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Contents

Scottish Birds

290 President’s Foreword K. Shaw

PAPERS
291 The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 2011 A.W. & L.M. Brown
302 Sea duck numbers in east Fife N. Elkins

308 Clearing nests of food remains does not influence subsequent nest choice in
White-tailed Eagles J.R. Grant, R. Reid & D.P. Whitfield

SHORT NOTES
311 Opportunistic food robbery of Grey Wagtail by Pied Wagtail T. Dougall

311 Multi-species groups of finches feeding on Wych Elm fruits in spring D. Bryant
315 White-billed Diver: new first Scottish record RY. McGowan

317 Attempted predation of Pink-footed Geese by a Peregrine D. Shields

318 Herring Gull catching and eating live bats P.N. Collin

319 Mute Swan and Canada Goose sharing a nest |.J. Andrews

ARTICLES, NEWS & VIEWS

320 Wildfowl in Scotland - a review M. Ogilvie
326 NEWS AND NOTICES
330 Ken Shaw - our new President

7 ERAT SONAR ,

DEC 2 12011 .)
\_LIBRARIES

331 SOC Annual Conference - the 75th anniversary

34] The last Great Auk? J.A. Love

348 Birding West Lothian for the BTO/SOC Atlas 2007-11 A. Finlayson
350 Patchwork 2 - Rossie Bog N. Elkins

353 A hawk from a handsaw PW.F. Hadoke

355 Darren Woodhead

358 A reflective view of the SOC on its 75th anniversary S. Anderson
562 NOTES AND COMMENT

564 BOOK REVIEWS

368 OBSERVATORIES’ ROUNDUP The new Fair Isle Bird Observatory is open! D.C. Jardine
371 SOC Lothian Branch trip to Fair Isle - September 2011 D. Main

375 Sandhill Crane, RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, September 2011 - the first record for
North-East Scotland D. Funnell

378 Little Egret, Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye, October 2011 - the fourth Skye record S. Bentall
380 Red-flanked Bluetails in Scotland in autumn 2010 M.S. Chapman

BIRDGUIDES REVIEW

384 1 July to 30 September 2011 S. Menzie

INDEX
389 Index to Volume 31 (2011)

PHOTOSPOT
BC Puffin Bill Brown

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds | 289

290

As the Club’s landmark 75th year draws to a close, this foreword leaves me with the opportunity
to highlight several successful events of the autumn and to acknowledge the personal contri-
bution and commitment of so many members.

The Chris Packham lecture in Edinburgh in September celebrated the anniversary with enthusiasm
and flair (see pages 327-328) and was an opportunity to open our doors to members and non-
members alike.

Along with a superb series of lectures at the annual conference at Carnoustie in October (pages
331-340), we held a well-attended AGM, during which we announced the appointment of our
three Honorary Presidents. They are Roy Dennis - for his long term work on rare breeding species
especially Osprey, Red Kite and Honey-buzzard as well as his commitment to Fair Isle Bird
Observatory; Frank Hamilton - for his enduring dedication to Scottish birds, including his
directorship of RSPB Scotland during 15 of its most successful years when many of Scotland’s
most important nature reserves were acquired; and Keith Macgregor - for a lifetime’s devotion to
birds in Scotland and the SOC and his leadership in introducing new people to bird watching. I
have had the privilege to work with all three of them and I know we have made the right choices
- my congratulations to all three of them.

The AGM also voted in four new Honorary Members. They are Ian Andrews - for his excellent
work on The Birds of Scotland (BS3) and the re-vamp of Scottish Birds, lain Gibson —- for a
lifetime’s commitment to bird watching and bird recording in the Glasgow area, Ron Summers for
his major contribution to bird research in Scotland, especially on waders and pinewood species,
and Professor Mike Harris — for his outstanding work on seabirds and his leadership on the Isle
of May. Again, congratulations to them all.

Those that attended will agree, I think, that it was one of our best conferences ever. The lectures
were excellent, but I hope the speakers won’t mind if I pick out two: firstly the PhD students from
Aberdeen University did an excellent job, giving a variety of short talks about their projects. I am
hoping we can increase our connections with Scottish universities, and we are hoping to further
boost the number of students we sponsor for the conference itself.

Secondly, I must congratulate Ian Francis, another one of our speakers, and Martin Cook for their
work on the superb, recently published, The Breeding Birds of North-East Scotland (see page 364).
I think it will inspire others who are involved in similar projects.

Jane Cleaver has now taken up her newly created post as Membership Development Officer. See
page 329 She has brought us lots of skills and enthusiasm. Increasing the strength of our
membership is a really important task for the club at this time and you can help by inviting non-
members to Club events!

Good birding

Ken Shaw, President

31:4 (2011)

Plate 253. Mute Swans, Stenness, Orkney. © Eric Meek

A.W. & L.M. BROWN

Until recently, the Orkney Islands held the most northerly breeding population of the Mute Swan in
the UK. This study of the population in Orkney was conducted between 2006 and 2011. The total
population in May ranged from 341 to 427 swans. A mean of 60% of the total population comprised
non-territorial individuals and two-thirds of the non-territorial population was recorded on the
extensive Lochs of Harray and Stenness in central Mainland. The total number of territorial pairs
ranged from 75 to 83, of which a mean of 70% bred. Whilst the numbers of both territorial and
breeding pairs increased on Mainland during the study period, they decreased in the other islands.
A mean of 1.8 cygnets fledged per breeding pair, however, this value was considerably higher in the
islands, excluding Mainland, and considerably lower on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness.
Comparison of the current findings with historical data indicated that the Orkney population has
been subject to considerable fluctuation in numbers in recent years having increased by 150%
between 1983 and 1990, but decreased by 39% between 2002 and 2006. Notwithstanding, the total
population was found to be higher during the study period than at any time prior to 1990.

MrmrramimcrTin

Until the recent establishment of breeding birds in Shetland (Pennington et al. 2004, Brown &
Brown 2005), the Orkney Islands represented the most northerly breeding location of the Mute
Swan Cygnus olor in Britain. Reynolds (1984) referred to the first record of the species in Orkney
in 1869, whilst Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891) mentioned its occurrence at two sites, possibly
from introduced birds. Subsequent expansion appears to have been assisted by the introduction
of the species for ornamental purposes on various lochs, and by 1941 the species was considered
to be widespread on Mainland and various other islands (Lack 1943, Reynolds 1984) and was
regarded as a common breeding bird by 1967 (Balfour 1968). By 2002, Orkney held 10% of the
Scottish total population of the Mute Swan (Brown & Brown 2005).

31:4 (2011)

| 291

292

FE ctotiic nt thao AdArita riper my od Bm Fema, Tel { WIL tr 1)17
The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 20/1

The national census of Mute Swans in 1955 (Rawcliffe 1958) was the first to provide a population
estimate for Orkney and this was followed by subsequent censuses in 1978, 1983, 1990 and 2002
(Ogilvie 1981, Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005) the results for Orkney being summarised by
Reynolds (1984) and Corse (1991, 2003). Further data, including an assessment of productivity,
were gathered during the 1990s, but this was restricted to the Lochs of Harray and Stenness on
Mainland in relation to a study of the impact of the growth cycle of Canadian Pondweed Elodea
canadensis in the lochs (Meek 1993, Meek et al. 2000, E. Meek pers. comm.). Brown & Brown
(2006) provided a brief summary of the Mute Swan population in Orkney up to 2005.

This paper presents the current status and population dynamics of the Mute Swan population
in Orkney and places those findings into context with the historical data for Orkney and for
other Scottish regions.

Study area, aims and methods

The Orkney Islands are situated off the north coast of Scotland, where weather conditions are
influenced by the North Sea to the east and the north Atlantic Ocean to the west and ameliorated
by the Gulf Stream. The study encompassed the whole of the Orkney Islands from 2006 to 2008 and
also Mainland in 2009 and 2011; no fieldwork was undertaken in 2010. The aims were to determine
the size of the total population in spring, which comprised non-territorial individuals, territorial
pairs and territorial pairs which nested, and also to quantify breeding success and the productivity
of nesting pairs. Historical data were collated in order to enable findings from the present study to
be considered in the wider context of long-term variations in the numbers of swans, and thereby
enable recent changes in the status of the Orkney population to be more clearly understood.

Non-territorial birds, and territorial and breeding pairs, were counted during visits to all water
bodies between mid-May and early June. Breeding success and productivity were based on data
gathered in September when cygnets were at or close to fledging. On Mainland, Burray and South
Ronaldsay counts of non-territorial swans were undertaken each year during a one-week period
in late May, thus minimising any impact of birds moving between sites. The latter approach was
especially required for the large Lochs of Harray and Stenness, where observations were
undertaken, using a 60x telescope, from various vantage points overlooking the two sites, with
repeat observations at the beginning and end of the week. Although flocks of flightless moulting
swans were not part of the study, complete counts of moulting swans were made by the authors
during visits to the Lochs of Harray and Stenness in July 2001 and 2005, and these data have
been included to provide a more complete picture of the species. Observers based on the islands,
and in particular RSPB wardens, supplemented the authors’ counts. The Orkney Bird Recorder also
provided additional information.

Results

In order to analyse the dynamics of the Orkney population, the study area was divided into sub-
regions namely the largest island of Mainland, all other islands, Mainland excluding the Lochs of
Harry and Stenness, and the Lochs of Harry and Stenness. Coverage was considered to be
thorough for all of the islands, except for Rousay in 2008, when it was assumed a minimum of
two territorial pairs were present as in previous years and in 2009. It was also possible that a few
territorial pairs may have nested later in the season and not been recorded as such, and a small
number of swans may have been missed on some islands in September due to a reduction in the
number of casual observers. However, such omissions were considered to be minimal.

Total population

Counts of the total number of Mute Swans in Orkney and the sub-regions are shown in Table 1.
Over 150 birds were present in 1955 and numbers continued to increase through to the 1983
national census. Following a rapid increase after 1983, numbers peaked at just over 800 swans in

31:4 (2011)

Gaatich Pir
Scottish Birds

1990 and were relatively high in 2002. Data from this study indicated that numbers declined
rapidly by 2006, declined further in 2007 and then increased in 2008. Whilst counts from 2006
to 2008 were much lower than in 1990 and 2002, they were higher than those prior to 1990,
which indicated a long-term increase in the size of the total population since 1955, punctuated
by a substantial increase at the end of the 20th century (Figure 1).

Table 1. The total number of Mute Swans recorded in Orkney and its sub-regions, 1955-2011. Data from
Rawcliffe 1958, Ogilvie 1981, Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005 and this study.

Year 195535 197S51985)— 19907 72002> 2006." 2007" 2008) 2009 2011
Orkney 154 274 324 810 701 427 54] 419
Mainland 319 258 326 297 463
All other islands 108 83 93
Mainland, excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 84 83 91 96 133
Lochs of Harray and Stenness 235 175 DES 20) 330
900
800
a
i)
2 600
Ww
1
=
xe)
5 400
=
=
Zz
200

1955 1978 1983 1990 2002 2006 2007 2008
® Total population @ Number of non-territorial birds
™ Number of territorial pairs @ Number of breeding pairs

Figure 1. Jotal number of Mute Swans, the number of non-territorial birds and the number of territorial and
breeding pairs in Orkney in May 1955, 1978, 1983, 1990, 2002 and 2006-08. Data from Rawcliffe 1958,
Ogilvie 1981, Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005 and this study.

Although numbers on Mainland, Mainland excluding the Lochs of Harray and Stenness, and the
Lochs of Harray and Stenness fluctuated between 2006 and 2011, the overall pattern was of an
increase. Since two-thirds of the Orkney population had been recorded on Mainland between
2006 and 2008, it was possible that the total in Orkney also increased between 2006 and 2011. In
order to account for the pattern of change, it was necessary to consider the sub-sections of the
total population, namely non-territorial individuals and territorial pairs.

Non-territorial swans

The location of the peak counts of non-territorial flocks, based on 6-figure grid references, during
2006 to 2008, with additional data for Mainland only in 2009 and 2011, is shown on Figure 2.
The total number of non-territorial swans in Orkney (Table 2) showed a similar historical pattern
of change to that of the total population (Figure 1). Counts from 2006 to 2008 remained higher
than those prior to 1990 despite a substantial decline between 2002 and 2006. Numbers in Orkney

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds:

293

The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 2011

declined further in 2007, but increased in 2008, a pattern replicated in each of the sub-regions
(Table 2). Between 2009 and 2011 numbers increased substantially on Mainland due to an increase
on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness and also in the rest of Mainland. As a mean of 82% of the
Orkney total was recorded on Mainland from 2006 to 2008, it was possible that the total in Orkney
also increased substantially by 2011.

The presence of a large proportion of the non-territorial swans on Mainland highlighted the
importance of Mainland to that section of the population. Moreover, the Lochs of Harray and
Stenness held the largest proportion of non-territorial swans on Mainland, with a mean of 76%
occurring solely on the Loch of Harray. Sanday was the only other island which held large
numbers of non-territorial swans, primarily on North Loch.

Papa
» Westray North
Ronaldsay

Westray

4 & Sanday
Rousay ’ )
‘ gv
a ' Egilsay »
yy 4 wd Stronsay
Loch of
Harray
Shapinsay
>
Loch of
Stenness
<> 81-238
oa 31-80
@ 11-30
a
@ «6-10
@ 1-55
10 km

South
Ronaldsay

Figure 2. Distribution and peak flock sizes by 6-figure grid reference of non-territorial Mute Swans in Orkney,
2006-09 and 2011. Data for 2009 and 2011 refer to Mainland only (see text). The Lochs of Harray and
Stenness are represented by a central grid reference.

294 | Scottish Birds: 291-301 31:4 (2011)

Table 2. The non-territorial population of the Mute Swan in Orkney and its sub-regions, 1955-2011. Data
from Rawcliffe 1958, Ogilvie 1981, Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005 and this study.

Year i955.) 1976) 1955) 19908) 2002, 20067) 2007, 2008) 2009) 2011
Orkney 101 124 170 454 311 269 19] DIS
Mainland ZS 156 210 169 321
All other islands 50 55 43
Mainland excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 40 55 43 38 69
Lochs of Harray and Stenness (79 123 167 13] D5)

A mean of 60% of the total population in Orkney was non-territorial from 2006 until 2008 which
was higher than previously recorded, except in 1955. It was lower than in Lothian, greater than
in Fife and similar to that in Scotland in 2002 (Table 3). Since the non-territorial population
included young birds and those which may have bred in previous years, it comprised a reserve of
swans with the potential to hold a territory and to breed in subsequent years. The relatively high
percentage of non-territorial swans between 2006 and 2008, and the count of over 300 swans in
2011 on Mainland, may be indicative of a further cycle of increase in the total population.

Table 3. Mean percentage values of non-territorial, territorial and breeding pairs fledging at least one
cygnet in Orkney, together with mean productivity compared with Lothian and Fife, 2006-08, and
Scotland in 2002.

Orkney Lothian Fife Scotland
2006-08 2006-08 2006-08 2002
% of non-territorial swans in total population 60 66 43 61
% of territorial pairs which bred 70 70 76 74
% of breeding pairs which fledged at least one cygnet 50 59 2. -
Productivity (number of cygnets fledged per breeding pair) _— ‘1.8 Des DJ) -

Non-territorial counts during the study included first-year birds, which could be identified
through retention of brown plumage. Given that 78 cygnets fledged in 2006 and 28 juveniles were
recorded in May 2007, the survival rate was 36%. In 2007, a total of 125 cygnets fledged and 40
juveniles were recorded in May 2008, suggesting 32% survival. Assuming no immigration or
emigration, mean first-year survival was 33%. This was the first attempt to quantify first-year
survival in Orkney, since no data were available for previous years.

Territorial pairs

The total number of territorial pairs in Orkney increased substantially between 1983 and 1990 and
was also high in 2002, but numbers declined between 2002 and 2006 (Table 4). A further decline
occurred in 2007, which was followed by an increase in 2008, by which time the number of
territorial pairs in Orkney was substantially lower than the peak counts of 1990 and 2002, but
generally higher than in 1983 (Figure 1). This pattern of change was quite similar to that of the
non-territorial population.

Table 4. The number of territorial pairs of Mute Swans recorded in Orkney and its sub-regions, 1983-
2011. Data from Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005 and this study.

Year 1ISSSaen19SO 5200220065) 2007.52008 2009 2011
Orkney 77 178 ISB ug 75 83

Mainland 50 5] 58 64 71

All other islands 29 24 D5

Mainland excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 22 D5 24 29 32

Lochs of Harray and Stenness 28 26 34 5 39

Whilst the pattern of decline between 2006 and 2007 followed by an increase between 2007 and 2008
also occurred in the other islands, it was not the case on Mainland where numbers increased consis-
tently between 2006 and 2008, and indeed continued to increase in 2009 and in 2011. Numbers on

31:4 (2011)

295

Loch of
Stenness

296

The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 2011

the Lochs of Harray and Stenness exhibited a pattern of decline followed by an increase, but the
converse was the case on Mainland excluding Harray and Stenness Lochs. These results indicate that
changes in sub-regions did not necessarily reflect changes at the regional level. The continuous
increase in the size of the territorial population on Mainland between 2006 and 2011 may presage a
further increase in the territorial population on Mainland and also in Orkney as a whole.

Breeding pairs

The location of territorial-only and breeding pairs, based on 6-figure grid references, during 2006
to 2008, with additional data for Mainland only in 2009 and 2011, is shown on Figure 3. A central
grid reference has been used for the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. Most pairs were found on

_ Papa
» Westray New
Ronaldsay

Westray

a)

Stronsay

Burray
10 km
South
s Ronaldsay

Figure 3. Distribution by 6-figure grid reference of territorial only (pink) and breeding (red) Mute Swans in
Orkney, 2006-09 and 2011. Data for 2009 and 2011 refer to Mainland only (see text). The Lochs of Harray
and Stenness are represented by a central grid reference relating to several pairs.

Scottish Birds: 291-301 31:4 (2011)

freshwater lochs with a few at coastal locations. The number of breeding pairs in Orkney and its
sub-regions are shown in Table 5. An increase occurred in the number of breeding pairs in Orkney
between 1955 and 1978, but numbers had declined by 1983, a pattern which contrasted with the
continuous increase in the non-territorial population at that time (Table 2). As was the case with
non-territorial swans and territorial pairs, peak numbers were recorded in 1990 and 2002, but
subsequently declined between 2002 and 2006 (Figure 1). In contrast to both the non-territorial
population and territorial pairs, the number of breeding pairs in Orkney increased between 2006
and 2007, but declined in 2008. Between 2006 and 2008 the number of breeding pairs in Orkney
was lower than in 1978 and in 1983.

Table 5. The number of breeding pairs of Mute Swans recorded in Orkney and its sub-regions, 1955-
2011. Data from Rawcliffe 1958, Ogilvie 1981, Brown & Brown 1985, 1993, 2005 and this study.

Year 1955 1978 1983 1990 2002 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011
Orkney 26 75 68 163 126 48 61 58

Mainland 26 Al 43 5] 56
All other islands 22 20 15

Mainland excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 11 22 22 26 25

Lochs of Harray and Stenness 15 19 21 25 Si

Pairs in the other islands decreased consistently between 2006 and 2008 whilst those on Mainland
increased consistently. The increase on Mainland was evident on Mainland excluding the Lochs of
Harray and Stenness and also on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. The increase on Mainland
continued in 2009 and 2011, as was the case on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. Despite those
consistent and proportionally substantive increases, it was difficult to determine any trend in the total
number of pairs in Orkney given the consistent decrease on the other islands between 2006 and 2008,
and the fact that the other islands held a substantial proportion of the region’s breeding population.

The mean percentage of territorial pairs which progressed to breed throughout Orkney from 2006
to 2008 was 70% (Table 3), but ranged between years and varied across sub-regions, being partic-
ularly low (63%) on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness, this during a period when the number of
pairs was relatively low. However, data from earlier censuses also recorded highly variable values
ranging from 92% in 1990 to 65% in 2002 when the number of pairs was comparatively high.
The mean of 70% of territorial pairs which progressed to breed compared favourably with Lothian,
Fife and the Scottish population.

Productivity of breeding pairs

The number of breeding pairs, the number of pairs fledging young and the number of young fledged
from 2006 to 2008 is shown in Figure 4. Half of all of the pairs which bred in Orkney fledged at
least one cygnet and this was quite consistent between years, ranging from 48% in 2006 to 52% in
2008 (Table 6). This percentage was lower than in Lothian and Fife (Table 3). Success was greater
on the other islands than on Mainland, and poor on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. It also varied
between years with the greatest variation recorded on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness, where the
percentage was particularly poor in 2006, but increased in the subsequent two seasons.

Table 6. The percentage of breeding pairs of Mute Swans in Orkney and its sub-regions which fledged
at least 1 cygnet, 2006-08.

Year 2006 (%) 2007(%) 2008 (%) Mean (%)
Orkney 48 49 52 50
Mainland 38 46 49 45
All other islands 59 55 60 58
Mainland excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 45 55 4] 47
Lochs of Harray and Stenness BS 7) Si 44

31:4 (2011)

297

298

The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 2011

140

@ Number of breeding pairs

120 ®@ Number of pairs fledging young
™ Number of young fledged

100

80

Number

60

40

20

2006 2007 2008

Figure 4. The number of breeding pairs of Mute Swan, the number of pairs fledging young and the number
of young fledged in Orkney, 2006-08.

