparisons by triangles. The dotted line is the the line of no change. Plots above this line indicate that the 1974 count was higher than the 1969/70 count. There is a good correlation between the two sets of counts and there has been an undoubted increase (see table 12). Cormorant Only the Heads of Grochan colony (Braewick, plate 7) was as large as in 1969 (20-21 pairs). Two other colonies (Vaila, Houlls-nef on Unst) were extinct and the fourth (near Westerwick) had moved stacks and declined from 35 to 6 pairs. Shag There was no Significant difference between years but any increase or decrease would have had to be very great to be detected as there are errors inherent in counting a species nesting in caves and under boulders. I have doubts about the counts on several grounds. Firstly, they were obtained by several different methods; the accuracy depends on the keen- 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 63 ness of the observer for climbing up and down cliffs or the nerve and skill of the boatman in going into difficult geos and caves. Secondly, in some areas I do not believe that accurate counts are possible. Thirdly, the species has a prolonged breeding season that, when linked with the wide range of counting dates, makes for low accuracy. Great Skua and Arctic Skua No detailed counts were made. However, notes were kept when birds were seen and the large colonies on Noss, Herma Ness and Foula were censused by P. Kinnear, the University of East Anglia Expedition and Brathay Exploration Group respectively. All colonies have increased since 1969 and many new areas have been colonized. Great Black-backed Gull The 1974 counts were significantly higher than those of previous years and the species has doubtlessly increased. This conforms to the pattern through- out Britain (Cramp et al. 1974). Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull The Seafarer counts and my own were not significantly correlated. This could indicate that there have been large and erratic changes but more likely underlines the inadequacy of counts. In the sample areas Lesser Black-backed Gulls had increased from 43 pairs to 266 but most of this was due to c.200 pairs nest- ing high up on the east side of Sumburgh Head in 1974 where none were recorded in the 1969 sea-count. Carins noted 50 pairs in 1967. Kittiwake There have been some undoubted changes—a new colony at the site of a previous roost at Wats Ness, increases on Out Skerries, Fair Isle, west coasts of Sumburgh, Yell (Blo Geo and Ern Stack held 167 nests in 1969, 219 in 1974), Fetlar (280 in 1969 to 399 in 1974), and decreases on Papa Stour and the rocks of Esha Ness. Fig. 4 suggests an overall decline but the trend is not significant. In theory this species can be counted accurately but in practice it is difficult to make complete counts because parts of colonies may be invisible from the land and it is difficult to count crowded colonies from a boat. Arctic Tern Although most tern colonies are easily found, they are difficult to count without causing unacceptable distur- bance. Most 1969/70 counters estimated their accuracy as + 10-20%; I did not check my counts but I think that they were less accurate than this. However, there were apparently 13 increases and six declines. Razorbill Since the preferred nesting sites are out of sight in cracks or boulder fields it is rarely possible to count incubating birds. Counts of other birds include many non-breeders and are difficult to interpret (Lloyd 1973). 64 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) Pe nwa WN ma) @ eo aM eo; A. “8 4 A®@ ee’ eo e of (© A & : o% () ea O ae A + e ’ r S ° 6 yo @ a e oe & ul Nd ee. © l pie ae 10 100 1000 1969/70 Count Fic. 4. The relationship between the 1969/70 and 1974 counts of Kitti- wake nests. There is a good correlation between the two sets of points but there is no significant difference between them and the no change (dotted) line. Guillemot No overall significant trend was evident in the re- sults, possibly due to both the difficulty of counting birds on crowded ledges (one Noss ledge has at least 700 birds stand- ing shoulder to shoulder) or deep caves (Foula caves may hold 10,000 birds (J. Holbourn pers. comm.)) and to the large fluc- tuations and numbers of birds attending colonies. A detailed examination of the individual count shows that all easily counted colonies counted during the egg or early chick stage appear to have increased. There have been massive increases on Fair Isle and Sumburgh, and the colonies on Foula are ex- panding. The only colonies where the 1974 figures were lower than Seafarer were Dore Holm and Skerry of Eshaness, which I visited late in the season, and Saxa Vord and Fitful Head 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 65 which are difficult to count. The counts to date will enable large population changes to be detected but not measured. Minor changes (perhaps less than 30%) would certainly be overlooked. Black Guillemot Counts of pairs displaying under the cliffs prior to nesting may be meaningful but later counts such as those to date give only the most approximate idea of popula- tion size and nothing on possible changes. Puffin Counts of birds are of little use for monitoring purposes for small numbers seen during a single or even a few visits do not necessarily even mean a small colony. Annual counts of occupied burrows in permanently marked areas are the only accurate ways of detecting population changes and these are only just beginning to produce results. There is no evidence that the populations are declining. Conclusions The seabird populations of Shetland appear to be in a healthy state. The data collected in 1974 add little to the dis- tributions mapped during Operation Seafarer in 1969/70. However, the fact that no replicate counts were made in 1969/70 and few in 1974 makes statistical treatment of the actual counts difficult. Fulmars and Great Black-backed Gulls have increased, but for Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Black Guillemots there are no significant correlations be- tween the two sets of counts. In the other species there are differences between the counts but the wide variation prevents trends being apparent. The present level of monitoring is probably sufficient to detect only the most dramatic changes in populations. I have no series of regular Shetland counts from which to predict how many times each colony should be counted so as to arrive at a mean number of birds or pairs present during the period covered with any degree of accuracy. However, there are a few such auk counts from Pembrokeshire and Co. Kerry (table 13). These colonies were counted more or _ less daily during June and early July. All counts were in the middle of the day when the numbers of auks attending colonies are reasonably constant (Lloyd 1973, Birkhead in prep). The numbers of counts that have to be made to predict the mean with a known error with 95% confidence are presented in the table. The three least variable Guillemot counts were made during a month when the weather was unusually constant and Birkhead (pers. comm.) thought that the low variation in the counts was atypical. Judging from these figures at least ten counts of colonies of at least several hundred individuals must be made before we can hope for 10% accuracy. Fewer 9(1) SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 66 (‘WUWI0D ‘sied) ‘palinbei Advinooe 9Y} SI J s1eyM suvBAy "H'D'd ¢ 9 (‘WIUWI09 *sied) sueaAq “H'D'd 02 18 (‘WWD ‘s1ed) sueAq “H'D'd QT G9 (‘UIUIOD ‘Ssied) suvAy “H'D'd 6 LE (uIUI00 ‘sied) peoyuyig T € (‘um00 ‘sied) peoyylig =T e (‘uru00 ‘sied) peoyylig T[ ¢ (S961) SHURH E OT (€L61) PAOTT Z 9 (€L61) PAOIT 4 ri %0C+ WOT+ 901n0s jo Advinvoe VG VCE WG t JO} S}UNOD JO “ON 6 LI v3 €'6 cs CVG L3 o GE 6S 97 SIT UOIVIAVp €1 oT GT GT 6¢ 6¢ 6¢ Gc 0€ O€ sjunoo 6 LST 661 L9G 0°6¢ 9 LCE 6 LOT 6 EcS 68 6 6€ Ses) (Spiiq) QOUBIIVA X 22, ra | Aine yiL-oune puzz Ajne Y}LZ-0une puzz Aine yiZ-0unr puzz Ajng yyz-ounr puzz eunr Y10€-3ST ounr YI0E-1ST ounr Y30E-1ST eune. 410E-3ST sun YI0€-3ST eunf YOE-3ST o7ed piepurig jorsoqunyy JUNOD Ue]; AI oD AIIBY “OD AIIIY “OD A1IVy “OD aIIYSOyoIquisd sITYSayoIquiod sI1YsSeyoiquiedg dIIYSeyOIquisg dI1YsayoIquieadg sIIYSOyOIquisd Auojo9d “Aepprw iveu sjzunoo yy “Ajng Ajrvo pue sung ul sjzunod Ajrep-1zvou Aq puno} Joqunu Ue oY} JOIperd 0} opeUl oq 0} pooU jeY} SJOWOT[IND pue sjjiqiozey JO sjzUNOD JO SJEquINU pozENIwo OL “CT SIGFL Aq poye[nojeo syunod Jo ‘ON : 3}0N yOUATTIND youraTTINy Iiquozey Tq10zey jowaTTINH youaTTINy yourayyiny jouraTqIND youra|Tiny [qrozey so1s0dS 1976 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 67 counts would probably be needed for other species, except Puffins for which counts of birds are of little value. Lloyd and Birkhead are attempting to refine the counting of seabirds and to relate the counts to the number of breeding pairs in the colony. It may be that a higher degree of accuracy could be obtained by making a series of counts during some specified phase of the breeding cycle. Lloyd (1975) has found that for Razorbills and Guillemots ten counts of birds present between 08.00 and 12.00 hours during the chick stage predicted the mean with an accuracy of 5-14% and 6-8% respectively. The disadvantage of this is that the timing of the breeding varies greatly between colonies and years so that several preliminary visits have to be made before it is obvious when the counts should be made. For convenience, counts during a particular calendar period are to be preferred. The preliminary con- clusions of these two workers are that each colony must be treated separately but that differences _be- tween patterns of attendance are likely to be smaller between years than between colonies. Several weeks or months of study are needed at any colony before it can be decided how and when counts should be made and how they might relate to the breeding population. Although the remote and large colonies have great attractions for ornith- ologists, these are difficult to count accurately and are not suitable for monitoring. Attention must be centred on acces- sible colonies that can be visited regularly. Acknowledgments My largest debt is to the observers who took part in the Seafarer survey. I trust that they and the organizers of the survey, who allowed me to use the original data, will see my remarks on the value of the counts as being constructive and not destructive. D. Saunders who under- took much of the 1969/70 field work has clarified many points. Many people (especially members of the University of East Anglia Exploration Group) helped with the field work or supplied counts; they are acknow- ledged in the text. R. Tulloch, L. Johnston, P. Kinnear and other members of the Shetland Bird Club put their knowledge at my disposal. Drs D. Jenkins and I. Newton improved the manuscript with criticism. The study was financed by a contract from the Nature Conservancy Council to the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. References BAILEY, N. T. J. 1959. Statistical Methods in Biology. London, English Universities Press. Baxter, E. V. & RINTOUL, L. J. 19535. U'he Birds of Scotland. Edinburgh and London, Oliver and Boyd. BouRNE, W. R. P. & Dixon, T. J. 1974. The Seabirds of the Shetlands. In The Nat- ural Environment of Shetland, ed. R. Goodier, 150-144, Edinburgh, Nature Con- servancy Council. Coutson, J. C. 1963. The status of the Kittiwake in the British Isles. Bird Study 10; 147-179. ya 68 SEABIRDS OF SHETLAND 1974 9(1) CRAMP, S., BouRNE, W. R. P., & SAUNDERS, D. 1974. The Seabirds of Britain and Treland. London, Collins. Dott, H. E. M. 1967. Numbers of Great Skuas and other seabirds of Hermaness. Scot. Birds 4: 340-350. FISHER, J. 1952. The Fulmar. London, Collins. FISHER, J.. & VEVERS, H. G. 1943. The breeding distribution, history and populatiop of the North Atlantic Gannet (Sula bassana). J. Anim. Ecol, 12: 173-213. Harris, M. P. 1965, Some observations on a small Guillemot colony. Nature in Wales 9: 159-141. HARVIE-BROowWN, J. A. 1912. The Fulmar: its past and present distribution as a breeding species in the British Isles. Scot. Nat. 1912: 97-102, 121-152. Jackson, E. E. 1966. Birds of Foula. Scot. Birds 4: 1-60 (special supplement). Luioyp, C. 1975. Attendance at auk colonies during the breeding season. Skokholm Bird Observatory Report for 1972: 15-25 LuoypD, C. 1975. Timing and frequency of census counts of cliff-nesting auks. Brit. Birds 68: 507-513. NETTLESHIP, D. N. 1974. A recent decline of Gannets, Morus bassanus, on Bonaven- ture Island, Quebec. Cand. Wildl. Ser., Studies on seabirds, rep. 28. PERRY, R. 1948. Shetland Sanctuary. London, Faber and Faber. RAEBURN, H. 1891. The birds of Papa Stour, with an account of the Lyra Skerry. Zoologist (3rd series) 15: 126-155. VENABLES, L. S. & VENABLES, U. M. 1955. Birds and Mammals of Shetland. Edin- burgh and London, Oliver and Boyd. WYNNE-EDWARDS, V. C. 1962. Animal Dispersion in Relation to Social Behaviour. Edinburgh and London, Oliver and Boyd. Dr M. P. Harris, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory Research Station, Hill of Brathens, Glassel, Banchory, Kincardineshire, AB3 4BY. KITTIWAKE by Keith Brockie 1976 SHORT NOTE 69 Short Note Buzzard taking Manx Shearwater at night On 3rd September 1973 on the Isle of Canna, Inverness-shire, at 18.00 BST we observed a Buzzard Buteo buteo feeding on a young Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus. Presumably the bird had been unable to get back to its burrow during the night and was hiding amongst the vegetation when the Buzzard caught it. That night at midnight RLS and P. MacKinnon flushed a Buzzard off a freshly killed and decapitated young shearwater some 200 yards from the first kill. The body showed no signs of rigor mortis and it appeared that it had been killed only minutes before we arrived on the scene, for the severed head was lying by the body and both were still bleeding. Buzzards regularly roost on the cliff above the shearwater slopes. However, as it was a dark night with thick cloud cover and no moon it is interesting to speculate how the Buzzard located the shearwater. At this time of year many young shear- waters are sitting at the mouths of their burrows exercising their wings before their flight to the sea. The Buzzard must have either picked out the shearwater in the flashes from a nearby lighthouse, which we were unable to do, or located it by the noise of its wings flapping, a method used by us to find young birds. Although Manx Shearwaters are often taken by Buzzards and also by Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos and Peregrines Falco peregrinus, this is apparently the first record of a raptor being observed to take one at night. ROBERT L. SWANN, ALAN F. LEITCH. Obituary EDDIE BALFOUR Eddie Balfour died suddenly in August 1974 while returning from a ringing expedition on Gairsay. He was the finest Orcad- ian ornithologist there has ever been and a world authority on his beloved Hen Harriers. It was my good fortune to succeed him as RSPB Representative in Orkney when he retired in 1974 and I soon discovered that he was a very different character from the seemingly rather withdrawn person I had met at con- ferences at Dunblane and elsewhere. It is so often true that a very modest and shy person can give an altogether misleading 70 OBITUARY 9(1) impression on casual acquaintance. He could be an immensely entertaining companion and his knowledge of the plants and rocks, of Orkney folk-lore and custom, when added to that of birds, could make a day in the field or an evening with him an immensely rewarding and memorable experience. From the basis of an obviously happy marriage he was much involved with many aspects of the life of his parish and county. He was Chairman of his local Community Association, inter- ested in football, tennis and music, was a founder-member of the Orkney Field Club and its Chairman since 1970. The range of his interests and the respect with which he was held was movingly demonstrated at his funeral when the church was packed. Together with the late George Arthur he was vigorous in protecting birds and particularly the birds of prey; the richness of the moorland bird community in Orkney must owe a great deal to the work they undertook. In 1937 he became an Honorary Watcher for the RSPB and in that year started keeping written records of the birds he saw. Although it is perhaps a shame that more of his vast knowledge was not pub- lished, he contributed regular nature notes to a local paper and, for a time, to The Scotsman. Some of these notes show that he could write beautifully when the mood took him, as when he described some of the smaller islands as places were ‘Eiders nested under an umbrella of screeching terns’ and the final sen- tence of his book on Orkney birds is as fine and concise a statement on the need for the conservation of nature as you will find anywhere—‘As we are part of nature and depend on nature for our existence we should respect and cherish it’. He contributed papers on the Hen Harrier and other birds to Ibis, Bird Study, Bird Notes and Scottish Birds and his paper Breeding birds of Orkney (Scot. Birds 5: 89-104) was an im- portant and valuable summary of what must always be a changing community and the first published since David Lack’s paper in Ibis in 1942-43. But there was still no authoritative and up-to-date statement on the general status of Orkney’s birds. There was only Buckley and Harvie-Brown’s classic work A Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands published in 1891 and a less satisfactory book by Omand How to know the Orkney Birds published in 1925. Then in 1972 Eddie Balfour’s Orkney Birds—Status and Guide was published by Senior of Strom- ness and the gap was filled. This book is essential reading for anyone visiting Orkney to see its birds and for anyone wishing to know about them. In 1954 he became a paid employee of the RSPB and in the following year was appointed as the Society’s full-time Orkney 1976 OBITUARY 71 representative. This gave him the freedom to acquire an un- rivalled knowledge of the birds around him and to devote more time to his study of the Hen Harrier. This study continued for 43 years and was the longest study of a bird of prey popula- tion anywhere in the world. At the time of his death he was working on a major paper with Dr James Cadbury and I hope this will be published before too long—it would be a tragedy if all this accumulated knowledge was not made widely avail- able. DAVID LEA. Review Waterfowl Populations in Denmark 1965-1973; a Survey of the Non- breeding Populations of Ducks, Swans and Coot and their Shooting Utilization (Danish Review of Game Biology Vol. 9 no. 1). By Anders Holm Joenson. Denmark, Vildtbiologisk Station, 1974. Pp 206; num- erous maps, graphs and tables. 24 x 17 cm. No price. This publication presents the voluminous results of three surveys made in the period 1965-1973. The main survey comprised monthly (September to April) ground counts in selected places, aerial surveys of coastal and offshore waters, and, on nine occasions, combined ground and_ aerial ‘surveys designed to estimate the size and distribution of the entire waterfowl population. The second survey, of the annual kill by sportsmen, was based on the official bag-record: Danish sportsmen have to supply bag records as part of the licensing system. It was supplemented with information from questionnaires completed by sportsmen and with game dealers’ statistics. The third survey, primarily concerned with diving ducks, was of age and sex-composition of shot and oiled birds. The lim- itations of the techniques involved are discussed and full details of the analyses given in a section which should be useful to others engaged in similar work elsewhere. The results of the surveys are generally presented in two ways, firstly in a chapter on the status of the various individual species, secondly in a chapter on the main waterfowl] haunts. In each the presentation is clear and succinct. A relatively brief final chapter comes to some general con- clusions. Denmark is an important waterfowl area in the non-breeding season, particularly for moulting aggregations of sea ducks. Furthermore, over 60,000 Danes shoot ducks. The information presented here is thus of more than local importance. Those who are seriously involved in the academic study of wildfowl, in their conservation, or in shooting them will find this book of interest and value. Taken at a single sitting, the volume of information presented is rather too much for the mental digestion, but this is a book at which the wildfowl enthusiast will wish to keep nibbling. J. J. D, GREENWOOD 72 LETTER 9(1) Letter Sir, The Flanders Moss Lesser Black-backed Gullery I suspect that Andrew Macmillan was not responsible for the heading to his note on this subject (8: 281), which would locate this breeding colony in Stirlingshire instead of South Perth- shire. His surmise that the colony was long-established by 1935 can be confirmed by some very precise historical information which seems to have been widely overlooked and which may therefore be worth quoting here. The author is Oswin A. J. Lee, one of the pioneers of bird nest photography, whose four volume work Among British Breeding Birds in their Nesting Haunts was published in Edinburgh 1897-9. In vol. 1 he pro- vides a photograph of a Lesser Black-back’s nest at Flan- ders Moss taken on 10th May 1893 and comments in the ac- companying text as follows : “Some of these colonies of Lesser Black-headed Gulls in- crease very rapidly. I remember a pair of these birds taking up their quarters on Flanders Moss in the valley of the Forth in the spring of 1880; in 1885 we found twenty-one pairs breeding there, in 1891 seventy-six nests were found, and on my revisit- ing the colony in 1893 I found a hundred and thirty-four nests of this species containing three eggs each; this increase went on in spite of the war waged against them by the keepers, who took the eggs and trapped and shot as many old birds as possible. The destruction of fish in the neighbourhood must have been very great, as beside these birds there was a colony of Black-headed Gulls—some eight hundred pairs—not half a mile distant, and almost every nest had the remains of one or two small trout or parr beside it...The Lesser Black- backed Gulls choose a dry part of the moor for their colony, which is somewhat scattered, placing their nests among the long heather and dwarf bog-myrtle some distance from the large colony of Black-headed Gulls, who seem to prefer the lower and more swampy part of the moor. The nests were usually placed on some bare patch beside a large tuft of heather or bog-myrtle, and were somewhat bulky structures of soft moss and small bits of dead grass ... Often when I was exam- ining a nest, the owner would eject a fish or two from its stomach in a vain attempt to scream loud enough to drive me away. Some of these fish must have weighed nearly five ounces, and were generally half digested, having little skin on them.” DOUGAL G. ANDREW. (The editor was responsible for the incorrect letter heading 1976 LETTER 73 Gulls breeding inland in Stirlingshire. Andrew Macmillan’s letter was written in response to a short note in a previous issue entitled Gulls breeding inland in Aberdeenshire and a heading incorporating the county was chosen by me for the sake of consistency. Being unfamiliar with the area, I looked up Flanders Moss in Johnston’s Gazetteer of Scotland (1973) which gives the location as Stirlingshire, south of the Forth. I have since checked the one-inch Ordnance Survey map, which shows two distinct Flanders Mosses, on either side of the Forth in both counties.—ED.) The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Revenue Account for the year ended 30th June 1975 Yearto Year to 30/6/75 30/6/74 INCOME Subscriptions received for year ‘ weet, EOE £4715 Income Tax recovered on covenanted subscriptions 1009 643 Dividends and Interest received (gross) ... ee 367 308 Surplus on Bookshop (sales £20864) “a as 5271 3313 Sale of “Scottish Birds” ae sis RS 437 260 Sundry sales less sundry purchases: eat See 39 22 Donations received e — =a 2) 20 Gain on redemption of investment ae ae 56 £13402 £9337 EXPENDITURE— Branch expenses including lectures T ut £574 £551 Travel expenses of Council members and of delegates to conferences se oct $53 261 265 Secretarial and Editorial services beh ee 8086 5742 Office expenses 1427 1103 Scottish Centre for Ornithology ‘and Bird Protection : Club’s share of running expenses wa 760 1150 Cost of books purchased for Library 2a ae 126 128 Cost of publishing “‘Scottish Birds” (less advertising revenue £567) hee =: 1573 1420 Honorarium to Compiler of 1974 Scottish Bird Report wie £100 Less Contribution from “Scottish — Birds” Appeal Fund me us 100 Net cost of Annual Conference ie i - 69 40 Subscriptions paid oul = et 7 69 48 £12945 £10447 Excess of Income over Expenditure a 45 457 (1110) 74 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Balance Sheet as at 30th June 1975 Accumulated surplus as at 30th June 1974 Add : Excess of Income over Expenditure Accumulated surplus as at 30th June 1975 (Note : £1000 of this surplus is earmarked for the House Fabric Fund.) Made up of: Cash in hand and Bank current accounts Cash in Building Society 3 Bookshop stock at valuation Tie and badge stock at valuation Debts due to Club B Sum due from Endowment Fund Night store heaters—Cost Less depreciation Addressing machine—Cost Less depreciation Investments at cost as below Less : Life Membership Fund Subscriptions paid in advance Debts due by Club Sum due to Endowment Fund “Scottish Birds” Appeal Fund a Sum earmarked for Library binding Balance of Royal Society Grant to Library Sum raised for purchase of Projector Investments as at 30th June 1975 Safeguard Industrial Investments Ltd.— 875 Ord. shares of 25p each £950—64% Treasury Loan 1976 £1300— British sp usaes ae Guar. Stock Market Value 9(1) Yearto Year to 30/6/75 30/6/74 £2988 457 £3445 6537 £3445 At cost £4098 (1110) £2988 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB ENDOWMENT FUND (The free income of which is available for the advancement of ornithology) 75 Revenue Account for the year ended 30th June 1975 Yearto Year to 30/6/75 30/6/74 INCOME— Interest and Dividends received (gross) ... a £401 EXPENDITURE— Grants at detailed in Report of Council... 2 160 Excess of Income for the year ... xd 154 bas £241 Balance Sheet as at 30th June 1975 Endowment Fund as at 30th June 1974 ine WuEetE2ZIS1 Add: Legacies received during year ary Ss. 500 Donations received during year ... «Ay ae 18 Accumulated Revenue as at 30/6/74 Add: Excess of Income for year Add: Grant made in 1972 refunded Made up of: Investments at cost as below Edinburgh Building HAFIERY pePastt Accounts : Capital Account eu Revenue Account im Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd., Deposit Account... — Due by Club’s General Funds a: ™ — £4593 Less : Grants allocated but not yet paid ... aa 200 £4393 Less : Due to Club’s General Funds £4360 Investments as at 30th June 1975 Market At Value cost 1952 Units of Equities Investment Fund for Charities ut ... £2069 £1000 £1140 5% Exchequer Stock 1976/78 972 1000 £440 83% Conver. Unsecured Loan Stock 1993/98 British Printing Corporation 44] 500 St Andrew Trust Ltd., Ordinary 25p saat pee 570 £3714 £3011 | £260 384 (£124) £2519 100 172 2791 684 (124) 3351 250 £3601 3011 718 242 £3971 370 £3601 £3601 At cost £1000 1000 441 570 £3011 76 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) HOUSE FABRIC FUND Summary of Accounts for year to 30th June 1975 Year to Year to 30/6/75 30/6/74 RECEIPTS— Balance as at 30th June 1974 ag Year’s rent from Major A. D. Peirse- Duncombe .. Rent from Squadron Leader Greig (12.11.73 to 15. 6. 74) Year’s rent from British Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled af Grants from S.O.C. Revenue ‘Account Miscellaneous Interest . Le £40 £12 312 140 100 10 £574 £103 334 34 £471 103 £574 EXPENDITURE— Repairs and Maintenance BS sat a Property Burdens ee nels £578 Less contributions from Tenants — ate 244 Insurance £803 On deposit with Edinburgh Building Society 12 £815 EDINBURGH, 21st October 1975.—I have audited the foregoing Revenue Accounts for the year to 30th June 1975, and the Balance Sheets as at that date. I have accepted as correct Subscriptions and other receipts shown as received in the Books and the value placed on the Bookshop Stock. Subject to this I certify that in my opinion the foregoing accounts are correctly stated and sufficiently vouched. (Signed) ARTHUR WALKER, Chartered Accountant. REPORT OF COUNCIL Your council submits the following report for the year 1974/75: Membership At the end of this session the club had 2516 members, a net loss of 135 during the year; four members transferred to life membership, and 346 new members joined, including 53 junior members and 51 child- ren nominated under the new family membership arrangements. A table of membership is given below. Included in the total of ordinary members are 155 who elected to pay the reduced rate for old age pensioners. Family membership is counted as two ordinary members in the table, and children nominated by parents with family membership are shown sep- arately, as no extra subscription is paid for them; 12 previously sub- scribed as junior members. 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 77 Year to 30 June 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 Honorary 5 5 5 2: 4 + Life 9 10 14 14 18 22 Ordinary 1849 1889 2054 2230 2312 2175 Junior 286 282 298 312 317 252 Nominated children — — —_ — = 63 2149 2186 2371 2560 2651 2516 Change +92 +37 +185 +189 +91 —135 This net loss, the first since 1959, may be attributed to the increase in subscription rates which applied this session, with more members than usual resigning or letting their subscriptions lapse. Enquiries have been put in hand to find out how much of this may arise from any failure to provide what members want rather than outside factors, and it is hoped this will be useful for the future. There was a most encouraging response to the request for those with deeds of covenant to consider changing them to the new subscription rate, and over a hundred members signed covenants for the first time The number of covenants rose from 482 to 566, representing 659 mem- bers. Deeds of covenant make a very real contribution to the club’s funds, and this year the SOC was able to reclaim £1009 of tax. Death With great regret council records the death during the year of Eddie Balfour, local recorder for Orkney. An obituary will be published in Scottish Birds. Secretarial staff Owing to the continued increase in bookshop sales it became necessary to appoint an additional part-time assistant, and Mrs P. A. Mottershead came temporarily from January to March 1975, when Mrs H. L. Harper joined the staff. Mrs Irene Waterston was unable to devote sufficient time to work in the library, and as a temporary measure Mrs Daphne Peirse-Duncombe was appointed assistant librarian from April 1975. Wigtown Group An application from Angus Maciver to start a group in the Wigtown area was approved by council. It is eight years since a new group of the club was formed, and it is hoped that this one will both attract new members and encourage existing members who live too far from Ayr and Dumfries to be able to attend meetings of those branches. The group held its first meeting early in autumn 1975. Branches At all branches the usual summer and winter excursions were arranged, and a full programme of winter lectures covered a wide range of topics. The Dumfries and Stirling branches again organised weekend excursions to the Solway goose grounds and Argyll respectively. Council wishes to record its appreciation to the many speakers and excursion leaders who give their time so freely for the enjoyment of members. Annual conference After thirteen years at Dunblane the annual confer- ence, faced with greatly increased hotel charges, moved to the University of Stirling. About 260 members and guests attended the 27th conference and 38th annual general meeting of the club in the last weekend of January 1975. Numbers were lower than usual, reflecting some trepida- tion about student accommodation and the changed time of year. Those who were there agreed that the weekend was as enjoyable as ever, al- though a significant number would have preferred the usual date at the end of October, which unfortunately is not possible at a university. In- vestigations are being made to see if a different venue at reasonable cost can be found for late October. 78 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) Stanley Cramp opened the Saturday morning with a talk on ‘The Sea- birds of Britain and Ireland’ and this was followed by Bobby Tulloch who spoke on ‘Shetland: the Birds and the Oil’. On Sunday morning there was a departure from recent practice when five short talks were given on ornithological research in Scotland. Bede Pounder spoke on the results of the club’s Effluent Enquiry, of which he was the organiser, and was followed by four speakers from Aberdeen University—Sandy Ander- son on Fulmars, Dr Harry Milne on Eiders, Dr Bryan Nelson on Gannets, and Dr Jain Patterson and Shelducks. These contributions were very well received and provoked lively discussion. An informal account of the con- ference has been published in Scottish Birds 8 : 328. ‘Scottish Birds’ David Bates took over as editor of the journal in August 1974, inheriting a regrettable production backlog which was aggravated by problems with the 1973 Scottish Bird Report. To bring publication up to date it was decided to combine the spring and summer 1975 numbers, which meant that only three issues (including the 1973 Scottish Bird Report) appeared for the year. To balance this, a supplement on ‘The Birds of the Isle of May’ by Dr W. J. Eggeling was published, and council gratefully acknowledges a grant for this from the Baxter Trust. ‘Scottish Birds” Appeal Fund Another raffle was held, raising a further £362 for the fund, and council thanks those who generously gave prizes or supported the appeal by buying tickets. In recognition of the tremendous amount of work put into the Scottish Bird Report by its compiler, Roy Dennis, council decided that an hon- orarium of £100 should be paid to him from the fund, and the first pay- ment is provided in the accounts for the year. Conservation issues Last year the club supported the Royal Society for Protection of Birds and the Scottish Wildlife Trust in a petition against an order sought by McDermott (Scotland) to set up a harbour authority at Ardersier, Inverness-shire. The petition was withdrawn after the com- pany agreed to consult with the Nature Conservancy Council at least six weeks before any dredging, harbour work or further development in the area was undertaken. The club supported the RSPB this year in opposition to the proposal to establish an oil refinery at Nigg, Easter Ross, in view of the threats this posed for birdlife in the area. The outcome of the public local enquiry is not yet known. In September 1974 a notice was published stating that, on the recom- mendation of the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for Scotland, the Secretary of State for Scotland proposed to remove protec- tion from Greylag and Pink-footed Geese by transferring them to the second schedule of the Protection of Birds Act 1954 in six Scottish counties. The club and many other organisations and individuals lodged formal objections to this proposal. Because of the number and strength of the objections the Secretary of State again consulted the Advisory Committee, which withdrew its recommendation. Further investigations are to be carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland into practicable and economically worthwhile methods of crop protection. Fieldwork Dr Malcolm Castle accepted council’s invitation to become Scottish organiser for the British Trust for Ornithology’s 1975 National Survey of Rookeries in Britain. Many members took part in this survey, submitting their findings to local organisers throughout Scotland. Council wishes to thank them all for their efforts, and in particular Dr Castle, for the very considerable amount of work he did, and the local organisers. A copy of the Scottish data will be kept in the club’s reference library. 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 79 The SOC’s Effluent Enquiry, organised by Bede Pounder, has been completed and the results are being written up for Scottish Birds. The Redwing Breeding Survey and Crow Hybrid-Zone Enquiry are continuing. Members also helped with other projects, including the Ornithological Sites Register (BTO), Wildfowl Counts (Wildfowl Trust), Beached Bird Survey (RSPB), Estuaries Enquiry (BTO), Common Bird Census (BTO) and Great Crested Grebe Breeding Survey (BTO), the Club’s 1973 enquiry into this species having now been written up in Scottish Birds 8 : 151 by the organiser R. W. J. Smith. Research During the year both council and the management committee gave much time and thought to the possible development of research and discussion groups within the branches and elsewhere and the en- couragement of cooperative ornithological research work. This is still under consideration, particularly the degree to which the club should attempt to direct current trends in these directions, but council intends to publish a policy statement as soon as possible. Area boundaries During the year the research committee considered the treatment of records in relation to the new Scottish regional boundaries. A report has been submitted to council and it is planned to publish its recommendations in Scottish Birds. Endowment Fund Four grants from the endowment fund totalling £160 were approved by council during the year. £50 was given to the Univer- sity of East Anglia Shetland Expedition 1975 to continue important Skua and Puffin population studies begun in 1973; the grant was later refunded voluntarily when the expedition was abandoned following the tragic death of one of its members. £50 was given to the Highland Ring- ing Group to buy a canon net; the group will submit reports of its research which will be kept in the club library. It is normally a condition of a grant that reports will be provided, for publication in Scottish Birds where appropriate. R. L. Swann and others have carried out research or the Manx Shearwater and Shag population on Canna and have mon- itored the seabird populations there for a number of years; £35 was granted towards the cost of this year’s work; £25 was given to P. Fisher towards the costs of a party which surveyed colonies of breeding skuas on the mainland of Shetland and on some of the small offshore islands; the work was to complete a survey started in the summer of 1974. During the year legacies of £250 each from the late Henry Boase and the late Andrew Rankine, as mentioned in last year’s report, were re- ceived by the endowment fund. Council gratefully acknowledges these legacies and commends this longterm means of supporting Scottish or- nithology to members who may be able to help in this way. Scottish Centre As in past years, many visitors from home and abroad called at the Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection in Edin- burgh for advice and information about birdwatching in Scotland, and there were also many postal enquiries. Informal discussion groups met regularly in the centre during the winter, and there were meetings of th Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, the Scottish Committee of the RSPB, the Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station Committee, and the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve Biological Committee, as well as the SOC council and committee meetings. At the end of the year under review a bad outbreak of dry rot was found, affecting the basement library and store and the ground floor offices of 21 Regent Terrace. Work on eradication and reinstatement is taking place and a full report will be given next year. Considerable dis- ruption of the working conditions is being suffered with fortitude and good grace by the secretarial staff. Everyone has to work in the club’s reference library, and the basement extension to the library will be closed for some months. 80 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) Library Increased use was made of the reference library during the year by both members and non-members of the club. Council again thanks all those who donated books, journals and reprints. Bookshop Book sales continued to increase in volume as well as value, which was nearly seventy-five percent greater than last year, totalling over £20,000. This represents a very considerable increase in the work of ordering, invoicing and packing, and, as already noted, another mem- ber of staff was taken on part-time from January 1975. Because of the greatly increased postal rates a nominal sum now has to be added to small orders to help meet these costs, but other orders continue to be sent post paid. Council thanks the Scottish Wildlife Trust for inviting the club to display books at its conference at Battleby, Perthshire, in September, and again thanks the British Trust for Ornithology for allowing the club to arrange a book display at its annual conference in December. Club projector Council is most grateful to Mrs Peirse-Duncombe and Mrs Maxwell Hamilton who, with other helpers, organised another coffee morning in Edinburgh and again raised over £50. With money raised in earlier years this enabled the club to purchase a carousel slide projector. Club representation The SOC continued to be represented on the British Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation by Sir Lands- borough Thomson; Dr George Waterston, who had represented the club for many years, tendered his resignation as he could no longer travel to meetings, and Frank Hamilton was elected in his place. Council wishes to record its gratitude to Dr Waterston for his work on the British Sec- tion of the ICBP and for representing the club for so long. Dr R. S. Bailey continued to represent the club on the Duck Working Group of the International Wildfowl Research Bureau. Acknowledgments In conclusion council wishes to record its sincere thanks to all those not specifically mentioned above; to the staff for all the devoted work that goes to ensure the smooth running of the SOC; to all those who have given time and help to the club in many ways, by acting as local recorders, serving on committees, organising activities, and by helping at conferences and meetings; and to those who have been able to help financially, especially in these difficult times of rampant in- flation, by donations and by signing deeds of covenant. For the Council, GEORGE WATERSTON, President. THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLUB The Thirty-Ninth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the University of Stirling on Saturday 24th January 1976 at 5.30 p.m. In the absence through illness of the President, Dr George Waterston, Andrew T. Macmillan, Vice-President of the Club, presided over an attendance of about 140 members. Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Dr D. A. Banner- man, Lt Col J. P. Grant, M. K. Hamilton, A. G. Stewart and Dr and Mrs George Waterston. Minutes The Minutes of the Thirty-Eighth Annual General Meeting, held in the University of Stirling on 25th January 1975, were approved and signed. Report of Council The Report of Council for Session 38 was adopted. The Chairman commented on a number of items. He had written to about 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 81 200 members whose subscription had lapsed, and just over 50 had re- plied; of these about half had renewed their membership, while almost all the others confirmed their satisfaction with the Club but gave per- sonal reasons for not renewing their subscriptions. With a view to in- creasing membership, a letter was being sent with the March/April issue of Birds to all RSPB members in Scotland inviting them to join the Club, and the Chairman suggested that Branches might like to consider other ways of enrolling members to help offset rising costs. Eradication of the dry rot at 21 Regent Terrace would cost about £3000. So far about £400 had been donated towards this, and the entire proceeds of the raffle would also be used to help pay the bill. Some Branches had already held fund raising events, and others were planned; Council was extremely grateful to all the members concerned and asked all Branches and individuals to consider fund raising events to help pay off this large sum. Accounts In the absence of the Hon. Treasurer, his report on the Ac- counts for the year ended 30th June 1975 was read by the Secretary. The Accounts were approved. Appointment of Auditor After more than 25 years as the Club’s Auditor, Mr Arthur Walker C.A. had retired; a letter of thanks had been sent to him for his work on the Club’s behalf during this time. Mr Robert Caven C.A., a partner in the same firm, had agreed to become Auditor, and he was duly elected for the ensuing year. Election of new Office Bearers and Members of Council In the absence of any other nominations, the Council’s recommendations for the follow- ing elections were approved : President : Andrew T. Macmillan to succeed Dr George Waterston who had completed his term of office. Vice-President : Miss Valerie M, Thom to succeed Andrew T. Macmillan. Council Members: A. Anderson, Dr J. J. D. Greenwood and Miss N. J. Gordon to succeed Miss V. M. Thom, and Dr Ian Newton and N. Picozzi who were due to retire by rotation. Young Member: The Chairman announced that Council had coopted Iain Gibson as the Young Member to succeed T. C. Johnson-Ferguson who was due to retire after serving for two years. He thanked all the re- tiring members for their service to the Club. Honour The Chairman reported with pleasure that Sir Charles G. Con- nell, one of the Club’s Honorary Presidents, was to be awarded an Honorary Degree by Dundee University later in the year for his contri- bution to conservation in Scotland. Annual Conference The meeting was asked for views on the date and place of the Conference. October would still be preferred if a suitable location could be found, but not if this meant a significant increase in cost; and a show of hands indicated a considerable majority of those present in favour of Stirling University in January rather than April or early September. Branches would be asked for their members’ views to guide Council for the future. Winter Rook Roost Survey Mr J. H. B. Munro, who had organised this Club Survey, reported that it had now been completed and the re- sults published in Scottish Birds. There were still a few roosts to be recorded and he asked to be informed if these were found. He thanked all those who had helped him with the survey. Nature Conservancy Council Dr J. Morton Boyd, Director of the Nature Conservancy Council in Scotland, said that the Council could provide money for organisations and individuals who could undertake work on behalf of the Nature Conservancy Council where it did not have the means of carrying out that work with its own staff. He invited the Club 82 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) and its members to consider whether any of their activities might qualify for a grant. Death An obituary of Alastair Macdonald had been published in Scot. Birds 8: 385; but the meeting recorded its appreciation of all the work he had done for the Club, particularly at Conferences and during the SOC Bird Study Cruise in 1966. Vote of Thanks The Meeting closed with a warm vote of thanks to the Chairman by Dr I. T. Draper, who said that Dr George Waterston had hoped to propose the vote himself but regrettably had been unable to do so; he thanked the Chairman for so efficiently taking the Chair, once again for the whole Conference. COUNCIL AND OFFICIALS OF THE CLUB FOR SESSION 39 Hon. Presidents : David A. Bannerman, O.B.E., LL.D., Sc.D., F.R.S.E.; Sir Charles G, Connell, W.S.; Sir Arthur B. Duncan; W. J. Eggeling, C.B.E., B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.E.; George Waterston, O.B.E., LL.D., F.R.S.E, President ;: Andrew T. Macmillan, C.A. Vice-President : Miss Valerie M. Thom. Hon. Treasurer : Maxwell K. Hamilton, C.A. Hon. Treasurer House Fabric Fund: D. G. Andrew, W.S. Secretary and Treasurer : Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe. Deputy Secretary and Librarian : Mrs George Waterston. Manager, Bird Bookshop : D. J. Bates. Membership Secretary : Mrs R. D. Smillie. Editor of “Scottish Birds”: D. J. Bates. Business Editor of “Scottish Birds”: Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe. Council: A. Anderson, J. H. Ballantyne, J. Edelsten, Miss N. J. Gordon, Dr J. J. D. Greenwood, F. D. Hamilton, J. K. R. Melrose, J. Mitchell, H. Robb, B. S. Turner. Young \WViembers coopted for 1975/76: W. R. Brackenridge, I. Gibson. Branch Representatives to Council: A. Anderson (Aberdeen); Dr M. E. Castle (Ayr); R. T. Smith (Dumfries); B. Pounder (Dundee); J. M. S. Arnott (Edinburgh); Dr I. T. Draper (Glasgow); R. H. Dennis (Inver- ness); I. G. Cumming (St Andrews); A. B. Mitchell (Stirling). BRANCH AND GROUP OFFICE BEARERS BRANCHES Aberdeen: Chairman, A. Duncan; Vice-Chairman, B. Stewart; Secretary, Miss F. J. Greig; Committee, J. Chapman, J. Dunbar, M. Heubeck. Ayr: Chairman, Dr M. E. Castle; Vice-Chairman, J. K. R. Melrose; Sec- retary, R. M. Ramage; Committee, Miss R. E. Beckett, Dr R. Hissett, R. H. Hogg, J. Miller. Dumfries : Chairman, B. S. Turner; Vice-Chairman, J. Skilling. Secretary, W. Austin; Committee, Dr N. E. Armstrong, J. McCubbin, T. Nisbet, R. T. Smith. Dundee: Chairman, B. Pounder; Vice-Chairman, P. J. N. Clark; Secretary, Mrs A. Noltie; Committee, Mrs W. G. Amedro, B. M. Lynch, J. Rogers, Dr D. M. Shepherd. Edinburgh : Chairman, J. M. S. Arnott; Vice-Chairman, L. W. G. Alexan- der; Secretary, Mrs D. R. Langslow; Committee, I. V. Balfour-Paul, W. A. Craw, J. B. Murray, Mrs A. D. Peirse-Duncombe. 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 83 Glasgow: Chairman, Dr I. T. Draper; Vice-Chairman, D. L. Clugston; Secretary, Mrs I. T. Draper; Committee, D. N. Brooks, Miss K. M. Cal- ver, R. W. Forrester, R. M. C. Lambie. Inverness: Chairman, R. H. Dennis; Vice-Chairman, Rev. J. M. Crook; Secretary, W. G. Prest; Committee, M. I. Harvey, J. A. Love, D. W. McAllister, Mrs W. Morrison. St Andrews: Chairman, I. G. Cumming; Vice-Chairman, A. J. Backx; Secretary, Miss M. M. Spires; Committee, Miss D. E. Rowling, J. S. Wiffen, J. G. Young. Stirling : Chairman, K. P. Anderson; Vice-Chairman, P. Clark; Secretary, Dr D. M. Bryant; Committee, T. D. H. Merrie, A. B. Mitchell, Miss M. M. Riley, H. Robb. Young Member : G. Shaw. GROUPS New Galloway : Secretary, Mrs K. C. R. Halliday. Thurso: Chairman, Mrs P. M. Collett; Secretary, S. Laybourne. Wigtown: Chairman, Dr P. G. Hopkins; Secretary, A. Maciver; Assistant Secretary, G. Sheppard. SCOTTISH BIRDS RECORDS COMMITTEE Chairman: D. G. Andrew. Committee: A. G. S. Bryson, Sir Arthur B. Duncan, Dr W. J. Eggeling, A. T. Macmillan, Dr I. D. Pennie, Kenneth Williamson, Dr George Wat- erston, Prof. V. C. Wynne-Edwards. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE M. K. Hamilton (Convenor), D. G. Andrew, Dr I. T. Draper, A. T. Mac- millan, H. Robb, Miss V. M. Thom. LIBRARY COMMITTEE Dr George Waterston (Convenor), Ritchie Seath (Hon. Librarian), A. T. Macmillan, Dr I. D. Pennie. RESEARCH COMMITTEE A. T. Macmillan (Chairman), R, H. Dennis, Dr I. Newton. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE A. T. Macmillan (Chairman), D. G. Andrew, T. Delaney, R. H. Dennis. CLUB REPRESENTATION British Section, International Council for Bird Preservation: Sir Lands- borough Thomson, F. D. Hamilton. International Wildfowl Research Bureau, Duck Working Group: Dr R. S. Bailey. HONORARY MEMBERS Duncan Anderson, Seton Gordon, P. W. G. Gunn, Sir Landsborough Thom- son. SUMMER EXCURSIONS Important Notes 1. Members may attend excursions of any Branch in addition to those arranged by the Branch they attend regularly. 2. Where transport is by private car, please inform the organiser if you can bring a car and how many seats are available. All petrol expenses will be shared. 84 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) 3. Please inform the organiser in good time if you are prevented from attending an excursion where special hire of a boat or bus is involved. Failure to turn up may mean you are asked to pay for the place to avoid additional expense for the rest of the party. 4, Members, friends and visitors attending any Club excursion do so at their own risk. Neither the Leader nor the Club can be held responsible for any accident or injury on an excursion. 5. Please bring meals as indicated (in brackets) below. ABERDEEN The Aberdeen Branch will hold a number of excursions during the summer. For details please contact the Branch Secretary, Miss F. J. Greig, 22 Loanhead Terrace, Aberdeen AB2 4SY (tel. 0224 28479). Please send s.a.e. if writing. AYR Wednesday 19th May BLARQUHAN (by kind permission of Mr J. Hunter Blair). Leader: R. H. Hogg. Meet Wellington Square, Ayr, 6 p.m. or Kirkmichael main street, 7 p.m. Saturday 19th June AILSA CRAIG. Leader: Dr M. E. Castle. Meet Girvan Harbour, 10 a.m. Numbers strictly limited, Cost £2.75 per person. Send cash and s.a.e. with booking to J. Miller, 7 Kirkhill Crescent, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 2DF (lunch and tea). Sunday 5th September ENDRICK MOUTH, LOCH LOMOND. Leader : Dr R. Hissett. Meet Wellington Square, Ayr, 9.30 a.m. or at letter box by gate to Reserve, 11 a.m. (lunch and tea). DUMFRIES Sunday 2nd May CAPENOCH GROUNDS (by kind permission of Mr John Gladstone) and TYNRON. Leader: Brian Turner. Meet at Water- side Mains, Keir, 1.45 p.m. Sunday 6th June SOLWAY BANK, CANONBIE (by kind permission of Major Brian Johnson-Ferguson). Leader: Mrs D. L. Johnson-Ferguson. Meet at Chapelknowe village, 2 p.m. Sunday 4th July MULL OF GALLOWAY. Meet at Mull Lighthouse, 1 p.m. (lunch and tea). Sunday 29th August ABERLADY BAY, EAST LOTHIAN. Leader : William Austin. Meet at Timber Bridge, Aberlady Bay, 1 p.m. (lunch and tea). DUNDEE All excursions by private car (lunch and tea). Further information from Mrs A. Noltie, 14 Menteith Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 3EN (tel. 0382 75074). Please send s.a.e. if writing. Saturday 15th May ABERLADY BAY, EAST LOTHIAN. Leader: Mrs J. A. R. Grant. Full details from Mrs Noltie. Sunday 13th June CRAWTON. Leader: B. Pounder. Depart City Square, Dundee, 9 a.m. Saturday 10th July LOCH ORDIE AREA. Leader: B. Lynch. Depart Dud- hope car park, Dundee, 9 a.m. Sunday 15th August LOCH INSH. Leader: P. N. J. Clark. Details from Mrs A. Noltie. Saturday 4th September WEST HAVEN. Leader: J. Rodgers. Depart Dudhope car park, Dundee, 9 a.m. 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 85 EDINBURGH Saturday Ist May ABERLADY BAY NATURE RESERVE. Leader: K. S. Macgregor. Meet Timber Bridge, 2.30 p.m. (tea). Wednesday 19th May BLACKFORD HILL. Leader: Dr L. L. J. Vick. Meet Blackford Pond 7 p.m. Sunday 23rd May THE HIRSEL, COLDSTREAM (by kind permission of Lord Home). Excursion by coach leaving Edinburgh from square behind National Gallery at 10 a.m. Applications by Ist May, with coach fare of £1.85 and s.a.e. to J. B. Murray, Woodlea, 49 Lochend Road, Edin- burgh EH6 8DQ (tel. 031-554 1934) (lunch and tea). Saturday 5th June POWDERMILL GLEN, ROSLIN. Leader: G. L. Sande- man. Meet in car park of Pay ’n Take Furniture Warehouse, Roslin, 2.30 p.m. (tea). Saturday 26th June ISLE OF MAY. Leader and organiser: J. M. S. Arnott. Excursion by coach leaving Edinburgh from square behind National Gallery at 8.30 a.m., returning approx. 7 p.m. Applications by 30th May, with coach and boat fare of £3.50 and s.a.e. to J. M. S. Arnott, East neat House, 133 Redford Road, EH13 OAS (tel. 031-441 3567) (unch and tea). Sunday 18th July BASS ROCK (by kind permission of Sir Hew Hamilton- Dalrymple). Leader: T. E. Brand. Numbers limited. Meet North Ber- wick harbour 2 p.m. for 2.15 p.m. departure (there will be no waiting for late comers). Applications by 26th June, with boat fare of £1.10 and s.a.e., to R. J. E. Whitworth, 6 Charteris Court, Longniddry, East Lothian (tel. Longniddry 52101) (tea). Sunday 5th September ABERLADY BAY NATURE RESERVE. Leader: K. S. Macgregor. Meet Timber Bridge 2 p.m, (tea). (NOTE early time because of tide). GLASGOW Sunday 23rd May INCHCAILLOCH, LOCH LOMOND. Woodland birds. Leader : Neil Brooks. Party restricted to 20. Applications to leader (tel. 041-956 5179 evenings only). Meet McFarlane’s Boatyard, Balmaha, 10.30 a.m. (lunch). Sunday 6th June INVERSNAID. Hill and woodland birds. Leader: Bob Lambie. Applications to leader (tel. 041-644 3902 evenings only). Meet Aberfoyle car park, 10 a.m. (lunch). Strong footwear recommended. Saturday 3rd July BASS ROCK (by kind permission of Sir Hew Hamilton- Dalrymple). Seabirds. Leader: Dr Ivan Draper. Applications by 26th June, with boat fare of £1.10 and s.a.e., to Dr Draper, Otter’s Holt, 37 Drumbrock Road, Strathblane, Glasgow G63 9DG. Meet North Berwick harbour, 11.45 a.m. (lunch and tea). Sunday 11th July AILSA CRAIG. Seabirds. Leader: David Clugston. Full a from leader (tel. Brediland 3483 evenings only). Restricted numbers. Sunday 5th September ISLE OF MAY. Migrants. Leader: Ron Forrester. Applications to leader (tel. 041-776 3557 evenings only), Meet An- struther pier, 11 a.m. (lunch and tea). Sunday 12th September ABERLADY BAY, EAST LOTHIAN. Migrants and flowers. Co-leaders: Russell Nisbet (birds) and Kathleen Calver (botany). Applications to Miss Calver (tel. 041-334 5813). Meet Aber- lady Bay car park, 11.30 a.m. (lunch and tea). (NOTE Car park permits are required for Aberlady Bay car park; these can be obtained (free) from East Lothian District Council, Department of Leisure, Recreation and Tourism, District Offices, Haddington, East Lothian, stating name, address and car registration number). 86 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(1) Sunday 26th September BARASSIE FLATS. Waders. Leader : Hector Gal- braith. Applications to leader (tel. 041-887 5499 evenings only). Meet een Station car park, 11 a.m. (lunch and tea). Wellington boots ad- vised. When making any application or enquiry by post please enclose s.a.e. and advise the leader if a car seat is available. INVERNESS The Inverness Branch will hold a number of excursions during the summer. For details please contact the Branch Secretary, W. G. Prest, 70 Culloden Road, Balloch, Inverness IV1 2HH (tel. 046 372 412). Please send s.a.e. if writing. ST ANDREWS Sunday 27th June ISLE OF MAY. Full details from Miss M. M. Spires, Greenacre, 87 Hepburn Gardens, St Andrews, Fife (tel. St Andrews 2418 evenings only). Applications close on 22nd May. Meet Anstruther harbour, 11.45 a.m. (lunch and tea). Saturday 17th July KILCONQUHAR LOCH (by kind permission of Elie Estates). Meet North Lodge 2.30 p.m. (tea). STIRLING The Stirling Branch will hold a number of excursions during the sum- mer. For details please contact the Branch Secretary, Dr D. M. Bryant, Biology Department, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA (or tel. 025 981 432 evenings or weekend). Please send s.a.e. if writing. The Branch hopes to organise a weekend excursion to an island off Argyll in June. The party will possibly land on Lunga and camp on the island over the Saturday night. Numbers will be limited to about a dozen. Detailed arrangements from the Branch Secretary. WIGTOWN GROUP The Wigtown Group will hold excursions during the summer. For de- tails please contact the Group Secretary, A. Maciver, 1 Colt Houses, Penninghame, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire (tel. 0671 2464). Please send s.a.e. if writing. NEW GROUP IN NEW GALLOWAY The Council of the Club announces the formation of a new Club Group in New Galloway. The Group is about halfway between the Dum- fries Branch and the Wigtown Group, which was formed in 1975 (see Scot. Birds 8: 338), and will hold informal meetings throughout the year. Information about winter meetings will be published in the Syllabus of Lectures sent to all members each September, but full details can be obtained from the Group Secretary, Mrs K. C. R. Halliday, ‘Dalveen’, New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire (tel. New Galloway 234). DRY ROT - 21 REGENT TERRACE Members were advised in Scot. Birds 8: 391 that the proceeds of this winter’s raffle would be put towards the cost of eradicating the dry rot in 21 Regent Terrace. The very excellent sum of £655 was raised from the sale of tickets (not ‘over £700’ as was unfortunately announced in error at the Annual Conference); from this £37 has to be deducted for expenses (£28 printing, £5 postage and £4 purchase of books for prizes) Lave a total of £618 to help pay for the restoration bill of just under 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 87 The Club is very grateful to all those who helped to raise this sum, either by buying tickets or donating prizes, and in particular wishes to thank all those who sold the very large number of tickets. Any member who wishes to receive a list of winning ticket numbers should write to the Club Secretary enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. In addition, at the time of going to press in early February, over £400 had been donated directly or through fund raising efforts. Contributions to help pay for the very large bill will still be very welcome and should be sent to the Club Secretary who will acknowledge all donations. SCOTTISH BIRDS - BINDING Details of binding Volume 8 will be given in the Index to that Volume which will be published with the summer 1976 number of Scottish Birds. RAFFLE PRIZE The winner of the second prize in the raffle has most generously returned it so that more money can be raised to help pay for the dry rot bill. After consulting the donor, the pair of velvet curtains, 24 widths x 96” long, in Pimento and ready to hang, will be sold by postal offer. They are valued at more than £70 and will go to the person who makes the highest offer over £35. Envelopes, which must be marked ‘Curtains’, should be addres- sed to ‘Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Secretary, Scottish Ornith- ologists’ Club, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT’. They will be held until 11 am on Wednesday 12th May 1976 when the Secretary will open them and announce the winner. Requests for Information Gulls nesting on buildings An important effect of the rapid population increase in gulls has been the extensive use of buildings as nesting sites; this habit has been reported in five species in Britain and Ireland, the main species involved being the Herring Gull. The distribution and num- ber of gulls that have taken up this habit has altered greatly since the last census in 1969-70 by Stanley Cramp. The BTO therefore proposes to update this census in 1976. Counts of gulls nesting on buildings frequented by human beings (preferably done during the last three weeks of May), stating numbers of nesting pairs, species, location and when the count was made would be very much appreciated. Additional information, such as records from previous years, date chicks first seen, any control measures implemented or details of sites etc. would also be very welcome. Records to and fur- ther information from Pat Monaghan, Department of Zoology, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE. Breeding of the Ring Ouzel The analysis of 408 BTO Nest Record Cards for the Ring Ouzel in Bird Study 22: 1-8 (March 1975) and an article in BTO News 75: 6-7 (September 1975) revealed some interesting facts and emphasized the need to analyze more Nest Record Cards for this species. Roger Durman of 21 Lovedale Road, Balerno, Midlothian, and I are inter- ested in this species and either of us would be grateful to have further 88 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 9(1) breeding data. At the same time we should like to encourage more people to send Nest Record Cards to the BTO for any Ring Ouzel nests they find. Bill Robson, The Ings, Banks Lane, Appleby, Cumbria CA16 6RA. Current Notes hese notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record. Please send items of interest to Local Recorders at the end of January, April, July and October. Last autumn was outstanding for rarities, mainly from America in September and Asia in October. Fair Isle took a lion’s share with Laugh- ing Gull, Hermit Thrush and 2 Tennessee Warblers from America and Siberian Rubythroat, 4 Lanceolated Warblers and Pechora Pipit from Asia. Other Americans included Pied-billed Grebe on Carlingwark Loch (Kirk), Lesser Golden Plover at Caerlaverock (Dumf), several Buff-breas- ted Sandpipers, and a Bobolink at Out Skerries (Shet). From Asia came White’s Thrush to Whalsay (Shet), Red-tailed Wheatear to Isle of May, an inland Pallas’s Warbler to Killichoran by L Rannoch (Perth) and Citrine Wagtails to Whalsay, Fair Isle and Tyninghame (E Loth). In winter there were many Red-throated Divers near the Ythan (Aber) with 250 on 11 Jan and 315 on 15 Feb. In March 100+, thought to be mainly this species, roosted in Gullane Bay (E Loth). Grebe numbers rose in Feb in Gosford and Gullane Bays to 41+ Red-necked and 99 Slavonian. A wintering Spoonbill at L Fleet (Suth) was captured in poor condition in Jan. Two Surf Scoters were there (one later left) and singles were at Murcar (Aber) and. Burghead (Moray). King Eiders were reported from Shet (2) and the regulars again at Culross (Fife), seen by many SOC Conference visitors, and at L Fleet until it or another appeared at Lossie- mouth (Moray) in Feb. A Brent Goose was at Strathbeg on 4 Jan and 11 Bean Geese flew in from the sea near the Ythan on the 11th. An immature Greater Snow Goose that wintered near L Eye (E Ross) had good cred- entials, being accompanied on arrival in autumn by Greenland White- fronts. Besides the usual Bewick’s Swans at Caerlaverock there were 7 near Castle Douglas and 7 at Abernethy (Perth). A Rough-legged Buzzard was reported from Glentrool (Kirk). The Lesser Golden Plover wintered at Caerlaverock and a Common Sandpiper at Aberdeen on 27 Jan was also unusual. During easterly gales in early Feb 3 Grey Phalaropes shel- tered at St Monance (Fife), another at St Andrews, and one was later reported from Berwick-upon-Tweed; there was also a small wreck of Little Auks on the east coast and one bird inland at Doune (Perth). A Ring- billed Gull was identified at the Ythan estuary in Feb. SOC Conference visitors from Caithness were irritated by missing a Ross’s Gull at Thurso that weekend. A week later a Briinnich’s Guillemot was found dead a few miles away at Reay. A Sandwich Tern was in Dalgety Bay (Fife) on 2 Jan. The only Snowy Owl reported south of Shetland was from Dun- blane (Perth) on 30 Dec and the only Shore Lark from Burghead in Feb. A late Swallow was near Ardwell (Wig) on 11 Dec and winter Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were found near the east coast with up to 5 Chiffchaffs in Shet. The autumn Waxwings had mostly gone by New Year but some returned in Feb. The largest Snow Bunting flock reported was 500 at Sandwick (Shet) on 22 Nov. With fine weather in early March a Chiffchaff at Dalgety on the 2nd may have been a migrant and 3 early Garganeys arrived at Aberlady (E Loth) on the 3rd. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEW STOCK North-East Scotland Bird Report 45p Provisional Check List of the Birds of North-East Scotland 10p Crete Ringing Group Report 1973-1975 Aberdeen University Crete Expedition 25p Birds of Prey Everett £3.95 Avian Physiology Peaker (ed.) £9.80 Der Zug Europaischer Singvogel Zink (Migration/ringing maps) part 1 £10.15 (subscription price £8.90) part 2 £13.10 (subscription price £11.40) (Subscription price obliges purchase of all volumes, including two not yet published). Introduction to Experimental Ecology Lewis & Taylor £2.40 Animal Population Ecology Dempster £3.80 Pathway to the Wild Condry £5.50 The Wandering Tattler : Travels in Search of Birds Forster £3.95 Field Club Flora of the Lothians Martin (ed.) £1.00 REDUCED PRICES Birds of Prey in Europe Bijleveld £6.95 Biology of Penguins Stonehouse £9.50 WRITE FOR OUR CURRENT BOOKLIST ORDERS TOTALLING £5.00 SENT POST FREE ADD 25p FOR SMALLER ORDERS THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB T HE Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 and membership is open to all interested in Scottish Ornithology. Meetings are held during the winter months in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, St Andrews, Stirling, Thurso and the Wigtown District at which lectures by prominent ornithologists are given and films exhibited. Expeditions are organised in the summer to places of ornithological interest. The aims of the Club are to (a) encourage and direct the study of Scottish ornithology; (b) co-ordinate the efforts of Scottish ornithologists; (c) encourage ornithological research in Scotland; (d) hold meetings at which Lectures are given, films exhibited and discussions held, and (e) publish information regarding Scottish ornithology. There are no entry fees for Membership. The Annual subscription is £3.00, or £1.00 in the case of Members under twenty one years of age or Students under 25, who satisfy Council of their status as such at the times at which their subscriptions fall due. The Life subscription is £75. Family Membership is available to married couples and their nomin- ated children under 18 at an Annual subscription of £4.50, or a Life subscription of £112.50. ‘Scottish Birds’ is issued free to Members but Family Members will receive only one copy between them. Subscriptions are payable on Ist October annually. ‘Scottish Birds’ is the Journal of the Club. Published quarterly it in- cludes papers, articles and short notes on all aspects of ornithology in Scotland. The Scottish Bird Report is published in the Journal. | Application for Membership form, copy of the Club Constitution, and other literature are obtainable from the Club Secretary, Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT (Tel. 031- 556 6042). TRAVEL LTD. Holiday courses for birdwatchers, naturalists and country-enthusiasts | We offer weekends during the winter and weeks during the summer in Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and weeks only in Wales. Prices £19.50 to £89 (at time of release). These holidays are arranged to be of the utmost benefit to beginners and the experienced alike. Illustrated talks are given during some evenings and, during the summer, some evening walks are made to see/hear nocturnal species. For a superb and informal holiday contact our main leader/lecturer: Derek Tutt, 27 Seaview Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4NL. SUTHERLAND ARMS HOTEL GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small.a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world ‘charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available A.A. R.A.C. R.S.A.C. FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp appreciated. ENGLISH LAKES Cro HEN visiting the Lake District stay at Meadow Brow, a country house one mile from the centre of Gras- mere, which offers a _ high standard of accommodation to those who appreciate good food and comfort in peaceful surroundings. Open ali the year. Residential licence. Mr & Mrs A. D. BATEMAN Meadow Brow, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9RR. Telephone Grasmere (09665) 275 KINDROGAN FIELD CENTRE The Scottish Field Studies Association Kindrogan provides accommodation, lecture rooms, laboratories and a library. Situated in Strathardle, 16 miles north of Blairgowrie and 9 miles north-east of Pitlochry, it affords excellent opportunities for all aspects of Field Studies in the Scottish Highlands. The standard weekly charge is £39.00. The programme for 1976 includes courses for adults in a variety of subjects including :— Ferns Grasses, Sedges & Rushes Fungi Mountain Flowers Mammals Field Botany Natural History Photography Moorland Ecology Painting Rocks and Minerals Natural History of the Biological Recording Highlands Insects Bryophytes Landscape Photography Archaeology Geology & Scenery Natural History Illustration All applications, enquiries and requests for programmes should be addressed to the Warden, Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PG. ISLE OF BRESSAY floes Shetland BIRDS ae Maryfield House ISLANDS Centrally heated, comfortable guest house, now fully licensed. St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides and Natural History Antiquarian and secondhand books and libraries bought. DAVID WILSON 95 Worlds End Lane Weston Turville Aylesbury, Bucks. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. Easily connected by vehicle ferry to nearby Lerwick, Bressay offers peace and quiet- ness to the _ ornithologist. Grand scenery and multitudes of birds reward the visitor. Noss Bird Sanctuary is an obvious attraction. Write: R. & J. SMITH. Phone Bressay 207 DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL pene RAC.” R.S.A.C. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- class service. es Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skibo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1976. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 COLOUR SLIDES ISLE of MULL a We are now able to supply Looking across the Sound of Mull slides of most British Birds to the Morvern Hills beyond. from our own collection, and Comfortable mee ouumodation me a Fromuthatorethen RLS B small guest house run wit ir : watchers in mind. Dinner, bed and Send 20p for sample slide breakfast. H&C and radiators in all and our lists covering these guest bedrooms. Use of reference and birds of Africa—many books. fine studies and close-ups. S.A.E. please. Open Easter until mid-Oct. FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out RICHARD & ELIZABETH slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- COOMBER, cluding postage & V.A.T. per Statfa Cottages if icconding to the natura Guest House, habitats. TOBERMORY, W. COWEN ISLE OF MULL. Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbria Tel, 2464 Since the turn of the century we have been a family business of binocular specialists and telescope makers, and consequently feel qualified to advise on the right choice of instru- ments. Moreover you can be sure that any instrument purchased from us has undergone stringent alignment and other tests in our own workshops. Mr Frank’s popular book on how to choose and use binoculars is avail- able at 20p incl. postage. } Top prices offered in | | 144 INGRAM STREET : ried TEL. 041-221 6666 \/ WALTER THOMSON) PNPRINTER. SELKIRK_/| part exchange We stock all makes, but one b which we can particularly reco strong Royal Society of oe Pro ection Te Birds, and each she vancy. Our free > ones hundreds of Binoculars & T including the larger 10; Nipole binocular, complete at £27.50. } FREE Test any Frank/Nipole- for 7 days. are be Fedak yNigolet ina a substantial BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE | SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 2 SUMMER 1976 Price 75p ||ROSS@®@ binoculars {ke} [ete OBSERVE & CONSERVE BINOCULARS TELESCOPES SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER OF %, 33% Retail price Our price SWIFT AUDUBON Mk. II 8.5 x 44 £76.50 £54.42 SWIFT SARATOGA Mk. Il 8 x 40 £51.75 £35.46 GRAND PRIX 8 x 40 Mk. | £42.75 £29.29 SWIFT NEWPORT Mk. II 10 x 50 £58.50 £40.09 SWIFT SUPER TECNAR 8 x 40 £31.50 £21.58 CARL ZEISS 8 x 30B Dialyt £192.65 £128.44 LEITZ 8 x 40B Hard Case — £156.25 LEITZ 10 x 40B Hard Case — £184.00 LEITZ 8 x 40B — £178.87 HABICHT DIANA 10 x 40 W/A £147.89 £107.22 NICKEL SUPRA TELESCOPE 15x60x60 £120.37 £82.44 HERTEL & REUSS TELEVARI 25x60x60 £114.75 £79.15 All complete with case. Fully guaranteed. Always 120 models in stock from £11.00 to £300.00 CWO; please add 50p part P&P. Available on 14 days approval—Remittance with order. The Heron 8 x 40 BCF. Retail approx. £31.00, our price £21.56. As used by Forestry Commission. Ask for our free brochure ‘Your guide to Binocular/ Ownership’ and price list. All prices correct at time of going to press. A Send too for Price Lists for all Camping, 4 Climbing, Rambling Equipment from our as- sociate company FIELD & TREK (equipment) Ltd., same top quality, same keen prices, SAME ADDRESS. HERON OPTICAL Company Ltd. (Dept. sB6) 23/25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex. Tel. (STD 0277) 221259/219418. Please despatch to me immediately ................::ceeeeee: for which | enclose ©............ on oe Please send me your Free Brochure described above plus Binocular/Telescope Price List. (Delete as uppropriale) rrr re rer err eee eee eee ee ee ENGLISH LAKES C2 HEN visiting the Lake District stay at Meadow Brow, a country house one mile from the centre of Gras- mere, which offers a_ high standard of accommodation to those who appreciate good food and comfort in peaceful surroundings. Open all the year. Residential licence. Mr & Mrs A. D. BATEMAN Meadow Brow, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9RR. Telephone Grasmere (09665) 275 FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp appreciated. GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone : Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie Offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available A.A. RAC. R.S.A.C. PARENT BIRDS AND THEIR YOUNG Alexander F. Skutch “Parent Birds and Their Young” is the only up-to-date worldwide survey of the family life and reproductive behaviour of birds, from the formation of pairs to the young birds’ attainment of indepen- dence. Written in language that the general reader can understand, it avoids technicalities, yet the thoroughness of its coverage, sup- ported by a bibliography of over eight hundred titles, makes it valuable as a reference work for the ornithologist. More than one hundred illustrations accompany the text. Texas 292 70711 8 £16.25 WATERFOWL OF NORTH AMERICA Paul A. Johnsgard Written by one of the world’s foremost authorities on waterfowl, this is the most comprehensive compendium of data in print for all of the nearly sixty species of ducks, geese and swans known to breed in North America. For each species the distribution, weights and measurements, information on identification in the hand and in the field, criteria for determining age and sex, and North American subspecies are given. Each species description also includes detailed accounts of preferred habitat, food, ecology, He te movements, sociality, age at maturity, nest location, clutch size, incubation and fledging periods, pairing and flocking behaviour, and copulatory, nesting, brooding, and postbreeding behaviour. Indiana 253 36360 8 £21.10 BIRDS OF WISCONSIN Owen J. Gromme Primarily a book of beautiful and accurate colour plates, this is in the tradition of artists such as Audubon and Fuertes. Mr Gromme is curator of birds and mammals of the Milwaukee Public Museum. In his watercolours and oils the birds of Wisconsin are pictured as they would be seen under ordinary field conditions. Wisconsin 299 030016 £17.70 American University Publishers Group 70 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3BY Tel. 01-405 0182 SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’? CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, SUMMER 1976 | _ Page Editorial hore Hi ae a oe me oer 89 Current Notes ae at ate 91 Isle of May Bird ia and Field Station Report for 1975 (J. M. S. Arnott) a a? es 93 The Manx Shearwaters of Rhum (P. Wormell) Ma SS S108 Short Notes Fulmars entangled in erachce wire and Gorse (Douglas P. Willis) 118 Possible Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids (David Bullock; D. R. Waugh) Seury Lis Flightless Shelducks on the Forth (D. M. Bryant, D. R. Waugh) 124 Ringed Plover swimming (Ww. G. and Mrs H. L. Harper) P25 Great Skuas probably Reine Mountain Hare and Rabbits (C. J. Booth) 125 Rock Pipits rearing young Robin (Andrew D. K, Ramsay) ... = Je Ao. -¥26 Reviews The Naturalist in Scotland by D. Knowlton (D. R. Langslow) . 2 ek26 Birds in Islay by C. Gordon Booth cw. - Eggeling) 127 A Field Guide to Eggs, Nests and Nestlings of British and European Birds, with North Africa and the Middle East by Colin Harrison (Desmond peat a Thompson) are 128 Animals and their Colours by Michael and Patricia Fogden (I. Newton) i . Le Ducks of Britain and Europe by M. A. Ogilvie (J. J. D. Greenwood) 129 The Migration of the Swallow by Collingwood Ingram (David M. Bryant) 130 Wild Endeavour by Don and Bridget McCaskill (R. L. McMillan) : teteetes BOT The Birdwatchers’ Quiz and Puzzle Book py i ia Sharrock (Derek R. Langslow) ... oe 131 Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is ihe at ete The Branch and Group News af ty ne i {8 S88: Requests for Information re a a: 4c om Vso Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe PEEK Seales tater ma a Ps Poi a ap a Selcae earn se a eee anes eit BIRD OBSERVATORIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND edited by ROGER DURMAN This timely account of the history, work and present situation of the bird observatories (including access and accommodation) will be invaluable to the thousands who visit them each year. Flora and non-avian fauna are included and there is a tabular appendix of the birds recorded at each observatory. £5.00 net PINE CROSSBILLS A Scottish contribution by DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON “This is the fourth monograph of a Scottish bird by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson, and | am tempted to say the best... likely to remain the definitive study of this fascinating group of finches for a very long time.”” Kenneth Williamson Nat. Hist. Book Reviews. There are line drawings by Donald Watson and 24 photographs. £5.00 net DUCKS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE by M.A. OGILVIE £5.00 net T& AD POYSER SCOTTISH BIRDS . THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB gate ye Volume 9 No. 2 Summer 1976 Edited by D. J. Bates Editorial Local Recorders An amended list of Local Recorders is given near the end of this issue, following the official section. We are pleased to welcome Mr W. A. J. Cunningham for the Outer Hebrides, who rejoins the ranks after a short break, and Mr M. I. Harvey, who is already well known in the Inverness area. Everyone concerned would like to thank the retiring Recorders for so ably fulfilling these onerous duties : Dr Rusk, who has covered Inverness since the system began in 1968, and Dr Hopkins, who represented the Outer Hebrides, always a difficult area to manage, both during his residence there and for some time after. It will be noticed that Kinross-shire is no longer covered by Miss B. H. Moore; however, there is no essential change here, since we are delighted to offer our con- gratulations to Mrs Gray on her recent marriage. Scottish Bird Report We regret we have missed the boat again —the 1975 Bird Report has been held over until the winter number. Circumstances are still against us—the compiler, Roy Dennis, was ill for some weeks at the crucial period when material for the Report was submitted by the Local Recorders. We are glad he is now well and the Report is nearing com- pletion, but meanwhile his full-time RSPB work has made great demands on his spare time in the spring. We are ex- ploring ways of avoiding delays to future Bird Reports but it is too early to say more of this yet. Branch and Group News A new feature under this title begins in the official SOC section near the end of this issue. We are grateful to Branch Secretaries and others who contributed these items and look forward to regular instalments from all Branches and Groups. We hope members can thus be kept more closely in touch with the Club. Corrections The following additions and corrections should be made to “Waterfowl at effluent discharges in Scottish coastal waters” published in the spring (9: 5-36): Table 1 (p. 16) under Seafield the February total should be 4,500 (not 4,200); 90 EDITORIAL 9(2) Table 5 (p. 22) under Dundee-Monifieth the outfall codes should be F5, C6, M9-11; Table 7 (p. 25) under Islay the outfall code should be F17. Current literature Recent material of Scottish interest in- cludes : Biorec 75: Conference on Biological Recording in Scotland 11-15 April 1975. Adam Ritchie (editor), 1975. Dundee Museum. Ovenbird in Shetland : a species new to Britain and Ireland. Iain S. Robertson, 1975. British Birds 68: 453-455. Birds of the Stirling region. D. M. Bryant, 1974. In Timms, D. W. G. (ed.). The Stirling Region: 123-146. Stirling, British Association. Dotterel points the way. 1975. BTO News 76: 5. (Tay Ring- ing Group’s work). Puffins on St Kilda in 1972. Peter Schofield, 1975. Bird Study 22° 2335-231. Gulls and Puffins on North Rona. P. G. H. Evans, 1975. Bird Study 22: 239-247. Fulmars at colonies: time of day and weather. H. E. M. Dott, 1975. Bird Study 22: 255-259. (Scottish studies). Talon-grappling by Snowy Owls. R. A. Hume, 1975. Bird Study 22: 260. (Record from Fetlar). Changes in incubation patch and weight in the nesting House Martin. D. M. Bryant, 1975. Ringing and Migration 1: 33- 36. (Study in Perthshire). Seasonal variations in suburban Blackbird roosts in Aber- deen. R. L. Swann, 1975. Ringing and Migration 1: 37-42. Catching and ageing Dippers. Tony Parsons and Dave Reid, 1975. Ringing and Migration 1: 56. (Note from Inverness- shire). Feeding distribution and behaviour of Shelduck in relation to food supply. D. M. Bryant and J. Leng, 1975. Wildfowl 26: 20-29. (Study at Skinflats, Firth of Forth). Further cases of poisoning of wild geese by an organophos- phorus winter wheat seed treatment. G. A. Hamilton and P. I. Stanley, 1975. Wildfowl 26: 49-54. (Includes several incidents in east Scotland). A method of sexing Moorhens. A. Anderson, 1975. Wildfowl 26: 77-82. (Much data from Aberdeenshire). Breeding of ducks are Loch Leven, Kinross. I. Newton and C. R. G. Campbell, 1975. Wildfowl 26: 83-103. Greenland Barnacle Geese in the British Isles. M. A. Ogilvie 1976 EDITORIAL 91 and H. Boyd, 1975. Wildfowl 26: 139-147. (Most of this population winters in Scotland). Structure and regulation of a Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna L.) population. D. Jenkins, M. G. Murray and P. Hall, 1975. Journal of Animal Ecology 44: 201-231. (Study in Firth of Forth). Flight behaviour of Starlings at a winter roost. James Brodie, 1976. British Birds 69: 51-60. (West Lothian study). Peregrine and Raven possibly contaminated by Fulmar oil. C. J. Booth, 1976. British Birds 69: 61. (Records from Ork- ney). Maternal nutrition and breeding success in Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus). Robert Moss, Adam Watson and Raymond Parr, 1975. J. Anim. Ecol. 44: 233-244. (Study based on Banchory, Kincardineshire). The Clyde Wader Group Report No. 2, 1975. Price 25p. (No address given). Loch Lomond Bird Report No. 4, 1975. J. Mitchell (comp.) 1976. (contains The Breeding Status of the Rook (Corvus frugilegus) in the Loch Lomond Area by J. Mitchell which is also issued as a separate reprint. No address given). Report on the Heronry at Gartfairn Wood, West Stirlingshire, for 1975. J. Mitchell, 1975. Nature Conservancy Council. A Report on the Peregrine Falcon in the Loch Lomond/ Trossachs Area of Scotland in 1975. J. Mitchell, 1975. Nature Conservancy Council. Edinburgh Ringing Group, 3, 1975. D. R. Langslow (ed.). Price 25p. (No address given). Index The index to volume 8 will not be ready until the autumn number. Current Notes I'hese notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record. Please send items of interest to Local Recorders at the end of January, April, July and October. Beginning with the late winter period and the departure of winter visitors, Divers, probably all Red-throated, totalled 112 at Gullane (E Loth) in March, but the only White-billed Diver reported was in Orkney in Apr. A Green-winged Teal was at Unifirth ons during Feb. Long-tailed Ducks reached at least 300 in Dunnet Bay (Caith) on 25 Apr. The L Fleet (Suth) Surf Scoter was present until at least 18 Apr, and one at Lossiemouth (Moray) in March was perhaps the same bird haunting both sides of the Moray Firth as the King Eider was thought to have done earlier. Three King Eiders were at L Fleet on 18 Apr, but the only other reported was a do from L Ryan (Wig) on 22 March. A few Smews wintered from Shet- land to the Tay estuary, with 3 in the Tay for some weeks and 2 at 92 CURRENT NOTES 9(2) Strathbeg (Aber) on 17 Feb. The ¢ in Inverness harbour left in early Apr. The only Bean Goose noted since Jan was again from Aberdeenshire: a late migrant from Strathbeg on 6 May with a Barnacle Goose and 2 Bewick’s Swans, The Snow Goose in the Southerness (Kirk) area from Feb-Apr was seen by some SOC visitors on the Dumfries Goose Week- end. A blue-phase specimen was at L Indaal (Islay) on 13 Apr. On 28 Feb a Pale-bellied Brent GooSe was at Corsewall Point (Wig) and a Dark- bellied bird at West Preston (Kirk); a Pale-bellied bird was at West Pres- ton on 17 Apr. Six Rough-legged Buzzards were found in the spring: one in Orkney, a dead one near Dumfries, and 4 in upper Deeside (Aber) in early Apr. Up to 10 Ruffs were at Cotehill (Aber) from mid-Feb to mid- Apr. The usual Glaucous Gulls were about, with as many as 19 at Fraser- burgh (Aber) in late March. Two hybrid Glaucous x Herring or leucistic Herring Gulls were also there at that time and another was at Inverness in Apr. Iceland Gulls totalled 6 in Shetland in early spring, 6 sightings on the Aberdeenshire coast from 24 Mar-8 May, and singles at St Mar- garet’s Loch (Edinburgh) in early Apr and L Indaal on 17 Apr. The Little Auk wreck produced 13 on the Aber/Kinc coast from 3i Jan-29 Feb, all but 2 picked up on the beaches, the majority between 7-14 Feb, just after the gales. Another was off Girdle Ness on 3 May. The last Fieldfare was at Tyninghame (E Loth) on 16 May. Perhaps the most remarkable oc- currence of the winter was a Firecrest found dying in Wick (Caith) on 11 Feb that had been ringed in Norfolk in Oct 1975. A few Waxwings remained in Apr, mostly near the east coast. Latest records were cl2 at L Garten (Inv) on 8 May and one at Kincorth (Morey on the 12th. Few Great Grey Shrikes were reported, the last in Aberdeen on 23 Apr. A few Bramblings lingered in the north-east until early May. Turning to summer migrants, a Cory’s Shearwater passed Aberlady (E Loth) on 5 May, and other rarities, Purple Heron and Goshawk, visited Orkney about the same period. A bd of Garganeys remained at Aberlady for two months, raising hopes of breeding until they vanished in early May. A ¢ was on the Don (Aber) on 7 May and another at Gladhouse (Midl) throughout the second half of May. Some of the five sightings of Marsh Harrier in East Lothian (three at Aberlady) between late Apr- mid May may refer to one bird, but 2 lingered at Strathbeg from 21 Apr into May. The only migrant Osprey reported was flying north over the motorway in Glasgow ! The breeding situation is reported below. Easterly winds in mid-April brought Cranes to Tyninghame, Newburgh (Aber), and Insh Marshes (Inv), where there was a Green Sandpiper earlier in the month. A Wood Sandpiper was at Tyninghame on 30 May. A Grey Phalarope at Thurso (Caith) from 26 Mar-6 Apr was at an unexpected time of year. A Shore Lark was on the Isle of May in early res Black Redstarts were few: Njuggles Water (Shet) on 11 Apr, St Abbs (Ber) from 13-19th, and Seaton Park (Aber) on 29th. First dates of some summer migrants were: Ring Ouzel early March, Lammermuirs (E Loth/Ber), Wheatear 23rd, Garlieston (Wig), Swallow 26th, Carlingwark Loch (Kirk), Sandwich Tern 28th, Girdle Ness, Whin- chat 9 Apr, upper Deeside, House Martin 15th, Thornton (Kinc), Swift end of April, Duddingston (Midl). A rush of migrants occurred in anticyclonic weather at the weekend of 8/9 May. Outstanding among these were 2 Dotterels at Girdle Ness, and 2 Wrynecks and 3 Red-backed Shrikes between Newburgh and Cruden Bay (Aber). Following their disastrous 1975 breeding season, it is a relief to know that 13 pairs of Ospreys have occupied breeding sites, including L Garten. At L of Lowes (Perth) there is an extraordinary triangle of gd and 2 2° sharing one nest quite amicably—there seems to be no doubt that eggs are being incubated, but it is not yet clear whether both 9? have laid, nor how duties are being shared. After a nine-years-wonder, Snowy Owls are non-starters on Fetlar this year, with no ¢ but as many as 5 29 1976 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 93 Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station Report for 1975* Prepared for the Observatory Committee by J. M. S. ARNoTT, Honorary Secretary The observatory was manned for a total of 198 days from 28th March to Ist November with the exception of 5th April, 3rd and 4th May, 13th to 20th and 27th to 29th June, 17th August and 25th to 28th October. On most of these dates and for the second half of March, however, there was some other observer cover on the island. There were two large falls of migrants in the spring—in April and in May—and in the autumn there was considerable passage during the prolonged spell of easterly winds in Octo- ber. Three new birds for the island were recorded: Gadwall Anas strepera, Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, and Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus. Pallas’s Sand- grousey were recorded for the first time since 1888. There were 4,233 birds ringed and 210 recoveries. A census was again carried out of the breeding seabirds, and various research projects were continued or started. Migration March-April Though some spring migrants were late in appearing, an exceptionally early arrival was a Whinchat from 14th to 20th March. Also on the 14th 15 Twite arrived, and numbers increased to a record 50 on 25th March. The flock left on 16th April. There were few arrivals in the cold northerly winds of the end of March and the first week of April, but they included Black Redstarts on 25th and 30th March, and on Ist April the first flock of Meadow Pipits and the first Dunnock (a species that did not breed this year). There was a small move- ment on 6th April when the wind backed to the west, and ar- rivals included the first Chiffchaff, the only spring Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Robins, and one of only 3 spring Kestrels. Offshore there was an exceptionally heavy passage of over 300 Common Gulls flying east-north-east. The wind returned to northerly on the 7th, and apart from a few Meadow Pipits, a Jack Snipe and a Greenfinch, there were no further migrants until the wind changed to westerly *Reports since 1958 have been published annually in Scottish Birds. *Scientific names can be found in The Birds of the Isle of May by W. J. Eggeling (1974), Special Supplement to Scottish Birds volume 8&. 94 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 9(2) on the 11th, when a Grey Wagtail came in (only the tenth spring occurrence), and to south-easterly on the 12th, when the first belated Wheatear arrived, together with 2 Goldcrests, 6 Blackbirds, a Redwing, and a Chaffinch. The south-east wind continued for two days, bringing on the 13th “many hundreds, perhaps thousands” of Meadow Pipits, at least 50 Goldcrests, 19 Fieldfares, another Wheatear, and a few Robins and Wrens. These had mostly left by the 14th, which brought a Black Red- start, 5 Wheatears, 20 Robins, 30 Blackbirds, and on the 16th only the fourth spring record of a Treecreeper. The Blackbird numbers built up to a spring maximum of 400 on the 18th, during another spell of south-easterly winds which started on the 17th and lasted until the 21st. The first Swallow appeared on the 17th with a Woodcock, 2 Bramblings, 2 Ring Ouzels, 200 Blackbirds, over 50 Redwings, and about 20 Field- fares, though Fieldfare numbers built up to 400 on the 18th, an unusually high spring figure. This movement also included on the 18th the spring’s highest count of 6 Chiffchaffs, and also 2 Black Redstarts, 70 Goldcrests, and a Firecrest, the first rec- orded in spring. On the 19th, a misty day, there was a further early build up of thrush numbers, including 500 Fieldfares and 150 Redwings, but they decreased later in the day in spite of arriving flocks. Other arrivals were a flock of 50 Bramblings, 5 Ring Ouzels, 6 Chiffchaffs, the first Willow Warbler, and 2 unusually early Whimbrels. With the weather clearing and the wind falling away, almost all these migrants had departed by the 20th, though the Fire- crest stayed to the 21st. There were 2 early “comic” terns on the 20th and a Gadwall, a species never previously seen on the island. The wind veered to the west on the 22nd and stayed in that quarter for most of the rest of the month, during which there was a steady trickle of Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Wheat- ears, Goldcrests, Skylarks, Linnets, and thrushes. A Goldfinch (a species very scarce on the May prior to 1967) appeared on the 24th, the first of six observed until 17th May, and another unusual visitor was a Long-eared Owl on the 24th and 25th— only the twelfth in spring. The first sightings of some migrants were: March—14th, Whinchat; 15th, Black Redstart; April—6th, Chiffchaff; 12th, Wheatear; 17th, Swallow, Ring Ouzel and Brambling; 19th Whimbrel and Willow Warbler; 20th, ‘“‘comic’’ tern. May The month started with a Blackcap and little else in the westerly winds that prevailed to the 5th, when they chan- ged to south-east, and the first Lesser Whitethroat arrived. The easterly wind then persisted for a week, bringing in vir- tually nothing during the next two days. However, following the 7th, a day of north-easterly wind rising to force 7, the 8th 1976 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 95 produced a spectacular fall of birds in a blustery day of force 8 north-easterly wind, decreasing to force 6, with moderate visibility and occasional rain. A Bluethroat at 12.45 was the forerunner of many hundreds of birds that began arriving about 14.00. Among the first to be noticed were large numbers of Tree Pipits which built up to an extraordinary total of about 500. Hundreds of Wheatears were also arriving, and by dusk were estimated at 350. A steady stream of Redstarts came in throughout the afternoon and evening, giving a total of about 110, and other approximate totals were: 40 Whinchats, 35 Song Thrushes, 25 Ring Ouzels, 250 Willow Warblers, 25 Rob- ins, 20 Pied Flycatchers, 9 Pied Wagtails, 70 Reed Buntings, and 6 Fieldfares. There were also 3 Bluethroats, 3 Wrynecks, an Ortolan Bunting, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Lesser White- throat, a Yellow (jlavissima) and another flava Wagtail, a Brambling, 2 Greenfinches, 2 House Martins, a Green Sand- piper and a Whimbrel. Most of these had departed by the following day, although Redstart numbers remained at 70, and Tree Pipits at 150, and by the 10th little remained, with only 5 Ring Ouzels and a Whitethroat arriving in the light and variable wind. The 11th began with the startling discovery of two Pallas’s Sandgrouse on the South Plateau (a species last seen on the island in 1888) and the day also produced 2 Blackcaps, the spring’s last Sky- larks and the only Common Sandpiper of the spring. The light and variable winds continued through the 12th, which brought a Bluethroat, and 13th, which saw a slight movement of Willow Warblers, Wheatears, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, and an Ortolan Bunting. After a north-east gale on the 14th, there were a few arrivals on the calm 16th, including the only 3 spring Sand Martins, the first Garden Warbler, and the first two of very few Sedge Warblers this spring. These were fol- lowed by a Goldcrest on the 17th—a late straggler. Swallows continued to pass through at the rate of about 10 a day, with a spring maximum of 16 on the 2lst, and on the 20th there were 2 Mistle Thrushes, an irregular visitor not seen again this year, and the spring’s only Cuckoo, together with a trickle of Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, and Sedge Warblers, which continued until the end of the month. Two Red-backed Shrikes appeared on the 26th and stayed until the 27th, which also saw the late arrival of the first Spotted Flycatcher, and the year’s only Nightingale. There was then little movement in the northerly winds until the end of the month, though the 3lst did produce half a dozen warblers and the island’s second record of Thrush Nightingale, a bird which stayed until 7th June. First sightings of migrants in May included: lst, Blackcap; 5th, Lesser Whitethroat; 8th, House Martin, Whitethroat, 96 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 9(2) Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipits and Wryneck; 16th, Sand Martin; 20th, Cuckoo; 27th, Spotted Flycatcher. June-July June started with a Swift on the Ist (the first recorded since 1973) and the spring migration continued until about the 10th with very small numbers, mostly of warblers, flycatchers and Whinchats and including stragglers like Blackcap on the 4th, and Robin and Chiffchaff on the 5th. There were 2 Red-backed Shrikes on the 3rd, 3 on the 4th, and another on the 10th and 11th. A late Tree Sparrow turned up on the 19th, and on the 21st there was a second Firecrest for the year, a species first seen on the May only in 1959. With it was a grey Willow Warbler, probably acredula, one of several seen during the spring. No Golden Plovers were seen in spring. A party of 12 Purple Sandpipers on 5th July heralded the autumn migration and their numbers built up to 52 by the 20th July and a very high total of 322 by 17th September. The first of two autumn Cuckoos went through on 6th July (the second on the 28th) followed by a wandering Willow Warbler on the 8th and the return of the Turnstones on the 12th. An unusual visitor on the 13th was a Corn Bunting, only the tenth occur- rence and the first for July. A Sedge Warbler arrived on the 20th with a scarce visitor, a Wood Warbler. Swallows started passing on the 21st, and built up to 100 on the 30th. August The first week of August saw the southward return of five species of migrants in moderate westerly winds: Sky- lark on the Ist, Snipe on the 2nd, Pied Flycatcher on the 5th, and Common Sandpiper and Whinchat on the 6th. Pied Fly- catchers increased to an autumn maximum of 40 by the 7th, by which time light winds and fog or mist had settled in until the 14th. The first Garden Warbler appeared on the 9th, follow- ed by ones or twos on many days until 23rd October, with a peak of 16 on 30th August. With it on the 9th were 25 more Pied Flycatchers, 2 Willow Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat. Scarcely any movement was observed in the thick fog until it lifted late on the 13th, when an Icterine Warbler was trapped, the first 4 Dunlins appeared, and off-shore the first Great Skua and first 2 Arctic Skuas were seen. These two species did not reappear until the end of the month but were then seen reg- ularly in ones and twos until the end of October. The fog returned on the 14th, out of which emerged the first Barred Warbler, 6 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Green Sandpipers, followed on the 15th by the autumn’s sec- ond Wood Warbler. The wind freshened from the south-east on the 18th, and on the 19th the first Whitethroat appeared in an autumn passage that never exceeded two in a day—still very depressed numbers. On the same day there was an im- mature Iceland Gull, the first seen since 1961. A Grey Wagtail, 1976 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 97 the forerunner of a dozen (an unusually large number) over the next two months was seen on the 21st. There was a small in- flux on the 24th with the first House and Sand Martins and Goldcrest, with 40 Swallows, 9 Willow Warblers, and one Gar- den Warbler, Barred Warbler and Whitethroat. This trickle of migration continued in mostly westerly winds until the 29th. On the 26th 11 Shovelers were seen, the largest number ever recorded, and on the following day the first autumn Sedge Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher arrived, followed by 3 early Fieldfares on the 28th, and 7 on the 29th with a north-easterly wind. This increased to force 7 on the 30th when autumn peaks of 40 Willow Warblers and 16 Garden Warblers came in, to- gether with 7 Barred Warblers, single Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Whinchats, 2 White Wagtails and a Wryneck, among others. A sea-watch produced three autumn peaks of 7 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Arctic and 3 Great Skuas, as well as 5 Sooty Shearwaters. Most of the pas- serines had moved on by the calm 31st. September The westerly winds returned for the first five days of the month, during which there was little movement, but the island’s fourth Arctic Warbler was trapped on the 6th. The autumn peak of 25 Wheatears was reached on the 7th, a day of fresh south-easterly winds which also produced an early Brambling, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the first Wigeon and an Ortolan Bunting. Over the next four days a southward coasting movement of up to 100 each of Swallows and Meadow Pipits was observed, but little other movement. This lull in migration continued in mostly westerly winds until the 17th, though the first Snow Bunting arrived on the 12th, and the first Redstart on the 13th. There was a fairly steady movement of Sooty Shearwaters on the 15th, giving a total of over 30, as well as 5 Manx Shearwaters, and on the 16th 2 Little Gulls were observed, only the fifteenth occurrence of a species that appears regularly and in considerable numbers in the Forth. Two more were seen on the 27th, one on 6th Oc- tober, and a record 5 on 22nd October. A wader count on 17th revealed 404 Turnstones, 322 Purple Sandpipers, 37 Redshanks, 45 Curlews, 25 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlins and 1 Snipe. Great Black-backed Gull numbers had built up to 200. There was a small fall of passerines on the 18th in a fresh north-easterly wind, including another Icterine Warbler, 3 Whinchats, and a flock of 14 Siskins. On the 19th there was a coasting movement of Meadow Pipits and Swallows. A Grey and two flava Wagtails were seen, and among the few arrivals were two Barred War- blers. After these there was hardly any movement for the following ten days of strong westerly winds (though the two earliest recorded Long-tailed Ducks were seen on 23rd) 98 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 9(2) but on the evening of the 28th the wind backed to south-east force 6, staying in that quarter for two days, though decreas- ing with fog on the 29th. This produced a fall of about 60 birds, half of them Goldcrests, but including a Richard’s Pipit, an Icterine Warbler, and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, as well as the autumn’s first 2 Ring Ouzels and Chiffchaffs and a peak of 5 Whinchats, also 2 Redstarts, a Blackcap and a Brambling. The influx continued on the 30th in a light south-easterly wind with, among others, 10 Fieldfares, 60 Song Thrushes, 2 Black- birds, 3 Redwings, an autumn peak of 5 Stonechats, and a Rus- tic Bunting. October There was intermittent movement during the wes- terly winds of the first eight days of the month, starting with 100 Song Thrushes, but few other thrushes, and including on the 6th a heavy passage of more than 800 Meadow Pipits, com- pared with 50 present on the adjacent days. Locally rare occurrences on the 5th were a Black Tern, the first since 1967, and a Grey Plover, and on the 8th a party of 3 Whooper Swans. The start of a fortnight of easterly winds on the 9th brought a large fall of thrushes by dawn, estimated during the day as 200 Fieldfares, 200 Song Thrushes, 1,500 Redwings and 200 Blackbirds. Also present in the early morning were the first 2 Woodcocks, 9 Lapwings, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Snipes, and a Jack Snipe. By midday 4 Pied Flycatchers, a late Wryneck, several Goldcrests, 3 Redstarts, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, and the autumn’s first Lesser Whitethroat were in evidence. Lesser Whitethroats had an exceptionally short and late passage lasting from 9th to 13th October. By the 10th most of these migrants had moved on, but the few new arriv- als in a north-east wind included 2 Red-breasted Flycatchers, a Barred Warbler, the autumn peak of 6 Chiffchaffs, a Green- finch and a Lapland Bunting. On the 11th 100 each of Black- birds and Redwings arrived with 150 Goldcrests, 30 Redpolls, a Bluethroat, 4 Snipes, 15 Blackcaps, and a Great Grey Shrike which stayed until the 13th. There was a general departure on the morning of the 12th, but later 65 Redpolls and an unusually large flock of 28 Tree Sparrows arrived with 2 Short-eared Owls, 15 Linnets, and a Yellow-browed Warbler. There was a lull on the 13th, but the continuing easterly winds that had borne such an extraordin- ary variety and number of vagrants to all parts of Britain brought the May its share on the 14th in the form of a Red- flanked Bluetail. Brambling numbers increased to over 90 that day, and Blackbirds to 150. Most of these had gone by the 15th, when the few arrivals included a Danish-ringed Starling, fol- lowed on the 16th by a Danish-ringed Blackbird, and among the few other newcomers, a Glaucous Gull. A Peregrine, a Merlin and a Kestrel arrived on the 17th with a slight passage of 1976 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 99 thrushes, Redpolls, Goldcrests, Greenfinches, and Skylarks. The last Swallow and House Martin went through on the 18th, coinciding with the modest October peak of 3 Snow Buntings. There was a steady movement of Blackbirds (200), Fieldfares (200), Redwings (500) and Skylarks on the 19th and early part of the 20th, on which day there came in an exceptionally late Wryneck, a Great Grey Shrike, 5 Greenfinches and a Yel- lowhammer. Another new bird for the island, a Pallas’s Leaf Warbler, ar- rived on the 21st during a south-easterly gale. With it were several hundred thrushes, 7 Blackcaps, a Black Redstart and a Sparrowhawk, and on the following day a Finnish-ringed Goldcrest came in, together with the autumn peak numbers of 7 Mealy Redpolls, 15 Blackcaps, 6 Dunnocks, and 9 Wood- cocks. Many of the thrushes had moved on by the 23rd, but others and Redpolls were reported to be exhausted. There was a break in observer cover until 29th-3lst, by which time there was only a trickle of thrushes, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Last dates for some autumn migrants were: September— 9th, Swift; 23rd, Spotted Flycatcher and Sedge Warbler; 29th, Common Sandpiper; October—lIlst, Ring Ouzel; 9th, Pied Fly- catcher; 12th, Whinchat; 13th, Willow Warbler; 15th, “comic” tern; 18th, Swallow and House Martin; 19th, Wheatear; 21st, Redstart; 22nd, Arctic Skua; 23rd, Garden Warbler; 24th, Great Skua and Woodcock. Unusual occurrences Great Northern Diver One, 15th October—ninth record. Gadwall One, 20th April—first record. Shoveler 11 on 26th August—most in a day. Grey Plover One, 6th October—seventh occurrence. Glaucous Gull One, 16th, 17th October—scarce. Iceland Gull One, 19th August—first since 1961. Little Gull Five, 22nd October—most in a day. Black Tern One, 5th October—first since 1967. Pallas’s Sandgrouse Two, 11th May—second occurrence (first 1888). Wryneck One, 20th October—latest date. Treecreeper One, 16th, 17th April—fourth spring occurrence. Wheatear 350 on 8th May—exceptionally high figure. Whinchat One, 14th-20th March—earliest date. Red-flanked Bluetail One, 14th, 15th October—first record. Redstart 110 on 8th May—highest spring count. Thrush Nightingale One, 3lst May-7th June—second occurrence. Bluethroat Three, 8th May. Icterine Warbler One, 13th August; one, 18th-21st September, another on 29th—both latest dates. Arctic Warbler One, 6th September—fourth record. Yellow-browed Warbler Two, 9th October. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler One, 21st, 22nd October—first record. Firecrest One, 18th-2lst April—seventh occurrence, first before June. Richard’s Pipit One, 29th September—fourth record. 100 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 9(2) Tree Pipit 500 on 8th May, 150 on 9th—previous highest count 80. Corn Bunting One, 13th July—tenth occurrence and first for July. Rustic Bunting One, 30th September—eighth record. Reed Bunting 70 on 8th May—highest daily count. ibe Sparrow 28 on 12th October—highest autumn count for over four ecades. Breeding populations The main breeding populations of seabirds had mixed for- tunes during the year with some increases and some decreases. Once again Hector Galbraith carried out a thorough survey in early June, and his figures show that Fulmars were down again with 72 pairs (91 pairs in 1974). This may have been due partly to a late breeding season and the figure is still above that of 68 pairs in 1973. The largest decrease (31%) was in Shags, with 676 pairs compared with 979 in 1974. Since 1973 the Shag pop- ulation has decreased by 38%. Kittiwakes, having been slightly down from 1973 to 3,059 pairs in 1974, jumped by 26% in 1975 to 3,870 pairs. The population from the Pilgrims’ Haven to Rona cliffs has been fairly steady over the last three years, while the numbers on the cliffs from South Ness to Pilgrims’ Haven and from Colms Hole to Tarbet have been increasing at an average rate of 34% per annum. Razorbill numbers increased by 16% to 525 pairs with a build-up on the South Ness to Pilgrims’ Haven cliffs. Guille- mots were down by just 1% at 4,264 pairs. About 15 pairs of Oystercatchers bred, there were 45-50 pairs of Rock Pipits on territories and two pairs of Meadow Pipits and one pair of Swallows bred. Ringing and recoveries The ringing total was 4,233 (4,405 in 1974). Red-flanked Bluetail was ringed for the first time on the island. By far the highest total was again for Puffins with 1,265. Record ringing figures were : Wren 84, Fieldfare 53, Barred Warbler 17, Gold- crest 268, Pied Flycatcher 94, Tree Pipit 43, Starling 115. Other high totals were: Song Thrush 94, Redwing 142, Blackbird 567, Stonechat 7, Blackcap 67, Redpoll 43, Brambling 88. Low figures for the year included : Spotted Flycatcher 6, Chaffinch 8, and Whitethroat 23. There was a total of 210 recoveries of 18 species, excluding gulls from the cull. As usual the two highest figures were for Herring Gulls with 98 recoveries and Shags with 85. The foreign recoveries were as follows (species followed by age code in parentheses): 1976 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 101 Ringed Recovered Herring Gull (1) 10. 7.73 28. 5.75 Kroonspolders, Vlieland, Frisland Islands, Netherlands. Blackbird (3d) 31.10.67 14.12.74 (7 years old) Havra, Osteroy, Horda- land, Norway. Blackbird (4¢) 21. 3.75 1. 4.75 (11 days) Store Faerder, Tjome, Vestfold, Norway. Blackbird (6°) 15. 4.75 24. 4.75 (9 days) Insel Scharhorn, Elbe Es- tuary, West Germany. Blackbird (4d) 13.10.74 24. 6.75 Pytgeiehes Virolahti, Kymi, Fin- land. Blackbird (6¢) 15. 4.73 15. 7.75 Molen, Brunlanes, Vestfold, Nor- way. Garden Warbler (2) 7. 9.74 15. 9.74 (8 days) Kettering, Northants (270 miles/435 km). 19. 5.75 Kornwerderzand, Friesland, Neth- erlands. Pied Flycatcher (3) 30. 8.74 25. 9.74 (27 days) Douar, Laguachate, Ouali- dia, El Jadida, Morocco. Willow Warbler (4) 12. 5.75 27. 5.75 (15 days) Den Helder, Noord Hol- land, Netherlands. The great majority of Herring Gull recoveries were in the Forth area or north-east England, but others were from Nor- folk, Essex, Anglesey, and Copeland Island, Northern Ireland. Shag recoveries were all from the Forth to the Farnes area, except for three in Angus, two near Fraserburgh and one near Banff. Three of the four Puffin recoveries were in March, be- tween the Forth and Northumberland, and the other was local- ly in June. The Willow Warbler, having crossed or re-crossed the North Sea, was 400 km further south a fortnight after being ringed in May. Of the controls of birds ringed abroad, the most interesting was of a Red-breasted Flycatcher from Fin- land, the first foreign-ringed one to be recovered in Britain and a species for which there has been no recovery of a Brit- ish-ringed bird. The ringing details are not yet known. Others were a Goldcrest, also from Finland, two Blackbird from Heli- goland, and a Starling and a Blackbird from Denmark Research Gulls Neil Duncan of Durham University continued his study of breeding success among Herring and Lesser Black- backed Gulls, recruitment associated with the cull, and his analysis of ringed cull birds. Miss J. Anderson of St Andrews University carried out a study of development of colour pref- erence of Herring Gull chicks. Puffins Dr M. P. Harris of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology continued his study of the status and breeding biology of the population of about 3,000 pairs, including a large-scale ringing programme. K. Taylor and Miss S. Simpson of St Andrews University made behavioural studies of Puffins from hides and of hand-reared birds. 