The mean number of cygnets fledged per breeding pair in Orkney was 1.8. As no comparable
data were available from earlier years, previous work referred to counts of cygnets in July and
did not allow for mortality during the subsequent weeks prior to fledging, this figure provided
the first assessment of productivity in Orkney. Considerable variation was noted between sub-
regions productivity being highest in the other islands and lowest on the Lochs of Harray and
Stenness (Table 7). Annual variation occurred within sub-regions and was especially poor on
the Lochs of Harray and Stenness in 2006, but increased in 2007 and again in 2008. The mean
for the other islands from 2006 to 2008 was 2.3, which was the same as in Lothian and in 2007
the value on Mainland excluding the Lochs of Harray and Stenness was similar (Tables 3 & 7).
This suggested that the Orkney breeding population had the capacity to increase productivity
when suitable conditions prevailed.

Table 7. Number of cygnets fledged per breeding pair in Orkney and its sub-regions, 2006-08.

Year 2006 2007 2008 Mean
Orkney 1.6 2.0 1.8 1.8
Mainland [2 1.9 1.8 1.6
All other islands 2.4 DS 19 Des
Mainland, excluding Lochs of Harray and Stenness 1.8 DD 1.6 1.9
Lochs of Harray and Stenness OW 1.4 2.0 1.4

Moulting population

Non-breeding and breeding birds which failed to produce cygnets or lost their brood of young
cygnets tended to flock whilst undertaking their annual moult, any time between May and
October. There had been no co-ordinated attempts to assess the size of the moulting population
in Orkney. Excluding pairs with broods, a count on 20 July 2001 on Mainland found 724 moulting
birds on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness (693 on Harray) with few at other locations (Brown &
Brown 2006). Similarly, in 2005 on 3 July there were 255 moulting birds on the Lochs of Harray
and Stenness (208 on Harray) with another 44 on the Loch of Bosquoy and 33 on the Loch of
Skaill, many of which were still not in full moult. Those counts illustrated the regional importance
of the Lochs of Harray and Stenness to moulting swans, the attraction of the Loch of Harray
almost to the exclusion of other water bodies, and underpin the most recent cycle of increase and
decline in the Mute Swan population in Orkney.

31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birds

Discussion

By 1941, breeding pairs were widely distributed across Orkney and during that summer 174
individuals were recorded on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness (Reynolds 1984). It was possible
that the severe weather during the winter of 1946/47 adversely affected the population, for the
total had declined by 1955, when 153 were recorded in the whole of Orkney (Rawcliffe 1958).
Results from the present study indicated an overall increase in the total population between 1955
and 2008, but punctuated by two substantial increases in recent decades. Elsewhere in Scotland,
detailed studies of the Mute Swan population have been on-going in Lothian since 1978 (Brown
€& Brown 1981-2008, 1984, 1999, 2002) and Fife since 1991 (A.W. Brown in Elkins et al. 2003,
Brown &t Brown unpublished reports) and populations in both areas have undergone substantial
and almost continuous increases since those studies commenced. Although the Scottish
population fluctuated between 1955 and 1983, there was an overall increase between 1955 and
2002. The increase in Orkney was, therefore, in line with the national trend.

Meek (1993) documented the initial introduction of the alien Canadian Pondweed in the Loch of
Harray in 1982, its subsequent widespread distribution throughout Orkney and the close association
between prolific growth of the pondweed and an increase in numbers of Mute Swans. He detailed
the rapid increase in the number of breeding pairs on the Loch of Harray, which peaked in 1990 and
subsequently declined rapidly. The decline in the abundance of the pondweed coincided with high
mortality of Mute Swans throughout 1991, when 250 birds were estimated to have died. Post-
mortem results revealed the swans suffered from emaciation, anaemia and high parasite loads. Some
swans were thought to have emigrated (Meek ef al. 2000). Corse et al. (2003) noted that high
mortality continued in 1992, with a further 103 deaths recorded at the Loch of Harray in May that
year; however, they also noted that numbers of swans began to increase in 1993 and continued to
do so until 2002. The July moult counts suggested a substantial decline by 2005. Thus, the swan
population was subject to two periods of rapid increase and decline culminating in peak numbers
in 1990 and again in 2002 interspersed with minimal numbers around 1992 and 2006. By 2011, total
numbers had increased, but it remains to be seen if a further period of rapid increase will develop,
since the number of breeding pairs in 2008 was fewer even than in 1978 and 1983.

Mute Swans require suitable vegetation to provide shelter from adverse weather conditions and
protection from predators during the breeding season, as well as the availability of aquatic plants,
mainly macrophytes, as a food resource. In Orkney, there is a lack of trees, shrubs and tall plants
around most lochs and also a lack of emergent vegetation. The International Centre for Island
Technology (2004) referred to the perimeter of the Loch of Harray being dominated by stones and
boulders. This was also a feature of many other water bodies. Additionally, a number of lochs formed
part of the public water supply and so were subject to abstraction and draw-down during the drier
months of the summer, which exposed larger areas of open shore line. Small numbers of birds were
noted feeding on seaweed on the sea shore, whilst those which fed in fields were frequently
discouraged by farmers. The main food source appeared to be pondweeds and the work of Meek (1993
and pers. comm.) indicated a dependence on Canadian Pondweed in particular. Differential growth
between years and between lochs caused by variable local weather conditions including rainfall,
temperature and sunlight may have contributed to fluctuations in the growth of pondweeds and
consequently in the numbers of swans in different years and areas of Orkney. Within both Lothian
and Fife, numbers of non-territorial birds and breeding pairs at specific sites fluctuated considerably
between years dependent upon the prevalence of Canadian Pondweed (Brown & Brown, pers. obs.).

Migration and philopatry may also have affected the numbers of swans at some sites and in some
years, however, both were very difficult to quantify since they required long-term marking and
monitoring of individual birds. As yet there is no evidence to suggest that the Mute Swan
population in Orkney is closed. Such an assumption had previously been made for the population
on the Outer Hebrides (Spray 1981a), but subsequent movement of ringed birds from there has

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds.

299

300

The status of the Mute Swan in the Orkney Islands, 2006 to 2011

shown that this was not the case (Spencer & Hudson 1980, 1981; Mead & Hudson 1983, 1986;
Spray 1981b) and indeed in 1981 an Outer Hebrides ringed bird was located on Shetland (Spencer
€&t Hudson 1982). Although Caithness had only a small swan population (Brown & Brown 2005),
it is less than 20 km from South Ronaldsay, so the possibility of movement between the Scottish
mainland and Orkney could not be discounted, although it was unlikely to involve a large number
of birds which would have impacted significantly upon the Orkney population. A number of
swans were caught and colour-ringed on the Loch of Harray in the summers of 2003, 2004 and
2005 and subsequent sightings suggested widespread dispersal within Orkney, but no sightings
were reported from the Scottish mainland (Adam 2005, 2006; Williams 2007, 2008; Corse 2009,
2010, 2011). Given the assumption of no migration between fledging and the following June, the
survival rate of 33% was low compared with 69% during the same period in Lothian (Brown &
Brown unpublished data). Whilst the productivity figure of 1.8 was comparatively low, Brown
(1997) determined it would have been sufficient to maintain the Lothian population.

The total number of swans counted in Orkney from 2006 to 2008 suggested a long-term increase
in the total population, which was in line with the trend in at least two other Scottish regions and
Scotland as a whole. That trend was punctuated by two relatively short-term spikes in numbers,
these being closely associated with a sharp increase in the abundance of Canadian Pondweed.
Both the non-territorial and territorial populations followed a similar pattern and their numbers
were most likely sufficient to augment the breeding population if conditions prevailed to support
any future increase in the breeding population. No long-term trend was evident in the breeding
population whose productivity, although low compared with some other Scottish regions, was
probably sufficient to sustain the region’s population and probably had the capacity to increase
its productivity when suitable conditions prevailed. It remains to be seen if and when the Orkney
population spikes again. It is unclear whether a further peak in Canadian Pondweed will occur
(International Centre for Island Technology, 2004), but the population appeared to be in a
sustainable condition during the study period.

Acknowledgements

We thank the following people who provided observations of Mute Swans from various Orkney
islands: Andrew T. Bramhall, Mike Cochram, Lorna Dow, Alison Duncan, Cath Fotheringham, Paul
€& Louise Hollinrake, John Holloway, Jo Hulsman, Eric R. Meek, Barry O’Dowd, K. Sheard, Lee
Shields and Simon Wellock. Many thanks also to Jim Williams for providing a copy of all Mute
Swan records received for the Orkney Bird Report for the years 2006 to 2009 which helped to fill
in some gaps. Eric Meek also provide invaluable data relating to his study of the Mute Swan
during the 1990s on the Lochs of Harray and Stenness. Finally, we thank Eric Meek and an
anonymous referee for providing constructive comments on a draft of this paper.

References

Adam, R.G. 2005. Ringing Recoveries 2004. Orkney Bird Report 2004: 93-98. [p. 93.]

Adam, R.G. 2006. Ringing Recoveries 2005. Orkney Bird Report 2005: 92-97. [p. 92.]

Balfour, E. 1968. Breeding birds of Orkney. Scottish Birds 5: 89-104.

Brown, L. M. 1997. Measurement of demographic parameters of the Mute Swan Cygnus olor
population in the Lothians. Unpublished PhD thesis, Napier University, Edinburgh.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. Mute Swan Cygnus olor Census - Lothians, 1981 to 2008. Lothian
Bird Reports 1981-2008. SOC, Lothian Branch.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. Mute Swan Cygnus olor Census - Fife, 1981 to 2008. Unpublished reports.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 1984. The status of the Mute Swan in the Lothians. Scottish Birds
Sie tej Ise

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 1985. The Scottish Mute Swan Census 1983. Scottish Birds 13: 140-148.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 1993. The Scottish Mute Swan Census 1990. Scottish Birds 17: 93-102.

31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birds

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 1999. Changes in the numbers and distribution of Mute Swans in
the Lothians in spring from 1978 to 1998. Scottish Birds 20: 18-26.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 2002. Prefledging survival of Mute Swan Cygnus olor cygnets in
the Lothians, UK. Bird Study 49: 97-104.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 2005. The 2002 census of the Mute Swan in Scotland. Scottish Birds
25: 1-16.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 2006. Mute Swans in Orkney. Orkney Bird Report 2005: 98-99.

Buckley, T.E. €& Harvie-Brown, J.A. 1891. A Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands. David
Douglas, Edinburgh.

Corse, C.J. 1991. Mute Swan Survey 1990. Orkney Bird Report 1990: 62-65.

Corse, C.J. 2003. Mute Swan Survey 2002. Orkney Bird Report 2002: 86-88.

Corse, C.J. 2009. Ringing Report 2008. Orkney Bird Report 2008: 114-119. [p. 114.]

Corse, C.J. 2010. Ringing Report 2009. Orkney Bird Report 2009: 106-111. [p. 106.]

Corse, C.J. 2011. Ringing Report 2010. Orkney Bird Report 2010: 100-104. [p. 100.]

Elkins, N., Reid, J.B., Brown, A.W., Robertson, D.G. & Smout, A.M. 2003. The Fife Bird Atlas.
Woodlands Studios, Dunfermline.

International Centre for Island Technology. 2004. Aquatic plants and vegetation of the Lochs of
Harray and Stenness, Orkney, surveyed in August 2002. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned
Report No. 066 (part 9 of 12) (ROAME No. FA1LA02).

Lack, D. 1943. The breeding birds of Orkney. Ibis 85: 1-27.

Mead, C.J. & Hudson, R. 1983. Report on Bird Ringing for 1982. Ringing & Migration 4: 281-
319. [p. 297.]

Mead, C.J. & Hudson, R. 1986. Report on Bird Ringing for 1985. Ringing & Migration 7: 139-
188. [p. 157.]

Meek, E.R. 1993. Population fluctuations and mortality of Mute Swans on an Orkney loch system
in relation to a Canadian Pondweed growth cycle. Scottish Birds 17: 85-92.

Meek, E.R., Knight, A.C. & Fairclough, K. 2000. Breeding Mute Swans on the Stenness and
Harray Lochs 1998. Orkney Bird Report 1998. Orkney Bird Club. Printsmith, Fort William.

Ogilvie, M.A. 1981. The Mute Swan in Britain, 1978. Bird Study 28: 87-106.

Pennington, M.G., Osborn, K., Harvey, P.V., Riddington, R., Okill, J.D., Ellis, P.M. & Heubeck,
M. 2004. The Birds of Shetland. Christopher Helm, London.

Rawcliffe, C.P. 1958. The Scottish Mute Swan Census 1955-56. Bird Study 5: 45-55.

Reynolds, P. 1984. Mute Swan Survey 1983. Orkney Bird Report 1984: 58-61.

Spencer, R. & Hudson, R. 1980. Report on Bird Ringing for 1979. Ringing & Migration 3: 65-
108. [p. 81.]

Spencer, R. & Hudson, R. 1981. Report on Bird Ringing for 1980. Ringing & Migration 3: 213-
256. [p. 230.]

Spencer, R. & Hudson, R. 1982. Report on Bird Ringing for 1981. Ringing & Migration 4: 65-
128. [p. 84.]

Spray, C.J. 1981a. An isolated population of Cygnus olor in Scotland. In: G.V.T. Matthews & M.
Smart (eds) Proceedings of the 2nd International Swan Symposium, Sapporo, Japan, 1980: 191-
208. International Wildfowl Research Bureau, Slimbridge, England.

Spray, C.J. 1981b. Movements of Mute Swans from Scotland to Ireland. Irish Birds 2: 82-84.

Williams, J. 2007. Ringing Report for 2006. Orkney Bird Report 2006: 88-93. [p. 88.]

Williams, J. 2008. Ringing Report for 2007. Orkney Bird Report 2007: 115-119. [p. 115.]

Allan W. Brown & Lyndesay M. Brown, 61 Watt’s Gardens, Cupar, Fife KY15 4UG.
Email: swans@allanwbrown.co.uk

Revised ms accepted September 2011

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds: 301

Sea duck numbers in east Fife

302

N. ELKINS

Counts of some sea duck species in east Fife have been declining for the past decade. Sea duck
are not monitored well by the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), but local counters have been very
aware of the disappearance of large flocks as well as the change in timing of their use of coastal
waters. In addition to WeBS counts, casual counts are made throughout the year on an
opportunistic basis. Scrutiny of these counts spanning the past 30 years has revealed marked
decreases in four species, Common and Velvet Scoters, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser.

The coastal waters around Fife are part of a chain of sites in eastern Scotland that hosts large
numbers of sea ducks (Forrester et al. 2007). In recent years, some species have declined in Fife,
the reasons for which are unclear. This paper describes and quantifies the decline and offers
some explanations.

Six species of sea duck are regularly found along the coast of Fife at various times of the year,
namely Eider Somateria mollissima, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra, Velvet Scoter Melanitta
fusca, Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis and
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. Species considered here are those that have decreased most
noticeably i.e. the two scoter species, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. The majority of
these ducks form large assemblages in two main sites, St Andrews Bay and Largo Bay.

31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birds

Methods

Due to the combined problems of weather conditions, sea states, coordinating counts and the
mobility and distance of birds, sea ducks are poorly monitored by the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS),
but casual counts are also made throughout the year in Fife and published in Fife Bird Reports.

Core WeBS counts are made monthly from September to March and often in other months. St
Andrews Bay forms part of the Tay-Eden SAC (Special Area of Conservation) on the east coast of
Fife and for the purposes of this study stretches from St Andrews to the mouth of the River Tay.
It has traditionally been divided into several sections, but there have been large gaps in the
coverage of each. Birds relocating from St Andrews Bay may also feature in separate WeBS counts
for the Eden and Tay Estuaries. Largo Bay lies on the south coast of Fife, forming part of the Firth
of Forth SPA (Special Protection Area).

Peak counts for each year were gathered from WeBS, Fife Bird Reports (FBR) and, in a few
instances, Scottish Bird Reports. The FBR frequently publishes higher counts than WeBS, due to
the partial nature of WeBS counts and the lack of flexibility due to fixed priority count dates;
non-WeBS observers tend to count large flocks as opportunity arises and do so throughout the
year. Where WeBS section counts are uncoordinated, absolute totals remain uncertain, as flocks
can be very mobile within and between count sections, increasing the possibility of duplication.
Weather also plays a role in amplifying sea states and disrupting counts, particularly with strong
onshore winds. In view of the difficulties listed above, all species, except Goldeneye (which
remain close inshore), are doubtless substantially undercounted at times.

Annual peak counts within the past 30 years have been used to determine five-year averages except
for Goldeneye, where annual peak counts are illustrated. While caution should be applied when
interpreting the data, they do provide an illustration of the decline in numbers at these two sites.

Results

Common Scoter

St Andrews Bay has always been the traditional winter haunt of this species in Fife, but Largo Bay
has also hosted a sizeable flock. Since 1980, counts of between 2,000 and 3,000 birds have been
made at the former, peaking at 5,000 in the winters of 1987/88 and 1993/94. The last significant
count was of 3,000 in December 2004, subsequently decreasing to below 500 by 2010. On this
basis, the site no longer qualifies as nationally important for this species (Musgrove et al. 2011).

The Largo Bay flock has exceeded 2,000 birds on several occasions but has generally been below
this level. It is not known whether much interchange occurs between the two sites, but the timing

4000
3500 Me St Andrews Bay
3000 @—@ Largo Bay

2500
2000
1500
1000

500

Mean peak count

1981-85 1986-90 1991-95 1996-2000 2001-05 2006-10
Figure 1. Five-year mean peak counts of Common Scoters in St Andrews and Largo Bays, Fife, 1981-2010.

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds: 303

304

Plate 255. Common Scoter, Fife Ness, Fife, September 2007. © John Anderson

Sea duck numbers in east Fife

ae wi,

Se

of peaks indicates so. Common Scoters can be seen in varying numbers in all months of the year.
However, St Andrews Bay held the highest numbers between November and February until 1998
(Elkins et al. 2003), but more frequently in September and October thereafter. There is also a spring
peak, at which time maximum numbers are recorded from Largo Bay. The change in timing of the
St Andrews Bay peaks suggests that many birds might now only be staging as moulting flocks
before moving elsewhere to overwinter. Few scoters penetrate the Firth of Tay and the Eden Estuary
but up to 400 regularly winter west of Largo Bay as far as Kirkcaldy. Other sites along the south
coast of the Firth of Forth hold significant numbers but the decline is evident even in the wider area.

Velvet Scoter

As with Common Scoter, St Andrews Bay has always held the bulk of this species in winter.
Counts exceeded 1,000 in most years from 1985 until 2004, rising during the 1980s to a maximum
of 2,400 in February 1988 and January 1990. At this time, a significant proportion of the UK
population was present in Fife (Elkins et al. 2003) but since 2005, numbers have been very low,
exceeding 100 only in January 2008 and indicating a relocation to winter quarters elsewhere. The
Largo Bay flocks have exceeded 500 at times, but a decline began after 2006. A similar decrease
has been noted in the moulting flock further north in Lunan Bay, Angus, where peak numbers
were formerly reached in late summer and early autumn (Angus & Dundee Bird Report 2007).
Peaks in St Andrews Bay occur mainly between November and January, whereas the maximum
numbers in Largo Bay are most often in March and April. Small numbers winter elsewhere in the
Firth of Forth. Despite the declines, Velvet Scoters are sufficiently scarce in the UK for both the
Fife sites to remain as nationally important for this species (Musgrove et al. 2011).

1600
1400 ME St Andrews Bay
==) Largo Bay

1200
1000
800
600
400
200

Mean peak count

1981-85 1986-90 USISS)S 1996-2000 2001-05 2006-10

Figure 2. Five-year mean peak counts of Velvet Scoters in St Andrews and Largo Bays, Fife, 1981-2010.

Scottish Birds: 302-307 31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birds

Peak count

2008/09 }

2000/01 ==
2004/05 }

1984/85 \omm
2002/03
2006/07

Figure 3. Annual peak counts of Goldeneye in Largo Bay, Fife, 1981-2010.

Goldeneye

Goldeneyes are widespread in the Firths of Tay and Forth with smaller numbers on inland waters.
They are chiefly winter visitors and passage migrants. Very few are present in St Andrews Bay,
but a very large winter flock was present regularly in the 1990s at the western end of Largo Bay,
frequenting the sewage outfall at Leven and the warm water outflow of the Methil Power Station.
All peak counts were made between November and March. The frequency of peaks in March
suggests that the flock was augmented by birds on spring passage. Following an immense flock
of 4,425 in December 1997, the species decreased markedly after 2001, mainly due to the cleaning
up of the outfall and the closure of the power station. Several hundreds also frequented nearby
Kilconquhar Loch on occasions, probably from the bay flock, since the species also declined here
significantly after 2001.

Plate 256. Goldeneye, Leven, Fife, March 2007. © John Anderson

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds: 302-307

306

Red-breasted Merganser

Historically, Largo Bay and the northern part of St Andrews Bay have held a substantial number of
mergansers, exceeding 1,000 in the latter in the 1980s. The peak numbers have been 1,100 in St
Andrews Bay in November 1987 and 774 in Largo Bay in September 1992, but a steady decline has
occurred since the mid-1990s (Elkins et al. 2003). This has resulted in the species no longer
qualifying as being of national importance in St Andrews Bay (Musgrove et al. 2011). Maximum
counts occur in Largo Bay in September and October, but rather earlier in St Andrews Bay. Wintering
flocks rarely exceed 100. However, there is also a peak in March elsewhere in the Firth of Forth
(Forrester et al. 2007). Timing suggests that non-breeders and moulting flocks pass through east Fife
to and from winter quarters elsewhere. Birds move into the Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary from time
to time, but counts in the Tay have been compromised in the past by mis-identifying the nationally
important late summer moulting flock of red-head Goosanders Mergus merganser.