102 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1975 9(2) Rabbits I. Sneddon of St Andrews University made a survey of burrows and transect counts and a study of the course of myxomatosis outbreaks. Seals Dr R. Prescott and J. Gray of St Andrews University carried out a survey of population changes. Marine fauna Dr J. L. S. Cobb of St Andrews Universitv made an annoted list from a survey in March at the start of the monitoring programme. Vegetation Monitoring of the changes following the gull culls was continued by Dr Rosalind Smith of the NCC. Management Gulls Following the main cull of Herring and Lesser Black- backed Gulls in 1972-74, a smaller cull of 4,000 birds was car- ried out in May by Nature Conservancy Council staff to main- tain the combined population at its target level of 3,000 pairs. It would otherwise increase again, particularly with the arrival of young birds returning to breed for the first time. NCC Warden The Nature Conservancy Council employed a part-time Reserve Warden on the island during the summ-r months to monitor and supervise the considerable number of day visitors. Heligoland trap A new Heligoland trap was built in May in McLeod’s Garden and several observers gave valuable assis- tance both in its construction and in providing plant cover. The cost of materials was provided by a grant from the Nature Conservancy Council. Some observers also gave valuable help in repairing other traps. Low Light After its major overhaul last year, the Low Light required little maintenance apart from some plumbing work and thanks are given to those who helped with this. It is sad to record that Alastair Macdonald died during the year. For a decade until 1974 he had dealt with the booking and travel arrangements for the May with unfailing efficiency and good humour. Throughout the year assistance in various ways was given by the Principal Lightkeeper, Mr George Robertson, and the other Lightkeepers, which is much appreciated. And thanks are also expressed to Mr Smith and Mr Meldrum for the help- ful way in which they have continued to operate the boat Ser- vice. J.M.S. Arnott, East Redford House, Redford Road, Edinburgh, EH13 OAS. 1976 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 103 The Manx Shearwaters of Rhum P. WORMELL (Plates 9-11) Introduction The Inner Hebrides are the chief breeding stronghold of the Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus in Scotland. Although Rhum undoubtedly contains the largest single breeding popula- tion, estimated by Bourne (1957) to number many tens of thousands of pairs, the more accessible but smaller colonies on Eigg and Canna received, until the 1950s, much greater attention. There must have been shearwaters on Rhum for centuries. We learn from The Birds of Scotland (Baxter and Rintoul 1953) that “in notes attributable to Timothy Pont, written about 1640, mention is made of a bird on Rhum, which appears to be the shearwater’. Martin Martin (1703) wrote of the island about 1695 that “there is plenty of land and sea-fowl; some of the latter, especially the puffin, build in the hills as well as in the rocks on the coast’; he too was almost certainly alluding to the Manx Shearwater. Since that time there has been a series of records of this as a breeding species on the island. The conical peaks of Hallival and Askival, their connecting ridge, and Trallval with its steep summit tower are the home of the great majority of Rhum’s Manx Shearwaters. The pop- ulation of Barkeval is more diffuse. There are some scattered groups of holes on Ainshval, a few on Fionchra and a small number on the north-east slopes of Ruinsival above Loch Fiachanis. The ground is rugged and steep, comprising exten- sive rocky outcrops, crags, boulder field, bare eroded slopes, screes and terraces. Climate The nesting areas are subject to extremes of wind, rain, cloudiness and humidity. Storms from the Atlantic can reach Rhum unimpeded by intervening land, and the prevailing south-westerlies strike the Hallival-Askival ridge to cause violent upthrusts and downthrusts of air. The mountains are frequently blanketed in cloud for long periods and the relative humidity probably averages nearly 100% for weeks on end. The average rainfall exceeds 100 inches. Drifted snow may be cov- ering the ground when the birds return to the breeding area in the third week of March, and patches of snow frequently remain throughout April and occasionally well into May. The soil is often still frozen to a depth of several inches during April. If patchy snow is lying when the birds arrive, they clear it away to gain access to their burrows. 104 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 9(2) Geology and soil Almost all the shearwater colonies are found on the ultra- basic complex of tertiary igneous rocks which comprises per- idotites, allivalites, eucrites and gabbros. These break down through frost action and sub-aerial weathering into a brown, olivine-rich sand; it is in this sandy material that the shear- waters excavate their holes. The ultrabasic rocks contain very little calcium and almost no phosphorus. Because of this and the severe leaching re- sulting from the heavy rainfall the soils derived from them are far from fertile. They are, moreover, subject to recurrent erosion by frost, wind and rainwash. Terraces are sparsely vegetated with heathland plants and arctic-alpine flora includ- ing Northern Rockcress Cardaminopsis petraea, Mossy Cyphel Cherleria sedoides, Moss Campion Silene acaulis, Stone Bramble Rubus saxatilis and Scottish Asphodel Tofieldia pus- illa. On the steeper ground it is only on the turf of the bird- manured soils around the burrows of the shearwaters that there is real soil stability. Shearwater greens An experiment conducted from 1965 to 1969 on exposed erosion terraces on the Barkeval-Hallival ridge has demonstra- ted the nutrient deficiency of the bare, unstable ultrabasic soils. Repeated applications of NPK fertiliser led to an increase in the vegetative cover from 5% to over 60% in five years. Almost bare ground dotted with a few plant tussocks became changed within that time to herb-rich Agrostis/Festuca grassland (Fer- reira and Wormell 1971). On the shearwater breeding grounds conditions similar to those produced artificially by this experiment are maintained naturally by the annual return of the birds to the same area. Their nutrient-rich droppings have produced a grassland of high grazing quality. Bird-produced vegetation of this type may be found elsewhere on coastal sites, but the short, springy turf produced by the Manx Shearwater on the upper slopes of the Rhum mountains may be unique in Britain. The breeding biology and winter migration of Manx Shear- waters are now well-known (Lockley 1942, Harris 1966(a) and (b), and Perrins, Harris and Britton 1973). They pair for life and return to the same nest holes year after year. They have a long life span. Some ringed on Rhum as adult breeding birds in 1958 were still returning to the same nest holes in 1972. They also have long incubation and fledging periods, 53 days and around 73 days respectively, and the birds are on the breeding grounds from the third week of March until the sec- 1976 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 105 ond week of October. Their droppings manure the ground around the holes continuously from spring to autumn whilst the vegetation is in full growth. Nutrients can be directly ab- sorbed by the growing plants and losses through leaching and erosion are probably very small. When the adults return in the spring from their wintering grounds off the coast of Brazil they clean out their holes, re- moving the previous year’s nesting material which consists of a compost derived from moss and grass, dipterous fly larvae and the droppings of the previous year’s nestling. This com- post adds a top dressing to the grassland. Material for the new nest consists mostly of mosses, which are abundant in the grass sward, and these are raked together and dragged into the holes. The bill of a shearwater is well de- signed for this operation, having a curved tip which serves very well as a lawn rake. The raking action not only removes the moss from the turf but also aerates the ground. This bird-induced vegetation, the shearwater greens, consti- tutes a substantial area of summer grazing for Red Deer Cer- vus elaphus which crop it to a short turf. Heavy deposits of deer dung further improve the grassland and dung beetles and flies are abundant throughout the summer. Dead shearwaters attract burying and carrion beetles (Silphidae) and bluebottles (Calliphoridae) and the turf itself supports the larvae of click beetles (Elatidae) and crane flies (Tipulidae). The bibionid fly Bibio pomponae, whose larvae are often gregarious in the turf, sometimes swarms over the greens. Certain insects, including the pyralid moth Catoptria furcatellus which is confined to grassy slopes near the summits of high mountains, occur on Rhum only on the high-level shearwater greens. Earthworms (Lumbricidae) are numerous in the soil and migrant Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos have been observed hopping over the greens and listening for earthworms at 2,000 feet on Hallival as though they were feed- ing on a garden lawn. Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis often flock over the greens and Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus and Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe benefit from the abundance of invertebrates. Wrens Troglodytes troglodytes breed amongst boulder fields adjoining the shearwater colonies close to the top of Askival and the Pygmy Shrew Sorex min- utus is often recorded in the colonies during the summer months. A distinct habitat has developed by the deposition of marine material transported by shearwaters; the resulting veg- etation supports animals that could not otherwise exist at these altitudes. | The plant association of the shearwater greens resembles the herb-rich Agrostis/Festuca grassland of lower elevations. 106 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 9(2) It contains fewer herbs but characteristically a greater abun- dance of mosses to which its springiness is due. The grasses most abundant in the sward are Sheep’s Fescue Festuca vivi- para, Red Fescue F, rubra, Common Bent Agrostis tenuis and Creeping Bent A. stolonifera (the latter usually confined to the entrance to the burrows). Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum is often abundant and small tussocks of Mat Grass Nardus stricta are sometimes present. Flea Sedge Carex puli- carus occurs on the margins of the greens. Other herbs include Wild Thyme Thymus drucei, Common Violet Viola riviniana, Common Speedwell Veronica officinalis, Common Mouse-ear Cerastium holosteoides, Heath Bedstraw Galium saxatile, Blae- berry Vaccinium myrtillus and occasional Alpine Meadow Rue Thalictrum alpinum, Common Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris, Primrose Primula vulgaris and Common Tormentil Poten- tilla erecta. Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus is the most abundant moss and associated with it are Atrichum undulatum, Thui- dium tamariscinum, and Hypnum cupressiforme. Polytrichum alpinum is often present as a marginal species. Newly excavated holes, and those that have been substan- tially extended, result in areas of bare soil debris below the entrance. This is first colonized by Poa annua, a plant usually considered to be a lowland species; its presence in such a sit- uation is unexpected. The seed probably derives from deer dung. By the autumn Agrostis and Festuca spp. are colonizing and these gradually take over from the annual species in forming a turf. Predators and scavengers The Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus has often been blamed for destruction of petrel colonies and it has been suggested that it has been responsible for the great decline in the Manx Shear- water population on the neighbouring island of Eigg. Brown Rats occur in large numbers on Rhum. They have been recorded at all altitudes from sea level to the highest tops. Dead shearwaters have occasionally been found in the early spring partly eaten by rats. Notwithstanding this, there has been no evidence of damage by rats to the shearwaters during the breeding season. Eggs that have failed to hatch frequently remain in the holes unbroken until the shearwaters depart, but as soon as the colonies are vacated in the autumn the rats move in in force to feed on these and any shearwater carcases underground. By the second week of October, rat droppings are abundant throughout the shearwater greens and some rats may remain on the mountains throughout the winter. 1976 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 107 Their tracks and droppings have been seen in February in snow around the summit cairn of Hallival. Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos and Peregrines Falco pere- grinus have been proved to prey on the shearwaters (Wormell 1965). Castings and samples of food collected from eagle eyries on Rhum in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1963 contained shear- water remains. Gulls have not been seen behaving as potential predators around the colonies, but Ravens Corvus corax and Hooded Crows Corvus corone cornix frequently search the hills for dead shearwaters and any eggs that may have been thrown out of the burrows. There have been a few reports of shearwaters being killed and partly eaten by Red Deer (Wormell 1969). These were probably all juveniles picked up outside the burrows just be- fore their first flight. Shearwater numbers Attempts have been made to census the populations of Manx Shearwaters on the Pembrokeshire islands of Skokholm and Skomer using the ringing/recapture method and difficulties involved in estimating the breeding population of nocturnal burrowing birds have been discussed (Harris 1966(a) and (b), Perrins 1967 and Corkhill 1973). Because of the mountainous terrain and scattered nature of the Rhum colonies this method was considered impracticable. Between 1961 and 1964 the vegetation of Rhum was survey- ed in detail by Dr R. E. C. Ferreira with the help of aerial photographs, and a vegetation map has been published (1970). The shearwater greens are included in his Agrostis/Festuca grassland community. During the course of the vegetation survey particular care was taken to map the shearwater greens accurately, notwith- standing the scale of the final map (1: 20,000) would not per- mit them to be shown as a separate association. They were marked distinctly on the field overlays of the aerial photo- graphs and were later transferred from the main survey sheets to separate traces which together provide a complete picture of the distribution of the breeding areas of the shearwaters (figs. 1 and 2). When it became apparent that the extent of shearwater greens could be measured with reasonable accuracy from the findings of the survey the way was open to obtain an estimate of the number of shearwaters frequenting Rhum, All that was necessary was to determine the number of occupied burrows in a representative series of plots and to apply the results to 108 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 9(2) 7 KILMORY | SA ; \ \ NI ’ J aN \ ss sued MULLACH , ( YA = MOR \ / \ SUBD Fee | : ] bhatt FIONCHRA | \ stone K™ m DIN _—-~f~ \ Hi OPN "- - ¢ \ / R } } { x \ 1 | Welshman’s _— TRALLVAL — “di SAINSHVA RUINSIVAL \ QPAPADIL re) 3Miles NY S Scale Fie. 1. Rhum, with study area inset. the total area of shearwater greens. The field work connected with this assessment was carried out in July and August 1965- 1969. There are no Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus on Rhum, so the shearwaters have to rely entirely on their own efforts for hole- making. They use their beaks to loosen the soil, shuffle it back with their wings and kick it out of the hole with their webbed feet, often throwing it several yards downhill from the en- trance. The tunnels are deep and winding, and usually longer than a man’s arm. Most pairs occupy separate holes; occasion- ally there are two entrances but only one is regularly used. The burrows of two separate pairs occasionally join, but each pair normally uses its own entrance. In the course of counting the burrows, partly excavated and unoccupied holes were ig- nored. Occupied holes could be recognized by the flattened soil and vegetation at the entrance, the occurrence of droppings and feathers, and by smell. There is a wide diversity in the size of greens, depending on topographical features and altitude. At lower altitudes and in broken terrain the greens are small and dispersed, whereas on ideal terrain, particularly above the 1,900 feet contour, they are larger, varying between one-tenth and one acre in area. Sample plots for counting were selected from each of the three major peaks, Hallival, Askival and Trallval. On each peak six one-tenth acre plots were randomly placed on the larger MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 109 1976 Buee) ee eek xuew “a bar) “@@195 pue siep rey} f f i nog ry Fic. 2. Manx Shearwater greens on Rhum. 110 Table 1. Occupied burrow counts on sample plots Plot Hallival 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Total Area (sq. yds.) Mean value of x (z) Askival 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Total 28 27 56 30 70 36 247 Mean value of x (X) Trallval 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Total 48 197 Mean value of x (xX) MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM Minor greens No. of Area per burrows burrow (sq. yds.) 2 4.0 5 4.8 11 4.4 16 4.1 20 4.2 12, 4.2 66 4,2 6 4.7 5 5.4 15 3.7 8 3.8 17 3.8 9 4.0 “60° 4.1 13 3.7 6 4.0 3 4.0 17 3.5 7 4.6 pas 4.2 51 3.9 Area (sq. yds.) 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 484 Main colony greens No. of Area per burrows burrow (n) (sq. yds.) 171 2.8 106 4.6 144 3.4 113 4.3 194 2.5 MEN 6.1 807 3.6 115 4.2 113 4.3 110 4.4 92 5:3 92 5.3 he: 4.1 639 4.5 209 2.3 196 2.5 132 3.7 147 3.3 117 4.1 et 5.1 895 3.2 Slope (degrees) 32 28 26 29 32 26 35 36 35 32 34 32 40 35 34 39 37 39 9(2) No. of burrows in horizontal projection n (Cos 9) 201.6 120.1 160,2 129.2 228.8 87.9 154.633 140.4 139.7 134.3 108.5 111.0 138.0 128.65 272.8 239.3 159.2 189.2 146.5 121.0 188.0 greens, and in addition six smaller greens were selected for total enumeration. The one-tenth acre (square chain) plots were measured on the ground surface with no slope correction. Since the slopes are both steep and variable, from 26° to 40° inclination, the uncorrected plot area was incompatible with map area measurements for total population calculations. Therefore slope measurements were taken using an Abney level and on each of the square chain plots, the hole counts eo PLATE 9. Manx Shearwater breeding grounds on Askival, photographed from Hallival, Rhum (see pages 1035-118). Photograph by P. Wormell PLATE 10(a). Adult Manx Shearwater, Rhum (see pages 103-118), Photograph by W. J. Eggeling PLATE 10(b). Young Manx Shearwater held outside burrow on Hallival (see pages 105-118). Photograph by J. Wormell PLATE 11(b). Manx Shearwaters’ st-hole at 2,000 feet on Hallival, vegetation. Photographs by P. Wormell PLATE 12. Probable drake hybrid Scaup x Tufted Duck, Bowmore Harbour, Islay, 27th January 1974: (a) showing dark mantle; (b) top left, with Scaup, showing small head tuft; (c) bottom right, in front of drake Scaup, showing contrast of mantle colour between the two and high crested appearance of the former. Photographs by Gordon Booth 1976 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 115 were adjusted to those corresponding to its horizontal projec- tion, using the formula ny = ny; n; = number of holes/square chain inclined. Cos @ ny = number of holes/square chain horizontal. Q@ = angle of slope. The sample plot data are shown in table 1. Since it was impractical to take slope measurements on the small greens, the burrow counts for these plots have been omitted from population calculations. However, they are in- cluded in table 1 in order to demonstrate comparability and variation of burrow density between the large and small greens. An estimate of the total area of shearwater greens was made by aggregating area measurements of all greens from the aerial photograph traces. An important potential source of error in these measure- ments derives from differences in photograph scale with alti- tude and camera height, the higher greens and greens closer to the camera being at a larger scale than the lower greens. Scale corrections were made for two altitude classes, above and below 1,900 feet, separately for each of the three main peaks. Traces of the greens were blocked together in the two altitude classes, the blocks transferred to a 1:10,560 scale Table 2. Area of Manx Shearwater greens Photo scale Area of greens (sq. chains) Total Above 1900’ Below 1900’ area (A) (sq. chains) Hallival Above 1900’ 1/9,208 109.0 Below 1900’ 1/9,242 143.5 Barkeval Below 1900’ Not measured 22.3 27507 Askival Above 1900’ 1/9398 213.4 Below 1900’ 1/9.470 11932 332.6 Trallval Above 1900’ 1/9.434 85.8 Below 1900’ B/S597 V2 163.0 409.1 362.2 DA, 116 MANX SHEARWATERS. OF RHUM 9(2) grid and the aggregate areas measured with a planimeter. These results are shown in table 2. Since greens on Barkeval amount to only 22.3 square chains, they were simply added to the Hallival area estimates for the purpose of calculating the total population. Greens on other hills cover a negligible area and were omitted from the survey. Results The number of occupied shearwater burrows on the major peaks Hallival (with Barkeval), Askival and Trallval was cal- culated by multiplying the mean density of occupied burrows by the area of the greens, using hole-density figures corrected for inclination of green surfaces, and area figures corrected for altitude and camera height. These data, with an analysis of variance are shown in table 3. Table 3. Population estimates Total area Mean No. Total No. Standard Estimated Standard of greens of burrows of burrows deviation (S) variance (V) error (A) in sq. chain (A Xx ) of x of total sq. chains population (/V) ( [Ec ) (A=) n-1 6 Hallival 275.7 154.633 42,632 52.972 35.548 x 10° (with Barkeval) Askival 332.6 128.65 42,789 14,813 4,046 x 10° Trallval 163.0 188.0 30,644 58.077 14.936 x 10° Total 771.3 116,065 54.530x10° 7,384 From table 3: Total estimate of occupied burrows = 116,065 For 95% Confidence Limits, critical value of student’s t-distribution on 5 degrees of freedom is + 2.6 x standard error = + 19,200 .. At 95% Confidence Limits, the number of occupied burrows = 116,100+ 19,200 Discussion Because of the great variability in the Manx Shearwater colonies due to varying topography, altitude, slope and the in- terrupted dispersion of soil suitable for excavation near boul- der fields and bedrock, the errors involved in estimating the total area of many small areas on a map and the effects of possible tilt in the aerial photography, only an approximate 1976 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 117 estimate of the colony size is possible, even with a good sam- pling technique. Even if reliable estimates of occupied burrows are obtained it is still not possible to infer precise breeding population figures. Little is yet known about the size of the non-breeding population, and since immature non-breeding birds may occupy burrows, even a highly accurate hole count would not measure breeding population exactly. Neverthe- less, a count such as mine does indicate an order of size and might be of value for monitoring population change in course of time. If, as has happened on the neighbouring Isle of Eigg, the shearwater population should markedly decrease, it ought to be possible to assess the extent of this by measuring the reduction in the number of occupied burrows. If, on the other hand, the numbers increase, there will either be an increase in the density of burrows on existing greens, or new greens will be produced. Acknowledgments Thanks are due to R. Fenton and A. Cooper of the Nature Conservancy Council Maps Office, Roughmoor, Taunton, for the painstaking task of calculating the area of shearwater greens and also for their assistance in the production of the map. I am grateful to Dr W. J. Eggeling and M. E. Ball who encouraged the progress of the study and read and made helpful criticisms of an earlier draft of this paper. Summary The large mountain top colonies of Manx Shearwaters on Rhum are concentrated on the main peaks of Hallival, Askival and Trallval. The fertile Agrostis/Festuca grasslands associated with the col- onies provide specialized habitats for a variety of fauna and flora. An estimate of the size of the population was made by measuring the extent of the colony from aerial photographs coupled with the density of nest burrows on sample plots. This gave a figure of 116,000 + 19,000 for the number of occupied burrows. References BaxTER, E. V. and RINToUL, L. J. 1953. J'he Birds of Scotland. Edinburgh and Lon- don, Oliver and Boyd. BouRNE, W. R. P. 1957. The Birds of the Island of Rhum. Scot. Nat. 69: 21-31. CoRKHILL, P. 1973. Manx Shearwaters on Skomer. Brit. Birds 66: 156-145. Evans, P. R., and FLowER, W. U. 1967. The birds of the Small Isles. Scot. Birds 4: 404-445. Fenton, R. A. and FERREIRA, R. E. C. Vegetation mapping on the Isle of Rhum, In- ner Hebrides. In prep. FERREIRA, R. E. C. 1967. Community descriptions in field survey of vegetation map of the Isle of Rhum. (Unpublished typescript). Edinburgh, Nature Conservancy. FERREIRA, R. E. C., and WoRMELL, P. 1971. Fertiliser response of vegetation on ultrabasic terraces on Rhum. Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinb. 41: 149-154. Harris, M. P. 1966(a). Age of return to the colony, age of breeding and adult sur- vival of Manx Shearwaters. Bird Study 13: 84-95. Harris, M. P. 1966(b). Breeding biology of the Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus. Ibis 108-17-33. Harvif-Brown, J. A., and BuckieEy, T. E. 1892, A Vertebrate Fauna of Argyll and the Inner Hebrides. Edinburgh, David Douglas. 118 MANX SHEARWATERS OF RHUM 9(2) LocKLEY, R. M. 1942. Shearwaters. London, J. M. Dent. MaRTIN, M. 1703. A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland. London. New ed. (1934) Stirling, Eneas Mackay. PERRINS, C. M. 1967. The numbers of Manx Shearwaters on Skokholm. Skokholm Bird Obs. Rep. 1967: 23-25. PERRINS, C. M., Harris, M. P., and Britton, C. K. 19735. Survival of Manx Shear- waters Puffinus puffinus. Ibis 115: 555-548. WoORMELL, P. 1965. Manx Shearwaters and other sea-birds as prey of Peregrines and Golden Eagles. Brit. Birds 58: 149. WORMELL, P. 1969. Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) as predator on Manx Shearwater (Procellaria puffinus). Deer 1: 289. P. Wormell, Nature Conservancy Council, Ledaig, Connel, Argyll. Short Notes Fulmars entangled in barbed wire and Gorse The Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis is noted for its mastery of cliff-top updraughts, but it seems that the colonization of less open types of nesting areas may present certain hazards. In the early 1960s, Fulmars colonized the grassy edge of a raised beach a short distance from the sea at Pittenheath, Aber- deenshire. Along this slope was a barbed wire fence on which a dead Fulmar was found in the spring of 1961 with its wing impaled on a barb. During the spring of 1975, the body of a Fulmar was noted hanging by a wing, this time on a dead Gorse Ulex europaeus branch in the Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie, Ross-shire, in the Black Isle. At this location Fulmars nest above a wooded glen, on a high morainic cliff. The growth of Gorse at the cliff-top poses problems for the birds, and on 31st January 1976, from a short distance away, I noted a Fulmar trying to approach a ledge behind a Gorse bush. It eventually settled on top of the bush for a few minutes. This bird, or another, later attempted to come in from below, alighted on the cliff-face and, struggling to get a toe-hold, became entangled with a dead Gorse branch. In a few seconds it extricated itself and flew off, but the inci- dent indicated how a Fulmar could impale itself by vigorous wing flapping in attempting to approach a difficult site. DouGLAS P. WILLIS. Probable Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids Whilst counting Pochard Aythya ferina on Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh, on the morning of 3rd October 1974 I noticed 1976 SHORT NOTES 119 a bird like a drake Scaup A. marila sleeping amongst the flock. Initially I assumed the bird was one of the occasional Scaup that arrives with the Pochard after feeding on the sea. How- ever, the bird appeared to have a much darker back. The fol- lowing notes were taken from about 300 yards, using a x60 telescope in fair light. Description Slightly larger than male Tufted Duck A. jfuligula, smaller than female Scaup present. More rotund than Tufted with relatively longer bill and a rounded head as in Scaup. Colour pattern as male Scaup but instead of a light grey back the black of the head merged into the upper back and the blackish rear merged into the lower back, giving a very dark backed appearance. The flanks were light grey. Bill light grey with a black tip immediately preceded by a whitish area, similar to a drake Tufted Duck; iris yellow. For the most part the bird was sleeping with its head tucked into its back feathers but it occasionally swam across the loch. The same or a very similar bird was seen at long range on the loch on 25th October in the afternoon. DAVID BULLOCK At 10.00 on 27th January 1974 D. M. Bryant, E. Green, R. Youngman and myself were observing a small raft of Scaup at Bowmore harbour, Isle of Islay, from about 60 yards. Two in this small group were behaving as a pair and were consistently slightly apart from the main flotilla and, at this time, nearer to the observers by 20 or 30 yards. At first glance they were passed off as a pair of Scaup until closer examination by E. Green indicated that both birds were different in several res- pects to nearby male and female Scaup. Observations involving close range telescope work for 30 minutes following the initial discovery showed the male at least to be sufficiently distinct from male Scaup to be easily relocated when intermixed with the main group; the female was less easily distinguished but her habit of remaining near the male aided location. Critical evaluation of the differences between the Scaup and these birds was helped by the calm conditions in the harbour and good light behind the observers. Identification was to prove difficult but it was eventually concluded that the pair were probably Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids (plate 12). Descriptions Both birds were of the same size, being slightly smaller than Scaup but larger than Tufted Duck. The head shape was distinctly different in both sexes, not being rounded with a gently sloping nape (fig. c) as in Scaup, but clearly peaked and squarer. The male exhibited this more than the female, to the extent of possessing a high-crested appearance reminiscent of drake Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (fig., a). The forehead of each sex was less steeply inclined than that of Scaup and the bill was slightly less spatulate. The neck of both sexes 120 SHORT NOTES 9(2) Fig. a) Drake Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid—note the high-crested appearance of the head; b) presumed female Scaup x Tufted hybrid; c) head of female Scaup Aythya marila showing head and bill shape and extent of white on the face; d) head of female hybrid showing the pattern of white on the face and the shape of the black area around the nail of the bill. was more slender and the body appeared slighter and shorter than that of Scaup. They also sat higher on the water. The male’s head and neck appeared black but showed a marked green gloss which altered in certain lights to purplish-brown. The mantle was distinctly greyer than that of drake Scaup and was undoubtedly the best field character. The cause of this darker grey could not be deter- mined due to the distance of observation but may have been formed either by finer and more closely packed vermiculations than in Scaup or by broader dark feather bands. The mantle became darker towards 1976 SHORT NOTES 121 the mid-line of the back and also anteriorly until it merged into the near black of the shoulder region. The breast, tail and under-tail cov- erts were black contrasting with pure white flanks. A noticeable feature was the distinct division between the white of the flanks and the grey of the mantle. The tips of the primaries appeared to be black and those of the secondaries very dark grey. The bill colour was overall blue-grey with black on the nail extending laterally into a fan shape (fig., d) similar to that described by Gillham, Harrison and Har- rison (1966). The iris was yellow. The female (fig., b) was generally brown, being darker on the head, neck, primary tips and tail. The white around the base of the bill was as conspicuous as that of female Scaup but it did not extend round to the lower mandible as in that species. In addition there was a noticeable break in the white patch of this bird, being in direct line with the culmen of the bill (fig., d). The breast showed some paling, and was approximately the same shade as the mantle. The flanks were a much paler brown with many of the feather tips almost buff and this became more noticeable towards the underside of the bird. The bill was greyer and darker than that of the male hybrid but the extent of black on the tip was constant. The iris was also yellow. No details of wing-pattern were forthcoming since neither bird was seen to spread its wings. Due to the presence of the observers, the male was seen to raise the tiny tuft on his head on at least two separate occa- sions. After spending some time in the shelter of the harbour the birds moved out to begin feeding in the surf on the wind- ward side of the pier. Both dived at regular intervals and al- Ways remained in the shallows when doing so. The following day they were far less active and stayed with the Scaup raft. It is of interest to note how the general appearance of the drake fits published descriptions of male Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids. The description given by Sage (1963) of a captive bird of known parentage (male Scaup x female Tufted Duck) shows it to have been almost identical. However, Sage notes that the bill of his hybrid was as spatulate as that of Scaup but, although bill size is more likely to be a constant character than plumage pattern, the bills of these two birds were definite- ly slightly less spatulate. Further descriptions of the drake progenies of male Scaup x female Tufted Duck crosses by Gillham, Harrison and Harrison (1966) show this present drake to fit into their ‘Scaup Type’ category. The absence of vermiculations on the flanks would be a useful additional char- acter in distinguishing such a hybrid from drake Lesser Scaup A. affinis. As is to be expected, the female is far more difficult to identify and assign to a particular parentage. The number of described Aythya hybrids still remains very small and perhaps the only reliable Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid description is again that of a captive bird (male Scaup x female Tufted Duck) (Sage 1963). Unlike this captive bird, the Islay female definitely 122 SHORT NOTES 9(2) showed a head tuft, if only very small, and this resulted in a slightly peaked head outline. Hence, by this character, con- fusion with female Tufted Duck could be far greater than with female Scaup. However, the white around the bill of this pre- sumed hybrid female was closer to the female Scaup pattern and more extensive than I have seen in any Tufted Duck female. I suggest that the differences between this bird and that described by Sage lie well within the range of variation to be expected from such a hybridization. It is often the case that behavioural aspects are useful in identification of a particular species and in accordance with this it is important to note firstly that both birds were obser- ved with Scaup on the sea although they had the alternative of nearby fresh-water lochs with flocks of Tufted Ducks, sec- ondly they were diving for food with apparent ease in the heavy surf and finally they remained paired throughout ob- servation. The scarcity of wild Aythya hybrid records has been de- scribed (Gillham, Harrison and Harrison 1966) and there ap- pear to be no previous records for Scaup x Tufted Duck in Scotland. This probably arises partly from the difficulties of identification of these hybrids. Perhaps the most puzzling as- pect is why two presumed hybrids should occur, a male and female, apparently paired, and the question is therefore posed as to whether or not they may have been reared from the same brood. This seems probable when one attempts to calculate the odds of isolated hybrids of different sexes, reared on breeding grounds probably in Iceland, meeting and pairing. However, since Scaup do breed sporadically in Scotland it may be that these hybrids were Scottish reared and did not travel far, there- by weighting the odds in favour of their staying together. They did not behave in a manner which indicated they could have originated from a collection but of course this possibility can- not be altogether dismissed. I am most grateful to Mr Gordon Booth for taking the photo- graphs and allowing me to publish them. Also thanks to Dr D. M. Bryant for helpful criticism of the manuscript. References DELAcOouR, J. 1959. The Waterfowl of the World, vol. 5. Country Life, London. GILLHAM, E., Harrison, J. M. and Harrison, J. G. 1966. A study of certain Aythya hybrids. Wildfowl Trust 17th Annual Report 1964-5; 49-65. PERRINS, C. M. 1961. The ‘‘Lesser Scaup’”’ problem. British Birds 54: 49-54. Sac, B. L. 1968. Notes on Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids. British Birds 56: 22-27. D. R. WAUGH. 1976 SHORT NOTES 123 On 3rd April 1976 K. Verrall noticed a pair of similar birds with five Scaups off Bowmore pier. The male was also thought to be similar to a Lesser Scaup but lacked the full wing-bar in flight. The predominantly purple sheen on the head, which also reflected some green, a small but distinct crest at the back of the head and a much darker back than the other drake Scaups were also noted. The female appeared slightly smaller than the other females, with less white on the face, although more than a normal Tufted Duck, and a very small crest. The male only Was seen on three more dates until the 13th.—Eb. [D. J. Bates saw a probable hybrid on Kilcongquhar Loch, Fife, on 22nd March 1975 but it was too distant to accurately assess its parentage. It resembled a male Tufted Duck but its crest was hardly more than a tuft, its back dark grey and the flanks greyish with an indistinct demarcation. Its size, the purple gloss on the head, the yellow eye and the bill pattern seemed normal. It consorted with Pochards although there were Tufteds nearby. A drake Scaup was present some dis- tance away. Wildfowl hybridize more freely than most other groups, usually in captivity but also in the wild. Many hybrids are fer- tile and the situation may be further complicated by back- crossing with one of the parent species. A. P. Gray (1964. Ar- ticle ‘Hybrid’ in Thomson, A. L. (ed.) New Dictionary of Birds), presumably referring to ducks in captivity, says that multiple hybrids involving as many as six or seven species sometimes occur ! Gillham, Harrison and Harrison (op. cit.) discuss six distinct types of drake Aythya hybrid, resulting from four species, that may be seen in Britain and they give full descriptions and photographs of living birds and museum specimens. Some females are also described but these are even less likely to be noticed in the wild. They warn that some hybrids are liable to be, and indeed have been, mistaken for such rarities as Fer- ruginous Duck A. nyroca, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Baer’s Pochard A. baeri. This is the fullest and most recent discussion of an identification problem that was highlighted by the notorious Sutton Courtenay duck—a bird that was alleged to be the first British record of a Lesser Scaup when it was discovered at Sutton Courtenay in Berkshire in December 1957 and whose identity as a drake hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck was Only confirmed when the specimen was collected in March 1960. Despite the publicity of the Lesser Scaup affair and the cur- rent popular interest in spotting rare birds, not to mention the scientific interest of hybridization, the problem is largely ig- nored in identification manuals and wildfowl monographs. 124 SHORT NOTES 9(2) Doubtless much remains to be learned about the characteristics and status of the various wild hybrids. At this stage the paren- tage can perhaps only be known with certainty in captive birds, in which case the father is by convention the first-named of the parents. All records of wild hybrids can be regarded as no more than probable only.—Eb.| Flightless Shelducks on the Forth The Birds of Estuaries Inquiry (1969-75) has shown that in early autumn several hundred Shelducks Tadorna tadorna may be on the upper Firth of Forth near Grangemouth. In 1974 between 40% and 60% of the August and September numbers were considered to be adult or second year birds. It is usually accepted that most Shelducks are on the moulting grounds of the Heligoland Bight at this time. It thus appeared that the upper Forth was either (1) an important migration stop-over site, (2) a sizeable nursery area, with many attendant parent Shelducks, or (3) a moulting ground. An effort was therefore made to determine more accurately the age structure of these flocks. Attention was concentrated in the Kinneil area be- tween Grangemouth Docks and Bo’ness, and an inflatable boat with an outboard motor was used to see if moulting birds were actually present. On 28th July 1975 575 Shelducks were counted from the shore of which about half were adult (in- cluding second year birds). On 10th August there were 520 including 400 adults (77%). When some of these birds were chased we managed to locate a discrete flock of 80 within an area of sufficiently calm water for the boat to operate. As we approached, 45 Shelducks (mixed adults and birds of the year), flew off without difficulty but about 20 adults flapped along the surface for 20 to 50 yards before getting into the air. Our attention however was drawn mainly towards about 15 Shel- ducks which dived as we approached. Individuals stayed underwater for about 30 seconds and then rose briefly before diving again. All these birds were adults or second year birds with clearly marked chestnut pectoral bands and mantles and dark green heads (some with a little white feathering at the base of their red bills). We followed a few birds for about five minutes until this small part of the flock had fully dispersed. None of them showed any sign of oiling or other debilitating condition visible externally. No clear view of the state of wing moult of these birds was possible because of spray when the boat was moving, and due to the diving activity of the birds. In the individuals which flew only with difficulty, however, the wing appeared rounded and relatively stubby as though re- growth of feathers was occurring. It was concluded that 1976 SHORT NOTES 125 between 15 and 35 Shelducks were in active wing moult. It is just possible that the birds were exhibiting the symptoms of poisoning, although a search of the shoreline did not reveal any carcasses (or incidentally any moulted feathers). On a follow-up visit on the 24th August 320 Shelducks were seen but none of the 150 birds that were chased, under poor obser- vation conditions, were found to be flightless. If the Kinneil area proves on subsequent investigation to be a regular moult- ing ground it is unlikely to hold more than 400 adults. When an arbitrary allowance is made for transients and the birds of the year are of course excluded, a moult flock of 30 to 200 Shelducks seems likely to cover the range of possibilities. It is probable therefore that even if the existence of this moult in the Forth is proved beyond doubt it would be a minor one in a European context. Nevertheless it would be only the third known west European site, apart from those of Heligo- land Bight and Bridgewater Bay, and of considerable interest for this reason. D. M. BRYANT, D. R. WAUGH. Ringed Plover swimming On 12th July 1975 on the beach just beyond the ternery at Aberlady, East Lothian, we saw what we at first took to be a young auk about 50 yards out, swimming towards the shore on a fairly calm incoming tide that was already far up the beach. It was submerged several times by overtaking waves. As it came closer we saw that it was a fully grown juvenile Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula. After shaking itself it rac- ed off along the beach, apparently none the worse for its ad- venture. W.G.and Mrs H. L. HARPER. Great Skuas probably killing Mountain Hare and Rabbits On 9th July 1973, while walking over Mel Fea, Hoy, Orkney, I found a freshly dead and already partially eaten Mountain Hare Lepus timidus. The body was close to an empty Great Skua Stercorarius skua nest and two yards away was crouched a three-week-old skua chick. A hare track crossed the hill within a yard of the nest and I assumed that the hare was killed as it was using this track and ventured too close. In 1975 I examined about a hundred Great Skua nests on Hoy and found dead Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, some very fresh, at about six of them. I feel certain that they had been killed at the nearby warren. I can find no previous records of Great Skuas killing mam- mals, apart from possibly lambs. C. J. BOOTH. 126 SHORT NOTES 9(2) Rock Pipits rearing young Robin In May 1975 a well-intentioned action by three boys (Stew- art Drummond, Stuart Strachan and Mark Thomas) searching for nests for the BTO Nest Record Scheme resulted in a pair of Rock Pipits Anthus spinoletta rearing a young Robin Erith- acus rubecula in Corpach, Inverness-shire. They found both the Robins’ and Rock Pipits’ nests at ap- proximately the same stage of incubation, the Robins’ nest in a bramble-covered embankment among houses, the pipits’ nest in a bank about a mile away just above high water level. About one or two days prior to hatching the Robins’ nest was des- troyed by a dog. One egg remained intact and the boys tried to save it by putting it into the pipits’ nest, both species being similar in size, egg colour, insectivorous diet and stage of in- cubation. Unfortunately it hatched a day or two before the pipits’. The young pipits disappeared a few days after hatching —presumably either edged out by the growing Robin or star- ved and removed after death by their parents. The Robin thrived and was seen a few days after fledging, hopping about the beach being fed by its foster parents. ANDREW D. K. RAMSAY. Reviews The Naturalist in Scotland. By D. Knowlton. David and Charles, Newton Abbot 1974. Pp 228; 30 photographs; 7 figures. 22 x 14 cm. £5.25. The book is one of The Regional Naturalist series aimed at introducing ‘both visitor and nesident to the wildlife of a region. The title of this volume is however misleading. Mr Knowlton’s definition of Scotland (al- though never explicitly stated) excludes the Shetlands, Orkneys, Inner and Outer Hebrides and Caithness. Hence the true subject is most of mainland Scotland plus some of the small inshore islands. The book begins with a brief description of Scottish scenery, climate, history and geology. Different habitats or places, with some curious dis- tinctions between them, are then discussed in turn. Under these headings, the author deals systematically with the mammals, birds, fishes, plants and invertebrates which can be found in each defined habitat or area. Many of these later chapters read as a turgid list of species and this leads to many chapters being cluttered with unnecessary detail. Perhaps this is inevitable with the varied wildlife of such a large area. Paradoxically a consequence of this detail is that much of the information is of little help in guiding a visitor to Scotland or in assisting someone with little knowledge of wildlife. General statements such as that “Craigleith lies mearly a mile out to sea from North Berwick and its steep cliffs have many sea birds” or that birch, ash and alder woods have “the common birds of woodland in summer” are not very helpful either. The aim of providing a useful guide book is thus not achieved. 1976 REVIEWS 127 There is too little emphasis on what Scotland, rather than other parts of Britain, can offer the individual interested in wildlife. For example, the reader who wants to know where to find that Scottish speciality the Crested Tit will discover that it is not even indexed. Few readers, however, will be surprised to learn that Blackbirds, Wrens and Chafiinches are found in Scottish broad-leaved woodland, or in many other places for that matter. The author frequently betrays a lack of intimate know- ledge of the flora and fauna he describes. For example, his belief that Stonechats are associated with rocky shores or that Crossbills reach no further south than Perthshire. His many other errors on ornithological subjects are too numerous to detail. Sometimes these are of little con- sequence but nevertheless should not occur, Is there any relevance in dis- cussing a guide book designed to introduce people to wildlife, the rare birds, mammals or plants which have been recorded only once or twice in Scotland ? The author’s affection for Scotland is not in doubt but his prose often fails to capture the atmosphere of a locality as, for example, in his description of Aberlady Bay (p. 80). For a guide to Scotland, maps of areas to which reference is made are too infrequent. The book concludes with a useful appendix listing the sites of natural history interest, the nature trails and nature reserves in Scotland. This section is worthy of greater prominence. There is also a list of organizations concerned with wildlife in Scotland and their addresses and a list of museums with their opening hours. It is the specific information in these last ten pages that is most likely to help the tourist unfamiliar with Scotland although the author provides little information about the wild- life of the sites. The book is illustrated with about thirty photographs although their reproduction is sometimes indifferent. The index is short and the bibliography is shorter. It is especially annoying when his more ‘obvious sources of information are not listed. I think that few people will find the book readable or useful. D. R. LANGSLOW. Birds in Islay. By C. Gordon Booth. Port Charlotte, Argyll Reproductions Ltd, 1975. Pp 55; 22 x 15 cm; 25 black-and-white photos. £1.20. This booklet is intended for the general run of country-lovers as well as for the more specialized visiting bird-watcher. The photographs, by Arthur Gilpin and Morley Hedley, many of them seen before, are mostly portraits and as such useful for identification. The ones with particular reference to Islay, notably those of Whooper Swans, Greenland White- fronted Geese and Barnacle Geese (perhaps especially the roost of Bar- nacles at Bridgend), all by Morley Hedley, will receive the closest atten- tion of ornithologists. For the latter, the real meat of the publication is undoubtedly to be found on pp 16-47, which contain a well-documented list of the birds recorded from Islay. By the author’s reckoning, 224 species had occurred up to the autumn of 1974 and about 110 had bred m recent years. There are very few regular bird-watchers on the island so records of birds seen by visitors are very welcome, not least because there can be little doubt that certain species are commoner than presently appears and that the status of others needs some amendment. It is very improbable that the Wood Warbler, for example, does not sometimes breed and the same is likely to be true of Wigeon, Long-eared Owl and Grasshopper Wapnbler. W. J. EGGELING. 128 REVIEWS 9(2) A Field Guide to Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of British and European Birds, with North Africa and the Middle East. By Colin Harrison. London, Collins, 1975. Pp 432, 48 colour plates of eggs, 16 colour plates of nestlings and numerous black and white drawings. 20 x 13 cm. £3.50. This book has demanded knowledge and courage. It is far more diffi- cult to compress plates and descriptions of eggs, nests and nestlings into a single handy pocket guide than to produce a similar volume with paintings and descriptions of the birds. As scientist in charge of the national egg collection at Tring, Dr Colin Harrison was better placed to prepare this book than any living British ornithologist, In my lifetime, Francis Jourdain alone could have hoped to achieve equal success. There are 19 pages of introduction to the study of breeding-biology, illustrated by Dr Philip Burton’s excellent line drawings. Every ornith- ologist can read these pages with pleasure and profit. For me, the concise descriptions of nestlings, supplemented by Dr Burton’s beautiful drawings and paintings, along with the introduction, are the best features of the book. For these alone it is worth the money. One small point. The colours of legs and soft parts of wader chicks vary greatly, but I have never seen a newly-hatched Lapwing chick with the salmon-pink legs shown on the cover and repeated on plate 11. I still remember the field work which Harry Witherby and I undertook which led to the correction in the Addenda to The Handbook. The descriptions and paintings of the nestlings, however, will stimulate bird watchers to make their own observations and thus add to our knowledge of a neglec- ted but always fascinating subject. Over 700 eggs are shown in colour—at least one example from almost every bird known to breed in this vast area. In such a small volume this is an almost incredible achievement. The very scope of the subject, how- ever, has not surprisingly led to problems, most of ‘which were quite outside the author’s control. Eggs are shown in sizes varying from # life- size to life-size. On plate 59, for example, the eggs of Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel and Blackbird are shown as nine-tenths life-size, and on the next page those of Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrush are given life-size. White, off-white and immaculate eggs apparently reproduce badly from colour photographs, Those showing swans, ducks and geese are among the least successful. It might have been better to give uncoloured outlines of these eggs, supplemented with colour photographs of the flank feathers of geese and down and feathers of ducks, which are much better aids to identfiication than eggs. Greens and blues also often came out rather badly. But many photographs of the eggs of divers, waders and birds of prey are excellent. I par- ticularly liked the mouth-watering Black Vulture’s egg which, along with that of the Lammergeier, vividly reminded me of Willoughby Ver- ner’s nest-hunting exploits in Spain early in the century. The main body of text gives concise information about habitat, nest, breeding season, incubation, nestling and fledging periods. This is a tall order. For birds on the British list the author has relied greatly on the original text of The Handbook, to the neglect of the two important sections of addition and revision and more recent specialist work on the bee biology of birds like Sanderling, Temminck’s Stint and many others. The extremes of clutch-size and incubation period are often lumped together. The clutch of Crested Tit, for example, is given as “usually 4 to 8, rarely up to 11” and the incubation period for Hen Harrier as “29 to 39 days”, which is not particularly helpful to those in Britain who may wish to know the mean or the usual. The Woodcock chapter states 1976 REVIEWS 129 that “claims that adults carry their young are not substantiated and may be faulty observation of distraction displays’. I have never seen a Wood- cock carry its chicks, but many first-class and reliable ornithologists, iaeuding the Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservancy Council, have one so. There is no bibliography and, in the modern style, no space for credits or authorities. “A book for bird lovers not for egg collectors’ is printed in large letters on the back cover of above the blurb. Is such publisher’s primness really necessary ? I doubt whether many youngsters will send away for drill and blowpipe, even if these are still manufactured. Few will wish to turn back the clock, but this book could hardly have been written without the great national and some private egg collections, or indeed without the fieldwork and observations of many former egg collectors. But these are small matters in the context of a challenging project on which I congratulate the author and his publishers. DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON. Animals and their Colours. By Michael and Patricia Fogden. London, Peter Lowe, 1974. Pp. 172; more than 180 colour illustrations and diagrams. £3.50. This book is concerned with problems of camouflage, warning colour- ation, courtship and territorial display, and mimicry in animals. It is thus as much about animal ecology and behaviour as about colour as such and covers a wide and complex field. The text is well written, accurate and lucid, and should be easily understood by a non-zoologist. In fact, it is a pleasure these days to find a popular book written by someone who really understands the field. But the main feature of the book is an out- standing collection of about 180 colour photographs, beautifully repro- duced and well captioned. Adorning almost every page, these pictures show a great variety of animals in their natural surroundings, and many were taken by the authors themselves. On the whole, birds play a fairly small part, being the subjects of 35 illustrations and figuring chiefly in discussions of nest camouflage and social signals. There is a useful biblio- graphy and glossary and a full index. The book should appeal especially to those who enjoy reading about general biological problems from ac- curate sources, or to those who like looking at good pictures of animals. I. NEWTON. Ducks of Britain and Europe. By M. A. Ogilvie. Berkhamsted, T. & A. D. Poyser, 1975. Pp 206; 15 colour plates; numerous text figures. 26 x 144 cm. £5.00. As the preface to this book states, “Sooner or later every bird watcher ‘becomes drawn to water’. This would be sufficient to make ducks an unusually interesting group. Their diversity and the comparative ease with which they may be observed and identified adds to the interest. Furthermore they attract aviculturalists and sportsmen as well as bird watchers. All things considered, it is not surprising that the Wildfowl Trust was the first specialist group to be established inside ornithology. What does surprise one is that ducks should not lately have received the attention they deserve in the form of a book. Mr Ogilvie has rectified the situation. The central part of the book, and perhaps the most satisfactory, is the 130 REVIEWS 9(2) section on identification. We are not fobbed off with a few brief words on the key characters of the adults, but are given detailed descriptions of the adult plumages of both sexes, including eclipse plumage, and of the immature stages. The colour plates illustrating this section are most useful : some will object that the birds look rather stiff and unnatural— so they do, but these pictures are meant to be aids to identification, not pretty portraits. To introduce the detailed account of the features of each species there is a chapter on classification, which gives a useful general summary of the characteristics of each group, and another on behaviour and ecology. The latter starts with a general section and then goes on to an individual treatment of each species. A later chapter on distribution and status is organized in the same way. It is a useful approach, for it allows the author to make general and comparative points and the reader to look up quickly any particular species. The other chapters, on breeding, migrations, and exploitation and conservation, are presented in an en- tirely integrated and comparative fashion, rather little detailed informa- tion on individual species being presented. This lack of detailed infor- mation is perhaps the most disappointing feature of the book. Population dynamics, particularly in terms of resource management, must have been studied more extensivly in wildfowl than in any other group of birds, yet very little of the available material is presented. Many topics are not mentioned, others are merely glossed over, and even for topics discussed in more detail the information included is often incomplete. This is not a book for those interested in a detailed study of ducks, whether birdwatchers, aviculturalists, sportsmen, or wild-life managers, though it will certainly whet the appetite of the non-specialist. As an exception to the lack of details, useful summaries of the char- acteristics of eggs and nests, clutch sizes, incubation periods, etc. are provided in tabular form. Unfortunately, one has to say that their value is much less than it could have been. One reads that the Pintail has an average clutch size of 9.3, with a “normal range” of 7-9 and an ‘extreme range” of 6-12: but what is a ‘‘normal range’? What is the sample size involved ? Are these figures meaningfully different from the similar, but not identical, ones for the Wigeon ? We cannot tell. The standard devia- tion was invented long ago as a precise measure of variation in a sample: why not use it? It is true that the data given on egg dimensions have sample sizes, so one may estimate the standard deviations from the ranges, but why should we be forced to make do with estimates ? Ranges belong in the Guinness Book of Records, not in books on bird biology. One last question, this time addressed to the publishers. Is there really so much money about that there is a sale for books costing 24 pence per page ? This book is attractively presented and packaged but that is not the only factor determining one’s decisions to purchase. J. J. D. GREENWOOD The Migration of the Swallow. By Collingwood Ingram. London, Wither- by, 1974. Pp 83; 4 plates. 14 x 21 cms. £1.80. The relaxed style and large print make this book easy to read. The first two chapters deal with the systematics and breeding biology of the Swallow. The third chapter outlines a highly personal view of bird navi- gation. The following sections on flyways, wintering areas, moult and some other results of ringing studies are the book’s strength. They re- main idiosyncratic, but are liberally scattered with anecdotes, quotations, personal observations and ideas that make for entertaining reading. There are many points throughout the book with which the serious ornitholo- 1976 REVIEWS 131 gist will argue, such as “no other bird has such a wide distribution” and the suggested irrelevance of celestial cues in passerine navigation. It is probably the final chapter however that will most stimulate the field ornithologist to search his notes, memory and library for examples which support, or otherwise, the suggestion that “...a head wind...is the direction favoured by most passerines for their migration’. I am inclined to buy books that have a strong factual content. Books without detailed data tables and appendices, which may thus fall short as useful reference works, do not easily find their way onto my shelves. I would not buy Mr Ingram’s book on Swallow migration for this reason. It is however a pleasant evening’s read, and brings together many items of interest about this ‘“‘best loved species in the world”. Just the job to while away a couple of quiet hours on the Isle of May or Fair Isle. DAVID M. BRYANT. Wild Endeavour. By Don and Bridget MacCaskill. Glasgow and London, Blackie, 1975. Pp 150; 12 pages of monochrome photographs and four of colour. 234 x 154 cm. £4.25. Don MacCaskill has spent most of his life in the forests of Argyll and Perthshire where his work as a forester and hobby of natural history are an enviable combination. Well known as a naturalist and photogra- pher he has made regular contributions to periodicals. He combines with his wife Bridget in producing this, their first book, a very readable account of their experiences with animals and birds in the Highland forests. The book concentrates on Don’s photographic exploits, each chapter relating to encounters with particular animals and birds of the forest and forest fringe. The text is attractively illustrated but the high standard of photography is spoiled by poor reproduction of one or two plates. Much of their work was carried out from the hide where time was well spent as there are several appealing behavioural descriptions. I par- ticularly liked the chapters on Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Red Deer which are factual and emotive without being melodramatic. The authors also deserve praise for their frank admissions when certain subjects proved unco-operative with a hide. This disturbance factor is rarely mentioned in similar books and there are lessons here for photographers as well as those of us who turn to the hills for pleasure. I dislike the way in which many of the animals and birds are human- ized, particularly as in many instances no real subject bond would appear to have been established. In the closing chapter the authors appear to come to the defence of the much criticized modern forestry policies and I was disappointed that more space had not been devoted to elaborating the various arguments. This book should have a broad appeal among the unconverted al- though the popular wildlife market is becoming increasingly competitive. Many will be deterred by the price and although the material is attrac- tively presented it is not particularly novel and £4.25 for 150 pages does seem a trifle high. Nonetheless it will find a place on many an ornitholo- gist’s bookshelf. R. L. McMILLAN. The Birdwatchers’ Quiz and Puzzle Book. Written and published by J. T. R. Sharrock. Bedford, 1975. Pp 72; 60 puzzles, crosswords, problems and quizzes. 90p. Can you change a Snipe into a Raven in 20 minutes? Or make a Swift + Crane + Wren = 24,296 ? Or do you know what a fern owl is ? If you find these challenging and have a suitably devious mind then you’ll en- 132 REVIEWS 9(2) joy pitting your wits against the puzzles, mazes, mathematical problems and crosswords invented by Tim Sharrock. Most of them require some ornithological knowledge but several do not. The author has invented a hypothetical expert, very good at all types of problems, and he is allowed just over 31 hours to solve the sixty pro- blems—if you can manage it in twice that time then you are both good at puzzles and ornithologically knowledgeable. Most puzzle instructions are short, simple and clear but a few require expert solving times of their own. Many families will find hours of amusement in the book and it should be especially suitable to while away wet, cyclonic days on the Isle of May or Fair Isle. One wonders what watching birds on Cape Clear Island does to the mind, or at least, to Tim Sharrock’s. Perhaps a dearth of birds stimulated him to invent the problems. To help restore one’s sanity, the solutions are given at the end of the book. Maybe they should be sold separately ! The images evoked by Blue Tits manning the police station and the Meadow Pipit as a special agent are brought to life by the expressive line drawings of Robert Gillmor. They show his versatility and wit, in- clude a self-portrait, and provide a pleasing interlude between the puzzles. To summarize, the book is good value and, above all, good fun. DEREK R. LANGSLOW. The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club BRANCH MEETINGS - 1976/77 Will members please note that the dates of the first Meetings of Branches next winter will be as follows: September 16th New Galloway 20th Glasgow 21st Edinburgh, Inverness and Wigtown 22nd Ayr, St Andrews and Thurso 23rd Dundee and Stirling October 4th Aberdeen 6th Dumfries The New Galloway Group will meet in Kells New School; the Wigtown Group will meet in Douglas Ewart High School, Newton Stewart, in Sep- tember and in Stranraer Academy in October, thereafter alternating monthly at each venue; the Aberdeen Branch will meet in the Senior Common Room, Elphinstone Road, Old Aberdeen. The venue and starting time for meetings of all other Branches is unchanged; full details of all the winter meetings are published in the Syllabus of Lectures sent to members with the autumn number of the journal early in September. DRY ROT - 21 REGENT TERRACE The final total of the restoration bill was just over £2850, a slightly lower sum than had been expected. We are very pleased to acknowledge a gift of the paint used in the redecoration of the rooms and the basement passage which had been affected by the dry rot. This was kindly given by John Robertson, Wholesale Decorators Merchants, West Bowling Green Street, Edinburgh, and Pay ’N’ Take Furniture, Roslin, Midlothian, 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 133 and we are greatly indebted to both firms for their most generous dona- tion. The redecoration was carried out by several members of the Edin- burgh Branch to whom we are most grateful. Since early February over £450 has been donated privately or raised by Branches. Special mention is made of £202 raised at a coffee morning with stalls organised by the Dumfries Branch; £100 raised by the Inver- ness Branch, also at a coffee morning; £65 raised by the Ayr Branch at several events, including a ‘Wine and Cheese’ social evening, and £37 at a similar event by the Edinburgh Branch. The Club is very grateful to all these Branches and in particular wishes to thank all those who helped with the organisation of the events. In addition, thanks go to the Dundee Branch for £46 raised at a ‘Wine and Cheese’ party last December, and a cheque received from a member in Dundee following a private coffee morning in her home. To date (mid-May) we have raised £1993 by donation, Branch functions, the raffle and an ex gratia payment from our Insurance Company. This leaves just over £850 still to be raised to cover the restoration bill. All donations, whether individual or through Branch fund raising activities, should be sent to the Club Secretary; they will be acknowledged and very gratefully accepted. ANNUAL CONFERENCE The next Annual Conference and AGM will be held in the University of Stirling from 28th - 30th January 1977. Full details will be sent to mem- bers in the autumn. Branch and Group News Ayr The first of May marks the time when Scottish Ornithologists stop any indoor activities for the summer season. It marks, too, a good time to stop and take stock of the winter’s activities. For Ayr Branch the chief event was a very successful wine and cheese party. This was a new form for an already established annual get-together for the Branch members. It was so well enjoyed it may have to be reneated in this form in future years. I didn’t know there were so many different cheeses. The three lectures, “Zaire River Expedition” in February, “Birds of the Serengeti” in March and “Wildlife in Alaska” in April were all well attended. The last of these had to be postponed for a week and some hard work was necessary to tell all members without spending money in postage which was needed for the Dry Rot Fund. This hard work brought out the best attendance of the winter. Is there a moral here? Outings took place to the Dipple Shore for seabirds and waders and to Stairaird (by kind permission of Lord Glenarthur). Woodpeckers re- fused to show themselves at Stairaird but instead members saw a Jay, something rare for this part of Ayrshire. Branch members now have permission to use a hide at Martnaham Loch in the grounds of our Branch President, Colonel Bryce Knox. A very pleasant afternoon was spent there, watching Great Crested and Little Grebes with a newly arrived Willow Warbler singing a few feet away. Our Branch Secretary, Mr A. M. Ramage has now gone to Edinburgh. Mac Ramage has worked hard for the Branch for many years. We wish him luck in his new post and hope that somehow we may fill the gap his going has left among Ayrshire Ornithologists. fe Miers 134 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 9(2) Dundee The 1975-76 winter session was very successful for the Branch with some particularly large attendances at meetings, no doubt reflecting the excellence and variety of the topics covered on the lecture syllabus. Re- freshments served after meetings continued to be popular and have done a lot in fostering a congenial club atmosphere. Excursions were also well supported, particularly those to Craig a Barns (Dunkeld), Methil, where enormous numbers of wildfowl including Long-tailed Duck were observed under ideal conditions, and in the autumn the Loch of Strathbeg where we renewed acauaintance with the warden, Jim Dunbar, a recent and very active member of the Branch. Alternate Saturday and Sunday excursions have been a feature of our programme this session in an effort to make them appeal to a wider range of membership. Members’ Nights contributions were varied and interesting. They in- cluded a film by Dr North, sound recordings by Dave Thomson, a quiz by Mrs Amedro, and talks on wildfowl identification by Bede Pounder and the work of the Tay Ringing Group by Norman Atkinson. The Branch is fortunate to have amongst its membership an active and successful ringing group. Coffee mornings organized by Mrs B. Shepherd and the social highlight of the year, a cheese and wine party organized by our hard-working secretary Ann Noltie, resulted in substantial contributions to the Dry Rot Fund. B. POUNDER Edinburgh In February John Murray led an outing to the Endrick Marshes and the full coach-load of bird-watchers with him saw 62 species during the trip. Pessimists suggested that dress for the outing should be ‘‘neck- waders” but in the event the weather was good and wellington boots sufficed ! The talk on Hen Harriers by Nick Picozzi was an excellent example of scientific results being presented in a way that interested the whole audience. Sinclair Dunnett’s talk was a contrast in style. When a large expedition goes to the Zaire River it seems anything can happen —and it did! The difficulties, disasters major and minor, the chimps, and of course the birds, were among the subjects covered. The winter pro- gramme ended with a Members’ Night in April. Some members of the audience appeared on the screen when Jimmy Dow showed a film he had made on recent branch outings. John Murray brought a selection of bird skins and discussed identification problems, and an assortment of bird slides was shown. Daphne Peirse-Duncombe and others organized a wine and cheese party at the end of April to raise money for the Dry Rot Fund and 50 people attended. Conversation turned towards the arrival of the summer migrants and the prospects of summer field trips. The Club premises were on show and photographs of the 1966 Club Cruise were on display. There was a raffle, a splendid selection of cheeses and snacks, and a good supply of wine. A very successful evening, especially as it produced £37.50 towards the cost of repairing the dry rot damage. H. LANGSLOW Inverness The March outing to Dornoch and Loch Fleet can be described as stormy—gale-force winds and poor visibility but enjoyable nevertheless. A very successful coffee morning on 24th April resulted in the contribu- tion of £100 to the Dry Rot Fund. The draw for the raffle caused much amusement when Chairman Roy Dennis’s daughter drew her own ticket to win first prize (a bag of tatties). Branch members have been enjoying 1976 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 135 excellent views of a gd Smew which has spent the last few months in company with Goosanders near Inverness Harbour. W. G. PREST St Andrews We welcomed a pleasing number of new members to the Branch this season, including keen students. During the winter short expeditions to local places of interest were led by Ian Cumming and Tony Backx, and these were much appreciated. Waxwings were seen and our wintering Glaucous Gull was usually visible from the Castle. As usual, members were involved in various counts. We enjoyed the varied programme of lectures arranged for the Branch and are grateful to everyone concerned in producing these interesting and stimulating evenings. M. SPIRES Stirling Argyll Weekend On the evening of 5th March eleven members forgath- ered in a rented cottage at Ford, Loch Awe. Electricity 'was the only facility lacking, but somehow candles and paraffin lamps added to the aura of cosiness. A log fire blazed in the hearth as activities of the next two days were planned. On the Saturday some members toured the Crinan area whilst others assisted in the erection of a floating island in a hill loch—an experimental nesting station for divers, lt was cool that day, but the Sunday was brighter and the whole party made a pilgrimage to Kintyre where several hours were spent in the bird-rich coastal strip north of Tayinloan. Divers, grebes and scoters were dotted along the offshore, and the fields and sky were filled with clamouring White-fron- ted and Greylag Geese. Many thousands of smaller birds, from Rock Doves to finches, contributed to the grand finale to a great weekend. D. MERRIE Thurso On 1lth February we were lucky enough to intercept David Lea who attended our meeting and provided food for a stimulating discussion on the purpose of conservation. The 10th March meeting found members refreshing memories in preparation for coming spring with taped recor- dings of calls and song. Five members, each armed with three or four members of the YOC, took part in the RSPB’s Sponsored Birdwatch on 3rd April. Hopes of seeing 50-60 species were well-founded and all five parties’ totals fell within this range, the highest being 59. With an increasing number of interested young people in the area, several members are regularly in- volved with outings, and a short beginners’ course was planned for 15th May. On 4th April an outing to Loch Fleet was blessed with good weather and members enjoyed good views of the gd King Eider while some were lucky enough to see, at long range, the gd Surf Scoter. The main feature of the last meeting on 7th April was a lengthy discussion on the BTO’s Register of Ornithological Sites and the parcelling out to members of the sites still to be surveyed. S. LAYBOURNE 136 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 9(2) Requests for Information Threipmuir Reservoir A checklist of the birds of this Midlothian reser- voir is being compiled by Mr David Bain, 8 Highlea Circle, Balerno, EH14 7HG, who will welcome any unpublished information or notes on the locality, All contributions will be acknowledged. House Martin nests In siphonapteralogy, it is well known that House Martins are hosts to an unusually large number of flea species. One of these, Ceratophyllus hirundinis, is normally only found in nests on build- ings, while others, Callopsylla waterstoni and Frontopsylla laeta, rarely occur in such nests but are found instead in nests on cliffs and other natural sites. A further two species, C. rusticus and C. farreni, occur in both sites but prefer natural ones. Scotland has produced the most inter- esting of the records from natural sites, and if nests can be obtained at the end of the breeding season it would be of interest to extend the observations with a view to discovering why the two types of nest sup- port different flea faunas. G. H. Harper would therefore be grateful to hear from anyone who knows of accessible nests of House Martins, on buildings, on cliffs, or on intermediate sites such as castle walls. Please contact Mrs H. L. Harper at 1/15 Pentland Drive, Edinburgh EH10 6PU, telephone 031-445 2966. Birds of Crete A check-list is being prepared. All records would be gratefully received and acknowledged by John Parrott, Department of Zoology, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB9 2TN. A Crete Ringing Group Report 1973-1975 is also available at 4lp including postage. LOCAL RECORDERS coe (except Fair Isle) R. J. Tulloch, Lussetter House, Mid Yell, Shet- land. Fair Isle R. A. Broad, Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland. Orkney D. Lea, Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney, KW17 2RE. Outer Hebrides (except St Kilda) W. A. J. Cunningham, Aros, 10 Barony Square, Stornoway, Lewis. St Kilda Dr I. D. Pennie, Varkasaig, Scourie, Lairg, Sutherland. Caithness Mrs P. M. Collett, Sandyquoy, East Gills, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UH. Sutherland, Ross-shire (except Black Isle) D. Macdonald, Elmbank, Dor- noch, Sutherland. Inverness-shire (within 18 miles of Inverness) Ross-shire (Black Isle only) M. I. Harvey, Clach Bhan, Loaneckheim, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Inverness-shire (mainland more than 18 miles from Inverness) R. H. Dennis, Landberg, Kessock, Inverness IV] 1XD. Nairnshire, Morayshire, Baniishire J. Edelsten, 14 South High Street, Portsoy, Banfishire, AB4 2NT. Aberdeenshire, North Kincardineshire Alan Knox, Zoology Department, Aberdeen University, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, ABS 2TN, and W. Murray, Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB4 OAA. South Kincardineshire, Angus G. M. Crighton, 23 Church Street, Brechin, Angus. Perthshire R. L. McMillan, 44 Durley Dene Crescent, Kintillo, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. Kinross-shire Mrs B. H. Gray, Vane Farm, Kinross, KY13 7LX. Isle of May J. M. S. Arnott, East Redford House, Redford Road, Edinburgh, EH13 OAS. Fife D. W. Oliver, East Cottage, Balass, Cupar, Fife. Clackmannanshire, East Stirlingshire Dr C. J. Henty, 3 The Broich, Alva, Clackmannanshire. West Lothian, Forth Islands (except May), Midlothian R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian. East Lothian, Berwickshire K. S. Macgregor, 16 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh EH10 4NY. Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire A. J. Smith, Glenview, Selkirk, TD7 4LX. Argylishire, Inner Hebrides, Skye M. J. P. Gregory, Duiletter, Kilmory Road, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, PA3l1 8NL. Dunbartonshire, West Stirlingshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Arran, Bute I. P. Gibson, Arcadia, The Glen, Howwood, Renfrewshire. Dumfriesshire D. Skilling, 86 Auchenkeld Avenue, Heathhall, Dumfries and R. T. Smith, Applegarthtown, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire A. D. Watson, Barone, Dalry, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEw STOCK The Birdwatcher’s Key: British Isles and N.W. Europe Scott & Forrest £3.95 & £2.25 (paper) Birds of the Berwick-upon-T-weed District Brady 45p Birds of the Maltese Archipelago Bannerman & Vella-Gaffiero £4.75 Guide to the Birds of Malta Sultana, Gauci & Beaman £3.00 & £1.90 (paper) Guide to Birds in Mallorca Watkinson ERTS Checklist of the Birds of the World Gruson £3.95 Natural History of American Birds Forbush & May £8.85 Handbook of North American Birds vols. 1-3 Palmer £18.00 each British Birds of Prey (New Naturalist 60) Brown £6.00 Flight Identification of European Raptors 2nd edn. Poxter et al £5.60 Waterfowl of North America Johnsgard £19.50 Bird Observatories in Britain and Ireland Durman (ed.) £5.00 Words, Phrases and Recollections from Fair Isle Eunson £1.20 Birds of the Air Simms £4.50 WRITE FOR OUR CURRENT BOOKLIST ORDERS TOTALLING £5.00 SENT POST FREE ADD 25p FOR SMALLER ORDERS THIS SPACE BOOKS ONLY COSTS on $4 BIRDS and Lg gage ISLANDS ae St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides and Natural History Antiquarian and secondhand For advertising rates apply books and libraries bought. to: Business Editor, DAVID WILSON 21 Regent Terrace, 95 Worlds End Lane Edinburgh, EH7 5BT Weston Turville Aylesbury, Bucks. Tel. 031-556 6042 THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB MPHE Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 and membership is open to all interested in Scottish Ornithology. Meetings are held during the winter months in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, New Galloway, St Andrews, Stirling, Thurso and the Wigtown District at which lectures by prominent ornithologists are given and films exhibited. Expeditions are organised in the summer to places of ornithological interest. The aims of the Club are to (a) encourage and direct the study of Scottish ornithology; (b) co-ordinate the efforts of Scottish ornithologists; (c) encourage ornithological research in Scotland; (d) hold meetings at which Lectures are given, films exhibited and discussions held, and (e) publish information regarding Scottish ornithology. There are no entry fees for Membership. The Annual subscription is £3.00, or £1.00 in the case of Members under twenty one years of age or Students under 25, who satisfy Council of their status as such at the times at which their subscriptions fall due. The Life subscription is £75. Family Membership is available to married couples and their nomin- ated children under 18 at an Annual subscription of £4.50, or a Life subscription of £112.50. ‘Scottish Birds’ is issued free to Members but Family Members will receive only one copy between them. Subscriptions are payable on Ist October annually. ‘Scottish Birds’ is the Journal of the Club. Published quarterly it in- cludes papers, articles and short notes on all aspects of ornithology in Scotland. The Scottish Bird Report is published in the Journal. Application for Membership form, copy of the Club Constitution, and other literature are obtainable from the Club Secretary, Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT (Tel. 031- 556 6042). COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply ISLE of MULL slides of most British Birds Looking across the Sound of Mull from our own collection, and to the Morvern Hills beyond. from that of the R.S.P.B. Comfortable Accommodation in a small guest house run with bird Send 20p for sample slide watchers in mind. Dinner, bed and and our lists covering these breakfast. H&C and radiators in all and birds of Africa—many guest bedrooms. Use of reference fine studies and close-ups. books. S.A.E. please. FOR HIRE Open Easter until mid-Oct. me have pie ts to pone 7 a slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- RICHARD & ae cluding postage & V.A.T. per COOMBER, night’s hire. Birds are group- ed accontingata their natural Statfa Cottag es abitats. Guest House, W. COWEN TOBERMORY, Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbrla ISLE OF MULL. Tel. 2464 DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL AVA RA. Cr Resa. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- — class service. ee SS Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skibo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1976. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 1976/77 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon) MTAI, Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. All with guest lecturers and a tour manager. ‘AMAZON & GALAPAGOS ... Aug 9-28 ... Dr Chris Perrins £850 (Oxford University) and Allen Paterson (Curator, Chelsea Physic Warden). AUTUMN IN CRETE .. . Nov 1-8 . . . Leisure and Birds. Another £153 super holiday at the deluxe Minos Deach Agios Nikolaos. CHRISTMAS IN CRETE .. . Dec 23-31 ... Birds, Flowers, Sites, £154 Repeat of the successes of 1974 and 75: same programme of casual excursions with experts at the famous Minos Beach. Dr Jim Flegg (Birds), Trevor Rowley, B.Litt (Sites), Hugh Synge, BSc CHRISTMAS IN ATHENS .. . Dec 23-31 ... Sites and Leisure £178 at de luxe Royal Olympic Hotel. Another Peregrine Holidays Special with a Mediaeval Banquet and traditional English and Greek Christmas festivities. Many optional excursions. 1977: SPRING IN VENICE .. . Mar 19-26... Art and Leisure £139 SPRING IN CRETE ... Mar 7-14 ... Birds and Leisure £144 SPRING IN ARGOLIS ... Mar 22-31 ... Sites and Flowers £152 SUMMER IN CRETE ... May 24-31, May 3l-Jun 7, Jun 7-14 from £132 AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS ... Oct 12-21 ... Birds and Sites £153 CRETE ... April 1-15 ... Birds and Flowers £280* PELOPONNESE ... April 1-15... Birds and Flowers £280* PELOPONNESE ... April 4-18 . . . Sites—with Dr Pinsent £280 MACEDONIA (8 days) ... Apr 28-May 5... Birds (Peter Con- £200* der it is hoped). PELOPONNESE & CRETE... May 22-Jun5 ... Sites & Flowers £280* NORTHERN GREECE ... June 9-23... Flowers and Mountains £280* NORTHERN INDIA & NEPAL ... Feb 12-28 ... Birds and £550* Wildlife (John Gooders and Raymond Hodgkins). KASHMIR & KULU ... June 5-21 ... Birds & Flowers £585* KAZIRANGA, KANHA, GIR (3 weeks) ... Wildlife ... Oct 10 £600 Photographic Safari (Famous photographer to be announced later). Brochures and information from *Provisional PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 41 SOUTH PARADE, ~B, Resist SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, ah ae OX2 7uP. 7 id Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 eee Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B at Mr Frank’s unusual binocular offer : these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Five models particularly favoured by birdwatchers : Exit Relative Field Price Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case . 8 x 30 re ta 13.6 T fies 18 ozs. 4} ins. £19.25 LOR SO 5 25 Soe 36 ozs. 7 ins. £27.50 8 x 40 5 25 9° 36 OZs. 53 ins. £37.76 8 x 20 2.5 6.2 f° 6 ozs. 3% ins. £38.50 10 x 40 4 16 De 254 ozs. 4} ins. £39.50 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we will give you the opportunity of purchasing a Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular about 25% below R.R.P. Colour brochure free on _ request. wi Charles LTD Frank 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. Binocular specialists since 1907. Tel. 041-221 6666 k ENON) PRINTER, SELKIRK. a ISSN 0036-9144 THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB } Volume 9 No. 3. AUTUMN 1976 Price 75p —~< What they said: a jolly good thing BBC, unique .. . you'll have to buy one Devon Birds, | can thoroughly recommend _it RSPB, an ideal Christmas gift Beds. NHS, delightful and tantalising Wildlife, a novelty British Birds, hours of amusement Scot. Birds. £1 each, from SOC bookshop, RSPB, W. H. Smith and all good bookshops, or from 59 Curlew Crescent, Bedford. Many people have discovered the new colour magazine BIRDS INTERNATIONAL, have you? BIRDS INTERNATIONAL is published quarterly by the British Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation. Each 16-page issue con tains full-colour features, articles, reviews and ICBP Circulation Dept. news about bird life throughout the world. BIRDS Edward Wright Ltd INTERNATIONAL keeps you fully informed about 5 =7 Palfrey Place what is happening on the bird conservation front. London SW8 Write today for a FREE copy! 01-735 9538 SS, A a IT TE TT TEED TALIA ALAR EEDA TEI 1977 ORNITHOLIDAYS cc Morocco Ceylon United States The Seychelles The Gambia Kenya Farne Islands Isles of Scilly Orkney & Shetland North Wales Neusiedl (WESSEX TRAVEL CENTRE) Holidays organised by Birdwatchers for Birdwatchers Bulgaria Majorca S.W. Spain Austrian Alps The Camargue Yugoslavia Greece Romania Crete Turkey Trinidad & Tobago 1977 details of the Ornitholidays programme available now; particulars sent on receipt of 63p stamp to: LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 2 (WESSEX TRAVEL CENTRE) 44 ALDWICK ROAD, BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, PO21 2PW. Tel. 21230 MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS 1976/77 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon) MTAI, Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. Most with guest lecturers and a tour manager. *Provisional AUTUMN IN CRETE... Nov 1-8... Leisure and Birds. Minos £153 Beach (de luxe) Agios Nikolaos with John Parrott, B.Sc. CHRISTMAS IN CRETE ... Dec 23-31 ... Birds, Flowers, Sites, £154 Repeat of the successes of 1974 and 75: same programme of casual excursions with experts at the famous Minos Beach. Dr Jim Flegg (Birds), Trevor Rowley, B.Litt (Sites), Hugh Synge, BSc CHRISTMAS IN ATHENS .. . Dec 23-31 ... Sites and Leisure £178 at de luxe Royal Olympic Hotel. Another Peregrine Holidays Special with a Mediaeval Banquet and traditional English and Greek Christmas festivities. Many optional excursions, Delfi etc. 1977 : SPRING IN VENICE .. . Mar 19-26 . . . Art and Leisure £139 SPRING IN CRETE ... Mar 7-14 ... Birds and Leisure £144 SPRING IN ARGOLIS ... Mar 22-31 ... Sites and Flowers £152 SUMMER IN CRETE ... May 24-31, May 31-Jun 7, Jun 7-14 from £132 AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS ... Oct 12-21 ... Birds and Sites £153 CRETE ... April 1-15 . . . Birds and Flowers £310* PELOPONNESE ... April 1-15 ... Birds and Flowers £310* PELOPONNESE ... April 4-18 . . . Sites—with Dr Pinsent £310* MACEDONIA (8 days)... Apr 28-May 5... Birds (Peter Con- £260* der it is hoped). PELOPONNESE & CRETE... May 22-Jun 5... Sites & Flowers £310* NORTHERN GREECE .. . June 9-23 . . . Flowers and Mountains £310* NORTHERN INDIA & NEPAL... Feb 12-28 ... Birds and £550* Wildlife (John Gooders and Raymond Hodgkins once more). KASHMIR & KULU ... May 23-Jun 7... Birds & Flowers £675 RWANDA & ZAIRE .. . July 11-27. .. Gorillasagain ...John £825 Gooders, Patricia Hodgkins, Raymond Hodgkins. BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS .. . Sept 22-29 . . . Raptors . . . £190* Dr C. Perrins at the deluxe Intercontinental Hotel, Istanbul. KAZIRANGA, KANHA, GIR (3 weeks . . . Wildlife ... Oct 10 £700* Photographic Safari (Famous photographer to be announced later). PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, .B, SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, £\A,% OX2 7uP. Se Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-23 Js Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B RSPB SAVES PLACES FOR BIRDS @ LOCH GARTEN, Speyside @ NOUP CLIFFS, Westray, Orkney @ MARWICK HEAD, Mainland, Orkney @ i666 acres ORKNEY MOORLAND @ FOWLSHEUGH, Stonehaven All these places have been pur- chased in Scotland in the past 12 months as part of the R.S.P.B’s. “Save a Place for Birds” Appeal. In this way we can safeguard the future of many thousands of birds. A great deal of money has still to be raised to pay for these and other reserves. Why not send a donation, no matter how small, to the R.S.P.B. as your way of saying “thank you” for all the pleasure that birds have given you. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 17 REGENT TERRACE, EDINBURGH, EH7 5BN. 031-556 5624 RARE BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND by J.T. R. SHARROCK and E. M. SHARROCK This new, much fuller, companion work to Dr Sharrock’s Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain and Ireland (£3.80) provides a textual and visual analysis for over 221 species of rare birds seen in these islands. Over 8000 records have been collated by Mrs E. M. Sharrock and displayed in maps and histograms. Between them the authors tell: HOW MANY birds were seen WHEN they occured HOW REGULARLY they came WHERE they were seen There are line drawings by five well-known artists of each of the 221 species treated. 336 pages, £6.00 net BIRD OBSERVATORIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND edited by ROGER DURMAN | £5.00 net PINE CROSSBILLS A Scottish contribution by DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON £5.00 net DUCKS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE by M.A. OGILVIE £5.00 net T&ADPOYSER 281:High St, Berkhamsted, Herts. SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’? CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3, AUTUMN 1976 Page Editorial aa dae wee wie gee = Boe 137 Current Notes aS : , : : =a 138 Club policy on ee research, me peliwork, and discussion groups ze 140 First recorded erythristic eggs of Arctic Skua and Herring Gull in Scotland : J. Bates, H. M. S. Blair, I. H. J. Lyster) : ite ae 143 Recent distribution, ecology and eae be of Snow Buntings in Scotland (Desmond Nethersole-Thompson) __..... 147 Short Notes Baird’s Sandpiper in Midlothian (L. L. J. Vick)... 162 White-winged Black Tern at Fair Isle (R. A. Broad) 163 Probable Siberian eciiehet: pene in Merayae (N. Elkins) y Ss 164 Reviews Discovering Bird Song by Edward A. Armstrong and Born to Sing by Charles Hartshorne (Robert W. Warner) al _ 166 Pine Crossbills by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson (Ilan D. Pennie) we 168 All Heaven in a Rage by T. P. Toskipp R. A. Fades) 169 Scottish Ornithologists’ Club ve sts “oh ve 170 Branch and Group News .... aus ue ai oa 172 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe The British Trust for Ornithology and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy one the Atlas of Breeding Birds In Britain and Ireland compiled by J. T. R. Sharrock backed by a team of over 100 other experts foreword by James Ferguson-Lees (Chairman of the Atlas Working Group) Over 200 Species with Distribution Maps Organised by the British Trust for Ornithology and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy during 1968-72; every one of the 3,862 10 km. squares in Britain and Ireland were surveyed. The main part of the Atlas consists of full page maps with coloured dots in occupied 10 km. squares, showing with precision the breeding distributions of each species. The facing page in each case has a vignette of the bird and a text describing the habitat preferences and other factors affecting distribution. Twelve overlays available (optional extra) show- ing altitude, climate, vegetation, old and new county boun- daries, etc. 450 pages. 208 line drawings by Robert Gillmor, Hilary Burn, lan Willis and others. Price £9.00 from BTO or booksellers, overlays (optional) £1.50. The British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, Herts, HP23 5NR. SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 3 Autumn 1976 Editorial Corrections The Isle of May Supplement map scale (8: 95) should ~ oe : scale of miles—0...34...4; scale of kilometres— Pre? oS 3: In the short notes on Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids (9: 123, line three) delete “lacked” and substitute ‘“showed’’. The Edi- tor was responsible for this careless transcription error, which made nonsense of the comparison with Lesser Scaup, and he apologizes to Mr Verrall for any embarrassment caused. Current literature Recent material of Scottish interest includes: Prey of Short-eared Owls in breeding quarters in the Outer Hebrides. P. E. C. Jeal, 1976. Bird Study 23: 56-57. Survival and local movement in young Stonechats. J. S. Phillips, 1976. Bird Study 23: 57-58. (Study in Ayrshire). Predation and kleptoparasitism by skuas in a Shetland sea- bird colony. Malte Andersson, 1976. Ibis 118: 208-217. Hybridization of Carrion and Hooded Crows Corvus c. corone and Corvus c. cornix, in northeastern Scotland. N. Picozzi, 1976. Ibis 118: 254-7. Dispersal and causes of death of Buzzards. N. Picozzi and D. Weir, 1976. British Birds 69: 193-201. (Study in Spey- side). The Taxonomic Status of the Scottish Crossbill Loxia sp. Alan G. Knox, 1976. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 96: 15-19. Perthshire Bird Report—1975. R. L. McMillan (comp.), 1976. 20p. Available from SOC Bird Bookshop (see advertise- ment for new terms) or at 30p (post free) from R. L. McMillan, 44 Durley Dene Crescent, Kintillo, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. Behaviour of injured Common Tern. David Merrie, 1976. British Birds 69: 272. (Record from Shetland). Proof of Breeding. Bruce Campbell, 1976. British Birds 69: 277. (Discusses Scottish nesting records of Black Redstart and Bluethroat). 138 EDITORIAL 9(3) Spotted Sandpipers nesting in Scotland. Gordon E. Wilson, 1976. British Birds 69: 288-292. Crossbills feeding at chimney-stacks. Elspeth Bartlett, 1976. British Birds 69: 312. (Observation on Scottish Crossbills in Ross). Chaffinches on nut baskets. Richard F. and Elizabeth M. Coomber, 1976. British Birds 69: 312-3. (Observations from Mull). Current Notes L'hese notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record. Please send items of interest to Local Recorders at the end of January, April, July and October. Reports of late winter visitors include 9 Great Northern Divers in Dunnet Bay (Caith) on 1 May and 1 at Burray (Ork) on 19th June. White-billed Divers were at Burray in Feb, Rousay (Ork) in spring, and L Ainort (Skye) on 18 Apr. A pair of Green-winged Teal was on L of Bosquoy (Ork) in Jan. The Steller’s Eider is still resident in S Uist, but only 1 King Eider was reported from Shetland—a ¢ at Cliff Sound on 16 Apr. Another Rough-legged Buzzard appeared—at Hermaness (Shet) on 28 Apr, a Goshawk was at Tobermory (Mull) on 3 Apr, and 1 at Unst (Shet) about the 19th was a casualty of Fulmar oil. Great Grey Shrikes were at Tingwall on 29 Apr and Walls (both Shet) on 18 May. A fuller account of the spring migration has been gathered since the last issue. Manx Shearwaters passing Frenchman’s Rocks (Islay) totalled 608 in 2 hours on 2 May. A Bittern was at Lochend, N Roe (Shet), on 10 May, and a White Stork in Islay on 8 June. A Garganey reached Strand (Shet) on 15 May, about when remains of one were brought to a Peregrine eyrie in Islay. Gadwall reached 3 localities in Shetland. A sub-adult Spotted Eagle at Forres (Moray) in late June would be the lst for Scot- land and the lst for the British Isles since 1915 if accepted. Honey Buzzards were at Weisdale (Shet) on 28-30 May and Fair Isle in late May and early July. Two Marsh Harriers were near Perth on 20 May and an Osprey at Strom (Shet) on the 10th. A Gyrfalcon passed Fair Isle on 1 Apr, an American Kestrel Falco sparverius there in late spring would be new to the British Isles, and a 2 Red-footed Falcon was in Unst from 1-4 May. Several Quails reached Fair Isle in late May and 2 were calling at Tranent (E Loth) from 11-14 June. Another Crane was reported—Mid Yell on 8 May—and a Little Ringed Plover was on Fetlar (Shet) on 19th. Two early Dotterels reached Ben Vorlich (Perth) by 23 Apr. A Woodcock on Foula (Shet) on 3 July was unexpected. A high number of 48 Whimbrels was at L Indaal (Islay) on 3 May. A Spotted Sandpiper at Yellowcraig (E Loth) in late May would be only the 3rd Scottish record. No birds returned to last year’s nest site. Temminck’s Stints were at Dunnet Sands on 21 May and Skerries (Shet) on 24-27th. Two dd Ruffs were at L Heilen (Caith) in early June. A Grey Phalarope was at Whalsay (Shet) on 7 May and a Red-necked Phalarope stayed at Inchnadamph (Suth) from late May-27 June. A Pomarine Skua passed Frenchman’s Rocks on 16 May and a Long-tailed Skua was at Foula on 28th. Little Gulls were at Kirkwall (Ork) on 10 May, Strand on 28th and Clickhimin (Shet) on 30th, and 1 remained in Islay from 8 May into July. A Kittiwake was inland at Hawick (Rox) on 25 May, and a White-winged Black Tern was at Eagle- sham High Dam (Renf) on 4 June. About 20 Turtle Doves were reported 1976 CURRENT NOTES 139 from the Northern Isles and Argyll in May-June. A Nightjar reached Tresta (Shet) on 3 June, an Alpine Swift was over Fetlar on 29 May, a dying Roller at Largs (Ayr) in early June, and a Hoopoe at Dunvegan (Skye) on 29 May. A Great Spotted Woodpecker stayed at Kirkwall in June, and 3 Wrynecks were in Shetland between 20-26 May. Two Short- toed Larks were on Skerries on 20-21 May, 1 from 15-22nd. Two Red- rumped Swallows passed Fair Isle in spring and 1 reached Eigg in early June. At least 12 Golden Orioles reached the Northern Isles in May-June. A fall of 150 Wheatears came to Isle of May on 7 May, but few Black Redstarts were reported: 1 Whalsay 24 Apr, 3 Skerries 20-25 May, 1 Foula on 28th. A Nightingale was at Kergord (Shet) on 5June, a Thrush Nightingale on Skerries on 19 May, and 26 Bluethroats at Isle of May and the Northern Isles, with 15 on Skerries, from 21-30 May. A Great Reed Warbler died on Skerries on 21 May, and Reed Warblers were on Whalsay on 22nd and 28th, Unst on 1 June, and Islay on 1 July. Icterine Warblers were on Foula on 26 May, Whalsay on 26th and 28th and Skerries on 27th, Melodious Warblers at Whalsay on 28 May and Foula on 4 July, and Hippolais sp. at Sumburgh (Shet) on 26 May and Isle of May on 30th. Willow Warblers totalled 200 on Isle of May on 7 May. A Bonellis Warbler in Islay on 21st would be the 2nd Scottish record. Red-breasted Flycatchers appeared on Isle of May on 30 May, Fetlar on 28th and 3lst and Unst on 1 June, and a suspected Collared Flycatcher on Skerries on 25 May. Three Tawny Pipits were reported from Fair Isle in late May and 1 on Foula on 1 June. Yellow Wagtails were at Kirkwall on 10 May, Skerries on 9th, Unst (2) on 20th, Sumburgh on 26th, Foula on 28th, a possible hybrid resembling the Iberian race on Skerries on 17th, and Grey-headed Wagtails on Skerries on 15th and 2ist and Whalsay on 21st. A Woodchat Shrike reached Foula on 26 May, and an influx of Red-backed Shrikes from mid May-early June brought c30 to Shetland, several to Fair Isle, 4+ to Orkney and 12+ to Isle of May. A Hawfinch reached Helendale (Shet) on 29-31 May, and a Scarlet Rose- finch was on Fair Isle about that time. An Ortolan Bunting was on Skerries from 16-25th, and 5 Rustic Buntings visited Fair Isle and Shet- land in late May. A Bimaculated Lark on Fair Isle on 8 June would be the lst Scottish and 3rd British record. Turning to breeding and summering birds, the Black-browed Albatross again stayed at Hermaness. A Fulmar chick at least a week old on 2 May in Islay was at least 7 weeks early and may be unique. Up to c40 Storm Petrels were noted in the Sound of Sleat (Inv) in early July. Pintails bred again in Orkney and 1 was seen in Speyside (Inv) on 27 June, where 3 pairs of Goldeneye bred. Whooper Swans were at Westray (Ork) and Speyside in June and on L Poit na h-I (Mull) from 10-24 July. Ten young White-tailed Eagles were imported to Rhum to join the 1-2 survivors from last year. Three Marsh Harriers summered in E Loth and 1 at Threipmuir (Midl). Ospreys fared much as usual: of 14 pairs 10 reared 20 young, 2 pairs failed to hatch, including the L of Lowes (Perth) triangle, 1 nest was blown down and 1 robbed. In July wandering birds visited Alemoor L (Rox) on 2nd, Langwell Glen (Caith) on 7th, and 1 at Gladhouse (Midl) on 25th was mobbed by a Peregrine. Quails were noted in July at Foula, Thurso (Caith), Carse of Lecropt (Perth), and 3 were calling near Middleton (Midl) from July-Aug. Spotted Crakes and Wood Sandpipers were suspected breeding in Perth. At least 1 of perhaps 3 pairs of Temminck’s Stints bred in C Highlands. Long-tailed Skuas (2-3) visited Fair Isle in July. Iceland Gulls were in Shetland until 28 May and Scrabster and Wick (Caith) from May-July. A Black Guillemot again summered between Gullane-Fidra (E Loth). Two 22 Snowy Owls, but no 3, summered on Fetlar. A pair of Wrynecks bred again in Speyside and possibly in Perth. Two Blackcaps sang at Golspie (Suth) in July, when a 2 was at Bridgend (Islay), and 2-3 pairs of Lesser Whitethroats bred at Longniddry (E Loth) 1 of which had been ringed at Doncaster (Yorks) 140 CURRENT NOTES 9(3) in 1971 as a juv. A possible hybrid Yellow Wagtail resembling the Iberian race may have bred at Grangemouth (Stir). Snow Buntings con- tinued to breed in the Cairngorms and colonized 2 new sites in Ross. A Great Northern Diver returned to Gullane on 14 Aug, and 37 Red- necked Grebes to nearby Gosford by the 16th. One in Islay on 3 July was less usual. Small numbers of Sooty Shearwaters were noted off Barns Ness (E Loth) during Aug. NE winds on 27-29th brought an exciting sea- bird movement to the E coast, but so far we have reports only from Tarbat Ness (E Ross) and the Forth. Sooty Shearwaters were numerous with 1000+ at Tarbat Ness and 50+ at Fife Ness on 29th, and smaller numbers Isle of May, N Berwick (E Loth), Barns Ness, St Abbs Head and Eyemouth (Ber). Fewer Manx Shearwaters were involved (max 100+ Tar- bat Ness on 29th), and 1 Cory’s Shearwater passed Tarbat Ness on 29th with 7+ Great Shearwaters (+35 probs); Great Shearwaters also passed Fife Ness (2) and Isle of May (1) on 28th and Barns Ness (3) on 29th. A Sabine’s Gull passed Fife Ness on 29th, with up to 8 Great Skuas there and at Barns Ness. A bird resembling a frigatebird sp. was seen with Gannets off Dunure (Ayr) in early Aug. A Surf Scoter returned to Murcar (Aber) in mid June and others visited Gullane on 10-11 July and the Ythan (Aber) on 9 Aug. King Eiders appeared in July at L Fleet (Suth), Murcar and the Ythan. A Lesser Golden Plover, probably Asiatic, at Aberlady (E Loth) from 10-16 July was remarkably early, as were 2 Whimbrels at Frenchman’s Rocks on the 4th. Two Spotted Redshanks inland at For- teviot Bridge (Perth) on 15 Aug were interesting, as was a Lesser Yellow- legs at L of Tingwall on 8-10 Aug. Temminck’s Stints occurred at Drum Hollistan (Caith) on 10 July, the Ythan estuary on 1 Aug and the Eden estuary (Fife) on 17th. Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Tyninghame (E Loth) on 8 July and Scale (Ork) about the same time were very early. A Red- necked Phalarope was at Hoy (Ork) on 22 July. A Black-winged Pratincole at Strathbeg (Aber) in late July would be the 2nd Scottish record and a Caspian Tern at the Ythan on 1 Aug would be the 5th. A Turtle Dove was at Prestonpans (E Loth) on 24 Aug. Wrynecks arrived at Fife Ness and St Abbs Head (2) on 29th and 1 was later found dead at North Ber- wick. The Ist Fieldfare reached Coldingham (Ber) in late Aug, and an early Black Redstart visited Fair Isle in mid Aug. A Reed Warbler was on Isle of May on 28th and a probable at Barns Ness on 29th, Icterine Warblers were also at Isle of May on 28th and Barns Ness on 29th and a Booted Warbler on Fair Isle in late Aug would be the 5th Scottish (all Fair Isle) and 6th British. The only Barred Warbler was reported from Fair Isle about 12 Aug, and a Wood Warbler was on Isle of May on 28th. Yellow Wagtails were at Drem on 3lst July and Scoughall (E Loth) on 8 Aug. Rose-coloured Starlings were reported from Halkirk (Caith) on 27 ee te Helmsdale (Suth) on 2 July, and a Crossbill from Kergord (Shet) on une. Club policy on ornithological research, and fieldwork and discussion groups The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club has a broadly based mem- bership. It is not the exclusive preserve of either the expert or the beginner, but provides a meeting ground for everyone interested in wild birds in Scotland, and it seeks to cater for both the scientific and the aesthetic approach to birds. Recently some members have argued that the SOC should 1976 CLUB POLICY 141 do more to initiate and organize ornithological research in Scotland : others fear that it may be leaning too much towards research, and risking its virtues as a friendly meeting point for all kinds of birdwatcher—casual and dedicated, amateur and professional. Council has therefore sought the views of Bran- ches and discussed this several times, with a view to clarifying the role of the Club. These notes have been endorsed by Council on 15th June 1976 as an outline of its policy. It is important that the SOC should preserve its individual character and distinction from other organizations such as the BTO, RSPB and SWT. In particular it should not seek to take over the function of the BTO in Scotland but should co- operate in appropriate BTO inquiries, long-term and _ short- term, and only promote its own to cover specifically Scottish matters where these will not seriously detract from support for important BTO inquiries. Much of what the Club does is to a degree concerned with ornithological research. In recent years, for examples, the SOC has: —officially promoted and urged members to take part in the BTO Atlas project and Operation Seafarer, —appointed a small Research Committee to advise on projects proposed to it, and supported inquiries recommended by it, including the BTO Habitat Register, the 1975 Rookery Survey, censuses of Great Crested Grebes (1973 and 1975), and the Scottish Effluent Inquiry, —commissioned and published an extensive survey by Ian Lyster of ornithological research work being done in Scotland (Scot. Birds 7: 228-242), —set up a network of Local Recorders to produce annual Scottish Bird Reports from 1968 onwards, —published Scottish Birds as the principal outlet for ornitho- logical material in Scotland and in it many research-based contributions and requests for help and information, —encouraged members to take part in such activities as wild- fowl counts, Birds of Estuaries Inquiry, corporate ringing pro- jects, nest recording, Common Bird Census, and Beached Bird Surveys, and provided facilities at annual Conferences for meetings of those involved in various of these activities, —arranged lectures at Conferences and Branch meetings on research topics, and provided opportunity on these occasions for research-minded members to give talks on their own sub- jects, and to meet, exchange information and organize them- selves into the groups of active workers which are associated with most Branches, 142 CLUB POLICY 9(3) —directed most of the grants from its endowment fund for research work, and —maintained a first-class working ornithological Library in Edinburgh, used mainly by those doing research work. Council wishes to encourage interested members to organize and take part in active fieldwork and co-operative inquiries and will be pleased to hear from those seeking official Club support for projects which they have in mind. The Club does not, however, have the resources to organize research from the office nor the expertise to appoint and direct a research co-ordinator. Council believes also that more can be achieved by those with enthusiasm for research work organizing it themselves under the umbrella of the Club than by Council attempting to create a network of possibly unwilling organ- izers to cover areas where no local impetus is evident. Various local groups work in different ways, and it seems best to en- courage these to develop freely in the directions that their individual enthusiasms lead them. It is the responsibility of Branch office bearers and Com- mittees to see that the needs of all members, whether active or passive, beginner or expert, are catered for by their Branch activities. Though many people may join the SOC simply to attend lectures, Branches should offer a much wider range of activities, and members should be able to get details from their local Branch Secretaries. For beginners, Branch Committees should arrange relatively frequent and informal discussion meetings and outings to learn the elements of birdwatching and identification and the sort of places to visit. A regular rendezvous or system for finding out what is on may be what is basically needed. For those who want to take an active part in fieldwork and discussion there are already groups informally associated with most of the Branches, usually meeting on different dates from the Branches, in the members’ houses or elsewhere; or projects are announced at Branch meetings. It is understandable that members of such groups may sometimes prefer to restrict them to those who will take an active part in their activities, particularly to prevent them getting unworkably large, but if a group is based on an SOC Branch it is important to avoid any suggestion of a clique. Council hopes that Branch Committees and the members of associated groups will give thought to this problem, with the aim of making sure that anyone inter- ested in fieldwork is made aware of the possibilities and en- couraged to take part, preferably by suitable announcements at Branch meetings. If the only group activity is in fact private, and the members of the group just happen to attend a partic- ular Branch, then the Branch Committee will need to consider 1976 CLUB POLICY 143 what should be done for those who are excluded from the group. Some Branches and groups produce their own newsletters and reports, and so long as these complement rather than com- pete with Scottish Birds these are a welcome stimulus and tes- timony to local enthusiasm. The costs of production should however be financed locally, as a token of the demand for the publication. Council would welcome the chance of getting copies of all such publications for the Club’s Library, both for reference and for historical record. In areas where there are no Branches of the SOC there may be support for the formation of local groups, and Council is keen to encourage these, whether official Club Groups or in- formal fieldwork and discussion groups. Advice and help in getting a group off the ground is available from the Club Sec- retary. Publicity may also be given in Scottish Birds, if desired, about the formation of new groups and the activities of exist- ing ones. June 1976 ANDREW T. MACMILLAN, President. First recorded erythristic eggs of Arctic Skua and Herring Gull in Britain BSI2BATES, HH. M. Si BLAIR, I. H. J. LYSTER On 25th May 1973 DJB visited a small colony of Arctic Skuas in Scotland. One dark bird, which was thought to have a light phase mate, was sitting on an apparently fresh clutch of two reddish eggs. None of the other birds seemed to have begun incubation and no other eggs could be found for comparison. He again visited the colony on 24th May 1974 and found pre- sumably the same dark phase bird on a similar clutch of eggs in the same nest site. On this occasion a light bird was definite- ly in attendance. The other members of the colony again were thought not to have laid. Colour transparencies of both clutches were obtained and were virtually identical in both years. One egg was slightly larger than the other and had a light pinkish buff ground, many underlying greyish blotches and many mid-brown surface blotches. The markings were heavier near the large end. The smaller egg was warmer in colour, having a warm pinkish buff ground, underlying greyish blotches mostly at the large end, and warm brown surface blotches mainly concentrated in a ring round the large end. These would appear to be only the third and fourth ery- 144 ERYTHRISTIC EGGS 9(3) thristic clutches of Arctic Skua eggs ever found (see notes below), and the first to be recorded in Britain. A short note in Scottish Birds (6: 282) records the finding in May 1969 of a clutch of three erythristic eggs of the Herring Gull in Sutherland, apparently the first such clutch to be found in Britain. The eggs were later presented to the Royal Scottish Museum (Registered Number 1972.21) and are illus- trated in Highland Birds (Nethersole-Thompson 1971, p. 94). Recently, however, during a major rearrangement of the Museum’s egg collections, an earlier clutch of three erythristic eggs of the Herring Gull was noticed. This clutch (Registered Number 1957.75) had been found by Dr I. J. Patterson in May 1957 on St Abbs Head, Berwickshire. The eggs in the 1957 clutch, like those found in 1969, are of normal size for the Herring Gull and have a background colour of pale pinkish brown, overlaid with flecks of violet and brownish red. These eggs differ, however, in both the size and intensity of the flecking: on one egg the markings are quite bold, on the second they are finer and more evenly distribu- ted, and on the third, the palest of the eggs, they merge closely with the background colour. Before discussing erythrism, it might be mentioned that the eggs of both species are very variable. The ground colour in both is usually pale or greenish brown, and generally darker in the Arctic Skua; the markings are dark brown, but may be paler in the Arctic Skua or darker in the Herring Gull. Rarely the ground colour is pale blue, which is sometimes unmarked in the Herring Gull, and in exceptional cases the latter is well known to lay creamy or pinkish eggs with pink or reddish brown speckling. No more than two kinds of pigment are present in the egg- shells of most birds, in this part of the world at least, and often one alone or practically none. One of these pigments is blue or greenish and when present occurs throughout the shell structure. The other is brownish, ranging from red to black, and when present is usually near the surface. A small amount makes a white shell yellowish or pale brown and a blue shell green or olive. The brownish pigment also produces any mark- ings that are present which may occur at various depths as the shell is formed, varying in shade according to their depth and the shell colour. An individual female usually lays eggs of the same type throughout her life, although some species show consistent variation within clutches, and the colour and pattern of her eggs are not influenced by her mate. Abnormal coloration usually has a genetic or physiological cause, and again such a type would be laid by the bird throughout her life. 1976 ERYTHRISTIC EGGS 145 Although some species normally lay only reddish eggs, such as falcons, erythrism may be defined as having the reddish colour exaggerated or abnormally replacing the bluish pig- ment. The obverse condition, called cyanism, is the abnormal emphasis of blue by the suppression of brownish pigment. Cyanism sometimes occurs in the Arctic Skua and Herring Gull, and of course blue is the normal colour of such eggs as Dunnock and Starling. Whether the term erythristic should be applied to species whose eggs are normally reddish, or cyanic to those that are normally blue, seems to be a matter of personal preference. Erythristic eggs of the Arctic Skua must clearly be very rare, as HMSB has succeeded in tracing only two other clutches. These are included in the collection formed by the late Dr A. B. Wessel and now preserved in the Museum of Bergen Univer- sity. Both were taken on the Varanger Fjord, in arctic Norway, one in 1902, the other in 1912. Dr Wessel referred to the for- mer in an account of the avifauna of Sydvaranger published in 1904 (Ornithologiske Meddelelser fra Sydvaranger, page 106, published in Tromso Museums Aarshefter. The latter has not so far been recorded, and for the details we are indebted to the Museum’s Curator of Zoology, Dr J. F. Willgohs. Dr Will- gohs has also kindly supplied excellent coloured photo- graphs of the two clutches under consideration. While one of the eggs taken in 1902 is blotched with brownish red on a deep orange ground, the other is paler, its ground being almost a cream. The 1912 clutch represents a more extreme and striking variety, marked with a few scattered flecks of dark brown on a dark ground. For well over a century naturalists have known of the curious eggs, red or pink in colour, laid by some Herring Gulls. Analysis of the many records shows that all but a few of these handsome specimens come from arctic Norway, with the gulleries of Troms and Finmark as the principal sources. Indeed, previous to the discoveries at St Abbs and in Suther- land, the only locality beyond Norway from which erythrism had been reported for this widely distributed and plentiful bird was Goteborg in Sweden. While not so common, red eggs of the Great Black-backed Gull are preserved in various mus- eums and private collections, and again these have all been received from arctic Norway. Erythristic eggs of the Black- headed Gull are rare; three examples from Loch Rogart in Sutherland are illustrated without data in A Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness and West Cromarty (Harvie-Brown and Buckley 1887) and mentioned by Jourdain and Borrer (British Birds 7: 256). With the Common Gull erythrism ap- pears to be very rare, with only one fully authenticated clutch, 146 ERYTHRISTIC EGGS 9(3) from Sweden, on record. As yet the Lesser Black-backed Gull has never been known to lay such abnormal eggs. In view of the concentration around arctic Norway of so many records of erythrism in the larger gulls, it becomes sig- nificant that two similar clutches of Arctic Skuas’ eggs have been taken near the Varanger Fjord on the 70th parallel. Men- tion should also be made of a striking pair of Arctic Terns’ eggs collected by the late Alfred Chapman in the same latitude on the Tana River, and described by him as being like “very rich Merlin’s eggs”’. Some of the first erythristic eggs gathered in Norway came into the hands of Dr Kjaerbolling of Copenhagen, who pro- nounced them to be Glaucous and Iceland Gulls’. His deter- mination was later questioned by Herr Nordvi, a naturalist resident in Finmark, who assured John Wolley that the eggs were in fact Herring Gulls’. When the two white-winged gulls proved to be no more than winter visitants to Norway, most ornithologists accepted Nordvi’s identification. The original error did, unfortunately, persist in some quarters, and ery- thristic eggs in the National Collection appeared under the Glaucous Gull in the official catalogue published in 1902. Only in the present decade has the occurrence of erythrism in the Glaucous Gull been confirmed. Mr Aevar Peterson, of the Ice- landic Museum of Natural History, to whom we are indebted for the information, notes that the eggs are also the only ex- amples of the abnormality so far recorded for any gull or skua breeding in Iceland. The two clutches, obviously laid by the same bird, were found in 1973 and 1974 on a small island in latitude 65° 19’N. The record is of further interest as each clutch consists of two erythristic eggs and one typical in col- our. Mr Peterson learned that the same combination of the normal and the abnormal had been seen on the island for sev- eral years previous to 1973. To turn to the Nearctic Region, an erythristic clutch at Tring remains unique for the Iceland Gull. While red or pink eggs have yet to be recorded for any other of the larger gulls breeding within the limits of Canada and the United States, three such clutches of the eggs of the Western Gull Larus occi- dentalis wymani have been taken in Mexico. These important specimens are now preserved in the Museum of the Western Foundation of Verbetrate Zoology, and the Curator, Mr Lloyd F. Kiff, has very kindly furnished copies of the data accompanying them. All came from the Coronado Islands off Baja California. Two, collected in 1929 and 1931, had every appearance of being laid by the same bird; but the third, taken in 1941, was more richly coloured. A tendency for erythrism to recur locally has been noticed 1976 ERYTHRISTIC EGGS 147 with other birds besides gulls. At times, for example, some Dutch farmers harvesting Lapwings’ eggs have come across striking red varieties. With some warblers erythrism becomes almost the rule over wide areas. Thus red and pink types out- number others amongst eggs laid by Sardinian, Subalpine and Dartford Warblers in parts of southern Spain, but occur very rarely, if at all, further to the east. On the other hand, erythrism has yet to be noticed in the former district with the equally common Blackcap, a bird which regularly, if not very frequently, lays such eggs further to the north, in Britain and southern Scandinavia. D. J. Bates, Dr 'H. M. S. Blair, I. H. J. Lyster, c/o 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT Recent distribution, ecology and breeding of Snow Buntings in Scotland DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON (Plates 13 - 16) Since The Snow Bunting (Nethersole-Thompson 1966) sev- eral ornithologists have investigated the breeding distribution, dispersion and ecology of Snow Buntings in Scotland. In the West Cairngorms Professor V. C. Wynne-Edwards has an- nually visited the known nesting corries and Tim Milsom and Clive Owen have spent over 60 days on the central tops, spec- ially studying numbers, habitat selection and feeding ecology. Adam Watson, Adam Watson Sr. and Sandy Tewnion have also regularly monitored numbers and territorial patterns in the Central Cairngorms, and in the Nevis area John Currie has started the first long-term study since the Observatory closed early in the century. These are the most continuous projects but several correspondents have also made cbservations in the Beinn Eighe Reserve, Fannichs, and several other hills in Ross and Sutherland, as well as in the Cairngorms. The Snow Bunting poses many problems. No special Scot- tish race appears to have survived since the last Ice Age. The bird’s history thus differs markedly from that of the Ptarmigan, an ice-age relict, which has probably bred continuously in northern Scotland since the retreat of the glaciers. In Scotland, on the fringe of its world breeding range, the Snow Bunting is apparently sensitive to climatic change or oscillation. In 148 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) cooler decades, given suitable conditions on Scottish hills, a few spend the summer, nest and apparently establish small un- stable groups which breed for some years until they die out or are reinforced by new settlers. The origins of these colonists are unknown, but white- rumped cocks of the nominate race Plectrophenax n. nivalis, which breeds in northern Europe and Greenland, and black or dark-rumped cocks, identical with the more sedentary Iceland subspecies P. n. insulae, have both nested in Scotland, some- times in the same year. Between 1968-70, for example, there were at least two mated and three unmated white-rumped cocks in the Cairngorms, possibly colonists from Greenland or northern Europe. On the other hand, in 1971-3 there were four mated and six unmated dark-rumps against one unmated and two mated white-rumps. Outside the Cairngorms, a mated cock in the Nevis area in 1973 and the cock at a nest in the Fannichs in 1974 had white rumps. In these years, therefore, both forms have bred in different parts of the Highlands. Climate In the last 25 years the Scottish climate has changed slightly. F. H. Green (pers. comm.) tells me that there has been an al- most continuous tendency for there to be more snow in the early winter, followed by a midwinter recession, and then generally an increase from late winter to spring. This tendency has repeated in cycles since early in the last century. From 1950 onwards there have also been more northerlies and eas- terlies than in the first half of the century, with a tendency towards longer winters, late springs, and cooler summers, with more rainfall in the east and less in the west. The climate is thus now possibly reverting to that recorded in the last half of the nineteenth century, with the first half of this century the odd man out (Cranna 1971). In a discussion of climatic changes in Greenland, Iceland and England, W. Dansgaard et al. (1975) have also concluded that the warmer phase of the twentieth century has terminated. ‘Most of the climatic improvement from 1920 to 1935 seems to have been lost, and although the average cooling of the Nor- thern Hemisphere has only been in the order of 0.4°C it is highly significant’. In The Snow Bunting I speculated that, if the cooling climate abroad and favourable factors on the Scottish hills continued, more Snow Buntings were likely to be found on the hill in summer in the years ahead. The last decade has not disproved this idea. Between 1880-1909 Snow Buntings nested or were seen in suitable habitats in summer in Shetland, Sutherland, el eatin — 1976 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 149 Ross, Perth and St Kilda, as well as on hills like Ben Avon and Lochnagar, besides the higher bens of the Cairngorms. In the years from 1930-64, on the contrary, the only proven nesting record, apart from those in the high Cairngorms, was that of a brood seen on Ben Nevis in 1954. The picture has now greatly changed. Since 1966 nests or broods have been recorded on at least eleven different hills in Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Banff and Aberdeen and Snow Buntings have also been located in summer on at least twenty other suitable breeding habitats in Shetland, Caithness, Sutherland, Cairngorms, East Gram- pians, Perth, Argyll, St Kilda and Skye. It is always easy to overlook the odd pair or bird, particularly if the cock is not singing or when you are visiting the corries in rough or misty weather. But it is now likely that the breeding distribution in Scotland closely resembles that in the late nineteenth century. Settlement by other boreal birds The Snow Bunting is only one of several boreal birds to ex- pand or consolidate in periods of cooler climate. From the 1850s, boreal ducks like Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Eider, Scoter, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser all settled or extended their breeding range in northern Scotland. In the 1950s, 60s and ’70s, other boreal birds have expanded even more dramatically, with Great Northern Diver, Scaup, Golden- eye, Whooper Swan, Goshawk, Green Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint, Snowy Owl, Bluethroat and Brambling* all nesting. Wood Sandpiper, Osprey, Fieldfare and Redwing are now well established; Waxwings have prospected in summer, Shore Larks probably bred, and displaying Sanderlings, a drake Stel- ler’s Eider, a Long-tailed Skua, and a male Lapland Bunting in breeding plumage have all been reported in summer on suitable breeding habitats in the Highlands and Islands. About 1927 Dotterels ceased to breed regularly in England, but since 1968 a few pairs have probably nested annually and others have bred in Kirkcudbright in 1967 and 1975, in Selkirk/Peebles in 1970, and in Wales in 1968. From 1961 Dotterels also settled in entirely new habitats on reclaimed polders in north-east Holland. All these unexpected changes have synchronised with the resurgence and expansion of the snow bird’s range in the north of Scotland. Breeding distribution 1967-75 Shetland No proof of breeding. In 1966 a cock summered on Foula and on 7th July 1972 another cock was recorded there. *Unpublished record given to author in confidence. 150 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) Cocks were reported on 11th and 13th June 1970 on Fetlar and on 15th June 1971 on Unst (R. J. Tulloch). Orkney No breeding records. Caithness No breeding records, but on 14th May 1972 a hen, recently dead, was found on Morven (P. M. Collett). Sutherland On 4th June 1973 D. and G. Thorogood watched three Snow Buntings and on 30th May 1974 D. Britton saw a cock on hills in north Sutherland. On 13th June 1974 D. L. Clugston and J. R. Mullins found a nest with five eggs near the top of another hill. Ross and Cromarty On 28th July 1967 Eric Hunter located a juvenile Snow Bunting at about 1,500 feet on Beinn Ejighe. Be- tween 1968-73 R. Balharry has annually recorded flying broods in the Beinn Eighe Reserve, with at least two in 1968. Balharry also reports broods in the Fannichs in 1967-71, and in 1974 another correspondent found a nest with young on one of these hills. The Atlas recorders, between 1968-72, also confirmed breeding on a Torridon hill and reported Snow Buntings on suitable breeding grounds in summer on five other hills in Wester Ross, on at least two of which they probably nested. Outer Isles A pair possibly bred on St Kilda (Atlas). Inner Isles In June 1972 a cock was seen on a stony scree above 2,500 feet just south of Sgurr Alasdair in Skye (per J. Robson). ) West Inverness No confirmed breeding records outside Nevis. Nevis area John Currie gives this summary: 1967-70—No summer records. 1971—Breeding possible. A pair displayed in late spring and a cock sang in June. 1972—-No known summer records. 1973—At least three cocks and two hens on one hill. One pair, and possibly two, bred successfully. On 7th July four juveniles were in one corrie and on 20th August four juveniles were in another. 1974—Three cocks and two hens but no nests or broods were recorded (J. Currie). A cock sang on Ben Nevis from 15th June- 28th July (D. A. Skinner). 1975—One cock was recorded on 25th May and a second sang on 3lst May. On 8th June there was one pair on territory and a second pair holding territory in another corrie. Four cocks and two hens were present. There was extensive snow-lie in 1971 and 1974. The favour- ite snow bird corrie contains granite screes, similar to those in main breeding habitats in the Cairngorms. — Argyll No confirmed breeding records. In late spring 1973 1976 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 151 three Snow Buntings were reported on suitable breeding hab- itat in Glencoe and a cock sang on another hill at about 2,400 feet (J. Currie). West Cairngorms Professor Wynne-Edwards gives this sum- mary. On 16th June 1968, two cocks sang against one an- other, ‘each one roughly every 15 seconds with the other in the interval between. Saw a third bird in flight, perhaps taking food to young or returning to nest; heard buzz note. Another cock sang at the head of the next burn to the west and half a mile WNW of the last burn’. On 6th July 1969, four or five cocks were singing in different corries. Two were within half a mile of the first recorded’and a fourth at the head of a burn and a fifth in the next hollow to the west. Between 1968-9 the Snow Buntings had shifted from the corries which they haunted in the 1950s and early 1960s, mov- ing about half a mile away. 1970—No Snow Buntings recorded in any of the corries visited (Wynne-Edwards), but a pair nested on another West Cairn- gorms hill about five miles away (D. N. Weir). 1971—Snow Buntings recorded on Ist June (A. Archer-Lock). 1972—No Snow Buntings recorded. 1973—No reports. 1974—No Snow Buntings recorded. 1975—On 25th June a cock was singing a few hundred yards north of the main top of the highest hill (T. Milsom) and there were Snow Buntings in two corries (Wynne-Edwards). Snow Buntings have not recently been recorded nesting in Horseman’s Corrie where they bred in the 1940s and they do not now appear to favour the corrie where Tewnion discovered them breeding in the 1950s. Are these changes caused by new positions of snowfields or by the extinction of small groups and no subsequent replacements ? Wynne-Edwards writes : ‘In 1950-69 I was in the right place at the right time on twelve occasions and in every year found one or more singing buntings. I had bad luck between 1970-4, but other people found Snow Buntings in those years. This goes to show that people like me, who know what they are looking and listening for, can easily miss the birds in a passing visit, which is little more than a transect. One correspondent, who spent several days looking for them in the right general area, missed them in a year that I found them. This makes me wonder whether they have ever been missing altogether in the last 25 years or the last thousand either’. Central Cairngorms 1968—In early June D. N. Weir located three cocks. In early July there were single cocks and in the 152 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) second week a pair with two fledglings. In early July Sandy Tewnion heard a cock singing in a favourite nesting corrie. In this year Snow Buntings were reported nesting on cliff scree where none were known to breed between 1934-64. 1969—Sandy Tewnion reported Snow Buntings scarce or miss- ing from some regular nesting habitats. Two cocks sang and gave display flights. 1970—Tim Milsom and C. Owen located two pairs and an un- mated cock. Between 20th-21st June they watched two white- rumped cocks (one feeding young) and saw a hen building. In July three fledged young were on a boulder field close to the nest. 1971—On 4th June A. Archer-Lock watched an unmated cock challenging a pair on its breeding territory. Five minutes later, by use of tape recorder, he discovered that the mateless cock had moved and was singing in another corrie about a mile away. In July Milsom and Owen watched a black-rumped cock with a hen and fledged young and located two possibly unmated cocks in song. 1972—Eight or nine singing cocks and at least five nests re- corded. One cock was mated to two hens whose nests were 200 to 300 yards apart. One of these hens later mated with an unmated cock (Watsons, Archer-Lock, Smitton, Milsom and Owen, Bates). 1973—On 29th May one pair was watched nest-site selecting. A second cock was singing about 200-300 yards away (D. J. Bates). On 17th June J. R. Mullins found a nest with chicks about six days old and on 23rd June a second nest was found with five chicks which had hatched about a week later than those in the first nest. There were also three or more unmated cocks besides a total of four to six pairs with at least 20 flying chicks. A pair was located in a corrie outside the central block, but no nest or brood was discovered there. 1974—At least ten singing cocks, three or four hens and three nests with eggs were found (Milsom, Clugston, Mullins, Smit- ton and Watsons). 1975—The snowlie was deeper and more extensive with many regular feeding and nesting places buried under many feet of snow. However, Snow Buntings were absent from some screes where the snowlie differed little from that in previous years. Milsom and the Watsons recorded three cocks—one singing very weakly—but found no nests. Milsom mentions that be- tween 1971-4 there was little turnover in the cocks occupying these habitats. By 1975 the groups would have been composed of old birds. No one yet knows where the fledged young go in winter or whether they return to their birthplace in spring. PLATE 138. Cock Snow Bunting Cairngorms, June 1971, bringing leather-jackets 153 (Tipulidae) to feed chicks, Photograph by A. ’'ewnion unting on a Cairngorms breeding ground at 3,750 feet. June PLATE 14. Hen Snow B 1972. Photograph by A. Tewnion 154 for (exposed 1972 June Cairngorms, nestlings, nest and Snow Bunting THY 5. PLA ). y photograph Photograph by A. T’ewnion 5 15 PLATE 16. Cock Snow Bunting’s song post, Cairngorms. Note white splashes from droppings just below the top. Photograph by A. l'ewnion 156 | 1976 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 157 East Cairngorms In June 1973 and June 1974, cocks sang in the same corrie (A. Watson and A. Knox). East Grampians On 12th May 1969, A. Watson watched a cock singing at the top of a cliff on a high hill and in June 1970 D. Rose tells me that a pair was recorded in a corrie of this hill. A pair was seen on 3lst May 1973 and a cock was singing on the same hill in early June (Sharrock 1975). Perth On 14th May 1967 D. Merrie heard a cock singing at 3,600 feet near the top of a hill in north-east Perth and on 18th May 1968 M. J. P. Gregory saw another cock near the summit of a ben where Harvie-Brown had recorded breeding early in the century. In late June 1973 a cock was singing on a hill in Perth (R. W. Summers), and in the last week of May 1974 a pair was located on another hill in north-west Perth (G. N. Cope). Snow Buntings also possibly nested on a hill in south Perth (Atlas). Habitat selection Between 1934-65 all breeding pairs located in the Central Cairngorms selected the same general block of slopes, ridges and screes. From 1967 onwards, however, unmated cocks have frequently sung and pairs occasionally nested on other screes and corries on the central plateau where no Snow Buntings were ever suspected of breeding in the earlier period. These more occasional breeding habitats, which include one and pos- sibly two nesting territories on cliff screes, are probably mar- ginal and occupied only in years of unusually high numbers. All territories where nests have been found in the central block from 1967 onwards were occupied at some time between the 1930s and early 1960s, although not always in the same year. Milsom suggests that positions of snowfields, snowflushes and montane grasslands have been significant factors in habitat selection. In 1970-2 all nests were situated among block screes and within 200 yards of snowfields and adjacent to the snow- flushes and montane grasslands which swarmed with crane- flies and small moths in the second and third weeks of July. The Snow Buntings exploited these habitats and later the areas uncovered by the melting snowfields. In 1973, however, one pair continued to hold its old living-space, although it then lacked a snowfield and held fewer snowflushes. Spring heads and tracts of bare gravel and rock, however, still provided plenty of good feeding places. From the 1930s onwards the Snow Buntings have regularly used large prominent boulders as singing, advertising and look-out posts. To my knowledge, one large and peculiarly- shaped rock has been used almost continuously for over 40 years and doubtless in every year since Snow Buntings occu- 158 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) pied these habitats from the last Ice Age onwards. Milsom sug- gests that in thick mists large rocks or boulders near the nest are important as landmarks to guide the birds back to nests or broods. Territory and dispersion Snow Buntings have flexible spacing patterns with well de- fended and apparently rigid territories in parts of East Greenland, but much smaller and less defined territories in many of the House Sparrow-like colonies in some Arctic settlements. In the Central Cairngorms from the 1930s to 1960s, unmated cocks often patrolled large tracts of scree and hillside over which they sang and displayed, frequently invading the terri- tories of mated pairs, where they sometimes attempted to seduce the hens within the living-space of their own mates. Some of these wandering males covered great distances in their daily movements. One cock, identified by peculiarities of colour pattern and song rhythm, displayed in corries on both sides of the Lairig Ghru. In the early 1970s the prevalent pattern was often different, with some unmated males moving less and restricting song and display to the same defended places day after day. On possibly marginal habitats, however, where Snow Buntings were never recorded in earlier decades, the cocks had the same patterns as those previously observed. Higher numbers are probably largely responsible for changed patterns, the cocks clashing and displaying against one another more regularly when more space is occupied and defended. But the origin of settlers which have never previously bred or have never estab- lished firm territories might also be a contributory factor. How- ever, some unmated cocks still succeed in mating with hens which have left their first flying broods in charge of their first mates. In July 1972, Milsom watched one of the bigamous cock’s hens take an unmated cock for her second nest. At an- other nest in 1972 the territory-holding cock took little part in feeding his brood as he was involved in driving away a most persistent intruder. The properties of particular territories are probably of diff- erent and variable quality. But it is not yet possible to deter- mine statistically whether some consistently produce more flying young than others. In periods of expansion and settle- ment, early-arrived or dominant cocks may establish them- selves in the higher quality territories and later-arrived or less dominant birds in those that are poorer or more marginal. Once mated and firmly established, however, a cock appears 1976 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 159 to return to roughly the same territury year after year, al- though some of its properties may have changed. Does the black-rumped Iceland race, which tends to nest earlier in Iceland than does the nominate form in Greenland and in other parts of its range, attain breeding condition earlier and so succeed in establishing a territory and winning a mate before the white-rumped race? Some white-rumped cocks in the central block, however, have not lacked dynamism in song and display and have mated successfully with mated hens later in the season. In some years there is possibly much interplay between the older established territory-holders and potential colonists, but some pairs are maintained in consec- utive years and other snow birds are already paired when they take up their territories in spring (Nethersole-Thompson 1966). Food and feeding As from the 1930s to 1960s, craneflies (Tipulidae) continue to be the favourite food in the Central Cairngorms. In the 1970s, however, the feeding behaviour appears to have chan- ged. In earlier years the buntings made much use of snowfields and snowpatches, where they often fed on trapped windborne insects. Recently Milsom, Owen and Smitton have not watched them doing this. Most recent work on feeding ecclogy, how- ever, took place in July when there were innumerable crane- flies on snowflushes, montane grasslands, squashy places be- tween burns and streams and on stones and boulders. As in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, pairs varied in their rates of feeding broods and in the distances they flew from nests to feeding grounds. The shares between the sexes also varied greatly. Milsom and Owen noticed that cocks and hens usually equally divided this task towards the end of the fledging per- iod, but that at one nest the cock did less than the hen as he was courting a second mate and driving off two intruding cocks. On the other hand, another cock was a better provider than his mate. Most pairs continued to visit separate feeding grounds and usually arrived at nests independently of one an- other. Some flew to habitats which were several hundred yards away from their nests, but others caught craneflies on montane grasslands less than 100 yards from the brood, or sometimes gathered beakfuls of insects on boulders almost beside nests. One pair changed their feeding grounds when the mist was particularly thick; a feeding rate of 4.5 minutes in clear weather quickened to 2.9 minutes in thick mist. Both birds took different directions in mist from those taken in clear weather. This behaviour differed from that sometimes recor- ded in earlier decades, when some pairs had a slower feeding 160 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) rhythm on cold, wet, misty days. However, pairs probably vary greatly in this behaviour. After leaving its nest a young Snow Bunting sheltered under a stone during a heavy rain shower, but later started to search for and pick up small seeds (Smitton). Milsom and Owen watched a flying juvenile trying to catch insects on the wing. The practice whereby a cock and hen fed different members of the brood after they had left the nest still continues. Age Some cocks can be identified by peculiarities of plumage, song and behaviour and hens by the shape and colour pattern of eggs. Between 1971-4 Milsom found that one cock held territory in every year and that two others were present in two consecutive years. This age structure conforms closely with our earlier records when a hen, which annually laid a small and unusually-shaped egg in her clutch, nested in the same territorial block in 1948-50. Another pair also nested in the same block in 1959-60, and a hen was mated to one cock in 1960-1 and to a second in 1962 (Nethersole-Thompson 1966). Breeding biology Polygamy Occasional polygamy still continues. In 1972 Milsom and Owen discovered that one cock had two hens with nests 200 to 300 yards apart. One of these hens later mated with another cock and laid a second clutch. At least one other mated hen produced clutches for two different cocks in the same year. Nest-site selection On 29th May 1973 D. J. Bates watched a pair apparently prospecting for a nest-site. A cock with a beak- ful of moss and grass briefly entered a crevice accompanied by a hen with an empty bill. The cock emerged without the grass, but still carrying the moss which it later dropped. The cock then threatened the hen, crouching open-beaked in front of her. Egg and clutch The Sutherland nest contained five eggs. Four clutches in the Cairngorms held 1/6, 3/5. Incubation and laying season The cock was not seen at the Sutherland nest, although the hen was off eggs for at least ten minutes. In the Cairngorms on 16th June 1974 Clugston and Mullins watched a cock call a hen off her nest to which she returned exactly ten minutes later. Between 12.30-14.20 on 22nd June 1974 Smitton was possibly present at the laying of the second egg of a clutch. At this nest the cock fed leatherjackets to the 1976 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 161 hen at intervals of about 15-20 minutes. The hen, which was brooding restlessly, also foraged in the scree around the nest. On 17th June 1973 Clugston and Mullins found an early nest which contained five chicks about six days old. The clutch was probably complete about 29th-30th May. A second nest found on 23rd June, with five chicks, probably held a complete clutch about 5th-6th June. Acknowledgments I particularly thank Tim Milsom for sending me a summary of his and Clive Owen’s unpublished observations of Snow Buntings in the Central Cairngorms. We now await his detailed paper on the feeding ecology and habitat structure of these groups. In the West Cairngorms Professor V. C. Wynne-Edwards and in the Central and East Cairngorms Adam Watson, Adam Watson Sr. and Sandy Tewnion have kindly given me details of their recent observations. John Currie has summarised his notes on the Nevis area, for which I am most grateful. I aiso thank Tim Shar- rock and the BTO recorders for notes made between 1968-72 and for the use of the Atlas map. Many other friends and correspondents have also given helpful notes and observations : Shetland : Bobby Tulloch; Caithness: P. M. Collett; Orkney : David Lea and Tim Milsom; Sutherland : D. L. Clugston and J. R. Mullins; Ross: R. Balharry, I. and M. Hills and E. Hunter; West Cairngorms : A. Archer-Lock, T. Milsom and D. N. Weir; Central Cairgorms: D. J. Bates, D. L. Clugston, J. Edelsten, H. Marshall, J. R. Mullins and I. Smitton; East Cairngorms : A. Knox; East Grampians : D. Merrie and D. Rose; Perth : M. J. P. Gregory and D. Merrie; West Inverness : Hamish Brown; Argyll : J. Currie; Skye : J. Robson. Frank Green and R. Cranna kindly helped with notes about the climate. Summary In the last 25 years, possibly responding to climatic change, a number of boreal birds have nested or extended their breeding range in Scotland. In this period, Snow Buntings have been reported in summer and some have nested on more hills in the north of Scotland than at any time since 1880-1909. Breeding has been proved in Sutherland, Ross, West Inverness, and in the Central and West Cairngorms, and Snow Buntings have been recorded on suitable nesting habitat in Shetland, Caithness, East Cairn- gorms, East Grampians, Argyll, Perth, Skye and St Kilda. Cocks of both nominate and Iceland races have nested, sometimes in the same year. A detailed analysis of breeding and summer records is given. Some factors in habitat selection in the Central Cairngorms are described and changes in territorial patterns are discussed. There are notes and observations on age structure, polygamy, clutch-size, laying season and nest-site selection, brooding, fledging and feeding patterns. References CRANNA, R. 1971. ‘Has there been a change in the climate in recent years?’ In Afield, Radio Scotland broadcast 162 BREEDING SNOW BUNTINGS IN SCOTLAND 9(3) DANSGAARD, W. ef al. 1975. Climatic changes, Norsemen and modern man. Nature 255; 24-238. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, D. 1966. The Snow Bunting. London and Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, D. 1973. The Dotterel. London, Collins. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, D. & WATSON, A. 1974. The Cairngorms. London, Collins. Scottish Bird Reports 1968-74. Scottish Birds, vols. 5-8. SHARROCK, J. T. R. 1975. Rare birds in the United Kingdom in 1974. British Birds 8: 489-506. WILLIAMSON, K. 1975. Birds and climatic change. Bird Study 22: 1435-64. Desmond Nethersole-Thompson, Ivy Cottage, Culrain, Ardgay, Ross-shire IV24 3DW. Short Notes Baird’s Sandpiper in Midlothian At 10.50 BST on 14th September 1974 I found a small strange wader feeding in the company of three Dunlin and a Little Stint at the water’s edge of Gladhouse Reservoir, Mid- lothian. It was about the same size as the Dunlin, but readily distinguished from them by its clean white underparts, gin- gery back and breast, relatively small, straighter bill, and its much neater appearance. When the bird flew a few yards I could see no wing-bar and suspected that it was an American peep. I continued to watch the bird for over an hour. The weather was excellent, with good visibility and a light south- westerly breeze blowing. Excellent views were had of the bird, both on the ground and in flight, and detailed notes were taken. The bird flew only when approached closer than about ten yards, uttering a call that I noted as trik-trik. When feed- ing it had a noticeably horizontal stance, picking from the water’s edge and not probing; the wings protruded a quarter of an inch beyond the tail, suggesting that it was a Baird’s Sandpiper. Later that day R. W. J. Smith and I watched the bird for a further 30 minutes. We noted further a dark line from the bill through the eye and a pale buffish-white stripe above and behind the eye, a definite scaly pattern on the back (as on a Ruff) and its neat, round head and more obvious neck when alert. When flying with a party of ten Dunlin it was readily picked out by its longer wings, more bouncy flight and the absence of a wing-bar. Description A pale wader, size of the smallest Dunlin, but slimmer, with lightly streaked sandy-buff head, back and breast. Buffish-white stripe above eye, meeting in thin V on forehead, but thicker and more noticeable behind eye; dark brown stripe from the base of bill through eye and dropping downwards behind eye. Throat and underparts ex- cept breast clean white, neatly separated from brown breast. Dark brown centre of tail with outer feathers a paler brown. Wings scaly 1976 SHORT NOTES 163 due to dark brown centres and buff edges of feathers; wingtips darker than manile; no wing-bar. Thin black bill same length as head and straight, with hint of downward curve at tip; black legs. Call: a double or treble trik or kreet. The bird was observed by G. L. Sandeman and A. Brown on the 16th, and was last seen by myself, D. Moss and Mrs E. M. Smith on the 17th. All agreed it was a Baird’s Sandpiper. EL? Viex (Although there were over 50 records for the British Isles by 1974, most of them in recent years and also in September, this was only the third for Scotland, both the others being from the Outer Hebrides: St Kilda in 1911 and North Uist in 1971. The species breeds from north-east Siberia across arctic America to north-west Greenland, and normally winters in South America.—ED.) White-winged Black Tern at Fair Isle At 13.45 on 10th June 1973 I was sitting finishing lunch at the Observatory when I noticed a small-medium sized tern fly over Landberg and towards the Observatory. It veered away towards the Havens, over which it circled a few times before returning briefly to the flat ground some 50 yards in front of the Observatory. It finally circled back to the Havens, then flew up and south along the grassy ridge of Buness be- fore being lost to sight as it flew south towards the Sheep Rock over the sea. It was seen by most people at the Obser- vatory who were eating lunch together (including N. Riddi- ford and J. W. F. Davis). I identified the bird as a White- winged Black Tern, with which the other observers agreed. It was a small-medium sized, fairly compact tern with a shallowly forked tail that lacked the streamers of Common or Arctic Terns; the wings were not particularly elongated. The flight was buoyant, low over the ground and sea. Over the land it dipped occasionally, almost to touch the ground— typical of a marsh tern. During the time we were able to watch the bird it spent about 60% of its time over the short- cropped turf. Description Plumage very distinctive: as far as could be seen the whole of the body, head and mantle were black, contrasting strongly with the fore-wing, which appeared to be almost white, and with the rump and tail, which were also whitish. As it flew past the Observatory window on both occasions RAB, NR and JWFD noted that the under wing-coverts appeared to be as black as the body. The underside of the flight feathers were greyish white, much paler than the coverts. The forewing was the palest part of the upper wing surface, the rest of the wings being a greyer white. It was impossible to make out the bill or leg colour at this range. 164 SHORT NOTES 9(3) When the bird disappeared from view to the south, I took the car and tried to relocate it elsewhere. This I failed to do but it had been seen again by Brian Wilson. He reported a “striking tern with a black body and white wings” that had just flown over his head near the shop. It had come from the direction of Sheep Rock and disappeared towards the Reevas. R. A. BROAD. (There were only nine Scottish records prior to this, all since 1964 and mostly in the north in midsummer. The eleventh occurrence, and first in autumn, was at the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, in the following September. As many as 268 or so had been recorded in the British Isles by 1973, about 20 a year being the recent average, the majority in early autumn near the south and east coasts of England. In the west of its range it breeds in south-eastern Europe, very sporadically in western Europe, and winters in tropical Africa.—ED.) Probable Siberian Chiffchaffs wintering in Morayshire The increasing incidence of wintering summer visitors in Britain has recently been commented upon (Marchant 1975). One of the commoner species involved has been the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita. Records for December, January and February published in Scottish Birds amounted to four in the eight winters from 1963/64 to 1970/71 (38: 150, 322; 6: 118) but during the next three winters there were at least 12 rec- ords of 14 birds from Dumfries to Shetland (7: 154, 376; 8: 269, 457). The origin of these Scottish wintering birds is unknown. As well as the British and west European subspecies collybita, they may include some Scandinavian abietinus and Siberian tristis and fulvescens, although the latter is considered a poor- ly defined race (Williamson 1967). These Northern Chiffchaffs are regularly recorded in small numbers in late autumn on Fair Isle and the Isle of May and on some occasions are thought to winter in England (British Ornithologists’ Union 1971). It may therefore be of interest to place on record some notes of Chiffchaffs present at Elgin, Morayshire, during the winter of 1974/75. Two Chiffchaffs were present in the vicinity of the Elgin sewage disposal works from January to April 1975. They were first observed on 16th January but were probably in the area prior to this as regular visits to the site were only begun in early January. In the field the plumage appeared to be dull grey-brown. On lst February I trapped one in a mist-net and in the hand it resembled the Siberian race tristis. On 23rd 1976 SHORT NOTES 165 February I trapped the second bird, which was identical to the description given by Williamson (1967) of tristis, with no yellow except on the bend of the wing and on the axillaries. The first bird was retrapped on 9th March. On 30th March both were retrapped together and were found to be moulting head, body and tail feathers, the last rather irregularly. No significant weight increase was noted at this late date to sug- gest the proximity of a lengthy migration. The only subsequent sighting was of one bird on 6th April. A prenuptial moult of body and central tail feathers is nor- mal in Chiffchaffs. According to C. B. Ticehurst (The Genus Phylloscopus, 1938), collybita usually moults in January (ex- tremes 27th December-23rd February), abietinus from January to mid February and tristis from mid February to the end of March. Thus the Elgin birds apparently also resembled tristis in the timing of their moult. However, in The Handbook vol. 2, published almost simultaneously, the moult periods for all races are combined as January to February, occasionally March to early April, and later authors agree with this. C. B. Ticehurst was the brother of N. F. Ticehurst, the co-author of The Handbook, and his work is acknowledged in the Preface to vol. 2 by H. F. Witherby, who also compiled the Handbook notes on Chiffchaff moult : ‘Dr C. B. Ticehurst, who has for long been making a special study of the difficult genus Phyllo- scopus, and whose work on the subject is now in the press, has generously given us the benefit of his findings on many points concerning those species of the genus which are on the British list.” H. B. Ginn of the BTO kindly examined the Trust’s moult cards and sent the following information. Only three tristis were identified: all moulting the tail irregularly in March and two in body or head moult; one from Nepal, one from India and the other unknown. Four unspecified Chiff- chaffs, all from England, including one that had wintered, were moulting the tail irregularly in March or April, with one moulting tertials. Thirteen unspecified from Coto Donana, Spain, in February and March showed moult in different com- binations—tertials, tail and body. Thus it is not clear why the descriptions of moult of Chiffchaff subspecies should differ in the standard works, and the BTO moult data are still in- conclusive on this question. Both birds called readily during the period of observation. The usual call was unlike the familiar hweet of collybita, being a harsh cheeip. Abietinus is said to utter this call (William- son 1967) and R. H. Dennis informs me that Northern Chiff- chaffs on passage on Fair Isle have a similar distinctive note. I also recognised it as resembling calls of pale passage migrants at Gibraltar, which were tentatively identified as abietinus at 166 SHORT NOTES 9(3) the time. The calls of the northern races may well be diagnos- tic, as Witherby et al (1938) suggest. A weaker seep was also heard from both birds on release after trapping. The Chiffchaffs frequented a very mixed habitat, feeding readily on the sludge-drying beds and filter beds of the sewage works, in a nearby wood of mature Larch and Scots Pine and at the ringing site itself, a steep disused railway embankment with dense stands of tall dead flower stalks of Weld. Sewage works do not easily freeze in winter and provide an abundance of food for many species, in this case flocks of Pied and Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Reed Buntings. As with most subspecies, identification cannot be made with cer- tainty, but this record may throw some light on the possible origin of our wintering Chiffchaffs. Future observers would do well to pay particular attention to voice and plumage details, although close observation in the field is often difficult. References BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1971. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific. MARCHANT, J. 1975. Wintering summer visitors. BTO News 71: 1. Svensson, L. 1970. Identification of Kuropean Passerines. Stockholm, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet. Svensson, L. 1975. — 2nd edn. TICcEHURST, C. B. 1938. The Genus Phylloscopus. London, Trustees of the British Museum. WILLIAMSON, K. 1967. identejication for Hingers, 2: the Genus Phylloscopus, 2nd edn. Tring, British Trust for Ornithology. WITHERBY, H. F., Jourpain, F. C. R., TICEHURST, N. F., & TUCKER, B. W. 1958. The Handbook of British Birds vol. 2. London, Witherby. N. ELKINS Reviews Discovering Bird Song. By Edward A. Armstrong. Princes Risborough, Shire Publications, 1975. Pp. 72; 15 photographs; 30 drawings and sonagrams. 18 x 114 cm. 50 pence. Born to Sing. By Charles Hartshorne. Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1973. Pp. 304; 15 tables; 9 figures; 7 staff notations of songs, 5 spectrograms. 24 x 16 cm. $10.00. The study of bird song has excited ever-increasing interest over the last few decades, and over that period it has risen from inexact, largely anthropomorphic, description to a many-faceted, exact, if still incomplete, science. Within this science, Discovering Bird Song and Born to Sing make important, albeit differing, contributions; one as an excellent con- cise introduction to the nature and function of sounds in the life of birds, and the other as a scholarly treatise exploring the hypothesis that birds take an aesthetic interest in song; that the bird takes pleasure in singing. In Discovering Bird Song, Edward Armstrong, an acknowledged auth- ority on the subject, begins with some useful advice on enjoying bird song. He continues by describing bird language, describing the various types of calls uttered, and the situations in which they are employed. 1976 REVIEWS 167 The text is well illustrated by sonagrams, some original, some repro- duced from published sources. The standard of reproduction is excellent. Armstrong continues by discussing territorial song, courtship and nesting song, vocal communication between parents and offspring, how birds acquire their songs, interactions of song and the environment, and finally some helpful advice on the study of bird song, emphasizing the value of keeping notes on the relationship between a bird’s utterances and its behaviour. Brief mention is made of the use of portable tape-recorders in studying bird song. A brief but useful list of sources of recordings of bird songs is given, The bibliography is scanty, referring to only five publications. However, these represent the nucleus of literature on bird ‘song, and, as Armstrong says, provide references to most of the liter- ature on the subject. The index is good. There is little that can be said to fault this excellent little book, par- ticularly considering its exceptionally modest price. Sonagrams 3a and 3b, illustrating drumming in Lesser Spotted and Great Spotted Wood- peckers, are reproduced at differing scales, which detract somewhat from comparison. Nothing is said concerning the vocal mechanism of birds—the involvement of the syrinx rather than the larynx in sound production—but the book is concerned with the nature and function of the sounds themselves rather than with the means of their generation. Mr Armstrong rightly points out that there is still much to be learnt about bird song. His book should do much to encourage interest in that direc- tion. Born to Sing, sub-titled An Interpretation and World Survey of Bird Song, is written by a distinguished professional philosopher-aesthetician who has spent many years studying bird song in the field, travelling widely in five continents. Professor Hartshorne uses his observational data to support the thesis that to some degree birds take an aesthetic interest in their songs. Certainly his observations indicate that the func- tional attributes of song do not preclude the possibility of the bird deriv- ing pleasure from singing. Hartshorne begins with a chapter entitled “The aesthetic analogy as scientific hypothesis’, in which he considers the analogy between bird song and human music. He then goes on to consider “Animal music in general’’, including animals as diverse as insects and mammals. The third chapter compares bird song with human music, and shows that to a large extent bird songs resemble human music both in the sound patterns and in the behaviour setting. Chapter 4 considers imitative chatter and singing, and is followed by a chapter discussing methods of describing songs. In chapter 6 Hartshorne suggests how some aspect of song may be quantified, and proposes a 6-dimensional method of measuring song-development by assessing loudness, scope (complexity), continuity, tone, organization, and imitativeness. Chapter 7 discusses the monotony-threshold, and Hartshorne’s anti-monotony prin- ciple, suggesting that the evolution of song has been towards increasing sensitivity to the value of contrast and unexpectedness. In Chapter 8, the relationship between song-development and amount of singing is con- sidered, showing that the quality of song and the amount of singing are positively correlated. Chapters 9-11 discuss ‘‘Well-equipped singers”, “Highly-developed or superior songs” and “Less well-equipped singers’. The final chapter summarizes Hartshorne’s findings and poses questions. There follows a series of appendices quantifying song quality in a large number of species according to Hartshorne’s method; some staff nota- tions of songs; some sound spectrograms, unfortunately of poor quality and lacking scales; a useful glossary; a comprehensive bibliography, and indices of species, persons and topics. Each chapter is ended by a concise summary, and at the end of chapter 6 there is a preview of later chapters. Of necessity, much of Hartshorne’s book is speculative, perhaps too 168 “REVIEWS -9(3) much so for some ethologists. Chapter 11 betrays a certain lack of fam- iliarity with the detailed structure of the vocal organs in non-passerine birds, inasmuch as Hartshorne seems to overlook their often markedly different syringeal structure from the passerine pattern, especially in such groups as ducks, pigeons and parrots. This does not, however, detract from Hartshorne’s conclusions, and is excusable insofar as vocal anatomy is still a little-studied branch of avian science. Hartshorne’s Born to Sing is a valuable addition to the literature on bird song. Clearly written and well-produced, it forms, as the author says in the preface, a valuable complement to Thorpe’s Bird Song and Armstrong’s A Siudy of Bird Song. ROBERT W. WARNER Pine Crossbills. By Desmond Nethersole-Thompson. Berkhamsted, T. & A. D. Poyser Ltd. 1975. Pp. 256; 1 colour plate, 16 black-and-white photographs; numerous black-and-white drawings; sound spectro- grams and distribution maps. 24 x 16 cm. £5.00. Pine Crossbills is the vernacular name adopted by Desmond Nethersole- Thompson for the Parrot Crossbill of Europe which he brackets as con- specific with the Scottish Crossbill. He is not the first to have done this (e.g. Hartert Erganzungsbund 68-69). There are morphological similar- ities, and the preferred habitat of both is Pine forest Pinus sylvestris, but this author goes further, Following a reasonable hypothesis that the Pine Crossbill of Europe evolved from the Scottish Crossbill rather than vice versa, Nethersole-Thompson ‘‘would re-designate the Scottish Cross- bill Loxia pinicola pinicola and tentatively place the European Pine Crossbill . .. as Loxia pinicola pityopsittacus”’. This is not the final word however—and indeed there may be no final word—as both Salomonsen and Alan Knox regard the Scottish Crossbill as a monotypic species Loxia scotica. The latter, from his study of cross- bills at Aberdeen University Department of Natural History, contributes a chapter on crossbill taxonomy in which there is a detailed account of the taxonomic history of the Scottish Crossbill. Further to all this, Neth- ersole-Thompson correlates his arguments with the geographical history of European coniferous woodland. Some birdwatchers may consider this sort of material dull and of no consequence, but any serious student of the history of Scottish birds cannot fail to be interested by these de- tailed discussions of a very Scottish bird—perhaps the only one now that Lagopus scoticus has succumbed to a take-over bid by Lagopus lagopus ! Nethersole-Thompson is a field ornithologist par excellence and writes with an enthusiasm which has not diminished with the passage of the years. He began watching crossbills in the Brecklands of Norfolk over forty years ago when his associates were mainly egg collectors—colourful characters whose exploits and idiosyncracies he portrays with obvious delight—though none of these could hold a candle to William Stirling of Fairburn, Ross-shire (grandfather of the present laird) who, between 1900 and 1907, supervised the finding of no less than 91 crossbills’ nests on his estate, and shared out the spoils to such guests as F. C. Selous, Norman Gilroy, George Lodge and Edgar Chance. There is less personal reminis- cence in this volume, which is probably a good thing, and although the writer’s predilection for purple passages appears to be waning he can still produce a few beauties on occasion. Throughout, Nethersole-Thompson combines his own notes and person- al experiences of crossbills with those of other workers, including a con- siderable amount of Russian material, to produce a remarkably compre- hensive account of crossbill biology and relationships. This naturally 1976 REVIEWS 169 varies in quality but one chapter of outstanding content and interest is on “Food”, quoting at length Pullianen’s work on nutrition of crossbills in Lapland where it is shown that the nutritional value of Spruce seeds varies not only from year to year but also from place to place in a north- south direction: a crossbill in Lapland has to work harder than one further south to achieve the same nutritional status, thus the habitat is a marginal one even in good years. Elsewhere, poor seed years influence numbers of non-breeders, failed breeders and emigrants, but quantity of seed alone is not an adequate criterion for assessment as the actual chemical composition varies annually and regionally. It is assumed that the Scottish Pine Crossbill numbers and movements are similarly influen- ced but no work has been done in Scotland comparable with Pullianen’s in Finland. Scottish readers, especially those who have the opportunity of visiting Pine forests, will naturally be attracted by the chapter on ‘‘Distribution”— of Pine and Common Crossbills in Scotland—and undoubtedly interest will be stimulated to help work out the true picture which even now is incomplete and obscure. The illustrations deserve a special word of praise and appreciation. As a reviewer I have commented elsewhere on Donald Watson’s talent. as a black-and-white artist: how sensible of author and publisher to ask Donald Watson to produce the utterly delightful and life-like drawings for this book. The photographs are a magnificent selection and in par- ticular illustrate beautifully the differences in bill structure between crossbill species. In the reviewer’s opinion this is Nethersole-Thompson’s best mono- graph yet and can be thoroughly recommended to all interested in cross- bills, Pine forests or Scottish birds in general. IAN D. PENNIE. All Heaven in'a Rage: a Study of Importation of Wild Birds into the United Kingdom. By T. P. Inskipp. Sandy, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 1975. Pp 40; 10 photographs; 30 tables; 6 figures. 21 x 30 cm. 85p. In 1972 the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds decided to investi- gate the importation of wild birds into Britain. Few facts were available, so T. P. Inskipp was appointed investigator and he concentrated his efforts at Heathrow Airport, the main import point in Britain. The RSPCA maintains a hostel at the airport where birds in transit receive attention, so this was a natural focus for inquiry. This excellent report is the result of two years patient detective work. Its conclusions will be a revelation to ornithologists who think of aviculture in terms of Budgerigars and Canaries. Britain is a major importer of wild birds captured abroad by liming and other barbarous methods banned in this country. These are then transported by air in cramped and cruel conditions. Every year 600,000 wild birds are imported into Britain and half a million more pass through in transit. These figures are conservative estimates, no reliable statistics are kept. The world trade is estimated as at least five million, and no one knows how many birds have to die in the hands of primitive bird catchers to produce this figure. The main importers of wild birds are the USA, Japan and the EEC states. The main exporters are in southern Asia (es- pecially India), tropical Africa and South America. The pattern is familiar; as with furs and ivory the fauna of the Third World is pillaged to meet the selfish luxury demands of industrial nations. The trade is big business, worth over £1,500,000 retail in Britain per annum, and major airlines find it a lucrative freight. i 170 REVIEWS 9(3) Rare species are imported regularly. To name but a few, Spoonbills, Black Storks, Andean Condors, one Siberian Crane, crowned pigeons, birds of paradise, Rothschild’s Mynah and many endangered parrots were all recorded in the study period. Rare species have a high market value, and are usually cared for in transit. However, overcrowding and ill-treatment is the rule of the day for most ordinary species and this leads to high mortality. The report in- stances many cases of downright cruelty : falcons’ eyelids sewn up with string, swans stuffed into boxes without food or drink, seven hundred manakins packed into a box designed to take one hundred. Nectar eaters like hummingbirds suffer terribly and it is common for one bird in three to be dead on arrival at Heathrow. Whole consignments can perish en route. Even the seed eaters suffer a 3% mortality rate, and further deaths occur along the distribution network. Australia, Indonesia and other countries prohibit the export of their rare birds. These are then smuggled into Britain. Once the customs have been evaded it is then legal to advertise and sell the bird in Britain ! A pair of Golden-shouldered Parrots, brought illegally out of Queensland to London were worth £4,500 to the smuggler. The licensing system for importing birds of prey is abused on a wide scale and dealers to the falconry trade made a mockery of the regulations by various subterfuges. If unlicensed birds should be seized by the customs, it is usual for them to be sold like any other confiscated article! They can then be bought by dealers which defeats the object of the restriction. The RSPB is to be congratulated on this study and this concise, factual report will remain a classic in this field for many years. At 85p it is ex- cellent value and deserves a place on every bird-lovers’ bookshelf. It is eminently suitable for public libraries and school teachers should find it valuable for projects. The report makes simple recommendations about packaging, licences, etc., which would greatly improve conditions in this dubious trade. R. A. EADES. Scottish Ornithologists’ Club ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 29th Annual Conference will be held in the University of Stirling from 28th-30th January 1977. The theme for the Saturday morning will be on birds of prey, with particular reference to Scotland, and with talks given by several speakers. On the Sunday morning before the interval, three short talks will be given on different aspects of current ornitholog- ical research in Scotland. Full details of the programme, together with the conference booking form, will be sent to all members with the winter number of the journal early in December. BRANCH AND GROUP SECRETARIES Members are asked to note the following new Branch and Group Sec- retaries : AYR Mr J. Miller, 7 Kirkhill Crescent, Prestwick, Ayrshire (tel. 0292 78835). STIRLING Mr A. B. Mitchell, 7 Gladstone Place, Stirling FK8 2NN (tel. 0786 4383). WIGTOWN Mr G. Shepherd, Bay House Restaurant, Cairnryan Road, Stranraer, Wigtownshire (tel. 0776 3789). 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 171 WINTER EXCURSIONS AYR BRANCH Saturday 9th October 1976 MARTNAHAM LOCH (by kind permission of Colonel Bryce M. Knox). Meet Wellington Square, Ayr, 1.30 p.m. or Marnaham Lodge Gates 2.00 p.m. Leader, R. Hissett. Saturday 13th November CAERLAVEROCK, WILDFOWL TRUST. Meet Wellington Square 9.00 a.m. Coach. Bookings with fare (£3) and s.a.e. for confirmation of booking to Leader, J. K. R. Melrose, The Shieling, Arran View, Dunure, Ayr (tel. Dunure 215) by Saturday 30th Oct. Bring picnic lunch. Saturday 11th December DOONFOOT. Meet 1.30 p.m. at car park at Doon- foot, Leader, W. R. Brackenridge. Sunday 9th January 1977 LOCH RYAN & CORSEWALL POINT. Meet Wellington Square 9.00 a.m. Leader, J. Miller. Bring picnic lunch. Sunday 6th February DIPPLE SHORE, NEAR GIRVAN. Meet Wellingion Square 1.00 p.m. or Dipple lay-by on A77 near Alginate factory at 1.30 p.m. Leader, R. H. Hogg. Sunday 6th March LOCH KEN. Meet Wellington Square 9.30 a.m. Leader, M. E. Castle. Bring picnic lunch. Note: All excursions, except November, will be in private cars. Further details from J. Miller, 7 Kirkhill Crescent, Prestwick (tel. Prestwick 78835). Send s.a.e. if writing. DUNDEE BRANCH Sunday 24th October 1976 LINTRATHEN, BACKWATER & KINNORDIE. Leader, B. Pounder. Saturday 20th November MONTROSE AREA, Leader, N. K. Atkinson. Sunday 12th December "TENTSMUIR & TAYFIELD. Leader, D. B. Thom- son. Saturday 8th January 1977 PITCUR WOODS. Leader, J. E. Forrest. Ba oteed 27th February ST ANDREWS & LEVEN. Leader, Mrs J. A. R. rant. Saturday 26th March ROHALLION. Leader, P. N. J. Clark. Sunday 24th April TROSSACHS. Leader, P. N. J. Clark. Coach outing; full details from the Branch Secretary. All excursions, except 24th April, are by private car and start at 10 a.m. from City Square, Dundee on Sundays and from Dudhope car park, Dun- dee on Saturdays. For details of the coach outing on 24th April, and further information about the other excursions, contact the Branch Secretary, Mrs A. Noltie, 14 Menteith Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 3EN (tel. 0382 75074); please send s.a.e. if writing. INVERNESS BRANCH Sunday 3rd October 1976 LOCH OF STRATHBEG. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 8.00 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Leader Jim Dunbar. Sunday 2lst November BURGHEAD AND SPEY BAY. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 9.00 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Leader Malcolm Harvey. Saturday 12th February 1977 CAIRNGORMS AND LOCH GARTEN. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 9.00 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Leader Roy Dennis. Names to and further information from Mrs J. Morrison, 83 Dochfour Drive, Inverness IV1 5ED (tel. Inverness 32666). Please send s.a.e. if writing. 172 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 9(3) BRANCH & GROUP NEWS Dumfries To the Ladies’ Committee especially, for their planning and hard work, and to members and friends for their support, congratulations are offered for making the Branch coffee morning such a notable success. Thus, in raising the handsome sum of £202 the Branch won by a distance the Dry Rot Appeal Stakes! The summer excursions, graced, as seems usual nowadays, by blue skies and light winds, were happy and, we are assured, helpful occasions. To Major and Mrs Johnson-Ferguson and to Mr and Mrs John Gladstone, into whose homes participating members were invited on two of the outings, the Committee’s thanks must be recorded. Moving back to February, the annual wildfowl watching weekend, in which some three dozen visiting members joined the local people, was considered as enjoyable as ever. Once again on the Saturday evening the Branch’s brilliant photographers delighted a packed audience in the County Hotel’s Prince Charlie’s Room with a quite outstanding colour transparency programme. Whilst on the subject of the wildfowl weekend, now may be a suit- able opportunity to remind members that the months of February and March are not necessarily the best times for seeing Caerlaverock’s famous Barnacle Goose flock at its optimum number. In fact, from October to December, visitors are much more likely to see, often at close quarters, the entire 5,000 plus assembly of these fine geese. Which, of course, is not to say that such a number may not also be present later in the winter, but close viewing of a great mass of Barnacles is a surer prospect earlier than later in the season. On the other hand, March and April are un- doubtedly the best months for watching at close range the Pink-footed Geese of the Caerlaverock area. The birds, freed from the disturbances of the shooting season, flock in huge numbers on the merses and grassy fields at Glencaple on the Nith estuary and throughout Caerlaverock and the neighbouring parishes. So, for the wild-goose watcher two visits to the Solway region, one in November and one in March may be the answer. WILLIAM AUSTIN Glasgow For one reason—and another—our April meeting never materialized. Firstly Brian Sage the lecturer could not come on the appointed date and we decided to hold yet another members’ night programme. Frantic phone calls to the loyal few, counting on their unfailing good natured co-operation, ensured an evening’s entertainment. The second blow, how- ever, came in the form of an industrial dispute at the Art Gallery where our meetings are held. There was nothing for it but to write to each of the 300 Glasgow members to tell them the meeting was cancelled. We hadn’t realised how many members we had on our list! Material for our members’ nights has always been of a very high stan- dard and unfortunately this seems to deter some members who may only have one or two holiday slides to show. This is a great pity because the audience greatly enjoys the variety this provides. The branch spring and early summer outings to Inchcailloch, Inver- snaid and Bass Rock went off as planned but the boat trip to Ailsa Craig, organized with great good humour and not a little difficulty by David Clugston, went on the rocks at the eleventh hour. David had the unen- viable task of phoning the twelve members of the party cancelling the outing. The boatman had called off fearing bad weather the following day. As the Ailsa Craig skipper is also the coxswain of the local lifeboat, his premonition had to be taken seriously. All David’s hard work and consequent disappointment, however, was rewarded by a consolation trip to Aberlady Bay where he saw a Lesser Golden Plover and a Surf Scoter. MURIEL DRAPER Wildfowl Counts in Scotland For more than 20 years the task of organising the winter Wildfowl Counts in Scotland was undertaken by a succession of dedicated SOC members; first by Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter, then by Miss Betty Garden and finally by Miss Valerie Thom. When Miss Thom resigned in 1971, no overall Scottish Organiser could be found to continue the work centrally, and so a number of Regional Organisers were appointed who ‘deal direct with the Wildfowl Trust in Slimbridge. The Club agreed to be responsible for appointing Regional Organisers when necessary in future, and a copy of the counts for all parts of Scotland is maintained in the Club’s Reference Library in Edinburgh. A list of the Regional Organisers is given below, and anyone who is interested in helping with the counts is asked to write to their nearest Organiser. Shetland P. Kinnear, 2 Mounthooly Street, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 OBJ Orkney D. Lea, Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney, KW17 2RE. Caithness S. Laybourne, Old Schoolhouse, Harpsdale, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6UN. Sutherland (West) Dr I. D. Pennie, Varkasaig, Scourie, Sutherland. Moray Firth C. G. Headlam, Dallachie, Fearn, Ross-shire IV20 1TN. Banffshire, Morayshire, Nairnshire J. Edelsten, 14 South High Street, Banffshire, AB4 2NT. Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire Dr R. S. Bailey, Cairnaquheen, Torphins, Aberdeenshire, AB3 4JS. Angus B. Pounder, 64 Forfar Road, Dundee, Angus. Perthshire (East) E. D. Cameron, Strathclyde, 14 Union Road, Scone, Perth, PH2 6RZ Argyllshire Miss M. P. Macmillan, An Fhuaran, Clachan Seil, Argyllshire. Fife, Kinross-shire Mrs J. A. R. Grant, Brackmont, Crail, Fife. Clackmannanshire, Perthshire (West), Stirlingshire A. B. Mitchell, 7 Gladstone Place, Stirling FK8 2NN. Clyde R. A. Jeffrey, 5 Victoria Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire. Bute J. B. Simpson, Estate Office, Rothesay, Bute. Lothians R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian. Ayrshire A. G. Stewart, 31 St Andrews Avenue, Prestwick, Ayrshire, KA9 2DY. Borders (write to D. Salmon, The Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester, GL2 7BT). Dunfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire R. T. Smith, Apple- garthtown, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEw STOCK Bird Observatories in Britain and Ireland Durman £5.00 Birds of Siberia Seebohm (reprint) £8.00 Island Biology Lack £11.50 Guide to the British Landscape Cheatle £3.95 Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World in Colour Smart £5.95 Write for our booklist. NEW TERMS—Add 50p to your order total. DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL A.A. * R.A.C, * R.S.A.C. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1976. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone: Dornoch 216 VENNAL CAMERAS 12 New Bridge Street, Ayr SWIFT BINOCULARS AT REDUCED PRICES Ret. price Our price Grand Prix 8x40 ......... £49.68 £36.60 Geunty 10x40 ............ £54.00 £39.42 Boneeh 10X00 2.....:)....... £56.16 £41.40 SMIDGre (XOU .......05.6h.6- £64.80 £49.00 Saratoga 8x40 ............ £60.48 £45.18 Newport 10x50 ............ £66.96 £51.00 Audubon 8.5x44 ............ £90.72 £65.40 Tri-lyte 10x40 ............... £73.98 £54.90 RUSSIAN BINOCULARS SSS) Gees art ae £20.90 £16.75 [50 Gl lees oi re £27.24 £21.85 OG ae oe £28.67 £22.75 JAPANESE BINOCULARS PROM IAUECH oo oor irr: adel «sneer save Vee £15.95 BA Oe aC Mbexccsreer: «6. 02. sda £17.95 “0 S21 (1 Se ee eee ae a £19.95 Hilkinson BCF 8x30 with hide case ... £24.95 All prices correct at time of going to press and include case, straps and postage VENNAL AUDIO VISUAL 49 Foregate, Kilmarnock Pigase SENG IMMediately oo... icccscssscssccebessseseeshetsenssen and find enclosed £........000 ROO eee RE REE EERE EERE EE REE EEE OED SHOTS EHHE HERS ESHES SEES HEROES EEEE HEHEHE EE EHS E ESE EEHSEEEEOEESEEEEEES GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available A.A. R.A.C. R.S.A.C. BOOKS BIRDS and ISLANDS St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides and Natural History Antiquarian and secondhand books and libraries bought. DAVID WILSON 95 Worlds End Lane Weston Turville Aylesbury, Bucks. HIGHLAND BIRDS, WILDLIFE and SCENERY All inclusive one week Interpretive Holidays in MAY and JUNE Based at a quiet Hotel in the Rothiemurchus Forest. (Fifth season) Further particulars : Highland Guides Information Inverdruie, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Tel. Aviemore 729 FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrighishire, Scoiland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp ; appreciated. ISLE of MULL Looking across the Sound of Mull to the Morvern Hills beyond. Comfortable Accommodation in a small guest house run with bird watchers in mind. Dinner, bed and breakfast. H&C and radiators in all guest bedrooms. Use of reference books. S.A.E. please. Open Easter until mid-Oct. RICHARD & ELIZABETH COOMBER, Staffa Cottages Guest House, TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL. Tel. 2464 WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS in the HIGHLANDS Send stamp for details of one and two-week holidays April-November. A series of week-end holidays for the winter of 1976-77 is also being planned. CALEDONIAN WILDLIFE SERVICES | 2 Kingsmills Gardens, Inverness, IV2 3LU. COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply ; slides of most British Birds | from our own collection, and ' from that of the R.S.P.B.' Send 20p for sample slide: | and our lists covering these. and birds of Africa—many | fine studies and close-ups. FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out. slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- cluding postage & V.A.T. per night’s hire. Birds are group- ed according to their natural habitats. W. COWEN Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbria CONSERVE AT DISCOUNTS — A OFUPTO ore 07 We hold in stock what is believed to be the largest range of binoculars and telescopes for bird watching in the country. Here are some examples of our discount prices, correct at time of press (send coupon for up-to-date mail order price list and FREE COPY of ‘Your Guide to Binocular Ownership’). ALL BRAND NEW COMPLETE WITH CASE & LANYARD Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 Mk. Il .... Retail £81.00 Our price £58.30 Swift Saratoga 8 x 40 Mk. Il ........ Retail £56.25 Ourprice £40.50 Swift Grand Prix 8 x 40 ............. Retail £45.00 Our price £32.40 Carl Zeiss 8 x 30B Dialyt ............ Retail £202.33 Our price £134.90 Carl Zeiss 10 x 40B Dialyt ........ Retail £238.56 Our price £159.04 Leitz 10 x 40B Hard Case ............ Retail Our price £205.88 Habicht Diana 10x 40 ....... Retail £155.76 Our price £116.81 Nickel Supra Telescope 15x60x60 Retail £120.38 Our price £88.00 Swift Telemaster 15x60x60 ........ Retail £138.38 Our price £99.50 Camping, Climbing, Rambling send too, for 0, mail order price lists My 7, from our associate 8a company Field & Trek HE St iro (Equipment) Ltd. Rony 1] Same top quality, same keen prices, same address. The Birdwatchers Glasses. Heron 8x40 BCF & BWCF Mark | £21.56; Mark Il £24.93. To HERON OPTICAL CO. LTD. (Dept. SB9), 23/25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex. Please send binocular/telescope price list(s) and Guide to Binocular/Telescope Ownership BIRDS OF COLOMBIA A 15 day Escorted Tour for ORNITHOLOGISTS, including a visit to THE AMAZON departing London, Ist April, 1977 Colombia—A country of extraordinary interest to any ornithologist. It contains 1500 species of birds, probably the largest total of any country in the world. Our tour visits the main areas: SANTA MARTA, the TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK on the Caribbean Coast, BOGOTA, high in the Andes Mountains, and eight days on the AMAZON. The following are just a sample of birds seen during our April 1976 Tour: HOATZINS, TROGONS, numerous PARROTS, CONURES, MACAWS, HORNED SCREAMERS, BARBETS, OROPENDOL AS HUMMING BIRDS, TANAGERS, PARROTLETS, CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKERS and CAPPED HERONS. The Tour is limited to twenty five participants, all flights are on scheduled services. Following her recent visit with Worldspan to Colombia, Rosemary Low will escort this departure, Rosemary author of “PARROTS OF SOUTH AMERICA”, “AVIARY BIRDS” and “BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BIRD KEEPING”. WORLDSPAN INTERNATIONAL ABTA ATOL IATA 451B For further details contact :— LEN WILCOCK, 138 Conway Road, Llandudno Junction, North Wales. Tel. (0492) 83556/84615. Telex 61426. Evenings : COLWYN BAY (0492) 55552 Also at : 613 Royal Exchange, Manchester. Tel. 061 834 4862. TAKE A at Mr Frank’s unusual re tg binocular SNES. (3 «7 offer : sy wy ms tt eS UME SS Test any FRANK-NIPOLE binocular free for 7 days and see for yourself why these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Five models particularly favoured by birdwatchers : Exit Relative Field Price Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case 8 x 30 3.7 13.6 (in 18 ozs. 43 ins. £19.25 10 x 50 5 25 55 - 36 OZs. 7. tins: £27.50 8 x 40 a 25 wees 36 ozs; © Seas: £37.76 8 x 20 25 6.2 TE? 6 ozs. 3% ins. £38.50 10 x 40 4 16 Tale 25; ozs. 4; ins. £39.50 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we will give you the opportunity of purchasing a Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular about 25% below R.R.P. Colour brochure free on request. LTD a Frank 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. Binocular specialists since 1907. Tel. 041-221 6666 / WALTER THOMSON ~~ ge CHISEL SEU ra q eee eee r pi a ISSN 0036-9144 BIRDS | THE JOURNAL OF THE ! SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 4 WINTER 1976 Price 75p ScOlmiSh BIRD REPORT 1975 19777 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon)MTAI. Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. Most with guest lecturers and a tour manager. *Provisional SPRING IN VENICE ... Mar 19-26... Art & Leisure £139 SPRING IN ATHENS .. . Mar 22-31 . . . Museums & Leisure £125 SPRING IN ARGOLIS ... Mar 22-31 ... Sites & Flowers £152 PELOPONNESE ... Apr 1-15... Birds & Flowers £340 CRETE... Apr 1-15... Birds & Flowers £330 MACEDONIA ... Apr 28-May 5... Birds with Peter Conder £210 ANDALUSIA ... May 2-14... Birds & Flowers £220* PELOPONNESE & CRETE .. . May 24-Jun 7... Sites & Flowers £345 CRETE (8 days) ... May 24, 31, June 7 . . . Leisure £132 NORTHERN GREECE .. . Jun 8-22 . . . Mountain Flowers £340 RWANDA & ZAIRE ... Jul 15-Aug 3... Gorillas with John £898 Gooders. AMAZON & GALAPAGOS ... Aug 4-24... Dr David Bellamy £1064 BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS .. . Sep 22-29 .. . Eagles with £195 Dr Chris Perrins. KASHMIR & KULU ... Oct 14-29... Birds & Flowers £680* AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS ... Oct 12-21 ... Birds & Sites £153* AUTUMN IN CRETE ... Nov 1-8... Birds & Leisure £154* Brochures by return. Registration without obligation. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, =, SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, oie OX2 7uP. As EET Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 as Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B RARE BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND by J.T. R. SHARROCK and E. M. SHARROCK This new, much fuller, companion work to Dr Sharrock’s Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain and Ireland (£3.80) provides a textual and visual analysis for over 221 species of rare birds seen in these islands. Over 8000 records have been collated by Mrs E. M. Sharrock and displayed in maps and histograms. Between them the authors tell: HOW MANY birds were seen WHEN they occured HOW REGULARLY they came WHERE they were seen There are line drawings by five well-known artists of each of the 221 species treated. 336 pages, £6.00 net BIRD OBSERVATORIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND edited by ROGER DURMAN £5.00 net PINE CROSSBILLS A Scottish contribution by DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON £5.00 net DUCKS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE by M.A. OGILVIE £5.00 net T&ADPOYSER 281:High St, Berkhamsted, Herts. AT DISCOUNTS OFUP TO 9 * by fe Ms th Nar SQ / MeN Arad \4 h ‘ wr iy ie st ) \\ \ + 1) Ny Uy), > F A#s- *Gyr Falcon One pale bird caught at oil rig 130 miles NE of Aberdeen 5 Jan, died later at Aberdeen (R. Baxter). Merlin Breeding as usual from Shet south; Dumf, gradual increase; Kirk, poor year, no success at 4 known sites, may have been due to cold weather at egg-laying. Migration and counts: Shet, arrivals from 15 Apr Foula, suggestion of passage 27 Aug-18 Nov; Fair Isle, passage mainly 10 Apr-9 May, 19 Aug- Dec, max 3 on 1 Sep, 3 on 26 Sep; Isle of May, passage 6-21 Oct, max 2; good numbers reported in winter. *Red-footed Falcon Two records: imm gd Strathbeg, Aber, 20 June (JD); ¢ Belhaven, Dunbar, E Loth, 4 July (TCS). Kestrel Breeding: Ork, nos. still lower than 1973; Inv/E Ross, nos. seemed low; Midl, 40+ prs nesting Edinburgh; E Loth, nos. less than usual; Ayr, nos. high in vole plague areas New Cumnock-Dalmellington; Kirk/Wig, good season in vole infested areas, e.g. 30 High Water of Ken Valley, Smittons-Lorg 9 Aug. Migration: Shet, 21 records 3 Apr-18 June, 19 records 3 Aug-24 Oct; Fair Isle, few 22 Apr-15 June, 30 July-10 Nov, max 4 on 20 Aug; Aber, 1SE at oil rig 99 miles NE of Aberdeen 13 Apr; Kinc, 1 off sea Girdleness 4 Sep; Isle of May, 23 July-31 Oct, max 6 on 6 Oct; Fife Ness 6 on 6 Oct. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 195 Red Grouse Shet, reported from 10 areas, lst young 1 July; Ork, good year; O Heb, slight increase W and Central Lewis; Suth, pr reared 6 young Handa; Midl, poor season; Renf, best season for years; Kirk, good season Grobdale. Ptarmigan Caith, 2 broods Morven; Aber, 1 Bennachie 10-11 Jan is well outside usual range; Arran, small nos. winter but still no evidence of breeding. Black Grouse W Ross, d Achnasheen May; Dunb, 8 dd Duncryne Hill 24 Dec; some suggestion of local increases and decreases in various areas. Capercaillie Little comment : Fife, nos. present Tentsmuir; Dunb/W Stir, young Torrinch 4 June, B/5 Inchcailloch 31 May. jRed-legged Partridge (Hybridizes with Chukar Alectoris chukar and Rock Partridge A. graeca) Caith, max 20 Sandside 6 Feb; Suth, 2 Rosehall 27 Apr; Ross, ?Chukar L Eye 31 May; Moray, introduced Pitgavenie; Aber, Skene population may be self-sustaining, 2 of 13 on 1 June were hybrids; Angus, some survivors, e.g. 2 with young Edzell 13 Aug; Perth, various reports; Fife, pr Balerno 11 Apr; Dunb, records Glen Fruin, where 150 relased, 10 Rossdhu; W Stir, present Balfron; Galloway report of hybrids. Partridge Breeding : good season noted Caith, Aber, Kinr, Midl, E Loth, Dunb, W Stir, Lan and Dumf. Poor in Fife and declining Peebles. High counts : 28 Scone, Perth, 23 Nov; 30 Vane, Kinr, 7 Nov; 40 Alloa, Clack, 8 Nov; 35 Niddrie, Midl, 11 Oct; 30 Summerston, Dunb, 3 Jan; 30 Balglass, W Stir, 11 Aug. *Quail No breeding record. Mostly singles: Fair Isle, 17 May (RAB); Midl, pr Cousland 17-22 May (JHB), 1 Gorebridge 4 Aug (R & C Dunsire); Rox, Hoselaw L 9 Aug (AWGJ); Dunb, Endrick Mouth 7 June (TPD); Lan, Gadloch 7 June; Bute, Greenan 30 June (JLB); Dumf, Bellholm Kirk- ton 19 Apr, 11 May (MM). Pheasant Shet, 1-2 Kergord Jan-Apr, pr Muness, recent releases; Caith, definite increase; O Heb, ¢ Back, Lewis, 30 Sep. Golden Pheasant Continues to thrive Kirroughtree and Penninghame, Kirk/Wig. Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera Female between Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright 25 Jan. *Crane Arg, 1 Bunessan, Mull, 9-12 May (H. Cook, J. Rusk). Water Rail Breeding: Inv, present Insh 7 Mar-26 Aug, max 5 in June; Perth, bred Seaside and numbers may be high; Renf, 3 prs bred Lochwin- noch; Ayr, 1-2 prs bred Heart L, Maybole. Migration and counts: Shet, few winter, 2 in spring, small influx Nov; Fair Isle, spring as usual, strong autumn passage 20 Sep-16 Nov, max 5 on 2 Oct, 4 on 14 Oct, 17 ringed in autumn; usual scattered records Ork south; max 7 New Cumnock, Ayr, 24 Aug. *Spotted Crake No records at possible breeding sites; 5 singles: Fair Isle, 9 May, 16-20 Aug, 2 Oct (RAB); Tarradale, E Ross, 4 Sep (PME); St Abbs, Ber, 10 May (DRL, RWJS, LLJV). Corncrake Breeding: Ork, apparently still declining, especially Main- land and S isles; O Heb, 43 sites Lewis and Harris; Suth, fewer in NW; Inv, 10-12 prs Canna; Arg, widely distributed Coll, young seen Treshnish Is, fewer Islay; Ayr, better than 1974, max 8 Pinwherry-Ballantrae June. Calling birds Moray (1), Aber (1), Angus/Kinc (2), Perth (1), Peeb Gh); Dunb (2), Lan (1), Kirk (2). Migration from 3 May, all singles: Fair Isle, 6-7th, 8 May, 15-27th, 28 Sep; Ork, Westray 3 May; O Heb, Balranald 3 May; Aber/Kinc, Girdleness 4 Sep, Rickarton (dead) 9 Sep; Kirk, Dalry 3 May. 196 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Moorhen Shet, bred 5 sites and possibly 2 others; Renf, 2 prs failed Paisley Moss when pond dried up for first time in at least 12 years, 1 ad died incubating. Counts and migration : Fair Isle, one 2 Mar, few 17 Apr- 6 May, singles 3rd, 16 Oct, 3 Nov; Perth, 55+ Errol 20 Dec. Coot Counts and migration : Shet, 4 singles Feb-Apr, 3 Nov-Dec, 1 Hill- well Jan-Dec; Fair Isle, one 22-30 Apr; Ork, 100 L of Bosquoy 11 Nov; Caith, 180 L Scarmclate 12 Jan, 280 on 14 Dec; Inv, 80 Insh 24 Nov; Aber, 1,100 Strathbeg 15 Sep (sudden influx); Perth, 300+ Carsebreck 2 Jan, 253 L of Menteith 15 Jan; Kinr, 550 L Leven Sep, 350 Oct; Stir, 144 Airthrey 1 Jan; Renf, 181 Lochwinnoch 7 Aug, 700 on 19 Oct; Ayr, 130 L of the Lowes 28 Sep. aw. Oystercatcher Breeding : Shet, lst young 28 May; Fair Isle, lst 1 Feb, most end Feb, Ist eggs 3 May; Ork, Ist eggs c/4 4 May; Inv, lst 2 inland Insh 14 Feb, 104 on 3 Mar; Aber, Ist inland Fintray 25 Jan; Perth, 2 in- land Carsebreck 2 Jan; E Loth, 2 nests mainland; Peebles, 1st 12 Feb; Kirk, lst Carlingwark L 16 Jan. Counts and migration: Fair Isle, 60N 4 Mar; O Heb, 250 Melbost, Lewis, 24 Jan; Caith, 268 Castle of Mey 6 Dec; Suth, 800 L Fleet 21 Dec; Ross, 450 Alness 30 Mar, 943 Udale 14 Sep; Inv, 1,486 Whiteness 31 July, 1,750 on 5 Sep; Moray, 760 Findhorn 21 Sep, 450 Lossiemouth 21 July; Aber, 610 Ythan 4 Aug; Kinc, 801 Girdleness 5 Feb; Angus, 1,200 Montrose 31 Jan, 300 on 25 Mar, 896 on 10 July, 2,140 on 11 Aug; Perth, 463 Inver- gowrie 29 Dec; Fife, winter peak 3,500+ Tentsmuir; Midl, 1,580 Mussel- burgh 11 Jan, 2,700 on 25 Apr, 1,600 on 20 Aug, 1,800 on 22 Oct, 40S Gladhouse 9 Aug, 38S on 23 Aug; E Loth, 1,350 Aberlady 12 Jan, 1,200'Gos- ford 20 Dec; Arg, 587 Kildalloig Bay 3 Aug; Dunb, 2,000 Ardmore 1 Jan, 2 Feb, 2,200 on 19 Oct; Renf/Dunb, 4,263 Upper Clyde 21 Dec, max 2,400 Newshot; Ayr, 1,061 Ardrossan-Seamill 12 Jan, 1,050 Turnberry-Dipple 12 Jan, 1,080 on 21 Dec; Dumf, 6,600 Caerlaverock 22 Nov; Kirk/Wig, 10,212 Aird’s Pt-Southwick Burn 20 Sep, 11,046 on 22 Nov (lower than 1974), 4,896 Urr-L Ryan 1 Feb, 4,921 on 20 Dec (higher than 1974). Lapwing Breeding : good year O Heb, Caith, Perth, Midl; poor in Fife and slight decrease Ayr. Migration and counts: Shet, max 200 Belmont 9 Nov, peak passage Skerries 28 on 14 Sep; Fair Isle, spring max 47 on 22 Feb, 50 on 22 May, main autumn passage 20-25 Sep (max 75) 30 Sep-6 Oct (max 120) and 45 on 21-25 Oct; Ork, 1,600 Scapa Flow Jan-early Mar; O Heb, 800 Bale- Share 15-22 Feb; Caith, 500 Stemster 23 Feb, 1,500 Canisbay and 500 Harpsdale 24 Oct; Ross, 700 Dalmore 12 Oct; Inv, 750 Beauly Firth 12 Jan, 700 Insh 8 Mar; Aber, 1,000 Ythan 3 Jan, 2,446 on 25 Sep, 1,300 Strathbeg 28 Dec, strong passage at oil rig 95 miles NE of Aberdeen 4 Mar; Perth, 1,200 Tibbermore (50% juvs) 17 July, 900 (70% juvs) 23 July, 2,500+ 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 197 Seaside-Mugdrum 25 Aug, 1,614 Lecropt 18 Feb; Kinr, 1,500 L Leven 15 Jan, 3,000 on 6 Feb; Clack, 2,080 Tullibody Inch 12 Oct, 1,300 Menstrie 12 Oct; Arg, 1,050 Machrihanish 1 Sep; Renf, 2,000 Barr Loch 7 Aug, 5,000 Erskine-Woodhall 8 Feb, 4,550 on 21 Dec; Lan, 4,000 Hamilton 11 Jan; Ayr, 4,600 Bogside 12 Jan, 4,000 on 2 Feb, 2,500 on 23 Aug-5 Oct, 1,800 Beith 18 Sep; Wig/Kirk, 3,000 Luce Bay 19 Sep, 2,500 L Ryan 19 Sep, 4,000 Moor of Genoch 5 Oct. Ringed Plover Breeding: Shet, lst egg 3 May, 43+ prs Fetlar; Fair Isle, 8 prs; Aber, 15 prs St Fergus; Kinc, 23 prs St Cyrus, fewer young than 1974; Fife Ness, lst egg 30 Mar; Dunb, Ist nest c/4 Endrick Mouth 13 Apr; Kirk, 2 separate young Clatteringshaws 26 June. Counts and migration: Shet, 35 Virkie 25 Aug, 110 on 26th; Fair Isle, main passage 28 Aug-13 Sep, max 70 on 29th; Ork, 130 Scapa Bay 18 Oct; O Heb, high nos. winter Uists, e.g. 350 Benbecula, 210 Baleshare, 200 Gualann 15-22 Feb, 300 Rubha Ardvule 29 July, 4 Flannans 21-28 June; Caith, 120 Sandside 7 Aug; Aber, 335 Ythan 26 May; Angus, 521 Montrose 23 May; Stir, 250 Upper Forth 7 Sep; E Loth, 240 Tyninghame 25 May; Ayr, 146 Ardrossan-Seamill 12 Jan, 209 Prestwick 12 Jan, 350 Barassie 25 Aug; Kirk/Wig, 637 Aird’s Pt-Southwick Burn and 438 Urr- L Ryan 20 Sep. *Little Ringed Plover 1 flying inland Dipple Shore, Ayr, 5 Aug (WRB). *Kentish Plover Culbin Bar, Moray, 12 June (RHD, P Conder)—4th Scottish record. Grey Plover Winter-spring : Kirk, continued increase, 200+ Southerness 2 Jan, 220 on 28 Feb; Arg, 6 Bridgend, Islay, 3 Mar; E Loth, 100 Aberlady Jan-Mar; Ork, 5 Sanday 29 May; Fair Isle, one 7 May; Shet, singles Unst 11 May, Papa Stour 9 June. Autumn-winter : more than usual most areas; Shet, from 25 Aug, max 3 Virkie 13-14th and 28 Sep; Fair Isle, singles 9 Sep-26 Oct, 2 on 20-27 Sep; Ork, 6 Toab 22 Sep, 7 Stronsay 1 Oct, 45 Deer Sound 2 Nov; O Heb, lst Melbost 21 Aug; Caith, from 14 Sep, max 6 Ackergill 5 Oct; Suth, from 27 Aug, 18 L Fleet 24 Nov, 6 on 29 Dec; Inv, 11 Lentran 30 Oct, 12 Whiteness 31 July; Aber, Ist 4 Ythan 13 Aug, 23 on 11-14 Sep, 27 Rattray 26 Oct; Angus, 1st Montrose 11 Aug, 20 on 18 Sep, 40 on 17 Oct; Perth, 3 Invergowrie 10 Nov; Isle of May, one 6 Oct; Fife, 200 Eden est autumn, 70 Culross 2 Nov; Stir, 145 Upper Forth 2 Oct; E Loth, 90 Aberlady 19 Sep; Arg, 8 L Gilp 23 Sep, 5 Machrihanish 23 Sep; Renf, 8 W Ferry 19 Oct; Ayr, 13 Hunterston 6 Oct, 17 Bogside 5 Oct; Kirk, 80 Aird’s Pt-Southwick Burn 22 Nov, 120 on 20 Dec. Inland singles: Lochmaben, Dumf 11 Dec; Midl, Gladhouse 18 Sep, Cobbinshaw 19 Sep-12 Oct. Golden Plover Breeding: Shet, 62 prs Fetlar, 190 prs Yell, lst young 25 May; Ork, 8 prs on 2,700 acres W Mainland moors; Kirk, good season Grobdale. Counts and migration: Shet, 200N Haroldswick 1 May; Fair Isle, large arrival 75 on 7 May, passage 10 Aug-18 Oct, peaks 56 on 3 Sep, 45 on 27 Sep; Ork, Northern birds P. a. altifrons mid Apr; O Heb, 500 Melbost 1 May; Caith, 500 Westfield 28 Mar; Inv, return 250 Insh 8 Mar, 200 Rhum 7 Mar; Banff, 1,000 on 21 Dec; Aber, 1,000 Strathbeg 1 Feb, 3,029 Ythan 11 Sep; Perth, Northern flocks 100 Tibbermore 24 Mar. 150 Paddockmuir 30 Mar; Kinr, 600 Ardgairney Mar; Stir, 882 Upper Forth Jan; W Loth, 6.000 Queensferry Dec; Midl, 160 Northerns Gladhouse 15 Mar; E Loth, 800 Aberlady 7 Dec; Arg, 490 Machrihanish 29 Sep; Lan, 3,500 Hamilton 11 Jan; Lan, 1,100+ Gadloch 30 Nov; Ayr, 3,000 Bogside 12 Jan, 2 Feb, 1,700 on 19 Oct, 1,200 Maidens 8 Nov; Wig, 7,000 L Ryan 19 Oct, 7.000 Baldoon 25 Oct, 5-6,000 Lochinch 8 Nov—max nearly 3 times higher than in recent years. 198 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) *Lesser Golden Plover 1 with Golden Plovers E Park, Dumf, 23 Nov- 31 Dec (AB, RHH et al); 1st in Scotland since 1956 and 3rd record. Dotterel Breeding: Grampians, nos. high, good fledging, 31 chicks ringed (1 recovered Algeria 5 Sep); E Grampians, nos. high but poor suc- cess (probably due to snow); prs on outlying hills Inv, Perth; pr nested unsuccessfully in S (new area); some bred SW. Migrants : Shet, 3 on 23-28 May; Fair Isle, 2N on 21 May, 3 on 26-31 May; Midl, 1 Pentlands 23 Aug; E Loth, 1 Aberlady 26 May, 4 on 30 May; Arg, 12 Machrihanish 4 May. Turnstone Summer: Shet, 2 alarming Mainland 1 June; Ork, display and song 2 areas 9-10 June; usual scatter coastal records, also remains at Peregrine kill Ballater, Aber, June. Counts and migration: Fair Isle, return from 9 July max 60 on 27 Aug, 78 on 5 Oct; Ork, last Copinsay 14 May, return 2 Aug; O Heb, 320 Bal- ranald 15-22 Feb; Suth, 150 Brora 30 Aug; Banff, 250 Buckpool 1 Mar; Kinc, 205 Girdleness 4 Oct, 220 on 19 Nov; Angus, 19 Montrose 10 July, 172 Arbroath 24 Aug; Isle of May, Ist 12 July, max 404 on 17 Sep; Stir, 172 Upper Forth Feb; Midl, 296 Musselburgh 25 Apr; E Loth, 1,070 Gul- lane-Tyninghame 25 Dec; Rox, 1 Alemoor 17 Aug; Arg, lst 5 Tayinloan 12 July; Renf, 115 Gourock-Inverkip; Ayr, 283 Turnberry-Dipple 29 Mar; Kirk, 239 Airds Pt-Southwick Burn 20 Dec. *Long-billed Dowitcher One Thurso, Caith, 11 Oct-20 Nov (VH, JMG et al); only 3rd Scottish record, specifically identified, subject to accep- tance by Rarities Committee. Snipe Breeding : Shet, lst display 3 Mar; Fair Isle, 3 prs nested; Dunb, lst display Gartlea 9 Jan. Counts and migration: Fair Isle, spring, 30 on 14 Apr, 28 on 20 Apr, autumn from mid Aug, max 45 on 20 Sep and 40 on 27 Oct; Aber, 55 Corby 25 Oct; Angus, 40 Lurgies 8 Aug and 45 on 10 Sep; Isle of May, 2 Aug-23 Oct; Perth, 50 Balbeggie 5 Oct; Midl, Gladhouse, 40 on 13 and 20 July, 80 on 3-9 Aug; Renf, heavier than usual autumn passage, up to 100 regularly Paisley Moss, max 110 on 28 Oct, 122 Erskine Saltmarsh 24 Nov; Lan, Possil Marsh 8 Oct; Ayr, 120 New Cumnock 24 Aug, 120 Bogside Flats 30 Aug, 150 on 6 Oct. *Great Snipe One L nam Faoileag, nr Drumnadrochit, Inv, 29 Apr (JAL, H). Jack Snipe Winter-spring: Shet, singles Whalsay and Lerwick Jan- 3 Mar; Fair Isle, singles 30 Mar, 6-7 May; Ork, 1 Firth 9 Feb; Angus, 1 Kinnaber 6 Apr; Aber, 3 Corby 26 Feb, 1 Strathbeg 2 Mar; Midl, 2 Cob- binshaw 28 Mar; Peeb, 1 Drumelzier 7 Feb; Dunb, 2 displaying Endrick 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 199 Mouth 21 May is very interesting; Renf, high peak of 20 Paisley Moss 4 Mar; Lan, 4 Carmunnock 8 Feb-9 Mar; Ayr, 2 Pow Burn 2 Feb, 3 Spring- side 23 Feb. Autumn-winter from 14 July; Shet, from 18 Aug, max 4 Whalsay 13 Nov; Fair Isle, more than usual, 7 Sep-end Nov, mainly 26 Sep-10 Oct, up to 12 daily 1-3 Oct; Ork, 2 Stronsay 14 July, few later; Moray, i0+ Findhorn 15-30 Oct; Inv, 1 Insh 29 Oct; Aber, 8 Corby 25 Oct; Fife, 3 Largo Bay 21 Dec; Midl, 6 Cobbinshaw 11 Oct; Renf, passage late, Ist 7 Oct, max 12 Paisley Moss 28 Oct, 6 on 14 Dec; Lan, 4 Possil Marsh 19 Nov; Ayr, 7 Springside 20 Dec. Woodcock Breeding: Inv/Moray, nos. high, good season, lst display flights 3 Mar; good nos. N Ayr/W Renf and Glenkens, Kirk/E Wig, lst chicks 1 May. Migration : after 6 years of scarcity, a better passage spring and autumn Fair Isle, peak 25 on 17 Apr, autumn 3 Oct-30 Nov, main arrivals 20-24 Oct, max 50+ on 21-22nd and 8-13 Nov with 100+ on 10th; Shet, small spring passage, unusual summer records Unst 7 June and Fetlar 7-8 July, few autumn from 22 Oct; Ork, small nos. include 1 Sule Skerry mid-July; Isle of May, 1 on 17 Apr, 2 on 19 Apr, passage 9-24 Oct, max 9 on 22nd. *Upland Sandpiper One Fair Isle 25 Sep, 2nd for island (5 Oct 1970) and 3rd Scottish record (RAB ez al). Curlew Breeding: Shet 2-3 prs nested Whalsay; Fair Isle, 1 pr nested, only 4th record; Ork, lst eggs Eday 28 Apr; Angus, poor season; Arran, good season. Winter-spring: Ayr, 950 Turnberry-Dipple 12 Jan, 712 Troon 2 Feb; Dunb, 500 Ardmore 23 Feb; Peeb, 1st 12 Meldons 21 Feb; Inv, Ist Insh 24 Feb, up to 100+ by 11 Mar; O Heb, 175 Traig Leathan, N Uist, 15-22 Feb; Ork, 3,700 wintered Scapa Flow; Fair Isle, daily from 29 Mar, max 30 on 15 Apr; Shet, 221 Sullom Voe 15 Feb. Autumn-winter: Shet, 13 Whalsay 12 July, 100 by 12 Aug; Fair Isle, start of passage, 40 on 8 July, 27 on 9th; Ork, 3,000 Deer Sound 2 Nov; Caith, 321 Cross Kirk 6 Dec; Aber, peak Strathbeg 1,000 on 23 July; Ross, 350 Nigg 17 Aug; Angus, 25 Montrose 22 June, 830 by 10 July, 1,000 (max) on 11th Aug; Kinr, 160 Vane 3 Aug, 300 by 9th, 1,000 by end Aug; Arg, 1,300 Machrihanish 25 July; Ayr, 2,310 Meikle Craigs 25 Aug, 1,600 on 21 Sep; Kirk/Wig, 4,737 Urr-L Ryan 20 Sep (higher than 1974). Whimbrel Breeding: Shet, counts include 34 prs Fetlar, 8-9 prs Whal- say, 6 prs Yell, 10 prs Dun, flying young i6 July; Ork, 2 prs Eday; O Heb, breeding reported several areas; 2-3 prs Scottish mainland site, some young seen. Spring passage: very early record Unst, Shet 1 Mar; next Kintyre, Arg, 12 Apr; Dumf, 3 Templeland 21 May; Ayr, 2 Turnberry 20 Apr, 11 Meikle Craigs 10-11 May, 13N Dunure 12 May; Dunb, 3 Endrick Mouth 11 May; Arg, 12 Peniver 6 May; Midl, 3 Musselburgh 7 May; Isle of May, 2 on 19 Apr, last 18 May; Aber/Kinc, 3 Girdleness 23 Apr; Suth, 12 Eriboll 30 May; O Heb, 21 Balranald 11 May; Ork, 2 Copinsay 27 Apr; Fair Isle, 26 Apr- 20 June, 6-10 on many days; Shet, singles Whalsay 16th and 24 Apr, reg- ular from 30 Apr. Autumn passage, counts higher than usual: Shet, exodus from 6 Aug, last 3 on 18 Sep; Fair Isle, mainly 22 Aug-15 Sep, max 7 on 3lst, last single 26 Sep; Ork, max 14 Copinsay 7 Aug, last 8 Sep; Caith, from 15 July, max 5S and 4E Thurso 26 Aug; Suth, 26 Handa 26 Aug; Inv, 20 Longman 27 Aug; Moray, 30 Speymouth and 20 Banff 7 Aug; Aber, 100+ Ythan 4-8 Aug is exceptional, 18 Strathbeg 22 July, 20 Meikle 27 July, last 26 Sep; Angus, 3 Usan 6 July; Isle of May 9 Aug-7 Oct, max 4 on 25 Aug; Fife Ness 28 July-8 Oct, max 14 on 29 July; Mdl, 5 Seafield 20 July; E Loth, 18 Tyninghame 1 Aug; Ayr, rather few 17 July-29 Aug. 200 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 -9(4) Winter : 3 Garheugh Port, Luce Bay, Wig, 27 Dec (J. Cudworth et al). Black-tailed Godwit Breeding: Shet, pr on usual territory but success unknown, Ork, 2 prs bred in separate localities, well grown young at 1 site on 17 Aug and 1 young just able to fly at other on 23 July. Winter-spring : Dumf, 31 E Park 21 Apr; Dunb, max 16-- Endrick Mouth 2nd and 9 Apr; Arg, 3 Islay May; Midl, spring max 7 Musselburgh 28 Feb; Stir, 6 Skinflats Jan; Fife, 78 Eden est 28 Mar, 4 Culross 12 Jan; ‘Angus/Kinc, 3 Dun’s Dish 29 Apr, 1 St Cyrus 7 June; Aber, 10 Ythan 29 Apr-3 May, 5 Auchmacoy 3-9 May, 6 on 10th; Inv, 10 L Mhor 27 Apr; Ross, 4 Dalmore 23 Mar; O Heb, 5 Balranald 2 May; Ork, 1 Sule Skerry 12 May; Fair Isle, 5 on 5 May, 1 to 7th (only records); Shet, 14 Eshaness 2nd Apr, 7 Skerries 12 May. . Autumn-winter : Shet, 4 singles 22 July-25 Aug, 2 Fetlar 4 Aug, 2 Yell 15 Aug; Ork, 5 Deer Sound 3 Aug; Caith, 1-3 Wick 19 Aug-21 Sep; Ross, 6 Dalmore 28 Sep; small nos. July-Sep E Ross south; Kinr, 1 Levenmouth 11 Aug; Fife, 90 Eden est 15 Sep, 120+ on 29 Nov; E Loth, 7 Aberlady end July; Arg, up to 20 Machrihanish 14 July-12 Aug; Ayr, 5 Bogside 18 Sep; Kirk, max 15 Carsethorn 20 Sep and 12 on 20 Dec (possibly main flock not counted, otherwise many fewer than usual). Bar-tailed Godwit Peak counts: Ork, 150 Tankerness 15 Feb, 200+ Sanday all summer, 490+ on 25 Sep, 250 Deer Sound 2 Nov; O Heb, 160 Valley Strand, N Uist, Sep, 500 Ardivachair, S Uist, 5 May, 310 Benbecula 15-22 Feb; Ross, 220 Dalmore 21 Sep, 1,000 Udale 4 Sep, 400 Munlochy 3 Feb; Inv, 480 Whiteness 2 Apr, 534 on 3 May, 640 on 31 July, 1,100 on 5 Sep; Moray, 200 Burghead 26 Oct; Angus, 120 Montrose 25 Feb; Perth, 322 Invergowrie-Kingoodie 12 Jan, 242 on 6 Apr; Midl, 850 Musselburgh 11 Jan, 400 on 20 Sep; Stir, 540 Upper Forth 7 Sep; E Loth, 800-900 win- tered Aberlady, 1,500 on 21 Sep; Arg, 200 Bridgend, Islay, 1 Mar; Ayr, 115 Hunterston 5 Mar; Kirk, 2,100 Southerness 20 Dec. Migration: Fair Isle, 2 on 3 May, below average in autumn, up to 3 on 26-30 Aug; Inv, 1 Tulloch moor 16 Apr; Midl, 3 West Cairn Hill 10 July. Green Sandpiper Winter singles : Ross, Redfield, Black Isle, 13 Feb; Rox, Wells 19 Mar; Dunb, Summerston 20 Jan; Lan, Wilderness Quarry 16 Mar; Dumf, Kingholm Jan-Feb. Spring passage: Shet, singles Clumlie 14 Apr, Unst 20 Apr, Fetlar 27 May, Foula 11-12th and 29 May; Fair Isle, 19-22 Apr, 1-2 on 5-6 May, one 16-18 May, Ork, 1 Orphir 12 May; Aber, 2 Meikle 11 May; Angus, 1 Elliot 9 May; Isle of May, 1 on 8 May; Lan, 1 Corehouse 22 Apr. Autumn-winter : Shet, 5 singles 22 Aug-21 Sep, 2 Foula 14 Aug; Fair Isle, 5 singles 15 July-20 Sep; Ork, 5 singles 11 July-10 Aug; Caith, 4 Wick 6 Aug, singles to 29 Aug; Moray, 1 Glenlatterach 13 July; Aber, 7 singles 23 July-3 Sep; Angus/Kinc, 1 Kinnaird 19 Aug; Perth, 1 Dunblane 13 Aug, 1 Glenalmond 25 Aug; Isle of May, 11-15 Aug, max 3; Midl, 1st Crosswood 6 July, Gladhouse 3 Aug-6 Sep, peaks 4 on 14th and 23 Aug, several others, e.g. last 2 Cobbinshaw 14 Nov; E Loth, 6 singles Aberlady, Drem and Tyninghame 10 July-16 Nov, 3 Drem 6 Aug, 3 Aberlady early Aug; Rox, 1 Bowden Burn 25 Dec; Arg, singles Islay 9th, 17th, 21 Aug, 11 Sep; Dunb, 1 Endrick Mouth 6 Aug; Renf, 2 singles Aug, 3 Gryfe res 27 Aug; Ayr, 5 singles 30 Aug-18 Sep, 2 Oldhall 17 Aug; Dumf, 2 Thornhill 8 Aug, 1 Langholm 17 Aug, 3 Shawholm 21 Aug; Kirk, 1 Ken Bridge 27 June, 3 on. 11 Aug, 1 Tarffwater 27 Aug, 2 Carlingwark L 18 Oct, 1 Barholm 25 Oct. *Wood Sandpiper Breeding: Caith, 2 sites known, song flight early June at one and bird still present mid-July, nest c/4 found at other on 24 June; Suth, 1 song flighting near Lairg 31 May and pr in N 13 June; E Inv, 2+ prs probably nested at main site, 3 displaying at once, display from 22 May, nest and young seen 22 June. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 201. Migrants: singles unless stated: Shet, Hillwell 14-17 May, Garths L 25 May, Tingwall 30 May; Fair Isle, 9-12 May, 2 on 26th May, 28 May, 6 June, 16 Aug, 28-29 Aug; Ork, E Mainland 15th and 21 Sep; O Heb, Gress Moor 24 May, Balranald 10-13 June, 4 July, 6-7 Aug; Caith, Wick 6 May, 15 Sep, 21 Sep; Ross, Red Point 1 June; Aber, 4 Meikle 11 May, 31 May, Ythan 11-12 Aug; Angus, Arbroath 8 May; Kinr, Levenmouth 1 June; Stir, Grangemouth 10 Aug; Midl, Gladhouse 14 July, 2 on 13 Aug, 14 Aug; E Loth, E Fortune 17 May; Rox, Alemoor 12-16 Aug; Dunb, Endrick Mouth 24 May; Dumf, E Park 10-11 June. Common Sandpiper Breeding : Shet, 9 Mainland sites, 1 Unst, Ist chick 10 June; Ork, prs nested Hoy and Orphir; Perth, poor season, lower nos. than last 2 years Sherrifmuir; Arran, increase, 14 prs. Spring arrivals: 10 Apr, Trantlemore, Suth; 14 Apr Aberlady, E Loth; 16 Apr, R Ken, Kirk, and Elliot, Angus; 19 Apr, Inv, Arg, Ayr and Kirk; most first arrivals 20-27 Apr. Migration and counts: Shet, lst 30 Apr, last Bressay 3 Oct; Fair Isle, 20 Apr (early), daily 9-16 May, max 5 on 17th, last 27 June, 6 on 6 Aug, few to 20 Sep; Inv, Clachnaharry 21 July-5 Sep, max 15 on 1 Aug, 8 Whiteness 31 July, 25 Insh 16 June, last 3 on 21 Aug; Aber, 20 Apr-23 Sep, max 5 Meikle 11 May; Perth, 25 Earn Mouth 16 July; Angus/Kinc, 18 Montrose 10 July, c30 St Cyrus early July, last 28 Sep; Isle of May, 1 on 11 May, 6 Aug-29 Sep, max 2; Midl, 6 Gladhouse 20 Apr, 12 Musselburgh 6 Aug; E Loth, last Tyninghame 3 Oct; Arg, 11 Machrihanish 14 Aug; Lan, 12 Hamilton 13 Sep; Renf, 11 Woodhall 10 Aug; Ayr, 1 Hunterston 1 Nov; Wig, 7 Luce Bay 20 Sep. *Spotted Sandpiper Pair nested unsuccessfully Highland region, 15 June-3 July, c/4 eggs (2 fertile) failed to hatch (G. E. Wilson, RHD et al). There is only one previous Scottish record (30 Oct 1971) and this is the first recorded breeding in Europe and the Palaearctic region. Redshank Counts and migration: Shet, 100 E Voe, Scalloway, 5 Oct; Fair Isle, 30 on 7 May, return from 3 July, 36 on 8 July, 80 on 13 Aug, 60 on 18 Aug; Ork, 750 Scapa Flow Feb; O Heb, 100 Melbost est 25 Mar; Caith, 180 Thurso Dec; Suth, 200 Brora 30 Aug; Ross, 600 Dalmore and 600 Alness 12 Jan, 460 Udale 14 Sep; Inv, 765 Longman 4 May; Moray, 1,000 Findhorn 17 Aug; Aber, 892 Ythan 20 Apr, 1,137 on 22 July, 1,034 on 15 Sep; Angus, 140 inland St Vigeans 17 Jan, 1,600 Montrose 31 Jan, 2,065 on 25 Mar, 85 by 23 May, 1,950 on 11 Aug; Perth, 2,434 Kin- goodie 7 Oct; Midl, 420 Musselburgh 15 Feb; Dunb/Renf, 6,500 upper Clyde Jan-Mar, 5,450 on 10 Aug, peak 7,450 on 19 Oct, max 6,500 Bowling 30 Mar, 4,750 Langbank 19 Oct; Ayr, 600 Turnberry-Dipple 2 Feb, 760 on 21 Dec; Kirk/Wig, 2,699 Aird’s Pt-Southwick Burn and 1,844 L Ryan- Urr 20 Sep. Spotted Redshank Winter-spring: Kirk, 1 Carsethorn 22 Feb; Renf, 1 Erskine 27 Apr; Ayr, 2 Knockshinnoch 9 May, 1 Barassie 18 June; E Loth, 1 Aberlady 7 Mar-3 May, 2 on 15 Mar, 1 on 14 June, 1 Tyninghame 20 June; Fife, 1 wintered Culross; Angus/Kinc, 1 Montrose 30 Mar, 29 June, 1 St Cyrus 7 June; O Heb, 1 Vatisker, Lewis 1 Apr; Shet, singles Whalsay 21 Apr, Sumburgh 6 May, Strand 8-9 May, Fetlar 25 May and Strand 31 May. Small autumn passage from 8 July : Suly Aug Sep Oct Nov 1-14 15-31 1-14 15-30 North (Shet-Inv) 2 2 1 3 1 — — East (Moray-Stir) 2 2 13 7 2 2 2 South-east (Loth-Borders) — 6 3 — 1 2 1 South-west (Arg-Ayr) 4 4 PISS 1 — 202 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Peaks and noteworthy records from 8 July: Perth, 3 Invergowrie 22 Aug and 5 Sep; Fife, 1 wintered Culross; Midl, 3 Crosswood 13 Aug; Rox, 1 Alemoor 12-14 Aug; Arg, 1 L Riddon 5 Sep; Renf, 1 Langbank 5 Dec; Ayr, 3 Bogside 23 Aug; no records Solway. Rroeihal Yellowlegs One Wick River, Caith, 20 Sep (SL), 7th Scottish record. Greenshank Breeding : O Heb, 14 prs on territory Lewis, fewer N Uist; Caith, good season; Arg, bird in song W of Furnace 29 May. Winter : as last year c50 Jan-Mar, mainly Moray Firth S to Clyde and Solway—max 8 Alness, Ross, 6 Inverness and 15 Clyde; up to 90 O Heb/ E Ross S to Solway in Dec, mainly Moray Firth, Clyde and Solway. Peak counts and migration: Shet, 12 May-2 Oct, c8 in spring and cl5 autumn; Fair Isle, scarce, singles 16 Apr, 7th and 18 May, 10-11 Aug, 11 Sep, 15 Sep; Ork, 19 July-25 Sep, max 10 L of Banks 26 Aug; O Heb, 6 Luskentyre, Harris 28 Sep; Caith, inland 13 Apr; Suth, 12 Badnabay 4 May; Ross, 14 Redcastle 9 Aug; Aber, 12 July-5 Nov, max 21 Ythan 4 Aug, 23 on 9 Sep; Angus/Kinc, 7 Montrose 10 July, 8 on 19 Sep; Perth, 8+ Mugdrum 25 Aug; Kinr, 2 Vane 2 Nov; Fife, from 11 July, 16 Eden 7 Sep; Stir, Grangemouth 10 Aug-2 Oct, max 12 on 23 Aug; E Loth, 9 Tyninghame 15 Aug;. Rox, 4 Alemoor 12 Aug; Renf, 20 Woodhall 19 Oct; Ayr, 9 Bogside 10 Sep, 8 Shewalton 30 Aug; Kirk, singles R Ken 29 Apr, 13 Aug; Kirk/Wig, 12 Fleet 20 Sep, 11 Cree est 22 Nov. *Terek Sandpiper One Whalsay, Shet, 20-21 June (WA, BM, JHS et al), is lst Scottish record (plate 17a). Knot Winter: O Heb, 73 Baleshare, N Uist, 15-22 Feb; Ross, 1,000 Mun- lochy 6 Jan, 800 on 3 Feb; Angus, 1,100 Montrose 26 Jan; Fife, 4,500 Longannet 8 Feb; Midl, 400 Musselburgh 15 Feb (low); Stir, 7,160 Upper Forth Jan; E Loth, 1,000 Aberlady Jan (low); Ayr, 379 Troon-Barassie 11 Feb; Kirk/Wig, 6,000 Southerness-Borran Pt 1 Feb. Migration: Shet, 2 summered Whalsay, peak passage 15-25 Aug, max 25 Whalsay 17th; Fair Isle from 10th July, mainly from 11 Aug, 40 on 21st and 25 Aug; Ork, max Colli Ness, Sanday, 23 July; O Heb, 14 Bal- ranald 25 July; Caith, marked passage 4-31 Aug, max 130 Castlehill 24 Aug; Inv, last 85 Whiteness 31 May, 300 Longman 3 Sep; Moray, 450 Burghead 18 Sep; Aber, last 4 Ythan 26 May, autumn from 12 July, max 217 Ythan 1 Sep; Angus, 20 Montrose 10 July, 750 on 16 Dec; Perth, max 7 Invergowrie 20 Aug; Renf, 150 Longbank 21 Sep; Ayr, from 20 July, max 70+ Hunterston 6 Oct. Inland: 1 Balgray res, Renf, 17 Aug, 7 on 26 Aug; 1 Loch o’ the Lowes, Ayr, 9 May; 1 Gladhouse, Midl, 14 Aug. Purple Sandpiper Shet, 100 Whalsay 17 Jan, 1 Mar, last 31 May, return 2 Fetlar 7 Aug, Fair Isle last 7 June, return 15 July, max 60; Ork, last Copinsay 25 May, 2 back on 27 July; O Heb, 120 Culla, Benbecula 15-22 Feb; Caith, last 2 Sandside 23 May; Suth, 55 Brora 28 Dec; Banff, 250 Portessie 1 Mar; Kinc, last 20 Girdleness 30 Apr, 6 on 17 Sep and max 180 on 4 Dec; Angus, 61 Arbroath 24 Aug; Isle of May, max 322 on 17 Sep is highest ever; Forth, 30 Inchmickery 5 May, 24 Leith, Midl, 14 July, 526 Gullane-Tyninghame, E Loth, 25 Dec; Dunb, 1 Ardmore 28 Oct; Ayr, 88 Turnberry 3 Jan, 10 Prestwick 13 May; Kirk, 23 Southerness 15 Mar. Little Stint Five in spring : 1 Heads of Ayr 11 May; 1 Aberlady, E Loth, 12 Apr; 1 Tentsmuir, Fife, 6-8 June; 2 St Cyrus, Kinc, 8-10 June, one sang during night. Autumn, c300 from 4 July: Shet, lst Tangwick 17 Aug, largest influx for several years, max 20-25 Virkie 23 Aug, 10 Hillwell on 24th, last Unst 4 Oct; Fair Isle, 1-2 most days 15-30 Aug; Ork, 1 Orphir 12 Sep; O Heb, 1 Ruhba Ardrule 29 July; Caith, 11 between 17th and 31 Aug, max 4 Murkle 27th; Suth, 3 Kyle of Tongue 6 Sep, 1 Dornoch 27 Aug; Moray 4 Lossiemouth 7 Sep; Banff, 2 on 30 Sep; Aber/Kinc, 30 July-3 Nov, 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 203 most Sep, max 6 Skene 24 Aug, 7 Don est 12 Sep; Angus/Kinc, 1 St Cyrus 4-6 July, 1 Montrose 19 Aug, 4 on 18 Sep; Perth, 3 Seaside 20 Sep; Fife, from 30 Aug, max 19+ Eden est 7 Sep, last 2 on 28th; Clack, 1 Kennet- pans 27 July; Stir, peak 25+ Grangemouth 6 Sep; Midl, 4 Musselburgh 28 July, 13 on 1 Aug, inland max 5 Gladhouse 30 Aug, 6 Cobbinshaw 17 Sep, 6 Harperrig 17 Sep; E Loth, from 12 July, peaks 20 Aberlady 20 Sep, 7 Tyninghame 7 Sep, last 11 Oct; Rox, 2 Alemoor 30 Aug-3 Sep; Renf, max 3 Balgray 26 Aug; Ayr, lst Bogside 18 Aug, max 10 on 25th, last 3 on 18 Sep, 4 Hunterston 3 Sep, 5 Meikle Craigs 18 Sep. *Temminck’s Stint Summer : Inv, 5+ (2 Ist-year) at 1 site 14 June-July, 3 displayed but no proof of breeding; no birds at usual N Scot site. Migrants: many more than usual: Kinc, 1 St Cyrus 31 May; Aber, 1 Auchmacoy 13 May, Strathbeg 26 May, Meikle 29 May, 18th, 20th and 25 July, 3 on 26 Aug; Fair Isle, 1 on 13-16 Sep; Shet, 1 Whalsay 19-21 May, 1 on 15 June, 1 Fetlar 6 June. *Baird’s Sandpiper One Aberlady Bay, E Loth, 11-12 Aug (MWF, RGN, GLS); 4th Scottish record, *Pectoral Sandpiper Five records: singles Fair Isle 23 May; Handa, Suth, 25-28 July (DM); L Hallam, S Uist, O Heb, 16 July (GRH); Cobbin- READ. 11-14 Oct (TB, RWJS, LLJV et al); Dipple shore, Ayr, 3 Aug Dunlin Breeding: Shet 43 prs Fetlar, lst flying young 16 July; Ork, 10-15 prs Loons, Birsay; E Loth, bred on coast; Dunb, 2 prs Endrick Mouth, young seen 7 July; Kirk/Wig, reported 3 areas, max 3 prs Moch- rum 13 June. Counts: Ork, 750 Scapa beach 22 Nov; Suth, 900 Brora 21 Dec; Ross, 750 Dingwall 16 Feb, 700 Munlochy 5 Apr; Inv, 1,000 Beauly Firth 12 Jan, 520 Whiteness 12 Jan; Moray, 1,500 Findhorn 22 Oct; Aber, 444 Ythan 5 Feb, 500 in Oct-Nov; Angus, 2,000+ Montrose 25 Feb, 1,860 on 17 Oct, 2,510 on 16 Dec; Perth, 1,560 Invergowrie-Seaside 29 Dec; Kinr, 120 L Leven 9 Feb; Stir, 8,280 Upper Forth Jan; Midl, 1,750 Musselburgh 11 Jan, 1,650 on 22 Nov, 2,350 Seafield 18 Jan; E Loth, 1,300 Aberlady 15 Feb; Dunb/Renf, 5,700 upper Clyde Jan-Feb, 6,000 on 21 Nov, 7,477 on 21 Dec included 5,700 Langbank, 4,000 Cardross 21 Nov; Ayr, 1,300 Troon-Barassie 21 Dec; Wig/Kirk, 5,602 Aird’s Pt-Southwick Burn 20 Dec, 3,099 Urr-L Ryan 22 Nov including 1,866 Cree est. Migration : Shet, usual July-Aug, early Oct movement max 200: Virkie 4 Oct; Fair Isle, 27 Apr-9 June, max 16 on 20 May, fewer autumn than last 2 years, 9 July-26 Oct, max 26 on 15 Aug; Aber, passage nos. lower and more spread out, from 22 July; Perth, first 2 Glenfarg 25 July; Midl, poor inland passage, max 16 Cobbinshaw 11 Oct; Rox, 7 Alemoor 1 June. Curlew Sandpiper Spring: 2 Sandside, Caith 7-12 June; 1 Strathbeg, Aber 14 June. Good autumn passage mainly from mid-Aug, although 1 early migrant N Ronaldsay, Ork, 21 July. Aug Sep Oct Nov 1-14 15-31 1-14 15-30 North (O Heb-Shet-Inv) 1 19 15 Pd 1 1 East (Moray-Stir) 1 46 115+ 13+ 16 1 South-east (Loth-Borders) — 25 24 10 4 — South-west (Arg-Solway) oo 18+ 46+ 14 Ah Counts and noteworthy records : Shet, max 7 Virkie 24 Aug, 5 Skerries 25-28 Aug; Suth, 4 Dornoch 3 Sep; Ross, 1 Findon 22 Nov; Aber/Kinc, 8 Meikle 26 Aug, 4S Girdleness 4 Sep; Angus, 10 Montrose 8 Sep; Perth, good autumn, peak 19 Invergowrie/Kingoodie 13 Sep; Fife, 15 Fife Ness 30 Aug, 30+ Eden est 7 Sep, 1 Culross 2 Nov; Stir, 43 Grangemouth 204 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) 7 Sep; Midl, 12 Musselburgh 13 Sep; E Loth, 12 Aberlady end Aug is lower than usual; Rox, 3 Alemoor 15-16 Aug; Arg, 1 Machrihanish 1-6 Sep; Renf/Dunb/Ayr, good nos. 17 Erskine 9 Sep, 11+ Barassie 2 Sep, 8+ Meikle Craigs 8 Sep, 2 Bowling 8 Nov, 1 Ardmore 9 Nov; Wig, 2 Luce Bay 20 Sep only reported Solway. Sanderling Winter: O Heb, 800 Howmore, S Uist, 15-22 Feb, 190 Bal- ranald 15-22 Feb; Aber, 75 Balmedie 22 Feb. Spring : Kirk, 6 Southerness 24 May; Ayr, 51 Barassie 21 May; Angus, passage Elliot 28 on 19 May, 32 on 2lst, 14 on 9 June, last 19th; Caith, 5 Sandside 13 June, 6 on 10 June; O Heb, 4 Melbost 10 June; Shet, 31 May-21 June, max 5 Unst 13 June, 5 Fetlar 7 June. Autumn: Shet, from 20 July, max 45 Virkie 23 July; Fair Isle from 22 July, max 6 on 6 Sep; Ork, from 20 July, max 60 N Ronaldsay 26 Sep, 40 Stronsay 1 Oct; Caith, 18 Ackergill 23 July; Suth, 17 Balnakeil 30 July; Inv, 4 Whiteness 31 July, 12 on 5 Sep; Aber, 30 Peterhead 4 Aug, 50 Murcar 28 Sep; Midl, from 26 July, max 12 Harperrig 24 Aug; E Loth, 58 Tyninghame 16 July, 110 Aberlady 6 Sep; Arg, lst 7 Tayinloan 12 July, 120 Gott Bay, Tiree, 18 Oct; Ayr, 1st 3 Hunterston and 65 Barassie 20 July. Aas *Buff-breasted Sandpiper Exceptional autumn arrival in UK, included 8 in Scotland: Shet, 1 Sumburgh 30 Sep (C. D. R. Heard, Mr and Mrs J. Woodland); Inv, 1 Longman 3-4 Sep (RHD, PME et al); Fife, 1 Tentsmuir 7 Sep (AB, RHH); Midl, 2 Musselburgh 4-7 Sep (AB, GLS, LLJV), an- other 16-17 Sep ae LLJV); E Loth, 1 Aberlady 3 Sep (MWF, P); Lan, 1 Strathclyde L, Hamilton 13 Sep (RN). Ruff Winter-spring : Wig, 3 Stoneykirk 4 Jan; Renf, 1 L Thom 17 May; Arg, pr displaying Machrihanish 18 May; E Loth, 18 Aberlady 16 Feb; Fife, 1 Culross 6 Apr; Angus/Kinc, 1 Kinnaber 11 May, 2 Dun’s Dish 29 May; Aber/Kinc, more than usual, 5 Balmedie 17 Feb, 5 Rosehearty 2 Mar, 14 Ythan 23 Apr, 11 on 24 May; Ross, 1 Conon Islands 4 June; Caith, pr L of Mey 6-7 June; Ork, 2 Papa Westray 10 Jan; Fair Isle, 2 on 27 May; Shet, more than usual, cl0 from 7 May-9 June, max 4 Strand 7 June. Autumn, fewer than last 2 years: Shet, from 2 July, peaks 7 Tang- wick 18 July, 7 Hillwell 24 Aug, 7 Unst 2 Oct, last 24 Oct; Fair Isle 7 Aug- 7 Oct, max 5 on 6 Oct; Ork, only 3 singles 9 July-1 Oct; O Heb, 2 Bal- ranald 25 July; Caith, 3 Wick 15 Aug, 17 by 19 Aug, few to 23 Oct; Suth, 3 Dornoch 29-30 Aug; Ross, 2 Tarradale 19 Aug-5 Sep; Moray, 3 Spynie 19 Oct; Aber, good nos., max 18 Meikle 13 Aug, 20 on 27th, 12 Skene 24 Aug; Angus, 14 Dun’s Dish 26 Aug, 20 on 9 Sep; Perth 10+ Seaside 27 Aug; Fife, 26 July-7 Oct, 15 Eden est 2 Oct, 18+ Rosyth 8 Aug, winter 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 205 20 Cultness 7 Dec; Stir, max 9 Skinflats 23 Aug; Midl, 1st 2 July, 8 Glad- house 17 Sep; E Loth, peak 10 Aberlady 2 Sep, wintering 18 early Nov; Rox, 1 Alemoor 30 Aug; Arg, singles Knapdale 21 Aug, Islay 19 Sep; Renf/Lan/Ayr, from 7 Aug, max 9 Balgray res 30 Aug, 5 New Cumnock 24 Aug; Dumf, max 13 Caerlaverock; Wig, 1 L Ryan 1 Oct. *Avocet Only 1 record, Toab, Ork, 6 July (HB). *Black-winged Stilt One Musselburgh, Midl, 15 July (Dr M. D. L. Find- lay) is first since 1958. *Grey Phalarope Three records: singles N Ronaldsay, Ork, 21 July (RP); ad 2 Kinnaber, Kinc, 19 May (NKA, PJD); Waterfoot, Annan, Dumf, 23 Nov (DJID. Red-necked Phalarope Breeding: Shet, Ist 2 Fetlar 20 May, 13-14 prs Fetlar and perhaps 6 prs at 3 other localities, last 1 on 18 Aug; Ork, pr Stronsay, and 2 in July, but no proof of breeding; O Heb, no young re ported Balranald. Migrants : Shet, 2 2 2° Foula 23 May, 3 Grutness 25 May, 1 Snarraness 16 Sep; Ork, 1 Papa Westray 23 May, 3 N Ronaldsay 21 July; O Heb, Lewis, 1 Garynahine 1 June, 1 N Lochs 10 June and 2 Barvas 25 June. *Wilson’s Phalarope One 2 in summer plumage Strand Loch, Shet, 9 May (FH, MH ez al), 8th Scottish record. Great Skua Breeding : Shet, population 5,000+ prs, includes 3,000 + 300 prs Foula, where also 2,000 non-breeders, Ist eggs 17 May; O Heb, 13 nests N Lewis, some robbed; Caith, 1 pr with 2 eggs Dunnet 21 June, failed later; Suth, 8 prs reared 9+ young Handa. Arrivals, migration and counts: Shet, 1 Clickhimin 17 Mar, lst ashore Foula 28 Mar, main arrival 13-16 Apr, last Yell 11 Nov, Foula 10 Dec; Fair Isle, 31 May-14 Nov; Ork, 1 Orphir 20 Feb, Ist 2 Apr, Ist 17 Oct; Caith, 1 inland L Ruard 1 June, 1 L Calder 14 Sep; Ross, 4N Tarbat Ness 17 Aug, 9 Chanonry Ness 6 Sep, last 8 Nov; Inv, 11 Kessock 6 Sep, 1 L Garten 22 Apr; Moray, 13W Lossiemouth 14 Sep; Aber/Kinc, 1N Don est 11 Jan, autumn 21 July-16 Nov, max 11 Girdleness 12 Sep, 10 on 22 Sep, 2 inland Meikle 5 Aug; Angus, 3 Usan 25 May; E Loth, more than usual, max 6 Gullane 13 Sep, 7 on 19th, 14 Tyninghame 28 Sep; Arg, 3 “aaa eae Sep, 10S on 28 Sep; Dunb, 1 Ardmore 27 Jan; Ayr, 1 Porten- cross : *Pomarine Skua Spring-summer: Shet, 1 Whalsay 17 May, 1 Scatness 15 June; Fair Isle, one 2 July; Ork, 1 Eday 12 May; O Heb, 2 off S Uist ae uly: Suth, IN Brora 5 May, 1 Handa 8 July; Kirk, 1 Southerness 24 y- Autumn : Shet, 1 Hermaness 20 Aug, 1 Skerries 12 Sep; O Heb, 1 Barra 4 Aug, 1 Sound of Harris 24 Sep; Suth, 1 Dornoch 31 Oct, 1 Chanonry Ness 23 Sep, 1 Kessock 21 Oct; Aber/Kinc, singles N Girdleness 4th, 28th and 29 Sep, 1 Collieston 5 Aug; E Loth, 1 Barns Ness 12 Sep, 1 Gul- lane 13 Sep, 1 Tyninghame 28 Sep, 3 on 16 Nov; Arg, 2 Islay 10 Sep. Arctic Skua Breeding: Shet, population well over 1,400 prs, max 280 Foula, 326 Yell, lst flying young 16 July; Fair Isle, lst eggs 16 May; Ork, 1 pr bred N Ronaldsay (lst); O Heb, decrease Lewis, 12 prs N Uist; Caith, slight increase; Arg, 20 birds Jura colony May/June. Arrivals and passage: Shet, Ist 3 Bressay Sound 19 Apr, most from 1 May, delayed dispersal, e.g. 25 off Whalsay 31 Aug, last Yell 29 Sep; Fair Isle, Ist 16 Apr, 63 on 2 May, last 30 Sep; Ork, lst Eday 20 Apr, last 1 Oct; Suth, 2 Badanloch 5 July; Ross, 5 Tarbat Ness 17 Aug, 6 Chanonry Ness 6 Sep; Moray, 8W Speymouth 16 Aug; Aber/Kinc, 1 inland Braemar 24 May, recorded 13 May-8 Oct, max 16 Girdleness 4 Sep, 16 on 22nd; Angus, last Arbroath 16 Oct; Isle of May, 13 Aug-22 Oct, max 7 on 30 Aug; Stir, 5W Skinflats 18 Aug suggest overland passage to Clyde, 206 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) as do some other Forth records; Midl, very scarce; E Loth, 1 Gullane 14 May, autumn max 7 Tyninghame 30 Aug, 8 on 14 Sep, 19 Barns Ness 12 Sep, 37 Gullane 13 Sep; Arg, passage S Kintyre from 12 July, max 12S Balnabraid 28 Sep, 23S Sound of Jura 14 Aug; Ayr, 1 summered Troon, 3 Meikle Craigs 25 Aug, last Seamill 1 Oct; Dumf, 1 Waterfoot 25 May; Hee singles Carsethorn 25 May, Corsewall Point 30 Aug, Southerness ep. *Long-tailed Skua Eleven birds: Shet, 1 Fetlar 25 May, 1 N of Unst 28 Oct; Fair Isle, 1 2nd-yr bird in colony 21 June, ad on 3 Aug, ad on crossing to Shet 19 Sep; Ork, ad Eday 13 May, ad displaying in Arctic Skua colony Hoy 8 July; Ross, ad Chanonry Ness 30 May, 2 Morrich More 19 July; Moray, ad dead on road (beside hare carcase) Grantown- on-Spey moors 4 June. Great Black-backed Gull Breeding: Fair Isle, 141 prs bred (55 prs in 1969); Wig, 6 prs Castle L, Mochrum, 13 June. Counts: Fair Isle, 1,000 early Nov; Inv, 300 Longman 4 Mar; Angus/ Kinc, 500+ Kinnaber June-July; E Loth, 540 Aberlady 24 Sep. Lesser Black-backed Gull Breeding: Fair Isle, 42 prs (30 prs 1969); Aber, increase W end Correen Hills colony. Arrivals and counts: Dumf, 63 Waterfoot 25 May; few wintering Clyde, max 5 Kilcreggan, Dunb, 21 Dec, 21 Hamilton, Lan, 8 Nov; arrivals 18 Doonfoot, Ayr, 16 Feb, 55 on 1 Mar, 108 on 10th, 800 Barcraigs res, Renf, 24 Aug; E Loth, lst Aberlady 7 Mar; Perth, 41 Tibbermore 13 Apr, 51 Madderty 2 May; Inv, lst 4 Insh 26 Mar; Fair Isle, 31 Mar-28 Sep; Shet, 3-4 Virkie 22 Mar. Scandinavian race L. f. fuscus: 1 Granton, Midl, 9 Mar. Herring Gull Breeding: Fair Isle, 486 prs (315 prs 1969), Ist eggs 9 May; Suth, 210 prs Handa; culls continued Isle of May and Firth of Forth; Ayr, 617 prs Horse Island. Large nos. died in late summer, apparently due to outbreak of botulism : Midl/E Loth, 1,500-2,000 dead; Fife, many; Moray Firth, 50+; Clyde, 260+ Helensburgh, Lochgoin res, Troon and Holy Isle. Counts: Fair Isle, bad weather roosts 3,000+ on 2-5 Nov, 8,000 on 16 Nov and 2,000 early Dec; Inv, 3,000 Longman Mar-Apr; Dunb, 5,000 Mid- ross 26 Dec; Ayr/Renf, 12,000 Barcraigs res Nov-Dec. Single albinos: O Heb, Stornoway all year; Suth, summered Rhiconich; Inv, Longman Jan-Feb, 25 July-Dec; Midl, Granton 7 Mar. Common Gull Breeding: Fair Isle, 2 prs reared 3 young; Ork, lst eggs 3 May; Inv, poor season Kiltarlity; Aber, increase W end Correen Hills; Renf, 200 prs L Thom failed due to persecution; Kirk/Wig, small nos. max 10 prs Castle L, Mochrum. Counts and passage: Shet, 1,300 Whalsay 14 Apr, 800 on 18th; Fair Isle, 300 on 14 Apr, 450 on 17th, exceptional 1,500 on 18th, return from 5 July, peaks 300 on 5 Aug, 400 on 6 Sep; Inv, 2,000 Beauly Firth 12 Jan; Angus, 100NE in 2 hrs Montrose 13 Apr; Kinr, 30 roosting St Serf’s 25 Aug increased to 6,000 by 30 Sep and 20,000 in Dec; Isle of May, 300 on 6 Apr; Dunb, 4,000 Milngavie res 27 Dec. Glaucous Gull Breeding: An adult mated to a Herring Gull bred suc- cessfully in Shet, lst record for U.K. Noteworthy records include: Shet, max 5 Burra 8 Feb, 5 Unst 27 Nov; Fair Isle, 10+ on 16 Nov, 35+ ads 27 Dec; Suth, 6 Golspie 27-28 Mar; Aber, 6 Fraserburgh 23 Feb, 8 on 1 Mar, 7 on 17 Dec; Ayr, 5 Troon 22 Apr- 3 May. Inland: Aber/Kinc, Corby 2 Mar, 16 Sep, Banchory-Devenick 1 Nov; Suth, Morvich 6 Dec. PLATE 17 (a) Terek (bo) Immature Ro é Shetl 9-29th January; record. Photograp PLATE 18 (a) Dusky Thrush, Firth, Shetland, 6-13th November; third Scottish and fifth British record. Photograph by D. Coutts (b) Arctic Warbler, Isle of May, 6th September. Photograph by B. Zonfrillo PLATE 19 (a) Tennessee Warbler: one of the two first Britiish examples on Fair Isle in September. (b) First-year * Siberian Rubythroat, Fair Isle, 9-1llth October; first British record. Photographs by R. A. Broad protien, ps this sida tebnccabage te NN oes PLATE 20 (a) Lanceolated Warbler, Fair Isle, 11th October; one of four there within four days. Photograph by R. A. Broad (b) and (ec) Rustic Bunting, Isle of May, 50th September-6th October. Photographs by N. K. Atkinson 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 211 Counts: present all months and numbers remain high. Summary of records (estimated individuals per 2-month period): Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Nov-Dec North (Shet-E Inv) 50+ 34+ 26+ 8 17 75+ West (W Inv-Clyde, O Heb-I Heb) 8 17 6 3 3 4 East (Moray-Stir) iS5e 18+ 3 2 8 12 South (S of Clyde/ Forth) 12+ 12+ Us 5 8 9 Iceland Gull About 70 individuals: Shet, Jan (4 individuals), Feb + Mar (6), Apr (4), singles Fleck 25 May, Unst 24 June, Nov (2), Dec (4); Fair Isle, singles 27 Jan, 20 May; Ork, 1 Skaill 1st and 7 June; O Heb, a few records max 2 Stornoway 23-24 May, 2 Tigharry 15-22 Feb; Caith, 1-2 Wick and Thurso Jan-May, Oct-Dec; Suth, 1 Golspie 27 Mar, 17 June; Ross, 1 Crowlin 2 Apr; Inverness 1-2 Jan-24 May, 1 in Dec; Banff, 1 on 3 May; Aber, Jan (2), Feb (2), Mar (4), Apr (4), May (1), Nov (1), Dec (2); Fife, 1 Largo Bay 14 Aug; Isle of May, 1 on 19 Aug; Midl, 1 Granton 26 Jan-21 Apr, another 7 Mar, 1 Seafield 8 Jan, 1 Duddingston 12 Mar; Arg, singles Islay 24 Apr, 5 May, 26 July, 8 Aug, 1 Campbeltown 27 Mar- 11 May; Renf, 1 Paisley 16 Oct; Lan. 1 Bellgrove 16 Apr; Ayr, 1 Troon 20 July, 1 on 29 Nov, 1 Doonfoot 23 Mar; Dumf, 1 Waterfoot 9 Sep. *Mediterranean Gull Two: lst yr bird Girdleness, Kinc, 28 Apr (RBH); ad See peetiown. Arg, 19 July-5 Sep (EJM ez al); 4th and 5th Scottish records. *Laughing Gull Ad Fair Isle 13 Sep (RAB, D. J. Buckler, DRW et al), 2nd Scottish record of this North American species. *Bonaparte’s Gull Two Islay, Arg: ad L Indaal 26-27 June (KV, AV); ad Claggain Bay 12 Sep (L. Catlin, KV), 5th and 6th Scottish records. Little Gull Numbers lower than usual regular Fife and Angus; peaks: Fife, 16 Kilconquhar 7 July, 42 on 23rd, 40 on 27th, 66 on 1] Aug, max 100 on 28 Aug; Angus/Kinc, last 7 Buddon Burn 28 Apr, 18 back 17 July, 80 (3 juvs) 10 Aug, 7 St Cyrus 21 May, 5 Elliot 9 July. Elsewhere : Caith, singles Wick 2nd, 10-17 Apr; Inv, 1 Insh 15-18 May; Moray, 1 Lossiemouth 16 Feb, 1 Findhorn 21 Sep; Aber/Kinc, Meikle 13 July-10 Sep, max 3 on 5 Sep, Strathbeg 18 Aug-21 Sep, max 4 on 4 Sep, singles Don est 8 Sep, Girdleness 11 Sep, 22 Oct; Perth, 1 Deanston Farm 21-24 Nov; Isle of May, 2 on 16 Sep, 2 on 27th, one 6 Oct, 5 on 22 Oct; Stir, 1 Boness 21 Jan, 1 Grangemouth 20 July; Midl, 1 Musselburgh 9 Sep; E Loth, 1 Seacliff 27 Apr, 2 Aberlady 8 June, 1 dead 16 Aug, 2 dead Dirleton 21 Aug; Selk, 1 Abbotsford Ferry 26 May; Renf, 1 Barr Loch 30-31 July; Ayr, 1 Bogside 10 May; Dumf, 1 Castle Loch 21 Apr; Kirk, 1 Carlingwark L 25-27 May. Black-headed Gull Breeding: Shet, fledged young 3 July; Angus, only 24 prs Dun’s Dish; Kinr, 8,000 prs L Leven; Kirk/Wig, 6,000 prs L Moan, decrease Lower L Ken. Counts and passage: Fair Isle, peaks 25 on 30 Apr, 34 on 20 July, 50 on 26 Oct; Ayr, 7,000 winter roost Doonfoot, 9,000 Barrassie 26 Dec. *Sabine’s Gull Immature L Insh, Inv, 8 Sep (RL); inland records are ex- ceptional. *Ross’s Gull Immature Scalloway, Shet, 19-29 Jan (DC, RACJ et al), 4th Scottish record (plate 17b). Kittiwake Breeding: Shet, 5,000 prs Foula; Fair Isle, 17,000+ prs (12,121 prs in 1969), lst egg 3 May; Ork, 1,150 prs Sule Skerry; Suth, eg prs Handa; Isle of May, increase to 3,870 prs; Ayr, 2,100 prs Ailsa raig. A193 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Counts and passage: Inv, 280 Corpach 7 Mar, 500 on 9 Apr, 1 Insh 18 Feb; Aber, 2,000 Strathbeg Aug, 5,000 mid Sept; Kinr, 1 L Leven 4 Jan, 2 on 6th; Arg, 6,000S in 14 hrs Machrihanish 23 Sep; Arran, 700 Whiting Bay 17 Sep; Wig, 250 off Mull of Galloway and 175 Luce Bay 2 Nov. *Black Tern 13 in spring, 20 May-13 June; Dumf, 2 E Park 26 May; Fife, ! Res Point 13 June; Aber, 8 Meikle L 20 May; Ork, 2 Graemshall L une. 27+ in autumn: Aber, singles Meikle L 17 Aug, 3-23 Sep, 1 Strathbeg 21-22 Aug, 23rd (2), 25th (3), 27th (5), 28th (3); Angus/Kinc, 1 St Cyrus 6 July, 1 Kinnaber 7 Aug; Kinr, 6 L Leven 10 Aug, 1 on 14 Sep; Isle of May, one 5 Oct (lst since oe Fife, 1 Carnbee res 23 Aug; Midl, 1 Mus- selburgh 25 July; E Loth, singles Aberlady 28 July, 15 Aug, 17th, 1 Sep, Tyninghame 15th, 24 Aug, 11 Oct; Ayr, 1 Bogside Flats 20 Aug; Dumf, 1 Waterfoot 6 Sep. *White-winged Black Tern 1 Meikle L, Aber, 25 May (CJS, MAMcD et al), 12th Scottish record. *Caspian Tern 1 Ythan, Aber, 25 June (AHC), 5th Scottish record. Common Tern Breeding : Fair Isle, 7 prs reared 11 young; Inv, 200 prs Whiteness but poor success; Moray, Speymouth poor season, only 235 prs 18 June; Kinc, 48 prs St Cyrus in pea field but poor success; Fife and Kinr, poor season; Midl, 75 prs bred Leith Docks, 727 prs Inchmickery; Ayr, 86 prs Horse Island; Arran, 50 prs Pladda, many young; Wig, 50 prs Castle L. Mochrum. Arrivals and passage : 3 ‘commics’ Sound of Mull, Arg, 3 Apr; 4 Souther- ness, Kirk, 26 Apr; mostly lst week May; Ayr, 3 Troon 3 May; Midl, 3 Musselburgh 3 May, last 4 Oct, 30S Gladhouse 9 Aug; Fife, last ‘commic’ Dalgety Bay 2 Nov; Perth, 2 Tummel Bridge 27 Apr; Aber, 3 Dinnet 3 May, last 3 Oct, 2,400 ‘commics’ Strathbeg Aug; Inv, 1,400 Whiteness 3 July; Fair Isle, 16 May-18 Sep, late one 18 Oct; Shet, Ist Fetlar 1 May, last 2 Dun 5 Oct. Arctic Tern Breeding : Shet, 1,545 prs Fetlar, 6,000 prs Foula; Ork, 1,750 prs Rousay is an increase; Kinc, only 32 prs St Cyrus; Arg, 120: prs Tayin- loan; Ayr, 54 prs Horse Island. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 213 Counts and passage: Ist Balranald, O Heb, 26 Apr; Ist Copinsay, Ork, 27 Apr; Shet, 4 Whalsay 29 Apr, last singles Yell 1 Oct, Dun 5 Oct; Fair Isle, last 24 Sep; Ork, last Stronsay 1 Oct; Angus, 385 Buddon 7 July; Arg, 300 Campbeltown 12 Aug; Arran, 74 Machrie 3 Aug. *Roseate Tern Breeding: Firth of Forth, 61 prs bred Inchmickery; Fife, pr Tentsmuir did not lay; Angus, 1 pr failed. Other records: Aber, 2 Ythan 16 May, 1 Strathbeg 26 May; Kinc, 1 St Cyrus 6 May; Fife, few summer records; Midl. 1 Inchkeith 28 June, 1 Seafield 16 May, 3 on 2 June, 1 on 16 Aug; E Loth, up to 4 Aberlady June/ July, 1 Tyninghame 18 May; Arg, 3 in summer Tayinloan, 2 Islay 25 May, 5 on 2 June, 1 Colonsay 17 June; Ayr, 3 Horse Island 20 June, 1 Barassie 2 Sep; Arran, 1 Whiting Bay 14 July. Little Tern Breeding: O Heb, c50 prs N Uist; Suth, 10 prs Brora, 3-4 prs nested new site L Fleet; Kinc/Angus, 83 prs St Cyrus only reared 7 young, 25 prs nested 3 sites Angus; Fife, Tentsmuir colony failed; E Loth, increase to record 33 nests Aberlady; Wig, only 3 prs is further decrease. Counts: Shet, 1 Lerwick 15 May (only 4th record); Suth, 1 Handa 12 June; Kinc, 3 Girdleness 29 Apr, 2 St Cyrus 23 Apr, last 28 July; Perth, 4 Seaside 8 Aug, 1 Invergowrie 23 Aug; Isle of May, one 21 June; Stir, 6 Grangemouth 20 July, 2 on 6 Sep; Midl, lst 2 Seafield 30 Apr; E Loth, lst Gosford 21 Apr; Ayr, 6 Ballantrae 30 Apr, last 2 Doonfoot 5 Aug. Sandwich Tern Breeding: Ork, 60 prs N Ronaldsay, 60 prs Stronsay, 14 prs Pentland Skerries; Ross, 200 prs Morrich More, good season, 20 prs new site Ardjackie Point 20 July; Firth of Forth, 657 prs Inchmickery (450 in 1974); Ayr, 57 prs Horse Island, 2 prs Ballantrae reared 1 young. Arrivals, departures and passage: 8 Mar-21 Oct; Shet, few, 14 June- 19 Aug, max 3 Haroldswick 30 June; Fair Isle, 2 on 2 June; Ork, 16 Apr- 9 Oct; O Heb, 2 Balranald 19 Aug; Suth, 3 Handa 15 June; Ross, 154N Tarbat Ness 17 Aug; Inv, 1,050 Whiteness 31 July, 120 on 5 Sep; Moray, 140 Findhorn 21 Sep, last 11 on 2 Oct; Aber, 5 Aberdeen 10 Apr, last Blackdog 16 Oct; 4 Perth 11 Aug; Isle of May, 13 May-19 Oct; Fife Ness, 1 on 31 Mar; Midl, last Musselburgh 21 Oct; E Loth, lst N Berwick 8 Mar, 1 Tyninghame 4 Apr; Arg, max 70 Campbeltown 23 Aug; Ayr, 150 Meikle Craigs 14 Aug, 140 Hunterston 2 Sep, 1 Barrassie 10 Oct. Inland: 2 Kil- beer Inv, 9 July; Dunb, 2 Endrick Mouth 13 May, 1 Cumbernauld 30 July. Razorbill Breeding : Fair Isle, possibly 2,500 prs (1,100 prs in 1969), Ist eggs 30 Apr; Shet, 6,000 prs Foula; Ork, 54 birds Pentland Skerries; O Heb, big reduction Flannans; Inv, 400 prs Canna; Isle of May, 525 prs; Ayr, 3,000-4,000 birds Ailsa Craig 7 June. Counts : Ross, max 6 Chanonry Point 22 Jan-15 Feb; Dunb, 2 Ardmore 2-3 Feb. Little Auk Rather scarce: Shet, few Jan-Feb, max 5 S Nesting 23 Feb, 1 Fetlar 4 May, 1 Dale of Walls 7 Oct, very few Nov-Dec; Fair Isle, very few Jan-Feb, 100s on crossing 18 Nov; Ork, 2 Scapa Flow 7 Feb, few others; O Heb, 1 Tarbert 5 Jan; Caith, 1 Dunnet Head 26-28 Dec; Ross, 1 Tarbat Ness 22 Feb; Moray, singles Lossiemouth 8 Feb, 7 Oct; Aber, 1 Rattray 6 Apr; Fife, 1 St Andrews 8 Feb; W Loth, 1 Dalmeny 15 Mar; Arg, 1 dead Coll 26 Feb, 1 dead Machrihanish 27 Apr. Guillemot Breeding : Shet, 30,000 birds Foula, poor season; Fair Isle, 19,200 birds, lst eggs 30 Apr, average success; Firth of Forth, 500 prs Lamb, 20 Fidra. Counts : Fair Isle, 1st 400 ashore 18 Oct; O Heb, counts of bridled birds 11.8% Lewis, 18.8% Flannans; Ayr, winter max 12 Prestwick 2 Feb; Wig, on per hr Corsewall Point 27 Sep, 1,520S per hr 28th, 200S per hr 30 ct. 214 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 '9(4) . si _ Black Guillemot Breeding : Shet, cl20 prs Foula; Banff, probably breed- ing, 6 Crovie Head 29 June, 2 Stocked Head and 2 Troup Head 30 June. Counts: Shet, build up Colgrave Sound from 50 on 10 Jan to 1008S in Apr, 800-900+ on 27 Apr, still 350 on 1 June, 430 Gruting Voe 19 Sep; Suth, 49 Point of Stoer 3 Aug; Moray, 6 Burghead 21 Sep; Fife, singles St Andrews 14 Mar, 21 Apr, 2 on 18 Dec; E Loth, 1 Gullane 8-12 July; Arg, 40 Sound of Gigha 23 Apr; Dunb, 5 Kilcreggan 2 Feb. Puffin Breeding: Shet, 25,000 Foula; Fair Isle, lst ashore 28 Mar (2), most from 4 Apr, lst eggs 30 Apr, last ashore 25 Aug; Ork, 10 ashore Hoy 31 Mar; Ork, 47,000 prs Sule Skerry; Caith, suggested improvement Dunnet and Duncansby; Inv, 1,400 Canna, slightly down; Forth islands, max 1,100 Craigleith June. a ue records: Shet, 2 Yell Sound 5 Feb; Wig, 4 Mull of Galloway une. *Pallas’s Sandgrouse Two Isle of May 11 May (JMSA, IB-P, JHBM); 2nd Scottish record this century. Stock Dove Counts: 95 Urquhart, Moray, 30 Nov; 40 Kingoodie, Perth, 27 Nov; 30SW Airthrey, Stir, 8 Nov. Migrants: Shet, singles Whalsay 3rd and 27 Oct;; Fair Isle, one 2 Oct. Rock Dove Counts : Shet, 100 Scarvister 16 Sep-6 Oct; Fair Isle, max 40 Feb, 60+ Dec; Arg, 100 Gribun, Mull, 14 Dec, 200+ Bruichladdich, Islay, 1 Mar. Woodpigeon Counts: Shet, 50 Kergord 21 Sep; Aber, 1,200 Kemnay 6 Dec, 1,000 Strathbeg 5 Dec, 3,200 on 10th; E Loth, 2,000 Dirleton 31 Mar; Ayr, 500+ Glenmuir, Cumnock, 12 Jan. Migration: Shet, mainly May-June, 5 Whalsay 13 May; Fair Isle, 17 Apr-29 May, max 15 on 6th and 18 May, few autumn; Ork, 1 Sule Skerry 12 May; Suth, max 5 Handa 9 June; Wig, 75 off to Isle of Man from Mull of Galloway 2 Nov. Turtle Dove Spring from 25 Apr; Shet, 1 Fetlar 1 May, 1 Kergord 19 May, about 27 birds 29 May-2 July, mostly mid June, max 3 Fetlar 12th, 4 on 30 June, 1 Twatt 12 July, 3 Whalsay 21 July, 5 autumn singles 15 Sep-18 Oct; Fair Isle, small nos. 17 May-23 July, max 4 on 8 June, autumn singles 11-13th, 18 Sep, 12 Oct; Ork, 1 Copinsay 1 May, 2 N Ron- aldsay mid June; O Heb, 1 Flannans 21 June; Caith, 1 Sandside 1 June; Inv, 1 Rhum 9 June, 1 Revack 23 June; Perth, 1 Rannoch 2] June; Fife Ness, one 10 Oct; W Loth, 2 Balhomey 27 June; E Loth, singles Aberlady 25 Apr, 5-8 Aug, Dirleton 1 Oct; Arg, 1 L Ba 21 June; Dumf, 1 E Park 29 May. Collared Dove Breeding : Most areas still report increase and spreading, but some suggestion of levelling-off; mating 1 Jan Castle Douglas, Kirk. Peak counts: Shet, 35 Halligarth 23-27 June; Ross, 150 Invergordon 18 Jan; Perth harbour 150+ on 16 Mar; Ayr, 180 Rozelle Nov-Dec. Migration: Shet, 30 Apr-late June, max 13 Foula 11 June; Fair Isle, mainly 4 May-17 July, influxes 15 on 18 May, 18 on 26th, 27 on 8 June, 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 215 . last of autumn 26 Oct; O Heb, 3 Flannan Isles 21 June. A bird at Fair Isle 20 Sep showed characters of hybrid Collared x Turtle Dove. Cuckoo Breeding: young birds suggesting successful nesting Shet and Ork; Aber, bred Collieston where unusual; nos. high Perth, Dunb and Ayr. Arrivals: 3 Apr, Fort William, Inv; 13 Apr, Gadloch, Lan; 15 Apr, N Uist, O Heb; 16 Apr, Dalry, Kirk; 17 Apr, Tarras, Dumf; most lst records 21-28 Apr; main arrival 2nd week May. Fair Isle, scarce in spring, max 4 on 25 May. Autumn : Shet, 4 Aug-Sep, very late one Kergord 20-27 Oct; Fair Isle, i-3 on 7-12 Aug, 1 on 3-5 Sep; Inv, last Insh 30 Aug. Barn Owl High nos. throughout range: Inv, singles Insh 5 Feb, Alvie 17-26 May; Perth, 1 on crag at 1,200’ Kinloch Rannoch 7 June; E Loth, 3 Port Seton 10 Nov; Arg, 1 Gruinart, Islay, 20 Oct, 2 L Tallart, Islay 23 Oct; Arran, 10+ prs; Kirk, nest 13 eggs Barstobrick, did not hatch. *Snowy Owl Shet, Fetlar 4 on 6 Feb, pr + 3 ¢@ in Apr, d mated big- amously for 3rd consecutive year: younger @ (ringed, probably Fetlar- reared and unsuccessful 1973-4 bird) laid 6 eggs usual area from 14 May, 4 fledged, older 2 (possibly successful 1973-4 bird) laid 2-3 eggs new site from c3l May, probably deserted after neglect by ¢, d + 2 28 through Aug, 2 on 27 Sep. Unst, 1 Lund 13 Mar, ¢ Stourhoull 8 May, 1 Hermaness 12 May, 1 Burrafirth 6 June, ¢ Lund 10-21 June, 9 July, 14-15 Aug, 1 Helliers Water 26-31 Oct, 1 N Roe 2 Feb, 1 Whalsay 19-20 Apr, 1 Foula late May, 1 Ronas Hill 16 July; Ork, 1 Harray 24 Aug; O Heb, 3 St Kilda 26 May, d Lewis 11 Feb, pr Stornoway 13 Apr, ¢ Callanish July, imm ¢° Balranald 30 Apr ¢ South Uist 25 May, d found long dead Brue, Lewis, 1 Feb had been ringed Fair Isle 9 June 1972. *Little Owl Midl, bred usual area, young seen and heard (WB); Dunf, present but no reports of breeding. Tawny Owl Breeding: Caith, increasing; Suth, scarcer Dornoch; Inv, poor breeding season Kiltarlity; doing well S Ayr. Long-eared Owl Breeding : Shet, 1 pr bred Mainland; O Heb, 2 broods Lewis; poor season Aberdeen and Strathmiglo, Fife; Kirk, pr reared young in nest box Dalry. Migration and counts: strong autumn influx: Shet, max 9 Veensgarth 9 Jan, lst autumn Uyeasound 16 Oct, then good nos., max 7 Halligarth Nov-Dec, 4 Uyeasound Dec, 8 Scalloway 1 Dec, 6 Veensgarth 20 Dec; Fair Isle, strong autumn passage, mainly 9-26 Oct, 9 ringed, and 5-23 Nov, max 6 on 12 Nov; Ork, 5 Binscarth 15 May, various winter roosts, gs 20 Berstane Wood; Caith, 1 Noss Head 25 Oct; Isle of May, one 23 Apr. Short-eared Owl Breeding: Caith, slight increase; Angus, 1 pr nested lowland moor; Perth, good numbers Ochils; good nos. Mid], Borders, Ayr, Kirk, Wig. Migrants and counts: Shet, singles Apr, May (4), June (2+), Sep (2), Oct; Fair Isle, spring max 3 on 20 Apr and 13 May, autumn max 4 on 25-29 Oct; 1 at oil rig 95 miles NE of Aberdeen 15 Apr; Fife, 5 Crail 7 Oct; Kirk, up to 15 Smittons in Sep. *Nightjar Breeding: Kirk, 1+ pr usual area July-Aug; Arran, 4+ churring Brodick 9-14 June; Arg, heard Lochgilphead and Machrihanish, June; Perth, 1 Bridge of Allan 9 July; Moray, 1 churring Forres 25 June. No migrants reported—a poor year. Swift Arrival : 30 Apr, singles Canonbie and Lochmaben, Dumf, and 2 Lindores, Fife; 1 May, Duddingston, Midl, and Airthrey, Stirling; 2 May, Hawick, Rox. More lst records 4 May in S, 7-13th N to Inv/Aber, main arrivals in S from 9-15th. 216 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Migration and counts: Shet, mainly 7-23 June, max 19 Unst 22nd, last 2 Lerwick 17 Sep; Fair Isle, 19 May-18 Sep, max 40 on 8 June; Ork, max 20 S Ronaldsay 10 July; Caith, 11OW Reay 29 July; Isle of May, 1 June- 9 Sep, max 17 on 22 June; Kinr, max 1,000 Vane Bay 2 June; E Loth, last Longniddry 11 Sep; Arg, 29S Tobermory 15 July; Ayr, 50+ on 31 Aug; Wig, last Mull of Galloway 30 Aug. Late records: Fair Isle 25-26 Oct; Aber, Peterhead 7 Oct, Strathbeg and Balmedie 25 Oct; Fife Ness 1 Nov; Ber, Eyemouth 2 Nov. Kingfisher Breeding : nos. continue high in Dumf, Kirk, Wig, Ayr and Clyde; bred Perth, Kinross, probably also E Loth and other areas in C and SE. Increase sightings all areas N to Arg-Aber, c5 records Aber; singles Garmouth, Moray, 9 Nov; Banavie, Inv, 12 Dec; Dunbeath, Caith, 18 May; Scapa, Ork, 10 May. *Roller Two birds: Ae Forest, Dumf, 18 June (MM, DM); Auckengill, Caith, 5-7 Sep (GGB, AFCMC, AFA). *Hoopoe Singles, 6 in spring, 3 in autumn: Shet, Hascosay 10 June (BH); Fair Isle, 24 Oct-4 Nov (RAB et al); Ork, Stronsay 20 Apr (per WG), Ritquoy, Birsay, 24-25 Apr (AJ); Banff, Portsoy 9 May (JE), Drybridge 22 May (JMH); E Loth, Aberlady 1-10 Sep (AB, FDH et al); Arg, Iona 28 Aug (D. S. Ross); Dumf, Closeburn 25 Apr-3 May (JFY). Green Woodpecker Dumf, increase noted one hill area; Border, nos. still low; E Loth, bred 2 areas; Ber, 1 St Abbs 11-18 Oct; Midl, continued increase, bred 2+ areas; Fife, Kinr, Perth and Angus continued increase and spread; Aber/N Kinc, proved breeding Brathens, reports from Glen Derry, Mar, Glen Tanar, Glen Dye, Torphins and Parkhill, singles Gight 17 Mar and Stonehaven 2 Nov; Inv, 1 Insh 4 Feb. Great Spotted Woodpecker Bred usual areas, suggested increase Midl and Kirk. Migration : small scale influx of Scandinavian birds D, m. major : Shet, singles Scalloway 25 Aug, Fetlar 27th and Kergord 30th, Skerries 15 Sep, Foula 21st, 5-7 in Oct; Fair Isle, one 25 Aug, one 10 Oct, 2 on 22nd and 26 Oct, 1 on 28 and 29th, 1 on Ist and 3-4 Nov; Ork, 1 Toab 30 Aug; Isle of May, one 7-8 Sep. Y oryneck teil F. *Wryneck Breeding: Inv, pr nested Laggan Bridge, found 12 June, 6 young flew 17 July (W. Forsythe et al), 2 calling Coylum Bridge 13 June; singles singing Achilty, E Ross, 1 June, Braemar, Aber, 9 June, Strathyre, Perth, 28 June. Migration: Shet, scarce, singles Bigton 12 May, Spiggie 17th, Whalsay 18th, Unst 23rd, Sellafirth 17-18 June, Whalsay 1 Sep, Skerries 20 Sep; Fair Isle, one 5 May, 4 on 8th, 6 on 9th, 1 by 15th, 5 on 16th, 1 by 19th, 1-2 on 25-29 May, 1 on 28 Aug, 1-2 on 1-6 Sep, 3 on 12th, 2 on 18th, singles 19th and 15 Oct; Ork, 1 Rendall 8 May; Suth, 1 Altnaharra 6 May; W Ross, 1 Badachro 12 Sep; Aber, 1 Strathbeg 9 May, 1 Newburgh 11 May; Isle of May, 8-15 May, max 4, singles 30 Aug, 9 Oct, 20 Oct; Fife Ness, 10-11 May; E Loth, 2 Barns Ness 10 May, 1 on 12th; Ber, 2 St Abbs 10-11 May; Dumf, 1 dead Langholm 27 Sep. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 217 *Short-toed Lark Seven birds: Shet, Whalsay 4-5 Oct (JHS, BM), 19-20 Oct (JHS); Fair Isle, 20-26 Apr, 4-9 May, 21-27 Sep, 2 on 8-9 Oct, 1 to 14th (RAB, PJR et al). Skylark Migration and counts: Shet, main passage from 19 Feb, most 14 Mar-14 Apr, max 250 Weisdale 15 Mar; Fair Isle, 1st 10 Feb (60), large passage 20-22 Feb, 600+ on 22nd; O Heb, 400 Baleshare, Uist, 15-22 Feb; E Ross, 600 Redfield, Black Isle, mid Feb; Angus, 120S per hr Arbroath 17 Oct; Perth, peaks Glenalmond 150+ on 17 Feb, 250+ on 20 Mar; Fife Ness, heavy passage S 29 Sep; Wig, 400 Wigtown Merse 12 Jan, good passage towards Ireland at Crammog Head 28 Nov. *Shore Lark One record Highlands June (JJCH); Shet, 1 Walls 8 Mar (BH); Fair Isle, 2 on 18-20 Apr, 3 on 4 May, 2 on 5-10th, one 11th, one 25 Oct (RAB et al). Swallow Breeding : Dumf, 3 white young in brood of 4; Ayr, nos. rather low but good season; Arran, fewer, late nest 2 young Brodick 23 Sep; Arg, some sites unoccupied Mull; Border, nos. down and late in cold spring; Midl/W Loth, census of 10 farms showed 12 prs with 67 young hatched compared to 15 prs and 112 young in 1974, decrease also noted Moorfoots and Gladhouse (where none bred); Fife, slow to arrive, but nos. good; Perth, late breeding season; Inv, late and poor season Glen Urquhart, none bred Canna; Ork, a few more than usual; Shet, bred Foula, Cunnings- burgh and Sumburgh (2). Spring migration : Generally late and slow to build up; 7 Apr, 1 N Ber- wick, E Loth; 16 Apr, Ist records Kirk (2), Ayr (3), Fife, Isle of May, Kin- ross, Perth and N Uist, O Heb; 17 Apr, Dumf, Arg, Midl, Stir, Angus and Inv; N to Shet by 20th; Isle of May, max 16 on 21 May; O Heb, 2 Flannans 24 June; Fair Isle from 20 Apr, peaks 40 on 17 May, 30 on 18th, 12 on 25th; Shet, peaks 16-19 May, 25-28th, 6-7 June, max 20 Hillwell 10 May, 10 Unst 22 June. Autumn and counts: Shet, last Sandwater 16 Oct; Fair Isle, small nos. 24 Aug-ll1 Sep, 30 Sep-5 Oct, last 18 Oct; Inv, 500 Insh 22 July, last 10 on 3 Nov; Moray, 17 Elgin 5 Oct, 2 Burghead 2 Nov; Aber, passage S on coast 2nd, 3rd, 10 Sep, 5 Oct, last 2 Strathbeg 26 Oct; Angus, 200 Montrose 6 Aug, 3S Arbroath 17 Oct; Perth, peak Tay estuary roost 4,000 late Aug, 500-1,000 Inchyra 25 Sep, 1S Gaick 19 Oct, 1 Invergowrie 25 Oct; Kinr, 3,000+ Lethangie 28 Aug; Isle of May 100 on 30 July and 10 Sep, last 18 Oct; Stir, last 6 Airthrey 13 Oct; W Loth, 1 Cramond 5 Nov; E Loth/ Ber, 500 Dirleton 28 Sep, last St Abbs 26 Oct; Arg, 2 Gruinart, Islay, 22 Oct, 1 Campbeltown 14 Nov; Dunb, 1,000 Old Kilpatrick 3 Sep; Arran, 1 Brodick 27 Oct; Ayr, 1 Turnberry 8 Nov; Kirk/Wig, 1,000+ Sandend 6-7 Sep, 5 Stranraer 31 Oct, 2 New Galloway 1 Nov, 1 Ardwell 11 Dec. House Martin Breeding: Shet, 2 prs built nests Lerwick, 1 pr fledged young; O Heb, pr nest-building Stornoway 20 May, 7 flying young 7 Aug; E Ross, bred Ist time Coulmore; Angus, quickly colonized new housing schemes N Montrose; Perth, increased at farm colonies; E Loth, 100 nests in cliffs Tantallon; Borders, scarcer; Arran, good nos.; Ayr and Dumf, nos. low; Wig, 10 prs cliff colony Mull of Galloway. Arrivals : 17 Apr, 1 New Cumnock, Ayr; 18 Apr, Langholm, Dumf; 19 Apr, Colvend, Kirk; N to Aber (23rd), Shet (24th). Spring migration: Shet, mainly from 16 May, max 10 Lerwick 20 May, 15-20 Walls 7 June; Fair Isle, 6 May-22 July, peaks 10 on 17 May, 40-50 on 6-8 June; O Heb, 1 Flannans 21 June. Autumn : Shet, max 6 Quendale 30 Aug, 4 Skerries 27 Aug, last Fitful Head 3 Oct; Fair Isle, up to 5 on 30 Sep-5 Oct; Ork, 3 Kirkwall 7 Oct: W Ross, last 2 Kyle 9 Oct; E Ross, 1 Fortrose 1 Nov; Inv, 50 Insh 22 Aug, last 25 Sep; Aber, 1 Newtonhill 24 Oct; Kinr, 60 Vane 13 Aug; Isle of May 24 Aug-18 Oct, max 14 on 27 Aug; Fife, 1 Crail 6 Nov; E Loth, 1 N Ber- 218 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) wick 17 Oct; Ayr, 2 Turnberry 8 Nov, 1 Alloway 21 Nov; Kirk/Wig, 1 Dalry 25 Oct, 2 Stranraer 27 Oct. Sand Martin Breeding: Caith, 2 prs prospecting new site Scrabster; E Ross, 220 nests Logieside 21 June; Inv, poor season Glen Urquhart; Angus, 200 prs Arrat’s Mill; Perth, good nos. and breeding success; Midl, 300% increase at sandpits; Borders and Dumf, scarcer; W Stir, 600+ prs Drumbeg quarry; Ayr, successful season. Spring, late to arrive: 14 Apr, 1 Dunblane, Perth; 15 Apr, Perth; 16 Apr, Dumf (many), E Loth, Kinross, Fife and Inv (8 Insh); more lst reports 17-19th, many from 20th. Ork, 1 N Ronaldsay 21 Apr; Fair Isle, few 25 Apr-9 June, max 4 on 6 May, 5 on 17th; Shet, scarce, 1 Whalsay 5 May, 1 Unst 7 June, 2 Walls 24 June. Autumn: Shet, 2 Benston 3 Aug, 1 Foula 7 Aug, 1 Lerwick 1 Oct; Fair Isle, 1-2 on 31 July-4 Aug, 1 on 3rd and 11 Sep; Inv, 400+ Insh 22 Aug, last 10 on 26 Sep; Perth 8,000 at roosts Earn Mouth 17 July, 500 by 26 July, last Dunblane 18 Sep; Isle of May, 3 on 24 Aug, 4 on 26th; Ayr, 100 Belston L 20 Aug. *Golden Oriole Three records : E Loth, ¢ in song Aberlady 7 June (RGN, ey Ork, 1 Rackwick early May (AT et al), 1 Rousay 27 May ( : Raven Shet, max 40-50 Fitful 9 June; Ork, 3 fledged young Mainland 25 Apr is early; Caith, nos. down; Suth, 30+ Strathbrora 25 Dec; Perth, 34 Glen Lednock 5 Oct, 51 on 26 Dec; Clack, pr nested but no young seen; Midl, pr nest building; Borders, nest with 3 young reported; Arg, 100+ winter roost Bridgend, Islay; Dumf, decrease; Kirk, another poor season, continued decrease, 6 young died in nest when adults disappeared, 7 Cairnsmore of Fleet 27 May. Crow Carrion Crow C. c. corone. Shet, few 23 Mar-7 June, max 3 Skerries 20 May; Fair Isle, one 12 Mar, passage in May, max 17 on 12th, 13 on 13th, 1-2 daily 15-25 Oct; Ork, c6 birds 7 Apr-early June; Arg, 2 Carsaig, Mull, 7 Apr. Hooded Crow C. c. cornix. Shet, 200 Clickhimin 17 Jan, 150 Weisdale 29 Sep; O Heb, 150 Balallan 17 Apr; usual small nos. in winter in SE, Angus-Borders, max 3 Aberlady, E Loth. Rook Breeding census completed, counts of nests included Ork 950, Stornoway, O Heb, 198, Caith, 5,024, Angus 8,409, N Perth 5,434, Kinr 1,499, Peeb 4,662, Dunb 2,848, Stir 5,660, Renf 3,480, Lan 13,250, Ayr 19,360, Bute 780; full details to appear in Scot. Birds. Migration: Shet, 6 Whalsay 1 May; Fair Isle 6 Apr-6 May, max 8 on 30 Apr, 10 on 2 May. Jackdaw Shet, max 6 Kergord 2 Feb, probably bred, 6 Noss may also have bred, migrants Unst 11 May, Foula 8 June, Whalsay 16 May, 11 Oct and 12 Nov; Fair Isle 2 on 14-15 Apr, one 24th, one 25 May, 3 on 3 June; Stir, 650 Sheriffmuir 16 Jan; Renf, 500+ Castle Semple L roost winter; 1,000+ wintered Arran. Magpie Usual distribution of breeders; max 15 Alva, Clacks, 18 Mar; 5 prs Girvan, Ayr, is improvement; 10 Lockerbie, Dumf, winter; outside usual areas: 1] Islay, Arg, 18 Jan; 1 Affric Lodge, Inv, 1 Apr; Suth, 2 Kin- loch 12 May, 1 L Stack 29 Sep, 1 Syre 12 Nov; Caith, 2 Rumster 23 Feb, 20 Apr, 3 Berriedale 19 Oct; 1 Mull of Galloway, Wig, 27 Nov. Jay Good season reported Penninghame, Wig, up to 15 together, in- creased Stranraer; more than usual Glenkens, Kirk, Oct-Nov; small in- flux Borders autumn, 2 Selkirk 28 Oct, 2 Galashiels 28 Oct, 2 Wells, Rox 13 Nov; bred N to Deeside; Suth, 1 Borgie Forest 3 July. Chough Arg, numbers maintained Islay, e.g. 20+ Machir Bay 24 Oct, 10 mainland site Apr, 1 pr+ reared young Colonsay. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 219 Great Tit Breeding : population high and good season Arran and Renf; ae ee Poor breeding season low ground but very good in high ground oak woods. Migrants: Shet, (probably Continental P. m. major) 1 Kergord 1-13 Jan, 1 Mid Yell 1 Jan-3 Apr, 1 Sound 16 Apr, 28 Oct, 1 Grutness 28 Oct- 31 Dec, 1 Lerwick 2 Nov-31 Dec, 1 Scalloway 6 Nov (6-7 in one year is unusual); Ork, 5 Balfour, Shapinsay, 14 Apr, 1 Copinsay 14 Apr; O Heb, winter influx to 40 Stornoway woods 29 Jan. Blue Tit Good nos. throughout, breeding success very good some areas (e.g. high ground oak wood S Perth); 3 prs Stornoway woods, O Heb, 2 Feb; Perth, 100+ Powgarie 29 Dec feeding Phragmites beds; Angus, 50 Kellie Den 13 Nov, 50 Letham Grange 26 Nov; Renf, pr nested in old Kingfisher nest hole Busby. Coal Tit Little information except common; 1 Noss Head, Caith, 26 Oct was migrant. Crested Tit Good nos. main areas; Moray, a few Monahoudie Moss, 4 Spynie, 20 Oct; E Ross, pr bred Monadh Mor, 3 young seen 8 July; Aber, 1 Glen Quoich 17 Mar—3rd year in succession recorded in Deeside but no breeding reports. Marsh Tit Ber, 2 Hirsel 15 Mar, 3 May, 2-3 St Abbs Oct; Selk, pr How- den Glen 26 Mar is furthest NW in Selk to date. Willow Tit Possibly increasing Kirk, small nos. E Wig were only reports from SW breeding range. None elsewhere. Long-tailed Tit Nos. continue high; successful season Kirk, Ayr, Dunb, Arran, Borders and Fife. Counts: Arg, 40 Saddell 1 July; Perth, 40 Knoch, Crieff, Dec; Caith, 20 Stirkoke 30 Oct. Migrants: 4 Eday, Ork, 28 Oct. *Nuthatch Two records: 1 Yetholm, Rox, Apr (Major Gibbes); 1 Dal- mally, Arg, 22 June (C. Campbell). Treecreeper Population generally high. Some evidence of dispersal or migration: Inv, 1 Canna 9 July is lst summer record; Isle of May, one 16-17 Apr (4th spring record); Suth, 1 Handa 3 July (1st record); Shet, 1 Scalloway 3 Oct, 1 Whalsay 25 Oct. Wren Nos. remained very high throughout country; 1-2 prs Ailsa Craig, Ayr, 7 June; Suth, 5 prs Handa; Ork, 2 prs N Ronaldsay Apr, and later eo nest found, apparently new breeding record; Fair Isle, 38 sites occu- pied. Migration: Shet, Skerries 24th, 31 Aug, 1-2 on 9 days Sep; Fair Isle, singles (probably Scandinavian T. t. troglodytes) 11 May, 17 May; Aber, 10 Foveran 11 Oct. poomne” ‘A Dipper Midl, slight increase S Esk waters, more 2nd broods produced than 1974, 84 young from 22 successful 1st broods, 45 from 13 2nd broods; 220 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Perth, poor success Glenalmond; Angus, good breeding season but con- tinued decline lowland burns around Arbroath, 2 prs on 3 burns compared to 12 prs in 1971; Caith, fewer than usual; O Heb, 16+ prs nested Lewis. Mistle Thrush Breeding population increased Borders and Dumf; nos. high Midl, Renf, Arran and Angus. Counts : 50 Insh, Inv, 25 Sep; 55 Glen- almond, Perth, 2 Sep; 50 Saddell, Arg, 25 Aug; 60+ Langholm, Dumf, 26 Sep; 70+ Blackmark, Kirk 1 Oct. Migration: Shet, singles Whalsay 14th, 15th and 19 Apr, Foula 6-15 Apr, Lerwick 6 May and Unst 2 July; Fair Isle, 6 singles between 22 Feb and 18 May, one 15-16 Oct, and one 19 Oct; Ork, 1 Copinsay 23 Apr, 2 Deerness 23 Oct. Fieldfare No proved breeding record but one scolding near Logie-Cold- stone, Aber, 29 June. Summer singles: Aber, Strathbeg 21 June, Corbie Hill 1 July, Rickarton 3 July; pr Mull, Arg, until 30 May; few Ork included juv Eday 23 July, but no proof of breeding; Fair Isle to 5 June; Shet, 4 singles June. Winter-spring : Kirk, last 60 Carsfad 22 Apr; Clyde, small passage mid Apr, max 400 Crosshill, Ayr, 16 Apr; Peeb, last 150 on 1 Apr; Midl, 500 Newlandrig 24 Apr; Fife, 500 Devilla 9 Mar, 200 Fife Ness 19 Apr; Isle of May 14 Apr-19 May, max 500 on 19 Apr; Perth, 700+ Sherriffmuir and 760 Kinbuck 18 Apr; Angus, 150 Glen Ogil 27 Apr; Suth, 200 Trantlemore 26 Apr; Ork; big passage Apr, mainly from 16th when 60 Copinsay, 1,000 Harray and 3,000 N Ronaldsay 18-22 Apr; Fair Isle, few to mid Apr, 45 on 14th, increased to 200 on 15th, 1,300 on 18th, 5,000+ on 20th, most gone by 24th, last 5 June; Shet, big arrival 14 Apr, when 1,600 Whalsay, more 18th when 2,000 Whalsay and 500 Sandwick, 600 Bressay and 500 Unst 20th, most gone by 26th. Autumn migration: Shet, lst Unst 1 Aug, small nos. Aug until Sep, mainly mid Oct-Nov, max 200 Unst late Oct; Fair Isle, lst 6 Aug, small nos. until early Oct, peaks 1,500+ 16 Oct, 1,500+ 21-23rd, 1,300 on 8-9 Nov; Ork, lst Evie 13 Sep, mainly mid Oct, peak N Ronaldsay 20th, Kirk- wall 21st; Caith, 1 Reay 9 Aug, mainly 14 Oct, max 600 Stemster 26 Oct; Ross, 1 Tarbat Ness 17 Aug, mainly from 14 Oct, max 500 Munlochy 27 Oct; Inv, 18 Insh 19 Sep, 100s Rhum end Sep; Moray, 1 Grantown 3 Sep; Aber, 3,000 Skene 18 Oct; Perth, large nos., max 3,000 Doune 20 Oct, 3,000 Seaside 25 Oct, 2,000-++ Blackford 26 Oct; Isle of May, 1st 28 Aug, max 250 on 20 Oct; Stir/Clack, lst Airthrey 20W 10 Oct, 1,500 Clackmannan 25 Oct; Midl, 1,000W Newlandrig 11 Oct, 700-+SW Almond- well 25 Oct; E Loth, 1 Dirleton 10 Aug, influx 1,000 Longniddry 25 Oct, 5,000 fed on Sea Buckthorn berries Gullane-N Berwick Nov-Dec; Arg, 400 Mull of Kintyre 16 Oct; Renf, 550 Muirshiel 13 Oct; Ayr from 10 Oct, mainly mid Oct, peak 1500 Ayr-Cumnock 26 Dec; Dumf, 200+ Langholm 14 Sep; Kirk/Wig, first 2 Backhill of Bush 3 Sep, 12 Kirkcowan 4 Sep, large nos. from 10 Oct. Song Thrush Breeding birds back Kiltarlity, Inv, 20 Feb, Gladhouse, Midl, 22 Feb; Peebles, scarcer, only 5 out of 15 nests successful. Migration : Shet, usual scatter, peak 16 Whalsay 19 Apr, last 14 June, lst 20 Sep, max 60 Skerries 1 Oct, 57 Whalsay 2nd and 30 Bressay 3 Oct; Fair Isle, mainly 14-22 Apr (max 30 on 22nd) and 8-17 May (max 50 on 9th), from 8 Aug, influx 400 on 30 Sep, peak 750 on 1 Oct; Isle of May, peak 35 on 8 May, last 17 May, from 1 July, max 200 on 9 Oct; E Loth, peaks 8 Sep and 25 Oct; Ayr, peaks 9th, 11th and 27-28 Oct. Redwing Breeding: Shet, up to 6 singing at 2 localities June, pr and 2 newly fledged young 5 Aug; Ork, pr bred successfully (first record), an- other pr but breeding not proved; Suth, 1 pr bred, 3 singing dd at sep- arate sites; W Ross, 3 prs reared young, 7 other singing dd; E Ross, d 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 221 in song 1 June; Inv, 4 prs bred, 7 other singing dd; Aber, 2 prs bred and one other adult seen; Perth, ¢ singing Rannoch. Winter counts and spring passage: Ayr, 80 Rozelle early Apr, scarce; W Loth, 100 Rosebery 12 Jan; Isle of May, max 150 on 19 Apr, last 7 May; Angus, 75 Letham Grange 17 Jan; Inv, 200 Rhum 15-18 Apr; Fair Isle, scarce in spring, mainly 14-17 Apr (max 50) and 20-22nd (max 100), last 16 June; Shet, mainly mid Apr, peaks 250 Whalsay 14th, more 18-19th, 120 Unst 20th, most gone 22nd. Autumn : Shet, Ist 2 on 10 Sep, mainly from 26th, peaks 300 Kergord 11 Oct, 300+ Whalsay 22 Oct; Fair Isle, lst 18 Sep, mainly from 26th, peaks 700 on 9 Oct, 2,500+ on 11th, 1,000 on 15th, 1,200 on 22nd, 600 (Icelandic T. i. coburni) on 5 Nov; O Heb, 3 Butt of Lewis 28 Sep; Caith, Ist 5 Oct, mainly 8-18th; Ross, 2 Redfield 8 Oct, peak 240 on 26th; Angus, Ist Arbroath 15 Sep; Perth, Ist Glenalmond 22 Sep, max 1,000 Thornhill 25 Oct, 500 Flanders Moss 20 Oct, 500+ Lecropt 26 Oct, roost 4,000 Glen- almond 30 Oct; Isle of May, from 27 Sep, max 500 on 19 Oct; Fife Ness, 2 on 29 Sep, 100 on 9 Oct; Clack, 200 Cambus 12 Oct; W Loth, 3 Beecraigs 14 Sep; E Loth, influx Longniddry 25 Oct; Arg, 450 Mull of Oa, Islay, 24 Oct, 600 Mull of Kintyre 16 Oct; Ayr, 2 Rozelle 30 Sep, main passage from 8 Oct, 1,500S in hr Rozelle 9 Oct, 530E in 15 mins 11 Oct, 1,000 Ayr- Cumnock 26 Dec; Kirk/Wig, lst 25 Dalry 9 Oct, many from 10th, large nos. Drummore 1 Nov. *Dusky Thrush T. n. eunomus. 1 Firth, Shet, 6-13 Nov (DC, BPW et al), 3rd Scottish and 5th British record. Ring Ouzel Breeding: Ork, 2 ¢d singing Hoy, juv seen 2 Aug; Midl, lst Moorfoots 12 Apr, 4 out of 5 prs successful, feeding young by 24 May, Pentland study area 6 out of 15 nests failed at nestling stage. Arrivals and migration: Shet, 15 Apr-19 May, scarce, max 3 Sumburgh 22 Apr, 3 Skerries 11 May; Fair Isle, 15 Apr-9 June, max 17 on 9 May, 11 on 11th; Ork, peaks 3 Copinsay 23 Apr and 9 May, 1 Sule Skerry 8 May; Ross, 1 Achnasheen 16 Mar; Aber, lst Braemar 16 Apr, coastal max 4 Cruden Bay 9-11 May; Isle of May, 17 Apr-15 May, max 25 on 8 May; Fife, ¢ Crail 19 Apr; E Loth, 6 Aberlady 20 Apr; Ayr, 1 Carrick Forest 31 Mar; Dumf, 1st Langholm 10 Apr. Autumn passage: Shet, scarce 30 Sep-1 Nov, max 4 Whalsay 15 Oct; Fair Isle, 3 on 30 Sep, 7 on 1 Oct, 1 by 8th, one 23rd; Suth, 4 L Naver 19 Oct; Perth, 2 Spittal of Glenshee 12 Oct; Isle of May, 1-2 on 29 Sep- 1 Oct; Arg, 1 Islay 27 Oct; Renf, 1 Muirshiel 10 Oct; Dumf, few Penpont 18 Sep and Langholm 26th; Kirk, 2 Blackmark 1 Oct. Blackbird Breeding: Arran, high nos. reared; Arg, 2 brooding 3 eggs Machrihanish 1 Jan, later deserted; Peebles, poor season in cold spring, 3 out of 18 nests successful; Ross, late brood Coulmore 25 July. Migration—high spring peak: Shet, big influx mid Apr, 1,400 Whalsay 14th, 100s Mainland 15th, 100 Noss 16th, most gone by 21 Apr, 50 Ker- gord 23 Sep, 60 Whalsay 22 Oct; Fair Isle, up to 50 wintered, 100 on 14 Apr increased to 1,000 on 20th, most gone by 26th, lst 18 Aug, mainly from 28 Sep, peaks 150 on 11 Oct, 200 on 15th, 500 on 22-23rd, 200 on 12 Nov; Ork, peaks 100+ Copinsay 16 Apr, 115 Pentland Skerries 19 Apr; Isle of May, peak 400 on 18 Apr, absent 27 Apr-26 Sep, max 200 on 9 Oct, 19-21 Oct; Fife Ness, 70 on 9 Oct; Wig, movement Mull of Galloway late Oct and late Dec. *American Robin One St Kilda 14 Jan-15 Feb (C. Brown et al). *White’s Thrush One Whalsay, Shet, 11 Oct (JHS), 10th Scottish record. *Hermit Thrush Hylocichla guttata. One Fair Isle 2 June (RAB, PJR, S. Rumsey et al)—1st British record of this North American thrush. Wheatear Breeding: lst young flying Shet 23 June and Fair Isle 26 222 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) June; Angus, pr bred Buddon for Ist time; numbers still low Fife, E Loth; Borders and Renf. Spring migration, arrivals from 19 Mar, generally late; Kirk, 1 Clatter- ingshaw 10 Apr, late to arrive; Dumf, lst Ewes 12 Apr; Ayr, 1 Doonfoot 23 Mar, next 2 Ballantrae and 2 Bracken Bay 13 Apr; Arg, 1 Machrihanish 9 Apr; E Loth, heavy passage 10 May when 10 Barns Ness; Fife Ness, 2 on 11 Apr; Isle of May, 12 Apr-16 June, high peak 350 on 8 May; Kinr, 2 Vane 23 Mar; Angus, 1 Elliot 5 Apr; Aber/N Kinc, 19 Apr-6 June, mainly 9-21 May, max 39 Drums 11 May; Inv, 3 Rhum 10 Apr; Ross, 1 Gairloch 28 Mar; O Heb, 1 Bayble, Lewis, 19 Mar; Ork, from 10 Apr, main arrival from 19th; Fair Isle, late, lst 12 Apr, influx 40 on 20th; Shet, lst 9 Apr, most from 20th. Northern birds O. o. leucorrhoa: 2 Girdleness, Kinc, 16 May; 2 Aber- lady, E Loth, 24 May; Dumf, 6 Priestside 22 Apr, 1 Caerlaverock 2 May; Kirk, several Cairnsmore of Carsphairn 22 May; probables Endrick Mouth, yep. 17 May, Doonfoot, Ayr, 7 May, 2 Heads of Ayr 12 May, 2 Ballantrae ay. Autumn migration, last dates to 16 Nov: Shet, more late records than usual, 6 Whalsay 31 Oct-12 Nov; Fair Isle, peaks 150 on 3 Sep, 80 on 18th, last 29 Oct; Ork, last 3 on 18 Oct; Ross, 1 Ashfield 25 Oct; Aber, last Newburgh 16 Oct; Isle of May, 2 July-19 Oct, max 25 on 7 Sep; Fife Ness, 2 last week Oct; E Loth, last Aberlady 25 Oct; Arg, peak 26 Machrihanish 8 Aug; Dunb, last Ardmore 21st and 25 Oct; Ayr, 1 Seamill 22 Oct; Kirk, last Cairnsmore of Fleet 22 Oct. Stonechat Breeding: Shet, pr feeding juvy Dales Voe 11 Sep (3rd ever record), also juvs Fetlar 6-7 July, Sandness early July and Toft 11 July were possibly bred locally; Caith, excellent season, many broods; Suth, very good Dornoch area and abundant W Ross/W Suth; E Ross, pr with young Coulmore (new area); Aber, continued increase inland, e.g. pr and young Glen Tanar 11 July; Angus, 24 prs located; Perth, increased; in- creases noted Lothians and Borders, e.g. pr Moorfoot valley (1st for 25 years), Edinburgh area: 15 nests containing 80 eggs produced 67 fledged young, only 1 pr reared 3rd brood; similar situation Clyde and Galloway areas. Population throughout country very high. Counts and migration : 42 (17 prs) on 8 miles coast road Barsalloch, Wig, 7 Nov; Angus, 3-6 Arbroath cliffs 14-18 Oct; Caith, 15 Reay 13 Aug; Fair Isle, passage 22 Feb-20 Apr, high peaks 5 on 26 Feb, 15 (highest record) 2 Mar, 7 on 12 Mar, few in May 2 (¢ + juv) 6 July (shows early 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 223 movement of juvs), singles 10th, 18-20th and 24 Oct; Shet, 33+ is notice- able increase, max 4 Sumburgh 26 Feb-3 Mar. Siberian Stonechat: 1 Fair Isle 10-17 Oct referable to one of the eastern forms, probably S. t. maura. Whinchat Breeding: average nos. Ayr: 7 prs with young Arran; Bor- ders, fewer; O Heb, 8 prs Lewis and Harris; Ork, pr suspected but not proved breeding Hoy. Arrivals and passage: 13 Apr, 2 L Mannoch, Kirk; 14 Apr, lst Isle of May; 18 Apr, lst Insh, Inv; 22 Apr, 1 Clatequoy, Caith. Most Ist arrivals last week Apr, main passage 2nd week May; Isle of May, max 40 on 8 May, last 7 June; Aber coast, 30 Apr-17 May, max 8 Drum 11 May; Ork, peak 6 Copinsay 9 May; Fair Isle, 1-2 from 29 Apr, peaks 30 on 9-14 May, 11 on 16th, last 11 June; Shet, 8 Skerries 9 May, 19 on 11th, last 2 Whal- say 6 June. Autumn: Shet, lst Whalsay 10 Aug, small influx 20-25 Sep, max 11 Whalsay 25th, more from 30th, 20 Skerries 1 Oct, 24 Whalsay 3 Oct, last 17th; Fair Isle, 10 Aug-27 Oct, peak 30 on 30 Sep-2 Oct; Ork, 9 Sep-2 Oct, max 7 Stronsay 1 Oct; Caith, last L Buidhe 3 Oct, Thurso 15 Oct; Ross, 1 Ashfield 25 Oct; Inv, last Insh 27 Oct; Fife, 14 Kingsbarns 31 Aug; Ber, last St Abbs 19 Oct; Arg, last Campbeltown 11 Nov. *Red-flanked Bluetail Immature Isle of May 14 Oct (IB-P, JHBM, GLS), 3rd Scottish and 6th British record. Redstart Breeding: Kirk, rather low; Ayr, still low; Dunb, 4 prs in 5.3 hectares Yew wood Inchlonaig; E Loth, still low; Midl, possible increase; Perth, better numbers and success; Inv, still low. Arrivals from 4 Apr, but mainly early May; Kirk, Ist Forrest Glen 25 Apr; Dumf, lst Penpont 4 Apr; Ayr, Ist 3 on 26 Apr; E Loth/Ber, passage 10-13 May, max 8 St Abbs and 5 Bass 10th; Fife Ness, 6 on 10 May; Isle of May, 8-19 May, high max 110 on 8th; Angus, 9 Elliot 9 May; Aber, good spring passage 4 May-3 June, most 9-llth, max 30 Strathbeg 9th; O Heb, 1 Back 20 May; Ork, 1 Pentland Skerries 19 Apr, next Copinsay 6 May, where 23+ on 9th, last Birsay 15 June; Fair Isle, ¢ 19 Apr, 2 dd 20th, daily from 2 May, peaks 12 on 8th, 50 on 9th, last 12 June; Shet, 1 Whalsay 19 Apr, 1 Bressay 28th, influx 6-21 May, max 4 Whalsay 13th. Autumn : Shet, 12 Sep-25 Oct, peaks 19 Whalsay and 14 Unst 2 Oct; Fair Isle, 6 Aug-18 Oct, mainly from 18 Sep, peaks 35 on 30 Sep, 60 on 1 Oct; Ork, few 1-5 Oct, max 3 Stronsay lst; Caith, passage Wick 1-5 Oct; Aber/N Kinc, few 30 Sep-19 Oct; Angus, 1 Arbroath 16 Oct, 1 Montrose 6 Nov; Isle of May, 13 Sep-21 Oct, max 5 on 16 Oct. Black Redstart Two in winter, 60-70+ in spring 15 Mar-29 June, 1 sum- mer, 17+ in autumn 5 Oct-7 Nov: Shet, nearly 30 between 13 Apr and 8 June, peaks 3 Whalsay 19 Apr, 4 on 20th, 8+ on 2lst, 4 on 22nd, 4 Skerries 14 May, singles Walls 5 Oct, Scalloway 29 Oct, 6 individuals Whal- say 14 Oct-1 Nov; Fair Isle, one 28 Mar, 20n 18 Apr, 8 on 20-2l1st, another peak 4 on 8 May, last 26 May, one 29 June, singles 7 and 22 Oct; Ork, 2 N Ronaldsay 22 Apr, 1 Copinsay 23 Apr, 2-10 May, 3 Sule Skerry 8 May; Caith, 1 Scrabster 26 Oct; Aber, 1 Strathbeg 9 May; Angus, 1 Scurdyness 17 Apr; Isle of May, singles 15-17 Mar, 25-26th, 30th, 14 Apr, 18th (2), 20 Apr, 21 Oct, 22 Oct (2); Fife, 2 Crail 1 Jan-19 Mar, singles Dalgety Bay 3 May, Fife Ness 10 May; E Loth, 2 Drem 25 Oct; Arg, ¢ Craignure, Mull, 5-6 Aug; Ayr, 1 Dunure 5-7 Nov; Wig, 2 Stranraer 16 Jan; Kirk, do Carsluith 1 Nov, ©° redstart sp. Southerness 8 Nov. *Nightingale Three: Fair Isle 16 May (found 2 weeks dead), 9 June (RAB et al); Isle of May, 27 May (AWC, NJG, FS). *Thrush Nightingale Two : St Kilda 29-30 May (MPH et al); Isle of May, 31 May-6 June (HG, MPH, MS). 224 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) © Bluethroat White-spotted Bluethroat L. s. cyanecula. Three records is exceptional (1st since 1970): ¢ Orton, Moray, 20 Mar is also very early (Mrs P. V. Upton); ¢ Whalsay, Shet, 20-22 Apr; ¢ Fair Isle 21-22 Apr. Red-spotted L. s. svecica spring passage 8 May-12 June, few autumn 26 Sep-4 Oct: Shet, 1 Strand, 2 Skerries 9 May, 8 Skerries 1lth, 2 on 13th, 3 on 14th, singles Noss 1lth, Whalsay 12th, Virkie 14th, Spiggie 18th, Fetlar 26th, 1 Skerries 1 Oct; Fair Isle, ¢ 8 May, 17 on 9th, nos. high to 17th, 1-2 until 4 June, injured d 21 June-15 Aug, 3 on 26 Sep, 1-2 to 4 Oct; Ork, 1 Copinsay 12 June, 1 Stronsay 1 Oct; Aber, ¢ Collieston 11 May; Isle of May, 3 on 8 May, one 12 May; Arg, 2 Ugadale, Kintyre, 29 May; Dumf, ¢ found dead Parkgate 28 May. *Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope. First-year ¢ ringed Fair Isle 9-11 Oct, lst British record of this Siberian species (RAB, ARL, PJR et al). (plate 19b). Robin Passage and counts: Shet, some overwintered, spring peaks 40 Whalsay 20-21 Apr, 20 Mainland 20th, stragglers to 17 May, Ist 21 Sep, peaks 8 Skerries 1 Oct, 12 Whalsay 2 Oct; Fair Isle, main spring passage 16 Apr-28 May, max 50 on 20-2lst Apr, otherwise less than 6, autumn from 17 Sep, max 10 on 30 Sep, 18 on 1 Oct; Ork, passage mid Apr, max 15 Pentland Skerries 19 Apr; Aber, passage Drums 19 Apr; Fife Ness, in- flux 20 on 9 Oct; Dumf, influx Caerlaverock 14 Oct; Kirk, 1 at 2,333 ft Cairnsmore of Fleet 27 June. Grasshopper Warbler Breeding nos. low: Ayr, still low; Renf, continued decrease, only 3 prs Lochwinnoch reserve (14 prs in 1973); Dunb, im- provement Endrick Mouth; Arg, Borders, E Loth and Midl nos. down; Perth, 7 Goodie Water 4 May; Inv, 7-8 Insh June; only single reports Aber, Ross, Suth and Caith. Arrivals: 22 Apr, 1 Dalry, Kirk; 23 Apr, 1 Lochmaben, Dumf, mainly lst week May; Ork, 1 Stromness 7 May; no records O Heb, Shet or Fair Isle reflects scarcity. *Lanceolated Warbler Four Fair Isle is exceptional: 3 on 11 Oct (2 trapped), the unringed bird present 13-14th, another unringed on 14th (RAB, S. G. Cook, ARL et al) (plate 20a). *Reed Warbler No spring records. Fair Isle, singles (all considered of this species) 5 Aug, llth, 14th, 16th, 18th (2), 23rd, 24th, 5th and 7 Sep; Shet, singles Sumburgh 13 Aug, Fetlar 14th and 23-24 Aug, Skerries 24 Aug and 1 Oct. 1 Reed/Marsh Warbler Fetlar 9-10 June. *Marsh Warbler Fair Isle, singles trapped 2nd and 8 June, another in song 16-17 June (RAB et al). Sedge Warbler Breeding : Ayr, increase in S; Rox/Peeb, scarce; E Loth/ Midl, numbers well up, e.g. 28 in song Gladhouse 17 May (most ever), 20+ prs Cousland (4 prs 1974); Perth, prs nesting in unusual habitats suggest increase; Angus, 100 prs on Lunan between Letham and Inver- keilor; Inv, good nos. Insh, 4 prs Canna; Suth, pr bred Handa (lst record); Caith, improvement; O Heb, increase Lewis and Uists, 4 prs Balranald. Arrivals and migration : 27 Apr, lst Gelston, Kirk, and 4 Maybole, Ayr, mainly lst week May; Shet, none; Fair Isle, scarce, 3 in spring 18-19th, 23 May and 7-8 June, 1-2 on 28 Aug-5 Sep, very late one 11 Nov; O Heb, 20 May-1ll Aug; E Ross, last Tarradale 2 Sep; Aber, 4-17 May (max 6 Strathbeg 5th) and 30 Aug-19 Sep; Angus, last Lurgies 10 Sep; Perth, last Balnepburn 10 Oct; Isle of May, 16-31 May, max only 2, singles 27 Aug- 23 Sep; Clack, 6 Cambus 14 Sep; Midl, 2 Duddingston 1 May; 1 Selkirk 30 Apr; Arg, last Machrihanish 27 Sep; Dunb, 50 Midross 10 Aug, last 20 Sep; Renf, 77 Lochwinnoch 23 July; Wig, 60 Airds Moss 2 July. *Aquatic Warbler Two imms Fair Isle, 9-10th and 18 Aug (RAB, PJR, D. Willis et al). 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 225 *Icterine Warbler One spring, Fair Isle 11 June; 14 autumn 6 Aug-9 Oct: Shet, singles Whalsay 6-7 Aug, 10 Aug, Toab 28 Sep; Fair Isle, 9-10 Aug, 13th (2), 26-27th, 3-6 Sep, 2-3rd and 8 Oct; Isle of May, 13 Aug and 18-21 Sep; Fife, Kilconquhar 14 Sep, Fife Ness 9 Oct. Blackcap Breeding: Ayr, slight decrease Rozelle, good season May- bole; Ber, E Loth and Midl, gradual increase, now twice as common as Garden Warbler in E Loth. Migration: confused by wintering birds; Shet, few 22 Apr-27 June, from 30 Aug, max 10 Skerries 20 Sep, 20 on 1 Oct, 15 on 6 Nov, 19. Whal- say 2 Oct; Fair Isle, few 19 Apr-21 June, max 4 on 20 Apr, strong passage autumn, 31 Aug-14 Nov, peak 10 on 29 Sep, 70 on 30 Sep, high to 3 Oct, 20 on 9th, 10 on lst and 10 Nov; Ork, autumn passage from 27 Sep, 48 ringed N Ronaldsay 4-23 Oct; O Heb, 2 Back, Lewis 9 May; Caith, passage 27 Sep-15 Nov, max 6 Wick 1 Oct and 6 Reay 25 Oct; Aber, max 5 Fraser- burgh 26 Oct; Isle of May, 1-2 from 1 May-4 June, 30 Aug-30 Oct, max 15 on 11 Oct and 22 Oct. Major increase in wintering records on 1974, especially in early months, reflecting mild winters : Jan Feb Mar Nov Dec North (Shet-Inv) 11 10 4 50+ 13 Central (Moray-Clack, Arg) 19 10 Ti 10 u South (Clyde-Forth to Border) 12 22, 20 4 3 Barred Warbler Good nos. 8 Aug-15 Nov: Shet, ad Foula 10 Aug, almost daily to 21 Sep, 13 Skerries, 12 Whalsay in this period, peaks 3 Whalsay 20 Aug, 3 Skerries 24 Aug, late records Skerries 1 Oct, Whalsay 24 Oct; Fair Isle, 8 Aug-27 Sep, up to 8 many days 18 Aug-7 Sep, 1 on 30 Sep, 4 on 1 Oct, 2 on 9th, 4 on 10th, one to 12th, 25 ringed; Ork, singles ringed N Ronaldsay 14 and 16 Oct, one of them found dead Papa Westray late Nov; Caith, 1 Wick 27 Sep, ad Wick 15 Nov (very late); Suth, 2 Talmine 4 Sep, 1 Achinver 6-10 Sep, 1 W Strathan 6 Sep; Aber, 1 Don est 2-3 Sep; Isle of May, passage 14 Aug-14 Oct, max 8 on 31 Aug. Garden Warbler Breeding: Arg, breeding some areas not recorded in Atlas, e.g. 2 prs Colonsay; Selk, Peeb, E Loth and Midl continued decrease; Ork, singing birds Binscarth 28 May, Rackwick 15 June and Finstown 20 July but no proof of breeding. Spring migration: Kirk, lst Garroch 6 May; Arg, lst Saddell 1 May; Isle of May, 1-2 between 16 May-9 June; Ork, 2 Pentland Skerries 19 Apr; Fair Isle, small nos. 9 May-22 June, max 5 on 8 June; Shet, 1 Unst 21 Apr, few 14 May-25 June. Return passage: Shet, from 6 Aug, peaks 4 Skerries 1 Oct, 10 Whalsay 2 Oct, late 1 Quendale 1 Nov; Fair Isle, small passage 6 Aug-17 Oct, max 12 on 18 Aug and 12 Sep; Ork, few 10 Aug-24 Oct; Caith, 2 Stirkoke 4 Oct, 2 Dunbeath 12 Nov; Aber, last Drums 15 Oct; Isle of May, 9 Aug- 23 Oct, max 16 on 30 Aug. Whitethroat Breeding: further improvement Dumf, Ayr, Renf, Arran, Rox, Arg, E Loth, Fife, Angus, Inv, E Ross; decrease Cousland, Midl, and Mull, Arg. Arrivals and spring passage rather late: 26 Apr, 1 Gatehouse and 6 Mochrum, Wig, and Dalton, Dumf; mostly lst week May. Ber, 4 St Abbs 12 May; Isle of May, 8 May-9 June, 4 on 7 June; Aber, lst Auchmacoy 2 May; Fair Isle, 9 May-13 June, peaks only 5 on 9th and 12 May, 6 on 16 May; Shet, few singles 2 May-20 June, 2 Fetlar 31 May. Autumn : Shet, very few 25 Aug-2 Oct (Whalsay); Fair Isle, 10 Aug- 11 Oct, few, max 4 on 1 Oct; Ork, 1 Copinsay 15-18 Aug, 1 Stronsay 1 Oct; Caith, 2 Wick 1 Oct; Isle of May, very few 19 Aug-23 Oct; Fife Ness, last 17 Oct; Ber, last St Abbs 12 Oct. 226 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) ee Whitethroat Breeding: pr again nested Cousland, Midl, c/4 on y. Migration, generally scarce: Shet, cl0 spring 2 May-8 June, 6 autumn 9 Aug-3 Oct; Fair Isle, 6-19 May, max 7 on 9th, 1-4 daily 26 May-6 June and 10-14 June, singles several days 24 Aug-28 Sep, 4 on 30 Sep, 2 on 9 Oct, one 11th; Ork, singles Stronsay 1 Oct, N Ronaldsay 15 Oct; Suth, 1 Dalchork 31 May; Banff, 1 Troup 11 May; Aber/N Kinc, singles Girdle- ness and Strathbeg 9 May, Cruden Bay llth, Old Aberdeen 12 May- 3 June, Strathbeg 31 Aug; Isle of May, 1-2 from 5 May-10 June, 1-3 from 9-13 Oct; E Loth, 1 Aberlady 15 Aug; Ber, 1 St Abbs 10th and 12 May, 3 on 12 Oct, 1 Coldingham 17 May; Arg, 1 Islay 27 May. ; *Subalpine Warbler Three ringed Fair Isle: ¢ 9 May, 2 8 June, ¢ 8-10 une. Willow Warbler Breeding : several summered Kergord, Shet, 2 in song 9 June, breeding not proved. Arrivals: early 1 in song Duchrae, Kirk, 16 Mar; next records 6 Apr, Langholm, Dumf; 12 Apr, L Garten, Inv; 16 Apr, Dalbeattie, Kirk; 17 Apr, Star and Kirkcaldy, Fife; most lst records 19-25th. Spring passage : Shet, 18 Apr-7 June, mainly 9-19 May, max 10 Whalsay 11th; Fair Isle, scarce, 20 Apr-21 June, max 10 on 14th and 17 May; Aber/N Kinc, 19 Apr-16 May; Isle of May, 19 Apr-7 June, max 250 on 8 May; E Loth, 20 Bass Rock, 10 May; Ber, 25+ St Abbs 10 May; Renf/Ayr, large influx 23 Apr; Wig/ Kirk, big arrival 21-24 Apr. Return passage: Shet, 5 Aug-12 Oct, peaks 12 Skerries 30 Aug, 10 on 1 Oct; Fair Isle, 7 Aug-3 Oct, mainly 13 Aug-12 Sep, peaks 35 on 18th, 100 on 30 Aug, few to 17 Oct; Caith, peak 12 Reay 13 Aug, last 7 Oct; Aber, last Drums 15 Oct; Isle of May, 8 July-13 Oct, max 40 on 30 Aug. Chiffchaff Breeding: Ayr, slight decrease Culzean and Troon; Midl, slow increase; singing birds in North: Aber (1), Inv (4), Ross (6), Suth (2), Caith (3, probably bred). Winter (Jan-Apr): singles (records in brackets probably Chiffchaff) Shet, Lerwick 2 Jan-2 Mar, Kergord 29 Jan; Ork, 2 Binscarth 1 Jan-20 Apr, Orphir 1 Jan-5 Apr, Kirkwall 19 Jan; Caith, Wick 13 Jan-13 Feb; Moray, 1 Burghead 19 Jan, 2 apparently P. c. tristis Elgin 16 Jan-6 Apr (9: 164-6); Aber, Parkhill 2nd week Jan; Fife, (one) Largo Bay 2 Feb; Midl, E How- gate 6 Feb; Rox, (one) Kelso 2 Feb; Lan, Stepps 16 Mar; Ayr, Prestwick 26 Jan; Dumfries 2 Feb; 17 records is exceptional. Migration : Shet, lst 3 Whalsay 15 Apr, mainly 8-17 May, few summer- ed, return from 24 Aug, mainly 11 Oct-1 Nov, max 7 Mainland 12 Oct, 6 Whalsay 15th; Fair Isle, 1st 22 Mar, small passage 18 Apr-18 May, max 6 on 6th, 8th and 12 May, few to 17 June, return from 18 Aug, mainly 8-28 Oct, 15 on several days, 30 on 11th; Ork, small influx Oct and 4 Nov; Caith, few 18 Oct-16 Nov, max 3 Reay 18th; Ross, lst Monadh Mor 6 Apr; Aber, 22 Apr-16 May, mainly 9-12 May, 4 Sep-18 Oct; Isle of May, 6 Apr- 5 June, max 6 on 18 Apr, 29 Sep-23 Oct, max 6 on 10th; Fife Ness, 6 on 9 Oct; Ber, 12 St Abbs 12-19 Oct; Arg, 5 Islay Nov; Ayr, Ist Rozelle 29 Mar otherwise late; Kirk, lst Dalry 7 Apr. Dec singles: Dipple, Ayr, 13th; Ralston, Renf, 29th; Islay, Arg, 5th; Stornoway, O Heb, 16-27th; Papa Westray, Ork, tristis found dead 26th and ae Fair Isle, lst-3lst; Shet, Lerwick 4th, Whalsay 10th and Scallo- way 22nd. Wood Warbler Breeding : no change except absent Aber. Arrivals and migration: 29 Apr, Selkirk; 3 May, L of Menteith, Perth, and Fort William, Inv; most 4-11 May; Shet, 1 Virkie 14 May, 9 birds 8 Aug-17 Sep; Fair Isle, singles 6 May, 17 June, c8 17 Aug-7 Sep, max 3 on 18th; Ork, 1 Woodwick 3 May; O Heb, 1 Back 8 May, 2 Stornoway 22 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 227 May; Aber, 6 Cruden Bay 9 May, few coastal to 11th; Isle of May, singles 20 July, 15 Aug. annie Warbler One Isle of May 6 Sep (PNJC, DWO, HDS et al) (plate *Yellow-browed Warbler About 40 birds 21 Sep-10 Nov, singles unless stated : Shet, Foula 21 Sep, Swinnister 26 Sep, Skerries 1 Oct, Mid Yell 3 Oct, Whalsay 2 on 30 Sep, 1-2 Oct, 2 on 3 Oct, 11th, 14 Oct; Fair Isle, 5 on 30 Sep, one to 4 Oct, 2 on 10th, 3 on 11th, 2 on 12-18th, 21-22 Oct, 10 Nov; Ork, Kirkwall 11-12 Oct, another 12th, Skaill 21 Oct; Caith, Wick 2 Oct, 11th, Stirkoke 11 Oct; Isle of May, 2 on 9 Oct, 12th, 13th; Fife Ness, 2 on 9 Oct, 10th; Ber, 6 St Abbs 11 Oct, 4 on 12th, 18th. *Pallas’s Warbler Four (1 inland) is exceptional, 3rd to 6th Scottish records : Singles Fair Isle 10-11 Oct (RAB, ARL, BM et al); Killichonan, Perth, 15 Oct (WDC); Isle of May 21-22 Oct (MWF, SRDdP et al) and Strand, Shet, 26-28 Oct (AG, DC ez ai). Goldcrest Breeding: Ayr, increase Castlehill woods; Renf, Muirshiel 20 prs (only 7 prs in 1972); Arran increase; Arg, completed nest Tayinloan 3 Mar; Midl and Fife, nos. high; Ork, at least 1 pr bred Binscarth, failed Stronsay, singing 2 sites Hoy; Shet, 4 summered Kergord. Migration : Shet, mainly 18-20 Apr, max 40 Kergord 20th, autumn main- ly 9-27 Oct, max 100 Kergord 12th, 37 on 15th, last 15 Nov; Fair Isle, 6 Apr-20 May, max 30 on 22 Apr, 4 Sep-14 Nov, mainly 8 Oct-14 Nov, peaks 35 on 9 Oct, 30 on 14th, 200 on 16th; Ork, peaks 25+ Copinsay 23 Apr, influx mid Oct, max 20 Papdale 24 Oct; Caith, passage 13 Oct-9 Nov, max 20 Stirkoke 14 Oct; Aber, main influx 15 Oct, when 20 Cruden Bay and 40 Drums; Angus, max 30 Letham Grange 20 Nov; Fife Ness, 15 Sep- 2 Nov, max 40 on 2 Oct; Isle of May, 12-28 Apr, max 70 on 18th, 24 Aug- 30 Oct, max 200 on 20-21st; Ber, 80 St Abbs 11 Oct. *Firecrest Three singles: Isle of May 18-21 Apr (JAS et al); Foveran 11 May (MAMcD) and Newburgh, Aber, 7 Nov (CJS). Spotted Flycatcher Breeding: 2+ prs bred Binscarth, Ork; excellent breeding season from 10 prs Elliot valley, Angus; brood recently fledged Dalry, Kirk, 29 Aug. Arrivals : 1 May, Banff and Harestone, Aber; 3 May, Maryhill, Lan; 7 May, 2 Vane, Kinr; generally rather late in month. Migration: Shet, very scarce, 25 May-8 June, max 3 Fetlar 31 May, 3 birds 24 Sep-2 Oct, very late one Boddam 1 Nov; Fair Isle, small nos. 8 May-14 June, max 5 on 17 May, 7 on 6 June, few 6 Sep-11 Oct; Ork, few in spring, last N Ron- aldsay 6 Oct; Caith, last Noss 14 Oct; Isle of May, 1-2 on 27 May-20 June, 27 Aug-23 Sep, max 3 on 29 Aug; Arg, 1 Balnabraid 1 Oct; Kirk, last New Galloway 29 Sep-10Oct. Pied Flycatcher Breeding, good year: Kirk, rather scarce; Dumf, 19 prs Penpont; Ayr, nos. low; W Stir, 2+ prs nested; Rox, 2 prs Rule Water; Perth, 19+ prs Trossachs and 82+ young reared in boxes, pr nested Ardeonaig, 3 prs Glen Falloch; Inv, pr nested Drumnadrochit; gd seen or heard Arg (1); Inv (6), Caith (1), also 2 E Ross. Arrivals and spring passage: 24 Apr, Langholm and Penpont, Dumf; 27 Apr, 2 Garroch, Kirk, and Selkirk; mostly early May; E Loth, 6 Bass Rock 10 May; Fife Ness, max 5 on 10 May; Isle of May, 8-15 May, max 20 on 8th; Angus, passage 9-14 May, max 4 Elliot 9th; Aber/N Kinc, in- flux 45+ 9-18 May. max 7 Cruden Bay and 6 Strathbeg 9th; Moray and Caith, influx 9-17 May; Ork, 3 May-15 June, mainly 9th-10th, when 6 on Copinsay; Fair Isle, 8-19 May, max 15 on 9th and 17th, some to 8 June; Shet, scarce, 9 May-8 June, cl6 birds. Autumn : Shet, 9 Aug-16 Oct, scarce, max 4 Skerries 20 Sep, 4 Kergord 21st, Whalsay 30th; Fair Isle, 5 Aug-11 Oct, max 8 on 18th Aug, 25 on 30 Sep; Caith. Wick 1-6 Oct, max 3 on 5th; Isle of May, 5 Aug-8 Oct, max 40 on 7 Aug; Fife Ness, 3 on 9 Oct. 228 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) *Collared Flycatcher Male Skerries, Shet, 13 May (ARL, WEO); 3rd Scottish and 7th British record. *Red-breasted Flycatcher Four in spring (5 May-15 June), cl6 in autumn (20 Sep-17 Oct); spring: ¢ Forvie, Aber, 5 May; ¢ Fair Isle 17 May, an- other 5-6 June; 2 Sumburgh, Shet, 15 June. Autumn: Shet, singles Skerries 20-21 Sep, Helendale 25 Sep, Whalsay 30 Sep-1 Oct, Kergord 11-12 Oct; Fair Isle, 2 on 30 Sep, another 1 Oct, one to 3rd, 2 on 10-11th, one 12th, 14th; Isle of May, 29 Sep, 2 on 10 Oct, one 11th; Fife Ness 29 Sep; Islay, Arg, 10-17 Oct. Dunnock Migration: Shet, spring 10-28 Apr, max 30 Whalsay 20th, stragglers into June, few autumn 21 Sep-14 Nov, max 3 Whalsay 30 Sep- 3 Oct; Fair Isle, low nos. spring 11 Mar-17 June, mainly 15 Apr-9 May, max 8 on 20-22nd, 6 on 30 Sep, few to 6 Oct; Isle of May, 1 Apr-30 May, max 8 on 6 Apr, 21 Sep-31 Oct, max 6 on 22 Oct. *Richard’s Pipit Nine records, 3 Shet in spring is exceptional: singles Sumburgh 6 May (ARL), Hascosay 9 June (BHW, BLS) and Lamba Ness, Unst, 20-22 June (RAFKOS); autumn: singles, Whalsay, Shet, 15 Oct (JHS); Fair Isle, 21 Oct (ARL), 11-12 Nov (RAB); Deerness, Ork, 2 Nov SE Aber, 3 Oct (PME, RBH, BMH); Isle of May 29 Sep (NKA, DLB, MN). Meadow Pipit Migration: Shet, mainly Apr, especially 17th, usual re- turn passage, max 100 Skerries 25 Aug; Fair Isle, lst real influx 40+ on 30 Mar, mainly after mid Apr; Caith, passage Brims 21-23 Apr; Inv, 40 Insh 29 Jan is unusual, present 26 Mar-4 Oct, present Drumnadrochit mid Mar-20 Sep; Angus, peak 40S per hr Arbroath 17 Oct; Isle of May, 1 Apr-21 May, max 500+ on 13 Apr, 21 Aug-31 Oct, max 800+ on 6 Oct; Fife, 2,.000N per hr St Andrews 20 Apr; Midl, 325N in 80 mins Musselburgh 13 Apr; E Loth, 100s N Tyninghame 13 Apr; Wig, many 100s Crammog Head-Mull of Galloway 27 Sep. Tree Pipit Arrivals: 21 Apr, Strathnaver, Suth (also Fair Isle migrant); 22 Apr, Barrhill, Ayr, and 2 Dirleton, E Loth; more 25th-26th but many later in May. Migration: Ber, 12 St Abbs 24 May; E Loth, 10 Bass Rock 10 May; Isle of May, 8 May-7 June, max 500+ on 8th, 1-2 from 21 Aug- 7 Sep; Angus, 20 Elliot 9 May; Aber, 3-15 May, max 10 Cruden Bay 14th; Inv, Insh, lst 2 on 28 Apr, max 25 on 26 May, last 24 Aug; Caith, 3 Ach- varasdal 14 May; Fair Isle, 21 Apr-17 June, max 20 on 9th and 22 May, few 30 Aug-4 Sep, 18 Sep-26 Oct, max 4 on Ist; Shet, scarce, 12 May- 21 June, max 7 Skerries 13 May, only autumn records 1 Swinnister 20 Sep, 3 on 27th. *Pechora Pipit One Fair Isle 10 Oct (RAB, S. G. D. Cook, ARL et al). *Red-throated Pipit At least 7 in spring, 4 in autumn is exceptional: 1 Tobermory, Mull, 7 May (RFC); Fair Isle, 2 on 24-25 May, 3 on 26th, 2 on 27th, singles 28th, 29th. 31st, 1 on 4 June, one 8-9th, 2 on 10th (6+ birds), 3 singles 8-12 Sep, 16-17th, 20-24th, 25-26th; Shet, 1 Skerries 14-18 Sep (DJF, CAH, TAW). Rock Pipit Angus, 6 Montrose 22 Oct, lst of autumn, increased to 20 by 16 Dec; Fair Isle, influx early Feb. Inland singles: Cobbinshaw, Mid], 4 Feb, 8-14 Nov; Stanley Dam, Renf, 28 Oct. Scandinavian A. s. littoralis : 2 Fetlar 20 Apr. Water Pipit A. s. spinoletta: 1 Thurso, Caith, 25 Apr; 2 Cobbinshaw 8 Nov-29 Dec, 3 on 14 Nov. Pied/White Wagtail Pied Wagtail M. a. yarrellii breeding : poor season Inv, lst broods failing due to June snowfall; O Heb, increase; Ork, con- tinued increase; Shet, breeding prs Fetlar, Tingwall, Lerwick and Kergord. White Wagtail M. a. alba breeding: Shet, pr reared 3 young Gutcher, pr Baltasound reared 4 young. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 229 Pied Wagtail migration: Shet, 3 Mar-1l Oct, mainly 16-22 Apr; Fair Isle, few 10 Mar-late May, one 15 Oct; Ork, lst 4 Mar; Caith, lst 21 Jan; Inv, Insh 29 Jan-4 Oct, max 60+ on 12 Apr; Wig, 60S per hr Mull of Galloway 30 Aug. Counts: 100 Glengolly, Caith 6 Sep; 100 Spynie, Moray, 16 Feb; 350 Aberdeen Station 22 Jan; 800 Perth roost 29 Mar, 250+ mid Nov-Dec; 250 Glenalmond 22 Sep, 200+ Balnepburn 26 Sep, 300+ Cairnie Pier 27 Sep; Dunb, 800 Old Kilpatrick 3 Sep; Kirk, 600 Cargenbridge winter. White Wagtail migration: Shet, 13 Apr-mid May, Aug peaks 50 Whal- say 23 Aug, 20 Skerries 27th; Fair Isle, 15 Apr-23 May, max 9 on 2lst, 17 Aug-4 Oct, most 17 Aug-11 Sep, max 45 on 29th; Inv, 20 Lochardil 27 Sep; Perth, passage Apr at roost; Aber, 5 Apr-25 May, max 10 Don est 28 Apr; E Loth, max 6 Tyninghame 27 Apr and 4 May; Arg, 11 Cal- gary, Mull, 4 May, 30 Tayinloan 25 Apr; Ayr, max 16 Doonfoot 6 Sep, 20 Troon 6 Sep; usual scatter of records elsewhere. Grey Wagtail Breeding: poor season Dingwall, Ross; Angus, excellent nos. and success; Midl, more than 1974 S Esk; E Loth-Clyde, good nos. Migration and counts: Shet, singles Clickhimin 1-17 Jan, Whalsay 30 Sep and 24 Oct; Fair Isle, singles 7 Apr, 30-31 Aug, 6 Sep; O Heb, 1 Bal- ranald, N Uist, Aug; Suth, 2 Handa 15 Aug; Inv, Insh 5 on 8 Mar, max 20 on 19 June, last 23 Sep; Angus, passage Elliot from 25 June, max 16 on 29 July; Isle of May, one 11 Apr, 1-2 from 21 Aug-19 Oct; Midl, 20 Roslin 13 Sep. *Citrine Wagtail Two: Fair Isle 7-18 Sep (RAB, PJR et al); Whalsay 16 Sep (JHS), latter subject to acceptance. Yellow Wagtail Yellow Wagtail M. f. flavissima breeding : bred Canon- bie, Dumf; Irvine, Ayr; Kelso and Towford, Rox; 2 prs Grangemouth, Stir; usual scatter single birds (some singing) central and south. Migration : Shet, four 26 May-27 June, one 18 Aug; Fair Isle, 1-2 on 19-24 Apr, 1-2 daily 29 Apr-9 May, singles 18-19 May, 5 June; Ork, 1 Copinsay 3-4 May; Caih, singles Greenland 14 Apr, Wick 17 Aug, Scrab- ster 19 Oct; Aber/Kinc, few 25 Apr-15 June, M. flava subsp., singly Strathbeg 20 Sep-9 Nov; Isle of May, 1 on 8 May, M. flava subsp. 8th and 17 May, 3 on 19th Sep; E Loth, lst Drum 25 Apr; Ber, 4 Coldstream 18 May; Lan, Ist 2 6d Bothwell 27 Apr; Dumf, lst Lochmaben 23 Apr, last 3 Caerlaverock 6 Oct. Blue-headed Wagtail M. f. flava: Shet, Whalsay 20-21 Apr, Lerwick 8-25 June; Fair Isle, d 11 June. Grey-headed Wagtail M. f. thunbergi: Fair Isle, single dd 1 May, 9th and llth, daily 25 May-4 June, max 5 dd 28-29th, ¢ 8 June; Aber, o Newburgh 10 May, 3 dd on 11th, 1 do St Fergus 15 June. 230 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Waxwing Good nos. Jan-Mar following large invasion autumn 1974: Kirk, max 6 Stronord 6-8 Feb; Dumf, max 40 Locharbriggs 1 Jan; Dunb, max 7 Helensburgh 27 Mar; 7 Selkirk 6 Feb; Midl, 30 Edinburgh Jan-Mar; Clack, max 30 Gartmorn 9 Jan; Fife, max 12 Kennet Pans 23 Feb; Perth, good nos. max 27 Lecropt 18 Feb; Angus, max 13 Dundee 26 Feb; Aber, max 29 Aberdeen 9 Feb; Inv, max 20 L Mallachie 29 Mar, 18 Drumna- drochit 28 Mar, 20 Inverness 25 Feb. Spring migration ;: noticeable passage into May; Shet, 6 records 15 Apr- 5 May, late singles Fetlar 3 June, Yell early June; Ork, 5 Kirkwall 18-22 Apr; O Heb, 1 Willow Glen 24 Apr; Caith, 1 Castletown 21 May; Inv, 1 Rhum 1-2 May, 40 Inverness 21 Apr, 12 on 3 May, 7 Balloch 10 May, last 15th, 56 Tulloch 25 Apr, last pr 18 May, ¢ Abernethy Forest 30 June; Moray, last Forres 8 May; Aber, last 8 Crimond 16 May; Angus, 18 Dun- dee 23-28 Apr; Selk, 20 Galashiels 15 Apr, pr displaying, ¢ feeding °, Gattonside, Rox, 1 Apr; Dumf, last 3 Canonbie 29 Apr. Autumn, another strong invasion mainly Nov-Dec, earliest 30 Sep; Shet, 1 Whalsay 30 Sep, next 11 Oct, mainly from 16 Oct, max 25 Lerwick 14 Nov; Fair Isle, small nos. 12 Oct-14 Nov, max 9 on 22nd; Ork, Ist Kirkwall 16 Oct, max 30 Kirkwall 1 Nov; O Heb, max 10 Laxdale 7 Nov; Caith, 17 Thurso 17 Oct, mainly 2-11 Nov; Suth/Ross, from 19 Oct, max 12 Lochinver 20 Nov, 20S Kintradwell 4 Nov; Inv, lst 29 Oct, max 20 In- ‘vverness 5 Nov, 72 Rothiemurchus 4 Dec; Moray, 51 Elgin 17 Nov, 46 Lossiemouth 25 Dec; Aber, lst 22 Oct, 36 Old Aberdeen 24-25 Nov, 50+ 27 Dec; Angus, 4 Tannadice 22 Oct, max 37 Montrose 14 Nov; Perth, 4 Almondbank 22 Oct, max 50 Perth 28 Dec; Midl, max 30-40 Eskbank 8-9 Dec; E Loth, Ist Aberlady 4 Oct, max 16 Dirleton 28 Nov; Selkirk, max 20 Selkirk 10 Nov, 30 Galashiels 3 Dec; Arg, 18 Connel 26 Nov; Ayr, 16 Al- loway mid-Nov; Dumf, 25 Kirtlebridge 15 Nov; Kirk, from 11 Nov, max 8 New Galloway 24 Nov. Great Grey Shrike About 55 Jan-16 May, scarcer in autumn, c24 from 8 Oct; 3+ late spring: singles Fair Isle 1-5 May; Parkhill, Aber, 16 May and Cambo Ness, Fife, 10 May; noticeable spring passage, Shet, 10-23 Apr, max 2-3 Whalsay and 2-3 Unst 20th; Fair Isle, 1-2 daily 18-26 Apr; Ork, 3 birds 21-24 Apr. Autumn mainly Oct, some in Dec, only singles Glen Clova, Angus, 19th and Glen Afton, Ayr 20-27th. Jan Feb Mar = Apr Oct Nov Shet/FI/Ork — — os 19 8 2 Caith-Inv 3 1 1 1 1 ~~ Aber 1 1 3 1 1 — Perth/I of May/Fife 1 1 3 1 a — E Loth/Selk —- 1 —- es — —_— Dunb/Stir/Ayr 2 3 Pe — 3 1 Dumf/Kirk 2 10 Zz 3 2 3 *Woodchat Shrike Immature Fair Isle 13-20 Aug (RAB, PJR, DW et al). *Red-backed Shrike Spring migration: Shet, singles Skerries 9 May, 17th and 25-28th, Unst 7 and 9 June, 2 Whalsay 8 June; Fair Isle, 2 on 18 May, 3 on 19th; singles 21st, 22nd, 25th 2 on 5-6 June, one 8th; Ork, 1 Orphir 29-30 May; Caith, gd Ackergill 27 June; Moray, ¢ Orton 22 June; Aber ¢ + 2 Cove 20 June, ¢ Don est 24th; Isle of May, 2 on 26-27 May, 2 on 3 June, 3 on 4th, singles 7th, 10-11th; Ber, 1 St Abbs 11 June, Sum- mer : 1 Uyeasound, Shet, 3 July. Autumn : Fair Isle, 1-2 daily 9-27 Aug, 1 on 30 Sep-1 Oct; Shet, singles Whalsay 25-27 Sep and 3 Oct, Hillwell 4 Oct; Caith, d Mey 14 Aug. Starling Migration: Fair Isle, strong passage early Mar and mid Apr, peak 2,000+ on 14-15 Apr, 1,200 on 20th; Ork, 400 off sea Deerness 23 Oct; Aber, passage at oil rigs in North Sea 4 Mar, 12-15 Apr. 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 231 Counts: 1,500 Knab, Shet, 16 Apr; 2,000 Thurso, Caith, 4 Aug; 5,000 Leith Docks, Midl, winter; Arg, 6,000 Islay 11 Nov, 3,000 Machrihanish ee Renf, 14,000 Rowbank 24 Aug; Ayr, 8,000 Heart Loch, Maybole ep. Albinos : Reswallie, Angus, and Inverness. *Rose-coloured Starling Six ads July-Aug: singles Fair Isle 28 July- 16 Aug (RAB et al); Finstown, Ork, 17-26 July (DL, EJW et al); O Heb, Manish, Harris, 15 Aug (BT), Reef, Lewis, 12 Aug (AL); Insheigra, Suth, 14 July (CW, JW); Fort William, Inv, 28-29 Aug (R. M. Morrison). *Tennessee Warbler Two: Fair Isle, 1st 6-18 Sep, ringed 18th, another ringed 24 Sep (RAB, PJR, C. D. Heard, G. Walbridge et al); lst and 2nd British records of this North American wood warbler (plate 19a). *Bobolink One Skerries, Shet, 18 Sep (CAH, IS, TAW et al); Ist Scottish and 4th British record of this North American icterid. Hawfinch Breeding: records suggestive of breeding Hirsel, Ber; 3 sites E Loth-Midl; Perth, pr with 4 young Perth 28 June, probably bred Almond- bank and Strathallan, various other sightings. Angus, 1 Reswallie 5 June; Aberdeen, 2 on 22 Jan; Inv, 2 Achdalieu 13 Sep; Fair Isle, one 14 May; Shet, singles Fetlar 3 May, Halligarth 13 May. Greenfinch Migration: Shet, 2 Whalsay 20 Apr; Fair Isle, better year, 18 Apr-18 May, max 3 on 20-21 Apr, 7 on 30 Sep, 8 on 1 Oct, occasional to 18 Nov; Ork, 1 Hoy Aug; O Heb, 4 Leurbost 3 Jan; Suth, 1 Handa 19 Apr (1st record); Isle of May, 16 Mar-17 May, max 4 on 15 Apr, 10-29 Oct, max 5 on 20th. Peak counts: 450 Forres, Moray, 17 Aug; 400 Seafield, Midl, end Feb; 500+ Gullane, E Loth, Nov-Dec; 500 Hartwood, Dumf 13 Mar. Goldfinch Breeding : good nos. Ayr, Arran, Borders, E Loth, Midl and Fife; Arg, pr bred Tobermory, Mull; Aber, best breeding season yet, e.g. 10 prs Garlogie. Counts : 50 Kingscross, Arran 14 Sep; E Loth, 100 Aberlady 31 Aug; Perth, 50+ Lower Glenalmond 9 Feb, 60+ Invergowrie 21 Oct; Aber/N Kinc, 45 Skateraw 4 Oct; Ross, 40 Munlochy 2 Oct; Suth, 10+ Altnaharra 31 Aug; O Heb, 15 Stornoway 4 Jan. Migration: Shet, singles Foula 4 June, Whalsay 23-26 Oct, Kergord 1 Nov (3 in year is unusual); Fair Isle one 22-26 Oct (Sth ever); Suth, 1-4 Handa 5-12th Apr (lst record); Isle of May, singles 24 Apr, 6 May (2), 13th, 16th, 17th (2). Siskin Breeding : nos. high N to Suth, presence L Maree islands, W Ross, 21 June is new. 232 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Counts : 50 Carlingwark, Kirk, 26 Oct; Perth, 400+ Glenalmond 13 Feb, 500 Dunkeld 2 Jan; 100 Hazelhead, Aber, Sep; 250 Kinloch, Suth, 2 Nov; considerable nos. ringed Inv-Dingwall areas feeding at peanuts. Migration: Shet, 14-23 Apr, max 20 Aith 20th, stragglers to 15 July, few 1 Oct-15 Nov, max 8 Voe 29 Oct; Fair Isle, small nos. 14-30 Apr, max 3, few 20 Sep-15 Nov, max 3; Ork, max 4 N Ronaldsay 21 Apr; Aber/ N Kinc, passage 24 Oct-19 Nov, max 32S Stonehaven 12 Nov; Isle of May, 18 Sep-23 Oct, max 14 on 18 Sep. Linnet Counts: Arg, 200+ Tiree 24 Oct, 300 Peninver 16 Aug; E Loth, 200 Longniddry 21 Aug-31 Oct is low; Midl, 200 Seafield end July; Perth, 300 Muirton 24 Feb; Nairn, 500 on 19 Jan; Ross, 260 Munlochy 25 Mar. Migration: more than usual in N; Shet, c30 18 Apr-25 June, max 7 ‘Whalsay 30 Apr-4 May; Fair Isle, 7 on 20 Apr, few daily to 1 June, singles 5 days Oct; Ork, 6 Toab 15 Nov. Twite Counts: Wig, 100+ L Ryan 16 Nov; Ayr, 200 Turnberry 1 Feb; Arg, 200 Tayinloan 3 Dec; E Loth, up to 10 Aberlady Nov-Dec; Stir, 50 Gargunnock Hills 12 Oct; Perth, 100 Blackford 30 Apr is late for large flock; Angus, 130 Glen Clova 29 Nov; Aber, more than usual Nov-Dec, oe 250 Gairnshiel 16 Nov; Suth, 400 Brora Sep; Fair Isle, 300 Sep-early ct Passage: Fair Isle, lst influx 22 Feb, emigration mid Oct; Isle of May 14 Mar-20 Apr, max 50 on 25-28 Mar. N \\\: \\ a \N iy Redpoll Breeding : Dunb, continued noticeable increase; Midl, increased, e.g. 50% up on 1974 Newlandrig; Inv, poor year Insh; Suth, pr _ bred Handa; Ork, pr bred successfully Hoy. with young 6 June (lst record), 2 prs on territory Balfour Castle 17 May. Counts: Perth, 300+ Torrie Forest 21 Oct; Inv, 300 L an Eilein 29 Mar; Ross, 200 Rosemarkie 7 Dec. Mealy Redpoll A. f. flammea: Shet, scattered records 16 Apr-2 July, max 8 Weisdale 30 Apr, lst 6 Foula 6 Sep, mainly early Oct, massive jnflux from llth, peaks 100 Yell 16th, 100 Whalsay 17th and 60 Unst 5 Nov, scarce after mid Nov; Fair Isle, very few in spring, 4 on 26 Sep- 3 Oct, huge influx 9 Oct-21 Nov, 4 on 9th increased to 350 on 12th, 500 on 15th, 100-200 to 26th, 80 on 1 Nov possibly new arrivals as also 30-40 on 9-12th; Ork, many late Sep-Oct, max 100 Kirkwall; Caith, 6-8 Thurso 23 Oct; Ross, 20 Culbockie 17 Dec, 12 Arpafeelie 20 Dec; 2 Inverness 26 Dec; 3 Speymouth, Moray 30 Nov; 3 Don est, Aber 3 Nov, one 7 Nov; Angus, 1 Glen Clova 29 Nov; Isle of May, 2-23 Oct, max 70 on 22nd; 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 233 Fife, 3 Tentsmuir 26 Oct; Midl, 6 Blackford 20 Nov, 14 on 23rd; Lan, 15 Carmunnock 20 Dec. Greenland Redpoll A. f. rostrata : 3 Fair Isle 11 Sep-3 Oct. *Arctic Redpoll Singles ringed Fair Isle 14-15 Nov (RAB) and N Ronald- say, Ork, 15 Oct (JMBK). Sight records of birds showing characters of this species: Fair Isle, 2 on 9-10 Oct, 3 on 11-12th, one to 18 Oct; 3 Raggra, Caith, 16 Dec (PMC). Bullfinch Breeding: increasing Arran; bred Smerral, Caith. Count: 32 at 1,000 ft in heather Sheriffmuir, Stir, 23 Feb. _Migration : strong influx Northern P. p. pyrrhula in North Isles: Shet, singles Lerwick 16th and 20 Apr, Unst 20 Apr, 3 Whalsay 20 Apr, 1 to 29th, 22+ 17-28 Oct, max 3 Kergord 17th, 6 Scalloway 24th, singles Ker- gord 9 Nov, Scalloway 1 Dec, 2 Foula 14 Nov; Fair Isle, 1st 14 Oct, 2 on 15th, daily 18-28th, max 14 on 22nd (very high total), late 3 on 8 Nov; Ork, 6 birds 19-27 Oct, 2 Kirkwall 15 Nov-Dec; Caith, 1 Reay 6 Dec. *Scarlet RoSefinch None in spring, c26 in autumn: Shet, 4 Skerries 24 Aug, 2 on 7 Sep, singles 8-9th, 12-14th (DJF, CAH, TAW), Fetlar 28 Aug (MCR, HP), Whalsay 3 Sep (JHS), Grutness 29 Sep-1 Oct (PR, JW), Uyeasound 26-28 Aug (IKS, ISp); Fair Isle, (13+), 13 Aug, 3lst-6 Sep, 7th (4), 3 to 10th, 11th, 17-18th, 20th (2), one to 24th, 25-27th (2), 28th-30th, 10 Oct, 20-24th (RAB et al); Ork, Copinsay 4 Aug (GB, MASB). Crossbill Breeding : Aber/N Kinc, Common Crossbills L. c. curvirostra bred Glen Dye, very good breeding year for Scottish Crossbill L.c. scotica Deeside; reasonable nos. in breeding season Suth/Ross S to Perth (better year), Arg, Dumf, Kirk; Inv, Crossbill subsp. family party newly out of nest Kiltarlity 25 Dec. Migration (at least some Oct-Nov possibly Parrot Crossbills): Shet, 1 Scalloway 3 Nov; Fair Isle, 4 on 21 June, one 22 Oct; O Heb, 2 Stornoway 22 Apr, Suth, several parties (two types) Borgie 26 Oct; Caith, 1 Skaill 2 Nov; Moray, 3 WNW Burghead 26 Oct; Aber, 3 Durris 12 Oct, 8 Hill of Fare 15 Nov; E Loth, 2 Tyninghame 10 Apr; Arg, 6 Glen Aros, Mull, 11 Oct; Dunb, 2 Wards 9 Oct. *Parrot Crossbill ¢ Grutness, Shet, 22 Oct, killed by cat (DC). [Midl, 15 birds arrived Gladhouse, Midl, 26 Oct, stayed to end of year, had heavy bills and thought to be this species.] Chaffinch Bred Balallan and Morsgail, Lewis, O Heb, unusual away from Stornoway. Max counts: 900 Glen Fruin, Dunb, 7 Dec; Midl, 1,000 Portmore 4 Jan; Kinr, 1,500+ Hilton of Aldie 7 Dec; Angus, 1,000 Glen Clova 29 Nov- 29 Dec. Migration: Shet, mainly 9-23 Apr, max 40 Whalsay 20-21st, stragglers to 8 June, lst 21 Sep, peak only 8 Skerries 1 Oct; Fair Isle, nos low 13 Apr-16 May, max 35 on 15 Apr, 12 Sep-15 Nov, max 14 on 30 Sep, 15 on 1 Nov; Isle of May, 24 Mar-24 Apr, only 1-3, 8 Sep-24 Oct, max 4 on 24 Oct. Brambling Winter counts, rather scarce: Ayr, 50 Castlehill 29 Jan; Peeb, max 50 Portmore 12 Jan; Perth, 200 L of Lowes 19 Jan, 75 Glen- almond 18 Jan; Caith, 60 Isauld 22 Feb. Spring passage: Shet, good passage 12-23 Apr, peaks 150 Kergord 20th, 80 Whalsay 18th-20th, few into May, last Kergord 13 June; Fair Isle, 14 Apr-28 May, mainly mid Apr, max 130 on 21st; Angus, 200 Glen Clova 7 Apr; Isle of May, 17 Apr-13 May, max 50 on 19th; Inv, ¢ Abernethy Forest 5 June. Autumn migration: Shet, early records from 16 Aug (Whalsay), small arrival 30 Sep-5 Oct, max 10 Whalsay, mid Oct influx, peaks 100 Whalsay 17th, 85 Kergord 20th, new arrival 1 Nov when 100 Grutness and 40 234 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 9(4) Strand; Fair Isle, lst 20 Sep, mainly 2 Oct (30), influx mid Oct, 350 on 14-15th, 220 on 22nd, small numbers Nov; Ork, 20 Mainland 15 Oct, more mid-Nov, 120 Finstown 16th; Caith, from 17 Oct, 100 Shebster 6 Nov increased to 350 in Dec; Inv, 100 Drumnadrochit Dec; Angus, 300 Glen Clova 29 Nov-29 Dec; Kinr, 1 Vane 9 Sep; Isle of May, lst 7 Sep, max 80 on 14 Oct; Midl, 2,000 Gladhouse area 9 Nov-Dec; E Loth, max 54 Aberlady 29 Oct; Kirk, 100-200 Dalry 7-14 Nov. Corn Bunting Breeding : now absent West Kilbride, Ayr (5 prs in 1966) and Oronsay, Arg. Counts and passage: 100 Whithorn, Wig, 18 Nov; 70 Drem, E Loth, 25 Jan; Isle of May, one 13 July; Aber, 130 Meikle 14 Dec; Ross, 50 Far- ness 20 Dec; Shet, migrants away from Mainland, Fetlar 4 May, Skerries 9 May, Whalsay 2 on 12 May, 4 on 25th, last 2 on 8 June; none Fair Isle. Yellowhammer Breeding : more E Loth; pr bred Ork; Ross, still feeding young Black Isle 10 Sep. Counts : 50 Ardmore, Dunb, 29 Nov; 150 Dirleton, E Loth, Sep-Oct. Migration : Shet, singles Eshaness 11 Apr, Whalsay 9 17 Apr, ¢ 18th, Unst 19th, Scalloway and Bressay 20th, Kergord 1 May, Fetlar 11 June; Fair Isle, 5 singles 16 Apr-28 May, 1 on 21 Oct, 6 on 22nd, some to 28th, singles 5th and 14-20 Nov; Ork, 2 N Ronaldsay 21 Oct; Isle of May, one 20 Oct, 3 on 22nd, one 23rd. *Black-headed Bunting ¢ Skerries, Shet, 22-29 Aug (DJF, BM et al). *+Red-headed Bunting All dd : Shet, N Roe 13-17 July, Foula 19 July, Skerries 11-18 Sep; Fair Isle 5 Aug, 6-9th (2), 10th; Ork, Kirkwall 21 June, N Ronaldsay July; Suth, Handa 1 June; O Heb, Druidibeg 5 Aug; Ayr, Ailsa Craig 21 May. *Yellow-breasted Bunting Two Fair Isle: one 7-18 Sep, another 17-18th (RAB, P. Kennerley, G. Walbridge et al). *Ortolan Only 7 singles (5 in spring): Shet, Whalsay 16 May (JHS, BM), Skerries 20 Sep (TAW); Fair Isle, 14-20 May, 27-29th (dead) (RAB et 4 Isle of May, 8 May (IG et al), 13 May (JMSA et al), 7 Sep (PNJC et al). *Rustic Bunting Seven singles (5 in spring): Shet, Skerries 27 May (RWA), ¢ Fetlar 27-28 May (B de K, MCR et al); Fair Isle, d 26-29 May (GJB et al), 3 3-6 June (RAB, PJR, H. Nash et al), imm. 10-25 Oct (RAB, BM, PJR et al), ¢ 8 Nov (S. Thomson et al); Isle of May, 30 Sep-6 Oct (NKA, DLB, MN et al) (plate 20 b and c). *Little Bunting Seven birds (2 in spring): Fair Isle, 4-5 May, 17 May, 29 Sep-1 Oct, 2 from 10-16th, 1 to 25 Oct, one 11-19 Nov (RAB, PJR et al); E Ross, 1 trapped at Reed Bunting reedbed roost Dingwall 16-17 Nov (ARM et al). Reed Bunting Breeding: lst proved breeding Rhum 16 June. Counts: 90 Barr Loch, Renf, 19 Oct; 40 Perth 14 Jan; Ork, 40 Skaill 22 Sep. Migration: Shet, light passage mid Apr, max 16 Whalsay 20th, few migrants 17-26 Oct, max 5 Whalsay 22nd; Fair Isle slight passage from 5 Apr, but 45 on 16 May, 15 on 17th, 30 Sep-28 Oct, max 4; Isle of May, max 70 on 8 May (highest ever). Lapland Bunting Spring passage: Angus, ¢ Buddon 8 Apr; Fair Isle, singles 17th and 26 Apr, 6th (¢), 18-19 May (d), 8 June (@); Shet, od Fetlar 10 June. Autumn: Shet, 3 Skerries 1 Sep, one 14-15th, 3 on 17th, 1 Whalsay 17 Oct; Fair Isle, almost daily 2 Sep-10 Oct, 10-15 some days, 20 on 24 Sep, 1-3 on 17-27 Oct; Ork, 3 Finstown 1 Nov; Suth, 2 Strathy Point 10 Sep; Moray, 2 Speymouth 18 Oct; Aber, 2 Forvie 7 Oct, 5S St Combs 13 Nov; Isle of May, one 10 Oct; Fife Ness, 3 on 1 Nov, 1 on 2nd. Snow Bunting Breeding: Cairngorms at least 3 dd and 1 Q, one 1976 SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT 1975 235 brood known to have fledged, b/5 on 3 July; Inv, pr on another mountain 1 June and 4 dc and 2 2 2 6 June in W but not proved breeding; Angus, 1 singing d late May; pr summered Fair Isle, no suggestion of nesting. Winter-spring : Ayr, 40+ Dalleagles 19 Jan; Arg, 90 L Lussa 30 Jan-3 Feb; E Loth, 70 Fenton Barns 25 Jan; Midl, peak 88 Musselburgh 18 Jan, last 2 on 13 Apr; Fife, 70 Crail 12 Jan; Angus, 200 Glen Clova Jan, last 2 Elliot 16 Apr; Aber, 250 Balmedie and 400 Don est 17 Feb; Moray, 300 Knockando 31 Jan; Ross, last Achnahaird 9-10 May; Inv, 250 Daviot 22 Jan; Caith, 2,000 Georgemas 16 Jan, 1,500 Janetstown 24 Feb, 650 on 14 Mar; O Heb, 400 Valley Strand 15-22 Feb, last 2 Balranald 4 May; Fair Isle/Shet, scatter of May-June rcords, e.g. 12 Gulberwick 2 June, 12 Unst 1 June. Autumn migration: Shet, from 5 Sep (5 Unst), mainly Nov, 1,000 S Mainland 16th and 30th; Fair Isle, from 6 Sep (20), peaks, 300 on 28 Oct, 400 on 5 Nov, 1,200 on 6th; Aber, 1st 20 Sep, 400 Don est 18 Dec; Isle of May, Ist 12-15 Sep; E Loth, lst Aberlady 27 Sep. *+Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena 3 Foula, Shet, 12-23 June (RF); 1 Quothquan, Lan, 19 July-19 Aug (RE-H). House Sparrow Counts: Unst, Shet, census revealed 637 on 22 June; 90 Skerries 28 Aug. Tree Sparrow Breeding: d mating with @ House Sparrow Elgin, Moray, 13 June; nos. down Stornoway, O Heb. Migration and counts: Shet, cl2 10 May-29 July, max 3 Unst 22 June; Fair Isle, singles 7 Mar, 20-22 Apr, some May-June, max 11 on 19-22 May, stragglers to 5 Sep, 1-2 on 11-20 Nov; Aber, 50 Ythan 8 Feb; Isle of May, 26 May, 19 June, 12 Oct (28, highest ever). Additions to 1973 report Spotted Crake One Bridgend, Islay, Arg, 31 Dec (KV). Nightingale ¢ in song L Skerrols, Islay, Arg, 28 Apr (KV). Richard’s Pipit One The Oa, Islay, Arg, 10 Sep (L. Catlin, KV). Current Literature Recent material of Scottish interest includes : Ornithological interest of some Stewartry lochs. Joan E. Howie, 1975. Nature Conservancy Council. (May be borrowed from NCC Edinburgh, Balloch and Castle Douglas). Angus Wildlife Review 1975. Norman K. Atkinson and Adam B. Ritchie (eds.) 1976. Dundee Museum, price 25p. (Includes Rook census and Angus and South Kincardine Bird Report). Protein polymorphism in the egg albumen of Red Grouse (L. lagopus scoticus). B. A. Henderson, 1976. Heredity 36: 413-5). (Study at Ban- chory). Been. dieback and grazing of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) in relation to numbers of Red Grouse (Lagopus lI. scoticus) and Mountain Hares (Lepus timidus) in north-east Scotland. Robert L. Moss and G. R. Miller, 1976. Journal of Applied Ecology 13 : 369-377. ; Shetland Bird Report 1975. B. Marshall and P. K. Kinnear (comps.) 1976. Shetland Bird Club. (Available from SOC Bird Bookshop price 90p plus order charge). bole ape Identification from measurements of small petrel remains in gull and skua pellets. John A. Love, 1976. Bird Study 23: 162. (Data from Foula). Breeding success of Red-throated Divers on Hascosay. Bryan L. Sage, 1976. British Birds 69 : 409. Orkney Bird Report 1975-76. David Lea (ed.), Easter Sower, Orphir, Ork- ney, KW17 2RE. (No price given.) 236 NOTICE AND REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 9(4) Notice and Requests for Information Isle of May Bird Observatory Prospective visitors should note that the bookings secretary is now Mrs Rosemary Cowper, 9 Oxgangs Road, Edin- burgh, EH10 7BG (telephone 031-445-2489). Birds of St Kilda Dr M. P. Harris (Institute of Terrestial Ecology, Ban- chory, Kincardineshire, AB3 4BY) is updating the bird list published by Williamson and Boyd in their book St Kilda Summer and would like to receive any recent records that have not found their way to the SOC recorder (Dr I. Pennie) or himself. Birds of the Western Isles. Mr W. A. J. Cunningham (‘‘Aros’’, 10 Barony Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, PA87 2TQ) is compiling a book and ult be glad to receive any unpublished records (St Kilda excepted, see above). Exceptional seabird movements of autumn 1976 A paper on the recent large movements of seabirds, particularly shearwaters and skuas, is planned for Scottish Birds. While most Scottish records will already have been submitted for the Bird Report, it would be helpful if observers would also send details, including direction of movement, times of obser- vation, weather etc., to Mr A. S. Dowsett, ‘Heronsbrook’, Foulis, Evanton, Ross and Cromarty. Records from the wider sea and coastal area of the North Sea and eastern North Atlantic would also be useful. Goosanders Some 270 young Goosanders have been trapped and ringed in Northumberland in recent years. In 1976, in addition to ringing, a wing-tagging scheme was started. Details of sightings of wing-tagged Goosanders would be gratefully received and details of marking sent by return by E. R. Meek, 7 Shaftoe Way, Dinnington, Northumberland. The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club TWENTY NINTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING 28th - 30th January 1977 PROGRAMME Friday 28th January 4.30-9 p.m. Conference Office in MacRobert Centre, University of Stirling, open for members and their guests to register and collect name cards and Annual Dinner tickets. 6-7 p.m. Supper in MacRobert Centre restaurant. 6.15 p.m. Meeting of Council. 8.15-9.15 p.m.. FILM AND SLIDE PROGRAMME in Lecture Theatre over Link Bridge (see 10 on plan). 9.15 p.m. to Lounges in the MacRobert Centre open for informal dis- midnight cussion (late licence). 1976 Saturday 29th 8.45-9.15 a.m. 9.20 a.m. 9.30-10.15 a.m. 10.15-11 a.m. 11-11.30 a.m. 11.30 a.m.- 12.10 p.m. 12.10- 12.55 p.m. I pan 2 p.m. 3pm 4 p.m. 5.30 p.m. 7 for 7.30 p.m. SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 237 January Conference Office in the MacRobert Centre open for regis- tration. Official opening of the Conference by the President, An- drew T. Macmillan, in the MacRobert Theatre. LECTURE, “Birds of Prey in Scotland” by Roy Dennis. LECTURE, “The Conservation of the Golden Eagle’ by Richard Balharry. INTERVAL for coffee and biscuits. LECTURE, ‘Factors affecting Sparrowhawk populations’”’ by Dr Ian Newton. LECTURE “Migration of raptors in Europe and the Middle East” by Richard Porter. INTERVAL for lunch. Afternoon free for private excursions. ple ing of Local Recorders in room beside Conference ce. Tea. 40th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLUB in Lecture Theatre over Link Bridge (see 10 on plan). Business : (1) Apologies for absence. (2) Approval of Minutes of 39th Annual General Meeting of the Club held at Stirling University on 24th January 1976 (see Scot. Birds 9: 80). (3) Matters arising from Minutes. (4) Report of Council for Session 39. (5) Approval of accounts for Session 39. (6) Appointment of Auditor. (7) Election of new Members of Council. The Council recommends the following elections: T. Irving and the Hon. D. N. Weir to succeed F. D. Hamilton and B. S. Turner who are due to retire by rotation. (8) Any other business. ANNUAL DINNER in the restaurant of the Pathfoot build- ing (dress informal). Sunday 30th January 9.30-11 a.m. 11-11.30 a.m. 11.30 a.m. 12.30 p.m. (approx.) A series of short lectures on ornithological research in Scotland will be given. Dr Malcolm Castle will talk on the Scottish results of the BTO’s 1975 National Survey of Rookeries, Norman Atkinson will talk on “Little Terns” and John Love will talk on “The Return of the Sea Eagle to Rhum’”’. INTERVAL for coffee and biscuits. FILM “The Shadow of the Falcon”. CLOSING remarks by the President. 238 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(4) 1 p.m. LUNCH. 2) pam, CONFERENCE disperses; informal private excursions. Conference Office Outwith the registration hours the Conference Office will be open during most of the weekend for members to see the exhibits. A wide selection of new books in the S.O.C. Bird Bookshop will be on display for purchase or orders, and paintings by wildlife artists will be displayed for sale in the same room. In addition to exhibits by various organisations, Messrs Charles Frank Ltd. will have their usual extensive selection of binoculars and telescopes. Film and Slide Programme The programme from 8.15 to 9.15 p.m. on Friday evening is intended to give members and guests an opportunity of showing 2” x 2” slides or 16 mm films. These must however be submitted beforehand to the Con- ference Film Committee and should be sent by 2lst January at the latest to the Club Secretary, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT. The slides should be titled and sent with brief notes on what will be said about them, to enable the Committee to make a selection and to form a good programme. INFORMATION (1) Location The Conference will be held in the University of Stirling, and members will be staying in the Murray Hall of Residence. The accommodation consists of single rooms, each with wash- hand basin, grouped round showers and bathrooms, etc. These residences are low rise buildings but have no lifts. There are no catering facilities, apart from coffee and tea making equipment, in the Halls. Soap and towels are provided. Apart from the Annual Dinner (see below) all meals will be taken in the MacRobert Centre restaurant and will be self-service. (2) Reservations Members intending to be present at any part of the Conference must complete the enclosed Booking Form and return it to the Club Secretary (not Stirling University) by Wednesday, 5th January 1977. The Conference charge for the whole weekend, ex- cluding the Annual Dinner, will be £15.75 inclusive of V.A.T. There are no service charges. (3) Annual Dinner This will be held in the Pathfoot Building restaurant. Tickets must be applied for in advance whether staying at the Univer- sity or elsewhere (see Booking Form). The supplementary charge for the Annual Dinner is £4.35 including V.A.T. (no service charge); two glasses of red or white wine are included. (4) Other meals Non-residents may obtain Friday evening supper and lunch on both days at £1.70 per meal including V.A.T. (see Booking Form), also morning coffee at 25p per day. (5) Registration Everyone attending the Conference must register at the Conference Office (for opening times see Programme). The Registration Fee will be £1.25 for those attending the whole Con- ference, or 75p if attending one day only. Members attending only the Annual General Meeting are not required to pay a Registration Fee. (6) Information Sheets If required in advance notes about the facilities at Stirling University, together with a plan of the buildings, will be sent to all those attending the Conference on receipt of an S.a.e. (see booking form). 1976 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 239 (7) Car parking There are ample car parks on the University campus; parking on the campus roads is forbidden. Neither the University nor the Club can accept liability for cars or property brought to the Conference. (8) Camping There is a camping and caravan park about 2 miles east of the rear entrance to the University on the A91. Details can be ob- tained from the Proprietor, Mr G. McKerracher, Witches Craig Farm, Blairlogie, Stirling FK9 5PX (tel. Stirling 4947) and with whom all bookings should be made. Members are not allowed to camp in the University grounds nor live in caravans or caravettes parked in the car parks or grounds. NEW SECRETARY - STIRLING BRANCH Members are asked to note that the new Secretary of the Stirling Branch is Mr A. B. Mitchell, 10 Kenilworth Court, Bridge of Allan, Stir- lingshire FK9 4EJ (tel. 078 683 2461). INVERNESS BRANCH EXCURSIONS Saturday 12th February 1977 CAIRNGORMS AND LOCH GARTEN. =a Roy Dennis. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 9 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Saturday 9th April LOCH FLEET AND GOLSPIE. Leader: Donnie Mac- donald. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 9 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Saturday 14th May HANDA ISLAND. Leader: David McAllister. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 7.30 a.m. (Lunch and tea). Sunday 12th June “THE HIGH TOPS”. Leader: Roy Dennis. Meet South Kessock Ferry at 9 a.m. (Lunch and tea). - Names and further information from Mrs J. Morrison, 83 Dochfour Drive, Inverness IV1 5ED (tel. Inverness 32666). Please send s.a.e. if writing. WEEKEND EXCURSION TO DUMFRIES The annual weekend excursion to the Solway goose grounds has been arranged with the County Hotel, Dumfries, from Friday, 25th to Sunday 27th February 1977. Accommodation: inclusive terms £16.30 (including service charge and V.A.T.) as follows: bed on Friday 27th; breakfast, packed lunch, dinner and bed on Saturday 28th; breakfast and packed lunch on Sunday 29th. Dinner on Friday night is £3.30 extra per person (including service charge and V.A.T.). A limited number of rooms with private bathrooms are available for the additional charge of £1.20 per night. Members may bring guests and should book direct with the Manager, County Hotel, Dumfries (tel. 5401), notifying him that they are attending the Club excursion. Members should also advise the Hotel in advance if they require Dinner on the Friday night. Those not staying at the County Hotel are invited to attend an informal meeting at the Hotel on Friday at 8.30 p.m., when details of the weekend excursions will be announced. An informal programme of slides will be shown on the Saturday evening. Members or guests who may have slides of interest are asked to bring them to the Hotel, and to contact the Club Secretary on the Friday evening to discuss their inclusion in the pro- gramme. A selection of books from the Bird Bookshop will be taken the Hotel for sale during both evenings. It is advisable to bring warm clothing, gum boots if possible, and thermos flasks for the excursions. 240 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(4) WEEKEND EXCURSION IN ARGYLL The Stirling Branch is arranging a winter weekend in Argyll. Following the success of last year’s self catering weekend in a cottage near Ford, it has been decided to hold the excursion in the same place. It will be from the evening of Friday 4th March until the afternoon of Sunday 6th March. Those attending require to provide their own bedding and food. The cost of the accommodation is likely to be approximately £3.00 per head for the weekend. Further information can be obtained from the branch secretary, A. B. Mitchell, 10 Kenilworth Court, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4EJ. The number of places will be limited. Please send s.a.e. AYR BRANCH SOCIAL EVENING The Branch will be holding a Social Evening, taking the form of a Wine and Cheese Party, at the Wallace Tower Rooms, High Street, Ayr at 7.30 for 8 p.m. on Thursday, 3rd March 1977. There will be competitions and a raffle. Tickets, price £1.75 per person, will be available up to 21st February 1977 on application with remittance to Miss R. Beckett, 30 May- bole Road, Ayr. Please enclose s.a.e. for confirmation of booking. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN An International Conference sponsored by the British Ornithologists’ Union, British Trust for Ornithology, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Seabird Group, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and Wildfowl Trust will be held at the University of Aberdeen from 26th-28th March 1977. The conference is entitled ‘The changing sea-bird populations of the North Atlantic’, and its purpose is to enable the many workers on sea- birds in Europe and on the eastern seaboard of North America to meet and find out about each others’ current research. Members of the spon- soring societies, and others interested in the subject, are encouraged to attend, the number only being limited by the accommodation available. The morning topics are: Saturday : POPULATION ECOLOGY. Auks and gulls have been selected as the two groups to be covered. Sunday : HUMAN INFLUENCES. Fisheries, oil developments and chemical pollution. Monday : SURVEYS. Birds at sea and the use of aerial techniques. Details of accommodation and costs, as well as booking forms, are available from Dr Amicia Melland, British Ornithologists’ Union, c/o Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Although no elaborate field trips will be organized in connection with this confer- ence, an expedition to a local, mainly seabird colony, may be arranged on the Tuesday. Branch and Group News Inverness In May a group travelled to Troup Head, Banffshire. John Edelsten met us at Portsoy and kindly agreed to lead the party and give us the benefit of his local knowledge. The cliffs were packed with seabirds and the large colonies of Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars were very impressive. There were also some Puffins and a Great Skua. 1976 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 241 The outing in June to the RSPB reserve at Insh Marches was led by the warden Russell Leavitt (who is also a member of the branch). During a most enjoyable tour of this fairly new reserve it was interesting to see {he progress made during the year since our previous visit. The new observation hide is really excellent and provided the party with exciting close-up views of various waders and their chicks. W. G. PREST Stirling Following the success of the Garvellachs trip in June 1975, a similar weekend excursion was arranged this year to an adjacent island. On the 19th June a boatload of local members was landed on the shore of Lunga, by Luing, Argyll. A variety of seabirds enlivened the outward journey, including a party of Sandwich Terns (what were they doing on the west coast in midsummer ?) Saturday’s weather was poor, but amply compen- sated by a bright sunny Sunday which allowed a full exploration of the island and completion of a census of breeding birds. The unexpected did not take the form of unusual species being recorded but instead in the absence of certain species widespread elsewhere. For example, Blackbirds were absent, but Song Thrushes were breeding. Similarly Meadow Pipits were frequent but the Skylark was not observed. A total of 49 species was agreed on the quay at Cuan Ferry on Sunday evening, as the tired participants prepared to make their way home after a successful outing. D. M. BRYANT Thurso Three members and one RSPB visitor spent the damp but enjoyable weekend of 19-20th June on Stroma, censussing birds between, but mostly during, spells of heavy rain. East and southeast winds for most of the autumn produced some ex- citing birding and an outing was made to the riverside at Wick and to Noss Head. Redstart and Blackcap were among the migrants seen, and a short seawatch produced Gannets, skuas and several Sooty Shearwaters. Both the September and October meetings were members’ nights. Dis- cussion at the former included the final stages for registration of sites for the BTO Register, and pians to plant cover for migrants at one of the lighthouses. The evening was rounded off by a testing bird quiz devised by Eric and Helen Maugham. In October J. M. Gunn gave an in- teresting and informative talk on the early naturalists in Caithness, and lively discussion of the old county records ensued. This was followed by a number of members’ slides covering a range of natural history subjects arranged in the form of a quiz by Pam Collett. S. LAYBOURNE. Current Notes hese notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record, nor will they be indexed. Please send items of interest to local recorders for forwarding to the editor at the end of January, April, July and October. Late reports from earlier in the year are of a Ross’s Gull in the Monachs (O Heb) on 14 May, a Long-tailed Skua in the Shiants (O Heb) on 15 July, a Subalpine Warbler on Fair Isle on 1 June, Aquatic Warblers there on 19-20 Aug, and an Arctic Warbler on Whalsay (Shet) on 18 Aug. As last year, 1976 was a vintage autumn for twitchers and migration fans. In this summary species are arranged more by migration pattern than systematic order. Three remarkable movements of shearwaters 242 CURRENT NOTES 9(4) ‘and skuas occurred along the mainland east coast between late August and early October. Two big rushes of land birds came in late September and October—Fair Isle’s October ringing total was more than twice nor- mal for that month. Most birds arrived with east winds and poor visibility, and most rarities were eastern rather than southern or American. _ In addition to those reported in the last issue, seabirds on 29 Aug included a Cory’s Shearwater with hundreds of Sooties off Barns Ness (E Loth), a probable Cory’s off the Isle of May, and 223 Manx Shearwaters off Girdleness (Kinc) with 2 Great Shearwaters. In Dunnet Bay and in- land Caithness 200 Fulmars were wrecked between 1-10 Sep. Another passage from 11-17 Sep brought a Cory’s Shearwater to the Isle of May, a Great Shearwater to Tarbat Ness (E Ross) with 517+ Sooties, a Great Skua inland to Portmore (Peeb), 50 Arctic Skuas to Barns Ness and a Long-tailed Skua to Collieston (Aber). During the last movement, mainly between 26 Sep-2 Oct, 9 blue-phase Fulmars passed Collieston in two days, 2 Cory’s Shearwaters passed Brora and 2-3 were off Golspie (both Suth), and later one was seen from Duncansby Head (Caith) on 10 Oct. A Great Shearwater passed Brora and 7 were off Tarbat Ness on 26 Sep, 8 passed Collieston on 1 Oct, and the Sooty Shearwater peak was 430 in an hour at Brora on 26 Sep with 400+ at Golspie on the same day. In just over an hour on 2 Oct 110 Pomarine Skuas were counted from Collieston, and 80 Arctic Skuas passed Arbroath (Angus) on 26 Sep. Long-tailed Skuas were identified during this period at Collieston, Girdleness, Musselburgh (Midl) and Barns Ness, and another was at Musselburgh on 23 Oct. Parties of Quails lingered at Middleton (Midl) and Duns (Ber) in early autumn. A Mediterranean Guil was recognized at Fraserburgh (Aber) on 26 Sep, a Little Auk was there on 18-19 Oct, and a Sabine’s Gull on 28th, a Spoonbill visited Kippford in October, a Bittern turned up at New Galloway (both Kirk) and a Ferruginous Duck at Stobs upper reservoir (Rox) in November. Barnacle Goose passage was widely noted between 23-27 Sep, there were six records of Brents on the east coast in October, 13 in the Dunnet Bay party, and 6 Bean Geese were at Dudwick (Aber) on 9 Nov. Some, perhaps all, of the rare waders that arrived in mid September were Americans: a Stilt Sandpiper at Scatness (Shet) from 11th, Pec- toral Sandpipers at Meikle Loch (Aber), Ardmore (Dunb) and 2 at Irvine (Ayr), Grey Phalaropes at Fair Isie, Port Patrick (Wig) and possibly Barns Ness—another was on Hule Moss (Ber) on 24 Oct—a Red-necked on the Don (Aber) and a Wilson’s Phalarope at Irvine on 23 Sep. A Lesser Golden Plover was at Caerlaverock (Dumf) again in late October and one was suspected at Drem (E Loth) in November. Grey Plover numbers were well above normal in many places, 41 Greenshanks were on the Clyde on 12 Sep, and 53 Ruffs at Cotehill (Aber) in October. Coming to the first great rush of migrants, mainly 23 Sep-3 Oct, there were 2 Buzzards in Shetland, Honey Buzzards at Haddo (Aber), Balerno (Midl) and Bedrule (Rox), a Marsh Harrier at St Abbs Head (Ber), a few widespread Hen Harriers, an Osprey on Fair Isle, and Gyr Falcons on Out Skerries (Shet), Fair Isle and St Abbs. A Red-footed Falcon reached Whalsay on 10 Oct. A Quail was at New Cumnock (Ayr), a Spotted Crake on Out Skerries, a Temminck’s Stint on the Don, 2 Turtle Doves in Shetland, a Long-eared and 6 Short-eared Owls on the Isle of May, and records of Swifts included 6 over Scalloway (Shet) on 2 Oct. Hoopoes were on Out Skerries, Fair Isle (2), Girdleness and Fife Ness, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Scalloway, and several Wrynecks down the east coast. A Short-toed Lark was on Fair Isle, 26+ Shore Larks from Fair Isle (max 10) down to Tyninghame (E Loth), and a Golden Oriole at Ler- 1976 CURRENT NOTES 243 wick (Shet). Song Thrushes were numerous with 300+ on the Isle of May, so were Redwings in the north with 1,000 on Fair Isle, and 15+ Ring Ouzels were at St Abbs. A Pied Wheatear was trapped at the Don mouth between 26 Sep-7 Oct, and a Siberian Stonechat was on Fair Isle from 27-30 Sep. Falls of 20-30 Redstarts were widespread—60 on the Isle of May on 23 Sep—but Black Redstarts and Bluethroats were scarce. A Thrush Nightingale was trapped by ringers in pursuit of a Radde’s Warbler on Whalsay on 3-4 Oct. Robins were numerous in the southeast with 250 on the Isle of May on 2 Oct. Lanceolated Warblers reached Fair Isle on 14th and 17 Sep and 6 Oct, and a Pallas’s Grasshopper War- bler was trapped there between 20-24 Sep. Up to 30 definite or probable Reed Warblers were detected from Shetland to St Abbs in this period, but only 5 Icterines. A suspected Olivaceous Warbler on Out Skerries on 21 Sep may have been devoured by a cat! Blackcaps were common— 100+ on Fair Isle and 150 on the Isle of May—but Barred Warblers scarce. A Greenish Warbler was identified among 50-100+ Chiffchaffs at St Abbs on 2 Oct, 2+ Arctic Warblers were in Shetland, and 14 Yellow- browed Warblers from Unst (Shet) to a Dirleton (E Loth) garden. A Pallas’s Warbler at Grutness (Shet) on 27 Sep and a Dusky Warbler at St Abbs on 26th were the earliest ever, and the Radde’s Warbler on Whalsay on 3-4 Oct was also early. Goldcrests were numerous during this phase, a Firecrest was on the Isle of May on 2 Oct, 23+ Red-breasted Fiycatchers were found from Shetland to St Abbs between 17 Sep-3 Oct, and 100 Dunnocks were on the Isle of May on 30 Sep. Several Richard’s Pipits reached Fair Isle, with 2 on Out Skerries, a Pechora Pipit was on Fair Isle from 17-25 Sep, 5 Red-throated Pipits between Out Skerries, Whalsay and Fair Isle, a Citrine Wagtail on Fair Isle, a few scattered Yellow Wagtails, 30+ Great Grey Shrikes from Shetland to St Abbs, mostly 2-3 Oct, but only a trickle thereafter, a Woodchat on the Isle of May, and 10 Red-backed Shrikes between Shetland, Aberdeen and Fife. Starlings reached 1200+ on the Isle of May on 26 Sep. Mealy Redpolls (1-2) were on Out Skerries at this time, but Greenland Redpolls were numerous on Fair Isle, max 60 on 17th Sep. Scarlet Rosefinches were scarce with 10+ in Shetland, but Chaffinches common, max 1,000 on the Isle of May, with some Bramblings. Nine Ortolans occurred in Shetland in early autumn with 3 Yellow-breasted Buntings and 2 of the latter on the Isle of May, 13+ Little Buntings were identified on Out Skerries and Fair Isle, and one in Stirkoke Woods (Caith) on 10 Oct, and a Rustic Bunting was on Whalsay on 11th. Reed Buntings were common—70 on the Isle of May on 3 Oct—and Fair Isle got the first British example of Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi from Siberia, diagnosed in the hand as the northern race polaris, from 29 Sep-11 Oct. Lapland Buntings were rather thin, max 17 on Fair Isle on 23 Sep. The second rush of migrants, mainly 23-27 Oct, was not quite as rich in quality but was even greater in quantity and concentrated into a shorter period. It brought 2 more Buzzards to Shetland, Marsh Harriers to Fair Isle and Hamilton (Lan), 9+ Hen Harriers to the southeast, a Gyr Falcon to Hule Moss, 4 Cranes to Thurso from 24-30 Oct and 5 to Whitekirk (E Loth) from late Oct-16 Nov, Spotted Crakes to Shetland and Caithness (2), 2 Corncrakes to Shetland, 4 Dotterels to Fair Isle and one to Powfoot (Dumf), 2-3 Temminck’s Stints and a Broad-billed Sandpiper to Whalsay in early November and a Great Snipe near the Cairnwell (Aber) on 31 Oct. Exceptional Woodcock numbers included 1,000+ on Fair Isle—in two days 140 were ready for the pot! A Nightjar there on 29 Oct was very late, Swifts were seen in three places in late October, when 3 Wrynecks were on the Isle of May, and one was killed by a cat at Torphins (Aber) on 4 Nov. Another influx of Shore Larks in November brought 12 to Rattray Head (Aber) and 43 to Tyninghame. Fieldfares were scarce until November, Song Thrushes were numerous, max 1,500+ on the Isle of May on 18th and 23 Oct and 1,000+ on 27th, but Redwings, 244 CURRENT NOTES 9(4) which had hitherto been scarce, arrived in quantities that were usually described as “phenomenal”. Fair Isle had 4,000 on 13 Oct, 10,000 passed Golspie in half an hour on 19th, 7,000 reached Fair Isle on 21st, and the southeast was reached on 23rd in a movement of 2,000 an hour for sev- eral hours in many places. There were more to come with 20,000+ on Fair Isle on 26th and 4,000+ on the Isle of May on 27th. The Fair Isle Woodcock and Redwing figures are perhaps greatly underestimated according to the only two observers present! Ring Ouzels and Black- birds were also involved: 80+ and 600+ respectively on Fair Isle. A Red-flanked Bluetail was seen at Fife Ness on 28 Oct. Robins were num- erous with 1,000+ on the Isle of May and 600+ on Fair Isle on 27th; so were Blackcaps—145 were trapped on North Ronaldsay between 16-24th. Four Pallas’s Warblers were found between 18-27 Oct, at Lerwick, Helen- dale (Shet), Ackergill (Caith) and the Isle of May, 2 Firecrests reached Shetland, and a very late Pied Flycatcher was at the Don on 7 Nov. Dunnock numbers were high again with 150 on Fair Isle and the Isle of May. An Olive-backed Pipit was on Fair Isle from 13-22 Oct. Only four reports of Waxwings were received: 5 at Hillhead (Aber) and 2 on the Don on 31 Oct, one in Lewis (O Heb) and 7 in New Galloway in early November. A very late Red-backed Shrike was in Seaton Park (Aber) from 29 Oct-3 Nov. A Rose-coloured Starling visited a Braemar bird-table from 24 Oct-5 Nov. Also in late October were 2 Northern Bullfinches and 400+ Bramblings on Fair Isle, an Ortolan at Reay (Caith), and a Rustic Bunting on North Ronaldsay. First dates of some winter migrants were as follows: Smew Sandwater (Shet) and Musselburgh 9 Oct, Greylag Goose 20 Lewis 1 Sep, Pink-footed Goose Lothians 12 Sep (15,000 by 12 Oct), Brent Goose Dunnet Sands 1 Oct, Barnacle Goose Solway 14 Sep (7,000 in October), Whooper Swan Dundee (Angus) 31 Aug, Jack Snipe Fair Isle 13 Sep, Little Auk Whalsay 4 Oct, Fieldfare Fetlar 29 Aug, Redwing northeast Scotland 23 Sep, Waxwing Hillhead and the Don 31 Oct. Last dates of some summer migrants were : Corncrake Burravoe (Shet) 6 Nov, Dotterel Fair Isle 6 Nov, Black Tern Dirleton 23 Oct, Commic Tern Skeld (Shet) 30 Oct, Common Tern Musselburgh 24 Oct, Sandwich Tern Musselburgh 30 Oct, Cuckoo St Abbs 20 Sep, Swift Broughty Ferry (Angus) 31 Oct, Wryneck Torphins 4 Nov, House Martin North Berwick 27 Oct, Wheatear Fife Ness 7 Nov, Whinchat Fair Isle 25 Oct, Redstart Shetland early November, Grasshopper Warbler Fair Isle 14 Oct, Reed Warbler freshly dead Fair Isle 27 Oct, probable St Abbs 30th, Garden Warbler Fair Isle 26 Oct, Whitethroat Fair Isle 17 Oct, Willow Warbler Fair Isle 20 Oct, Aberlady late October, Wood Warbler Isle of May 2 Oct, Pied Flycatcher Don 7 Nov, Yellow Wagtail Isle of May 7 Oct, Red-backed Shrike Seaton Park 3 Nov. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP ° 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEW STOCK The Bird Life of Britain Burton & Hayman £7.95 Birds of Garden and Woodland Lambert & Mitchell £4.95 Lapland (The World’s Wild Places) Marsden £4.95 The Winter Birds Ogilvie £5.75 The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland Sharrock £9.00 transparent overlays (optional) £1.50 Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland Sharrock & Sharrock £6.00 Everyday Birds Soper £2.95 British Birds of Prey (New Naturalist) Brown £6.00 Birds of Prey: their Biology & Ecology Brown £4.50 Eagles of the World Brown £4.95 Birds and their World Andrews £3.95 Bird Life Perrins and Cameron £5.95 The Third Birdwatchers’ Book Gooders £3.95 The Birdwatchers’ Second Quiz and Puzzle Book Sharrock £1.00 Hamlyn Guide to the Seashore and Shallow Seas of Britain and Europe Campbell £3.50 & £2.25 (paper) WRITE FOR OUR BOOKLIST NEW TERMS—Add 50p to your order total. THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB TP HE Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 and membership is open to all interested in Scottish Ornithology. Meetings are held during the winter months in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, New Galloway, St Andrews, Stirling, Thurso and the Wigtown District at which lectures by prominent ornithologists are given and films exhibited. Expeditions are organised in the summer to places of ornithological interest. The aims of the Club are to (a) encourage and direct the study of Scottish ornithology; (b) co-ordinate the efforts of Scottish ornithologists; (c) encourage ornithological research in Scotland; (d) hold meetings at which Lectures are given, films exhibited and discussions held, and (e) publish information regarding Scottish ornithology. There are no entry fees for Membership. The Annual subscription is £3.00, or £1.00 in the case of Members under twenty one years of age or Students under 25, who satisfy Council of their status as such at the times at which their subscriptions fall due. The Life subscription is £75. Family Membership is available to married couples and their nomin- ated children under 18 at an Annual subscription of £4.50, or a Life subscription of £112.50. ‘Scottish Birds’ is issued free to Members but Family Members will receive only one copy between them. Subscriptions are payable on lst October annually. ‘Scottish Birds’ is the Journal of the Club. Published quarterly it in- cludes papers, articles and short notes on all aspects of ornithology in Scotland. The Scottish Bird Report is published in the Journal. Application for Membership form, copy of the Club Constitution, and other literature are obtainable from the Club Secretary, Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, ‘21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT (Tel. 031- 556 6042). HIGHLAND HOUSE FOR SALE BIRDS, ei SPINDRIFT, WILDL ad CARSETHORN, DUMFRIES S C E N E R Y Detached six-apartment bungalow . : with kitchen, bathroom and large aisivette ohana brick-built garage/workshop. The MAY and JUNE house is idyllically situated on the shore with magnificent views of the Lake District hills and a wide variety of waders, wild fowl, etc. Based at a quiet Hotel in the Rothiemurchus Forest. : Carsethorn is an unspoilt village (Firth season) and excellent centre for birdwatch- Further particulars: ing both on the Solway shore and Highland Guides Information | ” the Galloway hills and lochs. Inverdruie, Aviemore, Further details can be obtained Inverness-shire from Grierson, Moodie & Walker, Tel. Aviemore 729 149 High Street, Dumfries. (Tel. 2409). DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL POAT RAAIC: * R.S.A.C. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- class service. _ Es Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skibo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer’ of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1977. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 Scottish Field Studies Association KINDROGAN FIELD CENTRE Courses for Adults — 1977 Kindrogan provides accommodation, iecture rooms, laboratories and a library for visitors. Situated in the Southern Grampian Highlands, it affords excellent opportunities for all aspects of field studies in the Highlands. The programme for 1977 offers a wide range of courses for adult amateurs and specialists, including : Birds Archaeology Mammals Water Plants Photography Painting Geology and Scenery Fungi Mountain Flowers Insects Tayside Field Botany The normal weekly charge is £45.00 All applications, enquiries and requests for programmes should be addressed to The Warden, Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PG. Telephone: Strathardle (025081) 286. COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply slides of most British Birds from our own collection, and from that of.the R.S.P.B. Send 25p for sample slide and our lists covering these and birds of Africa—many fine studies and close-ups. FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- cluding postage & V.A.T. per night’s hire. Birds are group- ed according to their natural habitats. W. COWEN Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbria ISLE of MULL GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so’ small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- Looking across the Sound of Mull nithologists for many years, to the Morvern Hills beyond. but ye is still Spsuible to Comfortable Accommodation in a make surprising discoveries eT guest house run ean ae in Sutherland. watchers in mind. Dinner, bed an : at : The Hotel is fully modern breakfast. H&C and radiators in all but oretains ait Gielen! guest bedropiisn cae of reference charm of other days, and en- S.A.E. please joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Open Easter until mid-Oct. Fully . descriptive _broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on RICHARD & ELIZABETH request. Central Heating. COOMBER, Staffa Cottages Guest House, TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL. Tel. 2464 Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available A.A. RAC. R.S.A.C. | CENTRALLY HEATED FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp appreciated. WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS in the HIGHLANDS Send stamp for details of one and two-week holidays April-November. A series of week-end holidays for the winter of 1976-77 is also being planned. CALEDONIAN WILDLIFE SERVICES 2 Kingsmills Gardens, Inverness, [V2 3LU. ORKNEY FIELD CENTRE LINKS HOUSE, BIRSAY, ORKNEY Telephone Birsay 221 Ideally situated on the Atlantic shore with RSPB nesting cliffs within a mile, wetland and moorland within walking distance. 79 separate sightings May-June this year. Hen Harriers, Red-throated divers, Skuas, Puffins and Twites abound. Our aim is to provide a high standard of food and comfort in a remote and beautiful place. SAE for brochure to Mim Hughes RU’A FIOLA ISLAND EXPLORATION CENTRE Adventure Courses for boys and girls aged 11-18, and parents, in a fully equipped Timber Cabin beside a lagoon on a small uninhabited offshore island. Otters, birds, seals, deer, canoeing, climbing, fishing, caves, boats, etc. and at least 20 wild islands within a five mile radius. Expert supervision, groups or individuals, maximum 12. Bothy accommodation on two other islands for private expeditions. TORQUIL JOHNSON-FERGUSON, RU’A FIOLA, CULLIPOOL, OBAN at Mr Frank’s unusual — binocular offer : MAR SS CL Test any FRANK-NIPOLE binocular free for 7 days and see for yourself why these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Five models particularly favoured by birdwatchers : Exit Relative Field Price Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case 8 x 30 3.f 13.6 de 18 ozs. 43 ins. £23.50 10 x 50 5 25 ee 36 ozs. (Se ' £33.00 8 x 40 5 25 9° 36 ozs. 53 ins. £45.31 8 x 20 25 6.2 Te 6 ozs. 3% ins. £46.20 10 x 40 4 16 (hele be 254 OZzs. 4} ins. £47.83 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we-will give you the opportunity of purchasing a Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular about 25% below R.R.P. Colour Charles LTD os eal eee, Bel kK 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. N Binocular specialists since 1907. ‘ Tel. 041-221 6666 | {/ WALTER THOMSON? A PRINTER, SELKIRK_ J] -s * ISSN 0036-9144 BIRDS , THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 5 SPRING 1977 Price 75p 1977 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon)MTAT, Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. Most with guest lecturers and a tour manager. *Provisional PELOPONNESE Apr 1-15 Birds & Flowers £340 CRETE Apr 1-15 Birds & Flowers £330 MACEDONIA Apr 28-May 5 Birds with £210 Peter Conder PELOPONNESE & CRETE May 20-Jun 3 Sites & Flowers £345 CRETE (8 days) May 24, 31, Jun 7 Leisure £132 NORTHERN GREECE Jun 8-22 Mountain Flowers £340 RWANDA & ZAIRE Jul 15-Aug 3 Gorillas with £898 John Gooders AMAZON & GALAPAGOS Aug 4-24 Dr David £1064 Bellamy BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS Sep 22-29 Eagles with Dr £195 Chris Perrins MINDAN STUDY TOUR Sep 24-Oct 3 Birds & £239 Archaeology KASHMIR & KULU Oct 14-29 Birds & Flowers £680* AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS Oct 22-31 Birds & Sites £153* AUTUMN IN CRETE Nov 1-8 Birds & Leisure £154* CHRISTMAS IN CRETE Dec 22-31 Birds, Flowers £169* Archaeology This tour has been an annual “sell-out” since it started in 1974. Registration at once advised. REGISTRATION FOR 1978 This entails no obligation, merely gives you first sight of the new brochures. Particularly helpful for popular lower-priced tours such as Christmas in Crete, Spring in Crete, Spring in Venice, and Spring in Argolis, (all in March). Brochures by return. Registration without obligation. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, wo, AGENTS SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, IES OX2 7uP. As As) Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 i AS Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B SCOTTISH NEWS RESERVES Up to 25,000 ducks and geese have been wintering at the Loch of Strath- beg, Aberdeenshire. Three hides and a 1000-foot boardwalk have been constructed by our full-time warden, Jim Dunbar, so that visitors will be able to enjoy the birds. The reserve will be open for visiting this Spring by permit only (access through MoD land). In Speyside the warden at Insh Marshes, Russell Leavett, has erected a third hide on the part of the reserve where visiting is permitted from April to September. As well as being a good area for wetland birds the Marshes attract a wide variety of birds of prey, notably hen harrier, buzzard and osprey. Two new reserves (Skinflats, near Grangemouth and Marwick Head, Orkney) were announced recenily bringing the total in Scotland to 23 reserves covering 17,500 acres. - RSPB MEMBERS GROUPS With over 12,000 members now in FILMS The 1976 programme of RSPB films has been shown throughout Scotland this winter in more venues than ever before. They appear ito have been well received though attendance at some shows has been hit by the weather. The 1977 films include a major new film on the Hebrides as well as films about reserves and southern heathland. APPEAL The RSPB £im Appeal ends in December 1977. Over half has been raised but £m _ has already been committed to reserve purchases, including the pinewoods at Loch Garten. Please give a donation to help us reach our target. Scotland, more and more wish to come together, not only to enjoy themselves and increase their know- ledge but to assist the RSPB in a positive way. Local Group outings have ranged as far afield as Rhum and the Solway, while members have helped with tern and peregrine protection schemes and worked on reserves, There are now 11 Groups in Scotland, with new ones in Buchan, Kirkcaldy and Hamilton joining the established ones in Helensburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, North Ayr and Dunfermline. Enquiries and donations to THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS 17 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BN 031-556 5624/9042 THE ATLAS OF BREEDING BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND compiled by J. T. R. SHARROCK for BTO and IWC 2nd impression, £10.00 net RARE BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND by J. T. R. SHARROCK and E. M. SHARROCK 336 pages, £6.00 net BIRD OBSERVATORIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND edited by ROGER DURMAN £5.00 net PINE CROSSBILLS A Scottish contribution by DESMOND NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON £5.00 net DUCKS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE by M.A. OGILVIE £5.00 net T&ADPOYSER 281:High St, Berkhamsted, Herts. SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS? CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 5, SPRING 1977 Page Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region (Adam Watson) 245 ! Short Notes | Weight increases and behaviour of Wrynecks | on the Isle of May (Derek R. Langslow) abe 262 Further notes on a long-established Tepecre ches nest site (D. Macdonald) ... Rae 267 Dipper removing lining from used nest (C, M. Morrison) 268 Reviews paciurion Illustrated by Waterfowl ah David Lack (J. J. D. Greenwood) * 269 A Guide to Bird-Watching in Europe o James pe reuson: -Lees, Quentin Hockliffe and Ko Zweeres (R. J. Raines) eu a it aoe 270 Current Literature ie 22 a af uf: 271 Notice and Requests for Information Li aad a 2a Scottish Ornithologists’ Club ap fe? es 1M 272 Branch and Group News a. Bs: ne Ae a 282 Current Notes rad ae ee nee Ee 7” 283 Correction Shi oe - sf 12; 6h Ae 284 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe sERVE Mais OF UPTO We hold in stock what is believed to be the largest range of binoculars and telescopes for bird watching in the country. Here are some examples of our discount prices, correct at time of press (send coupon for up-to-date mail order price list and FREE COPY | of ‘Your Guide to Binocular Ownership’). q ALL BRAND NEW COMPLETE WITH CASE & LANYARD Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 Mk. Il ....Retail £108.00 Our price £79.40 : Swift Saratoga 8 x 40 Mk. Il ........ Retail £71.13 Ourprice £52.10 H Swift Grand Prix 8 x 40 ............ Retail £59.06 Our price £43.40 E Carl Zeiss 8 x 30B Didaiyt ............ Retail £202.33 Our price £141.18 Carl Zeiss 10 x 40B Dialyt ........ Retail £238.56 Our price £166.46 Leitz 10 x 40B Hard Case ............. Our price £226.80 Habicht Diana. 10'x405-....> 2 Our price £128.46 Nickel Supra Telescope 15x60x60 Retail £151.88 Our price £100.50 Swift Telemaster 15x60x60 ........ Retail £157.50 Our price £115.80 N Camping, Climbing, / Rambling send too, for mail order price lists Only > from our associate he company Field & Trek (Equipment) Ltd. Same top quality, same keen prices, same address. The Birdwatchers Glasses. Heron 8x40 & BCF & BWCF Mark Il £26.16 TE AG EES eee To HERON OPTICAL CO. LTD. (Dept. SB4), 23/25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex. Please send binocular/telescope price list(s) and Guide to Binocular/Telescope Ownership SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOUGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 5 Spring 1977 Edited by D. J. Bates Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region ADAM WATSON (Plates 21-24a) Introduction The object of this paper is to assess the present value of the Cairngorms region for wildlife, to show that the present value is poor compared with what was once there and could be there again, and to suggest the management needed for achieving the full potential in future. The Cairngorms region refers not just to the massif of Am Monadh Ruadh between Aviemore and Braemar, but includes Strath Spey and ground east of the A9 road, stretching north to Grantown and Tomintoul, east to Aboyne, and south to Blairgowrie. As this paper formed part of a lecture to the 1976 Scottish Ornithologists’ Club conference, it gives more ex- amples on birds than might be justified by its general title. Nevertheless, it does concentrate mainly on more general issues, as these are fundamental in conserving all the wildlife, including birds. It emphasizes principles and not specific details of management. Such details can be agreed only on a local basis, after managers have considered the present char- acteristics of each site and past local experience of it. To save space and make the paper more readable, I will mention only a few key references; Nethersole-Thompson and Watson (1974) give a fuller set. As most readers will be familiar with the geography of the area, maps have been omitted. It is useful to imagine the wildlife of the Cairngorms as a resource in some distant country, free from human constraints such as who owns the land or which local-government districts or regions meet there. It then becomes easier to think objec- tively not just about the national or international value of what is there, but about what could be there. One can next consider the human constraints, asking how land-use practices, land ownership, and other kinds of human authority over the area (such as local government, public bodies) prevent the conservation aims for wildlife from being achieved. Finally, one can suggest a structure of organisation for realizing the wildlife potential, and can list the management policies needed to achieve this. The nation can choose to remove the human 246 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) constraints partially or wholly, or leave things as they are. The outcome will be determined by what conservation aim Scotland accepts, and how far it wishes to go towards achiev- ing that aim. The conservation aim in this paper recognizes the national interest by putting recreation involving the conser- vation of nationally outstanding wildlife and scenery first, and traditional land uses of only local importance second, not the other way round as at present. The importance of habitats, man, wilderness and research Wildlife conservation increasingly hinges on conserving the habitats upon which the wildlife depends. For instance, the RSPB recently bought part of Abernethy Forest because it is a fine pine forest, not because very rare birds live there. We must also consider man, as habitats and birds themselves are greatly affected by man’s land use and other activities. Fur- thermore, man gets much benefit and enjoyment from wild- life, including his appreciation of the places where the wild- life occurs. In the Cairngorms, this often means the experience of enjoying wild landscapes and wilderness, free from man- made objects. For modern urban man, it includes the enjoy- ment, which many now value, of going to places with few or no other people in sight. Conserving a rare, cliff-ledge plant may require only a tiny patch to be managed. A larger area is necessary for the pop- ulation of an uncommon insect, and even larger for a boreal forest community. A Red Deer Cervus elaphus has such a big home range that a conservation policy involving deer manage- ment will not succeed unless it includes a huge area, at least as big as that home range. Golden Eagles also have very large ranges. The Cairngorms National Nature Reserve, though said to be Europe’s biggest, is not big enough to ensure the eagles’ safety, as every pair nesting in the reserve goes outside. Such species require areas so large that they include nearby country which may not in itself be of high conservation value, even though frequently valuable as wilderness. Hence wildlife and wilderness in the Cairngorms cannot be separated. Nor should we try; the primary importance of both is that they are of great interest for human recreation. Of secondary importance is their value for research, which also interests many people. The Cairngorms region includes some fairly natural areas, few of which remain in western Europe. These are valuable for research on natural processes such as the regulation of animal populations and the com- position of plant communities in relation to climate. It is in- ternationally important to keep sample areas of natural or semi-natural ground for research, so as to answer the many problems about how best to manage land or avoid polluting 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 247 our environment and ourselves. Research in a fairly natural area like the Cairngorms is also important nationally, for assessing such an outstanding wildlife properly, managing it better, and developing its full potential in future. The physical background What is so unusual about the Cairngorms region that it supports such notable wildlife ? Being the biggest block of high ground in Scotland it also has the largest area with an arctic-alpine climate. Continents support more species and habitats than countries, and big islands more than small islands. The same principle holds for areas of different size within an island. Thus the Cairngorms have more arctic- alpine species and habitats than the smaller hill ranges. Also this region in the centre of Scotland gets a more continental climate than the coast. With the warmer summers and more sheltered valleys, trees thrive better than at the coast and grow to a higher altitude, up to about 2,000 feet. The Cairngorms have had a complicated glacial history. The ice cut many corries with cliffs and lakes. Glacial deposits on the lower ground were built into numerous dry hillocks and ridges that dammed up lakes and bogs. Rivers from melting ice tore out many cliffs that now lie on dry hillsides, offering nest sites for birds of prey on otherwise smooth moorlands. Further variety came from later weathering of cliffs into screes, and from rivers cutting out gorges and depositing fine alluvial soil in valley bottoms. The Cairngorms region has a great mixture of rocks. Al- though only one rock—acidic granite—makes up the main massif of Am Monadh Ruadh, a complex arrangement of lime- rich rocks such as limestone and epidiorite surrounds it, mixed with the granite. The soils from these rocks are also varied, supporting a great variety of vegetation, for instance the unusual communities of arctic-alpine plants on the calcareous rocks of Caenlochan and Glen Clova. We need to discuss what is outstanding about the present wildlife and the threats to it, what could be there and the land-use practices and conflicts that prevent this future pot- ential being realized, and what we need to achieve the future potential. What is outstanding about the present wildlife ? Several kinds of wildlife are unique for Scotland (Nether- sole-Thompson and Watson 1974). Most important is the vegetation. On the arctic-alpine ground, the Cairngorms have the most extensive snow-patch vegetation in these islands, with many plant communities whose composition varies ac- cording to how long the snow lies. They also have the biggest canna nenann manccaammamn eneenssss 04 248 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) plateaux covered by granite grit and studded with Juncus trifidus, a common species in the Arctic. Plateaux with more soil, long snow-lie, or damper ground support vast stretches of continuous alpine turf. The more fertile western hills, as at Carn Ban Mor and Drumochter, have a soft turf of the moss Rhacomitrium lanuginosum and the sedge Carex bigelowii, whereas the drier eastern hills such as the Glas Maol have less moss and more lichen; both types occur more extensively than anywhere else in Scotland. The mossy flushes, where streams spread out on flat ground, are also unique in this country for extent and variety. So are the ungrazed cliff ledges, which support a large number of species on diverse ground ranging from the acidic granite walls of Am Monadh Ruadh to the lime-rich cliffs of Clova. The arctic-alpine heaths, dominated by Blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus and Crowberry Empetrum hermaphroditum, but with much local variety, cover bigger tracts of hill slope, plateau and corrie than in other parts of the Highlands. There is an unusual variety and number of high, arctic- alpine and moorland lochs, and of streams, rivers and river- sides at all altitudes; preliminary surveys show interesting vegetation there. The Cairngorms region also contains the most varied and largest block of moorland vegetation domin- ated by Heather Calluna vulgaris in Scotland, as well as a great variety of other moorland vegetation on locally varying patches of wet ground, fertile soil, peat, and cliff-side. The region has the most extensive and varied boreal forests of Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris and birch Betula spp. in these islands. The Juniper Juniperus communis scrub in some woods, and occasionally on open moorland, is also very rich. Forest bogs and forest lochs offer the best set in Scotland. Moreover the forest is important internationally. Bigger areas of centuries-old boreal forest of Scots Pine remain at Mar and Ballochbuie than in most parts of boreal Scandinavia itself. Insects and other invertebrates are important for maintain- ing the soil on which most other wildlife depends. Numerous arctic and lowland species occur on the summits and moors, and many boreal invertebrates in the forests (Welch 1974). The Cairngorms region has produced several species new to science. For decades, entomologists have come to the forests and summits, attracted by a richness of species rare or absent in other parts of these islands. For current attraction, the birds are superlative. Most in- teresting are the arctic species, such as Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Dotterel, the Cairngorms region being the Scot- tish stronghold for all three. Fairly big stocks of Dotterel live on the plateau grasslands, the very small, marginal population 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 249 of summering Snow Buntings on boulder fields near long-lying snow beds and mossy flushes, and the abundant Ptarmigan on the vast arctic-alpine heathlands studded with stones and patches of scree. Ptarmigan occur at higher population den- sities than in many other parts of their extensive world range, and their population is interesting as it fluctuates greatly in a fairly natural habitat. Others of mainly arctic or subarctic distribution that nest here, such as Dunlin, Golden Plover, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear, also breed on the lower moors, as does the Ring Ouzel, a species of northern European distri- bution. More species breed than on other high hills in Scot- land, and Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Common Gull and Skylark nest at higher altitudes than elsewhere. Occasion- al arctic rarities appear in summer, such as Snowy Owl, Long- tailed Skua, Sanderling, and Shore Lark. The moors and lower hills are now internationally important for Peregrines, which have done well here in recent years at a time when breeding stocks and brood size declined dras- tically in most of the world range. The local Peregrines, feed- ing largely on moorland prey and not leaving in winter, suffered little from pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Golden Eagles also continued to breed well during the 1960s, a time when their breeding success in western Scotland de- clined greatly in association with toxic contamination from pesticides in sheep dips. In the moorland zone of the Cairn- gorms, the Greenshank is noteworthy as a scattered, rare, marginal population. More species of moorland birds have bred in the Cairngorms region than in most parts of these islands, a few of the more uncommon ones being the Red- throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan, Hen Harrier and Whimbrel. The boreal forest here is the main area for breeding Scottish Crossbills Loxia curvirostra scotica and Crested Tits, and supports nesting Ospreys and high densities of Siskins and Capercaillies. Other species typical of the northern forest in Scandinavia and Russia occur in spring, and most have nested. Such are the Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan, Goldeneye, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Green and Wood Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint, Waxwing, Bluethroat, Fieldfare, Redwing, and Brambling. Watson (1975) wrote “The variety of the forest shows again in the fact that, here also, many typically south- ern or central European summer migrants occur or breed near or at their northern Scottish limit. They do so in pine and birch woods as in their Scandinavian boreal forest habitats, not in habitats more like England; the Wryneck, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Pied Flycatcher are a few examples. You also see southern marsh-birds here near their northern limit for Britain, namely the Grasshopper Warbler, 250 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) Spotted Crake and Marsh Harrier’. To this list we can now add Great Grey Shrike in spring, Goshawks in the woods but often hunting out on the moor, and Green Woodpeckers at their northern Scottish limit in the old forest. Threats to the wildlife Many developments have been proposed as urgent for the Cairngorms, such as roads through Glen Feshie and up Glen Quoich, and ski lifts on Beinn a’ Bhuird (see map in Watson (1967). If the Technical Planning Group’s (1967) proposals are ever implemented, they would fragment this region with new roads and severely damage its potential for wildlife conserva- tion and wilderness. Other proposals have included a church on Cairn Gorm, a village in Coire Cas, an air strip in Glen Quoich, and a road through the Lairig Ghru with ski lifts on either side. In 1975 the Countryside Commission for Scotland propos- ed to designate Grampian Way, a long-distance route through the Lairig Ghru and Glen Tilt. In my opinion, such a develop- ment is inappropriate for a remote path through the middle of a National Nature Reserve. After local councils, mountain res- cuers and climbers opposed it the proposal was _ shelved, though not given up. Nethersole-Thompson and Watson (1974) described other developments threatening wildlife and wilder- ness, such as snowmobiles and helicopters for private sport. Both threats have since become real, spoiling the wilderness experience, disturbing animals, and damaging vegetation and soil. Cheaply-made bulldozed tracks have spread in all parts of the region (Watson 1974) to save walking by shooters of deer and grouse. These gravel ribbons, which can be seen miles away, spoil fine views and the visitor’s appreciation of wilder- ness. They also lead to erosion and attract tourists’ vehicles which otherwise would not go there. Some tracks end on high ridges, where vehicles can roam freely on nearby plateaux, damaging the vegetation. The most remote grasslands on Beinn a’ Bhuird and the Glas Maol now show signs of this. On and near the ski grounds the most obvious damage is bare ground and eroded soil due to vehicles, human feet, and skiers (Bayfield 1971). Other changes are the green patches of reseeded, fertilized grass sown to stop erosion, black tar sprayed to prevent the grass seedlings drying out, and con- crete drains taking water into the main streams. These are all local problems, and artificial methods were necessary to pre- vent erosion. More care earlier (for example, confining vehicles to tracks) would have avoided much of this artificial- ity. Nevertheless, the point remains that ski grounds are best limited to a few places where operators can work profitably, offer good facilities, and prevent erosion properly. In my 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 251 opinion, it would be unwise to allow them to proliferate in other parts of the Cairngorms, producing many struggling and unprofitable developments that would harm conservation values and cause big problems of mountain safety and rescue. Away from the ski grounds themselves, human pressures Nave increased due to people attracted by the roads and chair lifts. Hundreds roam the plateau of Cairn Gorm on a fine summer day. The results include more erosion, new and wider paths, numerous new cairns, rocks broken by gem hunters and left on the vegetation, stones used by campers for weigh- ing down their tents and then left on the turf, and _ litter. Parties practising winter survival dig snowholes and _ stick their garbage into the snow; it appears after the thaw, littering the small patches of snow-bed vegetation. Other people, indi- vidually and in organized parties, search for Dotterel and Snow Bunting and their nests and young, and spend long periods watching and photographing them. An example of poor planning on the plateau was the appearance of two refuges and a hut. Curran hut went up in 1967 before planning permission was received, and stayed up despite protests by people concerned about conservation, mountain safety and rescue. Some school children died nearby in 1971 after trying to reach Curran and it was removed in 1975. Apart from the question of mountain safety, it was, I think, inappropriate to permit such a hut in the middle of a plateau so valuable for wildlife, arctic-like scenery, and mountain wilderness. Rock-climbers in the Cairngorms have often removed vege- tation to clean the rock, but the best cliffs for vegetation are broken, wet and unsuitable for climbing. In any case, climbers are becoming increasingly conservation-minded and so this problem is now declining. Hikers have long been unpopular on grouse moors and deer forests, as their disturbance is said to reduce bags of Red Grouse and spoil deer stalks. As walkers increase, complaints grow, for instance in the Peak District National Park. How- ever, Red Grouse on areas there where walkers had access bred no worse than on areas out of access, and the smaller bags were related to the owners’ poor management of the heather (Picozzi 1971). Stocks of Red Grouse have remained as big on much-visited ground near the car parks and chair lifts at Cairn Gorm and the Cairnwell as on ground nearby where very few people go (Watson, Bayfield and Moyes 1970). Therefore, there is no published evidence that walk- ers harm stocks of Red Grouse, but there is evidence of no measurable ill-effects on stocks. As for Red Deer, again there is no good evidence of damage. Hikers are sometimes seen to disturb stags which are being stalked, and so ruin the 252 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) stalk. However, there are occasions when stags, disturbed by hikers not seen by the stalkers, run within rifle range from outside and get shot. The loss of shots due to observed hikers must be weighed against the extra shots due to disturbance by hikers who have not been seen by the stalking party. After the ski lifts were built, some people thought that Ptarmigan and Dotterel would suffer. However, Ptarmigan on the much-disturbed ski grounds at Cairn Gorm and the Cairn- well have maintained as high stocks and reared broods as big as on nearby slopes where few people go (Watson et al 1970). The same has happened with Dotterel on the much-visited parts of the plateau nearest the ski grounds, as compared with other, seldom-visited places. However, as more and more people go there, the possibility remains that disturbance of the birds and damage to habitats may increase so much that the populations decline, and so we need a continuing watch. During the 1970s, the summering stock of Snow Buntings has been much bigger than previously on the central Cairn- gorms (Nethersole-Thompson 1976). In early summer, they are sometimes seen eating crumbs of waste food on the ski grounds. They may benefit from the ski developments, and certainly are very common in and near arctic villages. How- ever, the summer stock was low in 1975. The cause of such fluctuations is uncertain, and any connection with human impact is impossible to prove, as no comparable control area without human impact exists. Feeding much on food dropped by people, Snow Buntings have greatly increased in winter at ski grounds, car parks, and lay-bys, and Pied Wagtails in summer. Crows, Rooks, Black- headed Gulls and Common Gulls have increased in summer on ski grounds, upper moors and high plateaux, attracted by scraps. The 70 marines who spent a few days camping on the Cairn Gorm plateau in June 1975 while demolishing Curran hut, were attended by three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 30 Common Gulls, and five Black-headed Gulls. Crows have taken to the new habit of roaming the high ground, where they rob the eggs of Ptarmigan and other birds. Another threat occurs over birds of prey being disturbed by climbers, birdwatchers and other tourists. Climbers have dis- turbed Golden Eagles at one nest cliff in Speyside, and Pere- grines at two sites. One or two pairs of eagles in the most accessible parts of Spey and Dee usually fail to rear young, for reasons often associated with disturbance by tourists. Egg-collectors have taken many eggs from birds of prey and other uncommon species in the Cairngorms and falconers have robbed some Peregrines. However, the proportion of nests robbed in recent decades has been too low to harm the 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 253 birds’ populations. In 1976, however, when prices soared, many Peregrines were robbed and three young Golden Eagles were taken in northern Scotland for sale. This new threat will probably continue, as the prices offered are so high that current fines are inadequate. The greatest threat to birds of prey is persecution by gamekeepers. Golden Eagles were most numerous about 1945 after many keepers had been away in the war. Since then their numbers have remained fairly steady in the upper deer forests, but they have bred only sporadically and less success- fully on the grouse moors. On some moors, eagles have been shot, poisoned and trapped and their eggs collected and nests burned. On others, the birds themselves are not overtly per- secuted, but their eggs usually fail to hatch because of other disturbance, such as people staying near the eyries while killing Foxes Vulpes vulpes or cutting peat. Hen Harriers are frequently shot, and other birds of prey killed less often. Re- cently, many Keepers have put poison in meat baits. Often done supposedly to keep down Crows, it kills Crows, Buz- zards, Golden Eagles and others indiscriminately. In the last decade, pole traps have taken Buzzard, Snowy Owl, and others. When rents for grouse shooting increased in the early 1970s, so did the persecution of birds of prey in Speyside and Deeside. Picozzi and Weir (1976) found that many Buzzards have been killed by poisoning and shooting in Speyside. Game- keepers have kept the breeding stock of Golden Eagles lower than it would otherwise be, its breeding success far below, and the area in which the birds breed much smaller. Game- keepers and fishing staff kill Goosanders in most of the Cairn- gorms region, and any live Adder Vipera berus that they come across usually becomes a dead one very quickly. The persecution of Fox, Wild Cat Felis silvestris, Stoat Mustela erminea and Weasel Mustela nivalis has continued over most of the region. Fox killing by deer stalkers has oc- curred every year in the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve since its formation in 1954, yet there are no conservation reasons (as distinct from political reasons) for killing these mammals in this outstanding, fairly natural area. Reindeer Rangifer tarandus, introduced to Glen More, now roam freely on the summits in groups up to 50 strong. Rein- deer used to occur in Scotland, but domestic Reindeer were introduced to the Cairngorms, not wild ones. Domestic Rein- deer introduced to Alaskan islands have changed plant com- munities, and this is a possible risk here if population density continues to increase. It would have been better planning to have introduced wild Reindeer, not domestic, and to have done it elsewhere in Scotland, not in one of the most notable places for wildlife conservation in the country. 254 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) In the forest zone there is a threat to dead trees. These are an important part of the forest habitat as they support a great variety of invertebrates and act as nesting sites and feeding places for woodpeckers and other birds. Because of firewood extraction, only a few of the most inaccessible woods retain numerous dead trees. Even within the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve, many dead trees and some live ones have been removed in the last 20 years. The greatest threat to wildlife in the Cairngorms arises with Red Deer, which will eventually destroy some of the best examples of the old Caledonian forest unless the owners’ management changes drastically. In many forests, they pre- vent regeneration by eating all young trees. Overgrazing by Red Deer has destroyed scrub on most hill ground as well as in the woods. In many valleys they graze Heather and Blae- berry almost as if mown. Places with few or no Red Deer show good regeneration, as at Ballater and Nethybridge, and young trees soon appear on heavily grazed ground after fencing. Many of the existing trees grew about two centuries ago, before deer stalking became profitable in Victorian times. Today, wintering Red Deer are more abundant in valleys where their favoured areas—well-drained grasslands—are more extensive. After many valleys emptied of arable farmers due to clearances and voluntary emigrations last century, Red Deer could use the well-drained fields there, and thus probably increased and then pressed harder on young trees. Before farming man appeared, the forests were much more extensive. Severe damage occurs today when Red Deer move in storms from big areas of open hill into dense herds concentrated in small woodlands. Such concentrations probably did not occur in the ancestral, more continuous forest, and do not occur to- day in the larger woodlands. Before 1960, when Red Deer were less profitable, many died in hard winters. Since then, landowners have been persuaded by the deer research on Rhum and the advice of the Red Deer Commission to kill a much bigger percentage of their stocks. Along with this extra, artificial mortality, natural winter mor- tality decreased greatly. Also, deer shooting became so profit- able that the owners put out greater amounts of artificial food. In recent years, Red Deer in late winter and spring have been more abundant than formerly. Trees and scrub will not re- generate in such conditions, especially as the owners are unwilling to fence large tracts because this would remove too much grazing. On the grassier, more fertile hills and moors, many sheep in summer add to the heavy grazing pressure by deer; for instance, the National Nature Reserve at Caenlochan carries ae 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS | 259 a very large sheep stock. Sheep are such selective feeders that ranges in the vegetation as a result of the big stocks are very ikely. On many moors outside the range of Red Deer, gamekeepers pull out seedling trees and burn patches of regenerating wood- land. Although they burn heather fairly carefully on a few grouse moors, examples of bad burning with big fires abound. On deer forests, they are the rule. In the worst cases, very hot fires burn the soil and devastate large areas, leading to a pro- longed drop in fertility. Most birds and other wildlife disappear or remain very scarce for years after these big fires. Exotic conifers such as Pinus contorta and Sitka Spruce Picea sitkensis are inappropriate in any area of great national value for wildlife conservation. They look out of place, and local animals cannot utilize them as effectively as natural woodland. Such planting has occurred at many places in the Cairngorms region by both private and public owners. In a recent example the unusual forest bog west of Loch Morlich was ploughed and planted densely with exotic conifers. What could be there The arctic-alpine ground lacks the rich flower meadows and lush bogs that occur on most mountains in other, less grazed parts of the world. Probably they would appear here if severe grazing stopped. The moorland bogs also lack lushness. Seeing the heads of cotton grass Eriophorum spp. almost as white as snow is an experience common in other northern countries but rare here except inside a fence. More plant species would probably grow in the bogs if grazing were reduced. Scandin- avian upland bog birds might then colonize, such as Tem- minck’s Stint, Wood Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper. In the main massifs of Am Monadh Ruadh and Lochnagar few or no sheep occur because the ground has proved too in- fertile for profitable sheep farming. A reduction of Red Deer alone would allow natural regeneration of trees. It would also lead to changes in tree lines. A well-defined tree line occurs at 2,100 feet on Creag Fhiaclach in Glen Feshie and in high woods near Braemar. In most northern countries sharp tree lines do occur on steep slopes like Creag Fhiaclach but on gentle slopes often they do not; instead, scattered scrubby trees grow far above the top of the obvious woodland, with small patches of trees here and there. The same would happen in the Cairn- gorms, as shown at Geallaig, west of Ballater, where a sharp tree line occurs on a steep slope at 1,900 feet. However, on gentle slopes on this hill, the scrubby individual pines grow scattered and far above the obvious woodland edge over a big area up to 2,150 feet. 256 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) We often think of Cairngorms woodland mainly or wholly as Scots Pine and birches which are usually all that is there now. An alternative view is that they are dominant only be- cause they have withstood severe grazing better than the more palatable willows Salix spp., Aspens Populus tremula, Rowans Sorbus aucuparia, Hollies Ilex aquifolium and others. Ungrazed cliff-ledges show the potential, with numerous As- pens, Rowans, and willows, and occasional European Larches Larix decidua and Norway Spruces Picea abies. Occasional patches of ungrazed woodland inside fences also show what could be more widespread, with fine groves of Aspen, Hazel Corylus avellana, Rowan and birches, studded with Hollies and Junipers, and with dense willows and Alder Alnus giut- inosa in damp spots. Some of the boreal forest is a monotonously uniform stretch of coniferous trees and occasional birches, but this is often due to man. In Scandinavia, and even more so in North Amer- ica, it is a complex habitat with a great variety of tree species, understorey species and ground vegetation. It has much var- iety even at any one site. This comes partly because of natural fire, which plays an integral part in maintaining the boreal forest, and also partly because some years are better for seed production. Thus one site can have a stand of one species at one time but a different species some years later. Each will do best in certain soil conditions. However, variations in the effects of fire, the abundance of seed from different species, and the presence of different species of seeding trees nearby, result in many trees growing in off-site conditions where a different species would do better. Pines that are old, diseased, fire-damaged, or growing in poor sites in peat bogs are espec- ially favoured by feeding Capercaillie (Seiskari 1962) possibly because the sparse needles on these trees are more nutritious. A natural boreal forest is therefore an infinitely var- iable, continually changing, complex heterogeneous hab- itat, supporting a diverse wildlife. Boreal forests simplified by man are much less rich in wildlife. The forests of Scots Pine and birches in the Cairngorms, although fine and rich in wildlife compared with most other, wholly artificial, north- ern woodlands in Scotland, are only degraded remnants of what could be there. This argument for more variety does not conflict with this paper’s earlier disapproval of the introduction of domestic Reindeer or exotic conifers in the Cairngorms. Introducing exotics from overseas, particularly species that were not here before, is quite different from altering conditions so that exist- ing natives can spread more widely by themselves. It may be argued that the Scottish boreal forest could not be as varied 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 257 as on a continent, simply because the geographical isolation of any isiand makes its flora poorer than the adjacent contin- ent. Nevertheless, the greater variety that one sees on cliff ledges and inside fences shows clearly that such effects of iso- lation are not the main reason for the poverty of most woods in the Cairngorms region. The most remarkable of the absent habitats that could be in the Cairngorms is subalpine scrub. In most northern coun- tries an extensive scrub zone occurs on mountains above the tree line except in some places where severe grazing has—as in Scotland—destroyed it. It consists of dense bushes of willow and Dwarf Birch Betula nana with occasional scrubby coniferous trees and Alders. On gentle slopes it may cover vast tracts continuously but on most slopes it forms a mosaic with the arctic-alpine heaths and grasslands. It gradually peters out towards higher altitudes but often runs high up in tongues or patches along streams or hollows. Many people know that we should conserve the old forests but few think of scrub conservation, probably because they are unaware that it was there in the first place and could be there again. Willow and Dwarf Birch do grow on the open hill but are usually grazed so hard and burned so often that they are tiny and easily overlooked. Above the tree line at 2,000 feet the Cairngorms region has the potential for sub- alpine scrub over large areas up to 2,500 feet, and in sheltered places even higher. This would support its own associated species of plants and animals. We might expect a big increase of small mammals, insects, Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus and birds such as Redpoll, Willow Warbler and probably other passerines. Scandinavian sub-arctic species might colonize if the scrub were extensive. One animal that was in the Cairngorms region in the past and is likely to colonize well there in the near future is the Pine Marten Martes martes. The formerly resident Red Kite and Polecat Mustela putorius are possible colonists but un- likely to become well established soon. Others, such as Wolf Canis lupus and Wild Boar Sus scrofa, will remain only as place names unless public attitudes change greatly. Land-use practices and conflicts preventing wildlife potential from being realized The top land-use priority for a nationally and internationally outstanding area like the Cairngorms region should, I believe, be recreation involving wildlife conservation and the preser- vation of wilderness and fine scenery. These are what draw most people there in the first place. The dominant land use until now has been deer stalking and grouse shooting, with : | 258 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) hill farming and forestry secondary. Skiing and other forms of organized recreation are increasing rapidly, but have priority as a land use only in a few small areas such as Cairn Gorm and Loch Morlich. The present dominant land uses are in such serious conflict with the land use that should be here, espec- ially where deer stalking prevents the regeneration of wood- land and scrub, that the wildlife potential cannot be attained. Is Scotland too small or poor to conserve wildlife and wil- derness on the scale needed if the potential in the Cairngorms is to be achieved ? The present dominant land uses—deer stalking and grouse shooting, with a little hill farming and forestry—produce employment, meat and other materials, and money, from infertile ground that would otherwise produce nothing. However, the point is whether the amount produced for the local economy and for some local interests is worth sacrificing in the national interest. Deer stalking, grouse shooting, sheep farming and commercial afforestation occur over a vast extent of Scotland but nationally outstanding areas like the Cairngorms occupy a tiny proportion of the country. Many people believe that Scotland is not so poor that every scrap of infertile upland must be used for producing a very small amount of meat. The numerous visitors who now come to the Cairngorms for many kinds of recreation, and who contribute most to the local economy, are likely to take precedence over the very small numbers who live off the traditional land uses or contribute to them as shooters. In the national interest there is, I think, no case for maintaining traditional land uses in the Cairngorms, unless they can change so as no longer to conflict seriously with the national land-use priority. The few landowners and tenant farmers who live there and practise these traditional land uses cannot be expected to re- frain from developing them most profitably, even if this con- flicts with the national interest. They cannot be expected to pay for man’s deforestation and other misuse of the land in centuries long past by making good for this now. Only the nation can pay for past misuse during less enlightened days, and if a national interest is currently at stake only the nation can pay to safeguard it. It follows that the nation will have to compensate individual owners for proven loss due to a great reduction of deer stocks to allow tree regeneration. Alternatively, the area could be bought and run by a national conservation body in the national interest. This alternative is more desirable, as management policies often change on a landowner’s death, thus putting long-term conservation more at risk. This is no argument against private landowning in general, or for state ownership of land in general. It simply acknowledges that a national interest such as conservation of wildlife and wilderness in a large area like the Cairngorms 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 259 region is unlikely to be safeguarded in the long run unless a national conservation body controls the most outstanding parts of the area. The integrated planning and management needed over the whole Cairngorms region have not been achieved, as the structures for planning by central and local government were not designed for the new and unforeseen problems. Also, past conservation policies have been difficult to implement because of the need to fit in with the owners’ wishes (see the criticisms by Kellas 1974) so that the all-too-short-term reserve agree- ments could be renewed in a few years time. New owners making big changes in land use have increased the difficulty. Although part of the Cairngorms has long been a National Nature Reserve, it has worked more like a national park, with the authority not owning the land but having some useful functions such as research, permission to do a few manage- ment experiments, and the ability to prevent some undesir- able developments. Nevertheless, harmful developments such as bulldozed roads and plateau huts have occurred even inside the reserves and so control has been insufficient. I think that it would be better if a national conservation body owned the most important parts of the area. In co-operation with local authorities and central government organizations, such as the Forestry Commission and the Highlands and Islands Develop- ment Board, the national conservation body could then plan properly which areas to conserve and which develop. This ideal is for the future. Meanwhile, recent proposals on parks for Scotland (Countryside Commission for Scotland 1974) have not yet been accepted. For the Cairngorms they involve a special park where the Secretary of State would appoint some of the board in recognition of the national im- portance of the Cairngorms but the majority would represent the District and Regional Councils and other local interests. This would mean that local interests could override national ones. To my mind such a priority is appropriate for a park of local importance, but not for a nationally important area. Vol- untary organizations have worried about this, for example the Scottish Wildlife Trust (1975). Also, the proposals accept that the traditional land uses of shooting deer and grouse should continue in special parks, as on private estates over most of the Highlands. This seems unrealistic, as the few now using the Cairngorms for private shooting are increasingly outnumbered by the many interested in outdoor recreation. Also, the traditional land uses conflict severely with the poten- tial for the new land use of recreation involving wildlife con- servation and wilderness. The proposals, although better than what goes on now, are therefore unlikely to solve conservation problems in the Cairngorms. eco ee 260 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) What is needed to realize the potential for wildlife conservation Apart from the need for a national conservation body to own the best areas for wildlife and for national organizations to have the dominant say in planning for nearby areas of fine ee cEPe and wilderness, I believe the following policies are essential. Zoning Areas most notable for sensitive wildlife or wilder- ness would have no new facilities that attract extra people (such as new huts, roads, and chair lifts) and might even have some present facilities removed. Other areas that can with- stand heavy human pressures and are not important for wild- life or wilderness might have new facilities added, but only if there was a clear demand. Free access might be allowed over most of the region but might have to be restricted at certain times of year in small areas for specific reasons such as the regeneration of scrub or woodland. Even research needs zoning, aS some kinds require facilities inappropriate in a wilderness, and others may damage the wildlife itself. The main point about zoning is not to introduce new facilities in the wrong places, supposedly for the sake of people who would not have wished to go there if the new facilities had not been put there and who did not ask for them. Reduction of deer stocks This would involve fencing large areas, killing all Red Deer within and greatly increasing the proportion shot outside. When the forest and scrub regenerate well again and cover larger areas, deer might be allowed to increase and enter the fenced ground. On areas that national conservation bodies already own there is no point in managing Red Deer in the same way as everywhere else in the High- lands. This was the past policy, partly because of worries about criticism by neighbouring owners. National bodies have the opportunity to do what nobody else is doing. Regeneration of forest and scrub This would vary with the current condition of the trees or scrub. Time is short, as many trees are ancient, especially on Mar, and are dying fast. A big problem is whether areas should be left alone (apart from excluding deer) or whether regeneration should be hastened by burning, planting existing species and introducing species like Aspen and Rowan that are native but may be absent from the site. As many boreal forests in other countries are dyna- mic and change even at the same site through time, there is a case for interfering and speeding up the change, at least in some places. As a safeguard, a high proportion of the most valuable areas should be left to change naturally after reduc- ing the deer. 1977 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 261 Fire A wise policy would obviate the severe damage caused by big moorland fires lit by stalkers and keepers in dry con- ditions. In some places carefully controlled fire may be an aid to management, for instance to help tree regeneration or keep selected sites clear of rank vegetation (such as some Green- shank habitats on partly forested ground on Spey, and on open valley-bottoms on Dee). Predators All predators should be protected, not just those protected by law. There is a need to influence private owners on land next to reserves, especially on grouse moors, so that illegal persecution near areas of national importance for wildlife ceases. Acknowledgments I thank Dr R. Moss for his comments. Summary 1. This paper assesses in what respects the Cairngorms region is out- standing for wildlife and wilderness. Particular features are the vegetation, invertebrates and birds on the arctic-alpine ground, the extensive and varied moors and lower hills, and the boreal forests, forest bogs and lochs with their associated rich wildlife. The conservation aim emphasized recognizes the national interest by putting recreation involving the con- servation of nationally important wildlife, wilderness and scenery first, and traditional land uses of only local importance second, not the other way round as at present. 2. Wildlife and wilderness are threatened by facilities for easier access leading to erosion and disturbance. The chief danger to predators is per- secution on grouse moors. High Red Deer populations pose the greatest threat to wildlife in the region; forest and scrub regeneration are preven- ted by overgrazing and burning. 3. The paper suggests wildlife that could be there but is not there at present, especially a varied and regenerating boreal forest and a_ sub- alpine scrub above the tree line. 4. The paper discusses the land-use practices that prevent the wildlife potential from being realized. The dominant, locally important land uses of deer stalking and to a lesser extent grouse shooting involve grazing and burning which severely conflict with nationally important require- ments for conserving woodland and scrub on the most valuable areas. As private owners cannot be expected to pay for national conservation inter- ests, the only way to ensure a long-term conservation policy is for a national conservation body to own those parts of the area that are best for wildlife. 5. A policy is required for zoning the region so as to keep the most sensitive parts free from new developments, and allow carefully con- trolled developments in the right places elsewhere. Policies are required for a reduction of Red Deer, regeneration of forest and scrub, the wise use of fire, and a more enlightened attitude towards birds of prey and mam- malian predators. References BAYFIELD, N. G. 1971. Some effects of walking and ski-ing on vegetation at Cairn- gorm. Symp. Br. ecol. Soc. 11:469-485. 262 WILDLIFE POTENTIAL IN CAIRNGORMS 9(5) COUNTRYSIDE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND 1974. A Park System for Scotland. Perth, C.C. for Scotland. KELLAS, J. 1974. Book of the month. Leopard 1, No. 2:14. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, D. 1976. Recent distribution, ecology and breeding of Snow Buntings in Scotland. Scot. Birds 9:147-162. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, D., & Watson, A. 1974. The Cairngorms. London, Collins. Picozz1, N. 1971. Breeding performance and shooting bags of red grouse in relation to public access in the Peak District National Park, England. Biol. Conserv. 3: 211-215. Picozz1, N., & WEIR, D. 1976. Dispersal and causes of death of Buzzards. Br. Birds 69 :1935-201. SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST 1975. A park system for Scotland. Scott. Wildlife 11 (2): 17-18. SEISKARI, P. 1962. On the winter ecology of the capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, and the black grouse Lyrurus tetriz, in Finland. Pap. Game Kes. 22. TECHNICAL PLANNING GRoUP 1967. Cairngorm Area. Edinburgh, HMSO. Watson, A. 1967. Public pressures on soils, plants and animals near ski lifts in the Cairngorms. The Biotic Effects of Public Pressures on the Environment (Ed. by E. Duffey), pp.38-45. London, Natural Environment Research Council. Watson, A. 1974. The vanishing wilderness. Mountain Life 11:18-19. Watson, A. 1975. The Cairngorms. Edinburgh, Scott. Mountaineering Club District Guide. WATSON, A., BAYFIELD, N., & Moyes, S. M. 1970. Research on human pressures on Scottish mountain tundra, soils and animals. Productivity and Conservation in Northern Circumpolar Lands, pp. 256-266. Morges, Switzerland. IUCN Publs. New Ser. 16. WELCH, R. C. 1974. Insects and other invertebrates. The Cairngorms, by Nethersole- Thompson, D., and Watson, A., pp. 237-245. Dr Adam Watson, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Blackhall, Banchory, AB3 3PS, Scotland. Short Notes Weight increases and behaviour of Wrynecks on the Isle of May In southeasterly weather from 30th August-3rd September 1974 there were falls of Wrynecks and other eastern migrants on the Isle of May. Ten Wrynecks were trapped and re- trapping showed at least five remained three to six days. They were conspicuous on arrival and readily driven into Heligo- land traps but soon became elusive. On 4th September none was seen despite intensive coverage of the island but retraps between 5th and 7th showed at least four must have been present. As the Wrynecks arrived they were mostly trapped in the Bain and Low Traps. Subsequently new birds and re- traps were mist-netted in different parts of the island as well as being caught roosting in the Heligoland traps. The rapid increase in weight shown by the five retraps sug- _ PLATES 21-24(a): Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region (pp. 245-262). PLATE 21 (a) Crested Tit at nest hole in Abernethy Forest below the Cairngorms. Photograph by R. Lambie. (b) Male Ptarmigan in summer on the arctic-alpine ground. Photograph by R. H. Hogg. PLATE 282% (a) A bulldozed track slices through old birch wood by Loch Muick, obliterating a former footpath and leaving jagged eroding scars on the hillside. (b) Dying stag in dying habitat, a typical example of starvation through overpopulation. Signs of severe grazing are: no scrub. old trees dead with no young ones to replace them, lower branches all grazed off and sparse feeding at ground level. Photographs by Adam Watson. PLATE 25 (a) Dense subalpine scrub of willow and birch near the tree line in north Norway. | (b) Mountains in central Alaska looking remarkably like the Cairngorms. The main differ- ences are that coniferous woodland grows thickly along the valley bottom and a dark broad zone of willow scrub extends far above the trees. Photographs by Adam Watson. seswehea¥D DADALAA‘A PPI Adanaeant tins DMARAAALILASAAAY A890 ee eee PLATE 24 (a) Heather moor turning to forest at Geallaig near Ballater, where Red Deer are scarce and trees regenerate well. In the distance behind the skier is a sharp tree line at 1,900 feet (p. 255). Photograph by Adam Watson. (b) Long-established Treecreeper (c) Migrant Wryneck (pp. 262-7). nest site (p. 267-8). Photograph by A. D. K. Ramsay Photograph by William Skinner. 1977 SHORT NOTES 267 gested an abundant food supply for the birds (see table). One or two Wrynecks were sometimes seen near the Lighthouse feeding on bare ground between the rocky outcrops and the remainder were probably feeding on the steep cliff areas of the island. A previous occasion on the Isle of May when a large fall of Wrynecks occurred was from 22nd-24th August nos The average weight on capture was similar to the 1974 irds. Mean weights in grams + S.E.M. Number of birds in brackets First capture Autumn 1974 32.7 + 0.7 (11) Retrapped 1974 40.3 + 0.9 (5) First capture August 1970 33.3 + 0.9 (17) The increase in weight of the five Wrynecks varied from 8.0-11.4 gm (mean 9.1) per bird—an average growth of 29.3 + 2.5% in body weight. The most rapid rate of increase averaged 3.0 gm per day for three days while the greatest increment of 11.4 gm (38.5%) in body weight was achieved in just four days. These weight gains are even more rapid than those found by Williamson (Fair Isle and its Birds 1965) on Fair Isle for Wheatear, Redpoll and Dunnock. Thus the Wrynecks were apparently preparing for another long flight on their way south. It is often assumed that migrant birds arriving on the Isle of May depart rapidly to the mainland to feed before resuming their journey. Our experience with retrapped Wrynecks demonstrates that ample food is available on the May to en- able a rapid and large increase in weight to occur in these insectivorous birds which were probably feeding on ants (Formicidae) as previously suggested by Gordon (6: 255-267). Furthermore it shows that the disappearance of the birds on the island was more apparent than real since the Wrynecks became very elusive after they had been on the island for a short while. Other observers on the Isle of May in this period were G. L. Sandeman, J. H. Ballantyne, D. Moss and L. L. J. Vick. DEREK R. LANGSLOW. Further notes on a long-established Treecreeper nest site I refer to a previous note (2: 249-250) regarding the breed- ing activities of Treecreepers from 1950-62 at a long-estab- lished nest-site, known to have been used since at least about 1930, in a garden toolshed at Dornoch, Sutherland. The fol- lowing notes are of further observations that I made at the same site from 1963-75. Treecreepers nested there in the six years 1965, 1966, 1969, mee 268 SHORT NOTES 9(5) 1971, 1973, and 1975, successfully as usual, compared with five breeding records in the previous 13 years. Breeding in consecutive seasons occurred only once throughout the 26 years of observation. In each season that the birds used the nest a further quantity of material was added to the already massive structure which, with its vast accumulation of tiny twigs and wood chips wedged into the interstice, eventually resembled a miniature eyrie (plate 24b). The clutch sizes and dates of completion were as follows: 1965—5 eggs by 22nd April, 1966—5 eggs by 23rd April, 1969—7 eggs by 7th May, 1971—6 eggs by 21st April, 1973—5 eggs by 9th/10th June, 1975—6 eggs by 4th May. hai alate Hatching was 100% successful; at least 31 out of 34 young left the nest and as there was no evidence of nestling mortal- ity, all of them may have fledged successfully. It would ap- pear that the June record was either a replacement clutch or a second brood. A watch from 13.35-15.10 BST on 27th April 1965 showed that incubation spells were of short duration. In that period the bird incubated for 53 minutes in stints of 17, 6, 2, 17 and 11 minutes, while absences off the nest amounted to 11 min- utes. During an hour’s observation from 13.00-14.00 BST on 19th May 1965, three days prior to fledging, the adults brought food to the nestlings 14 times at intervals ranging from one to 16 minutes. D. MACDONALD. Dipper removing lining from used nest On 2nd May 1973 near Peebles I saw an adult Dipper in its nest removing grass and leaves from inside and either drop- ping them through the entrance into the stream below or, more usually, flying down to a stone, dipping them into the water and letting them float away. Meanwhile two young were sitting silently below. They were being fed in this nest on 27th April. After a few minutes I tried to check whether there was an egg or dead nestling in the nest but as far as I could feel it was empty. Another adult came and fed one of the waiting young. Both adults were briefly together at the nest entrance then one flew away. Later an adult returned with food, perched on a stone near a begging fledgling, but ignoring it, flew up to the nest with the food and called while the fledgling continued to beg. The second adult arrived, fed the young one and flew up to the 1977 SHORT NOTES 269 nest, where there was display and calling. A few minutes later, about 10.30 am, there were three young below the nest while an adult was again removing material from the interior. When I returned at 2.00 pm an adult sitting below the nest flew up and removed a grass stem. The nest entrance was now clearly larger. Another observer (Mr Paterson) told me that a second brood was later successfully reared in a nest a few feet away. C. M. MorrIson. [Mr R. Hewson comments that either renovating an old nest or building a new one are both usual for Dippers. Removal of the old lining may be normal repair procedure but does not appear to have been recorded. It is also interesting that a begging fledgling was ignored even when its parent was carrying food.—ED. | Reviews Evolution Dlustrated by Waterfowl. By David Lack. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1974. Pp. 96; 36 text figures. 214 x 14 cm. £1.50 (paperback). Most biologists believe that the present spectacular diversity of living creatures has arisen from a much lesser diversity of primitive organisms and that the major cause of this has been natural selection. Those who do not accept this theory of evolution by natural selection, or who regard it as seriously incomplete, fall into three categories. There are those who, after a careful consideration of the concepts and facts involved, have decided that processes other than natural selection are important, pro- cesses like group selection and random drift. At the opposite extreme are those who maintain the peculiar belief that God has written lies into the structure of nature and that we should therefore accept not the evi- dence of our senses but views which are held to have descended to us entirely without error from the nomadic pastoralists to whom the Al- mighty is supposed to have revealed all. Many birdwatchers fall into the third category. Without having a deep knowledge of the ideas involved in the theory of evolution by natural sel- ection, which are simple only in principle, they know a great deal about the complexities of living nature and they cannot see how the theory can account for many of the phenomena they observe, such as the interacting systems of signal and response involved in bird behaviour. Yet it is possible to advance plausible hypotheses as to how natural selection could have produced these phenomena. Furthermore, it is possible to demonstrate the action of selection in the field—arguably the greatest triumph of biology in the middle years of this century. Darwinists have simply failed to convey the subtleties of evolution by natural selection and the knowledge that they now have of selection in action, particularly to amateur naturalists. There is a communications gap. Unfortunately, Evolution Illustrated by Waterfowl does not fill this gap. Perhaps the failure to mention observed selection is unsurprising, since waterfowl have not been used in such studies. However, the action of selection in bringing about evolutionary changes could surely have been MS GH Ais Sah ics 270 REVIEWS 9(5) argued more explicitly. It is true that the bright drake plumages have evolved for species recognition but many will ask “How could the male plumage evolve before the female’s response and how could the response evolve before the plumage, if natural selection is the driving force of evolution ?” This book does not provide the answer. It does not give a detailed account of the evolutionary processes involved in this and sim- ilar cases, processes obvious to those who are familiar with modern evolutionary theory but not, apparently, to others. This omission is unfortunate, for the book is otherwise a masterly demonstration of the art of exposition through the printed page. David Lack had the rare gift of being entertaining, lucid, and intellectually rigorous all at once and the gift is fully displayed here. A wide range of topics is considered, going beyond the confines of so many books on evolution, into areas in which Lack himself was most interested. It is perhaps a measure of his influence on ornithology that these coincide closely with the interests of the majority of his potential readers. Several chapters describe the diversity of waterfowl, their classification, and the principles on which such classifications are based. This leads to the topic of subspecies, geographical variation, and the origin of species by geographical isolation. The basic material on which natural selection acts, genetical variation within species, is introduced through a descrip- tion of colour phases and the principles of selection illustrated by the domestic breeds that artificial selection has produced. A brief discussion of hybrids serves to lead one easily into the question of species recog- nition characters. A chapter is devoted to sexual selection, though Lack, in common with many modern biologists, maintains that it is a concept of little importance. The present interest in the evolution of sex and of breeding systems may perhaps reverse that view. Evolutionary ecology, so much stimulated by Lack, is covered in chapters on competition be- tween species, adaptive radiation, evolutionary convergence, and breeding adaptations. A brief chapter on migration and moult completes the topics covered. But it is not the final chapter: there is another to summarize what we should have learned from what has gone before—plus appen- dices giving a complete list of waterfowl and a glossary of terms. These last three items are just what a foolish author would have omitted, but a wise author has left in. Robert Gillmor’s illustrations and Blackwell’s production are of a standard to match the writing, making the book a delight to read. I have read it twice, enjoying every minute. Surely anyone interested in birds, whether as beautiful parts of the garden scenery or as objects of the driest academic study, will find it equally enjoyable. J. J. D. GREENWOOD. A Guide to Bird-Watching in Europe. Edited by James Ferguson-Lees, Quentin Hockcliffe and Ko Zweeres. London, Bodley Head, 1975. Pp 299; 25 drawings; 22 maps; 36 pages of tables. 204 x 13 cm. £3.95 (cloth) and £2.50 (paper). This book claims to offer comprehensive coverage of each European country. In fact it is a series of brief essays on birdwatching potential with a table listing the status of 432 species in every country. England, Scotland and Wales get 13 pages, Ireland four, European Turkey a page and a half, and Albania a paragraph. It is claimed further that each chap- ter is by a leading field ornithologist who has intimate knowledge of the bird life of the area concerned. This is indeed true for many countries but with others the authors admit that relatively little is known about bird distribution, appeal for further information and suggest where useful work might be done. The chapters are preceded by a short summary 1977 REVEWS 271 of information on important ornithological societies, relevant literature, reserves and Tinging organizations. Simple maps indicate the position of the more important places of ornithological interest. A great deal of information is packed into the essays and the reader should remain in no doubt as to what birds he may have a chance of seeing and broadly where he might be able to find them. One feels this is a book for the more casual birdwatcher to determine what birds he might see on holiday. The more serious students will be familiar with the information already and would be looking for far more detailed coverage. Although there are pleasing drawings by H. J. Slijper heading each chapter, there is a lack of illustration. Photographs of im- portant habitat might well have enhanced the presentation and value of the work. No doubt this would have increased the costs considerably and the price already seems rather expensive. R. J. RAINES. Current Literature Recent material of Scottish interest includes: Clyde Area Bird Report 1975. R. W. Forrester and I. P. Gibson (eds.) 1976. Price 65p (including postage) from The Ranger, Muirshiel Country Park, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. Breeding behaviour of Ospreys Pandion haliaetus in Scotland. Rhys Green, te Ibis 118: 475-490. (Analysis of RSPB Loch Garten log books 1959- 73). Nesting density and breeding success in the Herring Gull Larus argen- tatus. Jasper Parsons, 1976. Ibis 118: 537-546. (Study on Isle of May in 1968). Blackbirds nesting in disused Magpie nest. R. C. Dickson, 1976. British Birds 69: 452. (Record from Galloway). The numbers of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese wintering in Britain: ob- servations 1969-1975 and predictions 1976-1980. M. A. Ogilvie and H. Boyd, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 63-75. (Most data from Scotland). Structure and dynamics of a Mute Swan population. David Jenkins, Ian Newton and Colin Brown, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 77-82. (Data from Outer Hebrides). A function of the pairbond in the Common Eider. Ruth E. Ashcroft, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 101-5. (Study in Aberdeenshire). Factors affecting laying date in the Common Eider. E. B. Spurr and H. Milne, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 107-9. (Study in Aberdeenshire). The feeding behaviour and food of the Shelduck on the Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire. N. Buxton, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 160. Notice and Requests for Information Artificial islands for Black-throated Divers Lack of suitable islands in south Argyll largely restricts Black-throated Divers to nesting on loch shores where human disturbance often causes failure. Artificial floating islands were installed on two lochs in 1976 and although divers did not nest one island was probably occupied late in the season. If anyone is interested in repeating the experiment elsewhere David Merrie of West Faerwood, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, will gladly provide details of the construction and installation of the islands. 272 NOTICE AND REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 9(5) Shelducks The study in the Forth started by David Jenkins is being con- tinued and we request sightings of Shelducks (1) with colour rings outwith Aberlady Bay, and (2) prospecting, nesting or with young in East and Midlothian. Immediate notification, by telephone if possible, should be sent to Michael Pienkowski, 1 West Fenton Cottages, North Berwick, East Lothian, telephone Gullane (0620) 843580. Foot-paddling by gulls Peter Ewins of Zoology Department, Edinburgh University, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, would be grateful for records of foot-paddling in any gull species, especially on grass. Notes on location, substrate type, species, number of birds foot-paddling, weather and other relevant comments would be useful. The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Revenue account for the year ended 30th June 1976 Yearto Year to 30/6/76 30/6/75 INCOME Subscriptions received for year ... £7014 £6258 Income tax recovered on covenanted ‘subscriptions 1186 1009 Dividends and interest received (gross) ... ate 300 367 Surplus on Bookshop (sales £28,208) Lee .. UGGS 5271 Sale of “Scottish Birds” 2 iy pve ees 443 437 Sundry sales less ed purchases at tae 88 39 Donations received aA sen Bf me 15 21 Annual conference et se 26 - Transfer from Life membership fund | i wae 75 — EXPENDITURE £15916 Branch expenses including lectures net £645 Travel expenses of Council members and of delegates to conferences . i 323 Current Notes ee Sin she is Ws xf nee 323 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe 1977-78 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS hy PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon)MTAI. Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) All Tours by scheduled Air and Inclusive. Most with guest lecturers and a tour manager. *Provisional AMAZON & GALAPAGOS Aug 4-24 Dr David £1065 Bellamy BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS Sep 22-29 Eagles with Dr £199 Chris Perrins MINOAN STUDY TOUR Sep 24-Oct 3 Birds & £239 Archaeology AUTUMN IN CORFU Oct 3-10 Birds £125 KASHMIR & KULU Oct 14-29 Birds & Flowers £698 AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS Oct 22-31 Birds & Sites £171 AUTUMN IN CRETE Nov 7-14 Birds & Leisure £161 CHRISTMAS IN CRETE Dec 22-31 Birds Flowers £181 Archaeology This tour has been an annual “sell-out” since it started in 1974. Registration at once advised. INDA & NEPAL Feb 10-25 Birds Wildlife £675* SPRING IN CRETE Mar 5-13 Flowers Leisure £185 SPRING IN VENICE Mar 12-19 Art Architecture £139* SPRING IN ARGOLIS Mar 15-24 Sites Flowers £179 SPRING IN CORFU Apr 17-24 Apr 24-May 1 Birds Flowers £135* PELOPONNESE Apr 1-15 Birds Flowers £340* PELOPONNESE Apr £18 Ancient History £335* CRETE Apr 4-18 Birds & Flowers £330* NORTHERN GREECE Apr 28-May 5 __s@BBirds £210* NORTHERN GREECE Jun 8-22 Mountain Flowers £340* REGISTRATION FOR 1978 This entails no obligation, merely gives you first sight of the new Brochures. Brochures by return. Registration without obligation. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, .B, SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, 2 Ay% OX2 7uP. As er Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-23 A Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B Benge a Rye ag, Fg Ra ER a AS, RR ER RO IOI LER GIGLI GALICIA Ie TI, SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 6 Summer 1977 Edited by D. J. Bates Puffins on the Isle of May M. P. HARRIS (Plate 25) This paper documents recent increases of Puffins on the Isle of May, Firth of Forth. By contrast the numbers of Puffins breeding at many colonies in the west of Scotland have de- clined in the last few decades (Harris 1976a). A research pro- gramme was begun in 1972 into the factors influencing Puffin numbers and the Isle of May was chosen as one of the main places where the numbers were increasing rapidly. Population estimates The relatively few earlier counts and more detailed recent data are given below. Where no source is given the informa- tion up to 1972 has been taken from Eggeling (1960, 1974) and records kept by the Isle of May Bird Observatory. 1883 30-40 pairs. 1888 Less than 20 pairs. (Diaries of H. Raeburn). 1921 12 pairs. 1924 6 pairs. 1934 8-10 pairs. 1935 c.7 pairs bred; maximum count 35 birds. 1936 Perhaps 50 pairs. 1950-9 5-10 pairs. 1951 Less than 10 pairs. 1953 Maximum count 92 birds. 1954 7 pairs on west cliffs. 1955. There was apparently no increase in the numbers nesting, al- though 90 birds were seen on 29th May. ~ ; 1956 Few pairs bred, maximum count 75 birds. Some birds seen inland on North Plateau. J ; 1957-8 50+ pairs attempted bnsuccesy ony to establish colonies on the Burrian, around Horse Hole and on southwest Rona. Birds also ashore near Cornerstone Cove. 1959 Few pairs bred, maximum count 90 birds on 20th July. 1960 Few pairs bred, 40 birds prospected the Burrian. 1961 200-300 birds prospected the Burrian. 1962 500+ birds present in mid June but few seen carrying fish. Breeding recorded on slopes above Colm’s Hole and some birds were standing around west of Holyman’s Road. 286 PUFFINS ON THE ISLE OF MAY 9(6) 1963 472 birds on the sea on 28th March and maybe 200 pairs bred including the first on Rona since 1957. 1964 More than 500 pairs present. 1965 Maximum count 830 birds on 22nd July. 1968 2,000 birds recorded off the western cliffs. 1970 An estimated 2,000 pairs bred. 1971 A “guess of 3-4,000 pairs” on Ist April presumably relates to a count of birds on the sea. 1972 In June 4,200 burrows occupied by either Puffins or Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (Bellamy et al 1972). On 29th July I counted c.6,000 birds on the sea. 1973 c.3,500 and c.3,600 birds counted on 14th March and 11th April respectively when only mature birds should have been present at the colonies. 1974 Maximum pre-breeding count was 3,870 birds on 28th March. 1975 c.6,500 birds present on 14th April and a count of occupied burrows indicated c.3,000 pairs. Several areas were recounted in early June and there was fairly good agreement with the April counts thus (April burrow counts first): 3/6, 32/23, 30/41, 179/160, 43/30, totals 287/260. Very few Rabbits in spring and error due to mis-identifica- tion of burrows was probably small. Birds were recorded breeding on the southern slopes of the Loch. 1976 The colonies continued to expand and Puffins were seen stand- ing On rocks on most parts of the island except around the Hepthouse and the inland parts of South Plateau and West raes. Quadrat counts A small population of Puffins can be counted or estimated fairly accurately by experienced observers, but estimates, sub- jective impressions, or even counts of more than about 200 birds become unreliable. Many more Puffins visit a colony than breed there. For example, between 1973 and June 1975 2,556 full-grown Puffins were colour-ringed on the Burrian, where there were 1,498 occupied burrows in 1975, yet only 25% (828 out of 3,327 sightings) of birds seen there in July 1976 had rings. Many of these extra birds at colonies are immature but some are old enough to be breeding and others have bred pre- viously but cannot always obtain burrows (Ashcroft 1977). If these additional birds plus all the breeding adults are present at one time, the colony appears much larger than it actually is. The only acceptable method available for estimating popula- tion changes is to count occupied burrows in well defined areas. In June 1972 a group led by D. Bellamy set up and coun- ted burrows in seven permanently staked areas or quadrats, each covering about 1,000 square metres of high density Puffin colonies. They did not, however, distinguish between Puffin and Rabbit burrows. I have since followed the numbers of Puffins nesting in these areas and also in three similar quad- rats set up in July 1972 (figure). In all but three areas there have been substantial increases in the numbers of occupied burrows (table 1). Early in the season, when these counts 1977 PUFFINS ON THE ISLE OF MAY 287 \ 300 m j goer tte, 1975-6 + = ts Horse’ (44 “so e 2 4 pes me \ SS North on Up Plateau Sse 8h - 5 Semen, ects U rs 0. 8 4 Coim's oe) Holyman’sS, ' =< Hole AA Road es % kd] ass coc Ne ‘ West wee. Se Sy Braes SaN =. SOch> . ’ 7c ee South Plateau Se Cornerstone-—¢ em ee Led Sana iS DID J 4 e os ney Figure. Positions of quadrats (1-9) and extent of Puffin colony on the Isle of May 1974-6. The star marks the lighthouse. 288 PUFFINS ON THE ISLE OF MAY 9(6) Table 1. Numbers of occupied Puffin burrows in permanently marked quadrats on the Isle of May Areas la and 1b are excluded from the totals because of severe soil erosion (see text). Area Occupied Puffin Burrows Quadrat Place (m2) 1972 1974 1975 1976 la Rona (NW) c.400 112 76 43 lb Rona (NW) c.1000 78 (cK 88 2 Rona (W) 800 9 19 22 3 Rona (E) 400 27 34 51 4 Horse Hole 2000 55 147 173 5 Bishop’s Cove 1024 40 57 67 6 Cornerstone 144 4 3 3 (i Lady’s Bed 1450 34 35 c.100 8 Burrian 1200 119 144 179 Holyman’s Road 396 0 34 53 78 Totals (excluding la and 1b) 322 492 c.673 were made, it is usually fairly easy to separate burrows be- longing to Rabbits and Puffins. However, many more Rabbits than normal survived over the 1975-6 winter and so the 1976 count is probably less accurate than those made in earlier years. Even so the trend is clear, and the numbers of Puffins breeding in the already colonized areas have almost doubled in the last three years. The three atypical quadrats are at Cor- nerstone (No. 6) and the northwest tip of Rona (Nos. la, 1b). The first is a large Rabbit warren and not really suitable for Puffins; the other two are showing extreme soil erosion. The quadrats la and 1b were deliberately placed to follow the ex- pected decline of the colony. Erosion is also becoming obvious in several other areas, especially on the Burrian and the north side of Colm’s Hole. Here the thousand or more day-trippers who visit the island each year increase erosion by caving in burrows. Increasing numbers of both Puffins and humans could result in as severe a nature reserve management pro- blem as they do on the Farne Islands. The origin of the Isle of May birds The rapid and still continuing increase in the numbers of Puffins on the Isle of May through the 1960s and 1970s must initially have been due entirely to massive immigration. Even now, when the population is thriving, the doubling of numbers noted between 1974 and 1976 would be impossible without a considerable influx of birds. Immigration is in fact proved by recoveries of 52 and 25 Puffins ringed as young and full-grown respectively on the Farne Islands (82 km SE), three young birds from Craigleith (16 km SW) and one full-grown bird from Fair Isle (375 km NNE)—details up to the end of 1975 in Harris 1977 PUFFINS ON THE ISLE OF MAY 289 (1976b). The numbers of Farnes-ringed birds recovered reflects the large numbers ringed there but the Farnes is also the only nearby colony large enough to supply significant numbers of birds. All other east coast colonies are either small or also in- creasing (Harris 1976a). An occasional Puffin does move from the west of Britain to the east as shown by a three-year old bird found dead on the Bass Rock which had been ringed as young on Skomer Island, Dyfed. However, work in progress shows that Pufiins from the west coast of Scotland, as typified by those from St Kilda, are significantly smaller than those from the east (table 2) suggesting that there is little inter- change between these two areas. Table 2. Measurements of breeding Puffins from St Kilda and the Isle of May. Ali differences are significant at the 1% level. Isle of May St Kilda No. Mean+SE No. Mean + SE Wing length (mm) 193 161.4+0.30 124 157.6+0.38 Weight (g) 180 397.342.44 129 374.1 +2.33 Bill length (mm) 89 28.9+0.13 43 28.2+0.16 Bill depth (mm) 90 36.2+0.20 40 33.9+0.24 Note: These measurements were all made by S. Murray or the author. There were no significant differences in the means of 50 birds measured by both of us. Continuing studies are designed to monitor the inter-colony movements of birds ringed as young. Doubtless, there will be immigration and emigration to and from most colonies but, assuming that the Isle of May population continues to grow at the present rate, it will be surprising if the Farne Islands are not supplying many more birds to the Isle of May than they receive from there. Acknowledgment This study was financed by a Nature Conservancy Research contract. Summary The colony of Puffins on the Isle of May is expanding rapidly; there were only a few pairs in 1959-60 but c.3,000 in 1975. This increase is due in part to immigration of birds from the Farne Islands. References ASHCROFT, R. E. 1977. Breeding, biology and survival of Puffins. Unpubl. D. Phil. thesis, Oxford. BELLAMY, D., BELL, D., GREEN, C. H. L., GREENAWAY, M. J., MorGAN, E. & THOM- AS, D. J. 1972. Puffins on the Isle of May. Unpubl. report to Nature Conser- vancy. EGGELING, W. J. 1960. The Isle of May. Edinburgh and London, Oliver and Boyd. 290 PUFFINS ON THE ISLE OF MAY 9(6) EGGELING, W. J. 1974. The birds of the Isle of May—a revised assessment of status. Scot. Birds 8: 93-148. Harris, M. P. 1976a. The present status of the Puffin in Britain and Ireland. Brit. Birds 69: 239-264. Harris, M. P. 1976b. Inter-colony movements of Farne Islands Puffins. Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Northumb. 42: 115-118. Dr M. P. Harris, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Kincardineshire AB3 4BY. Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station Report for 1976 Prepared for the Observatory Committee by J. M. S. ARNOTT, Honorary Secretary (Plate 27) The Observatory was manned from 25th March to 8th June in the spring, with some intermittent cover across the summer, and in the autumn from 7th August to 30th October. Altogether 144 species were observed during the year, with the addition of a Red-headed Bunting which was probably an escape. A new bird for the island was Cory’s Shearwater and other rarities included two Pallas’s Warblers (second and third records), a Great Shearwater, a Tawny Pipit, a Woodchat Shrike, two Yellow-breasted Buntings, and a Cirl Bunting. Larger numbers than usual were recorded of Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Woodcock, Arctic Skua, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, Redwing, Blackcap, Dunnock, Red-backed Shrike and Chaffinch. A total of 5,396 birds of 69 species was ringed and there were 265 recoveries, mostly of Herring Gulls and Shags. The Woodchat Shrike was the only addition to the ringing list. Among the breeding birds the Shags continued to decline in number and Lapwings nested for the first time. Spring migration On the whole, migration in the spring was quiet and accord- ing to pattern. As usual, falls of migrants in both the spring and autumn were generally associated with southeasterly winds and poor visibility. For example, the first night of south- east wind after the Observatory opened, 12th April, brought over 50 Goldcrests and the highest number ever recorded in +Reports since 1958 have been published annually in Scottish Birds. 1977 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 291 spring of about 30 Wrens, as well as a Treecreeper, an unusual spring visitor. The same conditions occurred early on 7th May, when there was a fall of 200 Willow Warblers, and amongst others the year’s first Garden Warbler, Whitethroats and Pied Flycatchers, and for the second year running a very high spring number of Wheatears, at 150. WHEATEAR by R. A. Richardson Most of these moved on in the good visibility later that day but on 9th May, following another clear night and light and variable wind, there was a fall of at least 300 Willow Warblers (105 of which were ringed that day) as well as about 20 Sedge Warblers and 20 Whitethroats. A period of easterly winds at the end of May brought a small movement, including a single Red-backed Shrike on 25th, four on 29th, and then the highest recorded number of seven on 30th. Autumn migration A feature of this autumn was the exceptional passage of shearwaters from the end of August to the middle of October. The records are somewhat patchy, reflecting no doubt obser- vers’ experience and inclination as far as seawatching is con- cerned, but they show the movement starting on 28th August with ten Manx Shearwaters, three Sooty Shearwaters and the island’s third record of Great Shearwater. Numbers continued small for a fortnight until, following a force nine gale from the north on 9th September, the 10th saw a spectacular move- ment of both Manx and Sooty Shearwaters and the first record for the May of a Cory’s Shearwater. Sample counts through- out the day produced figures of 175 for Manx and 144 for Sooty, indicating a passage of at least 500 for each species, which is comparable with the previous highest recorded daily figures. The later autumn passage began on 17th September at the start of a period of easterly wind which lasted through to 3rd 292 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 9(6) October. Amongst a steady build-up of numbers this included a Yellow-breasted Bunting on 18th, a Woodchat Shrike on 21st, a Red-breasted Flycatcher on 22nd and a Great Grey Shrike on 27th. This last was ringed on 30th, when the ringing total was 215, including 53 Robins, 58 Chaffinches, and 63 Dun- nocks; 21 Blackcaps were ringed on Ist October, and 39 on 2nd. The last day of this large passage on 3rd October saw the arrival of 350 Chaffinches, and amongst others a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, four Kestrels, six Short-eared Owls, a Long- eared Owl, two Great Grey Shrikes, four Shore Larks, 50 Skylarks, 70 Redwings, and 70 Reed Buntings. A Pallas’s War- bler was seen on 15th. The easterly winds returned on 18th October, bringing a fall of over 1,500 Song Thrushes and 400 Redwings (though no Fieldfares or Blackbirds) and 120 Bramblings. The Bram- bling numbers quickly built up to 250 until the end of the month. Fieldfares were comparatively scarce, with an autumn peak of 200 on 27th, which also saw a fall of an estimated 4,000 Redwings and 1,000 Song Thrushes. To make up Six species of thrush present at the same time there were also 500 Black- birds, three Ring Ouzels, and two Mistle Thrushes. It was one of those days on the May when the whole island was alive with birds, swarming on every rock, wall, patch of grass, ditch and building. As well as the thrushes there were over 1,000 Robins and over 1,000 Starlings, 250 Bramblings, 150 Dunnocks and many others including, late in the afternoon, another Pallas’s Warbler. First recorded only the previous year, this was now the third record. PALLAS’S WARBLER by B. Zonfrillo Passage dates of some migrants Great Skua 1 Aug-15 Oct, 4 on three dates. Arctic Skua 13 Aug-18 Oct, 15 on 10 Sep. Wryneck 24 Aug-27 Oct, 2 on 24 Sep. 1977 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 293 Swallow 30 Apr-23 May, 50 on 2nd and 7 May. 19 Aug-17 Oct, 75 on 18 Sep. House Martin 3 May-14 Jun, 20 on 20 May. 4 Sep-16 Oct, 6 on 4 Sep. Sand Martin 30 Apr-31 May, 3 on 2 May. 23 Jul-7 Sep, 7 on 7 Sep. foe To 5 May, 50 on 19th and 21 Apr. 20 Sep onwards, 200 on 27 ct. seve ee To 5 May, 50 on 2 Apr. 4 Sep onwards, 1,500 on 18th and ct. Redwing To 11 May, 50 on 24 Mar. 15 Sep onwards, 4,000 on 27 Oct. Blackbird To 9 May, 75 on 24 Mar. 12 Oct onwards, 500 on 27 Oct. Wheatear 31 Mar-11 Jun, 150 on 7 May. 1 Jul-15 Oct, 50 on 17 Sep. Redstart 1 May-2 Jun, 6 on 9 May. 23 Aug-26 Oct, 60 on 23 Sep. Blackcap 8 May-1 Jun, 2 on 8 May. 16 Sep onwards, 150 on 2 Oct. Garden Warbler 7 May-7 Jun, 3 on 1 Jun. 17 Aug-3 Oct, 12 on 29 Aug. Whitethroat 7 May-3 Jun, 20 on 9 May. 13 Aug-3 Oct, 10 on 23 Sep. ey Warbler 17 Apr-18 Jun, 300 on 9 May. 24 Jul-18 Oct, 13 on 3 ug. Chiffchaff 9-20 May, 4 on 20 May. 16 Sep onwards, 25 on 3 Oct. crete Flycatcher 8 May-2 Jun, 3 on 1 Jun. 14 Aug-4 Oct, 3 on 6th and 3 Sep. ye Flycatcher 7 May-1 Jun, 3 on 29 May. 10 Aug-17 Oct, 8 on 22-25 ep. Unusual occurrences Great Northern Diver One 30 Oct—10th record. Red-throated Diver Six, 12 Oct—equal most in a day. Cory’s Shearwater One, 11 Sep—lst record. Manx Shearwater 175 on 10 Sep—high number. Great Shearwater One 28 Aug—3rd record. Bias al 314 between 28 Aug-14 Oct including 144 on 10 Sep in ; Tufted Duck Two, 3 May; one, 24 Aug-6 Sep—8-9th occurrences. Goldeneye One, 24 Mar-3 Apr; max 3 from 1-30 Oct—only c.20 occur- ences. Greylag Goose One, 22 Mar-1 Apr—lst spring record. Brent Goose One Dark-bellied B. b. bernicla 30 Oct—6th occurrence. Canada Goose 25 on 2 Sep—7th occurrence. Hen Harrier Singles 3rd and 27-29 Oct—5-6th records. Quail One 25 May—1I1th record, Ist since 1969. Woodcock Heavier passage than usual from 10 Sep, peak of 20 on 28-29 Oct. Whimbrel Unusually small autumn passage with only 2 birds. Green Sandpiper One 29 Sep—equal latest date. Great Skua One 30 Apr—5th spring record. Pomarine Skua One 16 Sep—10th occurrence. Glaucous Gull One 25 Apr—only 9th record in 20 years. Little Gull Eight 29 Oct—most in a day. Short-eared Owl Six 3 Oct—most in a day. Wryneck One 27 Oct—latest date; the last three years have all had later records than earlier years. Shore Lark One 4-5 May—7th spring record. Raven One 27 Oct—6th occurrence. Treecreeper One 13 Apr—th spring record. Redwing 4,000 on 27 Oct—unusually high number. Wheatear 150 on 7 May—large number for spring for second successive year. Nightingale One 19 Aug—3rd autumn record. Bluethroat Singles on 20 May and 29 May-1 Jun. Reed Warbler Five in autumn; previously only c.20 autumn records. 294 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 9(6) Icterine Warbler Singles on 6th, 12th and 28-29 Aug—unusual to have as many. Blackcap 150 on 2 Oct and an exceptionally high figure of over 300 altogether in autumn. Wood Warbler One 2 Oct—latest record. Pallas’s Warbler Singles 15th and 27 Oct—2nd-3rd records. Red-breasted Flycatcher Singles 30 May-7 June—4th spring record— and 22-25 Sep. Tawny Pipit One 1 Jul—4th record. Great Grey Shrike At least six in autumn. Woodchat Shrike One 21 Sep—3rd record. Red-backed Shrike Seven 30 May—most in a day. Chaffinch 350 on 3 Oct—most in a day. [Red-headed Bunting One 27 Aug—probable escape.] Fellow breasted Bunting Singles 30 Aug and 18 Sep—9th and 10th records. Cirl Bunting One controlled 11 Jun (see under Recoveries for details)— 4th occurrence, Ist since 1947, previously in Sep-Oct. Reed Bunting 70 on 3 Oct—highest autumn number. Breeding population (all numbers refer to pairs) Following a small-scale cull, the population of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls was maintained at about 2,500 and 250 respectively. Once again a count was made by Hector Gal- braith of the cliff nesting species in early June and his figures show a continuing decline of breeding Shags with 365 (676 in 1975, 979 in 1974, 1129 in 1973). Fulmars were also down, to 57 (72 in 1975, 91 in 1974), as were Kittiwakes at 3,382 (3,869 in 1975, 3,125 in 1974) and Razorbills at 412 (525 in 1975, 451 in 1974). Guillemots fared better with about 4,170 (3,880 in 1975, 3,923 in 1974) and it appears that Puffins may also have in- creased with over 3,000. BRIDLED GUILLEMOT by B. Zonfrillo A new breeding bird was added to the list with the first con- firmed nesting of Lapwings. Two nests each with four eggs were found but no young were reported. Other breeding birds were Eider with about 100, Oystercatcher with about 18, two pairs of Swallows, and 40-50 pairs of Rock Pipits. 1977 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 295 Ringing A total of 5,396 birds of 69 species was ringed. By far the highest species total was 1,447 for Puffins, as part of the cur- rent research programme, but other high figures were 523 Robins (previous highest figure 398 in 1951), 403 Willow War- blers (taking the observatory total past the 7,500 mark), 328 Song Thrushes (previous highest figure 211 in 1966, and usually under 100), 222 Chaffinches (previous highest figure 123 in 1946) and 211 Blackcaps (more than twice the previous highest figure of 97 in 1973). Highest annual figures were also obtained for Oystercatcher (20), Chiffchaff (41), and Dunnock (175), and second highest figures for Redstart (130), Great Grey Shrike (6), and Starling (150). Among unusual ringing records Woodchat Shrike was ringed for the first time, and there were also Kestrel (1), Wood- cock (2), Long-eared Owl (4), Treecreeper (2), Mistle Thrush (2—first time since 1966), Icterine Warbler (1), Barred War- bler (1I—17 in 1975), Wood Warbler (1), Red-breasted Fly- catcher (2), Red-backed Shrike (4) and Yellow-breasted Bun- ting (1). The most surprising drive of a Heligoland trap during the year produced but two birds, a Rook (third to be ringed on the island) and a Sparrowhawk (seventh). Recoveries There were 265 recoveries of 16 species; 141 of these were Herring Gulls, following the usual east coast distribution, but including three from Lancashire, and many of them the result of culls on the Forth islands, the Farnes, and elsewhere. There were 87 Shag recoveries, ranging down the east coast from the Moray Firth to Kent. Only five Puffins were recovered away from the island, from Yorkshire to the Forth, but including a breeding adult ‘of 1973 controlled breeding on Craigleith in 1976. A selection of detailed recoveries includes (species fol- lowed by age code in brackets): Ringed Recovered Woodcock (4) 2544 GLI-76 Stilde popes Holstead, Jutland, Den- mark. Great Black- Knarrlagsund, Hitra, Sor-Trondelag, backed Gull (3) 15.12.74 28. 7.76 Norway. Kittiwake (1) 3. 6.73 17. 9.76 Weybourne, Sheringham, Norfolk. Kittiwake (1) 8. 7.74 20. 9.76 Fogo, Newfoundland, Canada. Blackbird (3¢) 21.10.74 13. 4.76 Royken, Buskerud, Norway. Whinchat (39) 2. 9.74 30. 4.76 Oued Zem, Morocco. (Trapped by children). Redstart (40) 9.5.75 4. 5.76 Chalette-sur-Loing, Loiret, France. Robin (3) 24. 9.76 19.11.76 Canton, Cardiff, Glamorgan. Willow Warbler (3) 7. 9.74 28. 4.76 The Calf, Isle of Man (controlled). \ 296 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 9(6) Goldcrest (2°) 27. 9.75 8.11.75 Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Great Grey Shrike (3) 3.10.76 15.12.76 Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire. Ringing details notified during the year of controls on the Isle of May of birds ringed elsewhere included : Controlled Ringed Redshank 7.10.74 (1) 8. 7.69 Vagnbrekka, Skttustadir, Sudur- Thingeyjar, Iceland. Blackbird 23. 4.75 (49) 2.10.74 Heligoland, West Germany. Blackbird 9.10.75 (3¢) 30. 9.74 Red Scharhorn, Hamburg, West ermany. Blackbird 17.10.75 (52) 28. 3.75 Hjelm, Jutland, Denmark. Goldcrest 22.10.75 (3d) 5.10.75 Kallskar, off Eugmo, Vaasa, Finland. Red-breasted Flycatcher 10.10.75 (3) 3. 9.75 Lagskar, Aland Is., Finland. Pht TOs (oy 5. 4.75 Pandrup, Jutland, Denmark. ir Bunting 11. 6.76 (3J) 27. 7.75 Beachy Head, Sussex, The Red-breasted Flycatcher was the first British recovery. The Cirl Bunting was also remarkable as only the second re- covery of one ringed in Britain and the eighth acceptable Scottish record. Research Gulis Neil Duncan of Durham University continued his study of breeding success among Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulis, recruitment associated with the cull, and his analysis of ringed cull birds. Puffins Dr M. P. Harris of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology continued his study of the status and breeding biology of the population, including a large-scale ringing programme. Behaviour Staff and students of St Andrew University under Dr R. Prescott carried out behavioural studies of Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and Herring Gulls. Marine fauna Dr J. L. S. Cobb of St Andrews University con- tinued a monitoring programme begun last year. Vegetation Study of the changes following the gull cull were continued by Dr Rosalind Smith of the Nature Conservancy Council. Management Gulls A small cull of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls was Carried out at the end of May by staff of the Nature Con- servancy Council to maintain the population at its target level, following the main culls of 1972-4. NCC Warden The Nature Conservancy Council again em- 1977 ISLE OF MAY REPORT 1976 297 ployed a part-time reserve warden on the island during the summer months to talk to day-visitors and minimise the dam- age they cause. With well over 100 visitors on some days during the summer this continues to be a problem, particularly with regard to egg-stealing, turf-fires, and trampling of Puffin burrows. Bookings secretary Mrs Rosemary Cowper has taken over as honorary bookings secretary. Her address is 9 Oxgangs Road, Edinburgh 10, telephone number 031-445-2489. The Committee’s thanks are extended to the lightkeepers for all their assistance in various ways during the year, to Mr Jim Smith for making the sailing arrangements, to all obser- vers who helped with record-keeping and maintenance of traps and other equipment, and to Dr Derek Langslow for making up all the ringing schedules. J. M.S. Arnott, East Redford House, Redford Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0AS. Short Notes Pied-billed Grebe in Kirkcudbrightshire On Ist October 1975 I found an unfamiliar small grebe at Carlingwark Loch, Kirkcudbrightshire. It came no nearer than 200 yards and the light was poor but through the telescope I could see it was a drab, dusky grey little bird, slightly larger, thicker necked and even dumpier than the Little Grebes in view, darker in general appearance, with a much stouter and heavier looking bill, Compared with Little Grebes, which it briefly joined only once, it was heavier headed altogether, the head having a noticeable triangular shape. In swimming about it cocked its tail and this was a most distinctive feature—a thin, pointed little tail cocked straight up to show white below. When its tail was down the white rear did not show, except when it faced directly away and a wave rocked its stern up. It also rolled on its side, showing its belly. It often stretched its neck and leant forward, giving it a long, thin-necked appearance, but when relaxed the neck was thick. It normally dived head first without a jump but also disappeared vertically with a little splash in a sort of crash dive. It threw its tail up in one of these splashy disap- pearances. When it briefly joined eight Little Grebes all were harried by Black-headed and Common Gulls swooping and forcing them to dive and it crash dived several times. It once 298 SHORT NOTES 9(6) caught a five inch fish which it shook vigorously and apparent- ly swallowed, and although it had been diving frequently it did not dive again for at least half an hour. I watched it for about an hour and a half on the lst when I thought it might be a Pied-billed Grebe. On the forenoon of 2nd October, in better light, I returned with A. D. Watson and we found it in the same place, but not much further detail was obtained. Description Dark grey upperparts, paler on nape and sides of neck. White on chin and from lower breast to under tail-coverts. Throat, upper breast and flanks reddish brown; perhaps an orange tone in good light (LAU). W. Jackson later noted plain wings in flight, without barring or any noticeable relief. Bill appeared uniformly pale—perhaps a yellow-green tinge (ADW)—but we could not distinguish the colour with exactness. It was seen by several other observers until at least 8th October. This is the first Scottish record and probably only the fourth individual of this American species to have been found in Britain. L. A. URQUHART. Overland passage of Gannets from the Forth In his paper on the dispersal of first-year Gannets from the Bass Rock (8: 295-8) Thomson states that two early recover- ies in the Firth of Clyde ‘could conceivably indicate a short overland crossing.” Evidence for this has already been given by me (4: 564) and I present it again in more detail with other unpublished records. 27th August 1966 (wind E3, overcast, good visibility): an adult flying over the Forth between Grangemouth and Kincar- dine rose to 100-150 feet and disappeared SW three to four miles inland. 25th September 1966 (calm, clear, good visibility): half a mile W of Grangemouth one of seven first-year Gannets flying W along the Forth headed SW at 200 feet until it disappeared three to four miles inland. The other six made no attempt to follow and flew up the estuary past Kincardine Bridge, as Gannets not infrequently do. 27th August 1967 (calm, good visibility): a mile E of Kin- cardine Bridge three first-year Gannets left the Forth SW at 150 feet until lost to view three miles inland. 13th September 1967 (calm, misty, poor visibility): over the centre of Falkirk, three miles from the estuary, a first-year Gannet flying SW at 50 feet was followed for 300 yards before being hidden by tall buildings. 17th September 1967 (light wind, good visibility): near 1977 SHORT NOTES 299 Carronshore, two and a half miles from the Forth, a first-year Gannet flew SW at 100-125 feet until it disappeared five to six miles inland. With the possible exception of the bird seen briefly over the centre of Falkirk, all the birds took the same course and were seen to fly several miles inland without changing direction. If this remained unaltered they would have arrived on the coast near Ayr. The observations are, of course, no direct proof that the birds flew all the way to this destination and there appear to be no records of Gannets flying SW over the Clyde coast. Equally, however, there are no records of Gannets returning towards the Forth from inland. Seven birds in two years indicate only a small passage but Gannets are fairly common in the upper Forth in autumn and the passage may be greater. Most inland records of Gannets are attributed to severe weather but there is no doubt that the movements noted here were voluntary, occurring even in calm and clear conditions. In one case the urge to fly inland was even stronger than the urge to remain with a group of six others. I. R. TAYLOR. Red-breasted Merganser killing Oystercatcher On 4th June 1976 at 09.32 BST in the Sma’ Glen on the River Almond, Perthshire, we noticed a disturbance. A duck Red-breasted Merganser accompanied by eight ducklings, a day or two old, was locked in combat with an Oystercatcher. Gripping the Oystercatcher’s neck, the Merganser shook it and buffeted it with its wings. Although obviously getting the worst of the encounter, the Oystercatcher made little attempt to escape. After about a minute, they disappeared behind some trees, so we drove downstream and approached the river from below them. The battle was still raging as they drifted down towards us, although the Oystercatcher was showing signs of weakening. As its struggles became feebler, the Mer- ganser held its head under water for longer periods. At 09.40 the Oystercatcher was lifeless, although the Merganser con- tinued to belabour it. Both came to rest in shallow water 25m away, having travelled 300m downstream since first observed. The Merganser noticed us and dived, leaving her ducklings to take cover. We retrieved the Oystercatcher, a male, which had been ringed as an adult on Piel Island, Barrow in Furness, in Nov- ember 1968. It showed skin damage on both upper and lower mandibles, lcm anterior to the nares, which would have been 300 SHORT NOTES 9(6) compatible with the bird being gripped by the sawbill, and some superficial contusions on the head and neck. The bird (wet) weighed 520gm. A post-mortem examination by J. W. Macdonald at the Veterinary Laboratory, Lasswade, Midloth- ian, showed bruising of the skin and muscle at the posterior end of the breast bone and slight excoriation of the skin for 10mm x 2mm on the anterior surface of the left shank. A bac- teriological examination was negative and there were no parasites. Drowning appeared to have been the immediate cause of death. Another Oystercatcher was on the grass meadow beside the river edge near where the two birds were first seen, but we had no evidence that it was the dead bird’s mate. Several other pairs were nesting within 600m. Possibly the Merganser and ducklings went on to shingle on the Oystercatcher’s ter- ritory, from which he tried to evict her. JOHN PHILLIPS, JAMES DUNCAN. Display of Golden Eagle carrying stick On 2nd March 1975 R. and S. Rae, J. Chapman and I saw an adult Golden Eagle soaring over a hill in upper Deeside, Aberdeenshire. With legs extended it was carrying a large stick, about two feet long, parallel with its body. It rose about 400 feet above the hill and dropped it. After the stick had fallen about 50 feet the eagle dived and caught it. During the dive it somersaulted once and twisted round one and a half times with its wings half closed. After catching the stick the eagle rose slightly, dropping it and diving and catching it twice as before, and vanished behind the hill. It reappeared, rose 200 feet, and dropped and caught the stick before dis- appearing again. It then rose over the hill and repeated this once before vanishing. The eagle now rose above the hill without the stick but with a second adult eagle and both per- formed a mutual undulating display (Brown and Amadon, 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World). The male then soared away while the female returned behind the hill. No eyrie was found during a subsequent search. In February 1973 E. Duffy and N. Chapman observed un- dulating display in the same area by a pair. One bird left, later returned with a stick, and displayed with the stick as above. Seton Gordon (1927, Days with the Golden Eagle and 1955, The Golden Eagle) does not describe any similar in- stance. J. HARDEY. 1977 SHORT NOTES 301 Arctic Terns breeding inland in Caithness In June 1975 SL, SAMM and PMC were at Loch Caluim, Caithness, watching a small ternery on a rocky, grass-covered island. With his newly acquired skill in identifying ‘commic’ terns (see British Birds 67: 133-6) SL pointed out two or three Arctic Terns. On closer observation at least eight pairs were discovered with two or three pairs of Common Terns. At nearby Loch Scye a pair of Arctic Terns was identified among the five pairs of Common Terns at a similar island site, and a further pair of Arctics at a small dubh loch by Lochan Dhu, Strathmore, was on a small piece of firm ground surroun- ded by quaking Sphagnum bog. Parents feeding chicks pro- vided proof of breeding at these sites. These lochs are 16-20 km (10-124 miles) from the nearest coast and terns have been observed carrying fish from the direction of both Sandside and Thurso Bays across the inter- vening moorland to the lochs. They have not been noted feed- ing inland. Since Arctic Terns are thought of as a primarily maritime species these inland sites seem unusual and may be of interest. S. LAYBOURNE, S. A. M. MANSON, P. M. CoLLeETT. [The Atlas map (Sharrock 1976, The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland) shows proved breeding in this 10 km square and in a few other inland squares closer to the sea in north Caithness, Fife and Argyllshire. The Atlas also shows more widespread breeding further inland in the north and west of Ireland. Inland breeding in Scotland is rarer than often supposed—see also previous editorial comment (8: 281).