700

600 ME St Andrews Bay
~ M88 Largo Ba
5 500 cia
(e)
O
= 400
a
= 300
o
= 2

Oo Oo
Oo Oo

198 1-85 1986-90 199)1-95 1996-2000 2001-05 2006-10

Figure 4. Five-year mean peak counts of Red-breasted Merganser in St Andrews and Largo Bays, Fife,
(I9Si-_ZOIO:

Discussion

Counts of Common and Velvet Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneyes in coastal
waters of east Fife have revealed marked declines in the past 10-15 years. Aerial surveys of the
region earlier this century (Wilson et al. 2006) located some scoter species up to 7 km from the
shore, but the highest numbers were close inshore. These surveys provided figures no larger and
often much smaller than shore-based counts suggesting that most ducks are observable from land
for much of the time. The changes in local distribution and timing probably reflect the highly
mobile nature of these flocks and could merely be due to movements in and out of the area from
concentrations elsewhere in eastern Scotland, but there is little local information on the flight
lines of ducks moving between sites and on migration. Food supply is the main cause of the
Goldeneye decline, but it is not known to where birds have relocated.

The most recent report on WeBS Alerts (Thaxter et al. 2010), which are based on downward trends in
numbers over set periods of time, shows that alerts have been in force at times for all four species in
the Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary and the Firth of Forth. However, unlike this study, the alert system
uses only core winter WeBS counts, the irregularity of which renders conclusions problematic.

Conclusions

The reduction in food resources that have affected Goldeneyes in Largo Bay may also be a
contributory factor in other sea duck decreases at that site. Until the 1990s, Scaup Aythya marila
flocks in Largo Bay were substantial (Elkins et al. 2003); now there are very few. However,
changes in coastal wildfowl distribution and numbers in the UK have also been related in part to
climate change, during which milder winters have allowed birds to remain further north and east

31:4 (2011)

a = ws 5 ee ee 3 Ress ws
2 = pee ee : :

Plate 257. Velvet Scoter Fife Ness ,Fife, September 2008. © John Anderson

OE

nearer their higher latitude breeding grounds (Holt et al. 2011). In particular, this is likely to
influence the Velvet Scoter, which is at the western fringe of its winter range. The distribution of
sea duck in UK coastal waters is currently an issue in areas with offshore oil-related activities and
wind farms, such as the turbine arrays proposed east of the Firth of Forth. Velvet Scoters tend to
be especially sensitive to disturbance (Garth & Htippop 2004) and therefore counts of birds
frequenting such areas are of great importance.

Acknowledgements

I thank the WeBS partnership (the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (the latter on behalf of the
Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, the Countryside Council for Wales, Natural
England and Scottish Natural Heritage), in association with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) for
access to the relevant WeBS counts. I also thank all those observers who have submitted casual
counts to Fife Bird Reports and to the editors for publishing them.

References

Elkins, N., Reid, J.B., Brown, A.W., Robertson, D.G. & Smout, A-M. 2003. The Fife Bird Atlas.
Woodlands Studios, Dunfermline.

Forrester, R.W., Andrews, I.J., McInerny, C.J., Murray, R.D., McGowan, R.Y., Zonfrillo, B., Betts,
M.W., Jardine, D.C. & Grundy, D.S. (eds) 2007. The Birds of Scotland. The Scottish
Ornithologists’ Club, Aberlady.

Garth, S. & Hiippop, O. 2004. Scaling possible adverse effects of marine wind farms on seabirds:
developing and applying a vulnerability index. Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 724-734.

Holt, C.A., Austin, G.E., Calbrade, N.A., Mellan, H.J., Mitchell, C., Stroud, D.A., Wotton, S.R. &
Musgrove, A.J. 2011. Waterbirds in the UK 2009/10: The Wetland Bird Survey.
BTO/RSPB/JNCC, Thetford.

Musgrove, A.J., Austin, G.E., Hearn, R.D., Holt, C.A., Stroud, D.A. & Wotton, S.R. 2011.
Overwinter population estimates of British waterbirds. British Birds 104: 364-397.

Thaxter, C.B., Sansom, A. Thewlis, R.M., Calbrade, N.A, Ross-Smith, V.H., Bailey, S., Mellan,
H.J. & Austin, G.E. 2010. Wetland Bird Survey Alerts 2006/2007: changes in numbers of
wintering waterbirds in the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, Special Protection Areas
(SPAs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). BTO Research Report 556. BTO, Thetford.

Wilson, L.J., Dean, B.J., Webb, A., McSorley, C.A. & Reid, J.B. 2006. Wintering seaduck, divers
and grebes in UK inshore areas: aerial surveys and shore-based counts 2004/05. JNCC Report,
No. 371. JNCC, Peterborough.

Norman Elkins 18 Scotstarvit View, Cupar, Fife KY15 5DX.
Email: jandnelkins@btinternet.com

Revised ms accepted September 2011

31:4 (2011) Scottish Birds: 3 7 | 307

Plate 258. White-tailed Eagle

308

Clearing nests of food remains does not influence subsequent nest choice in White-tailed Eagles

@

J.R. GRANT, R. REID & D.P. WHITFIELD

Practical research is important in the understanding and application of conservation management
to animal populations. However, when the species concerned has a small population size or is
threatened in some other way, it is particularly important to identify and evaluate any effect of
the research methods on the individuals studied. Researchers therefore frequently use staged or
‘natural’ experiments to test whether particular field methods introduce biases in results. In birds,
such potential biases have been investigated to assess the effects of, for example, the use of
colour-rings (Bart et al. 2001) and radio-tags (Kenward 2000).

Dietary studies of raptors often involve clearing nests of prey remains at the end of the breeding
season (e.g. Steenhof & Kochert 1988, Mersmann et al. 1992, Katzner et al. 2006). The method
can involve some disruption to nest structure when searching through nest material. There is a
possibility that such disruption to the nest, even if birds are not actively using it at the time, may
disturb parental birds and cause them to shift to another nest site in the following year. Such a
change may result in the selection of a poorer nest site; for example in a more exposed location
or at increased distance from food resources. In addition, building an entirely new nest would
increase energy demand, and a change in nest site can lower breeding success (Desrochers &

31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birds

Magrath 1993). In a study of White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla, we examine the possibility
that nest clearing might influence a breeding pair’s nest site choice the following year.

Our study involved the reintroduced population of White-tailed Eagles in western Scotland whose
history and biology has been thoroughly documented (Love 1983, 2003, Bainbridge et al. 2003,
Evans et al. 2003, 2009, Whitfield et al. 2009). Since the first breeding attempt in 1983, the nest
site location and breeding success has been monitored for every breeding territory. In 2008 there
were 44 territories occupied by pairs, 35 of which laid eggs, leading to 28 fledged young. All
released birds and the large majority of wild-bred nestlings have been individually marked,
mostly with patagial wing-tags (Evans et al. 2009). Wild-bred nestlings are typically wing-tagged
and/or ringed when aged six to eight weeks.

Dietary studies on White-tailed Eagles in Scotland have been ongoing for many years (Watson et
al. 1992, Marquiss et al. 2003, Madders €& Marquiss 2003) and these typically include visiting
nests after a breeding attempt has failed or nestlings have fledged, to collect all remains of food
items. Nests were situated both on cliffs and in trees. In almost all cases they were rebuilt by
research workers following thorough collection of remains and in a very few cases they were left
in a structurally safer condition than they were before. For the purposes of the present study,
between 1992 and 2008 we recorded the territory identity, year, whether a nest was cleared of
food remains (‘clearout’) at the end of the breeding season and whether a different nest was used
on the territory in the year following a clearout.

Breeding failure is well known as a factor which can cause birds to change nest site (Haas 1998)
and so we considered data only involving successful breeding attempts. We also wished to control
for the possibility that our results were not confounded by other sources of potential disturbance
and so we included data only from breeding attempts where nestlings had been wing-tagged
and/or ringed (Evans et al. 2003). Change in breeding partner can be associated with change in
nest site (Desrochers & Magrath 1993), but we could not account for this factor because not all
birds were individually marked. However, annual survival of mature adult eagles was high (94 -
97 %: Evans et al. 2009) and dispersal of breeding adults was very low (Whitfield et al. 2009),
and so this deficiency should not have introduced a serious bias, as was confirmed in the many
cases where we knew the identity of partners between years.

After screening data for potentially confounding factors we had 120 records involving 34
territories with a median of 2.5 data (years) per territory (range 1 - 13). In our analysis, carried
out in R 2.8.1 (R Development Core Team 2008), we used a binomial Generalized Linear Mixed
Model (GLMM) with nest site change (0 or 1) between years x and x + 1 as the response variable
and nest clearout (O or 1) in year x as the explanatory variable, with territory identity nested
within year x as a random factor.

It was highly unlikely that clearing a nest of food remains had any effect on nest site use in the
following year (value = -0.02, SE = 0.38, df = 85, t = -0.06, P = 0.96). It is probably safe to
conclude therefore that nest clearouts do not have a detrimental effect on our study population
since, if birds do not shift nest sites as a result of the method, then ‘higher order’ manifestations
of disturbance, such as reductions in breeding success or survival would not be expected.
Examination of such potential effects is important in any research, but especially involving
reintroduced populations which may be vulnerable in the early stages of expansion.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to everybody involved over the years who contributed to the Scottish White-tailed Eagle
Project newsletters from which most of the nest site information was gleaned. Martin Carty, Joe
Hayes, Dave Sexton and Bob Swann supplied additional information on nest site use.

31:4 (2011)

309

310

Se ee ON mi op aL ed eat genet nl sh bes pore pee Tes im I P = ar pl A= . 3 by ff. See a ASL 24 i | 1 fee fis
lEdrNgG NESTS of 100d fremdins does not influence subsequent nest cnoice in White-tailed Eagies
~ J

References

Bainbridge, I.P., Evans, R.J., Broad, R.A., Crooke, C.J., Duffy, K., Green, R.E., Love, J.A. & Mudge,
G.P. 2003. Re-introduction of white-tailed eagles Haliaeetus albicilla to Scotland. Pp 393-406 in
Thompson, D. et al (Eds) Birds of Prey in a Changing Environment. The Stationery Office.

Bart, J., Battaglia, D. & Senner, N. 2001. Effects of color bands on Semipalmated Sandpipers
banded at hatch. Journal of Field Ornithology 72: 521-526.

Desrochers, A. & Magrath, R.D. 1993. Environmental predictability and remating in European
Blackbirds. Behav. Ecol. 4: 271-272.

Evans, R.J., Broad, R.A., Duffy, K., MacLennan, A.M., Bainbridge, I.P. & Mudge, G.P. 2003. Re-
establishment of a breeding population of White-tailed Eagles in Scotland. In Helander, B.,
Marquiss, M. & Bowerman, W. (eds) Sea Eagle 2000. Proceedings from an International
Conference at Bjorké, Sweden, 13-17 September 2000: 397-403. Swedish Society for Nature
Conservation, Stockholm, Sweden.

Evans, R.J, Wilson, J.D., Amar, A., Douse, A., MacLennan, A., Ratcliffe, N. & Whitfield, D-.P.
2009. Growth and demography of a re-introduced population of White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus
albicilla. Ibis 151: 244-254.

Haas, C.A. 1998. Effects of prior nesting success on site fidelity and breeding dispersal: an experi-
mental approach. Auk 115: 929-936.

Katzner, T.E., Bragin, E.A., Knick, S.T. & Smith, A.T. 2006. Spatial structure in the diet of
Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca in Kazakhstan. Journal of Avian Biology 37: 594-600.

Kenward, R.E. 2000. A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging. Academic Press, London.

Love, J.A. 1983. The Return of the Sea Eagle. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Love, J.A. 2003. A history of the white-tailed sea eagle in Scotland. In Helander, B., Marquiss, M. &
Bowerman, W. (eds) Sea Eagle 2000. Proceedings from an International Conference at Bj6rk6, Sweden,
13-17 September 2000: 39-50. Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Stockholm, Sweden.

Madders, M. & Marquiss, M. 2003. A comparison of the diet of White-tailed Eagles and Golden
Eagles breeding in adjacent ranges in west Scotland. In Helander, B., Marquiss, M. & Bowerman,
W. (eds) Sea Eagle 2000. Proceedings from an International Conference at Bjérk6, Sweden, 13-
17 September 2000: 289-295. Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Stockholm, Sweden.

Marquiss, M., Madders, M. & Carss, D.N. 2003. White-tailed Eagles and lambs: predation or
scavenging? In Helander, B., Marquiss, M. €& Bowerman, W. (eds) Sea Eagle 2000. Proceedings
from an International Conference at Bjérké, Sweden, 13-17 September 2000: 13-17. Swedish
Society for Nature Conservation, Stockholm, Sweden.

Mersmann, T.J., Buehler, D.A., Fraser, J.D. & Seegar, J.K.D. 1992. Assessing bias in studies of
bald eagle food habits. Journal of Wildlife Management 56: 73-78.

R Development Core Team. 2008. R: a Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R
Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL http://www.R-project.org.

Steenhof, K. & Kochert, M.N. 1988. Dietary responses of three raptor species to changing prey
densities in a natural environment. Journal of Animal Ecology 57: 37-48.

Watson, J., Leitch, A.F. & Broad, R.A. 1992. The diet of the Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos in western Scotland. Ibis 134: 27-31.

Whitfield, D.P., Douse, A., Evans, R.J., Grant, J., Love, J.,. McLeod, D.R.A., Reid, R. & Wilson,
J.D. 2009. Natal and breeding dispersal in a reintroduced population of White-tailed Eagles
Haliaeetus albicilla. Bird Study 56: 177-186.

Justin R. Grant, Natural Research, Brathens Business Park, Hill of Brathens, Glassel,
Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4BY.

Robin Reid, Ash Tree Cottage, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DY.

D. Philip Whitfield, Natural Research, Brathens Business Park, Hill of Brathens, Glassel,
Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4BY.

Revised ms accepted July 2011

31:4 (2011)

Snort Notes

Opportunistic food robbery of Grey Wagtail by Pied Wagtail

On 7 May 2011, at Leithen Lodge in the
Moorfoot Hills, Borders, | watched a pair of
Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea collecting food
for their young in a nest nearby. At 08:15 GMT,
the female Grey Wagtail landed on a telegraph
wire near the presumed nest site with only a
single larva in her beak. The male landed on
the wire close by with a beak full of food items,
including some winged insects. He then flew
down to the tarmac track below the wires and
started to walk towards the nest site. The
female stayed put. At this point a female Pied
Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii, which was
feeding on the tarmac but not collecting food
for chicks, lunged at the male Grey Wagtail and
caused him to drop his food items. The female
Pied Wagtail immediately ate what the Grey
had dropped, while he wandered off along the
track and short grass verge, picking up inverte-
brates from the surface and flycatching.

Over the next 20 minutes no further robbery
was witnessed. It appears that the female Pied
Wagtail was not habitually targeting the Greys,

but she was obviously capable of doing so
opportunistically, possibly following inter-
specific aggression.

The Grey Wagtail nest contained five chicks
around six days old. It is unlikely that the Pied
Wagtail had a brood nearby as she was not
collecting food.

I can find no mention of this behaviour in
either Simms (1992) or Snow €&t Perrins (1998).

References

Simms, E. 1992. British Larks,
Wagtails. Collins.

Snow, D.W. & Perrins, C.M. 1998. The Birds of
the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition.
Oxford University Press, Oxford.

IEORUS. (ae

Tom Dougall, 38 Leamington Terrace,
Edinburgh, EH10 4JL

Revised ms accepted May 2011

Multi-species groups of finches feeding on Wych Elm fruits in spring

Elm trees are well known to provide food for
finches in spring (Newton 1972). Amongst the
three main elm species in Britain, Wych Elm
Ulmus glabra has a northerly distribution and is
the only undisputed native species in Scotland.
The value of Wych Elm fruits for birds in
Scotland, therefore, would have been high
relative to those of the introduced English Elm
Ulmus procera, which is scarce away from its
southern homelands and only an irregular
producer of seed in Scotland. Furthermore, the
relative importance of Wych Elm for birds could
have increased recently following the widespread
decline of mature English Elms due to Dutch Elm
Disease (DED) (Osborne 1983). Wych Elm has
hitherto been rather less affected, especially in
the north of Scotland. My observations in
lowland central Scotland show that six or more
species of finch feed regularly on Wych Elm
fruits, including mixed-species groups in the
same tree. This suggests that in spite of the

31:4 (2011)

impact of DED, Wych Elm fruits can provide an
important food source for many finches in
central Scotland, and probably elsewhere, in the
early stages of the breeding season.

Wych Elms produce conspicuous bunches of
pale green fruits in April, just before their
leaves appear. The winged fruits remain on the
tree for about two months and drop between
May and July, although they only seem to be
attractive to finches until late May or, further
north, into early June. Middleton (1918)
provided an early record of their appeal: “little
birds occasionally dart and flutter about the
sprays [of Wych Elm], eating the seeds with
reliisia’. Isle Ghicl Mok imienTOma Wane GoewiEs
involved, although finches and tits are amongst
the obvious candidates. More recent records
include Greenfinch Carduelis chloris and
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula taking Wych Elm
seeds (Newton 1967a & b). Hawfinches

311

Short Notes

Table 1. Finch species recorded feeding on Wych Elm seeds at Bridge of Allan, 2009-11. Maximum number
of individuals of each species seen together, and (final column) maximum number of species recorded

feeding together in same tree.

Year Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Linnet Bullfinch Species seen together
2009 De SF 6* De De O

2010 1 4* Be 2 O Be 4

2011 De 4* SF O O 3F o

*these species were recorded feeding together in the same tree in each year

Table 2. Occurrence of finches feeding on Wych Elm fruits at Bridge of Allan, 2009-11; earliest and latest
observations in each year.

First Last Fruits Number of Days of
Year record record unsuitable days feeding observations
2009 10 May 14 May 19 May 5+ 5
2010 23 April 25 May> <4 June 33+ 10
2011 21 April 6 May> <17 May 16+ 12

The ‘<’ and'>' symbols indicate that the dates of events in 2010 and 2011 may be earlier or later than shown, by up
to five days, due to gaps in observation schedules. The ‘days feeding’ period may have been underestimated for the
same reason, as indicated by + symbol.

32

Coccothraustes coccothraustes also take the
seeds in tree crowns in both May and June
(Mountfort 1956).

I noted several species of finch making repeated
visits to a single multi-stemmed Wych Elm (8 m
high) in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire (Upper
Forth), over five days in May 2009. They settled
quietly in the crown of the tree and extracted the
soft seeds singly from each fruit. More than one
species was often present and on two occasions
five finch species were feeding in the crown at the
same time. Maximum numbers for each species in
the tree ranged from six Goldfinches Carduelis
carduelis to two Linnets Carduelis cannabina
(Table 1). While four of the finch species bred in
gardens within 200m, the Linnets probably came
from further afield. All five species focused their
attention on the crown; lower branches and
smaller Wych Elms nearby were almost entirely
overlooked. The finches only attacked unripe
fruits (i.e. with pale not dark seeds and green
‘wings’), either from wholly green fruit bunches
or selected from amongst those with a mix of
green and browning fruits. Feeding occurred
throughout the day, and appeared to involve
repeated visits of 1-15 minutes each by a small
pool of birds of both sexes. By 19 May in 2009,
all the fruits had browned and no further visits
were recorded (Table 2).

Observations over the two following years added
Bullfinches to the visitors seen to take seeds and
confirmed that the pattern of elm seed-eating

detected in 2009 was regular, at least during
three years when fruiting was prolific. As in
2009, I recorded feeding finches on every day
observations were undertaken (Table 2). Up to
four species were present together in the same
tree on two or more occasions in both years
(Table 1). Feeding visits to Wych Elm in these
two years began in late April and continued into
mid- or late May, by which time the fruits had
browned and again were no longer attractive
(Table 2). Interest spread beyond the single tree
in both 2010 and 2011, however, with three
others being visited regularly for feeding
amongst the seven elms in view.

Once settled in the crown, feeding finches were
hard to detect; usually silent and often obscured
by bunches of fruits and leaves (Plate 259). The

Plate 259. Bullfinch feeding on Wych Elm, Bridge of
Allan, Stirling, 6 May 2011. © David Bryant

31:4 (2011)

finches usually pulled pieces from the winged
samara in situ, then plucked the fruit and held it
in the bill to extract the seed (Plates 260-262).
On still days the falling fragments and ‘empty’
fruits often provided the first indication of the
presence of feeding birds above. These detailed
observations were made much easier by the
principal tree being on a slope, allowing eye-
level viewing from the house about 10 m away.
Complementing this, observations during a
period of light winds in 2011 allowed the
attacked fruits to be counted beneath a tree
growing on cleared ground; at least 2,200 fallen
fruits had been plucked and ‘emptied’ by an
unknown number of finches over seven days.
This illustrates another activity which could alert
observers to the presence of finches, at least before
the ripe fruits fall and smother the evidence.

Several other species used the Wych Elms at the
same time as the finches but were mostly
perching or singing. Blue Tits Parus caeruleus, for
example, sought insects amongst the elm fruits
and were not seen to attack the seeds. Grey
Squirrels Sciurus carolinensis, however, were
frequent visitors to feed on the fruits. Evidence of
intraspecific competition amongst finches came
from occasional bouts of chasing, involving
Goldfinch (unsexed), Greenfinch (males) and
Bullfinch (males). This occurred in spite of an
apparent superabundance of fruits and feeding
positions, suggesting that chasing might have
concerned access to a subset of high quality seeds
or involved competition for or protection of mates.
In contrast, no interspecific clashes were seen.

The only finch ‘missing’ from my observations,
that is known to feed on Wych Elm, was the
Hawfinch. It is rare in the Stirling area,
however, so its absence is entirely expected.
That they cash in too, however, is illustrated by
a record of a migrant Hawfinch at Kergord on
Shetland, photographed while eating Wych Elm
seeds, by Jacqui Herrington in late May 2010
(Plate 263). Calladine & Morrison (2010) list
several tree species used by Hawfinches in
winter near Perth; and also demonstrate the
cryptic behaviour of this species and the
consequent risk of bias in determining dietary
preferences. Wych Elm was not amongst the
trees used, as expected, because their study
took place well before any fruits would have

31:4 (2011)

Short Notes

hig

Plate 260. Goldfinch feeding on Wych Elm, Bridge of Allan,
Stirling, 4 May 2011. © David Bryant

Plate 261. Greentinch feeding on Wych Elm, Bridge of Allan,
Stirling, 30 April 2011. © David Bryant

eS } ee
1 § Bisa 4 a)
Ye Sen

—

Plate 262. Chaffinch feeding on Wych Elm, Bridge of Allan,
Stirling, 2 May 2011. © David Bryant

7

Plate 263. Hawfinch feeding on Wych Elm, Kergord,

314

appeared. Hawfinches and other finches
probably rely on a succession of buds and seeds
as they become available with the arrival of
spring; this sequence is likely to be somewhat
delayed at more northerly latitudes.

Whilst the Wych Elm is recognised as generally
valuable for birds, and its planting is
sometimes encouraged by woodland conserva-
tionists, it has a particular value because it is
one of only a small subset of deciduous tree
species that provide canopy-level seed supplies
in spring. Certain individual trees, furthermore,
provide a popular focus for feeding finches,
perhaps because they offer better cover from
hunting Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus or
protection from the elements and _ other
hazards? Hence, the context, or crown structure
and density of a Wych Elm, or perhaps the
quality or size of its seed, may affect selection
by finches. Use of Wych Elm, however, did not
appear to be affected directly by access to bird-
feeders, since attendance at local feeding
stations had tailed off by late March, several
weeks before the finches moved onto the elms.

The Wych Elm, in spite being a common native
formerly called the ‘Scotch Elm’ in some parts,
is sometimes known as ‘Scotland’s forgotten
tree’ (Edwards 2009). The importance of Wych
Elm for finches may have been under-recorded
since detecting silent, near-motionless birds in
dense tree crowns can be difficult. While mixed-
species finch flocks are common in winter, a
feeding-aggregation of up to six species in
spring is much less frequent and suggests that
for a period of 2-5 weeks in late April and May,
Wych Elm seeds provide a useful food source for
mainly territory-holding finches. Taking Wych
Elm seeds while ignoring seed on nearby feeders
suggests that specific nutrients, palatability or
digestibility, rather than energy shortages,
drives this choice. The soft pulp extracted from
the seeds, furthermore, could play a very
specific role in preparations for egg laying
(Carey 1996). The extent to which use of Wych
Elm fruits is related to the availability of other
natural seed supplies, whether in tree canopies
or at ground level, is unclear.

Elm was the only tree to feature prominently in
most finch diets in England in late spring

(Newton 1972). Ensuring the availability of elm
seeds in April and May could be a valuable
complement to other measures to maintain food
supplies for these birds. The retention of weed-
rich stubbles overwinter, provision of wild-bird
seed crops and enhancement of natural herb-seed
supplies, provide important benefits to non-
breeding finch populations and other birds of
farmland and woodland (Roberts €& Pullin 2007),
but do so only until depletion, germination or
cultivation occurs in spring. Thereafter, the seeds
of Wych Elm, relatively secure from human
interference, can help bridge the gap until other
plant and animal food supplies increase in May.

References

Calladine, J. & Morrison, N. 2010. The ranging
behaviour and habitat selection by three
Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes in late
winter in Scotland. Ornis Fennica 87: 119-123.

Carey, C. 1996. Avian Energetics and Nutritional
Ecology. Chapman & Hall, New York.

Edwards, I. 2009. Scotland’s forgotten tree.
The Botanics 37: 10.

Middleton, G. 1918. Some old wells, trees and
travel tracks of Wordsworth’s Parish. The St
Oswald Press, Ambleside.

Mountfort, G. 1956. The Hawfinch. New
Naturalist, 15. Collins, London.

Newton, I. 1967a. The adaptive radiation and
feeding ecology of some British finches. Ibis
109: 33-98.

Newton, I. 1967b. The feeding ecology of the
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula L.) in southern
England. Journal of Animal Ecology 36: 721-744.

Newton, I. 1972. Finches. New Naturalist, 55.
Collins, London.

Osborne, P. 1983. The influence of Dutch elm
disease on bird population trends. Bird Study
30: 27-38.

Roberts, P:D. & Pullin? AvS2 3200725 the
effectiveness of land-based schemes (incl. agri-
environment) at conserving farmland bird
densities within the U.K. Systematic Review No.
11. Collaboration for Environmental Evidence,
CEBC.www.environmentalevidence.org/SR11.htm

David Bryant, 36 Kenilworth Road, Bridge
of Allan FK9 4EH

= me penta | & A) ata

Cima: adm prvantOeveter

Emall: CG fi.wiy ant@exerer.
&

OQ)
~

ac.ukK

Revised ms accepted June 2011

31:4 (2011)

White-billed Diver: new first Scottish record

The Birds of Scotland states that the first
Scottish record of White-billed Diver Gavia
adamsii was collected at Aberdeen on 17
December 1891, with the specimen held at
Chelmsford Museum [CHMER_ E135441]
(Forrester et al. 2007). That specimen had
hitherto been identified as a Great Northern
Diver Gavia immer and its true identity was
only recently established (Green & Forrester
2005). Prior to the discovery of the Aberdeen
bird, a bird found dead at Whiteness Voe,
Shetland on 21 January 1946 was
acknowledged as the first Scottish record.

In 2008, following closure of the exhibition
galleries of National Museums Scotland (NMS)
for major refurbishment, a close examination
of a small number of mounted birds was
considered worthwhile. One was a juvenile
diver (NMS.Z 1890.33) that had been collected
by Mr Erskine St Clair Steele on the Sutherland
coast in January 1890 and donated to the
museum. It had been accessioned, and then
exhibited, as a Great Northern Diver. A
contemporary ledger indicated the specimen
was a male and this has been confirmed by
DNA-sexing (M. Collinson, in litt.).

With the first claim of White-billed Diver in
Scotland only made in the mid-1940s, it is not
difficult to see that any diver, other than Red-
throated and Black-throated, acquired by the
museum in the 19th century might have
simply been assumed to be Great Northern
Diver. This would particularly be the case for
birds in non-adult plumage.

identification

Earlier statements on ‘diagnostic’ bill shapes
for White-billed and Great Northern Divers
have been shown to be unreliable, and there are
further difficulties for juvenile birds as bill
dimensions of the former do not attain classic
adult shape until, or beyond, first-summer
(Burn & Mather 1974).

To further complicate the issue of bill

appearance, the culmen of the Sutherland bird
was rather poorly painted at some time in the

31:4 (2011)

Plate 264. The Sutherland White-billed Diver specimen
collected in January 1890 © NMS. Note that the bill has

been painted.

past, and this has concealed the natural
colour. This effectively obscures one key
characteristic that might be useful in
separating these two species. In addition, the
ranges of culmen, tarsus and wing lengths
overlap for the species, the latter compounded
by moult of remiges during December to
March. The challenge was to demonstrate that
sufficient features exist to prove this
particular specimen is a White-billed Diver.

The most concise and detailed document for
identifying diver species in the hand is the
Gaviidae section of the Handbook on Oil Impact
Assessment which gives a number of morpho-
logical characteristics that define all four (or
five, if pacifica recognised) species (Camphuysen
2007). As the culmen length, shape and colour
and wing length of the Sutherland bird are non-
diagnostic for identification, the following key
features were examined.

Number of tail feathers. Eighteen in White-
billed Diver, 20 in Great Northern Diver. The
number recorded for the Sutherland bird was 18.

Primary shafts. Light brown or whitish in White-
billed Diver, dark brown or blackish in Great
Northern Diver (Plate 266). The shaft streaks of
the Sutherland bird are pale (Plate 265).

Mantle feathers. Mantle feathers in juvenile
White-billed Divers show ‘broad, light terminal
fringes’ and Great Northern Divers show ‘light
terminal fringes’ (Camphuysen 2007). The

515

Short Notes

Plate 265. Primary shaft streaks of the Sutherland
specimen showing the pale colouration typical of White-
billed Diver. © NMS

Plate 266. Dark primary shaft streaks of a typical Great
Northern Diver (NMSZ 1980.60.27). © NMS

Sutherland bird shows broadly fringed mantle
feathers typical of White-billed Diver (Plate 267).

One other distinctive character is also evident
in this specimen. The two rami of the lower
mandible are joined for c. 50% of the length of
the lower mandible (Plate 268). For Great
Northern Divers, the rami are only joined at the
tip (c. 10% of the length) (Plate 269); see Burn
€t Mather (1974) for diagrams.

Conclusion

On a number of key diagnostic characters, it is
possible to demonstrate that the specimen
collected on the Sutherland coast in January,
1890 is a White-billed Diver. In May 2011 SBRC
ratified the identification and accepted this
juvenile male as the first Scottish record.

Acknowledgment

I thank Dr A.G. Knox who alerted me to his
suspicions over the identification of this

316

——

Plate 267. The mantle of the Sutherland specimen
showing broad, pale terminal fringes. © NMS

Plate 268. The underside of the bill of the Sutherland
specimen showing mandibular rami fused along c.
50% of length. © NMS

Plate 269. The underside of the bill of Great Northern
Diver NMSZ 1980.60.27 showing mandiular rami
fused only at tip. © NMS

specimen and suggested it was worth a closer
inspection. Dr J. Martin Collinson, University
of Aberdeen, kindly arranged DNA-sexing of a
tissue sample.

References

Burn, D.M. & Mather, J.R. 1974. The White-
billed Diver in Britain. British Birds 67: 257-296.

31:4 (2011)

Camphuysen, C.J. 2007. Gaviidae: Divers or
loons. Technical documents 4.1, Handbook on
Oil Impact Assessment, version 1.0. Online
edition, www.zeevogelgroep.nl/CJC/documents
/GAVIIDAE.pdf

Forrester, R.W., Andrews, I.J., McInerny, C.J.,
Murray, R.D., McGowan, R.Y., Zonfrillo, B.,
Betts, M.W., Jardine, D.C. & Grundy, D.S.
(eds) 2007. The Birds of Scotland. The
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, Aberlady.

Short Notes

Green, N. & Forrester, R.W. 2005. Yellow-

billed Diver in Chelsmford Museum - the earliest
record for Scotland. Scottish Birds 25: 59-61.

R.Y. McGowan, Department of Natural
Sciences, National Museums Scotland,
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Email: b:mcgowan@nms.ac.uk

Revised ms accepted June 2011

Attempted predation of Pink-footed Geese by a Peregrine

On 13 October 2010, on an upland plateau
around 400 m altitude in rural Inverness-shire,
I witnessed a predation attempt by a female
Peregrine Falco peregrinus on a skein of Pink-
footed Geese Anser brachyrhynchus. Around
100 geese were flying over the plateau in a
southerly direction at an altitude of over 100 m
when a female Peregrine appeared from behind.
She raced towards the skein; alarm calls going
up from the geese as she neared. Flying directly
into the skein, she split it in two before selecting
one of the halves and flying into that one. She
did this again until there were only four geese
left in the group she was following. From there
her tactic changed, and instead of flying level
with the geese she then took up position slightly
above the single goose she had selected to
chase. No more than a metre away from it, the
Peregrine forced the goose downwards. The
goose, flying rapidly, began to lose height quite
quickly in an attempt to evade its attacker with
the peregrine following every move. Both were
at 10-20 m above the ground when my view
was obscured by a knoll. While all the other
geese rejoined the main skein, neither the final
goose nor the Peregrine were seen again.

I witnessed this behaviour again the following
day. Exactly the same tactic was used to break
up the skein until only four geese remained. As
before, an individual was selected, chased and
forced lower and lower. Again on this occasion,
my view was obscured by a knoll which they
flew behind. This was no more than 2 km from
the site of the first attack and may have been
the same bird given the rarity of Peregrine
sightings in this area.

31:4 (2011)

Some goose species have been shown to be
able to inflict serious injury to falcons of
similar size to the Peregrine (Hayes 1976). Red-
breasted Geese Branta ruficollis will nest in
protective association with Peregrines (Quinn et
al. 2003). However, there are several records of
predation attempts by both adult and juvenile
Peregrines on various species of geese (George
1979, Stabins 1995). This suggests that, while
geese are occassionally taken, they are not a
common prey of Peregrines.

References

George, R.R. 1979. Snow Goose taken by
Peregrine Falcon. Raptor Research 13: 88-90.

Hayes, G. 1976. So “Tahoe” hath her desires.
Journal of the North American Falconer’s
Association 15: 33-36.

Quinn, J.L., Prop, J., Kokorev, Y. & Black, J.M.
2003. Predator protection or similar habitat
selection in red-breasted goose nesting
associations: extremes along a continuum.
Animal Behaviour 65: 297-307.

Ratcliffe, D. 1993. The Peregrine Falcon (2nd
Edition). T. & A.D. Poyser.

Stabins, H.C. 1995. Peregrine Falcon predation
on an Aleutian Canada Goose. Journal of
Raptor Research 29: 36.

Donald Shields, 6 Towerhill Crescent,
Invernesss IV2 5FZ.

Revised ms accepted July 2011

Sil

Plates 270-71. Herring Gull catching then eating presumed Common Pipistrelle, Garlieston, Dumfries & Galloway,

July 2011. © Maureen Nicol

318

Herring Gull catching and eating live bats

A remarkable piece of video taken by Maureen
Nicol shows a Herring Gull Larus argentatus
standing on the ridge of a tiled roof and very
adeptly catching bats as they leave a roost. This
footage was taken by Maureen whilst visiting
Garlieston, a small coastal village in
Wigtownshire, south-west Scotland. The video
was taken during the last week of July 2011,
and, although edited, shows the gull gulping
down, ‘five bats) =i a few eimmuies
(www.youtube.com/ watch?v= AffGN50YCFY).
I visited the site on 13 August, by which time
the bats had abandoned the roost.

The activity of the Herring Gull was first noted
during the third week of July and it visited
regularly but not daily until around the end of
the first week of August. The last bats were seen
on about 10 August. It appears that only a single
gull had learned the skill of catching bats; on
occasions a second gull was in attendance, but
never seen to attempt to catch a bat.

The bats were roosting below the cement roof
tiles and had not entered the roof space. They
were leaving the roost by a number of holes
below the ridge tile and at a point where the
cement pointing at the gable end of the tiles
was cracked. The size of the roost was not
known, but it was thought to hold hundreds of
bats; this is supported by the frequency of bats
leaving the roost on the video. It was assumed
to be a maternal roost of Common Pipistrelles
Pipistrellus pipistrellus.

On one evening the gull was seen to consume
11 bats in a 15 minutes period. In addition the
house owner regularly had to collect dead and
injured bats from the path below the roost. The
gull quickly grabbed the bats as they exited but
before they could take flight. It then simply
swallowed them whole and alive within a few
seconds. There was no thrashing or beating of
the prey to stun or kill it. Over a three week
period this gull could have consumed in the
region of 50 to 100 bats, which would have had
a significant effect on that particular roost.

The house was an end of row terrace, south-
west facing, over-looking a wooded estate of
grazed pasture, about 500 m from the shore. By
early August, 400 Herring Gulls were roosting
on the shore.

Eleven species of birds have been recorded
consuming bats in the British Isles and it is
estimated that they consume in the order of
200,000 bats a year (Speakman 1991). Cramp
€& Simmons (1982) quote a wide range of food
items both predated and scavenged by Herring
Gulls and mention Herring Gulls recorded in
aerial pursuit of a number of items including
a large bat, possibly a Noctule Nyctalus
noctula, which was killed and partly eaten
(Cleeves 1969).

I thank Stephen Welch for bringing the video to
my attention.

31:4 (2011)

References

Cleeves, T.R. 1969. Herring Gull catching and
eating bat. British Birds 62: 333.

Cramp S. & Simmons K.E.L. (eds) 1982. The
Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume 3.
Oxford University Press.

Speakman J.R. 1991. The impact of predation
by birds on bat populations in the British
Isles. Mammal Review 21: 123-142.

Short Notes
Paul N. Collin, Gairland, Old Edinburgh
Road, Newton Stewart DG8 6PL.

ee ee
Email: pncollin@live.co.uk

Revised ms accepted September 2011

Mute Swan and Canada Goose sharing a nest

Several pairs of Mute Swans Cygnus olor,
Canada Geese Branta canadensis and Greylag
Geese Anser anser nest on the River Esk in
Musselburgh, Lothian. As numbers have
increased, nest sites have been at a premium,
and there is often conflict between geese and
swans. However, there are also cases of
unexpected mutual tolerance. In 2002, three
pairs of Mute Swans nested together on a small
island (Brown €& Brown 2004). In 2011, this
same island saw Mute Swan and Canada Goose
nest side by side, effectively in the same nest.

On 20 April 2011, a female Mute Swan (colour-
ringed LST) was sitting on one swan egg and
one goose egg, with another swan egg by the
water’s edge and a Canada Goose trying to sit
on the same nest. On 23rd, the roles were
reversed with the Canada Goose sitting on the
eggs, and the Mute Swan standing nearby. For
the next four weeks, both birds sat adjacent to
one another, effectively on the same nest, but it
is not known if the eggs were in one clutch or
had become slightly separated. On occasion,
the wing of one bird was over the other, and

sae

Plate 272. Mute Swan and Canada Goose using the
same nest, Musselburgh, May 2011. © LJ. Andrews

31:4 (2011)

after rain, the goose was seen to drink water
from the swan’s back. Unfortunately, after 30
May, incubation became erratic, and eventually
(by 6 June) both pairs deserted.

In 1998, a pair of Greylag Geese at Glendevon
Farm pond, Winchburgh, Lothian, laid eggs,
but these were incubated by a Mute Swan that
then reared the four goslings (Kelly 1999). In
addition, a pair of swans at Dalmahoy Golf
Course, Lothian, raised two goslings in 2004
(Brown & Brown 2006).

References

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 2004. Lothian
Mute Swann Census 2002. Lothian Bird
Report 2002: 122-131.

Brown, A.W. & Brown, L.M. 2006. Lothian
Mute Swann Census 2004. Lothian Bird
Report 2004: 130-138.

Kelly, D.K. (ed.) 1999. Lothian Bird Report
1998. Lothian Branch, SOC.

lan J. Andrews, 39 Clayknowes Drive,
Musselburgh EH21 6UW
E-mail: ijandrews@live.com

Allan Brown, Lothians and Fife Swan Study
Group, commented: “Swans and geese often do
not mix well at the nesting time - Greylags often
nest earlier than the swans and take the best
breeding sites resulting in _ occasional
fights/disputes. Apparently Mutes are even used
as a Canada Goose deterrent in the USA! Sharing
a nest with a Canada Goose, both species laying
eggs in the same nest and both species incubating
(if the clutch is complete) is a new one on me.”

Revised ms accepted August 2011

319

320

Articles, News & Views

ae a4,
bore sale

Plate 273. Greenland White-fronted and Barnacle Geese. © Clive McKay

Oe a

Wildfowl in Scotland - a review

M. OGILVIE

In the third of our 75th anniversary review
series, Malcolm Ogilvie reflects on the
development of wildfowl counting in Scotland
and the changes that have occurred over
recent decades in the numbers of our swans,
geese and ducks.

Seventy-five years ago, in 1936, the British
Section of the International Committee for Bird
Preservation (a direct forerunner of BirdLife
International) set up a special sub-committee to
inquire into the status of wildfowl in the British
Isles. There was considerable concern at the
time over perceived declines in populations of
several species, though this was nearly all based
on anecdotal information, The sub-committee
decided that all available information should be
brought together and published, and in due
course two volumes under the heading
‘International Wildfowl Inquiry’ appeared.
Volume | (published in 1941) was entitled
“Factors Affecting the General Status of Wild
Geese and Wild Duck”. The authors of the

Scottish Birds

various chapters reviewed such matters as
conditions on the breeding grounds, punt-
gunning, ringing and abundance of eelgrass
Zostera, and included such luminaries as Dr A.
Landsborough Thomson, C.T. Dalgety, Major
W.M. Congreve and C.W. Mackworth Praed. The
second volume had already been published by
this time, coming out in 1939 and entitled ‘The
Status and Distribution of Wild Geese and Wild
Duck in Scotland’. It had a sole author, John
Berry (later Director, Scotland, of the Nature
Conservancy), but with the considerable
acknowledged assistance of the Misses E.V.
Baxter and L.J. Rintoul, who undertook the task
of collecting and collating reports from
observers all over Scotland, as well as searching
the literature for published records.

John Berry's book was a masterly review of the
situation at the time, summarising the status of
each species across Scotland as best could be
done using the material to hand. While some of
the accounts are necessarily sketchy, others give

31:4 (2011)

a reasonable full picture of the situation in the
1930s, and it has certainly been possible to use
them as valuable records, at least of distribution
if not numbers, against which to measure more
recent changes.

The Second World War brought a temporary end
to the activities of the Wildfowl Inquiry Sub-
Committee, but in 1947, the members
undertook the task of examining any long-term
trends. The method adopted was to persuade
observers to carry out synchronised monthly
counts at as many wildfowl haunts as possible.
The Wildfowl Count Scheme, as it was called,
was funded, almost from the start, by the Nature
Conservancy (whose Director-General, Max
Nicholson, was an enthusiastic supporter of
amateur bird surveys), enabling the
appointment in 1952 of a full-time organiser,
George Atkinson-Willes. In 1954, the scheme
was taken over from the sub-committee by the
Wildfowl (and Wetlands) Trust, and George
moved to Slimbridge where he stayed until his
retirement in 1987, by which time the Wildfowl
Count Scheme had, together with the BTO’s
Birds of Estuaries Enquiry, become the Wetland
Bird Survey (WeBS) and had grown from
covering a few hundred sites to about 2,000.
The records, originally received on paper forms
and collated by hand, can now be submitted
online and manipulated in a sophisticated
database. And in addition to ground counts of
inland and coastal wetlands, aerial surveys have
revealed what is happening offshore where
substantial numbers of seaducks have been
discovered in a number of areas of shallow sea.