—ED.] Probable Swallow x House Martin hybrid Early on 8th June 1974 what I took to be a Swallow flew towards me from the old huts between the observatory and North Haven, Fair Isle. I took little notice of it until it flew past when I was surprised to see what appeared to be a House Martin flying away. I was able to confirm the odd combination of plumage characters when it returned to hawk insects around the huts. The bird was in view for only a few minutes and nobody else was in the vicinity, nor was the bird seen again. No calls were heard. Plumage details and structure ruled out the possibility of Red-rumped Swallow and I could only assume that the bird was a hybrid Swallow x House Mar- tin. 302 SHORT NOTES 9(6) Description Crown, nape and mantle uniform dark metallic blue. Rump and tail as adult House Martin with squarish, clean white rump patch. Rusty red throat and dark bluish breast band (all throat region looked dark at any distance). Rest of underparts off-white, a little darker than House Martin and not appearing so clean. Forked dark tail lacking streamers and not showing any noticeable white in the spread tail. My notes were almost identical to the description given for a similar bird trapped in autumn 1972 in Sussex (British Birds 66: 398-400, plate 60a) except for the coloration of the rump which in the Sussex bird was buff. ROGER A. BROAD. [A few probable Swallow x House Martin hybrids were recorded by Gray (Bird Hybrids, 1958). British Birds (66: plate 66b) shows an extraordinary photograph of a House Martin copulating with a Swallow. An interesting aberrant or hybrid Swallow is also described in British Birds (68: 246-7). —ED.] Rooks killing Carrion Crow On 20th March 1975 I saw a group of Rooks on the ground below a rookery near Peebles, apparently attacking something that moved. As I neared them they flew up into the trees, leaving on the ground what was evidently a smallish Car- rion Crow. It walked away then flew rather slowly over the River Tweed a few yards away, but was followed and attacked by a Rook which forced it down into the water. It floated downriver about 100 yards, splashing a little but ignored by the Rooks. Drifting near the bank it was caught in a fallen branch which I pulled in, but by the time I reached it, it was dead. To make sure it was not a first-summer Rook with feathered face, I took the remains to be identified at the Royal Scottish Museum where it was confirmed as a Carrion Crow. C. M. MorRRISON. [Dr J. D. Lockie comments that he had not heard of Rooks killing a Crow. Crows are usually dominant in any encounter with Rooks but all corvids will gather round another that be- haves abnormally. Unfortunately it could not be ascertained whether the specimen was preserved nor confirmed that it was in fact uuusually small.—ED.] PLATE 25. Isle of May Puffins (p. 285) (a) The Burrian colony, Low Light and North Horn behind, April 1975. The dark areas are bare soil caused by Puffins digging and erosion oc- curs in the larger excavated areas. (b) Puffin landing at study colony north of Colm’s Hole (c). Photographs by M. P. Harris (a, c) and K. Taylor (b). PLATE 26 (a) Partial albino Puffin on Craigleith, Firth of Forth, 1969. This bird was probably also present in 1968. Photograph by R. W. J. Smith. (b) Arctic Tern at coastal freshwater loch in Shetland. Breeding at any distance from the sea, however, is rare in Scotland (see p. 301). Photograph by R. T. Smith. PLATE 27. Two migrants recorded on the Isle of May more frequently in 1976 (p. 290): (a) Reed Warbler on 28th August; note pro- minent growth bar across tail, a struc- tural fault caused by the bird’s metabolic condition during fea- ther development. Observers had been puzzled by this skulk- ing, nondescript warp- ler showing whitish tail spots. (0) Great Grey Shrike on 3rd October. Photographs by A. Brown. emaoeneeritisinseti PLATE 28. The distinctive figure of Seton Gordon at 90 on high ground in the Cairngorms (obituary p. 307). Photograph by A. Watson. 1977 OBITUARY 307 Obituary SETON PAUL GORDON (Plate 28) The grand old man has gone, on 19th March 1977 at Brack- ley, Northamptonshire, only a fortnight short of 91. With his passing ends the period of wholly exploratory naturalists in Scotland and their extraordinary breadth of interests. He was long the last practitioner, overlapping for decades with the modern period when scientific method dominated ornithology. Astride two centuries, Seton had a timeless attitude, exempli- fied by the patched, decades-old kilt he wore on every occa- sion, sun or snow, mansion or bothy. Plate 28 might have been in Harvie-Brown’s time, showing nothing to indicate the real date—August 1976. Seton Gordon spent his boyhood at Aboyne. Educated pri- vately, he illustrated the paradox of loving his native Deeside deeply and yet having no trace of Aberdeenshire in his voice. At Oxford he graduated with honours in biology, choosing as his essay subject the vegetation of snow beds in the Cairn- gorms. While a naval patrol officer in the 1914-18 war he came to know the Hebrides, where he eventually made his home for 50 years. In these early years he also visited Spits- bergen on an Oxford University expedition. Gordon began writing articles to newspapers and magazines in his late teens, and published his first book Birds of the Loch and Mountain in 1907. Others soon followed. A pioneer in bird photography, he took photographs of Golden Eagle and Greenshank that are still classics. He was also a pioneer in Camping on the high tops. These early books brimmed with enthusiasm and already showed his wide interest in birds, rare plants, snow beds, regeneration of the old Caledonian forest, piping, weather, folk lore, history, place names, the survival of Gaelic, and a deep appreciation and knowledge of the High- lands. He also described vividly some winter climbs and storms. A natural hillman, he never over-wrote the difficulties or dangers and was at home in the Cairngorms winter or summer, alone or in company. He became a prolific book writer: Birds of the Loch and Mountain, The Charm of the Hills, Hill Birds of Scotland, The Land of the Hills and the Glens, Wanderings of a Naturalist, Hebridean Memories, Amid Snowy Wastes, The Cairngorm Hills of Scotland, Days with the Golden Eagle, The Charm of Skye, In the Highlands, Islands of the West, Thirty Years of Nature Photography, Sea-gulls in London, Highways and By- ways in the West Highlands, Afoot in Wild Places, A High- 308 OBITUARY 9(6) land Year, Highways and Byways in the Central Highlands, In Search of Northern Birds, Edward Grey of Fallodon and his Birds, The Immortal Isles, Wild Birds in Britain, Highlands of Scotland, The Golden Eagle, Highland Days and Highland Summer. His CBE in 1939 recognized this great contribution that delighted many thousands and educated them about the Highlands and their natural history. Birds featured prominently in all his books. His most de- tailed study was of Golden Eagles; he and his wife Audrey spent 167 hours watching a Speyside eyrie in 1924. During this period his best bird books were Hill Birds of Scotland and Days with the Golden Eagle. He wrote simply, often beautifully, capturing many an incident so well in words that one felt one was there seeing it. But the classic for me was The Cairngorm Hills of Scotland, where birds came second to the hills themselves. I first saw it at Ballater when I was eight. It changed my life, opening up a whole new world. I wrote to him, and it says much for a busy author that he bothered to reply to a schoolboy he had never seen. He wrote “It is a fine thing for you to have a love of the hills because on the hills you find yourself near grand and beautiful things, and as you grow older you will love them more and more.” I also remember the excitement of cycling to Crathie to meet him when I was 13. He showed me my first Golden Eagle eyries, and started me on the observations of eagles I have continued ever since. In 1955 The Golden Eagle appeared, after decades of study- ing his favourite bird. In British Birds of Prey, Leslie Brown noted that Gordon had not condensed his observations into tables from which others could benefit by doing their own statistical analyses. The fact is Gordon was a pre-tables man. As with many fine naturalists, most details within his excep- tional experience will have died with him. He was a masterly describer of things in breadth, of incident, of anecdote. De- tailed analytical research was not his way, and this is as true of his contributions on place names and history as on ornith- ology. Nor could one expect it, as his training had been diff- erent; the change did not start in field ornithology till David Lack’s papers in the mid 1930s. However, analytical research- ers and men interested in problems often fail to interest the layman, and seldom excite him as Gordon did for many. Future Scotsmen will read him when many of the analysts have been forgotten. Gordon continued to write books into his 80s and numerous articles into his 90s. He also give many lectures. I remember one in Aberdeen on Hebridean birds; he followed the slides with a pibroch reverberating through the cafe. When 90, he lectured at Braemar in aid of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The a 1977 OBITUARY 309 slides were ancient and blurred, but his word pictures were -as good as anything he ever wrote. Describing the dawn sun rays catching the gold hackles on a brooding eagle’s neck, he had us there with him, over 50 years ago. Last August I spent a day with him on the Cairngorms. Though slower, he still had a steady step on the plateau. Remarkably, his blue eyes sparkled as keenly as ever, and his conversation was full of excited comments on snow patches, birds, place names and the Cairngorm range itself, which I believe was the most be- loved part of Scotland to him. He wrote an article about it in The Field. Only days before his death, The Field published a letter of his about Whooper Swans, simple and evocative as usual. It was a good farewell from the grand old man. ADAM WATSON DUNCAN ROBERTSON ANDERSON Duncan Anderson died on 3lst January 1977 in his 88th year. He will always be remembered for his study of birdlife in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, especially Duddingston Bird Sanctuary where he was warden for many years. “The Birds of Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh” (1: 393-416, special supple- ment) comprised largely of his notes and records. Born in East Lothian he acquired early a great love of the countryside and especially birds. As a young man he joined the Edinburgh City Police and in 1914 enlisted in the Scottish Horse. He served in the Near East and France and was severe- ly wounded, which caused him considerable trouble in his latter years. At the end of the war he rejoined the police, re- tiring in 1939. It was only during the last ten years of his life that I got to know him well, meeting him daily and visiting the sanc- tuary, never deterred by weather no matter how bad. I found his company always stimulating as his enthusiasm was so outstanding, his patience unlimited and his knowledge wide. He was blessed with a strong physique and good health until the last few years of his life. In spite of serious crises he never complained and faced the weakness these illnesses inflicted on him with typical courage. My last meeting with Duncan was three days before he died when after collecting some supplies for him I asked if there was anything else he would like. With a bright glint in his eyes he said he would like some export and a flagon of Woodpecker cider. Duddingston sanctuary has lost its greatest protagonist and it is sad to think it will never be the same again. ALASDAIR ANDERSON. 310 OBITUARY 9(6) ELSIE MACDONALD The death of Elsie Macdonald on 2nd January 1976, at the age of 92, ought not to pass unnoticed because Elsie, together with the Rev E. T. Vernon, whose private secretary she was, kept the club records and business going through the difficult war years, so that when peace came the club was in a position to surge forward and found branches all over Scotland. At first, meetings were held alternately in Edin- burgh and Glasgow, but it soon became clear that separate branches were needed. The Glasgow Branch—the first of the many—was founded in October 1948 and Elsie Macdonald became its first secretary—a post she held until 1957. The success of the new Glasgow guinea pig branch was vital to the future expansion of the whole club. Those of us who knew her honour the memory of Elsie Macdonald as we know its success was due in no small measure to her loyalty and efforts. While professing no special expertise at birds, Elsie was a person as delightful to talk to as she was devoted to the wel- fare of the club. Her minutes were models of lucid reportage, while being homely and chatty at the same time. She was a first class committee person, being entirely complementary to Edward Vernon, the first branch chairman. She got on quietly and efficiently with everybody, having in full measure that magic quality which is to this day an outstanding character- istic of our club—that of being a good mixer. C. E, PALMAR. Reviews The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. Compiled by J. T. R. Sharrock. Tring, British Trust for Ornithology, 1976. Pp. 477; num- erous maps, drawing and figures. 26 x 19 cm. (Now published with minor corrections by T. & A. D. Poyser, 1977, £10.00.) The ornithological world in general and the field workers involved in particular have awaited the publication of the Atlas with keen anticipa- tion since the completion of fieldwork in 1972. The occasional appearance of maps in BTO publications has only served to whet the appetite and there can be little doubt that the final product is well worth the wait. It represents the first systematic attempt to objectively map the breeding distribution of a whole avifauna. Prior to this distribution maps ranged from subjective outlines of the type shown in most field guides to more detailed and objective maps of single species. The publication of The Atlas of British Flora in 1962 indicated that systematic mapping was more desirable and could provide an accurate baseline for the future. The success of the BTO/Irish Wildbird Conservancy scheme must have sur- prised even the most optimistic, who had forecast only 25% coverage 1977 REVIEWS 311 in Scotland. The enthusiasm of 10-15,000 field workers achieved 100% coverage in Britain and Ireland. Its success can also be assessed by the extent to which other countries have initiated similar projects. The methods used in the compilation and presentation of data (nearly 300,000 records) are discussed in the introduction. The maps and their analysis are presented on facing pages, the maps taking the form of a full page outline of the British Isles with distribution indicated by red dots. The size and colour are an enormous improvement on the flora atlas and in no case is the distribution pattern hard to distinguish, even when rarity records are deliberately obscured by displacement of dots. Some maps of former distribution are included in an appendix for comparison. Each map is accompanied by a thorough description of the ecology and known history of the species and in many cases probable limiting factors on range are suggested. Great use has been made of the Common Bird Census, Nest Record and ringing schemes. The full references and small illustration accompanying each species are invariably excellent but some illustrations, especially of the warblers, are stereotyped and uninteresting. Many features are readily seen from even a brief inspection of the maps. The most striking is that many of the rarer species (Bittern, Gos- hawk, Hobby, Dotterel, Fieldfare) are much more widely distributed than may hitherto have been suspected. Conversely, some are clearly more limited than was generally thought (Pintail, Long-eared Owl, Woodlark, Black Redstart, Marsh Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Hawfinch, Twite). The creation of baseline maps will be of great assistance in precisely monitoring any changes in these species. Several distribution patterns are evident in Scotland. Surprisingly, only 15 species are restricted to the country because many others that might be thought of as Scottish reappear elsewhere (Golden Eagle, Greenshank, Fieldfare) although Scotland remains the British stronghold. One distinc- tive pattern is the curious manner in which several species do not penetrate the Borders, or where they do so, their Scottish ranges are local (Garganey, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Yellow Wagtail). Clearly the Bor- ders mark the northern limit in Britain for a number of species but this is difficult to understand as many of these occur much farther northwards elsewhere in Europe. It may well be that the Southern Uplands and their impoverished biota are the limiting factor. A gap occurs in the ranges of other species between the Highlands and Southern Uplands. In upland species (Hen Harrier, Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel) the reason is obvious but similar gaps occur where lack of suitable habitat would not seem to be a limiting factor (Oystercatcher, Jay, Pied Flycatcher, Siskin) and it might be of interest to discover what limitations are operative in these cases. The surprisingly widespread distribution of the Shoveler, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Corn Bunting in Scotland appear to be correlated to some degree with the distribution of arable land and its associated land uses. The presence in Speyside of such species as Honey Buzzard, Hobby and Wryneck during the breeding season may similarly be related to the presence of mature semi-natural forests in that region. Relationships of these types on a local or national scale can be seen throughout and many enjoyable hours could be spent browsing for them. This is perhaps the only area of interest not fully covered by this excellent book, the author clearly leaving that pleasure to the reader. R. D. MURRAY 312 REVIEWS 9(6) The Dictionary of Birds in Colour. By Bruce Campbell. London, Michael Joseph, 1974. Pp. 352; map; 9 drawings; 1,008 colour photographs. 31 x 24 cm. £3.50 (reduced). This book really is a dictionary of birds in colour. Of the 8,650 or so known species, 1,200 are described and 1,008 illustrated by colour photo- graphs. The introduction describes zoogeographic regions, anatomy and classification. The dictionary section, in alphabetical order of scientific name, includes distribution, description, behaviour and so on, and squeezes a lot of information into a small space. Happily, errors are relatively few, the worst being some incorrect labelling of the skeleton. The statement that ‘“‘except for the ducks and the kiwis, whose nostrils open at the tip of the sensitive bill, birds are not credited with much sense of smell,’ perhaps should have been put differently since it conjures up an odd picture of the typical duck’s beak ! The quality of colour reproduction is high, and the ratio of photographs to number of species in each family is generally fair but there are some discrepancies. This is understandable; after all, some occur in habitats far removed from the most ardent photographers and others are just plain dull! However, to show ten of the 12 grouse, yet only ten of the 360 tyrant flycatchers, or 37 of the 502 buntings and tanagers does give a false impression. Even so, to have stuck rigidly to the correct number for each family would have resulted in missing some fine photographs! Apart from minor niggles the selection is good with most birds easily identifiable. This book is probably the only compact yet comprehensive account of the majority of the better known birds of the world available today. I recommend it to all who want to broaden their interest in ornithology. It is a mine of information. IAN H. J. LYSTER Der Zug Europaischer Singvogel: ein Atlas der Wiederfunde Beringter Vogel, volume 2. Edited by Gerhardt Zink. Moggingen (West Ger- many), Vogelwart Radolfzell, 1975. Pp. 166; 120 maps. 34 x 27 cm. DM62 (£13. 10). This series maps notable recoveries of European passerines and is an indispensable migration reference. Volume 2 deals with 26 species of larks, pipits, flycatchers, accentors, wagtails and shrikes. Several, such as Pied Wagtail and Sand Martin, have yielded so many recoveries that map analysis was not practical, but an excellent bibliography for all omitted species was given in volume 1. Two major improvements on volume 1 are the bound instead of loose leaf format and the enlarged map symbols. About 80% of the 5,000 recoveries are displayed in 120 superb maps. The symbols are easy to use and enliven the maps, so it is a shame there is no multilingual key. Samples are kept as pure as possible, nestlings and free flying birds usually on separate maps. Despite the distortion shown by hunting pressure, as in France and Iberia, and seriously inade- quate ringing in eastern Europe, a clear indication is given of the migra- tion patterns underlying the recoveries. The Red-backed Shrike with its southeastern recoveries contrasts with the Woodchat which migrates southwest. The Great Grey Shrike is a partial migrant with winter re- coveries of both central European and Scandinavian breeders scattered across Europe. The Yellow Wagtail needs 25 maps to show over 700 re- coveries, including 160 between Europe and Africa. The text complements the maps, detailing migrations, winter quarters 1977 REVIEWS 313 and unusual or important recoveries. Written in plain German, it com- pletely updates previous standard works. To take but one example, the description of the House Martin’s winter quarters is the best available. There are omissions, but any censure of such a painstaking and vast work would be trivial. The outstanding roles of Fair Isle and the Isle of May are noticeable. One expects recoveries in Europe of Spotted Flycatchers drifted to Fair Isle but similar recoveries of Dunnocks are more surprising. The multi- tude of Dunnock recoveries between Scandinavia and Iberia puts the handful between Scottish observatories and the Continent in perspective. The recovery of a Norwegian nestling on the Forth in winter confirms the occurrence in Scotland of a Rock Pipit from Scandinavia (but probably petrosus). The Meadow Pipit maps show that Fair Isle’s dominance is perhaps not healthy. The 746 recoveries are displayed in no fewer than 21 maps and it is striking that almost all from Scotland are from Fair Isle. When one considers its breeding abundance here, and the recoveries be- tween Iceland and Spain of birds that probably pass the west coast, it is evident that Scotland needs more ringing of common species before the migrations of many of our most numerous birds can be understood. R. A. EADES Breeding Birds of the Medway Estuary. By Jeffery Harrison, J. N. Humphreys and Geoffrey Graves. 1973. Pp. 32; 14 monochrome photographs; 1 map. Wildfowl of Morecambe Bay. By John Ruxton. 1973. Pp. 48; 24 monochrome photographs; 6 maps. Caerlaverock : Conservation and Wilidfowling in Action. By The Nature Conservancy Council, Caeriaverock Panel and The Wildfowl Trust, 1974. Pp. 84; 28 monochrome photographs; 1 map. Loch Leven National Nature Reserve: a study of waterfowl biology. By the Nature Conservancy Council, The institute ot Terrestriai LKcology and The Wildfowl Trust. 1974. Pp 124; 41 monochrome photographs; 5 maps. The Sevenoaks Gravel Pit Reserve. By Jeffery Harrison. 1974. Pp. 116; 59 mono- chrome photographs; 5 maps. Duck Wings: a study of duck pro- duction. By Hugh Boyd, Jeffery Harrison and Allan Allison. 1975. Pp. 112; 46 monochrome photographs; 5 maps. Chester, WAGBI, 21.5 x 14 cm. 50p-£1 each. The Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland (WAGBI) is the nationai body responsible for the many gun clubs whose members shoot wild duck. They are also a conservation body (Dr Jeffery Harrison being one of the leaders in this field) and these six publications detail the field work and conservation management carried out by WAGBI and others at the different places. The Breeding Birds of the Medway Estuary and Wildfowl of Morecambe Bay both note the importance of these two sites to birdlife and contain some good hints on estuary census methods. The count figures could now be different after several years since the census dates, but are im- portant records for future comparison. In Caerlaverock and Loch Leven we have the success stories of wild- fowling and conservation working together at both places under the care of the Nature Conservancy Council, Wildfowl Trust and WAGBI. The whole biological management of these two differing places is reviewed in each booklet, highlighting their separate importance as reservoirs for many bird species throughout the year, but more especially during the winter months. 314 REVIEWS 9(6) At Sevenoaks, a man-made lake has been adapted as a haven for many species of birds. The Sevenoaks Gravel Pit Reserve is the story of how industry, in the shape of a large gravel extracting company, and conser- ‘vationists have worked together to produce this new type of nature reserve, which could and should be copied in many other areas. Finally, in Duck Wings we have a study of wildfowl plumage mainly of interest to wildfowlers and ringers, as the information contained mainly applies to the bird in the hand. Nevertheless, students of duck populations can glean much from this publication. Pamela Harrison’s photographs illustrating all the booklets are as usual superb, especially in Duck Wings. I enjoyed these booklets, they are in- teresting and contain a lot of important facts never published before. lf you are selective, you will get good value for your money. A, G. STEWART The Book of Birds : Five centuries of bird illustration. By A. M. Lysaght. London, Phaidon, 1975. Pp. 208; 96 plates, 40 in colour. 37 x 28 cm. £20.00. This book is better considered under its secondary title Five centuries of bird illustration, covering the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries. In a comprehensive introduction the author discusses the history of bird illustration from the earliest known examples in connection with magico-religious myths and primitive medical practice, which eventually rendered necessary the identification of individual birds, thus leading to the classification scheme of Aristotle. But 2,000 years before then we know that the Egyptians painted birds very well indeed—an art then lost till the Middle Ages. The suggestion is made that the Minoans and then the Greeks learnt to paint from the Egyptians. Chinese work is considered at some length, various manuscripts are commented on and we eventually come to the early printed books of the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries and the great illustrated books pub- lished regularly throughout the nineteenth century—in the words of the author ‘‘the supreme climax to the preceding centuries”. The chosen illustrations, 142 in number, are given in 96 plates of which 40 are in full colour, each accompanied by a short description of the picture, artist, book or painting. The choice of plates, indeed a difficult matter, we find a little disappointing; but it must be said that no two people would make anything like the same selection over such a wide tield. At best we have the opportunity to see reproductions of little known works, not easily seen in the original by most people, and this is perhaps the most interesting feature of the book. We particularly like plate 83 by F. L. Bauer, famous as a botanical painter, of the Port Lincoln Parrot, at least as good as any of Lear’s famous parrots, and “Shoebills” by Josef Wolf, plate 124, is a splendid example, hitherto unpublished, of this great painter’s work which we have not seen before. One might have expected some reference to, if not example of, the work of Albrecht Diirer, and one looks in vain for some appreciation of a very fine group of painters who dominated the latter half of the nine- teenth century. J. G. Keulemans indeed is represented (called T. G. in the description to plate 137 and in the index); but what of other artists of that period—H. L. Méyer, W. Neale, J. Smit, A. Thorburn, G. E. Lodge, H. Groénvold, F. W. Frohawk, the incomparable Edwin Alexander and Bruno Liljefors, to name a few ? For what it offers this book is reasonably priced and adequately pro- duced and will take its place as a work of reference on its subject. To find in one work so much information on little-known and, to most of us, 1977 REVIEWS 315 unheard-of bird illustrators and their work is indeed a measure of the author’s success and Dr Lysaght is to be complimented accordingly. RITCHIE SEATH The Titmice of the British Isles. By John A. G. Barnes. Newton Abbot & London. David and Charles, 1975. Pp. 212; 12 black and white plates; 5 diagrams; 15 tables. 14 x 22 cm. £5.25. _ The Paridae, especially the Great Tit, must be among the most inten- sively studied of all European passerines and have played a significant role in the development of theories of population regulation in birds, particularly among the Oxford school. At the same time the commoner species have become part of the winter scene at the bird table and have provided hours of pleasure to casual observers. The author is therefore to be congratulated for producing, for the first time, a book that draws together the results of published research on the various tit species on the British list, together with a generous admixture of results from the author’s personal studies. Apart from the Great Tit, Blue Tit and, to a certain extent, the Coal Tit, the British Paridae have been subjected to comparatively little scientific study and this is reflected in the content which, although hardly the author’s fault, is weighted towards these three species. The Bearded Tit is rightly excluded on the grounds of classifica- tion. There is little mention of the Long-tailed Tit largely as a result of lack of objective information. A chapter of general characteristics sets the scene but is a little heavy going and much of it could perhaps have better suited an appendix. The first half of the book is concerned with breeding biology and the author has managed to compress a considerable volume of published material into a generally lucid and well written comparison between the species. One might almost say the account is too compressed as the section on territory does not do full justice to the information available on this per- haps most important and fascinating aspect of tit biology. The chapter on flocking which follows suffers from the same problem. Little informa- tion is provided on winter range of juvenile and adult birds and the rela- tionship of this to flocks and with the subsequent breeding territory. Feeding is tackled in some depth, as are activities like sunbathing and anting. The chapter on individuality and intelligence provides some in- teresting, if somewhat anecdotal, information on experiments concerning tit learning ability. There is an interesting and well-balanced account of tits as pest controllers which is followed by a summary of that most well known piece of tit behaviour—milk bottle opening. The book is com- pleted with an account of studies into the population regulatory mech- anisms. At £5.25 this book is rather expensive and not over-endowed with photographs but, despite this, its value as a readable account of a fascin- ating group of birds should ensure a wide readership and one would hope it goes some way towards stimulating more research into the less studied species—included the SOC’s emblem. ANDREW DEADMAN. Birds of Town and Suburb. By Eric Simms. London, Collins, 1975. Pp. 256; 61 photographs, 14 in colour; 14 diagrams, 22 x 14 cm. £3.50. Eric Simms has spent most of his life in and near towns and has ob- viously kept detailed bird records from an early age. His own London suburb is part of the biggest built-up area in the UK and one which has been richly served over many years by bird recorders. The book’s ex- 316 REVIEWS 9(6) tensive bibliographies and much information quoted from these reveal the extraordinary breadth of Mr Simm’s reading. He deals with his sub- ject by habitat, not by species, and chapters headed ‘The Nearer Sub- urbs’, ‘The Outer Ring’, ‘The Edge of the Countryside’, ‘Rivers, Lakes and Reservoirs’, ‘Marshes, Sewage Farms and Gravel Pits’ show the areas covered. Three chapters cover ‘Birds and the Pursuit of Sport’, ‘Suburban Roosts and Flyways’, and ‘Birds on the Move’: observations on migration. “Town and Suburb” is interpreted generously and over 250 species, excluding escapes, occur in the text, compared with 122 in the systematic list of the same author’s New Naturalist Woodland Birds. Birds of Town and Suburb is not in the same series and one feels that it has been written with greater freedom in consequence. The author’s manner is informative in a chatty way, and the book is full of anecdotes and obser- vations of bird behaviour and movement, mainly his own. They are told without the drab, impersonal jargon characterizing so much ornith- ological literature. References to all but the rarer species are necessarily scattered through the text and this makes indexing unusually important. The index seems accurate but there is no heavier type to indicate the more important references and little by way of sub-headings. As some birds are referred to upwards of 40 times the search for a particular item can become rather tedious. Most of us have a special regard for certain birds and Eric Simms is not exceptional in this, but by no means conventional in his choice, He admits to affection for that successful picker-up of unconsidered trifles, the Dunnock, and one can infer that he has a measure of liking for two species at which most birdwatchers tend to look down their noses, the Feral Pigeon and the House Sparrow. About the latter he makes the de- lightful understatement “...it reserves for itself a certain reticence and prudence in behaviour that makes it difficult for us to approach it...” but I hasten to add that this is not typical of the Simms style! The photographs are good and relieve a text which is rather closer printed, no doubt in the interests of economy, than I find ideal. A book to be read for pleasure and retained for reference. ieee Greenland. By Michael Banks. Newton Abbot, David & Charles, 1975. Pp. 208: 30 monochrome photographs; 2 drawings; 8 maps. 22 x 14 cm. ED ook Michael Banks has written an easily read but comprehensive book on this fascinating island. The physical geography is dealt with clearly and the depth is right for a general account. The human history is a story of battles against the same harsh environment that imposes on the flora and fauna. Its heroes were normal people, but the explorers were all a little mad. It has often been the fashion to praise the maddest but Mr Banks’ account makes plain that it is the most level headed, making the most careful plans, who have achieved most. I found the nine chapters on man fascinating Unfortunately Mr Banks is not a naturalist and the four chapters on flora and fauna make this evident. The accounts of mammals are the best but even here there is too much reliance on classical tales and too little on facts. Of the lemming he tells us of “travelling in a fixed direction and “suicidal plunges’ over cliffs; the only concession to the facts of Greenland life being ‘The extreme form of these stampedes, however, appears to be restricted to Scandinavia”. It is not good enough. In the chapters on plants and birds inaccuracies and misspellings abound. 1977 REVIEWS Sif This book is a fine general description of Greenland but is not a useful source for natural history. The bibliography should be longer and less idiosyncratic—is it really more useful to list Fabricius’ Fauna Greenland- ica (1780) than Salomonsen’s Birds of Greenland (1950) ? JEREMY GREENWOOD Fair Isle Bird Observatory: Report for 1975. Edited by G. Waterston. Edinburgh, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust. Pp. 88, 7 monochrome photographs, drawings; 214 x 14 cm. £1.00. For some species Fair Isle has a near monopoly. Examples that occur- red in 1975 were Pechora Pipit, Lanceolated Warbler and Citrine Wagtail, but even these were pushed out of the limelight by four species new to the island list: Hermit Thrush, Laughing Gull, two Tennessee Warblers and a Siberian Rubythroat; the passerines also being new to the British Isles. A most readable account of migration is given in the warden’s report and 202 species (a record) were seen. Storm and Leach’s Petrels were caught by playing tape recordings of their calls, including a Storm Petrel ringed a few weeks earlier on St Kilda. In view of the many rarities caught it is surprising their photography is not dealt with more professionally. The Tennessee Warbler and Siberian Rubythroat plates are disappointing, as well as having captions transposed. Fortunately, far better photographs of these birds appear in the Scottish Bird Report (9: plate 19). Ek. Jz VICK Birds of Siberia: A Record of a Naturalist’s visits to the valleys of the Petchora and the Yenesei. By Henry Seebohm. Dursley, Alan Sutton. 1976. Pp. 504; numerous illustrations and one map. 224 x 14 cm. £8.00. This is a facsimile of the earlier and much coveted edition of 1901, now long out of print. It describes the adventures of this Sheffield steel- maker in Siberia, part one dealing with the author’s first expedition to the Petchora River in 1875, in company with J. A. Harvie-Brown; part two is an account of the journey to the River Yenesei in 1877. Recounted in the fascinating and peculiarly dated style of the time, it is a detailed account of ornithological plunder in the Grand Manner. Speaking of the Grey Plover, whose eggs were one of the great prizes of the expeditions, Seebohm writes “When the hen came within fifty yards of me I fired, (after missing her twice before), this time with No. 6 shot, and laid the poor bird on its back.” The eggs ‘‘made us an excellent omelette for breakfast the next morning.’ Encounters with many other highly interesting species are described, including Red-breasted Goose, Petchora Pipit, Curlew and Terek Sandpiper, and Blyth’s Reed and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. Although primarily a collector, Seebohm nevertheless possessed the ability to observe and record, and the book contains valuable and in some cases unique notes on the behaviour of the birds he sought. He also conveys an excellent impression of the character of the country and the people who live there. The book contains the original complementary illustrations by Charles Whymper, one of the finest illustrators of his time, and the binding and general production is of a high quality rarely found today. It will appeal to many as the collector’s piece that it is; to many more of us it is a rare and valuable insight into the bird life of one of the most tantalisingly attractive places in the world. M. DENSLEY. 318 REVIEWS 9(6) Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland. By J. T. R. and E. M. Sharrock; illus- trated by R. Gillmor, P. J. Grant, R. A. Richardson, D. I. M. Wallace and I Willis. Berkhamsted, T. and A. D. Poyser, 1976. Pp. 336; rere maps, histograms and figures throughout. 234 x 154 cm. Since 1958 the British Birds Rarities Committee has set standards for a rising flood of reports of rare birds and published annual lists of accep- ted records. Similar arrangements apply to Irish rarities. Dr and Mrs Sharrock have made a fascinating analysis of the 8,000 records for 1958-72, adding those of the rarest species to the end of 1975 and sum- marizing earlier records. Two hundred and twenty-one species are covered (including eleven in Category D not admitted to the main list), and 23 more, unrecorded since 1957, are listed in an appendix—in total nearly half the species on the British and Irish list. One is struck by how much more frequently than in the past these birds are noted, clearly because sO many more people are looking for them and are competent at Weg ea For 1975 alone the Rarities Committee accepted nearly records. A visual presentation is used, with double-page spreads for 122 species. The records are mapped by old counties, most on separate maps for spring and autumn, and there are histograms of numbers at these seasons each year from 1958 to 1972 and in each seven-day period of the year. The remaining species get half a page each and are interspersed through- out the book, usually in groups of four, thus enabling all data for a species to be presented on a single opening and playing havoc with gen- eric affinities. There are references in the main sequence to these half- page birds, but not the other way. Robert Gillmor, P. J. Grant, R. A. Richardson, D. I. M. Wallace and Ian Willis provide a vignette of each species, and there are brief notes on identification and references to useful sources. The layout is very good, neatly displaying a large amount of information in a way that brings out patterns from the records. In appendices the authors relate the records to the increased number of birdwatchers and consider which species are truly occurring more or less often than before. There are also analyses of American waders and landbirds and of the best counties for rarities. Birds wandering from place to place are mapped in only one county, which accounts for some apparent gaps; but Orkney records of Night Heron and Little Bittern have been transposed to the Outer Hebrides. An autumn Red-rumped Swallow in Shetland appears as a scarcely notice- able open circle instead of a filled one. Careful checking of the Scottish ee reveals a few trivial errors, but overall the standard of accuracy is high. Through the years much time and effort has gone into collecting and assessing these records of rare birds. Tim and Erika Sharrock have done a valuable job in collating and analyzing them and must be congratulated on presenting their results in so attractive and interesting a book. Every keen birdwatcher will want to have it. ANDREW T. MACMILLAN. Also received— Coloured Canaries. By G. B. R. Walker; illustrated by Dennis Avon and Tony Tilford. Poole, Blandford, 1976. Pp. 140; 63 colour photographs, many figures. 214 x 144 cm. £4.25. Current Literature Recent material of Scottish interest includes : The return of the Hen Harrier. E. A. Blake, 1976. Forth Naturalist and Historian 1: 21-38. 1977 REVIEWS 319 Habitat selection in the birds of woodland and open woodland in the Stirling area. C. J. Henty, 1976. Forth Naturalist and Historian 1: 39-48. Stirling and Clackmannan bird report (1974-5). C. J. Henty, 1976. Forth Naturalist and Historian 1: 49-75. The Golden Eagle in the west of Scotland. T. D. H. Merrie, 1976. Forth Naturalist and Historian 1: 77-87. Ayrshire Coastal Survey, Scottish Wildlife Trust. (Suvey of natural re- sources including status of birds. No date, address or price.) Survival and causes of mortality in Eider ducklings on the Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire. V. Mendenhall, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 160. Highland Ringing Group 1975 Report. (No address or price). The Wren on the Uists, Outer Hebrides. I. Hawthorn, R. Crockford, R. G. Smith and I. Weston, 1976. Bird Study 23: 301-3. Breeding biology of the Red-throated Diver. Graham Bundy, 1976. Bird Study 23: 249-256. (Study in Shetland). Breeding of sub-adult Golden Eagle. Geoffrey G. Bates, 1976. Bird Study 23: 284. (Note from Sutherland). Letter Great Skuas as predators of mammals The Great Skua is usually considered to be a predator and pirate of seabirds. In the past six summers I have examined the food and feeding of Great Skuas on Foula, Shetland, the largest colony of the species in Britain. My studies show that kleptoparasitism and predation of birds are only minor feed- ing techniques, employed principally when shoals of fish are scarce. They obtain most of their food by plunge-diving onto dense shoals of Sand-eels Ammodytes marinus or Norway Pout Trisopterus esmarkii that come to the surface frequently, but irregularly, throughout the summer months. Occasional short periods occur when weather conditions or the behaviour of the fish reduce their availability to Great Skuas. They then turn to kleptoparasitism of birds or predation of birds or mammals, but these feeding methods are time and energy consuming and have a low success rate, so feeding on fish shoals is preferred wherever possible (pers. obs.). I consider that predation and kleptoparasitism of birds have been exag- gerated because they are both conspicuous activities, and most ornithologists who visit skua colonies do so late in the breed- ing season, by which time shoals of fish are moving into deeper water (Pearson 1968) so the skuas are more likely to turn to avian predation (see also Burton 1970, Cramp, Bourne and Saunders 1974). Normally only one of a breeding pair leaves the territory to feed. The female usually remains within the territory and will take advantage of feeding opportunities that present themselves (pers. obs. and Young 1963). Ex- amples of such opportunism include predation on lost racing pigeons, migrant Crossbills, exhausted seabird fledglings, and scavenging on Carrion. 320 LETTER 9(6) Booth (1976) suggests that his observation of predation by Great Skuas on Mountain Hares Lepus timidus and Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus may be the first record of Great Skua predation on mammals other than lambs. In fact there are several records of Great Skuas killing and eating mammals, which fall into the category of opportunistic feeding described above, and do not represent a major part of the food require- ments of any Great Skua population. Rabbits are a regular but minor item in the diet on Foula with a few being recorded as killed by Great Skuas in every year (Furness 1974a, Jack- son 1966) and are also taken by the Brown Skua Catharacta skua lonnbergi on Kerguelen Island (Hall 1900) and Macquarie Island (Johnston 1973), while Mountain Hares have been rec- orded in pellets regurgitated by Great Skuas in the Faeroes (Bayes, Dawson and Potts 1964). Other mammals recorded as killed (not just eaten as carrion) include, for the northern Great Skua Catharacta skua skua, Hedgehog Erinaceus euro- paeus on Foula (Jackson 1966) and for the Brown Skua, rats (species not recorded) on South Georgia (Stonehouse 1956) and injured pups of both Elephant Seals Mirounga leonina (Johnstone 1973) and Weddell Seals Leptonychotes weddelli (Stonehouse 1956, Eklund 1961). In no case did Great Skua or Brown Skua predation have a detectable effect on the numbers of mammals in the vicinity of skua colonies. On the other hand Booth (1976) suggests that Great Skuas may kill lambs. A similar unsubstantiated suggestion is made by Witherby et al (1938-41). This suggestion perpetuates and strengthens the bad reputation which has been given to the Great Skua. Burton (1970) found that sheep carcases on Foula were fed on by Great Skuas, but that the carcases were “barely touched’. Perry (1948) found no evidence of feeding on sheep and lamb carcases on Noss although he spent a com- plete season on the island. Bayes, Dawson and Potts (1964) quote P. Davis as not having encountered Great Skuas feed- ing on dead sheep on Fair Isle although he considered that they did in some years on Shetland. I have only found sheep’s wool in pellets regurgitated by Great Skuas in spring, before fish is abundant. I found an appreciable number of pellets con- taining wool in the spring of 1973 on Foula but also noticed that more than 75% of sheep and lamb corpses had not been opened by birds, and I found no evidence that Great Skuas had killed either healthy or dying sheep or lambs (Furness 1974b). In an unpublished report to the Department of Agri- culture and Fisheries for Scotland Dr K. Houston found no evidence of, lamb-killing by Great Skuas in Shetland and attri- buted all the lamb losses he encountered to the rigours of hill sheep farming. Many Shetland shepherds and crofters dislike Great Skuas intensely, but not one that I have spoken to has 1977 LETTER 321 claimed to have seen them actually attempting to kill lambs, and no such claim has reached the Shetland Bird Club (Kin- near pers. comm.). If lamb-killing does ever occur it must be extremely rare, and negligible in relation to the high losses of lambs which occur every year as an unavoidable part of sheep farming in the Northern Isles. References BAYES, J. C., Dawson, M. J., and Potts, G. R. 1964. The food and feeding behaviour of the Great Skua in the Faroes. Bird Study 11: 272-279. BootH, C. J. 1976. Great Skuas probably killing Mountain Hare and Rabbits. Scot. Birds 9: 125. Burton, R. W., 1970. Biology of the Great Skua. In Antarctic Ecology Vol. 1: 561- 567. CRAMP, S., BoURNE, W. R. P., and SAUNDERS, D. 1974. I'he Seabirds of Britain and Ireland. London, Collins. ExKLUND, C. 1961. Distribution and life history studies of the South Polar Skua. Bird Banding 32: 187-223. FURNESS, R. W. 1974(a). Studies of the Great Skua on Foula. Seabird Report 4: 19- 28, FURNESS, R. W. 1974(b). The ecology of the Great Skua on Foula. Brathay Explora- tien Group Field Studies Report 25: 1-32. Hau, R. 1900. Field-notes on the Birds of Kerguelen Island. Ibis (seventh series) 6; 1-34. JACKSON, E. E. 1966. The birds of Foula. Scot. Birds 4: 1-60. JOHNSTON, G. C. 1975. Predation by Southern Skua on Rabbits on Macquarie Island. Emu 73; 25-26. PEARSON, T. H. 1968. The feeding biology of seabird species breeding on the Farne Islands, Northumberland. J. Anim. Ecol. 37; 521-552. PERRY, R. 1948. Shetland Sanctuary. London, Faber and Faber. STONEHOUSE, B. 1956. The Brown Skua of South Georgia. #G@lkland Islands Dept. S. Sci. Rept. 14; 1-25. WiITHERBY, H. F., JouRDAIN, F. C. R., TICEHURST, N. F., and Tucker, B. W. 1938-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, Witherby. Youne, E. C. 19635. Feeding habits of the South Polar Skua. Ibis 105: 501-518. R. W. FURNESS. Request for Information Dead predators Freshly dead Great Crested Grebes, Herons, raptors, owls and Kingfishers are needed for pesticide analysis. Due to limited resources, other species cannot be examined. Please send specimens, with date and place of collection, first class letter post to A. A. Bell, Institute of Terres- trial Ecology, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Hun- tingdonshire, PE17 2LS. Postage costs will be refunded and a report of findings sent to the collector. Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Will members please note that the dates of the first Meetings of Branches next winter will be as follows: September 20th Edinburgh and Inverness 21st Ayr, St Andrews and Thurso 322 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(6) 22nd Dundee, New Galloway and Stirling 27th Wigtown (meeting in Newton Stewart) 28th Dumfries October 3rd Aberdeen and Glasgow Dundee Branch The venue for the first meeting (above) and the last ET (April 1978) will be the Chaplaincy Centre, University of Dundee, at /.30 p.m. . The venue and times for all other Branches is unchanged; full details of all the winter meetings are published in the Syllabus of Lectures sent to members with the autumn number of the journal early in September. ANNUAL CONFERENCE Members who attend the annual conference will know of the discussions which have taken place in recent years regarding the venue and time of year at which it is held. Since 1974 the conference has taken place at Stirling University in January, but prior to that it had been held at var- ious locations, although from 1961 to 1972 it had been held at the Hotel Dunblane Hydro, Perthshire. The facilities at Stirling University in the MacRobert Centre for lectures and the exhibion room are excellent, and those who attended by the day were well pleased. However those resident for the weekend increas- ingly found that other facilities, including the distance between the halls of residence, MacRobert Centre and the annual dinner location, were not conducive to a convivial weekend during which members could talk in comfortable surroundings. In addition, many consider that January is not a good month to travel because of the risk of bad weather. At a meeting in March, council considered various alternatives for the next conference, including a return to Stirling University. It was decided that, since the majority were in favour of a move from a University location, we would accept a special conference quotation given by the Marine Hotel, North Berwick. With inflation still with us, the standard cost is understandably slightly higher than at Stirling University last January, but very generous reductions have been offered to those pre- pared to share in some of the four and seven bedded rooms in the hotel. Unfortunately previous bookings at the Marine Hotel prevent an autumn conference this year, and so the next conference will take place during the weekend 20th-22nd January 1978. So that a return can be made to an autumn conference we have also booked at the Marine Hotel for the foliowing conference; this will take place over the weekend 27th-29th October 1978, and we have been assured that the charges will remain un- altered for the second conference. Bookings for the conferences will initially be made through the club secretary, and full details for the first one, in January 1978, will be pub- lished in the autumn number of the journal early in September. EDINBURGH BRANCH SECRETARY At the Edinburgh Branch AGM in April, Mrs D. R. Langslow retired having completed her term of office. Will members please note that the new Secretary of the Edinburgh Branch is Mrs R. Adams, 18 Braehead Loan, Barnton, Edinburgh EH4 6BL (tel. 031-336 4320). 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 323 NEW LOCAL RECORDER Norman Elkins is now recorder for Nairn, Moray and Banff, and records should be sent to him at 10 Oakbank Place, Elgin, Morayshire, IV30 2LZ. Our thanks go to John Edelsten for looking after the area so well since 1969. Branch and Group News Stirling During the Argyll weekend 87 species, including Greenland White-fronts, Siskin and Brambling, impressive numbers of geese and close sightings of several species combined with good weather to make 4th-6th March memorable for club members from the Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh branches who attended. The well equipped cottage pro- vided an excellent base for travelling around the district. After a much appreciated dinner on Saturday evening, kindly prepared by Mrs H. Greig, a convivial atmosphere prevailed and at one point the company was treated to a rendering of “Nicky Tams” from Stirling’s vice-chairman, Russell Young. The Stirling branch hope to repeat this weekend next year. SANDY MITCHELL Current Notes These notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record, nor will they be indexed. Please send items of interest to local recor- ders for forwarding to the editor at the end of January, April, July and Octo- ber. Dealing with late winter first, mainly Feb-Mar, good numbers of divers were seen on the Islay crossing with 7 Black-throated and 144 Great Northern. Roosting Red-throats numbered 75 at both Gullane and Tyning- hame (E Loth). Slavonian Grebes numbered 61 in Gosford Bay (E Loth), 43 in Sullom Voe (Shet) and 9 in L Ryan (Wig). A Pied-billed Grebe at Strathbeg (Aber) from 9 Jan-end Mar was the 2nd Scottish record. There was an interesting report of 2 Storm Petrels in the Forth in late Jan. The East Lothian Ring-necked Duck re-appeared once on 23 Mar anda ¢& Steller’s Eider was suspected at Fraserburgh (Aber). King Eiders were reported from 6 widespread localities, and Smews from 7, including 3 at Hamilton (Lan). Rarer geese included 3 European Whitefront (albi- frons) in both Shetland and L Ken (Kirk), 2 Bean at Kelton (Kirk) in late Feb and 1 on Fair Isle, another Snow Goose at Dunsyre (Lan) on 11 Apr and something resembling the blue-phase, which may have been a strange hybrid, at Duddingston (Midl) in spring. Barnacles wintered in Shetland max 40-50 in Yell Sound. Shetland also has 3 reports over 9 months of a Golden Eagle from Hermaness, Foula and North Mavine. A big count of 285+ Snipe with 6 Jack Snipe comes from Ayr and 29 Greenshanks wintered on the Clyde. The usual scatter of rarer gulls in- cluded 7 Glaucous at Fraserburgh and 8 near Ayr and 4 Iceland Gulls at Fraserburgh and 3 at Kirkwall (Ork). A Mediterranean Gull was again at Musselburgh (Midl) in Mar. Ten Little Auks were picked up, several around the Forth and some after Feb gales; a very few others were in Shetland but 5 were on the Islay crossing on 22 Mar. In an unprecedented Shore Lark winter 7 visited Scotstown Head (Aber); the Tyninghame flock dropped from 55 in Feb and 20 were the last seen on 3 Apr, and 3 visited Costa (Ork) in late Mar. The Gullane Hooded Crow roost went up to 35. During the frost Redwings were conspicuous in towns but 324 CURRENT NOTES 9(6) most went south; Blackcaps remained numerous but most Chiffchaffs vanished. Almost 20 Scandinavian Rock Pipits (littoralis) could be recog- nized on the Ayrshire coast by spring. The only Waxwings reported were 1 in Selkirk and 3 in Edinburgh, where up to 8 Hawfinches disported in the Royal Botanic Garden. Turning to spring arrivals, a summer plumage White-billed Diver was found in Shetland. Two Cory’s and 2 unidentified large shearwaters passed Barns Ness (E Loth) on 18 Apr. White Storks were reported at Monymusk (Aber) in late Feb and Ardnamurchan (Arg) in Apr. A Spoon- bill stopped briefly at Aberlady (E Loth) in late Apr. A Green-winged Teal (carolinensis) was at Broadbay (Lewis) on 26 Mar and a Ferruginous Duck joined the Pied-billed Grebe at Strathbeg from 12th-end Mar. Observers chasing an extraordinary report of Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islan- dica)—a species not on the British List—at Ballochroy (Arg) in Apr found a Surf Scoter there instead. Brent Geese visited Balranald (O Heb) in Apr, max 41 on 17th, and a Marsh Harrier hunted there from 7-17th,. A Crane reached Strichen (Aber) on 22 Mar. April skua passage was marked, with 4 Great at Girdleness (Kinc) on 17th and 1 on 20th, 5 at Southerness (Kirk) on 24th, 7 Pomarine near Haskeir (O Heb) on 28th and single Arctic at Barns Ness on 3rd and 25th. A Little Gull was at Balranald in April. Woodpigeons passed Girdleness at a rate of 4,600/2 hrs on 13 Feb. A Hoopoe appeared near Blair Atholl (Perth) and a Wryneck in Shetland in early May. Unusual for Fair Isle were 2 Great Tits and max 12 Stone- chats in Mar, when 7 Black Redstarts were scattered along the east coast. A Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi) stopped at Barns Ness on 25 Apr and a Blue-headed (flava) visited Aberlady. Arrival dates of summer migrants were: Corncrake Lewis 3 Apr, Whimbrel Doonfoot (Ayr) 16 Apr, Common Sandpiper Harperrig (Midl) 20 Mar, Greenshank on breeding ground Rannoch (Perth/Arg) 12 Mar, Common Tern Barassie (Ayr) 15 Apr, Little Tern Southerness (Kirk) 24 Apr, Sandwich Tern 2 Musselburgh 12 Mar (but 2 wintered in the Forth) and Dee (Aber/Kinc) 26 Mar, Cuckoo Stornoway (O Heb) 27 Apr, Swift Duddingston 28 Apr, Swallow Dunbar (E Loth) mid Feb (may have win- tered but coincided with other migrants) and Barrloch (Ayr) 16 Apr, House Martin Aberlady 18 Apr, Sand Martin Bridge of Allan (Stir) 23 Mar, Ring Ouzel Lammermuirs (E Loth) 12 Mar, Wheatear Aberlady 12 Mar, Redstart Arran 2 Apr, Willow Warbler Ballantrae (Ayr) 6 Apr, Chiffchaff Tyninghame 19 Mar, Tree Pipit Dunalastair (Perth) 7 Apr, White Wagtail Fair Isle 16 Mar. We wonder how long the Hermaness (Shet) Black-browed Albatross, nest building in Mar, will take to attract a mate. The blue Fulmar at Tantallon (E Loth) was occupying a cliff ledge on 30 Apr. Nesting Osprey numbers are not yet known but 92 Snowy Owls on Fetlar (Shet) are again disappointed by absence of any dd. Latest news (late Apr-early May)—single White Storks Cameron Reser- voir (Fife), Aberdeenshire and Caithness (location reported as 2 miles from maternity hospital); 9 Ring-necked Duck East Fortune (E Loth); Marsh Harrier Aberdeenshire; 3 Lapland Bunting Aberlady. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP Dept. E 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (037) 556 6042 NEW STOCK The Birds of Angus Crighton 90p Birds of Coast and Sea Campbell & R. 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THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB MPHE Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 and membership is open to all interested in Scottish Ornithology. Meetings are held during the winter months in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, New Galloway, St Andrews, Stirling, Thurso and the Wigtown District at which lectures by prominent ornithologists are given and films exhibited. Expeditions are organised in the summer to places of ornithological interest. The aims of the Club are to (a) encourage and direct the study of Scottish ornithology; (b) co-ordinate the efforts of Scottish ornithologists; (c) encourage ornithological research in Scotland; (d) hold meetings at which Lectures are given, films exhibited and discussions held, and (e) publish information regarding Scottish ornithology. There are no entry fees for Membership. The Annual subscription is £3.00, or £1.00 in the case of Members under twenty one years of age or Students under 25, who satisfy Council of their status as such at the times at which their subscriptions fall due. The Life subscription is £75. Family Membership is available to married couples and their nomin- ated children under 18 at an Annual subscription of £4.50, or a Life subscription of £112.50. ‘Scottish Birds’ is issued free to Members but Family Members will receive only one copy between them. Subscriptions are payable on lst October annually. ‘Scottish Birds’ is the Journal of the Club. Published quarterly it in- cludes papers, articles and short notes on all aspects of ornithology in Scotland. The Scottish Bird Report is published in the Journal. An Application for Membership form is printed below and should be sent to the Club Secretary, Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, 21 Regent Terrace, Edin- burgh, EH7 5BT (Tel. 031-556 6042) APPLICATION FORM Name(S)..:.0..c.c0ccucert ey ates ed nausugeed epee center’ eas onan cee een cte0UUtaa Sete ttt iit A GTOSS. sic liccc cece cucececoccucee decane cccqecile ee Ol bse COREE SRLEE gust entre eee er cece ee te Ooeseeeeteseeet teres ret FF eeeeseseseeee FEHHOTEHETEEEHE HEHEHE HEFHSEHHEEHEHH HEHEHE SG Date of birth if under 21 or student under 25 (or nominated child under 18 on family membership) ......................5 Type of membership J)... csc c. se ccc ccc sks cas cee sce tne se eee eet tee I enclose cheque/postal order/cash for £.....................055 Sipmatures Ns 25. eee eae Aree eee oe see eee ear ettre soo ale ree ee PrOPOSE DY’... sjscsis= ans Seeticnw code tee bem Oe eo cle erecta eteiia fuerte Seconded- Dy-wiai cA s RRM es once Ee ieee eee eee (If you do not know any members who can propose or second you please leave blank) Please detach and send with your subscription to The Club Secretary, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT. Notes— 1. Those entitled to draw the State old age pension may pay a reduced subscription of £2 (single) or £3 (family) on application to the Club Secretary. 2. Banker’s Order and Deed of Covenant forms can be supplied by the Club Secretary. BIRD BOOKS BOUGHT IAIN RAMSAY 2 EAST FETTES AVENUE, EDINBURGH, EH4 1DN. Tel. 031-343 1769 ISLE OF MULL STAFFA COTTAGES GUEST HOUSE TOBERMORY Get away from it all... beautiful scenery, good bird- ing and comfortable accom- modation at Staffa Cottages. Quiet situation looking across the Sound of Mull to Morvern. SAE for coiour brochure. Proprietors : Richard & Elizabeth Coomber Tobermory (0688) 2464 GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie Offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well Known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available AAs 4 RAC... .R.S.A.C, COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply slides of most British Birds from our own collection, and from that of the R.S.P.B. Send 25p for sample slide and our lists covering these and birds of Africa—many fine studies and close-ups. | etal FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- cluding postage & V.A.T. per night’s hire. Birds are group- ed according to their natural habitats. W. COWEN Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbrla WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS in the HIGHLANDS Send stamp for details of one and two-week holidays April-November. Divers, blackgame, slavorian grebe, deer, porpoises ... see what we have to offer! CALEDONIAN WILDLIFE SERVICES 2 Kingsmills Gardens, Inverness, IV2 3LU. ORKNEY FIELD CENTRE LINKS HOUSE, BIRSAY, ORKNEY Telephone Birsay 221 Ideally situated on the Atlantic shore with RSPB nesting cliffs within a mile, wetland and moorland within walking distance. 79 separate sightings May-June this year. Hen Harriers, Red-throated divers, Skuas, Puffins and Twites abound. Our aim is to provide a high standard of food and comfort in a remote and beautiful place. SAE for brochure to Mim Hughes CENTRALLY HEATED FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp appreciated. The Humane Research Trust si Open all year round is a national Charity working 13 miles north of with scientists towards Loch Ken replacing animals in Research. Mrs B. FORREST The Edinburgh group will give you KEN BRIDGE more information c/o Mrs M. Bell, 10 Coillesdene Drive, Joppa, Edin- HOTEL burgh, EH15 2JD, or send for bird and animal drawings notepaper New Galloway pack of 10 with envelopes 60p post pd. to :— Kirkcudbrightshire The Humane Research Trust, DG7 3PR Brook House, 29 Bramhall Lane South, Tel. New Galloway 211 Bramhall, Cheshire, SK7 2DN. DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL pea RAC. * RSAC. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- : class service. eS ee Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skilbo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1977. Illustrated brochure of Hote! and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 at Mr Frank’s unusual binocular Offer : Test any FRANK-NIPOLE binocular free for 7 days and see for yourself why these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Five models particularly favoured by birdwatchers: Exit Relative Field Price Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case 8 x 30 Sil 13.6 tA 18 ozs. 43 ins. £23.50 10 x 50 5 25 5.5° 36 OZS. 7 ins. £33.00 8 x 40 5 25 g° 36 OZzs. 54 ins. £45.31 8 x 20 2.5) 6.2 li 6 ozs. ot ins. £46.20 10 x 40 4 16 {5° 254 ozs. 4} ins. £47.83 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we will give you the opportunity of purchasing a Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular about 25% below R.R.P. Colour brochure free on request. ee eee, TS Charles LTD | Fra k 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. N Binocular specialists since 1907. Tel. 041-221 6666 \/ WALTER THOMSON? K PRINTER, | ISSN 0036-9144 TTISH | BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 7 AUTUMN 1977 Price 75p 1977-78 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon)MTAI, Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) By Scheduled Air and Inclusive. With Guest Lecturers and a Tour Manager. *Provisional AUTUMN IN CORFU Oct 3-10 Birds £125 KASHMIR & KULU Oct 14-30 Birds & Flowers £698 AUTUMN IN ARGOLIS Oct 22-31 Birds & Sites £175 AUTUMN IN CRETE Nov 7-14 Birds & Leisure £161 CHRISTMAS IN CRETE Dec 22-30 Birds, Flowers, £181 Archaeology 1978 INDIA & NEPAL Feb 10-24 Birds Wildlife £734 SPRING IN CRETE Mar 6-13 Flowers Leisure £185 SPRING IN VENICE Mar 12-19 Art Architecture £165 SPRING IN ARGOLIS Mar 15-24 Sites Flowers £179 SPRING IN VENICE Mar 19-26 Art Architecture £154 SPRING IN ARGOLIS Mar 22-31 Birds & Flowers £198 BIRDS & FLOWERS CRETE Mar 27-10 Apr Birds Flowers £320* DR. PINSENT Mar 27-10 Apr £320* SPRING IN CORFU Apr 17-24 Birds Flowers £135* SPRING IN CORFU May 1-8 Painting £145* Oils, watercolour etc. with Ken Waterfield ATLANTIS (SANTORINI) May 8-19 “Lost” Minoans £270* NORTHERN GREECE Jun 7-21 Mountain flowers £320* RWANDA & ZAIRE Jul 14-2 Aug Dr C. Perrins £1000* Gorillas, Birds, Plains Game — Third year of this unique tour BIRDS OVER THE BOSPHORUS Sep 22-29 Eagles Storks £210* “DR. JOHNSON” TOUR OF SCOTLAND Sep 20-4 Oct History Literature with Prof. John Wain, Prof. of Poetry at Oxford University and biographer of Johnson Registration . . . This costs you nothing, does not commit you in any way, but gives you first sight of the new Brochures. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, BH, wee SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, # Ay % . | OX2 7UP. AS 6 : Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 is Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B LBL IAAL AAAI GIGLI GIO LIGA GIGI GAIA IASI IAI OLIGO, Heron 8x40 Bwef Bialik The Birdwatchers Glasses. As used by the forestry commission. Ideal for the young and beginners. Lightweight (260z), extra wide angle, 525 ft field of view, also suitable for spectacle wearers. We. believe them incomparable value at £31.39 inc. case and lanyard plus 75p towards p&p. Wide-angle Binoculars "€3493 Quality, power and light weight, too — a mere 200z! 367 ft. field of view at 1,000 yards. Slim Zeiss-type body, centre focus, black finish, fully-coated lenses, also suitable for spectacle wearers. Excellent value at £34.93 inc. case, straps and lanyard, plds 75p p&p. Top quality optical goods at enormous savings Heron quality, Heron service, Heron choice — we hold in stock what we believe to be the largest ...- range of telescopes and binoculars for birdwatchers in the country including: SWIFT Retail Our ; Price Price Trilyte 10X40 roof prism : (2202) £87.75 £64.50 Saratoga 8X40 MK. Il (340z) 71.13 £52.10 Audubon 8.544 MK. II (380z) £108.00 £79.40 Newport 10X50 MK. II (3802) 9.88 £58.69 Grand Prix 8X40 MK. | sae £59.06 £43.40 tadium 9X35 MK. | (2202) 61.88 £45.50 ZEISS JENA Jenoptem 8X30 (170z) £53.83 £35.90 Deltrintem 8X30 (180z) £74.25 £49.50 Jenoptem 10X50 (3502) £89.29 £59.50 Order direct from this list—. Prices correct as of Ist July 1977, inclusive of case, lanyard and manufacturer's guarantee, plus 75p post and packing charge. Access and Barclaycard accepted. syd for details and send for your guide to Binocular & Telescope ownership. Further details and comprehensive price list available in return for this coupon, including Field & Trek Catalogue of camping, rambling and climbing equipment. Or call in person and see our vast stock for yourself. “DAY APPROVAL SERVICE.» To: Heron Optical Co. 23-25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4ER Please send me details and price lists on: (please tick) Binoculars[ _| Telescopes Cy | | | | 7 Field & Trek Camping Equipment [] | NAME | | | \ \ ADDRESS | Retail Price Our Price CARL ZEISS . 6X20B Dialyt (502) £110.25 £84.40 8X20B Dialyt (4.7502) £121.50 £92.85 8X30B Dialyt (19.50z) £232.65 £177.75 10X40B Dialyt (2402) £274.33 £209.25 HABICHT Diana 10X40 (230z) £212.49 £153.31 BUSHNELL 7X26 pocket-sized(1loz) £77.18 £57.88 LEITZ 7 X42B (all in hard case) (22.90z _ £210.26 8X32B (180z) — £200.81 10X40B (2102) _ £226.80 8 40B (2102) — £219.21 MIRADOR 8X40 (2702) £52.65 £39.48 10X40 (2702) £56.86 £42.65 GREENKAT Kestrel 8.5 X50 (380z) £73.13 £58.50 8X40 Zwct OF (240z) £39.94 £31.75 TELESCOPES B Nickel Supra 15X60X60 2807) £151.88 £100.50 Hertel! & Reuss Televari 25X60 60 (3202) £146.25 £96.75 Swift Telemaster 15X60 X60 (4802) £157.50 £115.80 Greenkat MU861 C 2260 (interchangeable eyepiece) £55.91 £41.93 Schmidt & Bender 15X60X60 (33.50z) £146.25 £96.75 Heron Optical Co. 23-25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4ER. Tel: (0277) 221259/219418. Telex: 995566. Only 5 minutes from Brentwood Station, 30 minutes from London's Liverpool St. Station (Southend Line). Open daily 9am to Spm Monday to Saturday, Thursday lpm. Publication 30th September 1977 THE HEN HARRIER by DONALD WATSON Artist, ornithologist and author, Donald Watson has made an especial study of the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus over many years and his field notes and sketch books of this exceptional bird of prey go back to the 1940s. The book opens with the world distribution of the harrier family, then there is a fuller treatment of the Hen Harrier in Europe and North America (the Marsh Hawk), its history and present status. Further chapters detail hunting methods and prey selection, the breeding cycle, migration and distribution. The second part of the book is a closely observed account of the Hen Harrier in Donald Watson’s particular study areas in Scotland, in moorland and forest habitats. 308 pages plus 4 colour plates, over 110 monochrome illustrations, £6.80 net T. & A. D. POYSER SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 7, AUTUMN 1977 Page Mrs Irene Waterston (Andrew T. Macmillan) ... ae sae 326 Rookeries in Scotland—1975 (M. E. Castle)... 32. 4 327 Ross’s Gulls in Britain (M. Densley) ..... i! 45 i: 334 Short Notes Predation of seabirds by Grey Seals (P. K. Kinnear) ... 342 Peregrine apparently hunting on around (Patrick Stirling-Aird) ... 347 Exceptional Red Grouse nest made of straw (Adam Watson) 347 Great Black-backed Gull killing Wigeon (K. C. R. Halliday) 348 Behaviour of Wryneck and Great Grey Shrike (D. J. Bates, Alan Brown) ist 2 348 Male Ring Ouzel associating with a pair of Blackbirds (D. E. P. George) : as 349 Waxwings drinking birch sap mw. 3 fae Tyrer, Frank T. Moran) a ae 350 Obituary William Miles Logan-Home (Henry Douglas-Home)_... 350 Arthur Landsborough Thomson (Charles G. Connell) ... 351 Kenneth Williamson (J. H. B. Munro) _... si rer 352 Reviews Birds of Prey by Michael Everett (N. Picozzi) .... * 354 The Birdwatcher’s Key by Bob Scott and Don Forrest. (lan H. J. Lyster) in 354 Bird Observatories in Britain and Ireland ed. ore Beene (A. G. Stewart) 355 A Guide to Bird-watching in Mallorca a by Eddie Watkinson (Alan Brown) 43 356 Current literature a a4 ai oA. eA io 356 Letters The Status of Snow Geese in Scotland (Andrew T. Macmillan 357 Great Skuas killing mammals (P. K. Kinnear)... 358 Scottish Ornithologists’ Club... Pg it oP sb. 359 Branch and Group News ... Jat a be}. =e 3= 362 Current Notes iS + ae baa rus nee ts 363 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe SCOTTISH NEWS OIL POLLUTION Oil spill problems remain very much to the fore with the Ekofisk blow- out dominating the picture this Spring. Kevin Standring, our Conservation Planning Officer, was able to get out in a boat to the scene of this disaster soon after it occurred. His observations in the area of the oilfield showed that fortunately few birds were present at that time of year, mostly gulls and fulmars. Of those seen only 3% were oiled and none seriously. Five days after the well was capped the oil slicks had largely dispersed and were no longer lethal to seabirds. This incident has highlighted the dangers arising from a proposed oil- field much closer to the Scottish coast. This is the field discovered by the Mesa Group in the Moray Firth within 15 miles of the hugh seabird colonies on the east Caithness coast. Our research this summer suggests that these colonies are possibly the biggest on the mainland of Britain and obviously terribly vulnerable to any oil spills, let alone a blow-out, so close to the cliffs. KSPB OSPREYS At the time of writing the ospreys at Loch Garten are feed- ing two young and prospects look good. Elsewhere it has been a disappointing year, perhaps be- cause of the late spring, and it looks as though no more than six pairs will breed successfully. RESEARCH The two-year research project in Orkney has continued with detailed monitoring of the important sea- bird colonies and exhaustive beach- ed bird surveys helping to provide valuable information in a _ very vulnerable area. In the Highlands the breeding success of black- throated divers has been assessed to see if these sensitive birds are FILM SHOW The new programme of RSPB films will be shown throughout Scotland this winter. This features a major film on the Hebrides to- gether with films about reserves and southern heathland, Venues up to Christmas are: Dumfries (18 Oct), Ayr (19 Oct), Ardrossan (20 Oct), Kirkcaldy (25 Oct), Eastwood, Glasgow (31 Oct), Edinburgh (3 Nov), Milngavie (8 Nov), Hamilton (10 Nov), Perth (14 Nov), Greenock (15 Nov), Paisley (16 Nov), Aboyne (14 Dec). being unduly disturbed. Volunteers wishing to help with the Beached Bird Survey are needed this winter and should write to the address below. Enquiries and donations to THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS 17 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BN 031-556 5624/9042 SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLUGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 7 Autumn 1977 Edited by D. J. Bates Editorial Ross’s Gull The paper in this issue on Ross’s Gulls in Britain is of great interest to Scottish ornithology but the accompany- ing plates on their Siberian breeding grounds deserve special comment. They were photographed by a Soviet naturalist and given to A. J. Prater of the BTO with full permission to publish them abroad. Since the legality of this transaction may be somewhat dubious in Soviet eyes, the photographer must re- grettably remain anonymous, for the time being at least. As far as we know these are the first photographs of breeding Ross’s Gulls to be published anywhere and we are grateful for the unique opportunity of presenting them here. An endemic Scottish bird? Before it was merged with the Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus, the Red Grouse L. I. scoticus was affectionately regarded as a species peculiar to the British Isles. But instead it seems we may have a species en- demic to Scotland itself. In his “List of recent Holarctic bird species” (1977 Ibis 119: 390) Prof. K. H. Voous gives full species status to “Lfoxia] scotica Hartert. Scottish Crossbill or Scottish Pine Crossbill.”” By recognizing the Scottish Cross- bill as a species, distinct from the common Crossbill and Par- rot Crossbill, Prof. Voous follows the proposals of SOC mem- ber A. G. Knox in Pine Crossbills (Nethersole-Thompson 1975, pp. 191-201) and Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club (1976, 96: 15-19). To many, this news will bring a gratuitous addition to their life list, but for the sake of stability and convenience our more conservative editorial policy must be to continue treating the Scottish Crossbill as a race of the common Crossbill. If, how- ever, its unique status gains widespread acceptance, we wonder if the Crested Tit will be ousted from its position as the Scot- tish bird. 326 | MRS IRENE WATERSTON 9(7) Mrs Irene Waterston Irene Waterston retired from the staff of the SOC on 4th August 1977, after many years dedicated to the club and its members. She joined the SOC in 1949 as Miss M. I. Kinnear. After moving from Glasgow to the east of Scotland she became secretary of the Edinburgh branch, a position she held from 1954 to 1959, when, shortly after becoming Mrs George Water- ston, she was appointed first full-time secretary of the club. George had been secretary of the SOC from the beginning in 1936, but in 1959 he became the RSPB’s full-time representa- tive in Scotland and decided he could not continue as secretary. The council agreed that, with the growth in membership, and the opening of the Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, the considerable increase in secretarial work re- quired a full-time secretary. Irene was chosen and took up her duties on lst April 1959, giving a happy link with the retiring secretary. Living right over the shop she soon found her life inextricably and continuously tied up with her work. Irene brought to the club her very considerable administra- tive skills, and when in 1963 the SOC received the go-ahead to start a bird bookshop she ably organized the work of running it and taking books to many conferences. Its growth and inter- national recognition, and its great value to the club, reflect her groundwork at the start of this venture. As well as organizing the bookshop Irene was responsible for the winter programme of lectures given at all branches, and for the administrative work that ensured the success of our annual conferences. She looked after the club’s expanding ref- erence library, and through each winter opened the room for evening meetings of various groups. And of course she and George were always on hand to receive and entertain visiting birdwatchers from all over the world. In 1966 she brought all her energies and skill to bear as secretary of the committee set up by the club to run the Scottish Bird Islands Study Cruise. As summed up at the time in BTO News, one of the reasons for the outstanding success of the cruise was “the hours, days and months of work and careful planning by the cruise committee—above all by Irene Waterston”’. In March 1969 Irene handed over the secretaryship of the club to Alastair Peirse-Duncombe; in October 1973 Harry Greig took over the bookshop, now managed by David Bates; and in August this year she formally retired from the staff, although she continues as librarian, with the help of Daphne Peirse-Dun- combe, until a successor can be found. 1977 MRS IRENE WATERSTON 327 During those 18 years Irene devoted herself to the service of the club. The growth of the bookshop and upkeep of the library, the lectures, meetings and conferences she organized, all reflect the very high standards she maintained. The debt owed by the club is a large one, and as a token of esteem and gratitude the council has unanimously elected Irene an hon- orary member of the SOC. In addition, many members have contributed to a present to be handed over in the autumn. We send her our very best wishes and look forward to seeing her at SOC functions and conferences for many years to come. ANDREW T. MACMILLAN, President. Rookeries in Scotland - 1975 Mr. E. CASTLE (Plate 32a) Introduction Early Rook censuses in Scotland were done in 1875-87 and 1921-9, followed by a major investigation in 1944-6 (Anon. 1948-9). The organizer, the late James Fisher, concluded that in Great Britain there were about 3,000,000 Rooks, with an esti- mate of 750,000 in Scotland (Nicholson 1951). The accuracy of the 1875-87 figures is unknown but it was felt that the popula- tion was increasing in Scotland up to 1944-6. Since then there have been local censuses (e.g. Walls 1956, Castle 1968, Cowper 1964, Dunnet and Patterson 1965). In 1975, a survey of rook- eries in Scotland was conducted as part of the BTO survey of Great Britain. The main object was to record the location and size of all rookeries in Scotland and thus form a baseline against which future changes in population and distribution could be measured. Changes in populations since earlier cen- suses could be made also (Mitchell 1976). Methods The survey was conducted by local organizers, each respon- sible for one of 40 areas. Record cards, one per ten-kilometre Square, provided space for the six-figure map reference of each rookery, the locality, the number of nests, the altitude of the rookery, the type of tree and the date. It was requested that the survey should be made in late spring before the leaves were out. Areas missed in 1975 were covered in 1976. A rook- ery was defined as a group of nests, including single nests, 100 metres (109 yards) or more from the next nearest group of nests. 328 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 9(7) Density The number of rookeries and nests in each county is presen- ted in table 1 using the regional grouping of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland (Anon. 1975). Includ- ing estimates for fifteen unrecorded squares, the total number of rookeries was 3,197, containing 252,339 nests. Aberdeen had the largest number of rookeries and nests, and Shetland the smallest. Table 1. Number and density of rookeries and nests Number of Nests per County Rookeries Nests Rookery km Highland Argyll 78 3217 41.2 0.40 Inverness 59 4445 pirks. 0.41 Ross & Cromarty 95 8599 90.5 1.07 Sutherland 30 2055 68.5 0.39 Shetland 2 110 55.0 0.08 North East Aberdeen 359 49650 138.3 9.72 Banff 103 14117 137.1 8.66 Caithness 48 6124 127.6 3.45 Kincardine 65 3707 57.0 x/D Moray 77 7389 96.0 5.99 Nairn 21 1993 94.9 4.72 Orkney 15 957 63.8 0.98 East Central Angus 134 8424 62.9 8172 Clackmannan 15 545 36.3 3.85 Fife 149 7400 49.7 5.66 Kinross 35 1511 43.2 ‘alo Perth 147 6778 46.1 1.05 South East Berwick 123 8336 67.8 7.04 East Lothian 48 3487 72.6 5.04 Midlothian 99 4903 49.5 5.17 Peebles 49 4870 99.4 5.41 Roxburgh 127 8174 64.4 4.75 Selkirk 43 2557 59.5 3.69 West Lothian 47 2902 61.7 9.33 South West Ayr 246 19360 78.7 6.60 Bute 26 803 30.9 1.42 Dumfries 280 21869 78.1 7.85 Dumbarton 72 2807 39.0 4.49 Kirkcudbright 155 12301 79.4 5.30 Lanark 154 13252 86.0 5.70 Renfrew 64 3481 54.4 5.98 Stirling 113 5637 49.9 4.83 Wigtown 119 10579 88.9 8.38 Total and mean 3197 252339 78.9 3.26 1977 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 329 The density of nests per square kilometre (table 1) was cal- culated from the total area of each county, and Aberdeen, with 9.72 nests/km?, had the highest density. West Lothian, Banff, Wigtown and Duntfries all had high densities of nests, whereas Shetland, Sutherland, Argyll and Inverness had low densities with fewer than 0.5 nests/km*. The highest density in a 10 km square was 63.3 nests/km? in NJ 93, in Aberdeenshire north of Ellon. The next highest densities were in NJ 73, also in Aberdeen, and NY 17 in Dumfries, with values of 37.9 and 31.5 nests/km* respectively. A large number of squares in counties including Ross and Cromarty, Argyll and Inverness contained no rookeries and these squares are indicated clearly in The Atlas (Sharrock 1976). The mean density of nests in Scotland was 3.26/km? (table 1). The mean number of nests per rookery was 78.9 with a range from a mean of 138.3 nests in Aberdeen to 30.9 nests in Bute (table 1). Banff and Caithness had high values with 137.1 and 127.6 nests/rookery respectively. The average number of nests per rookery in Scotland is considerably larger than the mean value for some areas in England. Hertfordshire had a mean rookery size of 31 nests in 1960-61 (Sage and Nau 1963) and in Suffolk the number of nests per rookery was only 17.1 in 1975 (Jeanes and Snook 1976). There is evidence that the mean size of rookeries is declining (Castle 1968, Sage and Nau 1963) but it would seem that in Scotland the mean size of rookeries is still high. The rookeries on islands have been included in the appro- priate county in table 1 but more details are as follows. In Shetland the two rookeries were on Mainland, and in Orkney on Hoy, Rousay and Mainland. Lewis had four near Stornoway, containing 212 nests, but Harris, Barra and the Uists had none. Skye had twelve, with 423 nests in seven squares. Rhum, Eigg, Tiree, Coll and Colonsay had none but Islay had five, with a total of 98 nests, and Jura one rookery with 15 nests. Mull had two and Iona one; Lismore Island, Bute and Great Cumbrae had rookeries but none was found on Arran. Rookery size Further details of the sizes of rookeries are given in table 2. The small difference between the totals in tables 1 and 2 is due to the inclusion of the estimated values in table 1. Rookeries of up to 25 nests were the most frequent and constituted 33.8% of the total number of rookeries but contained only 5.2% of nests. A similar pattern was seen with rookeries containing up to 100 nests comprising 75.8% of rookeries but only 34.2% of nests. The larger rookeries containing more than 300 nests 330 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 9(7) Table 2, Distribution of rookeries by size Number of rookeries Number of nests Number of nests in each % of in each % of in rookery group total group total 1-25 1062 33.8 12807 5.2 26-50 640 20.3 23496 9.4 51-100 684 21.7 48773 19.6 101-200 474 Sek 65157 26.2 201-300 159 5 38951 15.7 301-400 70 2.2 24724 9.9 401-500 21 0.7 8790 3.5 over 500 36 ie 26037 10.5 Total 3146 100.0 248735 100.0 accounted for only 4.0% of rookeries but 23.9% of nests. Of the 36 rookeries with over 500 nests, 24 were in Aberdeen and Banff, with the others scattered from Dumfries to Ross and Cromarty. The largest was at Arnage Castle, Aberdeen (NJ 93) and contained 2,087 nests. Two others had over 1,000 nests, and the mean number of nests in the 36 largest rookeries was 723 per rookery. The mean altitude of these 36 largest rook- eries was 370 feet (113 m) above sea level, with a range from 100-700 feet (30-213 m). The distribution of rookeries according to size varied widely in the different counties. Rookeries with 1-25 nests were less than 20% of the total number in Inverness, Moray and Nairn, but over 50% in Argyll, Shetland, Fife, Kinross, Perth, Bute and Dumbarton. At the other end of the scale, rookeries with more than 300 nests comprised 10.7, 13.1 and 18.9% of all rook- eries in Banff, Aberdeen and Caithness and contained 44.7, 47.7 and 57.2% of all nests respectively. Altitude The distribution of rookeries and nests according to altitude (table 3) shows a progressive decline in numbers with increas- ing altitude. At heights up to 100 ft (80 m) above sea level there were 26.2% and 20.8% of the total number of rookeries and nests respectively, whereas above 300 ft (91 m) the pro- portion of both rookeries and nests decreased rapidly. Wide variations in the distribution according to altitude were recorded in the different counties. No rookeries were found below 400 ft (122 m) in Peebles and Selkirk whereas in Bute, Nairn and Sutherland over 80% of nests were at altitudes less than 100 ft (30 m). In Lanark 78% of all nests were over 500 ft (152 m). The mean altitude of all nests per county showed that Selkirk and Peebles had the highest values of 1977 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 331 Table 3. Distribution of rookeries by altitude Altitude Number of rookeries Number of nests (feet above in each % of in each % of sea level) group total group total 0-100 ( O- 30m) 822 26.2 51419 20.8 101-200 ( 31- 61m) 609 19.4 47605 19.2 201-300 ( 62- 91m) 540 17.2 43802 17.7 301-400 ( 92-122m) 361 11.4 32297 13.1 401-500 (123-152m) 282 9.0 21889 8.8 501-600 (153-183m) 195 6.2 18086 13 601-700 (184-213m) 144 46 14725 6.0 over 700 (213m) 190 6.0 17654 TL Total 3143 100.0 247077 100.0 760 ft (232 m) and 720 ft (220 m) respectively). At the other extreme, Bute, Orkney and Sutherland had values of 60 ft (18 m), 70 ft (21 m) and 90 ft (27 m). Seventeen rookeries were at 1,000 ft (305 m) and above, and these had an average of 73.7 nests/rookery and were situated in Aberdeen, Banff, Berwick, Midlothian and Peebles. The highest rookeries were at 1,175 ft (358 m) in NT 75 in Berwick and Midlothian, and at 1,150 ft (351 m) in NJ 22 in Banff. Species of tree The number of nests in the various species of tree was recorded for 78% of all nests and the results are summarized in table 4. Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris was the most frequently used and held 51.5% of all nests. Beech Fagus sylvatica and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus were next and in ten counties were used more than Scots Pine. Other species used were Oak Quercus robur, Elm Ulmus procera, Ash Fraxinus excelsior, Spruce Picea abies, Larch Larix decidua, Silver Fir Abies alba, Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga taxifolia, Corsican Pine Pinus nigra var. calabrica, Chile Pine Araucaria araucana, White and Black Poplar Populus alba and nigra, Rowan Sorbus aucuparia, Holly Table 4. Distribution of nests according to tree species Tree species Number of nests % of total Scots Pine 101844 51.5 Other conifers 8133 4.1 Beech 37571 19.0 Sycamore 23174 PL? Oak 8725 4.4 Common Elm 8186 4.1 Ash 5735 2.9 Other deciduous 4478 PAS Total 197846 100.0 332 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 9(7) Ilex aquifolium, Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, Plane Platanus acerifolia, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, and Salix and Prunus spp. In Moray, Nairn and Kincardine over 80% of nests were in Scots Pine, whereas in Dumbarton, Stirling, Bute and Caithness less than 15% of nests were in this species. More than 50% of all nests were in Syca- more in West Lothian, Caithness and Orkney, whilst in Perth, 25.7% of nests were in Oak. Of all the recorded trees, 55.6% of nests were in conifers and 44.4% in deciduous tree species. S Accuracy Only 15 squares were not recorded in the whole country, and the coverage of virtually 99% was considered highly sat- isfactory. Omissions were not apparently systematic and thus the data can be accepted as an accurate sample of the popula- tion. Without doubt a few rookeries were not counted although every precaution was taken to obtain data from counters with local knowledge who covered a relatively small area. In addi- tion the county organizers did much cross checking before the results were analyzed. Probably the largest source of error in the survey was due to the variation in the date of the count. The number of nests in a rookery varies according to the date (Dunnet and Patter- son 1968) and in theory the maximum count should be used as a true index of the population. For example, in the Ythan valley in Aberdeen the maximum counts of nests occur in the second half of April and detailed counts are confined to this period. In the present survey, the dates of counting ranged from March to June and clearly many counts would not be the maximum one. The results in the survey are without doubt an underestimate due to rookeries either not counted or counted too early or too late. There is also the major problem of counting nests with accu- racy in Scots Pines. This source of error, which may be either an overestimate or an underestimate, was commented on by many recorders who confirmed the problems expressed by Watson (1967). In view of all these facts, and a study of dupli- cate counts of some rookeries, it is suggested that the total population in table 1 could be underestimated by at least 10%. Population trend One object of the survey was to enable comparisons to be made with those in earlier years. From the 1945-6 survey it was estimated that the Rook population in Scotland was 750,000 (Nicholson 1951) compared with the present popula- tion of about 500,000 birds. Thus in 30 years the population 1977 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 333 has declined by 33%. Errors in counting have already been mentioned, and may have occurred in both surveys, but this large decline in numbers is thought to reflect a true picture of a decreasing population. For confirmation on a county basis, the number of nests in Ayrshire has dropped from 26,000 in 1956 (Walls 1956) to 19,000 in 1975, a decrease of 25% in 19 years although the number has been as low as 18,000 in 1966 (Castle 1968). In Angus, a detailed comparison of the 1945 and 1975 data showed a decline of 35% in the number of nests (Atkinson, pers. comm.). In the Loch Lomond catchment area of 700km? the number of nests has declined by 20% in the 30 years since 1945 (Mitchell 1976). Nests within the Edinburgh city boundary decreased by 60% from 1945 to 1970 (Munro 1970). In Suffolk a comparison of the 1945 and 1975 data shows a nest decrease of 46% (Jeanes and Snook 1976) which is even higher than the mean change in Scotland. It is of in- terest that the 212 nests recorded near Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, are virtually the same number as counted in 1939 (Nich- olson 1951). A vital aspect of the 1975 survey was to establish a good base line of detailed information on Rook population in Scot- land in order to accurately monitor future changes in numbers. It is thought that this object has been achieved with the results summarized in this report. Detailed information for all Scot- tish 10km squares is now in the club library and this data should be useful for future comparisons. Acknowledgments The excellent coverage in this survey was achieved by the hard and loyal work of almost 1,000 helpers and grateful thanks are due to them all for their valued assistance. The author is indebted particularly to the following county organizers who gave so much time and effort to field and desk work: S. M. D. Alexander, N. K. Atkinson, C. G. Booth, J. L. Burton, E. D. Cameron, D. L. Clugston, R. Coomber, C. N. L. Cowper, W. A. J. Cunningham, Sir A. B. Duncan, Mrs M. H. Dunn, J. Edelsten, H. Galbraith, T. Gray, F. D. Hamilton, M. Harvey, C. G. Headlam, C. J. Henty, A. Kellie, P. A. Kemp, R. M. C. Lambie, S. Laybourne, D. Lea, R. Leavett, D. Macdonald, E. J. Maguire, J. Milne, J. Mitchell, C. M. Morrison, D. W. Oliver, S. M. Ottaway, A. Ramsay, R. Richter, G. Sheppard, R. Smith, R. W. J. Smith, Miss I. Thomson, R. J. Tulloch and J. West. Particular thanks are due to Iain Leach for his reliable assistance with the detailed tabulating and checking in the survey, and to Jennifer Castle for her painstaking help with the tree data. On behalf of the SOC, our sincere thanks to you all. Summary A total of 3,197 rookeries containing 252,339 nests was recorded in Scotland during a survey conducted in spring 1975. Virtually 99% of the country was surveyed, and it is estimated that there has been a 33% de- crease in numbers since 1945. 334 ROOKERIES IN SCOTLAND 1975 9(7) The mean number of nests per rookery was 78.9 with er. i of 3.26 nests/km2. F y oa oe ee The number of rookeries and nests decreased progressively with in- creasing altitude, with only 20.4% of all nests over 500 ft (152 m). Scots Pine, Beech and Sycamore were the most frequently used nesting trees, with 51.5, 19.0 and 11.7% of all nests respectively in these species. It is considered that this survey can act as a sound base line for future population studies of the Rook in Scotland. References ANON. 1948-9. Rook investigation. Report received by the Ministry from the Agricultural Research Council. J. Min. Agric. 55: 20-23. ANON. 1975. Agricultural Statistics, 1974, Scotand. Edinburgh, H.M.S.O. CASTLE, M. E. 1968. A survey of rookeries in Ayrshire in 1966. Scot. Birds 5: 196-204. CowPErR, C. N. L. 1964. Notes on the rookeries in the City of Edinburgh in 1957 and 1964. Scot. Birds 3: 177-9. DUNNET, G. M. & PaTTErSoN, I. J. 1965. A population study of Rooks in the Ythan valley. Scot. Birds 3: 229-230. DUNNET, G. M. & PATTERSON, I. J. 1968. The Rook problem in North-East Scot- land. In The Problems of Birds as Pests pp. 119-139. London, Academic Press. JEANES, M. J. F. & SNOOK, R. 1976. The Rook in Suffolk. Woodbridge, Penny Press. MITCHELL, J. 1976. The breeding status of the Rook in the Loch Lomond area. Loch Lomond Bird Report 4: 8-15. Munro, J. H. B. 1970. Notes on the rookeries in the City of Edinburgh in 1970. Scot. Birds 6: 169-170. NICHOLSON, E. M. 1951. Birds and Men. London, Collins. SAGE, B. L. & Nau, B. S. 1963. The population ecology of the rook in Hertford- Shire. Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc. Fld. Club 25: 226-244. SHARROCK, J. T. R. (comp.). 1976. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. Tring, B.T.O. WALLS, R. C. 1956. Ayrshire rookeries. Scot. Nat. 1956: 110-113. Watson, A. 1967. The Hatton Castle rookery and roost in Aberdeenshire. Bird Study 14: 116-119. Malcolm E. Castle, 9 Finlas Avenue, Ayr, Scotland. Ross’s Gulls in Britain M. DENSLEY (Plates 29-31) Introduction Ross’s Gull has been aptly described as ‘‘one of the most mysterious birds in the world” (Fisher and Lockley 1954) and even today comparatively few ornithologists have seen the bird in its normal range. Fortunately for ornithologists in this country, this normally High Arctic species is now being recor- ded in British waters with some regularity. In the last 130 years 21 have been identified in the British Isles, all but two 1977 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 335 since 1960. The trend towards more frequent occurrence, due in part no doubt to better observer coverage, is likely to con- tinue. These British occurrences are examined in the light of the bird’s distribution and behaviour, and my experence of it in this country and on migration in northern Alaska in autumn 1975 (Densley in prep.) Discovery and breeding distribution Ross’s Gull was found by Sir James Clark Ross (after whom the bird was named) in the central Canadian Arctic in June 1823 (Stenhouse 1930) and what is considered to be the type specimen is now in the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh. Originally mounted, the bird has subsequently been converted, not too successfully, into a cabinet skin. The breeding grounds (fig. 1) lie between 62°27’ and 70°30’ north and 142° to 160° east in the valleys and deltas of a few large, north flowing rivers of extreme northeastern Siberia (Dementiev and Gladkov 1969). It nests in small colonies, often with Arctic Terns on small dry islands in wet birch and alder scrubland (Buturlin 1906). Two exceptional cases of breeding have occurred outside Siberia: at Disko Bay, Greenland, in 1885 (Salomonsen 1950) and in Spitsbergen in 1955 (Lovenskiold 1963). Post-breeding dispersal While still at the half down stage, the young Ross’s Gulls are led by their parents away from the breeding grounds to- wards the shores of the Arctic Ocean. They arrive there in late July (Buturlin 1906) by which time the young are completely feathered and the adults have undergone a partial moult. This moult was still under way in some of the September and Octo- ber adults I examined in Alaska. On their arrival at the coast, both adults and young immediately move away together along the shoreline. The subsequent pattern of their dispersal is indi- cated in fig. 1. Large numbers of Ross’s Gulls, almost all flying east, were observed on the north coast of Alaska as early as the late autumn of 1881 (Murdoch 1885), clearly indicating a large scale eastward movement away from the breeding grounds. However, no systematic documentation took place of these early coastal Alaskan movements, and some reservations have recently been expressed regarding the numbers of birds appar- ently then involved. Despite its abundance along the north coast of Alaska as far as Point Barrow, the Ross’s Gull is rarely seen east of there. Observations from land and investigative cruises in the Beaufort Sea, including one of my own in 1975, 336 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 9(7) emit oe F a OS s e* = Permanent pack ice Y Yj Breeding range @ Single records @yumbers of birds or repeated sightings imenereas Arctic Circle Fig. 1. North polar regions showing distribution of Ross’s Gull. 1977 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 337 have failed to reveal significant numbers of the bird. No spring return passage returns at Barrow, and Murdoch (1885) sugges- ted that the September and October birds might retrace their route westwards after encountering the edge of the permanent pack ice north of the Alaskan coast. Surprisingly, there are only six records of Ross’s Gull from North America outside Alaska : five from Arctic Canada including those seen by Ross in 1823, and an adult at Salisbury, Massachusetts, in March 1975. In Greenland the bird is regularly seen on the west coast in summer, with at least ten records for the Disko Bay area where the 1885 breeding occurred. There is one record for the east coast. (Salomonsen 1950 and pers. comm.). There are seven Icelandic records, again all in summer (F. Gudmundsson pers. comm.) and four for the Faeroes, at least two of which were in summer, but none in recent years (F. Salomonsen pers. comm.). Many Ross’s Gulls also head west along the Arctic Ocean coast after leaving the breeding grounds, arriving at the New Siberian Islands between late July and September (Dementiev and Gladkov 1969). Some birds continue west, following the pack ice edge through the Kara Sea, eventually reaching the areas of broken ice north of Franz Josef Land and Spitsbergen where large numbers of immature and non-breeding adult Ross’s Gulls apparently summer (Collett and Nansen 1900, Stenhouse 1930). At least some of the summering Ross’s Gulls in the northern waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas may remain in the area to winter (it is generally assumed that they winter somewhere in the Arctic Ocean). In winter, the Arctic drift ice with which the Ross’s Gull outside the breeding season is associated, extends southwards from the pack edge north of Spitsbergen, reaching its maximum southern limit in February. From it, wandering immature as well as inexperienced adult birds could easily reach British and other European waters, as well as those of Iceland, Greenland and North America, especially if aided by northerly winds or a homebound distant water fishing vessel with its attendant gull flock. Distribution in the British Isles Bannerman (1962) lists the following occurrences in Europe : Heligoland 1858, Sardinia 1906, Norway 1909 and 1949, France 1913, Germany 1953 and another since, Denmark 1955, Holland 1958 and Britain 1846/7, 1936 and 1960. Since then there has been a further record for Norway and no less than a further 18 for Britain and Ireland. No doubt this sudden increase in the 338 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 9(7) number of records in this country at least partially reflects the increase in the number and improved ability of observers. Fig. 2 illustrates the geographical distribution of the British Ross’s Gulls. With the exception of the bird from Ireland (Cape Clear Island 1967, not on the map) and those from the south coast of England and the west of Scotland, they have occurred between the Humber and Shetland, with the main concentra- tion on the northeast coast England. This pattern of distribution clearly indicates an arrival into British waters from the north- east, supporting the theory of a wintering population in the Spitsbergen area, with a southwest drift of birds from there. Much the same theory has been used to explain the remarkably similar distribution of the White-billed Diver in Britain, suppor- ted by the known exstence of a wintering population of the Kee Whalsay/Fetlar 1969 Scalloway 1972 & 1975 Whalsay 1936 Holy Island 1970 Holywell Ponds 1960 @\e@ NS Shields 1970876 Seaton Carew ee el Scalby 1976 ® Bridlington 1962 & 1974 Tadcaster 1846 or 47 a 7 Christchurch 1974 Weymouth 1967 Fig. 2, Geographical distribution of British records of Ross’s Gull. The one Irish record (Cape Clear Island 1967) is omitted, 1977 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 339 birds off the Norwegian coast (Burn and Mather 1974). The existence of only a single record between Shetland and the Tweed might partially be accounted for by a shortage of winter observers there. This is, however, unlikely to be the reason for the dearth of records south of the Humber, and it would ap- pear that the bird’s true distribution in this country, for what- ever reason, does not usually extend south of Yorkshire. Fig. 3 illustrates the distribution of British and Irish records of Ross’s Gull with respect to the month of first sighting. It will be seen that the month of peak arrival in Shetland (and the north coast of Scotland) has been January. A single Shet- land record in April coincides with the peak month of arrival on the mainland, and may mark a northward return of birds to breeding, or, in the case of non-breeding birds, summering areas. The delay between first arrival in Shetland and else- where suggests that the northern Scottish islands may be a point of passage than an actual destination. 4< i) = Number of individuals Fig. 3. Distribution of British and Irish records of Ross’s Gull with respect to month of first sighting. The shaded squares indicate Shetland records. An immature bird first seen in June 1974 at Christchurch Harbour remained until August, and it, together with adults in August in Dorset and Islay, and one at Cape Clear in Sep- tember, could have arrived in British waters the previous winter and have summered here. An October Shetland bird could equally have been simply an early arrival. The occur- rence of a bird in apparently first winter plumage at Seaton Carew, Cleveland, on 8th August is quite remarkable, consider- ing that the newly fledged young do not reach the Arctic Ocean coast in Siberia until late July. Plumage Of the 21 Ross’s Gulls seen in Britain up to the end of 1976, 13 have been adults in full or almost complete winter plumage, almost all with the dark smudge around the eye, and the dark 340 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 9(7) spot behind it (a feature of the winter adult lacking in the illustrations in some of the popular field guides). Only six of these birds showed any discernible pink in the plumage, and this varied considerably in intensity and extent. At times, the Scalby bird of 1976, which I saw in late March, showed the entire white areas of its plumage except the rump and tail suffused with bright shrimp pink. At other times neither I (nor my companion) could see any pink at all on the bird. In the case of other records, different observers who saw the same bird reported differing amounts of pink visible to them. All the winter adults I saw in Alaska in late 1975 were suffused with bright pink, and yet none of the close-up colour transpar- encies taken of these birds at the time showed this at all. It would seem that the appearance of this pinkness is in some wavy controlled by the light conditions prevailing at the time of observation. Two summer plumaged adults have been recorded in this country. The first was found freshly dead, probably shot, at Holywell Ponds, Northumberland, in April 1960. It possessed the full collar of the mature adult, but completely lacked the pink suffusion (Jobling 1960), as did a Dutch summer adult of June 1958 (Kist 1959). The lack of pink in these birds was attributed to some form of dietary deficiency, poor physical condition or sexual immaturity. The Holywell bird did, how- ever, show the usual pinkish-rose skin fat. The other was seen at Hartlepool fish quay in early May 1976. It possessed all the plumage features of the summer adult, including the pink flush, mainly on the belly. It could have been the same individual that was seen a few weeks earlier at Scalby and Tynemouth, after having undergone a moult to at least the head and body. Five British birds have been immatures. Two appear to have been in first winter plumage, one post first winter, one first summer and one second winter. Behaviour Most British Ross’s Gulls have occurred in concentrations of other gull species, usually including Black-headed Gull or Kittiwake, and often in the vicinity of a sewage outlet. Al- though appearing to need the company of other gulls, the Ross’s Gull nevertheless seems to prefer feeding alone and has been observed doing so on a number of occasions in Britain, sometimes enduring harassment by other species. Many British birds have been observed to establish a feeding run that was repeatedly quartered, usually into the wind. This was the nor- mal feeding pattern of the Alaskan birds, imposed by the exis- 1977 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 341 tence of only narrow leads of open water between the ice floes. Dipping to the water in flight in the manner of marsh terns Chlidonias spp. and shallow surface plunging have been the most commonly observed feeding methods of birds seen here, and pattering of the feet on the water by the birds in flight has been noted several times. Contrary to popular belief, the British birds have taken readily to water, as some Alaskan birds did, resting and sometimes feeding on the surface, or, at times, wading while looking for food. Foot paddling in order to obtain food has also been observed (King 1974). Several observers, including myself, have noted the rapid, and seemingly rather ineffectual wing beats of British individ- uals on take-off. No doubt the species is normally assisted in this in its natural habitat by a much stronger and more reliable wind flow. Acknowledgments The necessary fieldwork in Alaska for this paper was made possible by the financial support of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and I was granted leave of absence from my work by Rotherham Metropolitan Bor- ough Council. My stay at the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory at Barrow was facil- itated by R. K. McGregor, Director Arctic Programme, Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia. Many of the staff and visitors at N.A.R.L. rendered valuable assistance while I was there, in particular Russell Greenberg and Larry S. Underwood. Dr T. C. Wolford, Director of Oceanography, U.S. Coastguard Oceano- graphic Unit, Washington D.C., directed my attention to useful literature, as did Dr G. E. Watson of the Smithsonian Institution. I also gratefully acknowledge information on the status of Ross’s Gull from Iceland, Green- land and the Faeroes supplied by Finn Salomonsen and Finnur Gudmunds- son. To Captain R. J. M. Fournier and the officers and crew of the U.S. Coast- guard icebreaker Burton Island very special acknowledgment is made for the memorable privilege of cruising with them in arctic waters. J. N. Dymond and J. O’Sullivan gave me access to information contained within the files of the British Birds Rarities Committee. Summary The discovery, breeding, distribution and present knowledge of the post- breeding dispersal of Ross’s Gull are summarized. A wintering area in the north Norwegian and Barents Sea is suggested, and the 21 occurrences in the British Isles are examined. The records indicate an arrival of birds from the northeast via Shet- land and an eventual distribution along the northeast coast of England from Yorkshire to the Tweed. The peak arrival time for the Shetland birds is January, and that for the mainland April. Plumage and feeding behaviour in Britain are discussed. 342 ROSS’S GULLS IN BRITAIN 9(7) References BANNERMAN, D. A. 1962. The Birds of the British Isles vol II. Edinburgh and London, Oliver & Boyd. Burn, D. M., and MATHER, J. R. 1974. The White-billed Diver in Britain. British Birds 67: 257-296. BuTurRLIN, S. A. 1906. The breeding grounds of the Rosy Gull. Ibis Ser. 8(6): 131-9, 333-7, 661-6. COLLETT, R., and NANSEN, F. 1900. An account of the birds. pp. 1-53 in F. Nan- sen (ed.) Norwegian North Polar Exped. 1893-1896 sci. Res. London, Longmans Green. DEMENTIEV, G. P. and GLADKOv, N. A. (eds.). 1969. Birds of the Soviet Union vol. 3. Jerusalem, Israel Prog. Sci. Trans. FISHER, J., and LOCKLEY, R. M. 1954. Sea Birds. London, Collins. JOBLING, A. 1960. Ross’s Gull in Northumberland. British Birds 53: 444. KING, B. 1974. Ross’s Gull in Hampshire foot paddling to disturb organisms. British Birds 67: 477-8. KistT, J. 1959. Photographic studies of some less familiar birds: C.I. Ross’s Gull British Birds 52: 422-4. LOVENSKIOLD, H. L. 1963. Avifauna Svalbardensis, Oslo, Norsk Polarinstutt. MurpocnH, J. 1885. Birds. pp. 104-128. In Report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska. Washington D.C., Govt. Printing Off. NANSEN, F.. 1897. Farthest North (2 vols.). London. SALOMONSEN, F. 1950. The Birds of Greenland, Copenhagen, Munksgaard. STENHOUSE, Rear Admiral J. H. 1930. Birds of Parry’s Arctic Voyages. Scot. Nat. 1930: 9-14. M. Densley, 60 Saffron Crescent, Tickhill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Short Notes Predation of seabirds by Grey Seals On 9th May 1976 L. Dalziel drew my attention to a Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus some 50 yards (c.45m) off the coast at Sumburgh Head, Shetland, holding a decapitated Guillemot in its mouth. Although we did not witness the capture, it seems unlikely that the seal happened to find the bird dead and no other predators, which might have lost their kill to the seal, were evident. This was the first occasion I had seen a seal eating a sea- bird, although it is not regarded as a particularly unusual event locally. Judging by the note of Grant and Bourne (1971) such incidents have rarely been reported. In a review of the literature Birkhead (1976) was unable to find any documented evidence of seals predating guillemots Uria spp. P. K. KINNEAR [Neither Hewer (1974) nor Southern (1964) mention birds as seal prey. Grant and Bourne (op. cit.) reported a Gannet attacked by a Grey Seal and the remains of a gull (possibly Kittiwake) and a Razorbill in Grey Seal stomachs. The late LEE ee Hc cic PLATES 29-31. Ross’s Gulls (p. 334). 29(a) and inset (b) Scalloway, Shetland, with Kittiwakes January 1975 (cf. 9:207 plate 17b) in virtually adult winter plumage With darx smudge around eve and dark spot behind it. Note also small bill, black outer web of outer primary, dark underwing with white rear edge, and pointed tail (lacking some feathers). Photographs by D. Coutts. PLATES 29(c)-31. Breeaing Ross’s ‘Zuils, Indigirka River region, N.E. Siberia. Photographs (anom7.) courtesy of A. J. Prater. 