It became apparent quite early on that the
Wildfowl Count Scheme did not cope very
Satisfactorily with geese which, with the
exception of the Brent Goose, and more recently
feral Greylags and Canada Geese, tended to use
wetlands just for roosting and so were absent at
the time most counts took place. Hugh Boyd,
the Wildfowl Trust's first research officer, was
already investigating the status of geese in
Britain when the Wildfowl Count Scheme arrived
at Slimbridge. With their more concentrated
populations, Hugh Boyd was able to institute
annual autumn censuses for several species,
which still continue today and still rely on the
efforts of a great many dedicated amateurs,

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

plus, as more and more important goose roosts
have been given protection, the ever-growing
numbers of reserve wardens. In Scotland, where
the great bulk of the Pinkfoot and Greylag
populations wintered during the 1950s and
1960s, Hugh gained the invaluable help of
enthusiasts such as Valerie Thom (Perthshire)
and Willy Brotherston (Lothians), each of whom
acted as local organisers in their respective
areas. To fill in the gaps in coverage of the
autumn censuses, Hugh spent two-three
weeks around the time of the census date
carrying out counts and assessing annual
breeding success of the geese. | joined him on
these regular trips in 1961 when | became his
assistant, and we were usually accompanied by
various friends who were happy to take part in
the dawn and dusk counts which are the most
efficient times to census the geese. When Hugh
got head-hunted by the Canadian Wildlife
Service in 1967, | took on these and other
goose censuses, and also got involved in
national censuses of swans. The still-continuing
work of Allan and Lyndesay Brown on Mute
Swans enabled me to leave the organisation of
the censuses in Scotland in their capable hands.

Two other geese wintering in Scotland, the
Barnacle Goose and the Greenland White-
fronted Goose, caused more problems when it
came to regular censuses. The Svalbard
population of Barnacle Geese was, and still is,
relatively straightforward as it is just a question
of covering their known feeding areas (and
hopefully discovering previously unknown ones
as the population continues to grow) around

Plate 274. Barnacle Geese. © Malcolm gilvie

ga. .8, Dente
Scottish Birds

372

527

Articles, News & Views

their exclusive wintering area of the Solway Firth.
The Greenland population, on the other hand, is
distributed mainly on about 30—50 islands (the
majority small and uninhabited) between
Orkney in the north and Islay in the south, while
if a complete census is required, the range
continues south through western Ireland from
Donegal to County Kerry, again with the
emphasis on small uninhabited islands. The
answer, pioneered by Hugh Boyd in 1959, was
aerial surveys. Barnacle Geese are compara-
tively easy to see from a light aircraft flying at
around 800 feet (and as slowly as Is safe). The
aircraft causes the geese to fly making them
much more visible than when on the ground
and, with pilots using their skill to keep the flock
in the view of an observer sitting alongside, it is
possible to count flocks of up to 1,000—2,000
with reasonable accuracy, as determined by
comparisons with photographs. The latter can
never be relied on completely — flocks can split
up or do not conveniently fit in the viewfinder.
Fortunately, the largest flocks to be counted
from the air are rarely more than 1,000 and
often only tens or very low hundreds. The major
haunt of Islay has always been far easier to
count on the ground, and the same Is true of
the growing numbers on Tiree and at the few
mainland Irish sites. The one drawback of aerial
surveys is the cost, and so Barnacle censuses
have only ever been carried out at intervals of
about five years. However, with 60-65%
wintering on Islay, regular censuses there, often
a number of times each winter, coupled with
age counts, give a good indication of how the
total population is performing.

The knowledge of Greenland White-fronted
Geese wintering in Britain was accumulated
only slowly, bearing in mind that the subspecies
was only identified as such as recently as 1948.
Hugh Boyd gathered what information he could,
and the various haunts, often only holding very
small numbers, became known during the
1950s. Like the Greenland Barnacle Goose, Islay
held by far the largest numbers in Scotland and
| began to count these as accurately as possible
once or twice a winter from the mid-1960s.
Elsewhere, our knowledge remained patchy
and, in particular, tt was hard to assess what was
happening to overall numbers. Major Robin
Ruttledge was concerned at declines taking

place in the numbers of Greenland Whitefronts
wintering in Ireland, with habitat loss of bogs
and wet places a major consideration. In 1979,
Robin and | published a report on numbers
across the British and Irish range (there is a
small population in western Wales, but none in
England) which showed a dramatic decline in
numbers (much worse in Ireland than in
Scotland) and we made a strong plea for
measures to reverse this. By very happy
coincidence, our “wake-up” call had already
been answered (!), by the founding in 1978 of
the Greenland White-fronted Goose Study by a
group mainly comprised of Aberystwyth
University students who mounted an expedition
to the West Greenland breeding grounds in
summer 1979. From that initial interest
stemmed the Greenland White-fronted Goose
study group, covering the range of the goose
from Greenland to Ireland, which not only
carries out twice-annual censuses across the
wintering range but has published a “Flyway
Plan” to take forward the conservation and
management of this vulnerable population
across its range.

After that description of some of the ways that
wildfowl counting has developed in Scotland in
the last 75 years, with a perhaps not
unsurprising bias towards geese, what has
happened to wildfowl populations over that
same period? It is not possible to compare all
species across the whole period, but, concen-
trating on the commoner ones, | will attempt to
describe what has happened to them over the
last several decades. To do this, | have relied
heavily on ‘Birds of Scotland’ to give me recent
totals, and the excellent references therein for
some of the earlier ones.

Swans

Mute Swans were first censused in Scotland in
1955 when a total of about 4,000 birds, including
c.500 breeding pairs, was reported. Numbers
have grown slowly since, being knocked back in
severe winters, and at the time of the last census,
2003, a total of 5,000-8,000 birds was
found/estimated, including 1,012 breeding pairs.
Coverage was probably better in 2003,
accounting for some of the increase, but other
facts include greater tolerance to the species and
expansion onto waters at higher altitudes. The

31:4 (2011)

- ee

Plate 275. Whooper Swan. © Lang Stewart

Whooper Swan passes through Scotland in
considerable numbers in autumn, with individual
flocks of over 1,000 reported on a number of
occasions. However, national censuses are
carried out in January by which time many of
these have moved on, and numbers in Scotland
since the first census in 1986 have varied from
3,527 that year to 4,142 in 2005, but this was in
the face of an increase in the total Iceland
population of from 16,742 to 26,366.

Geese

Bean Geese are one of the most difficult
species to summarise as this was probably the
commonest grey goose in Scotland in the
nineteenth century, though there are no figures
to look at. It is assumed that then, as now, It was
the Taiga Bean Goose (Anser f. fabalis)
wintering here. Numbers then clearly
underwent a major decline, and by the 1930s,
the main wintering flock was of 400-500 on
the Dee marshes in Dumfries & Galloway. After
the war, this flock gradually declined,
disappearing completely in the 1980s. Other
small flocks, rarely more than 100, appeared in
a few other haunts, but none permanent, until
the establishment of the flock based manly on
the Slammanan Plateau, which currently
numbers around 250-300.

When Hugh Boyd started his annual censuses
of Pink-footed Geese in 1960, the total
population, almost all in Scotland, was under
50,000. The most recent count (November
2009) was 355,000 of which over 200,000
were in Scotland, though there were probably
more than that as the birds arrived in
September—October before moving onward into
England. In contrast, the Iceland Greylag Goose

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

population, which almost entirely winters in
Scotland, was once increasing at about the
same rate as the Pinkfoot, from a total of about
30,000 in 1960 to a peak of about
115,000—120,000 in the mid-1980s, but it then
went into reverse, falling back to under 80,000
by the early 2000s. It has made some recovery
since to a approaching 110,000, accompanied
by a remarkable shift northwards to Orkney
where 80,000 have been counted. However, at
least 10,000 of these are thought to belong to
the resident Scottish Greylag population which
has grown from no more than 1,000 in the early
1980s to at least 30,000 in 2009.

Greenland White-fronted Geese were not
counted accurately across Scotland until 1983,
when there were about 7,500, slightly more than
half of which were on Islay. A steady increase
took them to just over 20,000 in 1999 with
c.14,500 on Islay. Since then, numbers have
fallen back to under 12,000 with no more than
7,000 on Islay. This pattern has been repeated
across the rest of the range (mainly in Ireland),
and the total population is now some 23,000
compared with nearly 35,000 ten years ago.

The Svalbard Barnacle Goose population
wintering on the Solway presents an
astonishing conservation success _ story,
increasing from a few hundred in the 1950s to
the present 34,000. Anecdotally, there were
probably some thousands present on the
Solway before the Second World War, but
disturbance from wartime airfields and
overshooting are thought to be the main
reasons that brought the population down to
its parlous post-war state. The Greenland

Plate 276. Pink-footed Goose. © Lang Stewart

525

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Articles, News & Views

Barnacle Geese have also increased consid-
erably, if not quite as drastically, in the last 50
years, from c.14,000 in the early, of which
c.10,000 were in Scotland and the rest in
Ireland, to 70,500 in spring 2008 (the latest
census) of which just over 58,000 were in
Scotland and the rest in Ireland. In the 1930s,
there were about 4,000 Brent Geese (believed
to be Light-bellied) wintering in the Moray Firth
where they had probably been even more
plentiful in the previous century. Overshooting
and a disease attacking the eelgrass on which
they fed caused the abandonment of the area
by the 1940s. Since then, only very small
numbers (mostly tens) winter, but flocks of
hundreds pass through the Hebrides in
autumn and spring.

Ducks

Shelducks as measured by the WeBS annual
indices seem to have been remarkably stable in
numbers for the last 40 years, perhaps more,
though this masks local increases and declines. It
Is estimated that the Scottish population ts
around 7,000 birds with about 1,750 breeding
pairs. The common dabbling ducks all have
broadly similar wintering populations, Wigeon
(76,000-96,000), Teal (c.37,500 — but with
massive confidence limits of 22,500—125,000)
and Mallard (65,000—90,000). Wigeon numbers
fell during the 1960s and early 1970s, but have
since recovered to old levels. Teal, contrastingly,
have grown steadily and are now about five times
more numerous in winter than they were in the
mid-1960s. Mallard halved in numbers between
1965 to 1975 but have since fluctuated with a
present level of perhaps a further 20% below
that of 1975. Breeding pairs are difficult to
estimate, and changes in them even more so, but
current totals are put at Wigeon (240-400 pairs),
Teal (1,500—2,600 — thought to be on the low
side) and Mallard (17,000—43,000).

Wintering numbers of Pintail (4,000—5,000) are
accurately described as “volatile”, while the tiny
breeding population, principally in Orkney,
hovers around 20—25 pairs. Probably no more
than 400-750 Shoveler winter in Scotland,
though there are regularly 1,100—1,600 in the
country during autumn migration. Breeding
numbers increased from the 1950s to the
1990s, but have declined since then, with a

current population of probably no more than
200-250 pairs.

Changes in local feeding conditions, i.e. at
Musselburgh and Lochs Harray and Stenness in
Orkney, are thought to have been mainly
responsible for the substantial changes seen in
wintering Pochard numbers, accounting for most
of the more than halving in numbers to the
present 4,000—6000. Some 25-50 pairs are
thought to breed and numbers may be slowly
increasing. Wintering numbers of Tufted Duck,
put at 11,000, have been remarkably stable over
the last four decades, but the breeding
population has increased and spread over the
same period, with currently some 2,250—2,700
Pairs, and now perhaps showing some signs of
levelling off. Scaup, more than Pochard, suffered
a massive crash in wintering numbers when the
Edinburgh sewage works were built at Seafield
in the 1970s, dropping from 30,000—40,000 in
the late 1960s to under 100 by the early 1980s.
There was little indication that more than small
numbers of these birds remained in Scotland, or
indeed Britain. The present Scottish population
is between 4,000 and 8,000.

The Eider is second only to Mallard in the
number of breeding pairs (c.20,000), while the
total wintering population is put at 64,500. There
have been many local fluctuations but overall
numbers seem to be relatively stable. Another
seaduck showing apparent stability in wintering
numbers is the Long-tailed Duck, with about
15,000 birds. Their offshore locations are difficult
to survey from land, but recent aerial surveys
have not revealed significant additional numbers.
Common (25,000—30,000 wintering) and
Velvet (2,500-3,500) Scoters are both found in
their largest numbers on the east coast of
Scotland where counting conditions are often
not the easiest. Recent aerial surveys are helping,
but have not, as yet, located substantially more
birds offshore, as has been the case off England
and Wales. Trends in wintering numbers are
difficult to assess, though in the last few years
there appear to have been definite declines in
both species at their haunts in Fife. The breeding
population of Common Scoters in Scotland
seems to be declining, from 95 pairs in 1995 to
85 nine years later, with the near-desertion of an
important haunt on Islay since then.

31:4 (2011)

Plate 277. Eider. © Malcolm Ogilvie

Like the two scoters, the Goldeneye has shown
recent declines in its Fife wintering haunts, which
as yet have not been reported from elsewhere.
Goldeneyes in Scotland declined sharply in the
1970s, with only some of the 4,000 wintering in
the Firth of Forth relocating following the building
of the Edinburgh sewage works. The current
winter population is put at 10,000—12,000
having been reasonably stable for the last three
decades. In contrast, the breeding population,
from its genesis in 1970, now numbers 80-100
pairs, a great testament to the nest-box scheme
instigated by Roy Dennis and now continued by
the Goldeneye Study Group.

Wintering Red-breasted Mergansers have shown
local declines in recent years, including in Fife,
but while their numbers have long been subject
to considerable fluctuations after a period of
rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, there
does seem to have been downward trend
nationally in the last 10-15 years, with the
present population put at c.8,500. Censusing
the breeding population has been fraught with
methodological difficulties and the current
c.2,000 breeding pairs is of doubtful accuracy. It
has proved difficult to count Goosanders, too,
whether in winter or summer. Thus, the
wintering population is given the very wide
range of 2,600—12,200 birds, with the picture
confused by the irregular presence of large
moulting flocks in late summer/autumn.
Breeding numbers and distribution have both
shown a long-term increase, since the 19th

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

century indeed, but in the last three or four
decades the overall situation seems to have
stabilised, with increases in some. areas
balanced by declines in others.

The state of the commoner wildfowl in Scotland
shows a remarkably healthy situation, with
substantial increases in many species in the last
50 or so years, particularly geese, stability in
others, and only a few in decline. There has been
a huge increase in the protection of wildfowl
over this period, especially the creation of
wetland reserves, both inland and on the coast,
coupled with restrictions on shooting and,
importantly for some species, increased
protection on the breeding grounds away trom
Britain. Hazards, perhaps especially the threat of
oil pollution to marine species, but also
freshwater pollution, recreational disturbance
and some persecution of species thought to be
in conflict with, for example, fishing, still exist, but
so far have only rarely had major effects on other
than local populations. This summary is also a
tribute to the far sighted people who set in train
regular counts of wildfowl all those years ago,
and to those who have continued to fund it ever
since. The very many volunteer counters provide
the information which the relatively few profes-
sionals are able to turn into vital statistics
showing just how our bird populations are doing.
The verdict is “mostly fine”, thanks to you alll.

Malcolm Ogilvie
Email: Malcolm @ogilvie.org

526

Articles, News & Views

NEWS AND NOTICES

New SOC members

We welcome the following new members to the
Club: Ayrshire: Mr A. Macintosh, Mr A.J.
Winnington, Borders: Mr R.M. Greenshields,
Clyde: Mr P. Chand, Mrs G. Emmanuel, Dumfries:
Mr R. Clarkson, Miss E. Petrie, Fife: Mr R.
Campbell, Mrs J. Richard, Highland: Mr J.
Hammond, MrJ. Poyner, Mr P. Stronach, Lothian:
Mr G. Boyle, Ms J. Cleaver, Mr M. Duck, Mr & Mrs
D. Ferguson, Ms R. Hunter, Mr & Mrs K. Kneller, Ms
H. Macaulay, Mr D.F. Mackenzie, Ms M. Malcolm,
Mr R. Wells, West Galloway: Mr S. Flower.

200 Club

The latest prize winners are: August: 1st £30
K. McGregor, 2nd £20 Mrs PM.Millar, 3rd £10
Mrs E.Smith. September: Ist £30 Mr & Mrs
Bielby, 2nd £20 Dr L.H.Campbell, 3rd £10 Neil
Hudson. October: 1st £30 Mrs E.Trevathen,
2nd £20 Mrs A. McVie, 3rd £10 Duncan Watt.

New members are always welcome. They must
be over 18 and SOC members. Please contact:
Daphne Peirse-Duncombe, Rosebank,
Gattonside, Melrose TD6 9NH.

SOC Annual Report 2010/11

We regret that a batch of the annual reports
printed by sponsor company XOS were faulty
(e.g. pages out of sync or missing). A correct
version of the report is available on the SOC
website on the Members’ Page. If you prefer to
receive a replacement copy by post, please
Comliace Wns Oniles On O75 S71SSO0. Wie
apologise for any inconvenience caused if you
have received one of the bad copies.

Honorary Presidents

As part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations,
Council considered the position of Honorary
President of the SOC; a position which had
remained vacant since the death of Donald
Watson in 2005. At the AGM, members elected
three new Honorary Presidents, in recognition
of their services to Scottish ornithology:

Roy Dennis — for his life-long conservation of
Ospreys in Scotland, his work on the Red Kite
and White-tailed Eagle projects and wider work

on raptors; his work as Chairman of the Fair Isle
Bird Observatory Trust and development of the
Scottish Bird Report during the 1970s.

Frank Hamilton — who as RSPB Director
Scotland for 15 years was instrumental in
development of many of Scotland’s most
important reserves and for significantly
furthering the conservation of birds.

Keith Macgregor — who has led ‘birding for
beginners’ courses in the Lothians for half a
century, greatly increasing local understanding of
birds and for unstinting work as a volunteer for
the SOC during this time.

Having more than one Honorary President is not
Unique in the Club's history, indeed the ‘good
ladies’ Evelyn Baxter and Leonora Rintoul were
the first Honorary Presidents in 1948, along with
the Rev. John M McWilliam. Donald Watson was
appointed Honorary President in 1986 along
with Valerie Thom.

Honorary Members

Following the election of the Honorary Presidents,
four new Honorary Members were appointed by
Council; each has made an invaluable contri-
bution to ornithology in Scotland.

lan Andrews — for his leadership in recording
and publishing about Scotland's birds.

lain Gibson — for his service as the Clyde area
recorder for over 35 years, the longest standing
local recorder in Scotland.

Professor Mike Harris — for his outstanding
leadership in seabird studies.

Ron Summers — for his research contribution to
Scottish ornithology across a wide range of
species including in particular waders and
pinewood specialists.

31:4 (2011)

Scottish Birdwatchers’ Conference 2012
(a joint Argyll Bird Club, BTO, SOC meeting)
Saturday 17 March 2012, Corran Halls, Oban

A date for your diary...
The Scottish Birdfair 19-20 May 2012, Hopetoun
House, West Lothian. www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk

Club Officials

At the AGM in October, David Jardine handed
over the post of President to Ken Shaw and
Chris Mclnerny became Vice President. On
Council, Jeremy Wilson retired by rotation and
lan Thomson was elected as his replacement.

Waterston House Events

Exhibitions:

fOommmivne to Coast by Darren
Woodhead, showing until 25 January 2012.
Deepddes O55—55/.

The Environment by Group XII Textile Artists, 28
January to 22 February: Africa In Sight by Carol
Barrett, 25 February to 4 April: Paul Bartlett, 7
April to 30 May

Optics Demo Day: Sunday 13 May 2012,
10 am—4 pm Viking Optical Ltd.

Branch Updates
Clyde Chairman: Darren O'Brien (e-mail: darrenian
obrien@gmail.com, telephone 07540 379516)

Kids’ Corner at Waterston House

Our ‘Kids’ Corner’ in the library is proving very
popular so far with visiting little people to HQ!
We've been thinking of having such an area of
the library for younger visitors for a while and

Plate 278. Jo-Jo and Freddie. © Marta Franco

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

thanks to Karen Bidgood's initiative, it's finally up
and running — Karen purchased a beanbag and
a special colourful box with junior books and
quizzes (a work in progress that we shall
continue to add to) from 200 Club funds. One
of our new volunteers, Marta Franco, took this
photo of a couple of young lads from Aberlady
enjoying the new facilities.

SBRC - seeking a new member for the
committee

SBRC is seeking a new member for the
committee to replace Alan Brown, the current
Chairman, who retires later this year. To
maintain geographical representation across
Scotland SBRC would prefer a candidate from
the south-east of the country. Any potential
candidates should send their name to the
Secretary (Chris.McInerny@glasgow.ac.uk). If
more than one name is put forward, a ballot
will be instigated with Local Recorders having
one vote each.

Chris McInerny, on behalf of SBRC

1)

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Plate 279. Dave Allan and Chris Packham, Waterston
House, 24 September 2011. © Dave Allan

75th Anniversary Lecture — ‘A Wild Life
Exposed’ with Chris Packham

On 24 September 2011, an audience of over
500 gathered in the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh to
hear Chris Packham, the BBC TV Spring- and
Autumnwatch presenter, give his lecture ‘A Wild
Life Exposed’ to celebrate the Club's 75th
Anniversary. Following a short introduction by
Club President David Jardine, lan Darling, a
former President of the SOC and now the
Chairman of RSPB Council, gave a short history
of the development of the SOC before
introducing Chris.

327

528

Articles, News & Views

a e/t
Plate 280. Chris Packham in “full flow during the 75th Anniversary lecture. €

Chris’ two-part lecture lasted over two hours and
the audience of members, friends and
members of the public were entertained by a
series of his stunning images which took them
all over the world. From winter shots of tigers
and foxes, where he discussed the importance
of conserving large scale habitats and working
with man, rather than just trying to conserve
species, to beautiful slow-shutter artistic shots of
dragonflies and damselflies, the evening was
spent in the company of a real professional.

He took us behind the scenes of his attempts to
create his perfect image of a Great Spotted
Woodpecker in a stand of white Silver Birches
against a red background. It was the near-perfect
image; for perfection he just needed to counter-
weight the cut logs, which he had baited with
peanuts and fat to attract the bird, to prevent
them moving from the vertical when the bird
landed in his photographer's ‘rig’.

Chris’ photography covered a wide range of
natural history, including some wonderful shots
of plants and elephants at a waterhole, but the
best bird shots were from Gambia where he
delighted the audience with some beautiful
images of Black-winged Stilts against an orange
background (the reflection of a truck coming to
the sewage works!) and some exquisite shots of
Egyptian Plovers.

© The Queen’s Hall

Earlier, Chris Packham had visited Waterston
House, where he was presented with one of
the few remaining copies of The Birds of
Scotland and enjoyed viewing Keith Brockie’s
exhibition. While there he met with SOC staff
and the public.

The prize winners of the free draw held on the
evening were: Leo du Feu, SOC Lothian (signed
Chris Packham book Back Garden Nature
Reserve); Andrew Sandeman, SOC Lothian
(signed Chris Packham Elephant photograph);
Sue Goode, SOC Lothian (Scottish Birds field
guide) and Andy Stewart, Cumbernauld (one-
year SOC membership).

| ChrisGPackham Chris ==
Leamed a lot about the regions bird life and hope talk was okay -
thanks to all those who came to the Queens Theatre .

Mee ChrisGPackham Chis Pac
: But not as tempting as the pap new Birds of Scotland which they
have produced - top class and testament to years of superb field
work

me = ChrisGPackham Chris Packham
Complete with amazing Tae gallery and views . Secondhand
books very tempting too

mg ChrisGPackham chris Pac
On Sat went to Edinburgh and a q@eaiy enjoyed the hospitality of the
Scottish Omithologists Club _ Fab new centre at Aberlady Bay -

Figure 1. Download of Chris Packham’s tweet about
the lecture. The SOC bursts into the social media!

31:4 (2011)

The lecture allowed the SOC to make a big
splash as it broke into the social media field
when Chris Packham ‘ tweeted’ about his lecture
to all his followers ... there’s over 20,000 of
them, effecting a super endorsement of the
Club. Watch out all you tweeters for more
developments on this front shortly!

Thanks for a wonderful celebration Chris!
David Jardine

Raptor Reports Update

In the next few months, production of the
Scottish Raptor Monitoring Reports will be
brought up to date. At present, the 2008 report
can be viewed and downloaded as a pdf on the
Scottish Raptor Study Group's website
www.scottishraptorgroups.org. It is hoped that
the 2009 report will be available on the website
from the end of November 2011 and the 2010
report is due to be completed by spring 2012.

New Membership Development Officer
for the SOC

Jane Cleaver has been appointed as the SOC's
new Membership Development Officer (MDO).
Despite not starting work officially until 10
October, she rolled up her sleeves and helped
at the 75th Anniversary lecture in the Queens
Hall in late September, where she successfully
recruited three new members.

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

Jane is originally from Lenzie, near Glasgow and
following a BSc (Hons) in Zoology at Glasgow
University, she worked as the RSPB Black
Grouse Information Officer at Crieff, before
becoming the Visitor & Publicity Officer at Vane
Farm. She has also volunteered for SWT, the
Nature Conservancy Council New South Wales,
SOS Tobago and with the RSPB at Kelvingrove
Museum, Glasgow. She brings a lot of useful
experience, enthusiasm and contacts to this
new post in the SOC. Her contract is for 18
months, with an option to extend.

Council recognised the need for an MDO who
would work to increase membership (including
younger members) and to raise the profile of the
SOC. This would be done through direct
membership recruitment by the MDO,
strengthening the branch network and developing
new models which will support the membership
of the Club (e.g. developing the website). A key
purpose will be to generate a culture of
membership recruitment within the SOC.

Jane will be involved in:
M developing and running a series of
recruitment events
HM training of SOC branches/members/staff in
recruitment and membership retention
M preparing and issuing press releases which
help to raise the profile of the SOC
assisting in the review and updating of the
SOC website to improve the Club's digital
profile (e.g. on social networking sites)
establishing a ‘teaching about birds’
programme (in conjunction with partner
organisations) through SOC branches
ensuring that materials for the ‘teaching
about birds’ programme are available for use
by branches

The SOC is dependent on developing more
members who can continue to record, monitor
and enjoy Scotland's birds in the medium- to
long-term. Please help Jane as she works to
help the Club achieve this.

Jane’s email address is jane.cleaver@the-
SOc.org.Uuk
David Jardine

Plate 281. Jane Cleaver. © Ruth Carruthers

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Articles, News & Views

Ken Shaw /@

Plate 282. Ken Shaw. © Kathy Shaw

Following the October AGM, our new President
is Ken Shaw, who Is well known to many in
Scotland and further afield. Here we welcome
Ken, and ask him to tell us a little about himself
and his vision of the future for the SOC.

How did you get into birdwatching?

| was born in 1952 in Glasgow, and like many of
my generation, my interest in birds began through
egg collecting. | studied at Paisley, starting in the
late 1960s, and here my interest grew and | took
part in several projects on waders on the Clyde.
Through the 1970s, as a hobby | spent much of
my time in the Scottish uplands, and this is still
where my heart really lies!

You've worked in several ornithological jobs
through your career. Tell us about those.

My first contract was with the RSPB in 1979,
working on Golden Eagles in the Lake District.
After a brief spell in Edinburgh as Development
Officer, | returned to the north of England as RSPB
Assistant Regional Officer and became involved
in many species protection schemes there. Later,
| came back to Scotland as Area Officer for
Grampian and Tayside and this gave me the
chance to work with many of my favourite
species. | then became Regional Manager for East
Scotland. The last 11 years of my time with RSPB
was as Site Manager at Vane Farm, doing
important work increasing numbers of lowland
breeding waders. I've been a freelance ecologist
since 2006, and involved with several EU projects
particularly in central Europe, together with

guiding in Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
I'm also a professional bird surveyor and trainer.

What are your main bird interests?

| think of myself as an all-round birdwatcher who
has worked on many species. For example, my
recent publications have been on species as
varied as White-billed Diver Whinchat and
Madeiran Petrel! Fieldwork for the BIO/SOC Atlas
has been a big part of my last five years and |
really enjoy local atlas work. But, | also really enjoy
pioneering rarity finding work on islands, especially
Foula. | am a great supporter of the bird observa-
tories and have spent much time on the Isle of
May, North Ronaldsay and on Fair Isle, where |
have been a director of the bird observatory Trust.
| have been a county recorder and also served on
the British Birds Rarities Committee, Scottish Birds
Records Committee and the British Ornithologists’
Union Records Committee.

And the SOC? What do you think are the
issues you have to get to grips with?

I've been a member of SOC most of my adult life
- | first went to a meeting in Glasgow in the early
1970s, and I've been a member of both the
Edinburgh and Grampian branches over the
years. This is my second time on Council, and it's
great to be back on Council now we are in a
better financial position! | would like to say a huge
thank you to the last five or six presidents who
have seen us through many storms to calmer
waters. But, we must build on this, and there are
lots of challenges. The main priority is to increase
membership and perhaps most pressing of all,
continue David Jardine’s important work of
encouraging young members. To this end, we
have recently employed Jane Cleaver as a
membership development officer.

As | get older the tradition of Scottish ornithology
has become very important to me. As Scotland's
bird club, the SOC must be a serious player but
it must also be enjoyable to be a member! There
is much to be proud of over last few years — for
example, The Birds of Scotland and Scottish
Birds, but we do have to keep looking forward.
There is a real opportunity for the SOC to be a
little higher profile and confident enough to be
an equal partner in some interesting up and
coming projects. | intend to play my part in
making that happen.

31:4 (2011)

SOC Annual
Conference - the
75th anniversary

Plate 283. The hotel © The owners

The special location for our 75th Anniversary
conference in October 2011 was Carnoustie
Golf Hotel & Spa, Angus. The sea breezes over
the famous links and some lovely sunshine
ushered the 180+ delegates into this grand
hotel's spacious accommodation and very well-
appointed conference room on the Friday
evening. After aq warm welcome from President
David Jardine, the first lecture commenced.

Bird Migration - lan Newton

lan Newton opened the conference with the
keynote lecture on bird migration, 40 years
almost to the day since he gave his first presen-
tation to the SOC. He approached this huge
subject by posing, then answering the question
as to why birds migrate south for the winter and,
less obviously, why they come back in spring.
The basics and mechanics of bird migration were
explained in lan’s usual clear and concise way.
He expanded on the theme that birds exploit the
benefit of moving to improve both winter survival
and then returning to gain a breeding advantage.
Food supply was central to everything.

The story line was illustrated throughout with
some fascinating insights into the research work
carried out as our knowledge of the subject
improved. Peter Berthold’s ground-breaking
work with caged Blackcaps showing migratory
restlessness was a good example as he shed
light on the variation in migratory directions
taken by these birds. The physical aspect of
migration was graphically shown by examples of

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

rapid build-up of fat before migration, with
different strategies adopted by species such as
Sedge Warbler and Brent Geese.

We were introduced to the world of obligate and
facultative migration, namely compulsory or
optional movements and irruptive behaviour.
Work on the latter has revealed some astonishing
journeys - a Redpoll moving between Belgium
and China, a distance of more than 8,000 km.

lan also traced the improvements in study
methods from the early ringing programmes. He
highlighted the work of pioneers like David Lack
and his interpretation of birds on radar schemes,
his angels on radar screens, and his ‘sacrifice’ in
volunteering for work on Orkney. Enormous
advances in technology in recent times have
revolutionised the study of migration, and Roy
Dennis's work tracking Ospreys, Honey-buzzards
and Golden Eagles with online viewing of birds’
progress Is now part of our ornithological culture.
Amazing journeys are being revealed such as the
female Bar-tailed Godwit which made the longest
recorded non-stop flight, from Alaska to New
Zealand, an incredible 224 hours of direct flying.

Geolocaters and satellite tags are now able to
dramatically extend our knowledge and can
throw up surprises like a tagged Gyr Falcon
spending a winter at sea between Greenland
and Iceland, hunting seabirds and auks from
drifting icebergs.

Plate 284. Jan Newton signing copies of his books.
© Jimmy Maxwell

338) ]

552

Articles, News & Views

Anyone not initially switched on to the sheer
complexity and mysteries of migration, certainly
was by the end of the lecture. lan gave us a
wonderful start to the weekend with his usual
very high standard of presentation and as a
follow up, his Collins New Naturalist book Bird
Migration is a must.

Gordon Riddle

There now followed a special drinks reception
(kindly sponsored by Swarovski), where David
toasted the SOC in its 75th year and the
audience sipped their champagne and _ soft
drinks as Keith Macgregor cut the magnificent
SOC birthday cake. A very fitting and enjoyable
start to the weekend.

¢ a

-_

Plate 287. Talk at the mill © Jimmy Maxwell

- e

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Plate 288. Bruce Lynch and friends ringing. © Jimmy
Maxwell

Saturday saw a choice of activities for delegates.
Firstly a bird ringing demonstration at the NTS's
Barry Mill, where Bruce Lynch and friends caught
and ringed a large variety of the local birds and
explained all the subtle feather signs of moult,
ageing etc and demonstrated many technical
details in the ringing process. Another choice was
to be shown round the actual Water Mill, hearing
the fascinating story of milling through the ages
and see the mill in action. This was a beautiful
woodland location with Dippers constantly calling
as they flew past down the stream. A third choice
was to drive down to Arbroath to view the two
Dusky Warblers there - rare little gems that teased
the visitors with tantalising views along a gully of
dense willows and scrub.

After a buffet lunch, the main lectures of the day

on the theme “Celebrating the Achievements of
the SOC” got underway.

31:4 (2011)

A Changing Scene - Local Recorders’
Network and the SBRC - Chris Mcinerny
Chris took us through past and present Scottish
recording schemes, emphasising that bird
recording is a core activity of the SOC that allows
birders to contribute towards conservation. Local
recording within the regions complements that
from surveys, and the recent great strides in online
recording, through a partnership with the BTO and
others in BirdTrack, allow searches and analyses
that potentially greatly ease the load of Local
Recorders in producing bird reports. These are now
annual in most SOC areas, which follow on from
the original faunal areas that preceded the
formation of the Local Recording network since the
1950s. Until 2001, records were initially drawn
together to produce Scottish Bird Reports, since
when progress in digitising has allowed the SOC to
begin the development of a searchable online
database. A built-in delay will prevent these data
from overtaking the publication of local bird reports.

Plate 289. Chris Waltho chats to Chris Mclnerny.
© Jimmy Maxwell

Chris also described how records of scarce and
rare species are validated. The rarest species in
Scotland are validated by the British Birds
Rarities Committee (BBRC), while lesser rarities
are delegated to the Scottish Birds Rarities
Committee (SBRC) comprising seven experts
drawn from different Scottish regions. Below this
comes a third level, at which local committees
validate species that are unusual in their areas.
Using Scottish Birds as a medium, the SBRC
publishes an annual report dealing with records
post-dating the publication of The Birds of
Scotland. \t also produces articles on important
identification problems and reviews past records
where necessary. The future of recording in
Scotland will increasingly use online systems in
which Local Recorders will be crucial.

Norman Elkins

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

Scottish Local Bird Atlases - a NE success
story - lan Francis and Martin Cook
This atlas is superbly designed, printed, illustrated
and written and Is a fine addition to the suite of
Scottish (and British) local atlases produced over
the last 20 years. Those of us engaged in local
atlases concurrent with the UK and _ Ireland
national bird atlas wuill find so much in this atlas to
inspire US as we move towards completion. The
survey for the ‘new NE Atlas’ covered five
breeding seasons 2002-06 and this period was
chosen because It would be 20 years after the
previous survey (of Aberdeenshire) for The Birds
of North-East Scotland Atlas (1990). The new
atlas covers Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and
Moray, an area of close on 9,000 km2 with 2,340
tetrads and may be the largest tetrad atlas ever
undertaken. Breeding species number 153, with
16 gains and 6 losses from the previous atlas.
Gains include Gannet, Kingfisher and Red Kite;
losses include Greenshank and Wryneck.
Increasing species include Buzzard and Tree
Sparrow; decreasing species include Lapwing and
Capercaillie. Introductory chapters cover
methodology and a detailed description of bird
habitats, fully illustrated. Following the species
accounts, analytical chapters cover distribution
patterns, species richness, changes in_ bird
populations and current problems of conser-
vation. The atlas is a fine tribute to the 348
people who participated in the work. With copies
of this latest tetrad atlas available at the
conference, lan (joint editor with Martin Cook)
had no difficulty giving us an effective sales pitch!
Graham Pyatt

Plate 290. /an Francis with Martin Cook. © Jimmy
Maxwell

533

534

Articles, News & Views

The way we were - a blether with Frank
Hamilton and Keith Macgregor

Computer and projector switched off, two
armchairs lifted onto the stage - enter two
gentlemen, discreetly wired for sound, each
with a glass well-charged to refresh. Keith
Macgregor and Frank Hamilton, elder
statesmen of our club, had been invited to
reminisce together about times past.

Within moments, we were transported back to
when they first met in 1943! Travelling with
them by bicycle and bus to the birdwatching
sites of their wartime boyhood, most notably
Aberlady Bay, and the sight of terns, waders,
Shelduck and geese. Undaunted by the
shooters and nudists, they counted and
recorded the avifauna. What began then was a
lifelong passion. Keith took Frank to the SOC in
Edinburgh. Crucially, although the club was less
than ten years old, it functioned on many levels
- scientific, artistic and adventurous. Older
members willingly mentored the boy
apprentices to be ready for the return of George
Waterston and the post-war expansion of avian
research. By 1949, the pair were on the Isle of
May, trapping, nesting, ringing and recording.

Our animated raconteurs moved us on to a
1950s trip to South Uist, by now in a Morris 8
motor car, being craned onto the boat!

Frese,

Plate 291. Keith Macgregor with Frank Hamilton. ©
Jimmy Maxwell

Chance meetings with James Fisher, Roger
Tory Peterson and Jack Longlands; finding a
Wilson's Phalarope at Rosyth in 1954: tales of
SOC Conferences and dead or alive Yellow-
billed Cuckoo...

All too soon, the 30 minutes had run its course,
with one glass empty, the other half-full and an
audience wanting more!

The Way We Were? At 75 years old, we should
look back, SOC, and learn.
Duncan Watt

Tea and coffee now and a chance to look
round the various stalls. SOC Bookstall & Shop,
Subbuteo Books, Second Nature, Viking
Optical Ltd., along with displays by Angus &
Dundee Bird Club, BTO, RSPB, SWT and the
photographer Eric McCabe. The afternoon's
lectures continued.

Seeing ourselves as others see us

- Andy Douse

As the Ornithological Policy and Advice Manager
for SNH, Andy Douse was in an ideal position to
give us an outsiders view of the SOC and point
out some of our strengths and weaknesses,
guided by the opinions (sometimes colourful) of
some of his colleagues. A general view that
emerged was of the need for the SOC to maintain
its identity, distinct from the RSPB and BIO,
despite a recent tendency for the distinction from
the latter to become somewhat blurred. The SOC’s
network of local recorders and annual bird reports,
collecting data from so many amateur birders,
means that we hold a very valuable source of
information on Scotland's birds, but one that in the
past has not been used as much as it should have
been because it was not accessible through the
National Biodiversity Network. With cuts in funding
for SNH and other government-sponsored bodies
coming, the role of the SOC in providing data from
amateur birders could and should be developed.
There is a potential to deliver a huge amount of
information, perhaps as a web-based “one stop
shop” for local ornithological data.

The role of the Club in the Building Bird
Monitoring in Scotland and Integrating Bird
Recording in Scotland projects are good
examples of the new role we should pursue.

31:4 (2011)

Plate 292. Andy Douse. © Jimmy Maxwell

However, when questioned about the SOC,
none of Andy’s colleagues mentioned Scottish
Birds or BS3, despite the fact that they regularly
use these publications. The public profile of the
SOC could be raised.

Finally, Andy suggested that in future the SOC
should get more involved in public debate on
environmental and conservation issues. In light
of this, it was gratifying that after the talk, David
Jardine was able to announce that, after an
absence of many years, the SOC has now re-
joined Scottish Environment LINK. Andy Douse’s
talk provided much food for thought for
members, and particularly Council, in plotting
our course for the next few years.

Roger Hissett

Plate 293. Stuart Rivers. © Jimmy Maxwell

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

The Adventures of the Barra Boys
- Stuart Rivers
In a talk appropriately entitled “Adventures” of
the Barra Boys, Stuart Rivers delivered an
entertaining and lengthy account of recording
vagrants on the island. Although this could not
be considered a piece of heavy scientific
research, it did without doubt demonstrate that
there is a considerable passage southwards over
our western seaboard as well as the east coast
and over mainland Britain. The bird-finding forays
of this dedicated band of enthusiasts were limited
often by long periods of rainy weather, but the
strategy of routinely checking all the areas of
cover on the island, mainly in gardens, seemed to
be paying off. They found the Barra residents very
friendly and welcoming and not at all annoyed at
the garden searches. Sea and shore watching too
were fitted in to the daily schedule. The list of
species recorded was lengthy and unexpectedly
included many transatlantic storm-blown
vagrants which do not have much significance in
relation to the west coast migration route.
However, | leave the reader to ponder if a Red-
eyed Vireo on Barra would exhibit the same
enthusiasm as our speaker.

Campbell McLellan

There now followed the SOC 75th AGM

David Jardine began by sharing with the
audience the very sad news that well-known
SOC member Ken Halliday had passed away
just two days before the conference.

After last year's Minutes were adopted, he
moved on to significant changes at SOC - details
covered the digitisation of Scottish Birds, grateful
acknowledgement of legacies, the success of
the Chris Packham lecture, the Club’s role at
next year’s Scottish Birdfair and the welcome
increased involvement of students with SOC.

His President's Annual Report emphasised the
current strength of our financial position and
welcomed all the new additions to the SOC
website with the database etc. The appointment
of Jane Cleaver as our Membership Development
Officer was a sure sign of rejuvenation within the
Club. David thanked all the committees for their
work, Council and all the hard-working staff at
Waterston House.

Scottish Birds

535

Plate 294. 75th Anniversary conference group photo, Carnoustie, 29 October 2011 © Angus Boyd (www.anguspho

tography.com). To purchase a copy of this photograph (or a choice of 18 others) just go to www.angusphotography.com
_ and select Online Albums, then Events and look for SOC; pictures can be purchased online or alternatively contact Angus

vA Photography, 1A High Street, Carnoustie DD7 6AN Tel: 01241 859255. At short notice, the following delegates have

been identified. We apologise if some names are missing or are incorrect; we will publish an update in the next issue.