29(c) Adult at nest. Nests are usually on small, dry islands, up to 10 inches (25 em) high, in wet birch and alder scrub, often in colonies of Arctic Terns. This nest in shallow, freshwater, riverside Carex marsh appears to be in a wetter and more open situation than most. PLATE 30(a) Ross’s Gull nest and eggs. The nest is made of dead grass and sedges sometimes with reindeer moss and dead alder and birch leaves. It is often, as here, on a living cushion of Sphagnum moss and Dwarf birch Betula nana. The eggs, usually three, are olive green marked with dark brown. (b) Young, well camouflaged chick in water; note short bill. PLATE 31(a) Adult Ross’s Gull on nest. The long wings, rounded head, small bill and black collar (absent in winter) are features of the adult and well shown here. The mantle is pale pearl grey but appears carker due to the angle of the light. (b) Adult at nest. This striking photograph shows two characteristic features of the adult— the long. pointed tail with the central pair of feathers projecting well beyond the rest; and the broad, white trailing edge to the upper and lower surfaces of the open pene ae under wing surface appears darker than it really is due to the angle of e light. PLATE 32(a) Rook at nest with young. The i975 census (p. 327) showed that the Scottish population had fallen by 33 per cent since 1945. About half the nests were in Scots Pine. Photograph by R. T. Smith (b) Unusual Red Grouse nest of straw (p. 347). Photograph by A. Watson (c) Sir A. Landsborough Thomson (obituary p. 351). Photograph courtesy Sir C. G. Connell 1977 SHORT NOTES 347 N. F. Ellison (1955) gave two instances of two Grey Seals playing with an oiled Guillemot, apparently injuring one. D. J. Bates saw a Grey Seal devouring a live bird, probably a female Eider, at North Berwick, East Lothian, on 20th March 1977. Predation of birds by seals is doubtless under-recorded and in the absence of a suitable mammal journal we would be glad to have other records.—ED. | References BIRKHEAD, T. R. 1976. Breeding biology and survival of Guillemots Uria aailge. Ph.D. thesis. Oxford University. ELLISON, N. F. 1955. The mammals of the Hilbre Islands. Northwestern Naturalist (N.S.) 3: 318-323. GRANT, D. R. & BOURNE, W. R. P. Grey Seals and seabirds. Seabird Report 1971 : 52-53. HEWeERrR, H. R. 1974. British Seals. London, Collins. SOUTHERN, H. N. (ed.) 1964. Handbook of British Mammals. Oxford, Black- well Scientific. Peregrine apparently hunting on ground On 9th June 1976 I saw a tiercel Peregrine glide across a freshwater loch in Wester Ross, change direction and alight on the moor c.600 yards (c.550m) away. It spent about 15 minutes jumping and fluttering over an area only a few yards wide before flying in the direction of its eyrie with nothing in its talons. It occurred to me that it could have been searching for prey and five hours later I visited the spot, a slight depression about ten yards (c.9m) across filled with Heather Calluna vulgaris and Bog Myrtle Myrica gale. I saw nothing to account for the Peregrine’s presence until after a minute or two a tight-sitting Common Sandpiper rose at my feet from the centre of the depression and flew round a knoll out of sight. There was no sign of a nest or young. PATRICK STIRLING-AIRD [D. N. Weir comments that Peregrines regularly take a variety of prey from the ground but that it is under-recorded. —ED. | Exceptional Red Grouse nest made of straw Red Grouse nest in scrapes on the ground, occasionally unlined but usually with an incomplete thin lining of frag- ments of Heather Calluna vulgaris, grass, moss or other vegetation within the sitting hen’s reach; they do not build large nests. On 3rd June 1976 I flushed a hen from a nest of oat straw at 150m (c.500 feet) altitude on Kerloch moor, Kin- cardineshire (plate 32b). This was exceptional in the material 348 SHORT NOTES 9(7) used and its thickness. The nest was in tall Heather on a 50 x 20m area where the farmer had dropped oat sheaves for cattle food in winter and where straw still lay in swathes and patches among the heather. As most of the territory that this pair occupied contained no oat straw, plenty of normal nest sites and lining materials were available. The nest looked like a basket around the eggs, and on the uphill side the straw projected above the sitting hen’s head, hiding her and shelter- ing her from wind and rain. The thickness of straw under the hen varied from 1 cm at one side to 4 cm (0.4-1.6 inches) at the uphill side. The stalks had been carefully intertwined and built into a compact nest. As virtually no loose straw lay around the nest (see photograph), probably the hen had removed it for nest making, taking what was within her reach while sitting on the nest. The hen’s dark plumage looked conspicuous against the pale yellow straw once one noticed her, but on each visit she was very difficult to spot in the first place, probably because the small patches of contrasting colour gave a camouflaging effect. All eight eggs hatched successfully. ADAM WATSON Great Black-backed Gull killing Wigeon On 8th November 1976 the Eden estuary at Guardbridge, Fife, was full of duck, mainly Wigeon and Mallard, with gulls amongst them. A Great Black-backed Gull swam up to an apparently healthy Wigeon, caught it by the back and, holding it under the water, proceeded to drown it. It then pulled some feathers out of the body and started to eat it. Meantime, other duck were swimming about close at hand and, apart from keeping a wary eye on the gull, did not seem unduly worried. K. C. R. HALLIDAY [The Handbook mentions killing healthy, full grown birds up to the size of shearwater and Puffin, as well as wounded ducks. Of course, the unfortunate Wigeon may have been in- capacitated in a way imperceptible to the human observer but not to the more discriminating eye of a predator.—ED.] Behaviour of Wryneck and Great Grey Shrike On 3rd October 1976, when many migrants were on the Isle of May, we joined M. Fraser and others to admire a Wryneck perched openly on a coil of rusty cable near the ringing hut. A Great Grey Shrike, also watching from a low perch, soon landed only 2m (c.6 feet) from it, whereupon the Wryneck apparently began to preen its back. However, it was in fact turning its head vigorously from side to side without actually 1977 SHORT NOTES 349 touching its feathers. The shrike began to move in a similar manner but definitely preened the fathers about its rump. The Wryneck then flew out of sight but the shrike remained preen- ing for another ten minutes until, after the other observers had left, DJB saw it fly to a nearby cable to feed on something already impaled on a metal spike, later found to be a quarter of a Meadow Pipit in fresh condition. We do not think the birds’ behaviour was affected by our presence, hidden behind a wall, as the shrike’s meal was eventually interrupted by the more distant approach of another person. The Wryneck’s snake-like contortions are believed to deter predators and indeed we had seen a potential predator under- line its frustration by performing a displacement activity (or out-of-context behaviour when normal activity is thwarted, in this case preening instead of hunting). In the literature Wry- necks are described as rolling the head back with raised crown feathers, usually when disturbed on the nest or captured, and DJB has seen a bird in the hand writhe in this manner. We have been unable, however, to find any description of be- haviour when faced with an enemy in the open and we suggest that the motions of our bird with the shrike, which were so unreptilian as to be mistaken for preening, might be a different response to this situation. D. J. BATES, ALAN BROWN Male Ring Ouzel associating with a pair of Blackbirds My wife and I saw a male Ring Ouzel daily in our garden near Portree, Isle of Skye, from 26th April 1976. It is an unusual bird at this low level and the first we have seen near the house. He frequented a nearby heathery and rocky outcrop and sang or scolded from the garden trees. Within a short time he joined up with a pair of Blackbirds. At first he seemed to pay more attention to the cock and followed him around for much of the time. There was, however, no sign of pugnacity and the two birds frequently sat in the trees or on the ground a few yards apart, often with their backs to one another. Meanwhile the hen Blackbird began sitting on a nest near the house. While she was off the nest on 9th May the Ring Ouzel twice tried to rape her, until he saw me only a few yards away and flew off. There was no mistaking his attempt to mate, nor her successful evasion, though she only hopped a few yards. We saw the Ring Ouzel only four times after 13th May and last on 5th June, twice here and twice half a mile (c.800m) 350 SHORT NOTES 9(7) away. The brood of Blackbirds fledged successfully but none of them had a suspicion of a white bib! D. E. P. GEORGE [Captain George has supplied carefully detailed notes, leav- ing the identification of the Ring Ouzel in no doubt.—Eb.] Waxwings drinking birch sap On 5th March 1976 in a small park in Hillhead, Glasgow, we saw ten Waxwings feeding on the berries of a Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. They fluttered to a Silver Birch Betula pendula only six feet (1.8m) from where we stood. The tree had been recently lopped and sap was dripping steadily from the wounds in sufficient quantities to make small depressions in the gravel path below. The Waxwings were drinking the sap, twisting their bodies to catch the drips. Some took to the air, hovering for three or four seconds, their beaks searching for the drips. There was considerable competition for the three best sources of sap and frequently a bird would jostle another from its position. We caught and tasted the sap drips which were pleasant and mild. M. JANE TYRER, FRANK T. MORAN [Waxwings eat berries and flying insects according to sea- son. We can find no record of sap.—ED.] Obituary WILLIAM MILES LOGAN-HOME During his long life (1884-1977) Lieutenant-Colonel “Bill” Logan-Home, MC, of Edrom House, amassed a great know- ledge not only of the birds of the Borders but also from his frequent visits to faraway places. Almost up to the end he was making long, exhausting trips to East and South Africa with undiminished enthusiasm and stamina. He always wanted to share his experiences and would telephone on many occasions, reporting the first appearance of Collared Dove and Green Woodpecker, and the daily visit of a Wryneck to his lawn—curiously in the exact place as one recorded by Muirhead in The Birds of Berwickshire in the middle of the last century. One day recently a guest of his had left for the south and telephoned in great excitement from Kelso that he had seen a Black Woodpecker running across the road close to the Tweed. Bill was unwell at the time so I went immediately with a friend to the spot. During our long 1977 OBITUARY 351 vigil I suddenly realised there might be an error. Several Moorhens ran across the road to and from the river. I telephoned Bill with some trepidation about my theory. He chuckled and after correspondence with his friend he con- firmed that the running Black Woodpecker was none other than a Moorhen with its brilliant red forehead shining in the sun. He was to the Borders as Seton Gordon was to the High- lands and now that these two grand gentlemen of nature have left us we will miss their knowledge and their company which many of us were privileged to share for so many years. HENRY DOUGLAS-HOME ARTHUR LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON (Plate 32c) Sir Landsborough Thomson, C.B., O.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S.E., who died on 9th June 1977, was born on 8th October 1890 in Edinburgh. He attended the Royal High School and later Aberdeen Grammar School when his father Sir J. Arthur Thomson was appointed to the Regius Chair of Natural History. Landsborough later studied at the Universities of Aberdeen, Heidelberg and Vienna. For a time he was assistant in the natural history department in Aberdeen but from 1915 he served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders— largely in France—and ultimately held the rank of lieutenant colonel. From 1919 he worked with the Medical Research Committee and later with the Medical Research Council as Second Secretary but this is not the place to detail the great contribution he made to the organization and development of medical research. From his earliest days Landsborough’s spare time (it is difficult to know how he had any) was devoted to natural history and in particular to the study of bird migration on which he soon became an authority. Inspired by the work of Gatke and Eagle Clarke, he started a ringing scheme at Aber- deen University simultaneously with the Witherby scheme in 1909. His first book was Problems of Bird Migration (1936) but his most outstanding work was to edit A New Dictionary of Birds (1964) to which he contributed at least 30 major articles. Landsborough played an outstanding part in the develop- ment of many natural history and scientific bodies. In par- ticular he was President of the BOU and Chairman of the BTO. He had been Chairman of the Natural History Museum and of the Council for Nature and was a trustee of the World Wildlife Fund. 352 OBITUARY 9(7) Joining the SOC in 1937 he was made an honorary member in 1966, since when he also represented the club on the British Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation. He lectured at two of the conferences and as recently as 1975 he contributed to Scottish Birds a notable article on “Dispersal of First-year Gannets from the Bass Rock” written with his usual lucidity and authority. Along with his wife Maisie he was on the “Scottish Bird Islands Cruise” in 1966. Landsborough was the most modest of men, kind and help- ful to all who sought his help, ever ready with encouragement and wise counsel. He was never referred to but with respect and affection by all who knew him. It can be said he was at once a man of the widest interests, an outsianding scientist and an exceptionally able administrator. In Who’s Who he described his recreations as “Travel, formerly climbing’. When he completed his History of the Medical Research Council in 1973 (referred to in a medical journal as ‘“‘a great book by a great man’’) he decided the time had come for the long awaited travel. The next few years found him in Asia, Australasia and Galapagos. When he returned from the Galapagos in 1976 he was full of wonder at the wealth of interest in the famous islands. Although natural history and the study of birds were in one sense only hobbies, no one could ever say that Landsborough was an amateur. By his death Scotland has lost a most dis- tinguished son. Many of us have lost a most valued friend. He was indeed a prince among men. CHARLES G. CONNELL KENNETH WILLIAMSON Kenneth Williamson, a distinguished and long-standing member of the SOC, died suddenly at Tring on 13th June. He came to Scotland in 1948 as the first Director of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, spending most of each year in Fair Isle and the winters in Edinburgh. On Fair Isle he set up the bird observatory and developed the ornithological research into the relationship between weather conditions and migratory movements. In this he built on the early observ- ations of W. Eagle Clarke, who in his book Studies in Bird Migration had pointed out the importance of Fair Isle in this field, Ken readily acknowledged the pioneer work on migration drift made by the Misses Rintoul and Baxter, but greatly developed knowledge in this field, making himself a competent meteorologist in the process. He published many papers on the subject, while weather influences on bird migration were summarized in a published lecture to the XI International 1977 OBITUARY 353 Ornithological Congress in Basle in 1954. On Fair Isle too he started studies of bird weights, moults and ectoparasites, and initiated valuable research on the genetics of the polymorphic forms of the nesting Arctic Skuas. In 1957 he spent a season as Nature Conservancy warden on St Kilda where his work included the most complete census to date of the St Kilda Wren population. He was then appointed Migration Research Officer at the BTO, co-ordinat- ing the work of the bird observatories. During this period he edited the journal Bird Migration and published the three guides to the warblers Identification for Ringers (1960-4). Ken had a natural gift for lecturing and writing lucidly with an output of over 250 papers and notes in scientific journals. He had also edited the BTO journal Bird Study since 1969 and found time to write books—The Sky’s Their Highway (1937), The Atlantic Islands (1948), St Kilda Summer (1960) and A Mosaic of Islands (1963), these two in collaboration with Dr J. Morton Boyd. Fair Isle and Its Birds came in 1965. In 1962 he was put in charge of the BTO Populations section, organiz- ing the Common Birds Census monitoring scheme. Ken loved his many visits to Scotland doing this work with his team of enthusiasts. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1959, received the British Ornithologists’ Union medal in 1976 and was secretary of the International Bird Census Committee. Ken, the centre of a happy family, was friendly and unas- suming with a great breadth of interests including archae- ology, music and literature. He had many friends in all age groups and was a delightful and knowledgeable companion on ornithological outings, where he stressed the value of the contribution from amateurs. His pawky sense of humour led him to describe the only bird he claimed not to have been able to identify in the field as “probably a common Wheatear which had been nesting in a coal mine’. He gave solace to a close friend who found his failing hearing worrying saying that his wife ‘must just act as his ear strumpet’’. During the years 1967-76 Ken had held the responsible post of Principal Editor of The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland published in 1976. Only a few hours before he died he was working on his latest book on the effect of climatic change on bird life, containing his unique knowledge of dis- tribution, populations, range changes and systematics of European birds. The finest compliment we can pay to Ken is for this book to be completed and published as he would so dearly have wished. J. H. B. MUNRO. 354 REVIEWS 9(7) Reviews Birds of Prey. By Michael Everett. London, Orbis Publishing, 1976. Pp. 128, many colour photographs, 5 figures. £3.95. The author states that this book is not intended as a detailed reference work, but rather as an introduction to stimulate interest in raptors. It begins with a chapter on their evolution, and continues with one on ‘The Falconiformes’, which is virtually an annotated checklist of most of the world’s raptors and seems to derive almost entirely from standard refer- ence works, notably Brown and Amadon’s Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World. Subsequent chapters on ‘Physical Characteristics’, ‘Hunting and Feeding’, ‘The Breeding Cycle’, ‘Migration’ and ‘Birds of Prey Today’, also largely re-work published material, although they are, admittedly, written clearly and enthusiastically by a person with an obvious feeling for raptors. Throughout the book, the text would have been enlivened greatly by drawing extensively on the author’s own field experience, of which there is little mention. The numerous illustrations, all in colour, marry well with the text, even if some species are represented up to six times. Scottish readers will be pleased to see Dick Balharry’s fine eagle picture given just treat- ment (compare its reproduction in Highland Birds). I was disturbed by the illustration of the Merlin which shows white string tying back the vegetation and numerous broken heather stems resulting from extensive ‘gardening’. Nobody doubts the havoc still wrought among our raptors in the supposed interests of game preservation, but it is a most unfor- tunate oversight to publish a picture with a caption accusing a gamekeep- er of stringing up a dead Kestrel (p. 110) when the illustration shows only too clearly that the unfortunate bird was lost by a would-be falconer and had died a wretched death hanging from its jesses. Overall, the author succeeds well in his purpose by putting so much material into a popular format. The book is attractively produced and reasonably priced and will certainly be useful for those with little know- ledge of raptors. Most other ornithologists will look for a book with more new material. N. PICOZZI. The Birdwatcher’s Key: a guide to identification in the field. By Bob Scott and Don Forrest. London, Frederick Warne, 1976. Pp. 276, 112 colour plates; 19 cm x 10.5 cm. £3.95 and £2.25. With such a wealth of bird books already on the market today one of the most daunting tasks facing the aspiring ornithological author is to find a theme which has not already been done to death. Bob Scott and Don Forrest are therefore to be congratulated for both spotting the need for a simple, pocket-sized identification key for use in the field and for producing this tact-filled little volume to neatly fill the gap. Simplicity and ease of use are the keynotes of this book. To identify a bird one first refers to either of the inside covers where there is a key page of line drawings and a list of the orders of birds. These are colour coded, as are the relevant margins of the book. Thus one can quickly turn to that section of the book where the unidentified bird is most likely to be de- scribed. Birds of 382 species found in the British Isles and north-west Europe are illustrated in colour, the plates including the seasonal, sexual and immature plumage where relevant, and flight patterns. The text is 1977 REVIEWS 355 opposite each plate and covers habitat, behaviour, calls and plumage (emphasizing important features with bold type), with brief notes on distribution. A more detailed checklist-cum-distribution table is placed at the end of the book. The success of such a field guide depends very much on the quality of the illustrations. These must inevitably be something of a compromise since they need to both clearly show the diagnostic features of the plum- age yet also capture the characteristic pose or jizz of the bird. Don For- rest’s colour plates in general cover both aspects admirably, but for me there is an awkwardness in some of the poses and a fussiness in some of the painting that I find disappointing. There are also some errors in the colours but the fault may lie in the printing. However, these are minor criticisms and on the whole the pictures illustrate well the important diagnostic features of the birds. The text neatly complements the illus- trations and together they provide all the basic information one needs to identify an unknown bird in the field. Birdwatchers, whether newly hatched or fully fledged, should certainly find this book a useful com- panion. IAN H. J. LYSTER. Bird Observatories in Britain and Ireland. Edited by Roger Durman. Berkhamsted, T. and A. D. Poyser, 1976. Pp. 286: 17 plates; 15 maps; 19 other text figures and maps; 22 x 15 cm. £5.00. As one who has never visited any of our bird observatories I looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed, for it contains a wealth of detail and information for ornithologists, or anyone planning to visit an observatory. Roger Durman, a past Chairman of the Bird Observatories Council, has done a good job in collecting and editing the stories of life and ornithological coverage at the fourteen observatories in Britain and Ireland. The introduction by Robert Spencer deals with the origins of obser- vatories and the first migration studies associated with them and contains some fascinating old records and anecdotes from observatory log books. The fourteen observatories are then dealt with separately in chapters by writers who each have an intimate knowledge of the particular site, giv- ing first the position and layout of the observatory with its general history, followed by excellent notes and records of the birds seen through- out the year, indicating the species most likely to be seen and the best time to visit. A map is included in each chapter, but omit some places mentioned in the text. Ringing is an important aspect of research at observatories and this is well covered in the text and by histograms plus maps of recoveries. Notes on the botanical, insect and mammal records follow, and descriptions of the accommodation available to visitors and the methods of access complete the chapters. There follow two appendices, the first and most important lists the 393 bird species identified at the various observatories up to 3lst December 1973. Strangely, these 18 pages are not numbered but are quoted in the index—a black mark here! Appendix 2 lists all the non-avian species recorded in the text. Not all addresses for the observatory booking services are given, but an annual information sheet, covering all the sites, issued by the BTO, is mentioned in the foreword to the book. This should up-date all intending visitors as to addresses, prices and facilities. Reading records of one observatory after another may seem boring, but the whole style of this book makes for easy reading, and when compared with each other these records reveal many different aspects of the various observatory sites. I found one or two glaring errors in the text, and the printing of page 267 of my copy (Appendix 1—count the pages !) was very 356 REVIEWS 9(7) poor. At £5.00 a copy, I suggest this book is overpriced, but for those interested in field work at bird observatories is nevertheless a good addi- tion to their library. A. G. STEWART. A Guide to Bird-watching in Mallorca. By Eddie Watkinson. Stockholm, AB Grafisk Formgivning, 1976. Pp. 56, 22 maps. 24 x 16 cm. £1.75. In recent years Mallorca (or Majorca to many of us) has become widely recognized as one of the best places in Europe to watch birds, particularly during the spring and autumn migrations. This recognition plus the fact that it is easy to get to on a package holiday has attracted more Scottish visitors and this guide by Eddie Watkinson is therefore especially wel- come. Before covering the major bird habitats, the booklet provides some useful background information including sections on where to stay, local transport, the people and their customs, car hire and laws affecting motorists. This last section itself could quite easily save the visitor the cost of the booklet several times over. Nevertheless £1.75 for a paperback booklet of 56 pages can hardly be described as cheap—presumably the price we have to pay for publication in Sweden. The major part of the guide is devoted to excellent descriptions of the best mountain, marsh, woodland, scrub and coastal habitats. A detailed map of each place is complemented by text on how to get there, how to explore the area and the birds likely to be seen. Together they ensure that the visitor can use all his time to the best advantage. Precise instruc- tions are given on how to find all Mallorca’s specialities including Eleon- ora’s Falcon, Marmora’s Warbler, Audouin’s Gull and Black Vulture. I personally found particularly mouth-watering the description of a route to a summit regularly frequented by Black Vultures, where the author photographed three together with a standard lens. The omission of an inclusive checklist is disappointing and there is a slight tendency to repetition. However, these are minor criticisms and this guide is a must for any birdwatcher going to Mallorca. Although well briefed for a visit in spring 1976, I found myself frequently saying “if only I’d known that”. I can think of no better recommendation. Similar guides to Sweden and Denmark are also available at similar prices. We can hopefully look forward to more. ALAN BROWN. Current literature, Recent material of Scottish interest includes: Behaviour of Manx Shearwaters. R. J. Tulloch, 1977. British Birds 70: 35. (Observation from Shetland). Oystercatcher hatching Lapwing’s eggs. R. C. Dickson, 1977. British Birds 70: 36. (Record from Galloway). The food of Red Grouse chicks. C. J. Savory, 1977. Ibis 119: 1-9. (Study in Kincardineshire). Body weights and carcass composition of the Common Eider. H. Milne, 1976. Wildfowl 27: 115-122. (Study in Aberdeenshire). Tay Ringing Group 1975. P. N. J. Clark (ed.). 20p. (Annual report; no ad- dress given.) A Survey of Rookeries in Buteshire in 1975. M. E. Castle, 1976. Transac- tions of the Buteshire Natural History Society 20: 81-85. Trumpeter Finches: new to Britain and Ireland. D. I. M. Wallace, F. K. Cobb and C. R. Tubbs, 1977. British Birds 70; 45-49. (Details of first Scottish record.) 1977 REVIEWS 357 a St Kilda. M. P. Harris and S. Murray, 1977. British Birds 70: Behaviour of Black Grouse on elevated perches. B. King and M. P. Visick, 1977. British Birds 70: 77. (Observation on Islay.) An ornithological survey of Sule Skerry. A. C. Blackburn and D. Bud- worth, 1976. Seabird Report 5: 27-33. Counting Tysties: some results from Orkney. A. D. K. Ramsay, 1976. Seabird Report 5: 34-38. Scottish shearwaters. R. L. Swann and A. D. K. Ramsay, 1976. Seabird Report 5: 38-41. Effects of Great Skuas on Arctic Skuas in Shetland. R. Furness, 1977. British Birds 70: 96-107. Aerial roll display of Golden Eagle in winter. C. J. Northeast, 1977. British Birds 70: 119. (Tayside record.) Status of the Linnet in Shetland. P. K. Kinnear, 1977. British Birds 70: 128. Edinburgh Ringing Group: Four, 1976. D. R. Langslow and S. R. D. da Prato (eds.). 30p. (Annual report; 35p post free from J. H. Ballantyne, 6 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh 3). Contamination of Peregrine Falcons with Fulmar stomach oil. A. Clarke, 1977. J. Zool., Lond. 181: 11-20. (Analysis of corpses from Scotland.) Birds of the Monach Isles, Outer Hebrides. I. R. Hepburn, P. and R. A. Schofield, 1977. Bird Study 24: 25-43. Autumn birds on the Monach Isles. J. Harwood, 1977. Bird Study 24: 44-46, Kleptoparasitism of Sandwich Terns by Black-headed Gulls. E. Fuchs, 1977. Ibis 119: 183-190. (Study at Sands of Forvie). Dumfriesshire Rook census 1963 and 1973. (Unpublished report in SOC library.) National Rookery Survey 1975. British Trust for Ornithology. (Copies of unpublished Scottish record cards in SOC library.) 1975 Canna report. A. D. K. Ramsay and R. L. Swann. (Unpublished report in SOC library of seabird studies.) Tystie work in Orkney 1976. A. D. K. Ramsay. (Unpublished interim report in SOC library on Black Guillemots.) Letters The status of Snow Geese in Scotland Most birdwatchers seem to accept the Snow Goose Anser caerulescens as a Scottish wild bird. It is not even thought of as very rare. The idea is that with over 150 records some must surely be vagrants from Canada. Yet even at the time of the first Scottish record, an imma- ture Lesser A.c. caerulescens shot on Barra on 9th October 1917, birds were escaping from captivity in England, and 16 seen in Morayshire in August 1933 were evidently escapes from Woburn. There were only three other published records before 1940, including one of Snow Geese consorting with Barnacles in the Inner Hebrides in 1927-32. Up to 12 at a time 358 LETTERS 9(7) in central Scotland in the winters 1940-7 were presumably escapes, and there were no more until winter 1953-4, when four different birds appeared, including a Greater A.c. atlan- ticus and a blue-phase Lesser. From 1957-8 Snow Geese have been recorded every winter, with some six to twelve records annually in the past 15 years, more about 1967, but only one reported in 1972; there have also been a few records of Ross’s Geese A. rossii. Most of these birds are undoubtedly escapes. Some associ- ate with other geese, especially the large flocks of Greylag and Pinkfeet in central and south Scotland, and stay with them for long periods, taking part in their migrations. A Greater and a blue Lesser, seen first with Pinkfeet in the Clyde area in 1959-60, were recorded in Scotland for three and six con- secutive winters respectively; and a pair of Ross’s Geese (both ringed and so presumed to be escapes) seen in Scotland in four successive winters were probably the same birds that attempt- ed to breed in Iceland in at least one of the intervening summers. Other Snow Geese remain on their own, singly and in small groups; and breeding season records include birds staying in Scotland all summer. As with some other rare wildfowl, the problem is to tell any vagrants from the many birds of captive origin. There is nothing unlikely about wild Snow Geese in Scotland but with- out ringing recoveries it is hard to pick one reasonably certain record. Rather few records are from the Hebrides, where birds from North America might be expected to appear (though of course even escaped passerines such as the Red-headed Bunt- ing regularly find their way to remote islands). M. A. Ogilvie has drawn my attention to an individually identifiable blue- phase Lesser Snow Goose that has completed its fourth con- secutive winter in one small area on Islay with Greenland Whitefronts A. a. flavirostris. It is simpler to pose the problem than to resolve it, but perhaps this letter will encourage someone to try. ANDREW T. MACMILLAN Great Skuas killing mammals Chris Booth’s note (9: 125) on this subject prompts me to record observations on Noss, Shetland, in 1973 when I was RSPB warden. Two pairs of Bonxies or Great Skuas Stercor- arius skua regularly hunted the infield. During May and June I regularly saw these birds taking Kittiwakes and Herring Gulls but when large numbers of Rabbits Oryctolagus cuni- culus began dying of myxomatosis in late June both pairs switched to an all Rabbit diet. Both dead and half dead 1977 LETTERS 359 Rabbits were taken, although I never saw any attacks on healthy Rabbits. As myxomatosis gradually spread Bonxies with adjacent territories also began to feed on Rabbits. R. Gall (pers. comm.) has seen Bonxies making swoops at Mountain Hares Lepus timidus but attacks were not pressed home. The Brown Skuas S.s. lonnbergi of Macquarie Island are well known for taking Rabbits, but this habit seems poorly developed in Bonxies. This is a reflection of the ease with which they can obtain other forms of food. On Noss I never saw Bonxies feeding on any lamb corpse and elsewhere in Shetland eye-witness accounts of Bonxies killing lambs are lacking. All too often, I suspect the Bonxie is a scapegoat for sub-standard sheep management. P. K. KINNEAR The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club THIRTIETH ANNUAL CONFERENCE MARINE HOTEL, NORTH BERWICK 20th - 22nd January 1978 PROGRAMME Friday 20th January 4.30-9 p.m. Conference office open for members and guests to register and collect name cards. 6.15 p.m. Meeting of Council. 7-9 p.m. Supper. 8.30- 9.30 p.m. FILM AND SLIDE PROGRAMME in the lecture theatre. 9.30 p.m. Lounges open for informal discussions and refreshments (late licence). Saturday, 21st January 8-9 a.m. Breakfast. 8.45 - 9.15 a.m. Conference office open for registration. 9.20 a.m. Official opening of the Conference by the President, Andrew T. Macmillan in the lecture theatre. Lectures on “BIRDS ON ISLANDS”. 9.30-10.30 am. Introduction by Professor George M. Dunnet, FRSE, Regius Professor of Natural History, University of Aberdeen. 10.30-11 a.m. INTERVAL for coffee. 11 -11.55 a.m. LECTURE by Dr M. P. Harris, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory. 360 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(7) 11.55 a.m. - LECTURE 12.50 p.m. by Dr Martin Gorman, University of Aberdeen. 1 p.m. INTERVAL for lunch. 2 p.m. Afternoon free for private excursions. 2.15 p.m. “RSPB—1977’, Short talks and discussion by RSPB staff, in the Tantallon Suite (1st floor). 4 p.m. Tea 5.30 p.m. 4lst ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLUB in the main Dining Room, The Agenda will be published with the winter number of the journal. 7.30 for 8 p.m. ANNUAL DINNER in the lecture theatre (dress informal). Sunday 22nd January 8.15 - 9.15 a.m. Breakfast 9.30-11 a.m. A series of short lectures on ornithological research in Scotland will be given : ““Wintering sea-fowl in Scapa Flow”, by David Lea, “Breeding ecology of Gannets on Ailsa Craig” by Sarah Wanless, and “History and habits of the Great Skua” by Robert Furness. 11 - 11.30 a.m. INTERVAL for coffee. 11.30 a.m. FILM “The Ythan estuary—one of nature’s hotels”. 12.30 p.m. CLOSING remarks by the President. (approx.) 1 p.m. LUNCH 2 p.m. CONFERENCE DISPERSES; informal private excursions. Conference Office Outwith the registration hours the Conference Office and the Exhibition Room will be open most of the weekend for members to see the exhibits. A wide selection of new books from the SOC Bird Bookshop will be on display for purchase or orders, and paintings by wildlife artists will be displayed for sale in these rooms.-In addition to exhibits by various organisations, Messrs Charles Frank Ltd. will have their usual extensive selection of binoculars and telescopes. Film and Slide Programme The programme from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. on Friday evening is intended to give members and guests an opportunity of showing 2” x 2” slides or 16mm films. These must however be submitted beforehand to the Conference Film Committee and should be sent by 13th January 1978 at latest to the Club Secretary, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT. The slides should be titled and sent with brief notes on what will be said about them, to enable the Committee to make a selection and to form a good programme. INFORMATION 1. General The conference will be held in the Marine Hotel, North Berwick. Numbers staying in the hotel are limited to 200, but 240 can be accom- modated for the annual dinner and 270 in the main lecture theatre. Priority at the dinner and lectures will be given to those staying at the Marine Hotel. There are twin bedded rooms but very few single rooms 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 361 and, for the benefit of others, members are urged to make arrange- ments to share with a friend. In addition there are 6 four bedded rooms and 5 seven bedded rooms; generous reductions are made to members sharing these rooms providing that all beds in the rooms are filled. If more than 150 members and guests stay at the Marine Hotel, the SOC is guaranteed the sole use of the whole premises for the entire weekend. 2. Reservations at the hotel must be made direct with the Manager, but in order to check numbers these must be on a form only obtainable from club secretary (see enclosed Booking Sheet). As there are fewer seats in the lecture hall than in recent years, early booking is advised to cag oe Booking should be made before Friday 23rd Dec- ember : 3. Charges The special Marine Hotel conference charge which covers the annual dinner, but not wines at the dinner nor the registration fee (see below), is £24.00. This includes bed, all meals and coffees, service charge and VAT, from Friday afternoon to Sunday lunch inclusive. For those prepared to share in the four bedded rooms there is a reduction of £4 for the week-end, and for those in the seven bedded rooms a reduction of £8, provided that all beds in the rooms are occupied. All resident charges, except the registration fee, are payable direct to the Marine Hotel. 4. Registration Everyone attending the conference must register at the conference office on arrival. The registration fee is £1.25 for the whole conference or 75p if attending for one day only. Members attending a the Annual General Meeting do not require to pay a registration ee. 5. Annual Dinner The cost for members and guests staying at the Marine Hotel is included in the special conference charge payable to the hotel. Advance booking by non-residents is essential; tickets may be paid for in advance when returning the conference booking sheet or purchased when registering on arrival. The cost is £5.00 per person, inclusive of service charge and VAT, but not wines. Wine for the dinner can be booked during the conference. 6. Other meais Non-residents can obtain dinner (£4.00 fully inclusive) on Friday night and lunch (£3.00 fully inclusive) on both Saturday and Sunday, by prior arrangement with the hotel reception staff. Morning coffees for all are included in the registration fee. LOCAL RECORDER CHANGES Pressure of work has regrettably forced Donnie Macdonald to give up as recorder for Sutherland and Ross and we gratefully acknowledge his service since 1969. His place is taken in Sutherland (only) by Dr I. D. Pennie whose new address is 5 Badcall, Scourie, Sutherland, Dr Pennie was previously recorder for St Kilda which is now merged with the Outer Hebrides under the recordership of W. A. J. Cunningham. For the time being records for Ross-shire (except Black Isle) should be sent to Roy Dennis at Landberg, North Kessock, Inverness, [V1 1XD. WINTER EXCURSIONS - DUNDEE BRANCH my: 23rd October 1977 LOCH OF STRATHBEG. Coach outing: see elow. Saturday 13th November BALGAVIES RESERVE. Leader: B. Lynch, 362 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(7) Saturday 11th December PARKHILL. Arranged by Tay Ringing Group. Saturday 22nd January 1978 MONIKIE & CROMBIE RESERVOIRS. Leader : B. Pounder. Saturday 12th February TENTSMUIR. Leader D. B. Thomson. Saturday 26th March KILCONQUHAR LOCH (by kind permission of Elie Estates). Leader : Mrs J. A. R. Grant. All excursions, except October, are by private car and start at 10 a.m. from City Square, Dundee; bring picnic lunch. For details of the coach outing on 23rd October, and further infor- mation about the other excursions, contact the Branch Secretary, Mrs A. Noltie, 14 Menteith Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 3EN (tel. 0382 75074); please send s.a.e. if writing. INVERNESS BRANCH Saturday 24th September THE FIRTHS. Leader : Roy Dennis. 9.30 a.m. Sunday 23rd October TARBAT NESS. Leader : David McAllister. 9.30 a.m. Pe November LOCH OF STRATHBEG. Leader: Malcolm Har- vey. 8 a.m. All excursion meet at Cathedral car park at time shown (lunch and tea). Names to and further information from Mrs J. Morrison, 83 Dochfour Drive, Inverness IV1 5ED (tel. 0463 32666); please send s.a.e. if writing. BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS Aberdeen seabird conference This international three day conference on ‘The Changing Seabird Populations of the North Atlantic’ at Aberdeen Universiy in March was sponsored by the BOU, BTO, RSPB, SOC, Seabird Group and Wildfowl Trust. The university kept us comfortable and well fed and the SOC bookshop provided a popular and profitable side-show. Nearly 200 attended and representation was well balanced with half the speakers from the British Isles, a quarter from North America and rest from countries bordering the North Sea from Belgium to Iceland. The vast amount 0° information presented cannot be summarized here but abstracts of the 44 papers should soon appear in Ibis. Much current interest in seabird numbers and ecology derives from such threats as pollution and over-fishing, and the related conference themes of human influences, population ecology and censusing reflected this. It was disturbing to learn how much remains uncertain. What exactly do seabirds eat and how much? Do they compete with commercial fishing? Are PCBs really harmful? And if they are threatened, how can population changes be monitored when patterns of distribution at sea and attendance at colonies are so complex? Evidence was presented for some surprising conclusions, Cadmium and mercury in concentrations intolerable to terrestrial animals occur naturally in the sea. Culling gulls in a few big colonies may eventually increase the population by deterring recruits and dispersing them to reinforce other colonies and also by increasing chick survival in the big colonies through reduced density. The twentieth century population explosion of gulls may be due largely to cessation of persecution, yet centuries of sophis- ticated fowling in the Faeroes may have actually benefited Puffin popula- tions. Colonies were managed to prevent the Puffins burrowing too far and causing serious soil erosion, and in any case fowlers caught only nonbreeding birds. A useful NERC report (series C No. 18) was available reviewing ecological research on seabirds in the UK and suggesting further work. The topicality of the conference was highlighted soon after by the blow-out at Ekofisk Bravo. Although environmental damage on this occa- sion was minimal, the possibilities are horrible. D. J. BATES 1977 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 363 Stirling The River Devon field weekend of 27-29th May went well from the initial instructional meeting on Friday evening until the dispersal meeting on Sunday afternoon. Those attending divided into ten groups on the Friday evening and each group carried out a census of the avifauna of a stretch of the River Devon and its environs on the Saturday. The whole length of the river from source to mouth was covered. Glorious weather on the Saturday provided excellent conditions for the fieldwork. On Saturday evening most of those attending met for a buffet meal and a chat. On Sunday some additional fieldwork was done and some members also visited areas they had not been in the previous day. Members dis- persed after a short meeting on Sunday afternoon. The whole week-end was enjoyed by all and was particularly encouraging for this new venture of the club. It is intended to prepare a paper from the information obtained. SANDY MITCHELL Current Notes These notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record, nor will they be indexed. Please send items of interest to local recor- ders for forwarding to the editor at the end of January, April, July and Octo- ber. Departing winter visitors included 2 White-billed Divers off Fetlar (Shet) in May, another suspected at Tongue (Suth) in June, 2 gd King Eiders in Shetland, Brent Goose at St Kilda on 9 May, Rough-legged Buzzard in Deeside (Aber) and hybrid Glaucous Guil at Girdleness (Kinc) in Apr, Great Grey Shrike at Balranald (O Heb) on 17 May, and Water Pipits A. s. spinoletta at Strathbeg (Aber) in Apr and Mull of Galloway (Wig) on 3 May. Spring migration was remarkable for rarities of widely different or- igins; undated records here refer to May. A Purple Heron and a Black Stork in Shetland coincided with 8+ widely dispersed White Storks. L Leven (Kinr) had a pair of American Wigeon for two days. A Honey Buzzard was in Deeside on 27 Apr and Hobbies at Balranald in May and Aberlady (E Loth) in June. A few Marsh Harriers arrived in the east and a young pair summered. Widespread Osprey sightings outwith the High- lands doubtless included Scandinavian migrants. A nice selection of waders in May-June comprised Dotterel at Fair Isle, Little Ringed Plover at Auchmacoy (Aber), Terek Sandpiper at Reay (Caith) on 5 June, Little Stint at Stornoway (O Heb), 6 Temminck’s Stints in the southeast, 2 Avocets in E Lothian, Grey Phalarope at St Abb’s (Ber) and Red-necked Phalarope at Musselburgh (E Loth). A steady trickle of Great and Arctic Skuas was noted off Girdleness and St Abb’s Head from Apr-June but a phenomenal skua passage was detected off Balranald between 7-18 May totalling 35 Great, 147 Arctic (max 52 on 7th), no fewer than 318 Pom- arine (max 95 on 7th, 75 on 9th, 81 on 13th) and 24 Long-tailed (in one flock on 10th). A Gull-billed Tern was at Bo’ness (W Loth) on 21 May, and Fair Isle and St Kilda had a Hoopoe each. The usual few Turtle Doves, Wrynecks, Shore Larks, Black Redstarts and Bluethroais occurred on the eastern seaboard, a Golden Oriole sang in Speyside, and Fair Isle had Nightingale and 2 Thrush Nightingales. A Reed Warbler sang at St Abb’s from 29 May-12 Jun, Icterine Warblers reached Fair Isle and Isle of May, Subalpine Warblers were on Fair Isle and Fetlar, and Fair Isle had a Tawny Pipit and St Kilda a Red-throated Pipit. A good influx of Yellow Wagtails included 3 Blue-headed M., f. flava at Aberlady and 5 Grey-headed thunbergi scattered between Aberlady and Shetland. A Lesser Grey Shrike reached St Kilda, and E Scotland had good numbers of Red-backed Shrikes, max 25 Fair Isle on 26-27 May, including fresh 364 CURRENT NOTES 9(7) arrivals on 27th. The most amazing event this spring must have been the Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina singing in (of all places) Paisley (Renf) in June. This would be the first European record and it coincided with other American passerines : Myrtle Warbler on Fair Isle on 18 May (perhaps the first spring records of American warblers), a White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys (another European first) there on 15- 16th and a Slate-coloured Junco in Glen Affric (Inv). Hawfinches in Suth- erland and Skerries (Shet) were also interesting. Five Scarlet Rosefinches occurred at Whalsay (Shet), Fair Isle (2), St Kilda and Wick (Caith), and a Two-barred Crossbill at L Moan (Kirk) on 8 May was quite exceptional. Ortolan Buntings were on Whalsay (3), Skerries (2) and Isle of May, and Fair Isle had a Little Bunting. Shetland and Fair Isle between them had 11+ Lapland Buntings 26 Apr-5 May. Lapland Bunting and Red-backed Shrike augmented the Scottish breeding list this summer. Two pairs of Lapland Buntings reared 4 young each at one site, 3 dd and a @ were found at another and single dd were at two other Highland sites. A pair of Red-backed Shrikes reared young in the north while another pair nested unsuccessfully in the north- east. This curious redistribution after a long decline in England closely parallels that of the Wryneck. After five years suspense, a Shore Lark nest with eggs was actually found in the Highlands. Ospreys fared less well with only 6 pairs breeding successfully, perhaps due to difficulty fishing in the unsettled weather at laying time. A Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshanks and several Temminck’s Stints displayed in Inverness-shire before moving on, but Shetland kept its Black-tailed Godwits. A greedy Peregrine brought 2 adult Wood Sandpipers to its eyrie in Speyside, where a May influx of Wrynecks produced at least 2 nests. Highland Redwings SER aah but Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail bred in Aber- eenshire. July news—Black Stork Findhorn (Nairn-Inv), Spoonbill Strathbeg, ¢ Ring-necked Duck Durness (Suth), Asiatic Lesser Golden Plover P. d. fulva Aberlady (within a day of last year and doubtless same bird), Sabine’s Gull Musselburgh, suspected Cetti’s Warbler upper Forth, wide- spread Crossbill irruption. August—2-3 Cory’s Shearwaters Fife Ness, Long-billed Dowitcher Barra (O Heb). WITHOUT COMMENT “Rhum journey for ospreys—by our staff correspondent in Oslo.—Six young ospreys are to be sent from Norway to Rhum, off the west coast of Scotland, to help re-establish an osprey population. Ten, who have been transferred in the past two years, seem to be thriving.” —Daily Telegraph 9th June 1977. S.0.C. BIRD BOOKSHOP Dept. E 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEw STOCK The Forth Naturalist and Historian (journal) vol. I £1.20 Where to Watch Birds (paper) Gooders £1.50 East Anglia and its Birds Tate £6.50 Minsmere: Portrait of a Bird Reserve Axell & Hosking £7.50 Bird Conservation in Europe Cramp E225 Wilderness Europe Botting £5.95 The Land that Never Melts: Auyuittugq National Park Wilson (ed.) (Canada) £5295 Peregrine: the Private Life of the Peregrine Falcon Treleaven £4.00 & £1.60 (paper) Orientation and Position-finding by Birds Matthews 45p Bird Taxidermy J. M. Harrison £2.95 Konrad Lorenz Nisbett £5.95 Early Wildlife Photographers Guggisberg £4.95 Thorburn’s Naturalist’s Sketchbook £6.50 Scotland’s Countryside (1977 edn.) Countryside Commission for Scotland 75p The Geology of the Lothians and South East Scotland: an Excursion Guide Craig & Duff (eds.) £3.00 Deer Chaplin Ty AF The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. I: Micropterigidae- Heliozelidae Heath (ed.) £17.50 Atlas of the British Flora, 2nd edn. Perring & Walters (eds.) £25.00 WRITE FOR OUR BOOKLIST POSTAL TERMS—Add 50p to your order total. HEBRIDES & SCOTTISH WEST COAST Cruises for a maximum of 12 ornithologists or naturalists to visit the more remote parts of this magnificently unspoilt area. PENTLAND WAVE is a most comfortable motor yacht, with a very competent crew, good food, central heating etc. and maintained to DTI standards. (Some berths available 2-8 October to watch geese and swans in Islay). Details (loose stamp please) from : TONY DALTON LORN CHARTERS, LOCHAVICH, TAYNUILT, ARGYLL Telephone Lochavich 212 FAIR ISLE Whether you are interested in birds or not, you would enjoy a holiday at the comfortable Bird Observatory Hostel on beautiful Fair Isle. Famous for its wealth of rare migrants in Spring and Autumn, and in Summer for its big range of seabirds including a new Gannet colony established in 1975, as well as Storm Petrels, Great and Arctic Skuas. Get there either by island mail-boat the ‘Good Shep- herd’ or fly in by Loganair. ‘Friends of Fair Isle’, subscrip- tion £2.50 are entitled to a copy of our Annual Report. Write now for Prospectus to Fair Isle Bird | Regent | Observatory Trust, 21 Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT. Cottages in a secluded position on the edge of Abernethy Forest—an ideal base for studying the birds and wildlife of Strathspey. Dell of Abernethy Nethy Bridge Inverness-shire Self-catering, well appointed and fully equipped (except linen). Sleep 3 to 8 persons. Open all the year round—lower rates off season. For particulars please phone Mr & Mrs FLEMING Nethy Bridge (STD 047982) 643 WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS in the HIGHLANDS Send stamp for details of one and two-week holidays April-November. Divers, blackgame, slavonian grebe, deer, porpoises ... see what we have to offer! CALEDONIAN WILDLIFE > SERVICES 2 Kingsmills Gardens, Inverness, [V2 3LU. CENTRALLY HEATED FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious counitry- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp ’ appreciated. NE en SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie Offers invigorating open air holidays to all. ‘In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available AAS "RAS "RSAC. a DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL A.A. 2) RAC, * RSAC. ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- =e class service. ane Ss Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skilbo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A new wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the existing comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1977. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietors, IRENE and STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 ISLE OF MULL 3k Open all year round 134 miles north of STAFFA COTTAGES Loch Ken GUEST HOUSE TOBERMORY Mrs B. FORREST KEN BRIDGE Get away from it all... beautiful scenery, good bird- HOTEL ing and comfortable accom- modation at Staffa Cottages. New Galloway Quiet situation looking across the Sound of Mull to Morvern. Kirkcudbrightshire DG7 3PR SAE for colour brochure. Proprietors : Richard & Elizabeth Coomber Tobermory (0688) 2464 Tel. New Galloway 211 AUTUMN WILDLIFE and HILL WALKING HOLIDAYS in late September and October Choice of Self Catering, B&B, Guest House, Hotel, Booked. Highland Guides Information Inverdruie, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Tel. Aviemore 810729 (STD 0479) ORKNEY FIELD CENTRE LINKS HOUSE, BIRSAY, ORKNEY Telephone Birsay 221 Ideally situated on the Atlantic shore with RSPB nesting cliffs within a mile, wetland and moorland within walking distance. 79 separate sightings May-June this year. Hen Harriers, Red-throated divers, Skuas, Puffins and Twites abound. Our aim is to provide a _ high standard of food and comfort in a remote and beautiful place. SAE for brochure to Mim Hughes ek oo BIRDS and ISLANDS St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides and Natural History Antiquarian and secondhand books and libraries bought. DAVID WILSON 95 Worlds End Lane Weston Turville Aylesbury, Bucks. COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply slides of most British Birds from our own collection, and from that of the R.S.P.B. Send 25p for sample slide and our lists covering these and birds of Africa—many fine studies and close-ups. FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- cluding postage & V.A.T. per night’s hire. Birds are group- ed according to their natural habitats. WwW. COWEN Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbrla at Mr Frank’s unusual binocular offer : Test any FRANK-NIPOLE pinweular free for 7 days and see for yourself why these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Five models particularly favoured by birdwatchers : Exit Relative Field Price Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case 8 x 30 Gat 13.6 T le 18 ozs. 43 ins. £23.50 10 x 50 5 25 5.50 36 ozs. 7) Anse £33.00 8 x 40 5 25 ge 36 ozs. 53 ins. £45.31 8 x 20 2.5 6.2 (is 6 ozs. 3% ins. £46.20 10 x 40 4 16 15° 25} ozs. 4} ins. £47.83 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we will give you the opportunity of purchasing an East Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular at about 25% below S.R.P. Colour brochure free on request. Charles LTD Fra kk 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. NM Binocular specialists since 1907. Tel. 041-221 6666 ” AWALTER THOMSON) [A PRINTER, SELKIRK_ J] SC ie ISSN 0036-9144 ' THE JOURNAL OF THE Winter 1977 Price 75p TISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB = © Member of The Association of British Travel Agents Holidays organised by Birdwatchers for Birdwatchers Ceylon Crete India Romania Kenya Yugoslavia Morocco Majorca Malaysia S.W. Spain Canada Austrian Alps N. Wales Turkey Neusiedl Farne Islands Australia The Camargue The Cairngorms The Seychelles Mull Dorset Zululand Hebridean Cruise _Isles of Scilly Israel Suffolk Islay Greece Norfolk New Forest Particulars sent on receipt of 7p stamp to: LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 2 44 ALDWICK ROAD, BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, PO21 2PW. Tel. 21230 WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS in the HIGHLANDS © One or two-week holidays based on Inverness, Wide variety of species seen throughout the year; ‘Highland Specialities’ seen usually include divers, greenshank and Slavonian grebe between May and July, and capercailzie and crested tit in April and August. Send stamp for detailed pro- grammes (April-October) to: CALEDONIAN WILDLIFE SERVICES 2 Kingsmills Gardens, Inverness, IV2 3LU. Highland Spring covering Highland Birds and Wildlife also geology, landscape and land management, CHOICE of Self Catering, B & B, Guest House and Hotel. Highland Guides information Inverdrule, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Tel. Aviemore 810729 (STD 0479) ORKNEY FIELD CENTRE LINKS HOUSE, BIRSAY, ORKNEY Telephone Birsay 221 Ideally situated on the Atlantic shore with RSPB nesting cliffs within a mile, wetland and moorland within walking distance. 79 separate sightings May-June this year. Hen Harriers, Red-throated divers, Skuas, Puffins and Twites abound. Our aim is to provide a high standard of food and comfort in a remote and beautiful place. SAE for brochure to Mim Hughes { 3k Open all year round 14 miles north of Loch Ken Mrs B. FORREST KEN BRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway Kirkcudbrightshire DG7 3PR Tel. New Galloway 211 THE HEN HARRIER by DONALD WATSON Artist, ornithologist and author, Donald Watson has made an especial study of the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus over many years and his field notes and sketch books of this exceptional bird of prey go back to the 1940s. The book opens with the world distribution of the harrier family, then there is a fuller treatment of the Hen Harrier in Europe and North America (the Marsh Hawk), its history and present status. Further chapters detail hunting methods and prey selection, the breeding cycle, migration and distribution. The second part of the book is a closely observed account of the Hen Harrier in Donald Watson’s particular study areas in Scotland, in moorland and forest habitats. “. . . by any standard a great natural history book, a great bird book, lovely to handle, to look at... to read, for the finest, most authoritative account of this splendid bird we are likely to get in our day.” W.A. Dumfries & Galloway Standard. 308 pages plus 4 colour plates, over 110 monochrome illustrations, £6.80 net T. & A. D. POYSER 1978 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgkins, MA. (Oxon)MTAI. Patricia Hodgkins, MTAI and Neville Wykes, (Acct.) By Scheduled Air and Inclusive. With Guest Lecturers and a Tour Manager. *Provisional INDIA & NEPAL Feb. 10-25 Birds wildlife £734 John Gooders SPRING IN VENICE Mar. 12-19 Art & History £165 Renaissance Venice with trips to Ravenna, Padua, Aquileia : Trevor Rowley, B.Litt. SPRING IN CRETE Leisure Mar. 6-13 Flowers, F. Ferns ee SPRING IN ARGOLIS Flowers Mar. 15-24 Ancient History £179 Classical sites and flowers with Prof. Tony Long & Dr Su Coles SPRING IN CORFU Flowers Apr 17-24, 24-May 1 Birds £135 John Gooders and Allen Paterson leading together again PAINTING AND SKETCHING May 1-8 Ken Waterfield SWLA £155 PELOPONNESE Birds May 22-31 Flowers £206 Dr Humphrey Bowen and Dudley Iles, B.Sc., leading jointly PELOPONNESE Legends Mar 27-Apr10 Dr John Pinsent £390 CRETE Birds Mar 28-Apr 11 Flowers £390 Dr Jim Flegg & Dr Brinsley Burbridge WALKING in SARAJ Birds Flowers Apr. 29-May 14 Mont Hirons B.Sc. From Simla to Manali through the Himalayan Foothills £679 LOST ATLANTIS Santorini May 8-19 Trevor Rowley B.Litt £275 NORTHERN GREECE Flowers Jun 7-21 Hugh Synge B.Sc. £390 DR JOHNSON TOUR of Scotland Sep 20-Oct 4 £350* with John Wain, Prof. of Poetry Univ. of Oxford and biographer of Johnson Birds over the BOSPHORUS Eagles Sep 22-29 Dr Jim Flegg £210* Autumn in ARGOLIS, Autumn in CRETE, Autumn in CORFU from £150* Very popular 8 day accompanied tours Oct/Nov 1978 THE MINOANS Archaeology Oct 11-18 Wm. Taylor FRIBA £157* KASHMIR & KULU Birds Oct. 13-29 Flowers £698* Dr David Bellamy and Dr Jim Flegg RWANDA & ZAIRE Birds Gorillas Nov. 24-Dec.6 Dr C. Perrins £950* REGISTRATION : Costs nothing, does not commit you in any way but gives you first sight of the brochure on publication. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE, eB, Vy AGENTS % SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD, $yh,% OX2 7uP. Ante Phone Oxford (0865) 511341-2-3 RS Fully Bonded Atol No. 275B 8x4 f lars The Birdwatchers Glasses. As used by the forestry commission. Ideal for the young and beginners. Lightweight (260z), extra wide angle, 525 ft field of view, also suitable for spectacle wearers. We _ believe them incomparable value at £31.39 inc. case and lanyard plus 75p towards p&p. Top quality optical goods at enormous Savings Heron quality, Heron service, Heron choice — we hold in stock what we believe to be the largest range of telescopes and binoculars for NEW 10x40 Si Wide-angle Binoculars £34.93 Quality, power and light weight, too — a mere 2002! 367 ft. field of view at 1,000 yards. Slim Zeiss-type body, centre focus, black finish, fully-coated lenses, also suitable for spectacle wearers. Excellent value at £34.93 inc. case, straps and lanyard, plus 75p p&p. Schmidt & Bender » 15-60zoom birdwatchers in the country. A few examples oo ae t | are shown below: Retail Our : >, & e@SCO pe BINOCULARS Price . 3 Swift Audubon 8.544 . Mic. (3802) | ‘adi £108.00 £79.40 with 60 mm Swift Grand Prix 8X40 MK. (2402) 59.06 £43.40 7 object rl Zeiss 10X40 B Dialyt This quite lens 240z £274.33 £209.25 | magnificent Cari eee 8X30 B CF(18¥20z) £291.38 £221.65 | telescope from Zeiss Jena 8X30 Jenoptem West Germany is pica) nen £53.83 £35.90 | ideal for use on eiss Jena Jenoptem (3502) £89.29 £59.50 ea gat in Habicht Diana 10X40 (2302) £232.23 £168.37 | construction, excellent in Leitz 1040 B (210z) £262.82 ' TELESCOPES optical quality. We believe B Nickel Supra 15X60X60 this to be the best on the market (2802) £151.88 €100.50 | today. Weight 950 g, length 300 m ’ Hertel & Reuss Televari closed, 560 mm open. Fitted with tripod- 25 X60 X60 (3202) £146.25 £96.75 | bush. Exit pupil 4-1 mm, light-gathering 5 ae hie power 16-1, twilight 30-60, field of view Order direct from this list — 1,000 m 47-12 m. At a recommended retail Prices correct as of 1st Sept.1977, inclusive of case, lanyard and manufacturer's guarantee, plus 75p post and packing charge. Access and Barclaycard accepted. Apply for details and send for your guide to Binocular & Telescope ownership. Further details and comprehensive price list available in return for this coupon, including Field & Trek Catalogue of camping, rambling and climbing equipment. Or call in person and see our vast stock for yourself. ~~ 14 DAY APPROVAL SERVICE To: Heron Optical Co. 23-25 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex CM144ER price of £146.25 the Heron price of £96.75 including leather case and rubber eyecup for spectacle wearers is outstanding value. £96.75 Add 75p p&p. Trade enquiries welcome. Neron ECaiGSon aia Heron Optical Co. Binoculars[ _] Telesco es[_] 23-25 Kings Road, Field & Trek Camping Den fa] Brentwood, NAME Essex, CM14 4ER. ADDRESS Tel: (0277) 221259/ 219418. \ Telex: 995566. | \ Only 5 minutes from Brentwood Station, 30 minutes from London's Liverpool St. Station sb12 7 (Southend Line). Open daily 9am to Spm SSS eo se 8 ee = Monday to Saturday, Thursday 1pm. -—c-—oCoerr eee SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT (tel. 031 - 556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 9, NUMBER 8, WINTER 1977 ) Page ) Editorial yet : = 365 | Fair Isle Bird Beevatory yee (aay i 2 Macmillan) vt 366 Current ornithological research in Scotland (I. H. J. Lyster) 366 Ornithology in the Highlands and Islands (W. R. P. Bourne) 378 Short Notes Little Shearwater in Argyllshire (Keith Verrall) sin 380 Sparrowhawk taking Sedge Warbler from a Sas s hand (E. S. da Prato) 381 Laughing Gull in Argyllshire (Keith ‘Verrall) ah &. 381 Gymnastic Rook (Iain C. Munro) che “A. dog 382 Reviews The Birds of Berwick-upon-Tweed and District by Frank Brady (Henry Dougias-Home) afte 382 The Wandering Tattler by Elizabeth Forster (Ian D. Pennie) 387 Fair Isle Bird Observatory : Bepest for 1976 ed. G. Waterston (S. R. D. Prato) 387 Current literature a a ws ot ses 387 Letters Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region i J. Wheater; Adam Watson) 388 Branch and Group News a = ae ae = 403 Current Notes aoe 3: ie — =a see we 403 Editor D. J. Bates Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe LOCAL RECORDERS ehetae (except Fair Isle) R. J. Tulloch, Lussetter House, Mid Yell, Shet- and. Fair Isle R. A. Broad, Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland. Orkney D. Lea, Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney, KW17 2RE. Outer Hebrides W. A. J. Cunningham, Aros, 10 Barony Square, Storno- way, Isle of Lewis. Caithness Mrs P. M. Collett, Sandyquoy, East Gills, Scrabster, Caithness. KW14 7UH. Sutherland Dr I. D. Pennie, 5 Badcall, Scourie, Sutherland. Ross-shire (except Black Isle), Inverness-shire (mainland more than 18 miles from Inverness) R. H. Dennis, Landberg, North Kessock, Inver- ness IV1 1XD. Ross-shire (Black Isle only), Inverness-shire (within 18 miles of Inverness) M. I. Harvey, Clach Bhan, Loaneckheim, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire N. Elkins, 10 Oakbank Place, Elgin, Morayshire. Aberdeenshire, North Kincardineshire Dr A. G. Knox, Zoology Depart- ment, Aberdeen University, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB9 2TN, and W. Murray, Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB4 OAA. South Kincardineshire, Angus N. K. Atkinson, 140 Linefield Road, Pan- bride, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 6DT, and G. M. Crighton, 23 Church Street, Brechin, Angus. Perthshire R. L. McMillan, 44 Durley Dene Crescent, Kintillo, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. Kinross-shire Mrs B. H. Gray, Vane Farm, Kinross. Isle of May J. M. S. Arnott, East Redford House, Redford Road, Edin- burgh, EH13 OAS. Fife D. W. Oliver, East Cottage, Balass, Cupar, Fife. Clackmannanshire, East Stirlingshire Dr C. J. Henty, 3 The Broich, Alva, Clackmannanshire. West Lothian, Forth islands (except May), Midlothian R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian. East Lothian, Berwickshire K. S. Macgregor, 16 Merchiston Avenue, Edin- burgh, EH10 4NY. Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire A. J. Smith, Glenview, Selkirk, TD7 4LX. Argyllshire, Inner Hebrides, Skye M. J. P. Gregory, Duiletter, Kilmory Road, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, PA31 8NL. Dunbartonshire, West Stirlingshire, Renfrewshire I. P. Gibson, Arcadia, The Glen, Howwood, Renfrewshire. Lanarkshire H. Galbraith, 96 Neilsten Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire. Ayrshire, Arran, Bute R. H. Hogg, Schoolhouse, Crosshill, Maybole, Ayr- shire. Dumfriesshire R. T. Smith, Applegarthtown, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire A. D. Watson, Barone, Dalry, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. SCOTTISH BIRDS THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHUOLUGISTS’ CLUB Volume 9 No. 8 Winter 1977 Edited by D. J. Bates Editorial Scottish Bird Reports Owing to the late submission of some local recorders’ reports and the increasing demands on the compiler’s time by Peregrine thieves et al., we very much re- gret the delay of the 1976 Scottish Bird Report until the next issue at least, and possibly even later. The Scottish Bird Report synthesizes a vast and growing amount of observation. Its sheer size is remarkable, perhaps unique, and the envy of many outside Scotland. The informa- tion contained is of permanent value which increases over the years, but its popular interest quickly diminishes. Its size is now limited by cost, whilst the number of records submitted increases steeply each year. This means not only a Sstraight- forward increase in work for recorders and compiler but a disproportionately greater task of selection. In fact, it has probably now passed the stage where it could still be handled by one spare-time compiler. Arrangements are therefore being made for several hands to compile the 1977 report from the local recorders’ sum- maries. In addition, we have marshalled a network of assis- tants to be in reserve in most areas to take over from a recorder in a crisis and prevent any delay. Any members who feel they have both the time and experience to help as emer- gency recorders or as report compilers, or both, are invited to contact the editor. We therefore beg you to send your records promptly as usual, hoping that the new system will produce a report be- fore 1977 has quite faded from the reader’s memory. Please consult the new list of recorders and notices to contributors in the advertising pages of this issue. It should be particularly noted that Norman Atkinson’s (South Kincardineshire, Angus) address has changed, that the Clyde area is now split into three, and that Dumfriesshire has only one recorder. We wel- come Hector Galbraith as recorder for Lanarkshire and R. H. (Angus) Hogg as recorder for Ayrshire, Arran and Bute. Derek Skilling’s name drops out of the Dumfriesshire duo, so this is the place to formally thank him for his work as recorder 366 EDITORIAL 9(8) since 1971, but we are fortunate in retaining his anonymous assistance as emergency recorder for the area. Richard Richardson It was with great sadness that we heard of the death on 9th October of Richard A. Richardson of Cley, Norfolk, who was closely associated with Fair Isle Bird Ob- servatory Trust. A first rate artist who generously offered his work to FIBOT and the SOC, some of his last drawings appear in these pages. A full obituary notice will appear in the next issue. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Appeal Did you see George Waterston on television on 23rd Octo- ber ? Fair Isle Bird Observatory has always been very close to the SOC. Many of us have happy enduring memories of that marvellous island and the people who live there. When the new observatory was built it fully met the fire regulations. It was hardly completed before the rules were changed. Now the trustees face a bill for £7,000 for extensive modifications and fire detectors, made worse by the inflation in the years it has taken the authorities to visit the island and say what they want done. The Highlands and Islands Development Board helped build the observatory, and we hope they will meet a third of the cost of the fire precautions. That still leaves a lot to be raised. I commend George’s appeal to you. Fair Isle is a success. The observatory has played a part in keeping the island alive when others have been evacuated. And it is a prime place in British ornithology. Your gift, large or small, will be valuable. If you believe in Fair Isle please help. Write today to the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. ANDREW T. MACMILLAN, President, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Current ornithological research in Scotland I; HeJde LYSTER Introduction In the first review of current ornithological research in Scotland, published in 1973 (7: 228-242), the intention was ex- pressed that the survey would be updated from time to time. Accordingly a questionnaire was again circulated to as many as possible of those individuals and organizations thought to 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 367 be either engaged in some form of ornithological research, or who might know of someone else who was. As before, the term “research” was given a broad interpretation covering every- thing from checklists to full time scientific studies. The last day set for the return of completed questionnaires was 30th September 1976. The response was again good and I would like to thank all those who completed and returned the forms. Obviously some researchers will have been missed; would they, or anyone wish- ing to amend an entry, please write to me now ? Information is already being gathered for the next review and it is particularly important that names and addresses are available when the time comes to send out forms. Unfortunately, for lack of space, this review has had to be drastically condensed. In general only items of field ornithology have been included; entries have been lumped together wher- ever possible; cross-indexing, names of co-workers and sponsoring bodies have been dropped; and addresses limited to those of people under whose name an entry appears. The lumping of entries has generally been done by species or type of study but to avoid wasteful duplication certain large and/or complex entries have been put in the Miscellaneous section at the end. Finally, many people have asked for assistance or informa- tion. The response to such requests after the last review was, on the whole, disappointing. If you can help, please do so now while the request is still fresh in your mind ! The requests are not made lightly and your assistance could prove of vital] im- portance to a project. Projects listed by species or groups The species sequence followed here is basically that used in the Scottish Bird Report although allowance should be made for species being lumped together under one general heading. Under each heading the research projects are listed alphabeti- cally by researchers’ names. SEABIRDS, GENERAL Bourne, Dr W. R. P. Distribution and ecology of seabirds around Scotland. Broad, R. A. Monitoring Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots and Puffins on Fair Isle; breeding biology of Black Guillemot. Coomber, R. F. Migrant seabirds between Mull, Coll and Tiree in late summer-autumn. Furness, R. W. Population monitoring on Foula, Shetland, and develop- ment of monitoring techniques. Gibson, Dr J. A. Ongoing survey of breeding colonies in the Clyde faunal area. Help needed, particularly additions to his already published lists. Hammond, N. North Solway coast and Orkney islands of Westray, Eday and Rousay; census of major cliff colonies, distribution within these 368 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 9(8) colonies, inter-colony movements, auk census techniques. Hardey, J. Monitoring and ringing Kittiwakes and auks in Grampian re- gion; additional ringers welcome. Lea, D. Survey of birds wintering in Scapa Flow and other shallow sea areas in Orkney, Bi-annual mapping of gulls, terns and skua territories on North Hill, Papa Westray. Ramsay, A. D, K. and Swann, R. L. Study of selected seabirds of the Isle of Canna; also the problems of counting shearwaters and auks. DIVERS AND GREBES Dennis, R. H. Surveillance of Black-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebes in the Highland region, particularly in relation to human disturbance. Harvey, M. I. Population and breeding success of Slavonian Grebes in Inverness-shire north of the Great Glen. Pre-1970 records wanted. Merrie, T. D. Breeding biology and spatial distribution of Red- and Black- throated Divers in S. Argyll and Rannoch Moor; other Highland or Island sites also examined. Observers wanted in Shetland, Outer Isles and Sutherland. RED-THROATED DIVER by R. A. Richardson PETRELS Booth, C. J., Lea, D, and Ramsay, A. D. K. Breeding distribution and numbers of small petrels in Orkney. Dunnet, Prof. G. M. Population study of Fulmars at Eynhallow, Orkney, and Sands of Forvie NNR, Aberdeen. Love, J. A. Storm and Leach’s Petrels on North Rona and Storm Petrels on the Summer Isles. Mainwood, A, R. Breeding distribution, biology and population estimate of the Storm Petrel on the Summer Isles. GANNET Gibson, Dr J. A. Annual census of Ailsa Craig colony, also all aspects of biology, based on a 35-year study of this colony. Nelson, Dr J. B. Breeding and behaviour of the Gannet on the Bass Rock and Ailsa Craig. Help wanted for spot-checks on other colonies. HERONS Mitchell, J. Annual monitoring of population and breeding success of Herons in the Loch Lomond area. Owen, D. Information wanted on the Edinburgh Zoo’s free-flying colony — of Night Herons. WILDFOWL, GENERAL Allison, A. National Duck Production Survey : national census figures are published but local populations can be monitored if large samples are sent in. Duck wings wanted with data. Currie, A, Populations of Skye and Western Isles, particularly Eiders and 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 369 wintering and migrant flocks. Counts welcomed; details wanted of any special studies planned or published. ey J. B. Job Creation Project : migrant wildfowl on Upper Clyde estuary. Pounder, B. Detailed study of wintering diving ducks, E. Scotland, and wildfowl concentrations on reservoirs in Tayside, Counts of diving ducks plus full data wanted. Wildfowl Trust. Help wanted with counts at southern end of Muli. Con- tact R. F. Coomber. DUCKS Bignal, Dr E. Social and population studies of Shelduck on Loch Lomond. Notes on colour-ringed birds in Loch Lomond area (only) wanted. Collett, Mrs P. Distribution and status of Common Scoter in Caithness. Evans, Dr P. and Patterson, Dr I, J. Shelduck at Aberlady Bay, E. Lothian, and Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire, respectively. Jones, P. Hope. Moult flocks of Eider. Distribution and diurnal rhythm of wintering Long-tailed Ducks in selected areas of Scapa Flow. pai Dr M. L. Social behaviour of Eider at Sands of Forvie, Aberdeen- shire. Milne, Dr H, Detailed study of Eider at Sands of Forvie, Aberdeenshire; assistance wanted with marking on winter grounds in Tay estuary. Mitchell, J. Annual monitoring of Common Scoters on Loch Lomond. GEESE AND SWANS Brown, G. C. Census and breeding success of Greylag Geese in South Uist, and swans in N. and S. Uist and Benbecula. Highland Ringing Group. Summering Greylag; also study of moulting flock of Canada Geese on Beauly Firth. Ogilvie, M. A. Annual autumn census of Greylag and Pinkfeet. Monitoring Greenland White-fronted and Barnacle Geese on Islay. Owen, Dr M. Barnacle Geese, mainly at Caerlaverock, Dumfries. Notes on ringed birds and family status wanted. Patton, D. L. H. Improving grassland by grazing geese. References to microclimates within cages, or on geese on Islay, wanted. R.A.F. Kinloss. Survey of Greylag Geese in Forres area. Thomson, Dr I. D, L. Establishment of colonies of Greylag and Barnacle Geese in the Achray Forest area, Perthshire. RAPTORS, GENERAL Brown, H. Raptor census in Wester Ross. No assistance required. Hardey, J. Raptor ringing and Peregrine ecology in Grampian region. Stark, D. M. Status and distribution of raptors in Caithness. Village, A. Effect of habitat on wildlife, S. Scotland. Reports of wing- tagged owls (mainly Short-eared) and Kestrels wanted. EAGLES AND HAWKS Balharry, R. Breeding success and general ecology of the Golden Eagle in Wester Ross and Inverness-shire. Ball, M. E. Reintroduction of the White-tailed Eagle to Rhum. Bates, G. G. Ecology and distribution of the Golden Eagie in N. Suther- land. Wanted, data on current sightings and on situation before the grouse and hare population crashes of the 1930s-40s. Brown, G. C, Feeding habits of Golden Eagle on North Uist. Dennis, R. H. Monitoring of spread and breeding success of Osprey. Gregory, M. J. P. Distribution and breeding success of Golden Eagles. Newton, Dr I. Population ecology of Sparrowhawks, and effects of affor- estation on Buzzards, in southern Scotland. Picozzi, N. Aspects of social behaviour of Hen Harriers in Orkney, Ritchie, A. Annual census of Golden Eagles in Angus. 370 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 9(8) Watson, Dr A. Monitoring of breeding stocks and breeding success of Golden Eagles in Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire and Angus. Watson, A, Donald. All aspects of the behaviour and distribution of Hen Harriers, especially in the Galloway area. DH HEN HARRIER Dy A. D. Watson FALCONS Mitchell, J. Annual census of Peregrines in L. Lomond and Trossachs. McMillan, R. L. Population study of Merlins in north Perthshire. Murray, J, B. Distribution of Kestrels within City of Edinburgh. Reports of nests, sightings etc., wanted. Riddle, G. Distribution and breeding of Kestrels in 12 sample areas in Ayrshire. Details of mortality and urban breeding wanted. Ritchie, A. Annual census (since 1966) of Peregrine in Angus. Watson, Dr A. Monitoring of breeding stocks and success of Peregrines in Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire and Angus. Weir, D. N. Peregrine limiting factors in N.E. Scotland; some assistance, financial especially, and reports of colour marked birds and new nest sites welcomed. Williams, E, J. Breeding biology etc of Kestrels on Mainland, Orkney. GAME BIRDS Moss, Dr R. Capercaillie in N.E. Scotland. 50p reward for heads! Watson, Dr A. Population regulation, behaviour and nutrition of Red Grouse. WADERS Atkinson, N. K. Ecology of Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone, chiefly Fife- Kincardine. Winter counts and data on colour-ringed birds wanted. Brown, G. C. Census and breeding of waders on machair of South Uist. Clarke, H. Ringing Dunlin at Garmouth, Morayshire, late summer. Bio- metric data wanted on Dunlin caught anywhere during July and August. Currie, A. Waders of Skye and Western Isles, particularly wintering and migrant flocks. Counts welcomed. Details wanted of any special studies. Cuthbert, Dr M. F. Monitoring of Lapwing numbers around Evie, Orkney; data on numbers in Orkney wanted; also ideas on how to tackle this study. Da Prato, Mrs E. S. Effect of waders on invertebrates in the mixed (ie. rock and sand) shores of E. Lothian. Study area, Yellowcraig. Heppleston, Dr P. B. Biology of Curlew in agricultural habitats. Joffe, M. T. Numbers, ecology and behaviour of Redshank on the Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire. Knox, A. Roof-nesting Oystercatchers. Details of sites and success wanted. 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 371 Mainwood, A. R. Breeding of Ringed Plover in east Sutherland. Nethersole-Thompson, D. Population study of Greenshank in Sutherland. Gathering material for a book on waders; notes wanted, particularly on waders in Argyll and the Hebrides. Parr, R. Breeding of Golden Plover at Kerloch, Kincardineshire. Vines, Miss G. Dispersion and territorial behaviour of inland and coastal breeding Oystercatchers (Aberdeenshire). SKUAS, GULLS AND TERNS es ne A. Ringing Kittiwakes between Ogster and Whinnyfold, Aber- eenshire. Atkinson, N. K. Breeding biology of Little Terns at St Cyrus, Kincardine shire, also Fife and Angus. Help needed to monitor other colonies. Booth, C. J. Colour ringing pulli Common Gulls, Orkney. Duncan, N. Recruitment of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls: Isle of May, west coast of Argyll and Lancashire. Records wanted of colour- ringed Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding away from Isle of May. Furness, B. L. and R. W. Biology of Arctic Skua and Kittiwake in relation to predation by Great Skua (Foula, Shetland). Biological and historical study of Great Skua. Ramsay, A. D. K. Breeding of Great Skuas on Hoy, Orkney. Richardson, M. G. Monitoring of Ramna Geo (Burra Isle, Shetland) Kitti- wake colony. Smith, A. J. M. Life history of Sandwich Tern, chiefly at Sands of Forvie, Aberdeenshire. Unpublished information, and details of the colony at Aberlady Bay, E. Lothian, wanted. Stark, D. M. Status of Great and Arctic Skuas in Caithness. AUKS Harris, Dr M. P. Puffin ecology and populations, chiefly St Kilda and the Isle of May. Please report sightings of colour-ringed Puffins. Sage, B. Breeding census of Guillemots at 6 colonies at Hermaness, Shet- land. Long-term monitoring planned. Slater, Dr P, J. B. Factors influencing the numbers of Guillemots on cliffs, Copinsay, Orkney. Short-term fieldworkers wanted. OTHER NON-PASSERINES Drummond, I. H. General behaviour study of Swifts. Macdonald, D. Predation in a Collared Dove colony, S.E. Sutherland. Mackintosh, Dr G. M. Damage to root crops by Woodpigeons, N. Scotland. Rae, R, Long-eared Owls, Grampian region, monitoring of breeding suc- cess. PASSERINES, GENERAL Hardey, J. Ringing roosting thrushes and finches, Banff and Aberdeen. Moss, Dr D. Populations and conversion of open hill-ground to forest (Ae Forest, Dumfriesshire, Clatteringshaws Forest, Kirkcudbrightshire). Swann, R. L. Population structure and movements of ‘resident’ birds in a Highland glen, chiefly Glenurquhart. SWALLOWS AND MARTINS Bryant, Dr D. M. Ecology of aerial feeding birds. Clark, H. and McGinn, D. B. Breeding statistics of Swallows around Bathgate, West Lothian, and in Roxburghshire. McMillan, R. L. Dispersal from roosts in the inner Tay basin. Rae, R. Ringing Sand Martins at colonies in Aberdeenshire. CORVIDS Booth, C. G. Status of Chough on Islay; records wanted of all sightings of Choughs on Islay. 372 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 9(8) ex Re AMD TEX Ge es rio i tae - | = RAVEN by R. A. Richardson Booth, C. J. Breeding biology of the Raven in Orkney. Newton, Dr I. Effects of afforestation on Ravens in southern Scotland and northern England. Spray, C. J. Effect on food supply on territorial behaviour, range and nest density of Carrion Crows, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Please report any Wing-tagged crows. Stark, D. M. Rooks in Caithness. TITS Milsom, T. P. Interspecific competition between Crested and Coal Tits in Glentanar and Rothiemurchus. THRUSHES, CHATS AND WARBLERS Durman, R. Breeding biology of Ring Ouzels, Pentland Hills, Midlothian. Assistance appreciated. Gray, D. B. General biology of the Whinchat in south Ayrshire. Langslow, Dr D. R. Population dynamics of the Stonechat, Edinburgh area. Reports of colour-ringed birds welcomed. Macdonald, D. South-east Sutherland: effect of weather on wintering Stonechats; breeding cycle of Whitethroats. Phillips, J. S. Census of Stonechats in Scotland. Returns wanted for Bute, Hebrides, Angus, Fife, Lothians and Dumfries. WAGTAILS McMillan, R. L. Communal roosts of Pied Wagtails in Tayside. Mainwood, A. R. Ringing study of a reed-bed roost at Dingwall. BUNTINGS AND FINCHES Gray, D. B. Winter roosts of Yellowhammers in south Ayrshire. Highland Ringing Group, A study of wintering Siskins. Knox, Dr A. Crossbill biology (mainly N.E. Scotland) and taxonomy. Milsom, T. P. Feeding and habitat selection of Snow Buntings (Cairn- gorms). Rae, R. Monitoring Scottish Crossbills in upper Deeside. Slater, Dr P, J. B. Chaffinch song dialects in Orkney. GENERAL CHECK-LISTS AND CENSUSES Bain, D. J. Birds of Threipmuir and Harlaw Reservoir systems, Midloth‘an. Booth, C, G. Birds of Islay and Jura, past and present. Records welcomed. Cunningham, W, A. J. Preparing a book on the birds of the Western Isles. Gibson, Dr J. A. 1. Geographical bibliography of Scottish ornithology 1901-1975. Out-of-the-way records wanted, also assistance to check listings. 2. Atlas of vertebrates, excluding marine fish, from Clyde faunal area, 1800-1975. Assistance wanted. 3. Vertebrate faunas Of Renfrewshire, Kintyre and Isle of Arran. 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 373 Kindrogan Field Centre. Lists of birds recorded during courses, also cen- sus of a local mixed conifer-broadleaf wood. Knox, A. Status and distribution of birds in N.E. Scotland; also the use of automatic data-handling methods for local records. McGinn, D. B. Analysis and checklist of birds of Alemoor Loch, Rox- burgshire. Records for period 1969-76 welcomed. Morrison, C. M. Birds of Tweeddale District. Contact wanted with any- one with information on the birds of this area. Rainier, Mrs I. Local bird population fluctuations, Mid-Argyll. Robson, M. J. H. Birds of the Borders : out-of-the-way records, shooting bags, vermin lists etc. wanted. R.A.F. Kinloss Bird Club, Monthly census and sighting report, Forres area. Shetland Bird Club. General information welcomed, especially breeding records of species scarce in Shetland; location and size of all gull and tern colonies. Assistance offered to visiting field workers. JE RUFF and REDSHANK by John Busby ECOLOGY Bryant, Dr D. M. Ecology of shorebirds on the Forth estuary. Henty, Dr C. J. Birds of high level scrub and woodland in the southern Highlands. Altitude and habitat selection in the birds of the Ochils. Visible migration in central and S.W. Scotland. Distribution and move- ment of birds in the Central Region. All records welcome, particularly unpublished or of the period 1934-68. Hepburn, I. Avian ecology on the Monach Isles NNR, O. Hebrides; also machair bird communities in general; migration and other relevant records wanted. Heppleston, Dr P. B. Utilization of agricultural land by Orkney birds. Knox, A, Birds of the native Pinewoods: general study. Lea, D. Population densities of birds breeding on RSPB moorland reserves in Orkney including C.B.C. on selected samples. Watson, Dr A. Human impact on bird populations in the Cairngorms. PARASITOLOGY Marriott, Dr R. W. Mapping bird (and mammal) fleas in Scotland, espec- ially from seabirds, Rock Doves, House Martins, pipits and wagtails; specimens wanted, particularly nest material from remote islands. Harper, G. H. House Martin fleas and relationship to nest site. Help needed in location and collection of nests from awkward sites. 374 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 9(8) PESTICIDES, POLLUTION AND MORTALITY Bogan, Dr J. A. Effects of pesticides on breeding success of Golden Eagles, Sparrowhawks and Peregrines. All inquiries to Dr I. Newton. Bourne, Dr W. R. P. Organochlorine levels in seabirds. Hamilton, G, A, Organochlorine and mercury levels in Woodpigeons in E. Lothian. Wildlife Incident Investigation Service to investigate pesticide deaths. Correlation between pesticide use and residues, Wan- ted, bodies of raptors and other birds where unusual numbers have occurred. Macdonald, J. W. Survey of causes of death in wild birds. Murton, Dr R. K. Pollutant studies of selectively collected dead seabirds. Osborn, D. Effects of PCBs on Puffin breeding success. Investigation of heavy metal residues in a number of seabirds. Riddle, G. Raptor mortality in Ayrshire. Stead, A. C. Leg and wing injuries in wild raptors. Ward, Dr P, Comparison between waders on an unpoliuted estuary Wate Firth) and two polluted with heavy metals (Severn and the ash). MISCELLANEOUS Brathay Exploration Group, Foula, Shetland: monitoring interactions be- tween seabird species; ringing, particularly skuas; annual census of breeding waders and passerines; prey of skuas and breeding success of Eiders and Red-throated Divers. Qualified ringers welcomed to assist for two weeks each breeding season. Drummond, I. H. Play in birds. Edinburgh Ringing Group. Lothians: census and ringing of Puffins and Kittiwakes on Craigleith, Fulmars and Kittiwakes on Inchkeith; breed- ing biology of Dippers on S. Esk and tributaries; breeding biology of warblers; summer-autumn Linnet roosts at Longniddry; reports of colour-ringed Dippers and Linnets welcomed. Kinnear, P. K. Shetland: monitoring breeding of selected seabird col- onies; seasonal distribution and winter census of wildfowl, also winter census of divers and grebes (past and present records welcome); counts of waders at selected shore sites (full counts of waders plus time of counts wanted for Pool of Virkie, also past information from this or other regular wader sites. Gray, T. Environmental education with particular reference to birds. Schools were involved with the 1975 Rookery survey and could help with similar projects. Lossiemouth (R.A.F.) Ornithological Society. Would welcome ideas on fieldwork in the Lossiemouth area. Nationally organized projects These generally long-term or on-going projects were fully dealt with in the previous survey (7: 239-240) but a number of references need to be updated. Full details of the projects can be obtained from the bodies concerned. BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY Ringing scheme; Mcult inquiry; Common Birds Census; Nest Record Scheme; Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover inquiry; Register of Ornithological Sites, due to be completed at end of 1977, regional or- ganizers listed in a supplement to the last three May editions of BTO News; birds of the estuaries inquiry (for local organizers see 7: 391-398). 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 375 WILDFOWL TRUST National wildfowl counts and international wildfowl census (a list of regional organizers can be found in 9: 173). ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS Beached birds survey; breeding populations of auks, Kittiwakes and Ful- mars (liaison with Nature Conservancy Council and Seabird Group). SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB SOC policy on ornithological research, fieldwork and discussion groups is fully dealt with in 9: 140-43. Scottish Bird Report: a list of local recorders is given elsewhere in this issue. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Dy W. R. Brackenridge Addresses Allison, A., Loch Leven NNR, Benarty, The Vane, by Kinross. Anderson, S., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Atkinson, N. K., 140 Linefield Road, Carnoustie, Angus. Bain, D. J., 8 Highlea Circle, Balerno, Midlothian, EH14 7HE Balharry, R., Chief Warden, Achantoul, Aviemore. Ball, M. E., NCC, 63 Academy Street, Inverness IVI 1BB. Bates, G. G., Ormlie Lodge, Thurso, Caithness. Bignal, Dr E., NCC, The Castle, Loch Lomond Park, Balloch G83 8LX. Bogan, Dr J. A., Veterinary Pharmacology Dept., University of Glasgow, Veter- inary School, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow. Booth, C. G., Cairn Cottage, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll. Booth, C. J., Ronas, 34 High Street, Kirkwall, Orkney. Bourne, Dr W. R. P., Zoology Department, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen. Brathay Exploration Group, Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria. British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire. Broad, R. A., Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland. Brown, G. C., Warden, Loch Druidibeg NNR, Stilligarry, South Uist. Brown, H., Ialtag, Kinlochewe, Ross-shire. Bryant, Dr D. M., Department of Biology, University of Stirling, Stirling. Clark, H., 51 Napier Avenue, Bathgate, West Lothian. Collett, Mrs P., Sandyquoy, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UH. Coomber, R. F., Staffa Cottages, Tobermory, Isle of Mull. Cunningham, W. A. J., 10 Barony Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Currie, A., Glaiseilean, Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AQ. Cuthbert, Dr M. F., Vishabreck, Evie, Orkney KW17 2PQ. 376 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 9(8) Da Prato, Mrs E. S., Forth River Purification Board, Colinton Dell House, West Mill Road, Edinburgh EH13 ONX. Dennis, R. H., Landberg, North Kessock, Inverness, IVI 1XD. Drummond, I. H., 8 Viewforth Gardens, Edinburgh EH10 4EU. Duncan, N., Zoology Dept., University of Durham, South Road, Durham. Dunnet, Prof. G. M., Zoology Dept., University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen. Durman, R., 21 Lovedale Road, Balerno, Midlothian. Edinburgh Ringing Group, Sec. Dr D. R. Langslow, Department of Biochem- istry, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edin- burgh. Evans, Dr P., Zoology Dept., University of Durham, Science Site, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE. Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT. Furness, B. L. and R. W. Zoology Dept., University of Durham, Science Site, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE. Gibson, Dr J. A., Foremount House, Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. Gorman, Dr M. L., Zoology Dept., University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen ABY 2TN. Gray, D. B., 2 Schaw Avenue, Drongan, by Ayr KA6 7BG. Gray, T., 36 Sinclair Avenue, Glenrothes, Fife. Gregory, M. J. P., Duiletter, Kilmory Road, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8SZ. Halliday, J. B., Biology Dept., Paisley College of Technology, Paisley. Hamilton, G. A., DAFS. Chemistry Section, East Craigs, Edinburgh EH12 8NJ. Hammond, N., 39 Outgang Road, Aspatria, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 38HS. Hardey, J., Kiloran, Ordiquhill, by Cornhill, Banff. Harper, G. H., 7 Epsom Court, Berry Lane, Rickmansworth, Herts., WD3 2HW. Harris, Dr M. P., ITE., Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Kincardineshire. Harvey, M. I., Clach Bhan, Loaneckheim, Kiltarlity, Inverness. Henty, Dr C. J., 3 The Broich, Alva, Clackmannanshire. Hepburn, I., Countryside Planning Unit, Wye College, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Heppleston, Dr P. B., Fairleigh, Old Scapa Road, Kirkwall, Orkney. Highland Ringing Group, Sec. D. W. McAllister, 32 Seaforth Place, Maryburgh, Ross. Jotte, M. T., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Jones, P. Hope, Ness, Houton, Orphir, Orkney. Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Kinnear, P. K., 2 Mounthooly Street, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 OBJ. Knox, Dr A.. Zoology Dept., Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen ABY 2TN. Langslow, Dr D. R., 32 Campbell Road, Longniddry, East Lothian EH32 ONP. Lea, D., Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney KW17 2RE. Lossiemouth RAF Ornithological Society, RAF, Lossiemouth, Moray. Love, J. A., 24 Park Road, Inverness. Macdonald, D., Elmbank, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3SN. Macdonad, J. W., MAFF, Veterinary Laboratory, Eskgrove, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1HU. McGinn, D. B., 19 Orchard Terrace, Hawick, Roxburghshire. Mackintosh, Dr G. M., Division of Agricultural Zoology, School of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD. McMillan, R. L., 44 Durley Dene Crescent, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. Mainwood, A. R., 13 Ben Bhraggie Drive, Golspie, Sutherland. Marriott, Dr R. W., 9 Auchlea Place, Mastrick, Abedeen AB2 6PD.. Merrie, T. D., West Faerwood, Dollar, Clackmannanshire FK14 7PT. Milne, Dr H., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB4 OAA. Milsom, T. P., c/o Department of Forestry, St Machar Drive, Old Aberdeen. Mitchell, J.. NCC, 22 Muirpark Way, Drymen, by Glasgow G63 ODX. Morrison, C. M., Innis Righ, 20 Kingsmeadows Gardens, Peebles EH45 9HR. 1977 CURRENT ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 377 Moss, Dr D., Forestry and Natural Resources Dept., University of Ecinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EHS 3JU. Moss, Dr R., ITE, Blackhall, Eanchory, Kincardineshire AB3 3PS. Murray, J. B., Post Office, Stoneyburn, nr Bathgate, West Lothian. Murton, Dr R. K., ITE, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Hun- tingdon PE17 2LS. Nelson, Dr J. B., Zoology Dept., Aberdeen University, Tillycrone Avenue, Aberdeen ABS 2TN. Nethersole-Thompson, D., Ivy Cottage, Culrain, Ardgay, Ross-shire IV24 3DW. Newton, Dr I., NCC, 12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AS. Ogilvie, M. A., Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7ET. Osborn, D., ITE, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Hunting- don. Owen, D., Scottish National Zoological Park, Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 6TS. Owen, Dr M., Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT. Parr, R., The Setters, Finzean, by Banchory, Kincardineshire. Patterson, Dr I. J., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Patton, D. L. H., College Office, 12 Burnside Street, Campbeltown, Argyll. Phillips, J. S., 73 Whitletts Road, Ayr KA8 OJD. Picozzi, N., ITE, Blackhall, Banchory, Kincardineshire. Pounder, B., 64 Forfar Road, Dundee. Rae, R., 8a Arnhall Drive, Westhills, Aberdeen. Rainier, Mrs I., Strone Cottage, by Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8PS. Ramsay, A. D. K., Wardens House, Berstane Road, Kirkwall, Orkney. Richardson, M. G., Banna Minn, Bridge End, Burra Isle, Shetland. Riddle, G., Rowan Tree Cottage, Culzean, Maybole, Ayrshire. Ritchie, A.. Museum and Art Gallery, Albert Square, Dundee. Robson, M. J. H., Hawick Museum and Art Gallery, Wilton Lodge, Hawick TD9 7JL. Royal Air Force Kinloss Bird Club, RAF Kinloss, Forres, Morayshire. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. Sage, B., British Petroleum Co. Ltd., Britannic House, Moor Lane, London EC2Y 9BU. Shetland Bird Club, c/o R. J. Tulloch, Lussetter House, Mid Yell, Shetland. Slater, Dr P. J. B., School of Biology, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG. Smith, A. J. M., 68 Woodend Place, Aberdeen AB2 6AN. Spray, C. J., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB4 OAA. Stark, D. M., 2 Harland Rd., Castletown, Thurso KW14 8UB. Stead, A. C., Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Summefrhall, Edin- burgh EH9 1QH. Swann, R. L., Glenurquhart Secondary School, Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire. Tay Ringing Group, Sec. D. W. Oliver, East Cottage, Balass, Cupar, Fife. Thomson, Dr I. D. L., 1 Cross Street, Callander, Perthshire. Village, A., c/o Forestry and Natural Resources Dept., University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh. Vines, Miss G., Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB4 OAA. Ward, Dr P., Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon. Watson, Dr A., ITE, Blackhall, Banchory, Kincadineshire AB3 3PS. Watson, A. Donald, Barone, 54 Main Street, Dalry, by Castle Douglas DG7 3UW. Weir, Hon. D. N., Creag Dhu Lodge, by Newtonmore, Inverness-shire. Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT. Williams, E. J., Fairholm, Finstown, Orkney. I. H. J. Lyster, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh EH1 IJF. 378 ORNITHOLOGY IN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS 9(8) Ornithology in the Highlands and Islands W.R. P. BOURNE Scotland like her ancient ally is traditionally divided into three parts, the Lowlands, the Highlands and the Islands. Ecologically the Lowlands are little more than an extension of England, but the Highlands and Islands are the most inter- esting part of Britain, consisting of a complex mosaic of isola- ted fragments of different habitats, including not only the islands of the sea, but a variety of island or oasis sites inland, including mountain-tops, woods, marshes, lakes and estuaries. These were heavily over-populated some centuries ago with consequent severe damage to their vegetation and wildlife, but over the last couple of hundred years most of the people have departed for the Lowlands and foreign parts, and their further use remains a matter of dispute. Meanwhile various forms of ancient and modern abuse continue. Naturalists need to know more about them to permit the formulation of clearer policies for conservation in the future, to match those for exploitation being put forward by other people. The current approach, developed by such people as Pennant, Johnson and Boswell, Charles St John and E. T. Booth, is to make a lightning tour during the summer, collect some casual notes and specimens (now replaced -by observations of rare birds) and then to retire hastily to the south and write them up. Most of these people tended to visit a limited number of fav- oured places such as the Cairngorm plateau, Fair Isle and North Rona, with the result that they have been nearly trodden flat and the sort of observation which can be made there is now a glut on the market, while the rest of the area is neglected. Some recent national surveys such as Operation Seafarer and the Ornithological Atlas helped to spread the load a little, and the BTO Sites Register was intended to document in more de- tail some of the interesting places discovered, but frankly the cover in the less frequented parts of Scotland was far from perfect. This problem was shown up particularly clearly during work for the recent Nature Conservancy Council reviews of the natural environment of Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Heb- rides. There was a repetitious profusion of information about a few sites (which seldom included either a clear description or much quantitative information about their birds), while little or nothing was recorded about the rest of the area, such as the Mainland of Shetland, the northern islands of Orkney, the Long 1977 ORNITHOLOGY IN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS 379 Island, and most of the Inner Hebrides. In most cases where individual island lists existed they had not been brought up to date for many years, while it is most unusual to find a proper description of any site on the mainland outside the central Grampians. The general attitude is typified in one review by a telly-pundit disparaging “yet another boring list of the birds of one of the innumerable Scottish islands’. In consequence the north of Scotland remains ornithologically one of the least adequately explored parts of Europe, so that for example dur- ing Operation Seafarer we were startled to find that the second largest seabird colony in Britain on Westray did not appear to have been recorded, and people are continually discovering new breeding species. There is now an increasingly urgent need for more accurate information about these northern sites because they are ex- posed to the risk of rapid changes of land-use through sub- sidised reclamation, drainage, pasture-improvement, afforesta- tion and now industrial development associated with the arrival of the North Sea oil industry. With the improvement of com- munications and affluence and therefore the amount of spare time and mobility of the population, and an influx of visitors from all over the world, they are now also increasingly disturbed by people, while some old bad habits, such as over- grazing, muirburn and the indiscriminate destruction of “‘ver- min” still proliferate unchecked. Some of these problems have received attention from professional biologists, but their studies are normally of restricted scope, seldom involve a considera- tion of the entire local scene of the type in which the old naturalists excelled, and they are often at best politically naive if not frankly irresponsible. It seems time more thoughtful public consideration was given to the problems arising. In the first place, it seems time that our information about the north of Scotland was brought up to date. It should be a prime objective to ensure that there is a good modern account available for every important site. The Australian Seabird Group have recently been working through their innumerable unexplored offshore islands in this way, publishing the results in the Australian Bird Bander in a brief systematic format, including the location of the site and means of access, a descrip- tion, and a list of recorded information, the whole taking up less than two pages. It should not be impossible to arrange this in Scotland as well, dealing with different entities, whether they be islands, mountains, woodlands, lakes, or other frag- ments of habitat, either individually or collectively as seems appropriate. Some of the data is doubtless already available among the records of national inquiries, but it seems unlikely 380 ORNITHOLOGY IN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS 9(8) to receive individual scrutiny there and this depends on local initiative. Secondly, it seems time more people were prepared to make use of this information. We are still paying the penalty for the inertia of a previous generation of naturalists who while lam- enting the fate of the Great Auk sat and watched all our birds of prey being wiped out without lifting even a little finger to save them. As recently as 1871 Robert Gray wrote of the White- tailed Eagle: “Being a much commoner bird in Scotland than the [Golden Eagle], the Sea Eagle has never been at any time in the same danger of extinction. Even in 1867 and 1868 there were numerous eyries in places which have been occupied from time immemorial. Between Loch Brittle and Copnahow Head, in Skye, for example, nine or ten eyries might have been seen, while in several of the smaller groups of isles in the Minch and the Gulf of the Hebrides at least a dozen more could be cited...” (Birds of the West of Scotland). He then goes on to chronicle the start of the slaughter. Within little more than a generation they were all gone, and it was a century before anyone decided to do anything active about it. We are lucky that two families took it upon themselves to save the Great Skua. If we wish to pass on to posterity what still remains, it seems time we took more active steps to compile a proper inventory and consider how to defend it, instead of sitting back to see if someone else will take the lead. Dr W. R. P. Bourne, 3 Contlaw Place, Milltimber, Aberdeen. Short Notes Little Shearwater in Argyllshire While seawatching at Frenchman’s Rocks, Islay, Argyllshire, on 30th June 1974, in good light and a southwest wind, force three, I saw a small shearwater approaching from the north. As there had been over 100 Manx Shearwaters passing in the previous hour and a half on the same flight path, I noticed at once its small size, darker upperparts and more extensive white on the lower sides of its face. The flight was fast but not so swift as the auks that were passing, though the wing beat was much the same but interspersed with short glides, and it bank- ed only slightly and not so steeply as a Manx Shearwater. Description Upperparts very dark, black or almost so. Underparts, wing linings and sides of face white; under tail-coverts area looked dark but not so dark as upperparts. 1977 SHORT NOTES 381 This is the first Scottish record of a Little Shearwater. KEITH VERRALL [Now an almost annual vagrant from the southern North Atlantic to southwest Ireland in autumn, with sporadic occur- rences elsewhere in the British Isles, the date of this one is unusual.—ED.] Sparrowhawk taking Sedge Warbler from a ringer’s hand Hunting Sparrowhawks often seem to totally disregard their surroundings when in pursuit of prey and there are many records of birds flying into or narrowly avoiding obstacles such as motor vehicles, fences and windows. I experienced a striking example of this single-minded behaviour on 21st Aug- ust 1977 when ringing and photographing warblers near Cousland, Midlothian. As I was working on my own I had set up a system which allowed me to photograph birds without assistance. A sheet of background material is fastened to the side of a car and the camera mounted on a tripod. To take a photograph the bird is held in the space between the lens and the vehicle with the left hand and the camera operated with the right. I placed the Sedge Warbler between the car and camera, holding it by the legs in the usual photographic grip. Suddenly the bird screeched and it was snatched from my fingers. I locked up to see the unfortunate warbler in the talons of a male Sparrowhawk which alighted on the roof of a dere- lict shed and proceeded to pluck its prey. When disturbed it flew off, still holding the warbler. The distance between the camera lens and the vehicle was about ten in. (25 cm) yet the hawk’s wing did not touch the camera. It must have located its prey by sight as the warbler did not call until a moment before impact. The speed and height of the attack suggest that the hawk was hunting along a nearby hedge when it saw the warbler. This would mean that it saw its prey from about 15-20 yards (13-18 m), a distance it would cover in seconds. It may, therefore, never have been aware that its target was connected to a human being. E. S. DA PRATO Laughing Gull in Argyllshire On 21st April 1974 near Loch Skerrols, Islay, Argyllshire, I noticed a smallish, dark winged gull flying towards me which I knew could only be a Laughing or a Franklin’s Gull. When I was unable to see any conspicuous white mirrors at its wing tips I was sure I was looking at a Laughing Gull. Its flight looked less buoyant than a Black-headed Gull and it was a 382 SHORT NOTES 9(8) heavier built bird with a jizz more like that of a Common Gull. Its black hood was much darker and did not seem to extend much further than a Black-headed Gull’s, and its bill looked longer. Other conspicuous features were broad, white trailing edges to the slate grey wings, and the white eyebrows above and below which stood out much more than those of a Black- headed Gull. Altogether it looked a most handsome bird. Description Hood black to nape and throat; upper and lower eyebrows white; neck, rump, tail and underparts white; back slate grey. Outer- most primaries black above, the others merging with the slate grey of the coverts and secondaries, the latter being broadly tipped white, forming a conspicuous trailing edge above and below and petering out along the primaries; outermost primaries black below, fading through grey to almost white on its axillaries, Bill deep red. KEITH VERRALL [This was the first record for Scotland and the seventh for the British Isles of this North American species. It closely co- incided with one in Essex on 5th May. Another was at Fair Isle in September 1975. The previous records were scattered throughout the year in the southern counties from Cork to Essex.—ED.] Gymnastic Rook I casually glanced out of the car on the evening of 21st March 1977 at a pair of Rooks on a power line near Burleigh Castle, Kinross-shire, and was just in time to see that one was swinging pendulum fashion under the wire. It hung for a sec- ond or two with wings closed, looked up at the other bird, cawed once and then with two strong beats of its left wing swung itself forward on top of the wire, shook its head and flew off with the other bird. TAIN C. MUNRO Reviews The Birds of Berwick-upon-Tweed and District. Written and published by Frank Brady. Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1975. 26 pp., 10 figures, map. 214 x 154 cm. 45p. This booklet lists 220 birds which the author has encountered from St Abb’s Head and the Lammermuirs to the Farne Islands and the Cheviot. Apart from his introduction, each bird is confined to a sentence or two. is is a good guide to this corner of the Borders but it deserves a better map than the rough sketch on the cover. There is some additional information from my personal experience about Gadwall, Pochard, Little Owl, House Martin, Pied Flycatcher and Hawfinch which the author might like to include in a future printing. HENRY DOUGLAS-HOME PLATES 383-36. A selection of photographs by Brian Turner. Above King- fisher (plate 33). Over Heron (plate 34); Buzzard (plate 35a); lekking Black- cock (plate 35b); inale Redpoll feeding female on nest (plate 36a); Sedge Warbler at unusual nest site in spruce (plate 36b). SSS BE 1977 REVIEWS 387 The Wandering Tattler. By Elizabeth Forster. London, Hutchinson, 1976. Pp. 192; 32 black and white photographs. 22 x 14 cm. £3.95. Elizabeth Forster’s interest in birds began almost simultaneously with doubling up her BBC job with knitwear designing for several women’s magazines. Inevitably something had to go and at 55 she packed in her BBC job and since then has knitted her way all over the world, visiting and birdwatching in all the countries she had always wished to see, and either selling her knitwear or designs or else collecting new ideas for patterns from baskets, folk weaving, mosaics and similar sources of traditional art wherever she goes. By choice Miss Forster travels alone making ad hoc arrangements—ideal and enviable but increasingly difficult in these times when package tours provide the only hope for most of us to travel abroad. The result is a delightful book describing her travels to Fiji, Cambodia, Trinidad, Brazii and India. On occasions her accounts of the personalities and idiosyncracies of her fellow travellers tend to dominate her writing and become rather tedious. On the other hand the description of her Brazilian river guide with whom she travelled alone in a canoe—the pipe-smoking German who habitually carried as a mark of recognition a copy of Der Spiegel (which he had never read)—is superb and most amusing. The photographs are an excellent accompaniment to a good travel book in which the experiences of their senior may well be the envy of many younger people instead of the reverse as seems to be almost universal today. IAN D. PENNIE Fair Isle Bird Observatory : Report for 1976. Edited by G. Waterston. Edinburgh, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, 1977. 