OANDARKNN =

Keith Brockie
Mike Martin
Eleanor Martin
lan Darling
David Clugston
Frank Hamilton
Des Thompson
Brian Etheridge
Stuart Benn
Chris Rollie
Wendy Mattingley
Anne Cotton
Paul Speak
Neville Crowther
Ray Murray
Malcolm Porteous
Eric McCabe
Eilidh McNab
Duncan Watt
Danny Oliver
Janet Jardine
Angus Hogg
Jimmy Maxwell
Paddy Grant

Heather Woodbridge

Ap
28
29
30
SS]

lvan Draper
George Thomas
Barbara Helm
Malcolm Ogilvie
Dawn Thompson
Brian Boag
Arthur Bastable
lan Thomson
Gordon Riddle
Graham Cooper
Joan Wilcox
Sue Crowther
Graham Pyatt
Lesley McCabe
Sarah McBride
Bob McGowan
Mike Beard
Chris Mcinerny
Anne Reid

Dick Vernon
Martin Cook
Morag Maxwell
Susan Sidaway
Jenny Cook
Ron Forrester

Ken Shaw

Roger Hissett

Kathy Shaw

Lyn Duncan

Alan Fox

Alan Drever

Roger Gooch

David Palmar

Anne Davidson
Alan Sidaway

Carol Ogilvie
Rosemary Boag
Torquil Johnson-Ferguson
Ron Downing
Margaret Johnson-Ferguson
Keith Macgregor
Bobby Smith

Karen Miller

Peter Rathbone
Wendy Hicks
Norman Elkins
Gillian Herbert
Rosemary Davidson
Alison Creamer
Chris Wernham

31:4 (2011)

79 Paul Taylor

80 Jean Kinnear

81 Ros Pyatt

82 Arthur Kinnear

83 Haling Newton

84 lan Newton

85 Jeremy Greenwood
86 Alan Duff

87 Bill Torrance

88 Stephen Hunter
89 Mark Holling

90 Andy Douse

91 Duncan Davidson
92 Liz Barclay

93 Dorothy Macgregor
94 David Jenkins

95 Kevin Woodbridge
96 Chris Waltho

97 Derek McGinn

98 Campbell McLellan
99 Janet Palmer

100 Robert Greenwood
101 Alan Knox

102 Rosie Riddle

103 Jane Cleaver

104 Kathryn Cox

31:4 (2011)

105 Ina Clark

106 John Clark

107 Jean Stewart
108 Lesley Creamer
109 Frances Elliot
110 Gordon Elliot
111 Peter Holt

112. Carol James
113, Tom Lawson
114 Eleanora Forrester
115 Tom Gray

116 Noreen Stabler
117 Biddy Gray

118 Margaret Jenkins
120 Edna Haydock
121 Margaret Mylne
122 Jean Burton
123 David Jardine
124 lan Hopkins
125 Cherle Smith
126 Anna White
127 Joan Howie
128 Sue Goode

129 lan Francis

130. Mike Thornton
131 Bob McCurley

132
135
134
[B5)
136
IY,
138
139
140
14]

142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
15]

[535
154
155
156

Jean Torrance
Phil Dean

Janet Crummy
Jon Cook
Barbara Cartwright
Muriel Draper
Rosalind Garton
Brian Pirie
Alistair Duncan
Gavin Woodbridge
Alison Duncan
Harriet Trevelyan
Angela Hissett
Heddy Merrie
David Merrie
Robert Mitchell
Ruth Mitchell
Doreen Main
Joan Cooper
Prerrette Young
Jean Southall
Geoff Sheppard
Stuart Craig
Gavin Boyle

557

7

Plate 294. 75th Anniversary conference group photo, Carnoustie, 29 October 2011 © Angus Boyd (www.anguspho
tography.com). To purchase a copy of this photograph (or a choice of 18 others) just go to www.angusphotography.com
and select Online Albums, then Events and look for SOC; pictures can be purchased online or alternatively contact Angus

336

Keith Brockie

Mike Martin
Eleanor Martin
lan Darling
David Clugston
Frank Hamilton
Des Thompson
Brian Etheridge
Stuart Benn

Chris Rollie
Wendy Mattingley
Anne Cotton

Paul Speak
Neville Crowther
Ray Murray
Malcolm Porteous
Eric McCabe
Eilidh MeNab
Duncan Watt
Danny Oliver
Janet Jardine
Anqus Hogq
Jimmy Maxwell
Paddy Grant
Heather Woodbridge

Scottish Birds

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3]
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40
4l
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5]

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Ivan Draper
George Thomas
Barbara Helm
Malcolm Ogilvie
Dawn Thompson
Brian Boag
Arthur Bastable
lan Thomson
Gordon Riddle
Graham Cooper
Joan Wilcox
Sue Crowther
Graham Pyatt
Lesley McCabe
Sarah McBride
Bob McGowan
Mike Beard
Chris Mcinerny
Anne Reid

Dick Vernon
Martin Cook
Morag Maxwell
Susan Sidaway
Jenny Cook

Ron Forrester

y Photography, 1A High Street, Carnoustie DD7 GAN Tel: 01241 859255. At short notice, the following delegates have
been identified. We apologise if some names are missing or are incorrect; we will publish an update in the next issue.

54
55
56
57
58

Ken Shaw

Roger Hissett

Kathy Shaw

Lyn Duncan

Alan Fox

Alan Drever

Roger Gooch

David Palmar

Anne Davidson
Alan Sidaway

Carol Ogilvie
Rosemary Boag
Torquil Johnson-Ferguson
Ron Downing
Margaret Johnson-Ferguson
Keith Macgregor
Bobby Smith

Karen Miller

Peter Rathbone
Wendy Hicks
Norman Elkins
Gillian Herbert
Rosemary Davidson
Alison Creamer
Chris Wernham

31:4 (2011)

99

Paul Taylor

Jean Kinnear

Ros Pyatt

Arthur Kinnear
Halina Newton
lan Newton
Jeremy Greenwood
Alan Duff

Bill Torrance
Stephen Hunter
Mark Holling

Andy Douse
Duncan Davidson
Liz Barclay
Dorothy Macgregor
David Jenkins
Kevin Woodbridge
Chris Waltho
Derek McGinn
Campbell McLellan
Janet Palmer

100 Robert Greenwood

101
102
103
104

Alan Knox
Rosie Riddle
Jane Cleaver
Kathryn Cox

31:4 (2011)

105 Ina Clark

106 John Clark

107 Jean Stewart
108 Lesley Creamer
109 Frances Elliot
110 Gordon Elliot
111 Peter Holt

112 Carol James
113, Tom Lawson
114. Eleanora Forrester
115 Tom Gray

116 Noreen Stabler
117 Biddy Gray

118 Margaret Jenkins
120. Edna Haydock
12] Margaret Mylne
122 Jean Burton
123 David Jardine
124 lan Hopkins
125 Cherle Smith
126 Anna White
127 Joan Howie
128 Sue Goode

129 lan Francis

130 Mike Thornton
131 Bob McCurley

132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141

142
143
144
145
146
147
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Jean Torrance
Phil Dean

Janet Crummy
Jon Cook
Barbara Cartwright
Muriel Draper
Rosalind Garton
Brian Pirie
Alistair Duncan
Gavin Woodbridge
Alison Duncan
Harriet Trevelyan
Angela Hissett
Heddy Merrie
David Merrie
Robert Mitchell
Ruth Mitchell
Doreen Main
Joan Cooper
Pierrette Young
Jean Southall
Geoff Sheppard
Stuart Craig
Gavin Boyle

Scottish Birds | 337

538

Articles, News & Views

Alan Fox then talked the audience briefly
through the Accounts, thanking Jean Torrance for
her help and the auditor for his advice. The last
financial year was the best for a long time,
mainly due to large legacies, sales at Waterston
House involving Dave Allan's art initiatives and
the fact that Birds of Scotland is now sold out.
SOC has given grants to The Breeding Birds of
North-East Scotland atlas production and also
towards the Isle of May work at the Lower Light.
(For this lan Darling later thanked SOC and all
the individual contributors). Solar panels had
been installed at Waterston House showing an
annual income of £2,500. Alan also mentioned
another very recent legacy of around £100,000
from Jan Donnan from Dumfries & Galloway.

There now followed the first election of
Honorary Presidents of SOC for many years.
Those proposed were Roy Dennis, Frank
Hamilton and Keith Macgregor and these were
duly accepted amidst hearty endorsement from
all those present. David Jardine now retires as
President and he warmly wished Ken Shaw
every success for his period in office when he
was elected by the members present. Ken then
formally proposed Chris Mclnerny as Vice
President and this was unanimously seconded.
Mike Martin (Honorary Secretary) and Alan Fox
(Honorary Treasurer) agreed to continue in post.
There are normally 12 Honorary Members
chosen for their outstanding contribution to
ornithology in Scotland. At the moment there
are four vacancies and Council had decided that
Honorary Memberships should be bestowed on
lan Andrews, lain Gibson, Ron Summers and
Mike Harris. On Council, retiring member Jerry
Wilson is now replaced by lan Thomson.

Finally, the inspection of the accounts will
remain in the hands of Sandy Scotland.

Ken Shaw announced the date of the next
SOC AGM as 27 October 2012 and finished by
paying a very warm tribute to David Jardine as
retiring President.

Conference Dinner and Ceilidh

The spacious, comfortable dining room easily
housed all the guests. Service was extremely
fast and efficient and the meal itself of high
quality. The after-dinner speaker this year was

g% 2 olf
Leo a4
Bias

Malcolm Ogilvie, who recounted for us all the
previous times he had been persuaded to
perform this task even having been originally
excused by Irene Waterston from ever having to
do it again in the future! This all led humorously
to the traditional toast to the guests.

The Ceilidh part was conducted by the Orwell
Ceilidh Band and featured the usual variety of
Scottish dances, all beautifully performed by this
splendid group, as usual assisted by Heather
Woodbridge from North Ronaldsay. Wendy
Hicks did her now traditional Salsa spot where
members were initiated into the seemingly
simple basic steps and thereafter succeeded
variously to advance in the style. Great fun!

Sunday's lectures were titled “A Broad Kirk -
Celebrating Scotland's Birds”

4 iS Zia

Plate 295. Brian Etheridge and Des Thompson.
© Jimmy Maxwell

Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme

- Des Thompson and Brian Etheridge

Des Thomson gave a well-structured account of
the 19 species of raptors breeding in Scotland,
making quite stark comparisons between their
relative success or failure. Detailed explanations
of the factors involved followed, be they direct
human persecution, loss of habitat, climate
change or some subtle interplay of these
components. The study of Golden Eagles was
cited as the first comprehensive study and
protection of a species and should be
considered for tackling the severe Hen Harrier
problem. No punches were pulled and in the
second part of the talk Brian Etheridge described
the harrier situation as a disgrace - the direct use
of language being one of the refreshing aspects
of this paper. Much time was spent explaining

31:4 (2011)

the teamwork needed for success in this field,
and praise was duly awarded to the many
stalwarts of the monitoring group. In fact, a
feeling of confidence and competence was
generated - the right people are in place for this
complicated, but very necessary job!

Campbell McLellan

Progress in our understanding of Scotland's
seabirds - the FAME project - Ellie Owen
The Future of the Atlantic Marine Environment
(FAME) project is a joint venture by the UK,
Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. Its aims are
not only to do research on seabirds, the effect of
fisheries etc., but to recommend sites for
designation as Marine Protected Areas and
advise on their subsequent management,
communicate scientific findings to decision
makers, NGOs and the general public, and to
advocate better management of human impacts
on the marine environment.

At a time when Scotland's internationally
important breeding seabirds are in trouble, Ellie
reported on her studies on the foraging
movements of some of these. As well as
traditional methods such as surveys from boats
and planes, detailed information is now coming
from the use of GPS, time depth recorders
(TDRs) and geolocation devices. By combining
GPS and TDR, a very detailed picture of feeding
trips can be obtained, showing not just the
distance and route travelled but the effort put
into hunting in the chosen area. Geolocation
devices require less battery power so can
operate for longer periods but are less precise.

A total of 750 foraging tracks have shown that
many birds are travelling great distances from
their nests to find food. While Kittiwakes from
Copinsay were recorded making six-hour feeding
trips (including a freshwater bath) to sites 85 km
away, Guillemots and Razorbills from Fair Isle
sometimes had to travel more than 300 km to
fish, and a Fulmar from Orkney made a two-day
trip to the Norwegian coast. Tracking has shown
that Razorbills from Colonsay exploit the eddy
currents caused by the strong tidal movements
north of Jura. Dr Owen cautioned that several of
the favoured foraging areas coincide with those
designated for future offshore windfarms.

Roger Hissett

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

Plate 296. Ellie Owen. © Jimmy Maxwell

From Starlings to Cuckoos to seabirds

- research highlights from the University
of Aberdeen

Within the Institute of Biological and
Environmental Sciences of Aberdeen University
a number of postgraduate students, co-
ordinated by Jane Reid, are working on the
population ecology of birds and we had short
presentations from five of them.

Daisy Brickhill is extending an existing long-
term study of Starlings on Fair Isle, looking at
brood sizes and survival in relation to habitat
quality for the species. On this treeless island,
Starlings nest in drystane dykes and it Is fairly
easy to get access to their nests. The population
peaked at 160 pairs in 2008, but has fallen
recently. Parts of the island seem to support
more-or-less successful groups and Daisy is
using colour-ringing of chicks to find out what
happens to birds born in the different groups.

Chloe Denerley is involved in a new project on
Cuckoos, which have declined by 65% in north-
east Scotland over the last 30 years. She Is trying
to establish whether the numbers of the host
species (e.g. Meadow Pipit) or of the hairy
caterpillar, main food of Cuckoos, is mainly
responsible for the decline. Caterpillars are more

Plate 297. Daisy Brickhill, Evelyn Philpott, Lucy Quin
Jane Reid and Chloe Denerley. © Jimmy Maxwell

Nn,

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Articles, News & Views

frequent in heath than rough grass or pasture
habitats but overall may be themselves declining.

Lucy Quinn is involved in a long-term project
on tracking the movements of Fulmars in winter.
Fulmars from Eynhallow (Orkney) and trom
Little Saltee island off south-east Ireland are
being compared. Females travel further in winter
than males and even reach the Russian islands
in the east and Greenland in the west of their
range. Females who travelled further in winter
tend to be more successful breeders, a finding
that could have several explanations!

Evelyn Philpott is concerned with the possible
effects of exploiting tidal energy on seabirds in
the locality of installations. Tidal energy varies
greatly around Scotland and it does seem that
seabirds find food where there are faster flows.
She has been studying bird behaviour off the
south end of the Isle of May and relating it to
various measurements of water chemistry,
biology and flow rate. Future plans include
installing a small turbine.

Hannah Grist is participating in a Centre for
Ecology & Hydrology study of the wintering
behaviour of Shags on the east coast from
Caithness to the Farne Islands. Chicks born on the
Isle of May have been colourringed. The birds
winter throughout the east coast. A line of equally-
spaced birds on the concrete of Fraserburgh pier
behave territorially, defending their metre of
concrete from all-comers! Many of them may have
come from Isle of May. Aberdeen Harbour has
had 64 colourringed Shags behaving similarly.
Hannah would like to hear from anyone who
sights colourringed Shags (shags@ceh.ac.uk). (In
Hannah's absence Jane made the presentation).

Graham Pyatt

75 years of bird conservation in Scotland
- Paul Walton

A typical Paul Walton performance, live, of
themes and variations.

The title was the core, but from the beginning, Paul
encompassed the world of ages past, emphasising
the cultural relevance of human symbiosis with
wildlife illustrated by the Pictish ‘Eagle Stone’ found
hear Huntly, then suddenly showing a world graph
from ‘Nature’ 461 2009 article.

Plate 298. Paul Walton. © Jimmy Maxwell

Paul Walton is a hugely enthusiastic and most
authoritative scientist who, with the heart and
art of a poet, communicates matters of concern
and pride for what has been achieved and what
could be achieved in years to come. “Had they
known then what we know now, the Great Auk
could have been saved from extinction.”

His tracing of the Scottish history of bird conser-
vation was meticulous. Taking from George
Waterston in 1936 the key theme of ‘nurturing’,
Paul showed how, during the War, subtle
changes in attitude to our national heritage by
the civil service led to nature conservancy
getting serious, presaging the advances in the
1950s and the forestry disasters of the 1980s -
but the partnership of RSPB, SOC ef al.
managed to reverse Government incentives to
attempt the regeneration of Caledonian forest.

Now what? 75 years on, we still have to nurture
the planet that humanity has colonised. Can the
SOC step up to operate our space more safely?

Duncan Watt

The raffle was then drawn by Frank and Keith,
realising the sum of £526 and thanks were
expressed to all the donors. The 200 Club, still
generating funds regularly for the SOC and
organised by Daphne Peirse-Duncombe, was as
usual handled by Vicky McLellan.

Ken Shaw then thanked all concerned and
committed himself to a term of hard work as new
President on their behalf, thanked everyone for
coming in such encouraging numbers and
wished members a very pleasant journey home.

Jimmy Maxwell

31:4 (2011)

£

Tig G
a Ai

Plate 299. Stac an Armin and Boreray,

re

with Stac Li behind. © John flere

Articles, News & Views

aa %

The last Great Auk?

J.A. LOVE

And | am the last of my family ... Once we
were a great nation, and spread over all the
Northern Isles. But men shot us so, and
knocked us on the head, and took our eggs...
And soon | shall be gone, my little dear, and
nobody will miss me...’

The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley (1863)

Martin Martin's A Late Voyage to St Kilda
published just after his visit in 1697 was the first
detailed account of the St Kildans and their way
of life. A Gaelic speaker, Martin learnt much from
the St Kildans about the Great Auk, details that
exist nowhere else. Martin described the birds
that were so important to the islanders:

‘The Seafowl are first, Gairfowl being the

stateliest, as well as the largest ... it lays its egg
upon the bare rock, which if taken away, she

31:4 (2011)

lays no more that year... its egg is twice as big
as that of a Solan Goose, and Is variously
spotted, black, green and dark; it comes
without regard to any wind, appears the first of
May, and goes away about the middle of June.’

When Martin wrote, the old Julian calendar was
still in use and it is necessary to add 13 days to
his dates, which brings the breeding cycle more
in line with what we know about other auks. In
his Great Auk Islands (Poyser 1993) Tim
Birkhead has argued that the Great Auk’s chick
may have quit its nesting rocks when only five
days old, much sooner than most other auks.

A manuscript in the National Library of
Scotland, probably written by the Rev. Neil
Macleod, a brother of two St Kilda Factors for
the owner Macleod of Dunvegan, recollects a
visit made in 1746:

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Articles, News & Views

Plate 300. Great Auk. © John Love

‘The Gernhell is the most remarkable fowl about
St Kildg, for his enormous size and rarity, his
wings are so very small in proportion to his bulk
that he does not fly; they are taken by surprising
them where they sleep, or by intercepting their
way to the sea ... they lay their eggs a little later
above the sea mark on rocks easy of access; they
carry off their young soon to feed them at sea.’

It is obvious that the Great Auk was now a
rarity. Another account of St Kilda, written by
the Rev. Kenneth MacAulay, appeared in 1758.
He lamented:

/ have not had an opportunity of knowing a
very curious fowl, sometimes seen upon this
coast, and an absolute stranger... in every other
part of Scotland. The men of Hirta call it the
Garefowl... It makes its appearance in the
month of July. The St Kildians do not receive an
annual visit from this strange bird... It keeps at a
distance from them, they know not where, for a
couple of years. From what land or ocean it
makes its uncertain voyages to their isle, is
perhaps a mystery in nature.’

It is also clear from this that only 60 years after
Martin's visit the Great Auk no longer bred on St
Kilda. It may have been scarce in 1697 since a
flightless bird would be easy prey for a
community that depended upon seabirds. The St
Kildans did not bother to eat Razorbills or
Guillemots, but they relished the eggs. According
to Martin, the islanders knew that the smaller
auks would lay again, even a third time, if the first
was removed early enough. Being larger, the
Great Auk provided more meat, but they were
aware that it did not relay. Whether they killed
them for meat or took their eggs, the islanders
may have hastened the Great Auk’s extinction on
St Kilda. Hungry European sailors readily
consumed the adults in great numbers when on
the other side of the Atlantic and this was
undoubtedly the main cause of decline and, by
the 1840s, the ultimate extinction of the species.

By the end of the 18th century, there is hardly a
mention of the Great Auk anywhere in Britain. At
the beginning of the next century, one was
known to have frequented the Orkney island of
Papa Westray for several years. The collector
William Bullock arrived in 1812 only to be told that
the female had been stoned to death and ‘for
many years now’ only the male was being seen.

Mr Bullock had the pleasure of chasing [the Great
Auk] for several hours in a six-oared boat but
without being able to kill him, for although he
frequently got near hime, so expert was the bird
in its natural element, that it appeared impossible
to shoot him. The rapidity with which he pursued
his course under water was almost incredible.’

In his General History of Birds Dr John Latham
noted how, as soon as Bullock departed, the
local boatmen knocked the bird down with an
oar — a ‘lucky stroke’ which secured for the
Natural History Museum its finest stuffed
specimen, and the only one known with
confidence to have a British provenance.
However, according to the Orkney zoologist
James Traill, Professor of Natural History at
Aberdeen University, the bird was shot a
fortnight after Bullock left. Traill supposed that
they tried to nest on the island, but the egg was
washed off the rocks when the birds laid.
According to Traill’s sister, who sent the
specimen on to Bullock, the bird was taken in

31:4 (2011)

the summer of 1813. Bullock's collection was
sold to the museum in London in 1819. Several
decades later JA. Harvie-Brown was shown the
exact spot where the bird was found and
includes a photograph of ‘the /ast resting place
of the Great Auk in life’ in A Vertebrate Fauna of
the Orkney Islands published in 1891. A
monument on Papa Westray now commem-
orates this as the last Great Auk in Britain. It may
have made the last breeding attempts in Britain
but it certainly was not the last to be seen.

In 1885 the ornithologist Symington Grieve
wrote a monograph on the Great Auk, where he
quotes a note by the Fife ornithologist, Rev. John
Fleming, in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal
of 1824 which tells of a Great Auk captured on
St Kilda ‘three years ago’:

‘Two young men and two boys, who were in a
boat at the east side of the island, observed it

sitting on a low ledge of the cliff.. At last
becoming frightened by the approach of the
men, it leaped down towards the sea, but only to
fall into the arms of the youths, who held it fast.
Five years ago (1880) one of the boys, Donald
McQueen, was still living, aged 73. From these
men the bird was obtained by Mr McLellan, the
tacksman of Glass or Scalpa [Harris].’