68 pp, 9 mono- chrome photographs, 10 drawings, 2 maps, 214 x 14 cm. £1.00. Autumn 1976 saw many Eurasian migrants reach Britain and, as usual, Fair Isle saw some of the best of them. Besides record numbers of Red- wings and Blackcaps several Siberian rarities were seen, including the first Pallas’s Reed Bunting recorded in Britain. Among the notable events are some surprises for mainland ornithologists—the Jackdaw ringed in 1976 pushed the Observatory ringing total for the species to two and Kept it on a par with Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, also ringed for the second time in 1976. Perhaps autumn rarities on Fair Isle have received too much attention. The Treasurer reports a drop in income largely due to low bookings in spring and summer. This is unfortunate as the island has so much to offer at any season. In 1976 rarities were recorded in every month from April to November, including another British first, the Amer- ican Kestrel, in late May. A feature of all Fair Isle Reports is that space is devoted to the lives of the human as well as the feathered inhabitants. The school roll is now higher than at any time since the Trust took over and the average age of the island’s population is one of the lowest in Shetland—surely good signs for the future. Transport has improved with a scheduled plane service from Sumburgh. It is unfortunate that so many trivial errors have escaped editorial notice but they do not alter the fact that this Report is a mine of information for birdwatchers and island enthusiasts alike. S. R. D. DA PRATO. Current literature Recent material of Scottish interest includes : Storm Petrel breeding distribution in Orkney. D. Lea. (Unpublished report in SOC library of 1976 survey.) Summary of information on the first six months of operation of the bird control unit of RAF Kinloss 1976. (Unpublished report in SOC library). 388 REVIEWS 9(8) Oystercatchers’ nest of goose droppings. K. Verrall, 1977. British Birds 70: 164-5. (Record from Islay.) The Breeding bird community of farmland on Rhum, Inner Hebrides. K. Williamson, 1975 Western Naturalist 4: 29-41. (Vol. 4 actually appeared in 1977.) Summary notes on the vertebrate fauna of Loch Libo and neighbourhood. J. A. Gibson, 1975. Western Naturalist 4: 65-70. Notes on the birds of mid-Argyll. I. Rainier, 1975. Western Naturalist 4: 95-113. Additional notes on the birds of the Island of Arran. J. A. Gibson, 1975. Western Naturalist 4: 120-6. Factors determining the number and size of eggs laid by the Herring Gull. J. Parsons, 1976. Condor 78: 481-492. (Isle of May study). Our changing seabirds. C. Mead, 1977. BTO News 86: 1-2. (Report of ‘The Changing Seabird Populations of the North Atlantic’ conference in Aberdeen.) Bobolink in Shetland, T. A. Walsh, 1977. British Birds 70: 222-3. Wintering wader populations and counting methods on the rocky shores of East Lothian. E. S. & S. R. D. da Prato, 1977. (Unpublished report in SOC library.) Birds of Rhum. J. A. Love. (Undated NCC report in SOC library.) Terns in southeast Scotland. F. Spragge, 1977. Scottish Wildlife 13 :13-16. Predation on nesting Collared Doves. D. Macdonald, 1977. Bird Study 24: 126. (Study in Sutherland.) Pheasants swimming. D. G. Andrew, 1977. British Birds 70: 266. (Letter on East Lothian record.) The function of mobbing. W. R. P. Bourne, 1977. British Birds 70: 266-7. (Letter on incident in Grampian.) Status of the Linnet in Shetland. A. T. Macmillan, 1977. British Birds 70: 269. Half a pair of Black-browed Albatrosses. W. R. P. Bourne, 1977. British Birds 70: 301-3. (Letter discussing Bass Rock and Hermaness records). The distance at which sitting birds can be seen at sea. T. J. Dixon, 1977. Ibis 119: 372-5. (Observations around Scotland). pes the Report 1976. W. R. Brackenridge et al. 1977. (Copy in SOC library). Letters Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region I read Dr Adam Watson’s article (9: 245-262) with consider- able interest and some concern, and would like the opportunity to comment on some of the issues raised. Dr Watson appears to be promoting the wider recreational use of the Cairngorms at the expense of existing forms of land use. To pursue this, and the conservation objectives which he rightly gives top priority, it would be necessary to bring all this land into public ownership. I imagine that to achieve this government would have to be convinced of the recreational 1977 LETTERS 389 and heritage value of such a proposal, as well as its scientific merit. In over-emphasising the recreational aspects to gain support for such a plan, severe and possibly fatal constraints might be placed on the scientific and conservation objectives. It would be naive to believe that the public given a greater degree of access to this area would suddenly become aware of their responsibility to the countryside and it is in any case well understood that the problems of people pressure are far from academic ones. If the real purpose of the change in land use is to create a greater diversity of habitat and to scientifically examine over a long period the degree of diversification resulting from the reduction of the Red Deer Cervus elaphus population, then this must be stated unequivocally and the red herring, politi- cally attractive though it may be, of increased recreational use should be dropped. In pursuing a policy of total or near total Red Deer reduction, the managing authority would still have to decide what steps were necessary to control fire and cull other species of flora and fauna in pursuit of their objectives. The zoning of the area, unless there is a total removal of Red Deer, could also prove most expensive. If government is un- convinced by the research and conservation arguments, then the area should surely continue to be managed by the present owners, many of whom already maintain a considerable degree of co-operation, not incidentally mentioned in the article, with the Nature Conservancy Council and other conservation bodies, to ensure that the objectives relating to the conservation and management of Red Deer are fully implemented. In this res- pect consideration should be given to maintaining the deer population slightly below rather than above the carrying cap- acity of the land. Although it is the overall philosophy that worries me most, there are a number of points of detail that I feel cannot go unchallenged. I wonder if Dr Watson can quantify his allega- tion that damaging fires are lighted by gamekeepers and stal- kers rather than the outcome of careless visitors, accidental fires, or fires caused by natural agencies ? Controlled burning programmes are extremely difficult to maintain and a conser- vation organisation will find it no less difficult than those presently carrying out controlled burning programmes as part of the approved management of Red Deer and grouse. I am surprised that Dr Watson, who is rightly acknowledged as a highly competent field naturalist, believes that stalkers would normally take stags that arrive at the gun having been distur- bed by hikers or others in another area. The animal to be stalked is selected at some considerable distance and the art 390 LETTERS 9(8) and enjoyment of the stalk is to make a hidden approach to within range of the animal selected. It would be quite impos- sible to pursue this sport if there were a high level of use by others during the stalking period. I think Dr Watson is to be complimented on bringing to- gether some ideas for the development and conservation of the area and I am quite certain that there will be considerable debate on the proposals. In view of the enormous area of land involved with its already acknowledged wildlife, aesthetic, sporting and food production values, I should have thought it more prudent for an area already under national control to be fenced to exclude Red Deer as a means of scientifically moni- toring changes before attempting to achieve this, at enormous public expense, over the whole Cairngorm range. R. J. WHEATER * * * I am glad that Mr Wheater has shown interest in my paper, but his criticisms are due at least in part to misunderstandings which I would like to take this opportunity to clear up. 1. Recreational use is no red herring, and I did not over- emphasise recreational value to gain support for better con- servation of scientific values. So many thousands appreciate the Cairngorms region for recreation that this clearly ought to be the main use for the area. This need not conflict with scientific values, provided that we control access facilities such as new roads. Indeed, a firmer conservation policy is just as necessary for safeguarding the landscapes, wilderness and wildlife that draw thousands to the area, as it is for safeguard- ing scientific values. 2. I did not say the public would be “given a greater degree of access” if a national conservation body owned the Cairn- gorms. Substantially more access can be given only if new roads or ski lifts continue to be made as in the past. The firmer conservation policy I advocated would not allow this in the best areas for wildlife and wilderness. 3. Zoning need not be expensive; it merely entails varying planning controls and other controls to suit each zone, a prin- ciple already well established in local government planning. 4. Keeping deer “‘slightly below rather than above the carry- ing capacity of the land” is a vague phrase. To save the Old Caledonian forest, deer stocks will have to be greatly cut, or large areas fenced. Slight reductions are not enough. 5. It is a fact, verifiable by anybody travelling through the Cairngorms region, that many fires burn large areas at a time. Stalkers and gamekeepers start nearly all these fires. 1977 LETTERS 391 6. Mr Wheater is surprised that I believe “that stalkers would normally take stags that arrive at the gun having been disturbed by hikers or others in another area”. I have seen about 350 stags shot. Most were stalked at leisure. Several of these were missed because of disturbance by hikers in the course of the stalk, but several were killed that appeared on the move without having been stalked at leisure. 7. I did not advocate excluding Red Deer over the whole Cairngorm range. However, Mr Wheater’s suggestion of fen- cing an area already under national control is insufficient. Some of the best forest remnants occur elsewhere, and will die unless large areas there are fenced or deer greatly reduced. My central point was that traditional land uses in the Cairn- gorms benefit a few local people but conflict with the conser- vation of nationally outstanding wildlife, scenery and wilder- ness. The best part of the Cairngorms is special and occupies a small fraction of the Highlands, whereas traditional land uses go on all over the resi of the Highlands. The Cairngorms should therefore be treated differently from other, less speciai places. ADAM WATSON The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club ANNUAL CONFERENCE The programme and information about the thirtieth annual conference of the club, to be held at the Marine Hotel, North Berwick from 20th-22nd January 1978, were published in Scoiétish Birds 9: 359-361. The lectures to be given on the Saturday morning are: “Birds and Islands” by Professor George Dunnet. “Darwin’s Finches” by Dr Mike Harris, and “The problems of being an island bird” by Dr Martyn Gorman. Members are reminded that bookings should be made to the club sec- retary before 23rd December 1977, preferably on the booking sheet circu- lated with the autumn number of ‘the journal. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 4ist Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club will take place in the Marine Hotel, North Berwick, East Lothian, on Sat- urday 21 January 1978 at 5.30 p.m. Business : (1) Apologies for absence. (2) Approval of minutes of 40th Annual General Meeting of the Club held at Stirling University on 29 January 1977. (3) Matters arising from minutes. 392 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(8) (4) Report of council for session 40. (5) .Approval of accounts for session 40. (6) Appointment of Auditor. (7) Election of new Members of Council. The Council recommends the following elections: Dr I. T. Draper and Dr D. R. Langslow to replace J. H. Ballantyne and H. Robb who are due to retire by rotation. (8) Consideration of a revised Constitution of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club. Enclosed with this winter number of the journal is a new draft Constitution and explanatory notes, It is proposed that the draft, which has been approved by Council, be adopted as the Club’s Constitution. (9) Subscriptions (paragraph 3(e) of Constitution). Consideration of the following resolution recommended by Council: “That from lst July 1978 in place of the rates of subscription approved at a special general meeting of the club on 9 April 1974 and shown in brackets below (see Scottish Birds 8: 39) shall be substituted the following increased rates of subscription : Annual subscriptions Ordinary membership £5 ee Family membership £7.50 £4.50) Junior membership £2 (£1) Reduced rates for pensioners —ordinary membership £3 te —family membership £4.50 (£3 Life subscriptions Ordinary membership £100 (£75) Family membership £150 (£112.50)” (10) Any other competent business. Report of Council This report deals with the year to 30 June 1977 and a few events since then. Membership At 30 June 1977 the club had 2946 members, a net gain of 128 during the year; 406 members were enrolled, including 82 juniors and 23 children nominated as family members. In the table pelow, family mem- bers are counted as two people, and nominated children, for whom no subscription is paid, are shown separately; 211 members took advantage of reduced subscription rates for pensioners. Year to 30 June 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Honorary 5 4 o 4 4 1 Life 14 14 18 22 29 29 Ordinary 2054 2230 2312 2175 2406 2536 Junior 298 312 317 252 299 282 Nominated . children — — — 63 80 98 Change +185 +189 +91 —135 +302 +128 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 393 During the year all branches were asked to consider ways of recruiting new members. No apology is needed for re-emphasising the importance of this to the financial health of the club. The drop-out of members this year from death, resignation and all other causes was less than usual—as low as 7% for adult members. In view of this the net increase in member- ship was modest, and continued effort is needed to enrol new members. The special value of covenants has often been mentioned, and there was a welcome increase from 629 to 659, covering 768 members and bringing the club a tax repayment of £1166. Deaths Council records with deep regret the death of three honorary members—Duncan Anderson, Seton Gordon and Sir Landsborough Thom- son; also of Lt-Col W. M. Logan Home and Kenneth Williamson, distin- guished members of long standing, and Miss Elsie Macdonald who acted as caretaker secretary during the war. Obituaries have appeared in Scottish Birds. Honorary member: Irene Waterston Mrs Waterston, who joined the staff in 1959, retired on 4 August 1977. Many members contributed to present her with a silver-mounted crystal decanter and a substantial cheque, and council elected her an honorary member in recognition of long and de- voted service to the club. An appreciation of her considerable contribution oa growth of the club and the bookshop appeared in Scottish Birds 9: Finance The revenue account shows a small surplus of £211 for the year. This is a considerable improvement on last year’s record deticit of £2385, but it was only achieved by including the surplus from the raffle, after deducting the balance of dry rot costs, and gains on repayment of some of the club’s investments at maturity. Increases in salary and other costs were partly offset by savings on Scottish Birds and from new members’ subscriptions, but the improvement was mostly due to a £3000 increase in the bookshop surplus. The club has done well to hold subscription rates unchanged through four years of severe inflation, but its finances will need strengthening in 1978-79, and proposals for increased subscrip- tions will be put to the forthcoming annual general meeting. Future Development The management committee, and later council in accepting its report, discussed the future of the club at great length. It was agreed that the SOC’s distinctive club atmosphere should be preser- ved; that it should maintain close ties with other natural history bodies in Scotland rather than compete with them; and that steady growth rather than mass membership should be sought. There should be more publicity about the club and its activities, and the development of local groups should be encouraged. Branch committees should take a more active part in the organisation of the winter programme. To attract new members and retain the interest of existing ones, branches were urged to give greater emphasis to the social aspect of the club; to arrange more local activities for their members, including the provision of a second series of meetings for active workers between the monthly winter lectures; and to ensure that meetings catered for beginners as well as more experienced birdwatchers. Scottish Birds should retain its role as an outlet for worth- while material but be made more interesting and attractive on the lines already proposed by the editorial committee. Branches The Wigtown group was given full branch status during the year, and the New Galloway group, formed in 1976, provided an interest- ing and varied programme for its members; both are to be congratulated on the rapid increase in their membership. Where there is local enthus- iasm council favours setting up more groups of the club; any member who would like to organise a new group should get in touch with the club secretary. 394 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(8) The usual varied programme was provided at branches during the win- ter; summer and winter excursions were arranged, and the Dumfries and Stirling branches organised weekend excursions. Council is again most grateful to all speakers and to those members who gave their time to or- ganise these weekends and lead excursions. Annual conference The 29th annual conference and 40th annual general meeting were held at Stirling University, The Saturday morning, with lectures on birds of prey, attracted a larger audience than in recent years, and about 360 members and guests attended at some time during the weekend. Roy Dennis opened the conference with a general talk on ‘Birds of prey in Scotland’, and was followed by Richard Balharry on ‘The conser- vation of the Golden Eagle’; after coffee Dr Ian Newton spoke on ‘Factors affecting Sparrowhawk populations’ and Richard Porter on ‘Migration of raptors in Europe and the Middle East’. Informative short talks on current work in Scotland were given by Dr Malcolm Castle on the Scot- tish results of the 1975 BTO National Survey of Rookeries, Norman Atkin- son on ‘Little Terns’ and John Love on The return of the Sea Eagle to Rhum’, Finally, to round off a conference with a raptorial theme, the club was greatly indebted to the BBC for lending its recent film ‘The shadow of the falcon’ in which Roy Dennis played the supporting role to the Peregrines. Members again expressed their dislike of a January conference—indeed snow fell on the Sunday morning and some members were prevented from reaching Stirling by heavy falls—and residents would have preferred the more congenial atmosphere of a hotel. Stirling has provided excellent facilities for lectures and exhibits, and the club is grateful for the help given by the university staff during the past three conferences, However, arrangements have been made for the next two conferences to be in Jan- uary and October 1978 at the Marine Hotel, North Berwick, which proved less expensive than expected; unfortunately it was not possible to get a booking for October 1977. ‘Scottish Birds’ Four issues, with 188 pages of text and plates, were pub- lished on schedule during the year, in line with the reduction in the size of each issue planned to counter increasing costs of production and pos- tage. The policy of seeking shorter papers and making Scottish Birds as interesting as possible for both the general reader and expert has con- tinued. Economic reality means that long and discursive or artificially scientific contributions of limited interest are a luxury that cannot be justified, The 1975 Scottish Bird Report was published in the winter issue, but difficulties still beset recorders and compiler in working to a tight schedule, and the editorial committee is looking for ways to ease their burden. In the long term the report may well be separated from the quar- terly issues of the journal, but this would cost more and involves produc- tion problems, The committee also arranged a survey of club members to test the merits of an extra charge for the Scottish Bird Report and the In- dex. At the time of writing, council is considering its recommendations, but the high proportion of members interested in the report would make a separate charge administratively costly. Research and fieldwork As usual many members have been involved in surveys organised by other national ornithological bodies including the final year of the Ornithological Sites Register (BTO); Wildfowl and Goose Counts (Wildfowl Trust); Common Bird Census and Golden Plover En- quiry (BTO) and Beached Birds Survey (RSPB). Scottish results of the BTO’s 1975 National Survey of Rookeries have been published (SB 9: 327). The results of the Crow Hybrid-Zone Enquiry have still to be published, and the Redwing Breeding Survey continues. No new surveys were started during the year. ; 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 395 In April-June 1978 the International Waterfowl Research Bureau plan a European Census of Mute Swans, to be organised in Britain by Malcolm Ogilvie for the BTO and Wildfowl Trust. It is important that Scotland should play its part in this demonstration of international cooperation, and council has adopted this as an official club enquiry. The Stirling branch proposed that an annual working weekend should be established to undertake some specific project, such as a survey of a particular area, which would also give practice in survey techniques to newcomers. The branch arranged a weekend in May, when the bird pop- ulation of the R. Devon was recorded. Council congratulates the branch on starting this new venture, and is particularly grateful to all those res- ponsible for the organisation and success of the weekend; it hopes that other branches will take up the idea and plan similar weekends. Endowment fund During the year grants of £175 were approved by council. David Lea was given £50 to continue his survey of Storm Petrel sites in Orkney; and Andrew Ramsay received £50 towards boat and equipment expenses of his survey of Black Guillemots on Orkney. Bob Swann and others were given a further £50 for boat hire and other costs in their continuing studies of Manx Shearwaters and Shags on Canna; and £25 was given to John Innes, an SOC member on the 1977 Cambridge Ornithological Expedition to East Africa, towards the costs of work on endangered species in Tanzania. Reports on these surveys and the ex- pedition will be submitted for publication in Scottish Birds or deposited in the reference library. Scottish Centre The balance of the cost of eliminating the dry rot at 21 Regent Terrace was raised during the year. Council thanks all those who helped in many ways to raise over £3000 in such difficult times. As usual advice and information about birdwatching in Scotland was given to many visitors from home and overseas who called at the Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, in addition to postal en- quirers. Meetings of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust, the Scottish Committee of the RSPB, the Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station committee, as well at the SOC council and committees, were held in the centre during the year; branch and informal discussion groups also took place regularly during the winter. Bookshop Sales of books continued to increase and reached a total of almost £39,000, 38% up on last year. A display of books was again taken to the annual conference of the British Trust for Ornithology, for which council records its thanks to the trust; and a display was also taken to an international seabird conference at Aberdeen University, organised by the British Ornithologists’ Union, and of which the SOC was one of the sponsoring organisations. Library A run of back numbers of the Condor was purchased with the balance of a grant given earlier by the Royal Society, and several journals were bound. Further binding in 1978 should use up the balance of funds set aside for library binding. Council gratefully acknowledges gifts of books, journals and reprints, and is encouraged to note that greater use Was made of the reference library during the year. Club representatives Council records its gratitude to Dr Roger Bailey and Frank Hamilton, SOC representatives on the Duck Working Group of the International Waterfowl Research Bureau and the British Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation respectively. From 1966 to the time of his death, Sir Landsborough Thomson also had represented the club on the British Section of the ICBP. Secretarial staff As already recorded, Mrs Irene Waterston retired in August 1977 after 18 years on the staff. Mrs Jo Bainton left after only a short period, but Mrs Christine Dunsire rejoined the part-time staff, and 396 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(8) Mrs Dorothy Ridley, a club member, was welcomed to the full-time staff in January. Acknowledgments Council records its gratitude for the work done by so many members during the year to ensure that the club and its Branvkiee continued to thrive and expand. The very willing help given, and the time spent on committees, at meetings and on excursions, is most gratefully appreciated by the SOC and its members. Finally, council acknowledges eect wa work of the staff that ensures the smooth running of the clu For the council, ANDREW T. MACMILLAN, President. Revenue account for the year ended 30th June 1977 Yearto Year to 30/6/77 30/6/76 INCOME Subscriptions received for year... £7474 £7014 Income tax recovered on covenanted subscriptions 1166 1186 Dividends and interest received (gross) ... Me 302 300 Surplus on Bookshop (sales £38 HB) ONE nite 9779 6769 Sale of “Scottish Birds” , : ft ner: 70) 443 Sundry sales less sundry purchases - yx 161 88 Donations, including surplus in Dry Rot Fund... 356 15 Gain on redemption of investments BS ait 352 —_ Annual conference 4 ie wat — 26 Transfer from Life Membership Fund... aa — 75 £20030 £15916 EXPENDITURE Branch expenses including lectures — ap £787 £645 Travel expenses of Council members and of delegates to conferences Jus ~ ra 543 326 Secretarial and Editorial expenses wad cont). Aueeree 11150 Office expenses 1607 1643 Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection : Club’s share of running expenses Baie 981 942 Cost of books purchased for Library oe ibs} 128 Honorarium and expenses of Comonet of 1976 Scottish Bird Report ° rate Less contribution from “Scottish Birds” Appeal Fund ... ee bes) £138 Cost of publishing “Scottish Birds” eee ts advertising revenue £963) 2662 3394 Net cost of annual conference 69 oh Subscriptions paid seh 73 73 £19819 £18301 Excess of Income over Expenditure 211 (2385) £20030 £15916 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Balance Sheet as at 30th June 1977 GENERAL FUNDS OF THE CLUB Accumulated surplus from previous year Add surplus for year (1976 deficit) (Note : £1000 earmarked for House Fabric aoe Life membership fund “Scottish Birds” Appeal Fund Earmarked for library binding : : Balance of Royal Society grant to library REPRESENTED BY Cash in hand and bank Cash in Edinburgh Building Society Bookshop stock : Tie, badge and car sticker stock Debts due to club : Dry Rot expenditure still to be recovered . Investments at cost as below = Less Subscriptions paid in advance Debts due by club Due to Endowment Fund © Total net assets Market Investments as at 30th June 1977 Safeguard Industrial Investments Ltd.— 875 Ord. shares of 25p each £950—64% Treasury Loan 1976 £1300 British Electricity 3% Guar. Stock 1974/77 £1280—103}% Treasury Stock 1979 ... 6490 value £516 397 Yearto Yearto 30/6/77 30/6/76 £1060 211 1271 1612 1601 At cost £3445 (2385) 1060 1612 1542 156 182 £4552 (383) 7225 156 1226 808 2406 11532 21 6745 214 6980 £4552 At cost £508 946 952 £2406 398 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Endowment Fund 9(8) (The free income of which is available for the advancement of ornithology) Revenue account for the year ended 30th June 1977 Yearto Year to 30/6/77 30/6/76 INCOME Interest and Dividends received (gross) ... a: £509 EXPENDITURE Grants as detailed in Report of Council ... i Wa Excess of Income for the year ... ¥ oe £334 Balance sheet as at 30th June 1977 Endowment Fund as at 30 June 1976 sak ... (Eee Add Legacy received during year ae tee — Donation received during year ¥. ua _ 3412 ‘Add Accumulated revenue as at 30 June 1976 .... 1307 Excess of income for year ae ice 334 Grant refunded to 30 June 1976 st ee 50 Grant made in 1976 refunded ... sail me 34 £5137 Made up of: Investments at cost as below ae he we) S0RD Edinburgh Building Society : Capital Account mn i bi se a 842 General Account fi ore ak we ue 979 Due by Club’s general funds — aa ee alga 506 Less grants allocated but not yet paid Investments as at 30th. June 1977 5337 200 £5137 At cost 1952 Units of Equities Investment Fund for Charities ... £2580 £1000 1000 440 570 £3010 £1140 5% Exchequer Stock 1976/78 cad 1108 £440 84% Conver. Unsecured Loan Stock 1993/98 British Printing Corporation ... 22a 500 St Andrew Trust Ltd. Ord, 25p beds 515 £456 200 lg 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB House Fabric Fund 399 Summary of accounts for year to 30th June 1977 Yearto Yearto 30/6/77 30/6/76 RECEIPTS Balance as at 30th June 1976 ay 3 £121 Year’s rent from Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe ... 312 Year’s rent from British Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled ee mes on] 210 Grant from S.O.C. Revenue Account oy Miscellaneous interest 7 £650 EXPENDITURE > Repairs and maintenance Fic ae pe — Property burdens Ms duh £573 Less contribution from ‘sub- tenant _ 5g 129 444 Insurance af. oe 4a ae wae a 93 537 Contribution to rates still due from sub-tenant ... — On deposit with Edinburgh Building Society £179 Less Prepayment by British Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled for rent and rates up to 31 July 1977 ... : ae: ee 66>" 133 £650 £103 312 175 200 EDINBURGH, 3lst October 1977.—I have audited the foregoing Revenue Accounts for the year to 30th June 1977, and the Balance Sheets as at that date. I have accepted as correct subscriptions and other receipts shown as received in the Books and the value placed on the Bookshop Stock, Subject to this I certify that in my opinion the foregoing accounts are correctly stated and sufficiently vouched. (Signed) ROBERT CAVEN, Chartered Accountant. COUNCIL AND OFFICIALS OF THE CLUB FOR SESSION 41 Hon. Presidents David A. Bannerman, O.B.E., LL.D., Sc.D., F.R.S.E.; Sir Charles G. Connell, W.S., LL.D., F.R.S.E.; Sir Arthur B. Duncan; W. hf Eggeling, C.B.E., BSc., F.R. S. E.; George Waterston, O.B.E., LL.D., F.R.S.E. President Andrew T. Macmillan, C.A. Vice-President Miss Valerie M. Thom. Hon. Treasurer Maxwell K. Hamilton, C.A. Hon. Treasurer House Fabric Fund D. G. Andrew, W.S. Secretary, Treasurer and Business Editor Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe. 400 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(8) Editor and Bookshop Manager D. J. Bates. Membership Secretary Mrs R. D. Smillie. Librarian W. G. Harper. Council A. Anderson, J. H. Ballantyne, J. Edelsten, Miss N. J. Gordon, Dr J. J. D. Greenwood, T. Irving, J. K. R. Melrose, J. Mitchell, H. Robb, Hon. D. N. Weir, Young Members coopted I. P. Gibson, M. W. Fraser. Branch Representatives to Council A. Anderson (Aberdeen); J. K. R. Mel- rose (Ayr); R. T. Smith (Dumfries); P. N. J. Clark (Dundee); J. M. S. Arnott (Edinburgh); D. L. Clugston (Glasgow); R. H. Dennis (Inverness); I. G. Cumming (St Andrews); R. J. Young (Stirling). BRANCH AND GROUP OFFICE BEARERS Aberdeen Chairman, A. Duncan; Vice-Chairman, B. Stewart; Secretary, Miss F. J. Greig; Committee, S. M. D. Alexander, G. Rebecca, P. Shaw. Ayr Chairman, J. K. R. Melrose; Vice-Chairman, R. H. Hogg; Secretary, J. Looe Committee, J. Burton, Dr R. Hissett, Mrs E. M. Hissett, D. A. mith. Dumfries Chairman, J. Skilling; Vice-Chairman, R. T. Smith; Secretary, Dr N. E. Armstrong; Committee, Dr E. C. Fellowes, A. G. Gibson, T. Irving, Miss A. MacDonald. Dundee Chairman, P. J. N. Clark; Vice-Chairman, D. B. Thomson; Sec- retary, Mrs A. Noltie; Committee, B. M. Lynch, B. Pounder, J. Rogers, Dr K. M. Watson. Edinburgh Chairman, J. M. S. Arnott; Vice-Chairman, L. W. G. Alexander; Secretary, Mrs M. Adams; Committee, I. V. Balfour-Paul, S. R. da Prato, J. B. Murray, Mrs A. D. Peirse-Duncombe. Glasgow Chairman, D. L. Clugston; Vice-Chairman, D. N. Brooks; Sec- retary, D. C. Shenton; Committee, J. Anderson, Mrs F. Dunlop, H. Gal- braith, R. M. C. Lambie. Inverness Chairman, R. H. Dennis; Vice-Chairman, Rev J. M. Crook; Sec- retary, Miss E. M. Campbell; Committee, M. I. Harvey, J. K. Lindsay, J. A. Love, D. W. McAllister. New Galloway Chairman, Mrs H. S. C. Halliday; Vice-Chairman, A. D. Watson; Secretary, Dr G. A. Fleming; Committee, C. Bryson, Miss J. E. Howie, D. U. Mearns, Lady Anne Sinclair. St Andrews Chairman, I. G. Cumming; Vice-Chairman, J. S. Wiffen; Sec- retary, Miss M. M. Spires; Committee, Dr R. W. Byrne, Mrs J. A. R. Grant, Miss D. E. Rowling. Stirling Chairman, R. J. Young; Vice-Chairman, H. Robb; Secretary, A. B. Mitchell; Committee, C. E. Barth, Miss E. M. Lapthorn, A. D. McNeill, D. Thorogood. Thurso Chairman, Mrs P. M. Collett; Secretary, S. Laybourn. Wigtown Chairman, Dr P. G. Hopkins; Secretary, G. Sheppard; Committee, D. L. Irving, G. Shaw. COMMITTEES Management M. K. Hamilton (Chairman), D. G. Andrew, J. M. S. Arnott, Dr I. T. Draper, A. T. Macmillan, H. Robb, Miss V. M. Thom. Library Dr George Waterston (Chairman), Ritchie Seath (Hon. Librarian), D. L. Clugston, Dr J. J. D. Greenwood, W. G. Harper (Librarian), A. T. Macmillan, DrI. D. Pennie. 1977 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 401 Editorial A. T. Macmillan (Chairman), D. L. Clugston, R. H. Dennis, F. D. Hamilton. Research A. T. Macmillan (Chairman), R. H. Dennis, Dr I. Newton. CLUB REPRESENTATION British Section, International Council for Bird Preservation: F. D. Hamil- ton. ee Wildfowl Research Bureau, Duck Working Group: Dr R. S. ailey. HONORARY MEMBERS P. W. G. Gunn, Mrs Irene Waterston. NOTICES NEW BRANCH SECRETARIES The following new Secretaries were elected at their Branch AGM: Dumfries Dr N. E. Armstrong, Deil’s Dike, Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire DGI11 1RM (tel. 038 781 514). Glasgow D. C. Shenton, 7 Avon Avenue, Carluke, Lanarkshire ML8 5DD (tel. Carluke 71822). AYR, DUNDEE AND GLASGOW BRANCHES—A.G.M. The Annual General Meeting of Dundee and Glasgow branches will in future take place during the April meeting. Next AGMS are Ayr 5th April 1978, West of Scotland Agricultural College, Auchencruive, 7.30 p.m. Dundee Thursday 6th April 1978, University Chaplaincy Centre, 7.30 p.m. Glasgow Monday 3rd April 1978 in the Art Gallery & Museum at 7.15 p.m. WINTER EXCURSIONS AYR BRANCH Saturday 28th January 1978 BARASSIE and TROON. Leader J. Miller. Meet Wellington Square, Ayr 1.30 p.m. or Barassie Gasworks 2 p.m. Saturday 25th February CAERLAVEROCK. Leader J. K. R. Melrose. Meet Wellington Square, Ayr 9 a.m. sharp. Sunday 19th March BARR LOCH, LOCHWINNOCH, Leader P. Bowyer. Meet Wellington Square, Ayr 1.30 p.m. or Lochwinnoch reserve car park 2.30 p.m. Note: All excursions will be in private cars. Further details from J. Miller, 7 Kirkhill Crescent, Prestwick (tel. 0292 78835). Send s.a.e. if writ- ing. INVERNESS BRANCH Saturday 11th February 1978 CULBIN BAR. Leader Malcolm Harvey. Sunday 9th April GLEN AFFRIC. Leader Roy Dennis. Both excursions meet at Cathedral car park, Inverness at 9 a.m. (lunch and tea). Names to, and further information from, Mrs J. Morrison, 83 Dochfour Drive, Inverness IV1 5ED (tel. 0463 32666). Send s.a.e. if writing. 402 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB 9(8) WEEKEND EXCURSION TO DUMFRIES The annual weekend excursion to the Solway goose grounds has been arranged with the County Hotel, Dumfries, from Friday, 24th to Sunday 26th February 1978. Accommodation : inclusive terms £17.50 (including service charge and V.A.T.) as follows: bed on Friday 24th; breakfast, packed lunch, dinner and bed on Saturday 25th; breakfast and packed lunch on Sunday 26th. Dinner on Friday night is £4.00 extra per person (including service charge and V.A.T.). A limited number of rooms with private bathrooms are available for the additional charge of £1.50 per night. Members may bring guests and should book direct with the Manager, County Hotel, Dumfries (tel. 5401), notifying him that they are attending the Club excursion. Members should also advise the Hotel in advance if they require Dinner on the Friday night. ~* Those not staying at the County Hotel are invited to attend an informal meeting at the Hotel on Friday at 8.30 p.m., when details of the weekend excursions will be announced. An informal programme of slides will be shown on the Saturday evening. Members or guests who may have slides of interest are asked to bring them to the Hotel, and to contact the Club Secretary on the Friday evening to discuss their inclusion in the pro- gramme, A selection of books from the Bird Bookshop will be taken to the Hotel for sale during both evenings, It is advisable to bring warm clothing, gum boots if possible, and thermos flasks for the excursions. ENDOWMENT FUND Members are reminded that the Club’s Endowment Fund was estab- lished for the advancement of ornithology in Scotland. Any legacy or donation will be gratefully received and should be sent to the Club Sec- retary. The Fund is administered by the Council of the Club which is em- powered to make grants from the accumulated free income. Applications for a grant should normally be submitted to the Club Secretary by 31st December each year, so that they can be considered at a Council Meeting usually held in March. Applications received after 3lst January will not be considered for a grant given in the financial year ending on 30th June following. LETTER FROM MRS IRENE WATERSTON Dear Members, As it would be virtually impossible for me to thank you all individually for your most kind and generous contributions towards a retirement present from the club. I felt that the only way to express my gratitude is to publish this composite ‘thank-you’ letter. The choice of the beautiful silver-mounted crystal decanter with the dates of my 18 years service to the club, firstly as secretary and latterly as librarian, together with an engraved reproduction of the club’s symbol of the Crested Tit, will always remind me and George of the wonderful support and friendship which we have so much appreciated over the years. And in addition there was a most generous cheque which will en- able me to purchase a washing machine for the kitchen. Thank you all most sincerely. In addition, I also wish to thank the Council for the honour they have -bestowed on me by electing me as an Honorary Member. IRENE WATERSTON. 1977 BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS 403 Branch and Group News NEW GALLOWAY The New Galloway Group got off to a flying start, thanks to an opening address by Alastair Peirse-Duncombe followed by a delightful slide show of Birds of Galloway by Brian Turner. This high standard was kept up by the talks from Joanna Martin, Donald Watson, Jim Young, John Davies (Conservator, Forestry Commission) and Russell Nisbet, with the result that membership rapidly increased to over 50. There were three field excursions, to Loch Ken, Caerlaverock Wildfowl Trust Reserve and the Nith in February, and a coach outing to Aberlady in April, when a possible record was set up by the coach getting lost sev- eral times on the way home. HELEN S. C. HALLIDAY Current Notes These notes include unchecked reports and are not intended as a permanent record, nor wil! they be indexed. Please send items of interest to local re- corders or direct to the editor at the end of January, April, July and October. We have late spring reports of 5 Surf Scoters off Islay (Arg), 2 Tem- minck’s Stints at Fair Isle, Avocet on Mull (Arg), Marsh Warbler on Out Skerries (Shet), Icterine Warblers on Whalsay (Shet), Skerries and Fair Isle, and Lesser Grey Shrike on Skerries; and summer _ records of Great Northern Diver inland in Lochaber (Inv), White-billed Diver again at Tongue (Suth), 2 Marsh Harriers at Drem (E Loth), Long- tailed Skua at Whalsay, Ross’s Gull in the Borgie (Suth), Roller and Golden Oriole on Yell (Shet) and Rose-coloured Starling on Islay. In Shetland Glaucous and Herring Gull hybridized again and 2 pairs of Snow Buntings summered. Seabird movements in late Jul-early Aug brought albatross (sp.) and Great Shearwater to Collieston (Aber), over 600 Storm and 5 Leach’s Petrels to Ayr, Long-tailed Skuas to Udale Bay (E Ross) and Eigg (I Heb) and Sabine’s Gull to Islay. An influx of eastern migrants from mid Aug brought Hobby to the Tummel (Perth), 2 Cranes to Strathbeg (Aber) for a month, several Black Terns and Wrynecks, White’s Thrush to L Garten (Inv), Nightingales to Fair Isle and St Abb’s Head (Ber), Thrush Nightin- gales to Fair Isle and the Isle of May, Aquatic Warblers to St Abbs and Fair Isle, Booted Warbler to Fair Isle, few Barred Warblers to Fair Isle but several to the SE, Ruppell’s Warbler to Sumburgh (Shet) for a month (the first British record except the Hastings rarities), Green- ish Warblers to the May and St Abbs, Arctic Warbler to Fair Isle, several Red-backed Shrikes, Rosefinches to Fair Isle, N Ronaldsay (Ork) and the May, and Two-barred Crossbill and Ortolan Bunting to Fair Isle. Three Golden Orioles at Strachur (Arg) on 5 Sep were a big surprise. Late Aug-Sep seabirds included Cory’s Shearwater off Skerries, 4,800 Manx Shearwaters in 2 hours at Turnberry (Ayr), 4 Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus p. mauretanicus in the North Sea, Great Shearwaters at Turn- berry and Collieston, many Sooty Shearwaters off W and E coasts with 500 feeding off the May, Storm Petrels off the Clyde and Islay (26), a few Leach’s there and off Skerries, Sabine’s Gulls at Fair Isle and Oban (Arg), 132 Great Skuas, 120 Pomarine and 96 Arctic off Cruden Bay (Aber) on 26 Aug, and Long-tailed Skuas off Islay (2) and Aberdeenshire (2). A Mediterranean Gull was off Port Seton (E Loth) and there were good numbers of the 3 regular skuas all autumn. In this period American Lesser Golden Plovers Pluvialis d. domenica visited Grangemouth (Stir) and Musselburgh (Midl), Dotterel Fair Isle, Temminck’s Stint Irvine (Ayr), Pectoral Sandpiper Meikle Buff-breasted Sandpipers Fair Isle, Musselburgh AA CURRENT NOTES 9(8) and 2 at Crail (Fife) and Grey Phalaropes Whalsay, Fair Isle (2), Islay (3) and Aberlady (E Loth). A Surf Scoter was at Gullane (E Loth) and 2 in Rhum (I Heb) and King Eiders at Drums (Aber) and Woodhall (Clyde). Arrivals from mid Sep included many from NE Europe—35 Brent Geese at L Garten attacked by a Peregrine, 23 at Stornoway (O Heb), Barnacle Geese on the E coast, some with yellow Spitsbergen/Caerlav- erock rings, 2 Goshawks in Aberdeenshire, Honey Buzzard and Osprey in Ayrshire, Marsh Harrier at Strathbeg, Hobbies at Strathbeg and Islay, 2 Quail at St Abbs, Spotted Crakes at New Cumnock (Ayr) and Strathbeg, 2 Corncrakes on Fair Isle, Dotterel on the May, Great Snipe at Fair Isle and probably St Abbs, Bonaparte’s Gull at Musselburgh, Wrynecks on Fair Isle, 3 Shore Larks at Musselburgh, Short-toed Lark on Fair Isle, moderate numbers of Fieldfares, Song Thrushes, Redwings and Ring Ouzels, Bluethroats on Fair Isle (3) and the May, 5 Reed Warblers in Aberdeenshire, Lanceolated and Melodious Warbler on Fair Isle, suspected Booted Warbler on Whalsay, 6 Barred Warblers on Fair Isle, Greenish Warbler at St Abbs, Arctic Warbler on Fair Isle, Yellow-browed Warblers in Shetland (2), Fair Isle (7+), the May (4) and St Abbs, Firecrest at Forvie (Aber), Red-breasted Flycatchers in Shetland (4), Isle of May (3) and St Abbs, Richard’s Pipits on Skerries, Fair Isle (2) and the May, Red- throated Pipit on Skerries, Pechora Pipit and Citrine Wagtail on Fair Isle, Rosefinches in Shetland (2+) and Fair Isle (2), Yellow-breasted Buntings in Shetland (2), Fair Isle (4) and the May, Ortolans on Skerries and Fair Isle (2), Little Buntings on Skerries and Fair Isle (2) and the May, Lap- land Buntings on Fair Isle (20 on several days) and 3 on the May. A fall of mainly Scandinavian migrants, greatest at St Abbs, followed rain and E wind on 7 Oct. Main species were Redwings (thousands at Coldingham, Ber), Ring Ouzels, Eastern Stonechat maura/stegneri on Fair Isle, Redstarts, Robins, several Bluethroats and Reed and Yellow- browed Warbler on Fair Isle, Blackcaps (200+ on Fair Isle), Goldcrests (200+ at St Abbs), Red-breasted Flycatchers (on 6th) at Barns Ness (E Loth) and St Abbs, Richard’s Pipit at Barns Ness, several Great Grey Shrikes, Mealy Redpoll Acanthis f. flammea at Foveran (Aber), Bram- blings (400 on Fair Isle), Little Buntings at Fair Isle and Barns Ness, and Lapland Buntings at Fair Isle (max 10), Strathbeg (8) and St Abbs (3). The rest of October was quieter but an elusive American Bittern emer- ged at New Galloway (Kirk), Crane at Patna (Ayr), 2 Pectoral Sandpipers at Irvine (Ayr), several Shore Larks at Rattray and the Don (Aber), Musselburgh and the Tyne (E Loth), Siberian Lesser Whitethroat blythi at Drums, Richard’s Pipit at Meikle (Aber), parties of up to 50 Siskins in the SE, and Little Buntings on the May and St Abbs brought the autumn total to 8. Late migrants in late Oct were Great Shearwater at St Abbs, 2 Black Terns in Caithness, Hoopoe at Ledaig (Arg), Golden Oriole on the Tyne, Red-breasted Flycatcher at St Abbs, and Rosefinch and 30 Crossbills on Fair Isle. With a massive influx of Fieldfares, Red- wings and Blackbirds came a Black-throated Thrush at Hillwell (Shet) on 6 Nov and Rose-coloured Siarling in Mid Yell. First dates of winter migrants—Goldeneye Ballantrae (Ayr) 12 Aug, Whooper Swan Fair Isle 18 Sep, Jack Snipe Fair Isle 9 Sep, Little Auk Fraserburgh 26 Aug, Fieldfare Isle of May 4 Sep, Redwing Fair Isle 28 Aug, Brambling St Abbs 17 Sep, Snow Bunting Fair Isle 8 Sep. Last dates of summer migrants—Whimbrel St Abbs 23 Oct, Commic Tern Rosehearty (Aber) 30 Oct, Cuckoo Fair Isle 8 Oct, Swift North Berwick (E Loth) 22 Oct, Fair Isle 23rd, Fraserburgh 30 Oct, Swallow North Ber- wick 29 Oct, House Martin North Berwick 10 Nov, Whinchat Fair Isle 21 Oct, Redstart Fair Isle 26 Oct, Willow Warbler St Abbs 19 Oct, Yellow Wagtail Fair Isle 14 Oct. Wildfowl Counts in Scotland For more than 20 years the task of organising the winter Wildfowl Counts in Scotland was undertaken by a succession of dedicated SOC members; first by Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter, then by Miss Betty Garden and finally by Miss Valerie Thom. When Miss Thom resigned in 1971, no overall Scottish Organiser could be found to continue the work centrally, and so a number of Regional Organisers were appointed who deal direct with the Wildfowl Trust in Slimbridge. The Club agreed to be responsible for appointing Regional Organisers when necessary in future, and a copy of the counts for all parts of Scotland is maintained in the Club’s Reference Library in Edinburgh. A list of the Regional Organisers is given below, and anyone who is interested in helping with the counts is asked to write to their nearest Organiser. Shetland P. Kinnear, 2 Mounthooly Street, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 OBJ Orkney D. Lea, Easter Sower, Orphir, Orkney, KW17 2RE. Wester Ross, Inner and Outer Hebrides A. Currie, Glaiseilean, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AQ. Caithness S. Laybourne, Old Schoolhouse, Harpsdale, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6UN. Moray Firth C. G. Headlam, Dallachie, Fearn, Ross-shire IV20 1TN. Banfishire, Morayshire, Nairnshire J. Edelsten, 14 South High Street, Portsoy, Banffshire, AB4 2NT. Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire Dr R. S. Bailey, Cairnaquheen, Torphins, Aberdeenshire, AB3 4JS. Angus B. Pounder, 64 Forfar Road, Dundee, Angus. Perthshire (East) E. D. Cameron, Strathclyde, 14 Union Road, Scone, Perth, PH2 6RZ Argylishire Miss M. P. Macmillan, An Fhuaran, Clachan Seil, Argyllshire. Fife, Kinross-shire Mrs J. A. R. Grant, Brackmont, Crail, Fife. Clackmannanshire, Perthshire (West), Stirlingshire A. B. Mitchell, 10 Kenilworth Court, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, FK9 4EB. Clyde R. A. Jeffrey, 5 Victoria Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire. Bute J. B. Simpson, Estate Office, Rothesay, Bute. Lothians R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian. Ayrshire A. G. Stewart, 31 St Andrews Avenue, Prestwick, Ayrshire, KA9 2DY. Borders A. Bramhall, 28 Blakehope Court, Tweedbank, Galashiels, Sel- kirk, TD1 3RB. Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire Dr E. Fellows, 19 Airds, Drive, Dumfries (1977/78). NOTICES TO CONTRIBUTORS Papers, longer articles and short notes 1, The high cost of production and distribution means that it is of the utmost importance that contributions are concise, interesting and read- able to justify their publication. They should be typed on one side of the sheet only, in duplicate, with double spacing and wide margins. 2. Authors are urged to consult recent issues of Scottish Birds for style of presentation, in particular of headings, tables and references. Headings should not be in capitals nor underlined. Tables and figures must be designed to fit the page. Tables should be used sparingly and be self explanatory, and, like figure captions, typed on a separate sheet. 3. Short notes, if not typed, must be clearly written and well spaced. 4, English names of species (but not group names) of birds, other animals and plants, except domestic forms, have initial capitals for each word, except after a hyphen. English names and sequence of birds follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds (BTO Guide 13, 1971). Scientific names are generally unnecessary for species in this list but they are re- quired (underlined, with no brackets) for subspecies, species not in the BTO Species List, and for other animals and plants, except domestic forms, where these receive significant mention. 5. Proofs are sent to all contributors and these should be returned without delay. Authors of papers and longer articles are entitled to 25 free copies of the journal but these must be requested when returning proofs. Extra copies can be supplied at cost. 6. Illustrations of any kind are welcomed, whether alone or to illustrate an article. Drawings and figures should be up to twice the size they will finally appear, in Indian ink, neatly lettered, on good quality paper separate from the text. Photographs, either glossy prints or colour trans- parencies, should be sharp and clear with good contrast. Scottish Bird Report 1. Records should be sent to the appropriate local recorders, a list of whom is published regularly, but in cases of difficulty they can be for- warded by the editor. 2. These records should be well spaced and in species order, as in pre- vious reports which follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds (BTO Guide 13, 1971). Observers should consult previous reports for the sort of information required. To avoid duplication of records by the recorders, names of other observers present should be given where appropriate. 3. Notes for the year should be sent promptly, generally in early Jan- uary, but some recorders prefer more frequent records and regular con- tributors are asked to consult local recorders about this. Reports of occa- sional visits to areas outwith the observer’s regular territory, such as holiday lists, should usually be sent to recorders as soon as possible. Records of rarities, including species only locally rare, should be sent to recorders without delay. The editor invites short notes on rarities for publication, with any illustrations, up to the third Scottish record or after a long gap since the previous occurrence. 4. The editor will be glad to receive, either directly or via the local recorders, records of special interest for publication in Current Notes. Please send them at the end of January, April, July and October for pub- lication in the issues following. 5. To save recorders’ (often considerable) time and expense, corres- pondents should enclose a stamped addressed envelope when acknowledg- ment is required. Scottish Ornithologists’ Club BIRD BOOKSHOP Dept. E 21 REGENT TERRACE EDINBURGH EH7 5BT Tel. (031) 556 6042 NEW STOCK Shetland Bird Report 1976 Marshall & Kinnear (comp.) £1.10 The Natural History of the Garden Chinery £4.50 Atlas of Breeding Birds of the London Area Montier (ed.) £12.50 The Birds of Gwent Ferns et al. £3.50 Birds of Galway and Mayo Whilde (ed.) £1.25 A List of the Birds of Guernsey Bisson (ed.) 70p Checklist of the Birds of Mallorca Watkinson 23p Let’s Look at NE Greece, Camargue, E Austria, Majorca, Montenegro, SW Spain, S Morocco (Ornitholidays Guides) Shepherd each £1.50 Distributional List of Chinese Birds Cheng £8.48 Manual of Neotropical Birds vol. 1 (penguins-terns) Blake £30.00 World Conference on Birds of Prey: Vienna 1975: Report of Proceedings Chancellor (ed.) £5.50 The Ways of an Eagle MacNally (Scottish Golden Eagles) £5.95 The Hen Harrier Watson £6.80 The Pheasants of the World, 2nd edn. Delacour £18.00 Crows, Jays, Ravens and their Allies Wilmore £5.95 Biological Nomenclature, 2nd edn. Jeffrey £4.75 Bird Sounds and their Meaning Jellis £4.95 The Courtship of Birds Simon £5.50 Birds as Builders Goodfellow £4.95 Bird Hazards to Aircraft Blokpoel £6.65 & £4.20 (paper) RSPB YOC Bird Life Annual Bennett & Sullivan (comp.) £1.95 The Bird Table Book in Colour Soper & Gillmor £3.50 Wildlife Sound Recording Fisher £5.95 Badgers (Blandford Mammal Series) Neal £1.20 Deer (Blandford Mammal Series) Chaplin £5.75 Ecology of Red Deer: a Research Review Relevant to their Management in Scotland Mitchell, Staines & Welch £2.00 Ants (New Naturalist) Brian £5.95 WRITE FOR OUR BOOKLIST POSTAL TERMS — add 50p to your order total Se RECORDING BRITISH WILDLIFE NATURAL HISTORY HABITATS No. 1 SOUNDS Recorded in Stereo by Richard Margoschis Richard Margoschis The beginner, or the experienced recordist, should find something of The natural sounds to interest in this new book dealing ‘ ; with a subject on which very little be heard in various literature is to be found. habitats from the uplands A non-technical approach to the to the coast, and subject; the choice and use of . . equipment; making sound record- including woodlands, ings; building up programmes; and heaths, open country, Many see aS inland and coastal waters A separate chapter on_ stereo- recording; 34 photgraphs; 109 pages ———— bound in a6 x 8 inch handbook. Limpback £2.75 plus 25p by post Cassette price £2.50 Hardback £4.00 plus 35p by post (incl. post) Available from: RICHARD MARGOSCHIS, 80 Mancetter Road, Mancetter, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 1NH. DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL A.A." RAC, ~ ReSvAse: ‘Ashley Courtenay’ and ‘Signpost’ Recommended Retaining the romance of a Castle and the homely charm of a country house combined with the amenities of a modern hotel, our guests receive a warm welcome and a first- class service. Conveniently situated for the Dornoch Firth, Tain Bay, Ederton Sands, Skilbo Estuary and Loch Fleet as well as many interesting moorland, mountain and forestry areas, Dornoch has much to offer the observer of wild life, even while enjoying excellent local golf. A wing of bedrooms with private bathrooms and extended public rooms greatly enhances the comfort of this hotel. Early and late season reductions offered for 1978. Illustrated brochure of Hotel and tariff gladly sent on request with stamps to: Resident Proprietor : STUART THOMSON Telephone : Dornoch 216 Invertrossachs Nature Reserve Offers naturalists a great variety of habitat for wild life. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded. Full-time Warden Information Room Observation and Photographic Hides Nature Trails Refreshments Hire a Cabin or Cottage on the Reserve Situated only 22 miles from the M9 on the south shore of Loch Venachar and on the Menteith Hills, Inver- trossachs provides visitors to the Trossachs with a wonderful centre for the study of wild life, All units fully equipped. Superb views and _ peace abound. Please send SAE for tariff and details to :— Invertrossachs Nature Reserve by Callander, Perthshire. Scottish Field Studies Association Ltd. KINDROGAN FIELD CENTRE Birdwatching Courses 1978 Kindrogan provides accommodation, lecture rooms, laboratories and a library for visitors. Situated in the Southern Grampian Highlands, it affords excellent opportunities for all aspects of field studies. BIRDS—for young ornithologists SPRING BIRDS—hills and glens HIGHLAND BIRDS—behaviour BIRDS—for all bird-watchers SUMMER BIRDS—hills and lowland HIGHLAND BIRDS—hills and glens HIGHLAND BIRDS—hills and glens BIRDS—for young ornithologists AUTUMN BIRDS—winter visitors The normal weekly charge is £52.00. Jim Flint Mar 22-29 Ted Green Mar 22-29 Harry Green May 24-31 Ron Youngman Jun 28-Jul 5 R. M. Ramage Jul 5-12 lan Suttie Jul 19-26 Ted Green Jul 26-Aug 2 lan Walker Aug 2-9 to be announced Oct 25-Nov 1 All applications and requests for information on these and other courses should be addressed to The Warden, Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PG. Tel. Strathardle (025 081) 286. SUTHERLAND ARMS HOTEL GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND Telephone: Golspie 216 Situated on the main North Road near the sea, Golspie Offers invigorating open air holidays to all. In addition to its unique golf course, it has fine loch fishing, sea bathing, tennis, bowls, hill climbing, unrival- led scenery, including inex- haustible subjects for the field sketcher and artist and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is, indeed, impossible to find elsewhere so many nat- ural amenities in so small a compass. The astonishing diversity of bird life in the vicinity has been well known to or- nithologists for many years, but it is still possible to make surprising discoveries in Sutherland. The Hotel is fully modern but retains its old world charm of other days, and en- joys a wide renown for its comfort and fine cuisine. Fully descriptive broch- ures, including birdwatching, will gladly be forwarded on request. Central Heating. Proprietor, Mrs F. HEXLEY Garage & Lock-ups available A.A. R.A.C._ R.S.A.C. Hebrides & Scottish West Coast Cruises for a maximum of 12 ornithologists or naturalists to visit the more remote parts of this magnificently unspoilt area. PENTLAND WAVE is a most comfortable motor yacht, with a very competent crew, good food, central heating etc. and maintained to DTI standards. Details (loose stamp please) from: TONY DALTON (sb) Lorn Charters, Lochavich, Taynuilt, Argyll Telephone Lochavich 212 ISLE OF MULL STAFFA COTTAGES GUEST HOUSE TOBERMORY Get away from it all... beautiful scenery, good bird- ing and comfortable accom- modation at Staffa Cottages. Quiet situation looking across the Sound of Mull to Morvern. SAE for colour brochure. Proprietors : Richard & Elizabeth Coomber Tobermory (0688) 2464 | | } Cottages in a secluded position on the edge of Abernethy Forest—an ideal base for studying the birds and wildlife of Strathspey. Dell of Abernethy Nethy Bridge Inverness-shire Self-catering, well appointed and fully equipped (except linen). Sleep 3 to 8 persons. Open all the year 1ound—lower rates off season. For particulars please phone Mr & Mrs FLEMING Nethy Bridge (STD 047982) 643 COLOUR SLIDES We are now able to supply slides of most British Birds from our own collection, and from that of the R.S.P.B. Send 25p for sample slide and our lists covering these and birds of Africa—many fine studies and close-ups. FOR HIRE We have arranged to hire out slides of the R.S.P.B. These are in sets of 25 at 60p in- cluding postage & V.A.T. per night’s hire. Birds are group- ed according to their natural habitats. W. COWEN Penrith Rd., Keswick, Cumbria ISLE OF JURA Self catering, comfort- able, modern, semi-de- tached cottage beside sea. Well equipped. Sleeps two only. Already booked May, June, July and August, 1978. details to: Mrs PATON, Craighouse, Isle of Jura, Argyll. Send s.a.e, for Tel. Jura 242 CENTRALLY HEATED FULLY MODERNISED SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES to let in GALLOWAY Caldow Lodge, Corsock, Castle-Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, DG7 3EB. Tel. Corsock 286. Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest and Lochs, glorious country- side. Birdwatchers’ paradise. Off Season Lets. Please send for brochure, stamp appreciated. Sg: VR at Mr Frank’s | unusual binocular offer : Test any FRANK-NIPOLE binocular free for 7 days and see for yourself why these remarkable binoculars were chosen by the 1975 Everest Expedition; why they are recommended and sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and entitled to carry the seal of approval of The Game Conservancy. See why professional bodies such as the Wildfowl Trust, to whom binocular performance is of paramount importance, select FRANK-NIPOLE. Four models particularly favoured by birdwatchers : Exit Relative Field Price 2 Model Pupil Brightness of View Weight Height with case . 8 x 30 of iic.o ile 18 ozs. 44 ins. £23.50 10 x 50 5 25 See 36 ozs. 7 ins. £33.00 c 8 x 40 5 25 g° 36 ozs. 5% ins. £45.31 f 10 x 40 4 16 Tie 254 ozs. 41 ins. £47.83 It is our claim that FRANK-NIPOLE binoculars are comparable with other famous makes costing two or three times as much. If after 7-day free test you are not convinced that our claim is justified, return the binoculars and we will refund any money paid. In addition, we will give you the opportunity of purchasing an East Zeiss, Leitz or Swift binocular at about 25% below ~ S.R.P. Colour brochure free on request. Charles LTD . Frank 144 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EH. n6 Binocular specialists since 1907. | a Tel. 041-221 6666 sh / WALTER THOMSON} PRINTER, SELKIRK_ J) 2 a ISSN 0036-9144 - Scottish Birds INDEX TITLE PAGES AND LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ge pale 9 1976 - 1977 SCOTTISH BIRDS — BINDING Arrangements have been made for binding Volume 9 of Scottish Birds. The charge is £4.50 for binding in red buck- ram, or £5.50 for binding in red quarter leather, both prices including return postage. The parts to be bound (Nos. 1 to 8 and Index) should be sent direct to the binders together with your remittance to cover the cost of binding. Back numbers may be purchased from the Scottish Centre for Ornithology and Bird Protection, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5BT, but Not from the binders. Previous vol- umes may also be sent for binding at the same time and at the same rates as Volume 9. Please be sure to complete the binding form on the back cover (with details of your name and address, remittance, and style of binding required) before sending the parts to: P. G. CHAPMAN & CO LTD Kent House Lane BECKENHAM, KENT BR3 1LD Volumes sent immediately will be returned within about three months, but this time cannot be guaranteed for volumes not sent promptly, as costs can only be kept down by binding a substantial number of volumes at the same time. Note The nature and thickness of the quarterly sections tend to pro- duce steps in the fore-edge of the bound volume, but the extra cost of producing the journal in smaller gatherings, mainly for the benefit of those who want to bind their copies, would not be justified. et ime tat fae ATO a ret Sas ae scottish Birds The journal of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club > Edited by D. J. BATES V olume 9 1976 - 1977 Walter Thomson, Printer, Selkirk Vol. 9 SCOTTISH BIRDS 405 INDEX TO VOLUME 9 The index is in six parts as follows: Contents, Plates, Contributors, Subjects, English names of birds, Scientific names of birds. Contents Waterfowl at effluent discharges in Scottish coastal waters (B. Pounder) 5-36 (corrections, 89-90). The seabirds of Shetland in 1974 (M. P. Harris) 37-68, plates 1-8. Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station report for 1975 (J. M. S. Arnott) 93-102; for 1976, 290-297, plate 27. The Manx Shearwaters of Rhum (P. Wormell) 103-118, plates 9-11. First recorded erythristic eggs of Arctic Skua and Herring Gull in Britain (D. J. Bates, H. M. S. Blair, I. H. J. Lyster) 143-7 (correction, 284). Recent distribution, ecology and breeding of Snow Buntings in Scotland (Desmond Nethersole-Thompson) 147-162, plates 13-16. Scottish Bird Report 1975 (Roy H. Dennis) 173-235, plates 17-20. Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region (Adam Watson) 245-262, plates 21-24 (a). Puffins on the Isle of May (M. P. Harris) 285-290, plate 25. Rookeries in Scotland—1975 (M. E. Castle) 327-334, plate 32 (a). Ross’s Gulls in Britain (M. Densley) 334-342, plates 29-31. Current ornithological research in Scotland (1. H. J. Lyster) 366-377. Ornithology in the Highlands and Islands (W. R. P. Bourne) 378-380. BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS, Aberdeen seabird conference, 362; Ayr, 133; Dumfries, 172; Dundee, 134; Edinburgh, 134; Glasgow, 172; Inverness, 134-5, 240-241; New Galloway, 403; Sites Register, 1; Scottish Birds, 1-2; Local recorders, 89; Scottish Bird Report, 89; Branch and Group News, 89; Index, 91; Ross’s Gull, 325; An endemic Scottish bird ?, 325; Scottish Bird Reports, SOC conference 282; St Andrews, 135; Scottish Ringers’ Confer- ence, 282-3; Stirling, 135, 241, 323, 363; Thurso, 135, 241. CORRECTIONS, Waterfowl at eff- luent discharges in Scottish coastal waters, 89-90; The birds of the Isle of May, 137; Probable Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids, 137; Additions to 1973 Scottish Bird Report, 235; First recorded erythristic eggs of Arc- tic Skua and Herring Gull in Britain, 284. CURRENT NOTES, 88, 91-92, 138- 140, 241-4, 283-4, 323-4, 363-4, 403-4. EDITORIAL, BTO Ornithological 365-6; Richard Richardson, 366. NOTICES, BTO Ornithological Sites Register work in Scotland, 2-4; Club policy on ornithological re- search, and fieldwork and discus- sion groups, 140-143; Isle of May Bird Observatory, 236; Artificial islands for Black-throated Divers, 271; Mrs Irene Waterston, 321; Fair Isle Bird Observatory Ap- peal, 366. OBITUARY, Eddie Balfour, 69-71; Seton Paul Gordon, 307-9, plate 28; Duncan Robertson Anderson, 309; Elsie Macdonald, 310; Wil- liam Miles Logan-Home, 350-351; Arthur Landsborough Thomson, 406 351-2; Kenneth Williamson, 352- 3 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION, Gulls nesting on buildings, 87; Breeding of the Ring Ouzel, 87- 88; Threipmuir Reservoir, 136; House Martin nests, 136; Birds of Crete, 136; Birds of St Kilda, 236; Birds of the Western Isles, 236; Exceptional seabird move- ments of autumn 1976, 236; Goosanders, 236; Shelducks, 272; Foot-paddling by gulls, 272; Dead predators, 321. REVIEWS Armstrong : Song, 166-8. Banks : Greenland, 316-7. Barnes: The Titmice of the Brit- ish Isles, 315. Booth : Birds in Islay, 127. Boyd, Harrison and Allison: Duck Wings: a study of duck production, 313-4. Brady: The Birds of Berwick- upon-Tweed and District, 382. Campbell: The Dictionary of Birds in Colour, 312. Durman: Bird Observatories in Britain and Ireland, 355-6. Everett : Birds of Prey, 354. Ferguson-Lees, Hockcliffe and Zweeres: A Guide to Bird- Watching in Europe, 270-271. Fogden and Fogden: Animals and their Colours, 129. Forster : The Wandering Tattler, 387. Harrison, C.: A Field Guide to Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of British and European Birds, with North Africa and the Middle East, 128-9. Harrison, J.: The Sevenoaks Gravel Pit Reserve, 313-4. —, Humphreys and Graves: Breeding Birds of the Medway Estuary, 313-4. Hartshorne : Born to Sing, 166-8. Ingram: The Migration of the Swallow, 130-131. Inskipp: All Heaven in a Rage: a Study of the Importation of Wild Birds into the United King- dom, 169-170. Joensen : Waterfowl Populations in Denmark 1965-1973, 71. Knowlton : The Naturalist in Scotland, 126. Discovering Bird SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 Lack: Evolution Illustrated by Waterfowl, 269-270. Lysaght: The Book of Birds: Five centuries of bird illustration, 314-5. MacCaskill: Wild Endeavour, 131. Nature Conservancy Council, Caerlaverock Panel and The Wildfowl Trust: Caerlaverock : Conservation and Wildfowling in Action, 313-4. —, Institute of Terrestrial Ec- ology and The Wildfowl Trust : Loch Leven National Nature Res- erve: a study of waterfowl biology, 313-4. Nethersole-Thompson : Pine Crossbills, 168-9. Ogilvie: Ducks of Britain and Europe, 129-130. Ruxton : Wildfowl of Morecambe Bay, 313-4. Scott and Forrest: The Bird- watcher’s Key: a guide to iden- tification in the field, 354-5. Seebohm: Birds of Siberia: A Record of a Naturalist’s visits to the valleys of the Petchora and the Yenesei, 317. Sharrock, J. T. R.: The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland, 310-311. —: The Birdwatchers’ Quiz and Puzzle Book, 131-2. — and Sharrock, E. M.: Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland, 318. Simms : Birds of Town and Sub- urb, 315-6. Waterston (ed.): Fair Isle Bird Observatory: Report for 1975, 317; for 1976, 387. Watkinson: A Guide to Bird- watching in Mallorca, 356. Zink: Der Zug _ Europaischer Singvogel, vol. 2, 312-3. Current literature, 2, 90-91, 137-8, 235, 271, 318-9, 356-7, 387-8. SHORT NOTES, see under Contri- butors, Subjects, and English names of birds. SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB, 73-87, 132, 170-171, 236- 240, 272-282, 321-3, 359-362, 391- 402; policy on research, and fieldwork and discussion groups, ean Mrs Irene Waterston, 326. Vol. 9 SCOTTISH BIRDS 407 Plates Plates Pages 1-8 The seabirds of Shetland in 1974: Noss, Compass Head. Eshaness, Foula, Braewick, Sumburgh Head (M. P. Harris) 41-48 9-11 Manx Shearwaters of Rhum: Askivall (P. Wormell); adult Manx Shearwater (W. J. Eggeling); young Manx Shear- water (J. Wormell); shearwater greens (P. Wormell) 111-113 12 Probable hybrid Scaup x Tufted Duck (Gordon Booth) 114 13-16 Breeding Snow Buniings (A. Tewnion) ... is ee 153-6 17-20 Scottish Bird Report 1975: Terek Sandpiper, Ross’s Gull, Dusky Thrush (D. Coutts); Arctic Warbler (B. Zonfrillo); Tennessee Warbler, Siberian Rubythroat, Lanceolated Warbler (R. A. Broad); Rustic Bunting (N. K. Atkinson) 207-210 21-24 (a) Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region: Crested Tit (R. Lambie); Ptarmigan (R. H. Hogg); bulldozed track by Lock Muick, dying stag in dying habitat, scrub in Norway, woodland and scrub in Alaska, ee forest near Ballater (Adam Watson) ... at 263-6 24(b) Long-established Treecreeper nest site (William Skinner) 266 24(c) Migrant Wryneck (A. D. K. Ramsay) ... an : 266 25 Isle of May Puffins: Burrian, cone Hole a P. Harris); Puffin (K. Taylor) ; 303 26 (a) Partial albino Puffin on Craigleith R. W. J. Smith) a 304 26 (b) Arctic Tern (R. T. Smith)... — 304 27 Reed Warbler, Great Grey Shrike on Isle = Mag (A. Brow) 305 28 Seton Gordon (Adam Watson) = 5 “she 306 29-31 Ross’s Gulls: Shetland (D. Coutts); Siberia decane) ted 343-5 32 (a) Rook (R. T. Smith)... a ah oe B 346 32 (b) Red Grouse nest of straw (A. Watson) ra 5h 346 32 (c) Sir A. Landsborough Thomson (Anon.) ... ae 346 33-36 Kingfisher, Heron, Buzzard, Blackcock, cpp sat sedge Warbler (Brian S. Turner) 53 : 383-6 408 SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 Contributors ANDERSON, Alasdair, obituary of pacan Robertson Anderson, 309. ANDREW, Dougal G., letter on Flanders Moss Lesser Black- backed Gullery, 72-73. ANONYMOUS, photographs _ of Ross’s Gull (courtesy A. J. Prat- er) plates 29 (c)-31. —, photograph of Sir A. Lands- borough Thomson (courtesy Sir C. G. Connell) plate 32 (c). ARNOTT, J. M. S., Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station report for 1975, 93-102; for 1976, 290-297. ATKINSON, N. K., photographs of Rustic Bunting, plate 20 (b), (c). AUSTIN, William, Dumfries branch news, 172. BATES, D. J., SOC annual confer- ence at Stirling, 282; Scottish ringers’ conference at Carrbridge, 282-3; Aberdeen seabird confer- ence, 362. —, BLAIR, H. M. S., and LYSTER, I. H. J., First recorded erythristic eggs of Arctic Skua and Herring Gull in Britain, 143-7. —, and BROWN, Alan, note on be- haviour of Wryneck and Great Grey Shrike, 348-9. Blair, H. M. S., see Bates, D. J., mat HH. MaSznxand Eyster, I. H. BOOTH, C. J., note on Great Skuas probably killing Mountain Hare and Rabbits, 125. BOOTH, Gordon, photographs of probable hybrid Scaup x Tufted Duck, plate 12. BOURNE, W. R. P., Ornithology in ne Highlands and Islands, 378- 3 BRACKENRIDGE, W. R., drawings of Stonechat, 222: Great Crested Grebe, 375. BROAD, R. A., note on White-wing- ed Black Tern at Fair Isle, 163-4; photographs of Tennessee War- bler, plate 19 (a); Siberian Ruby- throat, plate 19 (b); Lanceolated Warbler, plate 20 (a); note on probable Swallow x House Mar- tin hybrid, 301-2. BROCKIE, Keith, drawings of Scaup, 32; Kittiwake, 68; Arctic Terns, 212; Wryneck feather, 216; Dipper, 219; Oystercatcher wing, 284. BROWN, Alan, photographs of Reed Warbler, plate 27 (a); Great Grey Shrike, plate 27 (b); review of ‘A Guide to Bird-watching in Mallorca’, 356; see also Bates, D. J., and Brown, Alan. BRYANT, D. M., review of ‘The Migration of the Swallow’, 130- 131; Stirling branch news, 241. —, and WAUGH, D. R., note on flightless Shelducks on _ the Forth, 124-5. BULLOCK, David, note on probable seve x Tufted Duck hybrid, 118- 1 119. BUSBY, John, drawings of Honey Buzzard, 193; Lesser Redpoll, 232; Ruff and Redshank, 373. CASTLE, M. E., Rookeries in Scot- land : 1975, 327-334. Collett, P. M., see Laybourne, S., tae S. A. M., and Collett, P CONNELL, Charles G., obituary of aa Landsborough Thomson, 5 COUTTS, D., photographs of Terek Sandpiper, plate 17 (a); Ross’s Gull, plate 17 (b); Dusky Thrush, plate 18 (a); Ross’s Gul, plate 29 (a), (b). DA PRATO, E. S., note on Sparrow- hawk taking Sedge Warbler from a ringer’s hand, 381. DA PRATO, S. R. D., review of ‘Fair Isle Bird Observatory : Re- port for 1976, 387. DEADMAN, Andrew, review of ‘Tit- mice of the British Isles’, 315. DENNIS, Roy H., Scottish Bird Re- port 1975, 174-235. DENSLEY, M., review of ‘Birds of Siberia’, 317; Ross’s Gulls in Britain, 334-342. DOUGLAS-HOME, Henry, obituary of William Miles Logan-Home, 350-351; review of ‘The Birds of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Dis- trict’; 3822 DRAPER, Muriel, Glasgow branch news, 172. Duncan, James, see Phillips, John, and Duncan, James. EADES, R. A., reviews of ‘All Vol. 9 Heaven in a Rage’, 169-170; ‘Der = Europaischer Singvogel, 312- 5% EGGELING, W. J., photograph of Manx Shearwater, plate 10 (a); ‘Birds in Islay’, 127. ELKINS, N., note on_ probable Siberian Chiffchaffs wintering in Morayshire, 164-6. FISHER, Crispin, drawings of Teal, 183; Grey Wagtail, 229; Green- finch, 231. FULLER, Rob, BTO Ornithological re) Register work in Scotland, FURNESS, R. W., letter on Great Skuas as predators of mammals, 319-321. GEORGE, D. E. P., note on male Ring Ouzel associating with a pair of Blackbirds, 349-350. GREENWOOD, Jeremy J. D., re- views of ‘Waterfowl Populations in Denmark 1965-1973’, 71; ‘Ducks of Britain and Europe’, 129-130; ‘Evolution Illustrated by Waterfowl’, 269-270; ‘Greenland’, 316-317. HALLIDAY, Helen S. C., New Gal- loway group news, 403. HALLIDAY, K. C. R., note on Great a Gull killing Wigeon, 348. HARDEY, J., note on display of Golden Eagle carrying stick, 300. HARPER, W. G. and Mrs H. L., a on Ringed Plover swimming, HARRIS, M. P., The seabirds of Shetland in 1974, 37-68, plates 1-8, Puffins on the Isle of May, 285-290, plate 25 (a), (c). HOGG, R. H., drawings of Gyr Fal- con, 194; Buff-breasted Sandpip- er, 204; photograph of Ptarmigan, plate 21 (b). KINNEAR, P. K., note on predation of seabirds by Grey Seals, 342-7; letter on Great Skuas killing mammals, 358-9. LAMBIE, R., photograph of Crested Tit, plate 21 (a). LANGSLOW, Derek R., reviews of ‘The Naturalist in Scotland’, 126- 7; ‘The Birdwatchers’ Quiz and Puzzle Book’, 131-2; note on weight increases and behaviour aller on the Isle of May, SCOTTISH BIRDS 409 LANGSLOW, H., Edinburgh branch news, 134. LAYBOURNE, S., news, 135, 241. —, MANSON, S. A. M., and COL- LETT, P. M., note on Arctic Terns breeding inland in Caith- ness, 301. LEA, David, obituary of Eddie Bal- four, 69-71. Leitch, Alan F., see Swann, Robert L., and Leitch, Alan F. LYSTER, I. H. J., reviews of ‘The Dictionary of Birds in Colour’, 312; ‘ The Birdwatcher’s Key’, 354-5; Current ornithological re- search in Scotland, 366-377; see also Bates, D. J., Blair, H. M. S., and Lyster, I. H. J. MACDONALD), D., further notes on a long-established Treecreeper nest site, 267-8. MACMILLAN, Andrew T., notice on club policy on ornithological research, and fieldwork and dis- cussion groups, 140-143; review of ‘Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland’, 318; notice on Mrs Irene Waterston’s retirement, 326-7; letter on status of Snow Geese in Scotland, 357-8; Notice on Fair Ee Bird Observatory Appeal, 366. McMILLAN, R. L., review of ‘Wild Endeavour’, 131. Manson, S. A. M., see Laybourne, S., Manson, S. A. M., and Collet, P. M. MERRIE, D., Stirling branch news, 135. MILLER, J., Ayr branch news, 133. MITCHELL, Sandy, Stirling branch news, 323, 363. Moran, Frank T., see Tyrer, M. Jane, and Moran, Frank T. MORRISON, C. M., notes on Dipper removing lining from used nest, 268-9; Rooks. killing Carrion Crow, 302. MUNRO, Iain C., note on gymnas- tic Rook, 382. MUNRO, J. H. B., obituary of Ken- neth Williamson, 352-3. MURRAY, R. D., review of ‘The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland’, 310-311. NETHERSOLE-THOMPSON, Des- mond, review of ‘A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings Thurso group 410 of British and European Birds, with North Africa and the Middle East, 128-9; Recent distribution, ecology and breeding of Snow Buntings in Scotland, 147-162. NEWTON, I., review of ‘Animals and their Colours, 129. PALMER, C. E., obituary of Elsie Macdonald, 310. PENNIE, Ian D., reviews of ‘Pine Crossbills’, 168-9; ‘The Wander- ing Tattler’, 387. PHILLIPS, John, and DUNCAN James, note on _ Red-breasted Merganser killing Oystercatcher, 299-300. PICOZZI, N., Prey’, 354. POUNDER, B., Waterfowl at efflu- ent discharges in Scottish coastal review of ‘Birds of waters, 5-36; Dundee branch news, 134. PREST, W. G., Inverness branch news, 134-5, 240-241. RAINES, R. J., review of ‘A Guide - se thet in Europe’, 270- Te RAMSAY, Andrew D. K., note on Rock Pipits rearing young Robin, 126; photograph of Wryneck, plate 24 (c). RICHARDSON, R. A., drawings of Wheatear, 291; Red-throated Div- er, 368; Raven, Dba SEATH, Ritchie, review of ‘The Book of Birds’, 314-315. SKINNER, William, photograph of Treecreeper nest, plate 24 (b). SMITH Rel 4 photographs of Arc- ue cee plate 26 (b); Rook, plate 3 SMITH, R. W. J., photograph of albino Puffin, plate 26 (a). SPIRES, M., St Andrews branch news, 135. STEAD, D., review of Town and Suburb’, 315-316. STEWART, A. G., reviews of ‘Breeding Birds of the Medway estuary’,‘Wildfowl of Morecambe Bay’, ‘Caerlaverock’, ‘Loch Leven National Nature Reserve’, ‘The Sevenoaks Gravel Pit Reserve’, and ‘Duck Wings’, 313-314; ‘Bird Observatories in Britain and Ire- land’, 355. STIRLING-AIRD, Patrick, note on Peregrine apparently hunting on ground, 347. ‘Birds of SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 SWANN, Robert L., and LEITCH, Alan F., note on Buzzard taking Manx Shearwater at night, 69. TAYLOR, I. R., note on overland passage of Gannets from the Forth, 298-9. TAYLOR, K., photograph of Puffin, plate 25 (b). TEWNION, A., photographs of Snow Buntings, plates 13-16. TURNER, Brian S., photographs of Kingfisher, plate 33; Heron, plate 34; Buzzard, plate 35 (a); Black- cock, plate 35 (b); Redpoll, plate 2 (a); Sedge Warbler, plate 36 (b). TYRER, M. Jane, and MORAN, Frank T., note on Waxwings drinking birch sap, 350. URQUHART, L. A., note on Pied- billed Grebe in Kirkcudbright- shire, 297-8. VERRALL, Keith, notes on Little Shearwater in Argyllshire, 380- 381; Laughing Gull in Argyll- shire, 381-2. VICK, L. L. J., note on Baird’s Sandpiper in Midlothian, 162-3; review of ‘Fair Isle Bird Obser- vatory Report for 1975’, 317. WARNER, Robert W., review of ‘Discovering Bird Song’ and ‘Born to Sing’, 166-8. WATERSTON, Irene, letter on re- tirement, 402. WATSON, Adam, Wildlife potential in the Cairngorms region, 245- 262, plates 22-24 (a), letter, 390- 391; obituary of Seton Paul Gor- don, 307-309, plate 28; note on exceptional Red Grouse nest made of straw, 347-8, plate 32 (b). WATSON, Donald, drawings of Oystercatcher, 196; Turnstone, 198; Black Guillemot, 214; Hen Harrier, 370. WAUGH, D. R., note on probable Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrids, 119-122; see also Bryant, D. M., and Waugh, D. R. WHEATER, R. J., letter on wildlife potential in the Cairngorms re- gion, 388-390. WILLIS, Douglas P., note on Ful- mars entangled in barbed wire and gorse, 118. WORMELL, J., photograph of Manx Shearwater, plate 10 (b). WORMELL, P., The Manx Shear- Vol. 9 SCOTTISH BIRDS 411 one of Rhum, 103-118, plates ZONFRILLO, B., photograph of Arctic Warbler, plate 18 (b); drawings of Pallas’s Warbler, 292; Guillemot, 294. Subjects ABNORMALITIES Albinism: Herring Gull, 206; Puffin, plate 26 (a); Starling, 231. Eggs: erythristic Arctic Skua and Herring Gull, 143-7, correc- tion, 284. Feathers: Reed Warbler growth bar, plate 27 (a). BEHAVIOUR, Red-breasted Mer- ganser killing Oystercatcher, 299- 300. Golden Eagle display, 300. Buzzard taking Manx Shearwater at night, 69. Sparrowhawk taking Sedge Warbler from _ ringer’s hand, 381. Peregrine apparently hunting Common Sandpiper on ground, 347. Ringed Plover swim- ming, 125. Ross’s Gull, 340-341. Wryneck, migrants, 262-7; and Great Grey Shrike, 348-9. Rooks killing Carrion Crow, 302; gym- nastics, 382. Ring Ouzel associa- ting with pair of Blackbirds, 349- 350. Great Grey Shrike and Wry- neck, 348-9. BREEDING BIOLOGY, Manx Shearwater, 103-7; Red Grouse nest of straw, 347-8; Ross’s Gull, plates 29 (c)-31; Treecreeper, 267-8; Dipper, 268; Rock Pipits rearing young Robin, 126; Snow Bunting, 158-161. FOOD, waterfowl at effluent dis- charges, 5-36; Golden Eagle, 107; Buzzard, 69; Sparrowhawk, 38; Peregrine (intention) 347; Caper- caillie, 256; Great Skua, 125, 319- 321, 358-9; Great Black-backed Gull, 348; Lesser Black-backed Gull, 252; Common Gull, 252; Black-headed Gull, 252; Raven, 107; Crow, 107, 252; Hooded Crow, 107; Rook, 252; Waxwing, 350; Great Grey Shrike (inten- tion) 348-9; Snow Bunting, 159- 160, 252. HYBRIDS, probable Scaup x Tufted Ducks, 118-124, correction, 137; Red-legged Partridges x Chukar and Rock Partridge, 195; Glau- cous x Herring Gull, 206; possible Collared x Turtle Dove, 215; pro- bable Swallow x House Martin, 301-2; Tree Sparrow mating with House Sparrow, 235. MAN AND BIRDS, waterfowl at effluent discharges, 5-36; sea- birds, 37; wildlife threats in Cairngorms, 250-255, 388-391; Goosander persecution, 253; Gol- den Eagle persecution, 192, 252-3; Buzzard, Hen Harrier persecu- tion, 253; Red Kite persecution, 192; Osprey persecution, 193; Peregrine persecution, 194, 252-3; Snowy Owl persecution, 253; Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull control, 102, 294-6; Crow persecution, 253. MIGRATION, Isle of May, 93-101, 290-296; overland passage of Gannets from Forth, 298-9; Ross’s Gull post-breeding disper- sal, 335-9; Wryneck weight in- creases and behaviour on Isle of May, 262-7; see also Scottish Bird Report, 173-235. MOULT, flightless Shelducks, 124-5. 412 SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 English names of birds English names of species follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds (BTO Guide 13, 1971); those of subspecies follow The Handbook of British Birds (Witherby et al, 1938-41). Every significant mention of species and subspecies in papers, short notes, letters and plate captions is listed. Scottish Bird Report entries follow the initials SBR. References to any subspecies without distinctive English names are also given in the index of Scientific names of birds. Current Notes, passing references and non-avian species are ignored. ALBATROSS, BLACK - BROWED, SBR, 181. AUK, LITTLE, SER, 2ic: AVOCET, SBR, 205. BITTERN, SBR, 182. BLACKBIRD, Isle of May, 94, 98- 101, 292-6; pair associating with Ring Ouzel, 349-350; SBR, 221. BLACKCAP, Isle of May, 94-100, aoe Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 225. BLUETAIL, RED-FLANKED, Isle of May, 93, 98-100; SBR, 223. BLUETHROAT, Isle of May, 95, 98- oa 293; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 224. —, RED-SPOTTED, SBR, 224. —, WHITE-SPOTTED, SBR, 224. BOBOLINK, SBR, 231. Bonxie, see Skua, Great. BRAMBLING, Isle of May, 94-100, 292; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 233. BULLFINCH, SBR, 233. —, NORTHERN, SBR, 233. BUNEG: BLACK-HEADED, SBR, 34. —, CIRL, Isle of May, 290, 294-6. —, CORN, Isle of May, 96, 100; SBR, 234. —, ICELAND SNOW, nesting in Scotland, 148. —, LAPLAND, Isle of May, 98; SBR, 234. —, LAZULI, SBR, 235. —, LITTLE, SBR, 234. —, ORTOLAN, Isle of May, 95-97; SBR, 234. —, RED-HEADED, Isle of May, 290, 294; SBR, 234. —, REED, Isle of May, 95, 100, 292-4; SBR, 234. —, RUSTIC, Isle of May, 98, 100; SBR, 234, plate 20 (b, c). —, SNOW, Isle of May, 97, 99; re- cent distribution, ecology and breeding, 147-162, plates 13-16; Cairngorms, 248-252, food, 252; current research, 372; SBR, 234. BUNTING, YELLOW-BREASTED, Isle of May, 290-295; SBR, 234. BUZZARD, taking Manx Shear- water at night, 69; persecution in Cairngorms, 253; current re- seated 369; plate 35 (a); SBR, —, HONEY, SBR, 192. —, ROUGH-LEGGED, SBR, 192. CAPERCAILLIE, Cairngorms, 249, 256, food, 256; current research, 370; SBR, 195. CHAFFINCH, Isle of May, 94, 100, 290-295; current research, 372; SBR, 233. CHIFFCHAFF, Isle of May, 93-99, 293, 295; probable Siberians win- tering in Morayshire, 164-6; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 226. —, SIBERIAN, probably wintering Morayshire, 164-6; SBR, 226. CHOUGH, current research, 371; SBR, .2.U8. CHUKAR, hybrids x Red-legged Partridge, 195. COOT, SBR, 196. CORMORANT, at effluent dischar- ges, 10; Shetland, 39-40, 52, 62, plate 7; SBR, 182. CORNCRAKE, SBR, 195. CRAKE, SPOTTED, Cairngorms, 250; SBR, 195, 230. CRANE, SBR, 195. Creeper, Tree, see Treecreeper. CROSSBILL, Cairngorms, 249; cur- rent research, 372; SBR, 233. —, COMMON, SBR, 233. —, PARROT, SBR, 233. —, SCOTTISH, Cairngorms, 249; current research, 372; SBR, 233. CROW (Carrion/Hooded), feeding in Manx Shearwater colony, 107; Cairngorms, 252-3, food, 252, per- secution, 253; killed by Rooks, 302; current research, 372; SBR, 218. Vol. 9 CROW, CARRION, killed by Rooks, a current research, 372; SBR, —, HOODED, feeding in Manx eesatcs colony, 107; SBR, ee Isle of May, 95-96; SBR, CURLEW, at effluent discharges, 7; Isle of May, 97; current research, 371; SBR, 199. Dabchick, see Grebe, Little. DIPPER, removing lining from used nest, 268; current research, 374; SBR, 219. DIVER, GREAT NORTHERN, Isle of May, 99, 293; SBR, 179. —, BLACK-THROATED, current research, 368 ;SBR, 179. —, RED-THROATED, Cairngorms, 249: Isle of May, 293; current re- search, 368, 374; SBR, 179. DOTTEREL, Cairngorms, 248, 251l- 2; SBR, 198. DOVE, COLLARED, possible hybrid x Turtle Dove, 215; current re- search, 371; SBR, 214. —, ROCK, current research, 373; SBR, 214. —, STOCK, SBR, 214. —, TURTLE, possible hybrid x Col- lared Dove, 215; SBR, 214. DOWITCHER, LONG-BILLED, SBR, 198. DUCK, LONG-TAILED, at effluent discharges, 8, 14-26, 29-31; Isle of May, 97; current research, 369; SBR, 186. —, MANDARIN, SBR, 185. —, TUFTED, at effluent discharges, 8, 15-28; probable hybrids x Scaup, 118-124, plate 12, correc- ‘=: 137; Isle of May, 293; SBR. DUNLIN, Isle of May, 96-97; Cairn- gorms, 249; current research, 370; SBR, 203. DUNNOCK, Isle of May, 93, 99, 290, 292, 295; SBR, 228. EAGLE, GOLDEN, feeding on Manx Shearwaters, 107; persecu- tion, 192; Cairngorms, 246, threats, 252-3; display, 300; cur- “iy research, 369-370, 374; SBR, —, WHITE-TAILED (= Sea), cur- rent research, 369; SBR, 192. EGRET, LITTLE, SBR, 182. SCOTTISH BIRDS 413 EIDER, at effluent discharges, 6-10, 14-31; Isle of May, 294; current research, 368-370, 374; SBR, 187. —, KING, SBR, 188. —, STELLER’S, SBR, 187. FALCON, GYR, SBR, 194. —, Peregrine, see Peregrine. —, RED-FOOTED, SBR, 194. FIELDFARE, Isle of May, 94-100, 292-3; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 220. FIRECREST, Isle of May, 94, 96, 99; SBR, 227. FLAMINGO, CHILEAN, SBR, 183. be eaecge ey COLLARED, SBR, —, PIED, Isle of May, 95-101, 291, 293; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 227. —, RED-BREASTED, Isle of May, 98, 101, 292-6; SBR, 228. —, SPOTTED, Isle of May, 95-100, 293; SBR, 227. FULMAR, Shetland, 37-62, 65; Isle of May, 100; entangled in barbed wire and Gorse, 118; Isle of May, 294; current research, 367-8, 374; SBR, 181. GADWALL, Isle of May, 93-94, 99; SBR, 184. GANNET, Shetland, 38, 40, 5461, plate 1; overland passage from Forth, 298-9; current research, 368; SBR, 182. GARGANEY, SBR, 184. GODWIT, BAR-TAILED, SBR, 200. —, BLACK-TAILED, SBR, 200. GOLDCREST, Isle of May, 94101, 290, 296; SBR, 227. GOLDENEYE, at effluent dischar- ges, 6. 8, 14-31; Cairngorms, 249; Isle of May, 293; SBR, 186. GOLDFINCH, Isle of May, 94; SBR, 231. GOOSANDER, at effluent dischar- ges, 19-26; persecution in Cairn- gorms, 253; SBR, 188. GOOSE, BAR-HEADED, SBR, 190. —, BARNACLE, at effluent dis- charges, 25; current research, 369; SBR, 190. —, BEAN, SBR, 189. —, BRENT, Isle of May, 293; SBR, 190. —, CANADA, hybrids x Greylag, 191; Isle of May, 293; SBR, 191. —, DARK-BELLIED BRENT, SBR, 190. —, EUROPEAN WHITE-FRONTED, SBR, 189. —, GREATER SNOW, SBR, 190. 414 GOOSE, GREENLAND WHITE- FRONTED, current research, 269; SBR, 189. —, GREYLAG, at effluent dischar- ges, 25; hybrids x Canada, 191; Isle of May, 293; current re- search, 369; SBR, 189. —, LESSER SNOW, SBR, 190. a Spahr cua, BRENT, SBR, —, PINK-FOOTED, current _ re- search, 369; SBR, 190. —, SNOW, SBR, 190. —, WHITE-FRONTED, current re- search, 369; SBR, 189. GOSHAWK, Cairngorms, 250; SBR, 192. eee BLACK-NECKED, SBR, —, GREAT CRESTED, at effluent discharges, 14-26; SBR, 179. —, LITTLE, SBR, 180. —, PIED-BILLED, Kirkcudbright- shire, 297-8; SBR, 181. —, RED-NECKED, SBR, 180. —, SLAVONIAN, Cairngorms, 249; current research, 368; SBR, 180. CREE NCE Isle of May, 93, 95, GREENSHANK, Cairngorms, 249; current research, 371; SBR, 202. Grosbeak, Scarlet, see Rosefinch, Scarlet. GROUSE, BLACK, plate 35 (b); SBR 195. —, RED, Cairngorms, 251; straw nest, 347-8, plate 32 (b); current research, 370; SBR, 195. GUILLEMOT, Shetland, 39-61, 64- 67, plates 1-6, 8; Isle of May, 100, 294; eaten by Grey Seal, 342-7; guerent research, 367, 371; SBR, S. —, BLACK, Shetland, 39-40, 52-57, 60-61, 65; current research, 367; SBR, 214. GULL, BLACK-HEADED, nesting Flanders Moss, 72-73; food in Cairngorms, 252; SBR, 211. _—, BONAPARTE’S, SBR, Ze —, COMMON, Isle of May, 93; Cairngorms, 249, food, 252; cur- rent research, 371; SBR, 206. —, GLAUCOUS, Isle of May, 98-99, 293; hybridizing with Herring Gull, 206; SBR, 206. —, GREAT BLACK-BACKED, Shet- land, 39, 52-57, 60-65; Isle of May, 97, 295; killing Wigeon, SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 348; SBR, 206. GULL, HERRING, Shetland, 39, 52- 57, 60-65; Isle of May, 100-102, 290; control, 102, 294-6; botulism, 206; hybridizing with Glaucous, 20 current research, 371; SBR, —, ICELAND, Isle of May, 96, 99; SBR, 211: —, LAUGHING, Argyllshire, 381-2; SBR, 211. —, LESSER BLACK-BACKED, Shetland, 39, 52-57, 61-65; nest- ing Flanders Moss, "72-73: Isle of May, 101-2, control, 102, 294-6; food in Cairngorms, 252; current research, 371; SBR, 206. —, LITTLE, Isle of May, 97, 99, 290, 293; SBR, 211. —, MEDITERRANEAN, SBR, 211. —, ROSS’S, status in Britain etc, 334- 342, plates 29-31; SBR, 211, plate 17 (b). —, SABINE’S, SBR, 211. —, SCANDINAVIAN LESSER BLACK-BACKED, SBR, 206. HARRIER, HEN, Cairngorms, 249, persecution, 253; Isle of May, 292-3; current research, 369-370; SBR, 193. —, ae Prva Cairngorms, 250; SBR, 193. HAWFINCH, SBR, 231. Hawk, Sparrow, see Sparrowhawk. HERON, current research, 368; plate 34; SBR, 182. —, NIGHT, current research, 368; SBR, 182. HOBBY, SBR, 194. HOOPOE, SBR, 216. JACKDAW, SBR, 218. JAY, SBR, 218. KESTREL, Isle of May, 93, 98, 292, 295; current research, 369-370; SBR, 194. KINGFISHER, plate 33; SBR, 216. KITE, BLACK, SBR, 192. —, RED, persecution, 192; Cairn- gorms, 257; SBR, 192. KITTIWAKE, Shetland, 39-64, plates 1, 2, 4, 5; Isle of. May, 100, 294-5; current research, 367-8, Sk 374; SBR, 211. KNOT, SBR, 202. LAPWING, Isle of May, 98, 290, 294; Cairngorms, 249; current re- search, 370; SBR, 196. LARK, SHORE, Cairngorms, 249; Isle of May, 292-3; SBR, 217. Vol. 9 LARK, SHORT-TOED, SBR, 217. —, Sky, see Skylark. LINNET, Isle of May, 94, 98; cur- rent research, 374; SBR, 232. MAGPIE, SBR, 218. MALLARD, at effluent discharges, 14-31; SBR, 183. Mandarin, see Duck, Mandarin. MARTIN, HOUSE, Isle of May, 95-99, 293; probable hybrid x Swallow, 301-2; current research, Sis, SBR, 217. —, SAND, Isle of May, 95-97, 293; current research, 371; SBR, 218. MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED, at effluent discharges, 16-28; killing Oystercatcher, 299-300; SBR, 188. MERLIN, Isle of May, 98, 292; cur- rent research, 370; SBR, 194. MOORHEN, SBR, 196. NIGHTINGALE, Isle of May, 95, Za OBR, 220, 230. —, THRUSH, Isle of May, 95, 99; SBR, 223. NIGHTJAR, SBR, 215. NUTHATCH, SBR, 219. ORIOLE, GOLDEN, SBR, 218. Ortolan, see Bunting, Ortolan. OSPREY, persecution, 193; Cairn- gorms, 249; current research, 369; SBR, 193. OUZEL, RING, 94-95, 98-99, 292; Rhum shearwater greens, 105; Cairngorms, 249; associating with pair of Blackbirds, 349-350; cur- rent research, 372; SBR, 221. OWL, BARN, SBR, 215. —, LITTLE, SBR, 215. —, LONG-EARED, Isle of May, 94, 292, 295; current research, 371; SBR, 215. —, SHORT-EARED, Isle of May, 98, 290-293; current research, 369; SBR, 215. —, SNOWY, Cairngorms, 249; per- secution, 253; SBR, 215. —, TAWNY, SBR, 215. OYSTERCATCHER, at effluent dis- charges, 7; Isle of May, 97, 100, 294-5; killed by Red-breasted Merganser, 299-300; current re- search, 370-371; SBR, 196. PARTRIDGE, SBR, 195. —, Chukar, see Chukar. —, RED-LEGGED, hybrids x Chuk- oe Rock Partridge, 195; SBR, —, ROCK, hybrids x Red-legged Partridge, 195. SCOTTISH BIRDS 415 PEREGRINE, Isle of May, 98; per- secution, 194; Cairngorms, 249; threats, 252-3; apparently hunting Common Sandpiper on ground, 347; current research, 369-370, 374; SBR, 194. PETREL, LEACH’S, current re- search, 368; SBR, 182. —, STORM, current research, 368; SBR, 181. PHALAROPE, GREY, SBR, 205. —, RED-NECKED, SBR, 205. —, WILSON’S, SBR, 205. PHEASANT, SBR, 195. —, GOLDEN, SBR, 195. —, SILVER, SBR, 195. Pigeon, Wood, see Woodpigeon. PINTAIL, at effluent discharges, 16- 26; SBR, 184. PIPIT, MEADOW, Isle of May, 93- 94, 97-100; Rhum _ shearwater greens, 105; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 228. —, PECHORA SBR, 228. —, RED-THROATED, SBR, 228. —, RICHARD’S, Isle of May, 98- 99; SBR, 228, 235. —, ROCK, Isle of May, 100, 294; ae young Robin, 126; SBR, 8. BS aaa oe ROCK, SBR, —, TAWNY, Isle of May, 290, 294. —, TREE, Isie of May, 95-96, 100; SBR, 228. —, WATER, SBR, 228. PLOVER, GOLDEN, Cairngorms, a current research, 371; SBR, 1 tk a ee Isle of May, 98-99; SBR, —, KENTISH, SBR, 197. —, LESSER GOLDEN, SBR, 198. —, LITTLE RINGED, current re- search, 374; SBR, 197. —, NORTHERN GOLDEN, SBR, 197. —, RINGED, swimming, 125; cur- rent research, 371, 374; SBR, 197. POCHARD, at effluent discharges, 6, 10, 14-28; SBR, 186. —, RED-CRESTED, SBR, 185. PTARMIGAN, Cairngorms, 248-9, 252, plate 21 (b); SBR, 195. PUFFIN, Shetland, 39, 52-61, 65, 67; Isle of May, 100-101, 285-290, 294-6, plate 25; albino, plate 26 (a); current research, 367, 371, 374; SBR, 214. 416 QUAIL, Isle of May, 293; SBR, 195. RAIL, WATER, SBR, 195. RAVEN, feeding in Manx Shear- water colony, 107; Isle of May, ae current research, 372; SBR, Zl RAZORBILL, Shetland, 39-49, 52- 63, 66-67; Isle of May, 100, 294; current research, 367; SBR, 213. REDPOLL, Isle of May, 98-100; Cairngorms, 257; plate 36 (a); SBRIza2. —, ARCTIC, SBR, 233. —, GREENLAND (=Greater), SBR, 233. —, MEALY, SBR, 232. REDSHANK, at effluent discharges, 7; Isle of May, 97, 296; current research, 370; SBR, 201. —, SPOTTED, Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 201. REDSTART, Isle of May, 95-99, 293, 295; SBR, 233. —, BLACK, Isle of May, 93-94, 99; SBR, 223. REDWING, Isle of May, 94, 98-100, 290-293; SBR, 220. ROBIN, Isle of May, 93-96, 292, 295; reared by Rock Pipits, 126; SBR, 224. —, AMERICAN, SBR, 221. ROLLER. SER, ZiG: ROOK, food in Cairngorms, 252; Isle of May, 295; killing Carrion Crow, 302; rookeries in Scotland —1975, 327-334, plate 32(a); cur- rent research, 372; gymnastic be- haviour, 382; SBR, 218. ROSEFINCH, SCARLET, SBR, 233. RUBYTHROAT, SIBERIAN, SBR, 224, plate 19 (b). RUFF, SBR, 204. SANDERLING, Cairngorms, SBR, 204. SANDGROUSE, PALLAS’S, Isle of May, 93, 95, 99; SBR, 214. SANDPIPER, BAIRD’S, Midlothian, 162-3; SBR, 203. —, BUFF-BREASTED, SBR, 204. —, COMMON, Isle of May, 95-96, 99; Cairngorms, 249; apparently hunted by Peregrine on ground, 347; SBR, 201. —_ - CURLEW, SBR, 203. —; GREEN, Isle of May, 95-96, 293; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 200. —, PECTORAL, SBR, 203. —, PURPLE, Isle of May, 96-97; current research, 370; SBR, 202. 249; SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 SANDPIPER, SPOTTED, SBR, 201. —, TEREK, SBR, 202, plate 17 (a). —, UPLAND, SBR, 199. —, WOOD, Cairngorms, 249; SBR, SCAUP, at effluent discharges, 6, 14-27, 30; probable hybrids x Tufted Duck, 118-124, plate 12, correction, 137: SBR, 185. SCOTER, COMMON, at effluent discharges, 16-26, 29; current re- search, 369; SBR, 187. —, SURF, SBR, 187. —, VELVET, at effluent discharges, 19-26, 29; SBR, 187. SHAG, at effluent discharges, 10; Shetland, 39-49, 52-63; Isle of May, 100, 290, 294-5; SBR, 182. SHEARWATER, CORY’S, Isle of May, 290-293; SBR, 181. —, GREAT, Isle of May, 290-293; SBR, 18]. —, LITTLE, Argyllshire, 380-381. —, MANX, taken by Buzzard, 69; Isle of May, 97, 290-293; breeding are 103-118, plates 9-11; SBR, —, SOOTY, Isle of May, 97, 290- 293; SBR, 181. SHELDUCK, at effluent discharges, 11, 14-26; flightless on the Forth, ae current research, 369; SBR, 189. SHOVELER, Isle of May, 97, 99; SBR, 185. SHRIKE, GREAT GREY, Isle of May, 98-99, 292-6, plate 27 (b); Cairngorms, 250; behaviour with Wryneck, 348-9; SBR, 230. —, RED-BACKED, Isle of May, 95- 96, 290-291, 294-295; SBR, 230. —, WOODCHAT, Isle of May, 292- 5 SBR, 2a0) SISKIN, Isle of May, gorms, 249; 372; SER: 23 SKUA, ARCTIC, Shetland, 39, 52- 57, 60, 63; Isle of May, 96-99, 290, 292; erythristic eggs, 143-7, correction, 284; current research, 371; SBR, 205. —, GREAT, Shetland, 39, 52-57, 60, 63; Isle of May, 96-99, 292-3; pro- bably killing Mountain Hare and Rabbits, 125; killing mammals, 319-321, 358-9: current research, 371; SBR, 205. —, LONG- TAILED, 949: SBR, 206. 97; Cairn- current research, Cairngorms, Vol. 9 SKUA, POMARINE, Isle of May, 293; SBR, 205. SKYLARK, Isle of May, 94-96, 99, 292; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 217. SMEW, SBR, 188. SNIPE, Isle of May, 96-98; Cairn- gorms, 249; SBR, 198. —, GREAT, SBR, 198. _—, Sei Isle of May, 93, 98; SBR, 198. Sparrow, Hedge, see Dunnock. —, HOUSE, mating with Tree Spar- row, 235; SBR, 235. —, TREE, Isle of May, 96-100; mat- ing with House Sparrow, 235; SBR, 235. SPARROWHAWEK, Isle of May, 99, 295; current research, 369, 374; taking Sedge Warbler from ring- er’s hand, 381; SBR, 192. SPOONBILL, SBR, 183. STARLING, Isle of May, 98-101, 295-6; albinos, 231; SBR, 230. —, ROSE-COLOURED, SBR, 231. Bie BLACK-WINGED, SBR, 05. STINT, LITTLE, SBR, 202. —, TEMMINCK’S, Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 203. STONECHAT, Isle of May, 93, 98, so current research, 372; SBR, —, SIBERIAN, SBR, 223. STORK, WHITE, SBR, 182. SWALLOW, Isle of May, 94-100, 293-4; probable hybrid x House Martin, 301-2; current research, aft: SBR, 217. ¢ SWAN, BEWICK’S, SBR, 191. —, MUTE, at effluent discharges, 8, 15-31; SBR, 191. —, WHOOPER, at effluent dischar- ges, 15-26; Isle of May, 98; Cairn- gorms, 249; SBR, 191. SWIFT, Isle of May, 96, 99; current research, 371; SBR, 215. TEAL, at effluent discharges, 16-26; SBR, 183. —, BLUE-WINGED, SBR, 184. —, GREEN-WINGED, SBR, 184. TERN, ARCTIC, Shetland, 39, 53- 57, 60, 63; breeding inland in =p 301; plate 26 (b); SBR, —, BLACK, Isle of May, 98-99; SBR, PAA —, CASPIAN, SBR, 212. —, ‘COMMIC? (Common/Arctic), Isle of May, 94, 99; SBR, 212. SCOTTISH BIRDS 417 TERN, COMMON, Shetland, 39; SBR, 212. —, LITTLE, current research, 371; SBR, 213. —, ROSEATE, SBR, 213. —, SANDWICH, current research, Ss SBine 2 hoe —, WHITE-WINGED BLACK, Fair Isle, 163-4; SBR, 212. bee DUSKY, SBR, 221, plate 18 (a). —, HERMIT, SBR, 221. —, MISTLE, Isle of May, 95, 292, 295; SBR, 220. —, SONG, Isle of May, 95, 98, 100, 292-5; Rhum _ shearwater greens, 105; SBR, 220. —, WHITE’S, SBR, 221. TIT, BLUE, SBR, 219. —, COAL current research, 372; SBR, 219. —, CONTINENTAL GREAT, pro- bable, SBR 219. —, CRESTED, Cairngorms, 249, plate 21 (a); current research, 372; SBR, 219. —, GREAT, SBR, 219. —, LONG- TAILED, SBR, 219. —, MARSH, SBR, 219. —, WILLOW, SBR, 219. TREECREEPER, Isle of May, 94, 99, 291-5; long-established nest site, 267-8, plate 24 (b); SBR, 219. TURNSTONE, Isle of May, 96-97; current research, 370; SBR, 198. TWITE, Isle of May, 93; SBR, 232. Tystie, see Guillemot, Black. Lu iar BLUE-HEADED, SBR —, CITRINE, SBR, 229. 7 , GREY, Isle of May, 94-97; SBR, —, GREY-HEADED, SBR, 229. —, PIED, Isle of May, 93, 95; cur- rent research, S24 bR; 228. Tae Isle of May, 97; SBR, —, YELLOW, Isle of May, 95, 97; SBR, 229. WARBLER, AQUATIC, SBR, 224. —, ARCTIC, Isle of May, 97, 99; SBR, 227, plate 18 (b). —, BARRED, Isle of May, 96-100, 295; SBR, 225. —, GARDEN, Isle of May, 95-101, 291-3; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 225. —, GRASSHOPPER, Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 224. 418 WARBLER, ICTERINE, Isle _ of May, 96-99, 294-5; SBR, 225. —, LANCEOLATED, SBR, 224, plate 20 (a). —, MARSH, SBR, 224. —, NORTHERN WILLOW, probable Isle of May, 96. —, PALLAS’S (LEAF), Isle of May, 93, 99, 290-294; SBR, 227. —, REED, Isle of May, 293, growth bar, plate 27 (a); SBR 24. —, SEDGE, Isle of May, 95-99, 291; taken by Sparrowhawk from ringer’s hand, 381; plate 36 (b); SBR, 224. —, SUBALPINE, SBR, 226. —, TENNESSEE, SBR, 231, plate 19 (a). —, WILLOW, Isle of May, 94-101, oan Cairngorms, 257; SBR, —, WOOD, Isle of May, 96, 294-5; SBR, 226. —, YELLOW-BROWED, May, 98-99; SBR, 227. WAXWING, Cairngorms, 249; drin- king birch sap, 350; SBR, 230. WHEATEAR, Isle of May, 94-99, 291-3; Rhum shearwater greens, 105; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 221. —, NORTHERN (= Greenland), SBR 222. WHIMBREL, Isle of May, 94-95, 293; Cairngorms, 249; SBR, 199. WHINCHAT, Isle of May, 93-99, Isle of SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 eee current research, 372; SBR, WHITETHROAT. Isle of May, 95-97, 100, 291-2; current research, 372; SBR, 225. —, LESSER, Isle of May, 94-98; SBR, 226. WIGEON, at effluent discharges, 11, 14- 31; Isle of May, 97; killed by Great Black-backed Gull, 348; SBR, 184. a=, AMERICAN, SBR, 184. WOODCOCK, Isle of May, 94, 98- 99, 290, 293-5; SBR, 199. WOODPECKER, GREAT SPOTTED, Isle of May, 97; SBR, 216. “Bi Cairngorms, 250; SBR, —, NORTHERN GREAT SPOTTED, SBR. 216. WOODPIGEON, current research, 371, 374; SBR, 214. WREN, Isle of May, 94, 100, 291; Rhum, 105; SBR, 219. _—, SCANDINAVIAN, probables, SBR, 219. WRYNECK, Isle of May, 95-99, 292-3, weight increases and be- haviour, 262-7, plate 24 (c); Cairngorms, 249; behaviour with oe Grey Shrike, 348-9; SBR, YELLOWHAMMER, Isle of May, ae current research, 372; SBR, YELLOWLEGS, LESSER, SBR, 202. Scientific names of birds Nomenclature at species level follows A Species List of British and Irish Birds (BTO Guide 13, 1971); trinomials follow The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland (BOU, 1971). Page references are given to any subspecies without distinctive English names. Acanthis cannabina see Linnet — flammea see Redpoll — — flammea see Redpoll, Mealy — — rostrata see Redpoll, Greenland — hornemanni see Redpoll, Arctic — flavirostris see Twite Accipiter gentilis see Goshawk — nisus see Sparrowhawk Acrocephalus paludicola, see Warbler, Aquatic — palustris see Warbler, Marsh — schoenobaenus see Warbler, Sedge — scirpaceus see Warbler, Reed Aegithalos caudatus see Tit, Long- tailed Aix galericulata see Duck, Mandarin Alauda arvensis see Skylark Alea torda see Razorbill Alcedo atthis see Kingfisher Alectoris chukar see Chukar — graeca see Partridge, Rock — rufa see Partridge, Red-legged Anas acuta see Pintail — americana see Wigeon, American — clypeata see Shoveler — crecca see Teal — — carolinensis see Teal, winged — discors see Teal, Blue-winged Green- Vol. 9 Anas penelope see Wigeon — platyrhynchos see Mallard — querquedula see Garganey — strepera see Gadwall Anser albifrons see Goose, fronted — — albifrons see Goose, European White-fronted — — flavirostris see Goose, land White-fronted — anser see Goose, Greylag — brachyrhynchus see Goose, Pink- footed — caerulescens see Goose, Snow White- Green- — — atlanticus see Goose, Greater Snow — — caerulescens see Goose, Lesser Snow — fabalis see Goose, Bean — indicus see Goose, Bar-headed Anthus campestris see Pipit, Tawny — cervinus see Pipit, Red-throated — gustavi see Pipit, Pechora — novaeseelandiae see Pipit, Rich- ard’s — pratensis see Pipit, Meadow — spinoletta see Pipit, Rock — — littoralis see Pipit, Scandinavian Rock — — spinoletta see Pipit, Water — trivialis see Pipit, Tree Apus apus see Swift Aquila chrysaetos see Eagle, Golden Ardea cinerea see Heron Arenaria interpres see Turnstone Asio flammeus see Owl, Short-eared — otus see Owl, Long-eared Athene noctua see Owl, Little Aythya ferina see Pochard — jfuligula see Duck, Tuited — marila see Scaup Bartramia longicauda see Sandpiper, Upland Bombycilla garrulus see Waxwing Botaurus stellaris see Bittern Branta bernicla see Goose, Brent — — bernicla see Goose, Dark-bel- lied Brent — — hrota see Goose, Brent — canadensis see Goose, Canada — leucopsis see Goose, Barnacle Bucephala clangula see Goldeneye Buteo buteo see Buzzard — lagopus see Buzzard, Rough-leg- Pale-bellied Calandrella cinerea see Lark, Short- toed Calcarius Lapland. lapponicus see Bunting, SCOTTISH BIRDS 419 Calidris alba see Sanderling — alpina see Dunlin — bairdii see Sandpiper, Baird’s — canutus see Knot — ferruginea see Sandpiper, Curlew — maritima see Sandpiper, Purple — melanotos see Sandpiper, Pectoral — minuta see Stint, Little — temminckii see Stint, Temminck’s Calonectris diomedea see Shearwater, Cory’s Caprimulgus europaeus see Nightjar Carduelis carduelis see Goldfinch — chloris see Greenfinch — spinus see Siskin Cepphus grylle see Guillemot, Black Certhia familiaris see Treecreeper Charadrius alexandrinus see Plover, Kentish — dubius see Plover, Little Ringed —- hiaticula see Plover, Ringed Childonias leucopterus see Tern, White-winged Black — niger, see Tern, Black. Chrysolophus pictus see Pheasant, Golden Ciconia ciconia see Stork, White Cinclus cinclus see Dipper Circus aeruginosis see Harrier, Marsh — cyaneus see Harrier, Hen Clangula hyemalis see Duck, Long- tailed Coccothraustes Hawtinch Columba livia see Dove, Rock — oenas see Dove, Stock — palumbus see Woodpigeon Coracias garrulus see Roller Corvus corax see Raven —- corone see Crow, Carrion/Hooded — — corniz see Crow, Hooded — — corone see Crow, Carrion — frugilegus see Rook — monedula see Jackdaw Coturnix coturniz see Quail Crex crex see Corncrake Cuculus canorus see Cuckoo Cygnus bewickii see Swan, Bewick’s — cygnus see Swan, Whooper — olor see Swan, Mute Delichon urbica see Martin, House Dendrocopus major see Woodpecker, Great Spotted — — major see Woodpecker, North- ern, Great Spotted Diomedea melanophris see Albatross, Black-browed Dolichonyx oryzivorus see Bobolink Egretta garzetta see Egret, Little Emberiza aureola see Bunting, Yel- coccothraustes see 420 low-breasted Emberiza bruniceps see Bunting, Red- headed — calandra see Bunting, Corn — cirlus see Bunting, Cirl — citrinella see Yellowhammer — hortulana see Bunting, Ortolan — melanocephala see Bunting, Back- headed — pusilla see Bunting, Litte — rustica see Bunting, Rustic — schoeniclus see Bunting, Reed Eremophila alpestris see Lark, Shore Erithacus rubecula see Robin Eudromias morinellus see Dotterel Falco columbarius see Merlin — peregrinus see Peregrine — rusticolus see Falcon, Gyr — subbuteo see Hobby —- tinnunculus see Kestrel — vespertinus see Falcon, Red-foot- ed Ficedula Collared — hypoleucos see Flycatcher, Pied — parva see Flycatcher, Red-breasted Fratercula arctica see Puffin Fringilla coelebs see Chaffinch — montifringilla see Brambling Fulica atra see Coot Fulmarus glacialis see Fulmar Gallinago gallinago see Snipe — media see Snipe, Great Gallinula chloropus see Moorhen Garrulus glandarius see Jay Gavia arctica see _ Diver, throated — immer see Diver, Great Northern — stellata see Diver, Red-throated Grus grus see Crane Haematopus ostralegus catcher Haliaeetus albicilla see Eagle, White- tailed Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Hippolais icterina see Warbler, Ic- terine Hirundo rustica see Swallow Hydrobates pelagicus see Storm Hydroprogne caspia see Tern, Caspian Hylocichla guttata see Thrush, Her- mit Jynxz torquilla see Wryneck Lagopus lagopus see Grouse, Red — mutus see Ptarmigan Lanius collurio see Shrike, Red-back- ed — excubitor see Shrike, Great Grey albicollis see Flycatcher, Black- see Ovyster- see Stilt, Petrel, SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 Lanius senator see Shrike, Woodchat Larus argentatus see Gull, Herring — atricilla see Gull, Laughing — canus see Gull, Common — fuscus see Gull, Lesser backed — — fuscus see Gull, Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed — glaucoides see Gull, Iceland — hyperboreus see Gull, Glaucous — marinus see Gull, Great Black- backed — melanocephalus see Gull, Mediter- ranean — minutus see Gull, Little — philadelphia see Gull, Bonaparte’s — ridibundus see Gull, Black-headed — sabini see Gull, Sabine’s Limnodromus scolopaceus see Dow- itcher, Long-billed Limosa lapponica see Godwit, Bar- tailed — limosa see Godwit, Black-tailed Locustella lanceolata see Warbler, Lanceolated — naevia see Warbler, Grasshopper Lophura nycthemera see Pheasant, Silver Lozia curvirostra see Crossbill — — curvirostra see Crossbill, Com- mon — — scotica see Crossbill, Scottish —- pytyopsittacus see Crossbill, Par- rot Luscinia calliope see Rubythroat, Si- berian — luscinia see Nightingale, Thrush — megarhynchos see Nightingale — svecica see Bluethroat cyanecula see White-spotted — — svecica see Bluethroat, Red- spotted Lymnocryptes Jack Lyrurus tetrix see Grouse, Black Melanitta fusca see Scoter, Velvet — nigra see Scoter, Common — perspicillata see Scoter, Surf Mergus albellus see Smew — merganser see Goosander — serrator see Merganser, breasted Milvus migrans see Kite, Black — milvus see Kite, Red Motacilla alba see Wagtail, Pied, and —, White — — alba, see Wagtail, White — — yarrellii see Wagtail, Pied Black- Bluethroat, minimus see Snipe, Red- Vol. 9 Motacilla cinerea see Wagtail, Grey — citreola see Wagstail, Citrine — flava see Wagtail, Yellow — — flava see Wagtail, Blue-headed — — flavissima (Yellow Wagtail) Isle of May, 95; SBR 229 — — thunbergi see Wagtail, Grey- headed Muscicapa Spotted Neita rufina see Pochard, Red-crested Numenius arquata see Curlew — phaeopus see Whimbrel Nyctea scandiaca see Owl, Snowy striata see Flycatcher, Nycticorax mnycticorax see Heron, Night Oceanodroma leucorrhoa see Petrel, Leach’s Oenanthe oenanthe see Wheatear — — leucorrhoa see Wheatear, Nor- thern Oriolus oriolus see Oriole, Golden Pandion haliaetus see Osprey Parus ater see Tit, Coal —- caeruleus see Tit, Blue Parus cristatus see Tit, Crested — major, see Tit, Great — — major see _ Tit, Great — montanus see Tit, Willow — palustris see Tit, Marsh Passer domesticus see Sparrow, House — montanus see Sparrow, Tree Perdix perdix see Partridge Pernis apivorus see Buzzard, Honey Phalacrocorax aristotelis see Shag — carbo see Cormorant Phalaropus fulicarius see Phalarope, Grey — lobatus see Phalarope, Red-necked — tricolor see Phalarope, Wilson’s Phasianus colchicus see Pheasant Philomachus pugnax see Ruff Phoenicopterus chilensis see Flam- ingo, Chilean Phoenicurus ochruros see Redstart, Black — phoenicurus see Redstart Phylloscopus borealis see . Arctic — collybita see Chifichafit — — tristis see Chiffchaff, Siberian Continental Warbler, — inornatus see Warbler, Yellow- browed — proregulus see Warbler, Pallas’s (Leaf) — sibilatrix see Warbler, Wood — trochilus see Warbler, Willow — — acredula see Warbler, Northern Willow SCOTTISH BIRDS 421 Pica pica see Magpie Picus viridis see Woodpecker, Green Platalea leucorodia see Spoonbill Plautus alle see Auk, Little Plectrophenax nivalis see Snow Snow Pluvialis apricaria see Plover, Golden — — altifrons see Plover, Northern Golden — dominica see Plover, Lesser Gol- den — squatarola see Plover, Grey Podiceps auritus see Grebe, Slavon- ian — cristatus see Grebe, Great Crested — griseigena see Grebe, Red-necked — nigricollis see Grebe, Black-necked Podilymbus podiceps see Grebe, Pied- billed Polysticta stellert see Eider, Steller’s Porzana porzana see Crake, Spotted Prunella modularis see Dunnock Pujffinus assimilis see Shearwater, Little — gravis see Shearwater, Great — griseus see Shearwater, Sooty — puffinus see Shearwater, Manx Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax see Chough Pyrrhula pyrrhula see Bullfinch — — pyrrhula see Bullfinch, North- ern Rallus aquaticus see Rail, Water Recurvirostra avosetta see Avocet Regulus ignicapillus see Firecrest — regulus see Goldcrest Rhodostethia rosea see Gull, Ross’s Riparia riparia see Martin, Sand Rissa tridactyla see Kittiwake Saxicola rubetra see Whinchat — torquata see Stonechat —- —- maura see Stonechat, Siberian Scolopax rusticola see Woodcock Sitta europaea see Nuthatch Somateria mollissima see Eider — spectabilis see Eider, King Stercorarius longicaudus see Skua, Long-tailed — parasiticus see Skua, Arctic — pomarinus see Skua, Pomarine — skua see Skua, Great Sterna albifrons see Tern, Little — dougallii see Tern, Roseate — hirundo see Tern, Common — paradisaea see Tern, Arctic — sandvicensis see Tern, Sandwich Streptopelia decaocto see Dove, Col- lared — turtur see Dove, Turtle Bunting, insulae see Bunting, Iceland 422 Strix aluco see Owl, Tawny Sturnus vulgaris see Starling — roseus see Starling, Rose-coloured Sula bassana see Gannet Sylvia atricapilla see Blackcap — borin see Warbler, Garden — cantillans see Warbler, Subalpine — communis see Whitethroat — curruca see Whitethroat, Lesser — nisoria see Warbler, Barred Syrrhaptes paradorus see Sand- grouse, Pallas’s Tachybaptus ruficollis see Grebe, Little Tadorna tadorna see Shelduck Tarsiger cyanurus see Bluetail, Red- flanked Tetrao urogallus see Capercaillie Tringa erythropus see Redshank, Spotted — glareola see Sandpiper, Wood — hypoleucos see Sandpiper, Com- mon — macularia see Sandpiper, Spotted SCOTTISH BIRDS Vol. 9 Tringa nebularia see Greenshank — ochropus see Sandpiper, Green — totanus see Redshank Troglodytes troglodytes see Wren — — troglodytes see Wren, Scandin- avian . Tryngites subruficollis see Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Turdus iliacus see Redwing — merula see Blackbird — migratorius see Robin, American — naumanni eunomus see Thrush, Dusky — philomelos see Thrush, Song — pilaris see Fieldfare — torquatus see Ouzel, Ring — viscivorus see Thrush, Mistle Tyto alba see Owl, Barn Upupa epops see Hoopoe Uria aalge see Guillemot Vanellus vanellus see Lapwing Vermivora peregrina see Warbler, Tennessee Xenus cinereus see Sandpiper, Terek Zoothera dauma see Thrush, White’s Please complete the Binding Form overleaf RECEIPT FOR SCOTTISH BIRDS BINDING From P. G. CHAPMAN & CO. LtTp., Kent House Lane, Becken- ham, Kent, BR3 1LD. We acknowledge with thanks receipt of your parcel of issues of SCOTTISH BIRDS for binding, and your MeMMnPAMICe Of £.. 2. 0. ..0ke.ccdees cess BOOKS - Handle with Gaae lf undelivered please return to P. G. Chapman & Co. Ltd., Kent House Lane, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1LD To P. G. CHAPMAN & CO. 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