At Scalpay, we are told, the bird was presented
to Mr Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the writer
Robert Louis Stevenson. As engineer to the
Board of Commissioners of Northern Lights, he
was on the annual tour of inspection in the
yacht Regent. Rev. Fleming doubtless
appreciated the bird's rarity and together they
intended to keep the Great Auk alive as long as
possible and then present its body to the
Edinburgh University Museum. In volume 10 of
the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Fleming
(1824) gave this description of his Great Auk:

Plate 301. Sheep on Boreray with Stac Li. This shows the only possible ledge (lower left) that a Great Auk could
have got ashore, and in fact virtually the only landing place for humans too, May 2010 © Stuart Murray

31:4 (2011)

| 343

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Articles, News & Views

‘It was emaciated, and had the appearance
of being sickly; but, in the course of a few
days, became sprightly, having been
plentifully supplied with fresh fish, and
permitted occasionally to sport in the water,
with a cord fastened to one of its legs, to
prevent escape. Even in this state of restraint,
it performed the motions of diving and
swimming under water, with a rapidity that
set all pursuit from a boat at defiance.’

However, after Stevenson and Fleming had
left the ship at the Mull of Kintyre, the Great
Auk escaped. In his Birds of the West of
Scotland Robert Gray gave a rather confused
account of this incident in 1871, and added
that a dead Great Auk was said to have been
washed ashore near Gourock a short time
after. Later, another dead specimen was
found floating in the sea off Lundy.

By 1831, on his visit to St Kilda, the naturalist
George Clayton Atkinson could discover little about
the species. In the Edinburgh Journal of Natural
and Geographical Science (1830) Professor
William MacGillivray of Aberdeen included it
amongst The Birds of the Outer Hebrides:

‘Alca impennis, the Great Auk — an Gearbhul
—The late Mr MacNeill, who was long tacksman
of St Kilda informed me that it occurred there at
irregular intervals of two or three years, but |
have not heard of its having been seen on the
coast of the Outer Hebrides‘

MacGillivray’s 18-year-old son John visited St
Kilda in July 1840. He was told:

‘..by several of the inhabitants [that the Great
Auk was] of not unfrequent occurrence about St
Kilda, where, however, it has not been known to
breed for many years back. Three or four
specimens only have been ever procured
during the memory of the oldest inhabitant.’

J.A. Harvie-Brown mentioned a curious
incident on St Kilda, his synthesis of various
accounts being quoted in A Vertebrate Fauna
of the Outer Hebrides (1888). The first incident
took place in 1821 and has already been
referred to. Henry Evans was a keen sportsman
and naturalist with estates in Jura who often

sailed to St Kilda in his private yacht and was
confident in the accuracy of his source.

‘The bird, trightened by men on the cliff jumped
into a boat in which was a boy of fourteen
years of age, named Donald MacQueen,
whose son of the same name — now a man of
from fifty to fifty-five years of age — gave Mr
Henry Evans these particulars, and heard his
father say he caught the bird thus. It was on the
main island, te St Kilda itself [Hirta].

‘But it also seems, from Mr Evans's information,
that another bird was caught on Stac an
Armine, in or about 1840, by some five men
who were stopping there for a few days. Three
of them were Lauchlan McKinnon, about thirty
years of age — and now, or till recently, alive —
his father-in-law, and the elder Donald
MacQueen before mentioned — both now
dead. McKinnon told Mr Evans that they found
the bird on a ledge of rock, that they caught it
asleep, tied its legs together, took it up their
bothy, kept it alive for three days, and then killed
it with a stick, thinking it might be a witch. They
threw the body behind the bothy and left it
there. McKinnon described the bird to Mr Evans,
so that the latter has no doubt about its having
been a Garefowl.

It was Malcolm McDonald who actually laid
hold of the bird, and held it by the neck with his
two hands, till others came up and tied its legs.
It used to make a great noise, like that made
by a gannet, but much louder, when shutting
its mouth. It opened its mouth when any one

ee Bias A Pa
Plate 302. The sloping south face of Stac an Armin

showing the situation of the bothy about a third of the
way up. © John Love

31:4 (2011)

came near it. It nearly cut the rope with its bill.
A storm arose, and that, together with the size
of the bird and the noise it made, caused them
to think it was a witch. /t was killed on the third
day after it was caught and McKinnon declares
they were beating it for an hour with two large
stones before it was dead: he was the most
frightened of all the men, and advised the
killing of it. The capture took place in July. The
bird was about halfway up the Stack. That side
of the Stack slopes up, so that a man can fairly
easily walk up. There is grass upon it and a
little soil up to the point where they found the
bird. Mr Evans says that he knows there is a
good ledge of rock at the sea-level, from which
a bird might start to climb to the place. Mr
Evans tried in vain to fix the exact year in which
this event happened, but could only get 1840
as an approximate estimate.’

By the middle of the 19th century, the St Kildans
did not even know what a Great Auk was. This
seems strange, for Donald MacQueen himself
had been the boy who had laid hold of the auk
in 1821. Thus, tragically, around 1840 they
clubbed to death the last British example and one
of the very last Great Auks in existence. It Is
strange that none of the naturalists visiting at this
time mentioned this incident. Indeed, only
MacGillivray referred to the Great Auk at all. More
Significantly, nor did the island minister, Rev. Neil
Mackenzie, mention this last Great Auk in his bird
notes. Amongst these, his son the Rev. J.B.
Mackenzie could find nothing about the species.

‘.. but from conversations | had with him | know
that he made all possible inquiry. None of the
natives then living had ever seen it but they
had heard of a bird of that kind, which they
vaguely described. After consideration of all that
he could ascertain about it, his conclusion was
that at the time when the island was
uninhabited it did breed there in some
numbers, but that after the island was
inhabited it gradually got exterminated by the
frequent robbing of its eggs. This could very
easily be done, as the places where it could
land and breed were very few, and all on the
main Island and near the village.’

We know from later visitors that one or two of
the men from the 1821 incident would still have

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

been living so it is strange that they never
seemed to have confessed this to their minister.
Yet the accepted accounts indicate that the last
Great Auk was killed just before Mackenzie's
departure for the mainland in 1844 (not 1843
as sometimes reported). Or was it?

Henry Evans reckoned that the garefowl had
been killed around 1840. Perhaps, as Mary
Harman first suggested in an article in the
Hebridean Naturalist (1993), the islanders were
ashamed to admit to it; they might have feared
that the good Reverend would have
disapproved of their killing it as a witch. But, it is
just possible the incident happened after the
Rev. Mackenzie left St Kilda in 1844. If this was
the case, then it might qualify as the last Great
Auk on the planet!

Here we need to add a note of scepticism.
Charles Dixon, in his ‘Ornithology of St Kilda’
published in /bis (1885):

‘am convinced that much of the information
which has been gathered at St Kilda respecting
the Great Auk is very unreliable... None of the
young men know anything about the species,
not even by name. The Great Auk’s only link
with the present day is the grey-haired weather-
beaten old St Kildan with whom | conversed
respecting its visit so long ago.’

This man could only have been Lachlan
McKinnon (1808-95), the sole survivor of the
incident. It was he who had advocated killing the
bird. Intriguingly, Dixon claimed the event had
taken place 40 years earlier, which tantalisingly
might put it at 1845! Maybe that is why
MacGillivray, Wilson and the Rev. Mackenzie did
not mention the incident; it might just have taken
place after they all left. Apparently, Malcolm
(Calum) Macdonald died in 1846. Whatever the
date of the incident, if indeed it took place at all,
it could just vie with the last two Great Auks killed
on the island of Eldey, off south-west Iceland in
1844 as the acknowledged final extinction event
of the species.

In July 2010, Andrew Wiseman of the School of
Scottish Studies drew my attention to some
papers and manuscript notebooks in their
collection which were being examined by staff of

Cenitich Rird
SSfNnTIChR Hirsi «
>] ¢ OUIsn £988 CD

345

346

the Carmichael Watson Project. They were
compiled by well-known Gaelic folklorist Alexander
Carmichael who visited St Kilda on 22 May 1865.
Interestingly, he collected a song written by the
mother of 76-year-old Euphemia MacCrimmon,
whose father was killed on the diffs hunting
seabirds. Her mother composed the song which
was translated by Calum Ferguson (1995, 2006):

M’eudail thusa, mo lur 's mo shealgair,
You're my treasure, my hero and my hunier,

Thug thu ‘n-dé dhomh ‘n sul an gearrbhall.
Yesterday you gave me the Gannet and the
garefowl.

Na h-edin a’tighinn, cluinneam an ceol!’
The birds are approaching, let me hear their music!

Amongst the many slips of paper upon which
Carmichael took down notes on naiural
history is one with an account of the ‘1840’
incident on St Kilda:

About 40 years ago or so say about 1848 a
party of S/t] K[ilda] people found a Gearrabhal
on Staca-li, a stack near Borrery. They brought it
home but did not know what bird it was, what
to do with it nor what to make of the bird. They
knew not what to make of it and they came io
no decision that night. They tied a strong cord or
rope to its leg and fastened a stake to the other
end of the rope and fixed this in the ground.
Thus they left the bird all night tethered behind
the house like one of their cows. ‘Nuair thig Ia
thig comhairle’ ‘When day comes council
comes.’ But the bird had his revenge in the noise
he made and the sleeplessness he caused. He
cried all night long and made night hideous with
his noise. He screamed and roared like a
creature possessed and the people got no sleep
no rest. In the morning the people mez as usual
in the daily parliament (Comhairle) and among
other matters what they were to do with this
demoniacal bird-like creature they caught. The
parliament which is composed of all the heads
of families in the place and which mez daily
[decided] that this strange bird or bird-like
creature must be possessed of gq demon and
that it was only a demon that could make [the]
noise it made all night long. They therefore
decreed that the bird must be put to death and

J

so the bird was put to death accordingly. Every
man in the community set upon the poor bird
with sticks and stones and staves and attacked
him till he was ae a And as the bird took a deal
of killing the people were the more con firmed
that he was posse len

belaboured him accordingly. 7 es
bird was then thrown to the dog

and torn asunder by dogs and
year when hey C came to discover their mistake
they were search ing about for bits of the broken

ee of the bid

cc J a
SSeG Of GG

Carmichael’s y di
thorough accounts by visiting omitho
severa al

n \ ic
Wa
Ways. ID

ee ibly ead on and be out
(Plate 303). But Stuart Mu
several times and, know

Uv.
0 ct
Vins
S

that Great Ane were probably just as 1
Once ashore the bird would not have been
ul |

tO progress an) further so wou

Carmichael ai

sometime later he had stroked this out and
inserted 1848, suggesting he was being more
precise with his facts. One _ significant
inconsistency is that apparenily Malcolm (or
Calum) !

ha>-Doa — 2h A namairoy Paar i i;
MacDonald, the perpetrator, had died in
i Dp

G e
oe EVE Rs a ee
October 1846. lf Carmichael's dates

31:4 (2011)

forward the date of the ‘1840’ incident by a few
years, at least as far as the summer of 1846
then the killing of this last St Kilda Great Auk
would have taken place after the accepted
extinction date (1844) in Iceland.

The mystery does not end there, for | recently
came across references on the _ internet,
posted by James E. Ducey on 10 April 2010,
that suggest other Great Auks may have
survived beyond this date in Canada and
Greenland. Robert Randolph Carter was first
officer on the brig Rescue which in 1850-51
was searching for the lost Franklin Expedition.
In his journal, not to be published for another
150 years, Carter frequently mentioned birds
of various species. On 16 August 1850, when
the ship was off Cape York, Melville Bay in
northern Greenland, he wrote:

‘The hills here at least 1000 feet high and very
steep. The Commo saw a fox. Docr Kane saw a
beast like a weasel and got into a bog trying to
get a shot at it /| killed three dovekies which
came here to look at the strangers on a piece
of floating ice. And so we left standing up the
coast again. Brooks shot a Great Auk.’

..nothing more! Henry Brooks was the bosun/first
officer on ‘Rescue’. The ship's position was
75°59'N and 60°47'W, further north than the
accepted range of the species. Alfred Newton
gave the range as ‘within the limits of the Arctic
Circle’ based on a bird that had been killed in
1821 at Disco, on the western coast of Greenland.
Cape York is 200 miles further north.

Ducey goes on to cite a record dated December
1852 on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and
another dead specimen picked up the following
year in Trinity Bay, St John’s, Newfoundland.
Both are quoted, but dismissed, by Symington
Grieve in his monograph (1885). Given that the
species always seems to have been more
numerous on the Canadian coasts of the North
Atlantic, these new records do not seem
surprising. The last two seem to have been
ignored in any subsequent history of the Great
Auk and the accepted wisdom is that the
species became extinct in 1844, when two
individuals were clubbed to death, and their egg
smashed, by some Icelandic fishermen. St Kilda

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

may well surpass that date by 2-4 years, so
could claim the last on the planet were it not for
some unauthenticated reports that a few Great
Auks survived into the next decade on the other
side of the Atlantic.

My thanks to Murdo Macdonald and Stuart Murray
for comments on the manuscript, and to Andrew
Wiseman at the School of Scottish Studies for
drawing my attention to the blog piece.

References

Anon. 2009. The Last Great Auk. carmichaelwatson.
blogspot.com/2009/10/last-great-auk-.htm! and /last
-great-auk-l.html. Blogs posted 27 & 29 October 2009.

Atkinson, G.C. 1831. [on his visit to St Kilda]

Birkhead, T. 1993. Great Auk Islands. Poyser, London.

Buckley T.E. & Harvie-Brown, J.A. 1891. A Vertebrate
Fauna of the Orkney Islands. Edinburgh.

Dixon, C. 1885. The ornithology of St Kilda. /bis 5:
SSH, SSIS SSZ.

Ducey, J.E. 2010. Great Auk killed in 1850 at Cape
York? wildbirdsbroadcasting.blogspot.com/2010/04/
great-auk-killed-in-1850-at-cape-york.html. Blog
posted 10 April 2010.

Ferguson, C. 1995. Hiort; far na laigh a’ghrian. Acair,
Stornoway.

Ferguson, C. 2006. St Kilda Heritage. Acair, Stornoway.

Flemming, J. 1824. Gleanings of natural history,
during a voyage along the coast of Scotland in 1821.
Edinburgh Philosophical Journal 10: 95-101.

Gray, R. 1871. The Birds of the West of Scotland.
Murray, Glasgow.

Grieve, S. 1885. The Great Auk or Garefowl. London.

Harman [Bones], M. 1993. The Garefowl or Great
Auk (Pinguinis impennis). Hebridean Naturalist 11:
15-24.

Harvie-Brown, J.A. & Buckley, T.E. 1888. A Vertebrate
Fauna of the Outer Hebrides. Edinburgh.

Latham, J. 1821-24. General History of Birds.

Macaulay, K. 1764. The History of St Kilda. London.

MacGillivray, W. 1830. The Birds of the Outer
Hebrides. Edinburgh Journal of Natural and
Geographical Science.

MacKenzie, N. 1905. Notes on the birds of St. Kilda.
Annals of Scottish Natural History 14: 75-80, 141-153.

Macleod, N. [?date]. Unpublished manuscript in the
National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Martin, M. 1697. A Late Voyage to St Kilda. London.
(Reprint 1986 James Thin, The Mercat Press
Edinburgh)

John Love

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Birding West Lothian for the
BTO/SOC Atlas 2007-11

A. FINLAYSON

Like so many other people, | signed up as a
volunteer recorder for the BIO/SOC Atlas
scheme, which ran from November 2007 to July
2011. Being resident in Linlithgow, it was natural
that | should get involved primarily with
recording in West Lothian. This is a relatively
small county, and so it was possible for me to
visit practically all of tt during the four years of
the survey period. This county is not one of the
best areas for rare or unusual birds, probably
because it lacks a significant area of coastline. It
has only a small part of the inner Firth of Forth
estuary, from near Blackness in the west to near
South Queensferry, a distance of c.6 km, and
the area Is also quite far from the east coast
proper. West Lothian consists mainly of farmland
and moorland, urban areas, a few reservoirs,
large areas of conifer plantations, some
deciduous woodland, rivers, and areas of
bog/marsh. The Union Canal also runs right
through the county.

Where to go

The best site is the stretch of coastline (Plate
304). Brent and Barnacle Geese, Arctic and
Great Skuas, Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank
are all fairly regular autumn migrants, and other
species recorded include Red-backed Shrike,

Firecrest, Yellow Wagtail, Little Stint, Great
Northern Diver, Iceland Gull, Merlin, Peregrine,
Manx Shearwater, Ruff, Whimbrel, Lesser
Whitethroat, Jay and Nuthatch.

Other places worth a visit are Linlithgow Loch
(NTO00775), Lochcote Reservoir (NS975738),
Bangour Reservoir (NT014718), Bathgate Bog
(NS977677), Tailend Moss (NTO03678), Easter
Inch Moss (NTOOO665), Almondell Country
Park (NTO80684), Calder Wood (NTO70665) ,
Hermand Birchwood (NTO30620), Linhouse
Glen (NTO72643), the River Almond ponds at
Livingston (NTO22663), and the reservoirs at
Cobbinshaw (NTO19582), Crosswood
(NTO57575) and Harperrig (NTO95610).

Doing the Atlas survey

It turned out to be a wonderful experience. In
May 2009, right in the middle of the project, |
retired and was able to devote much time to it.
| have lived in West Lothian since 1990, and
thought | knew the county pretty well. But one
of the best features of the project was the
amount of new areas | discovered, many of
which, apart from being good for birds, turned
out to be lovely places simply to visit and
explore. Even in summer 2011, right at the end

Plate 304. Blackness Bay, Lothian, April 2011. © lan Andrews

31:4 (2011)

of the four-year period, | was still finding new
sites, such as around Fauldhouse Moor
(NS932619) and the community woodland at
East Whitburn (NS965645).

The weather often decided how comfortable it
was in the field, and it also had an effect on the
birds. A great number of field trips took place in
inclement weather, but you just had to get on with
it, and as everyone knows, the last two winters
were horrendous, with severe effects on birds.

Another aspect worthy of note was the attitude
of the people | met when out and about. In
remote country districts, especially in winter, the
majority of birds were often to be found around
human habitation, usually farms or isolated
country cottages. Many people took a great
interest in what | was doing. Some wanted to
know what the survey was all about, others were
very keen to tell me of the local birds they had
seen themselves. Like most birdwatchers, | am
also interested in other forms of wildlife, and one
spin-off from the survey was coming across
other creatures, e.g. coming eyeball to eyeball
with a Red Fox at Tailend Moss, with five Roe
Deer present there at the same time, and
watching with pleasure the northward march of
the Comma butterfly into West Lothian. In April
2011, thanks to a spell of exceptionally good
weather, | found two new sites for Green
Hairstreak butterfly (only one had been reported
in the county in 10 years) and a new site for the
Emperor Moth near Cobbinshaw Reservoir.

Birding highs and lows
If | had to pick out some highlights, | would
perhaps choose the following:

M@ Finding a site where | could consistently see
wintering Hen Harriers.

M Whooper Swans which wintered in fields
near Bangour Reservotr.

M@ The number of Common Crossbills present
in the conifers in the south-west in different
locations.

M@ Discovering many more Tree Sparrows.

@ Sharpening up my ID skills - for example, the
songs/calls of Redpoll, - a species far
commoner than | had thought.

@ Finding a Quail at East Whitburn in June 2011
(a locally rare species).

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

Plate 305. Tree Sparrow. © Harry Scott

And if | had to pick out one highlight above all, |
think | would choose the last day of the last winter
session of the last year of the atlas. It involved the
10-km square NTO5E, the only one still coloured
Orange on the map. In other words, the expected
total of species had not been achieved. | was
fortunate enough to bag seven new species
during the course of that day, which was enough
to tum the colour from orange to red.

And the lows? Not too many, fortunately:

M@ The loss of Redstart and Tree Pipit as breeding
birds at Hermand Birchwood (although
Spotted Flycatcher is still hanging on there).

M The decline of birds at Tailend Moss.
Numbers much lower than when | used to visit
in the 1990s, partly due to human disturbance.

@ Not now finding any Short-eared Owls in
West Lothian.

M Worst of all - the decline of so many species
compared with the 1988-94 local survey.

Conclusion

When the invitation came to join in the survey,
| hesitated, as | had never taken part in anything
quite like this before. | wondered whether it was
really for me. Would | be able to devote enough
time to it? Would it become a routine chore?
Was | competent enough? Could | be bothered
with the form filling? But within a few weeks, |
was completely hooked and enjoyed the whole
project immensely. Indeed, | am quite sad that
it has now finished. So, for anyone else who has
also swithered about taking part in surveys, |
would just say this - if you love birds (or
butterflies, or whatever), don't hesitate. You
have nothing to lose and you might well end up
having a life-changing experience!

Allan Finlayson

Scottish Birds

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350

Articles, News & Views

Plate 306. Rossie Bog from the south. © Norman Elkins

Patchwork 2 - Rossie Bog

N. ELKINS

Having described one of my local patches in SB
30: 139-141, another, larger site is also worthy of
note. Rossie Bog is one of the most extensive
and undisturbed marshes in Fife. A large area of
marsh, unimproved neutral grassland and semi-
improved acid grassland as well as small areas
of mature coniferous and deciduous woodland
are bordered by arable fields and improved
grassland together with a working farm. The area
covers approximately 2 km2, but almost 3 km2 if
the peripheral fields are included. The marsh
itself covers about 80 ha.

The bog originated from ‘Loch Rossey’. This 120
ha loch (apparently once a commercial fishery)
was drained by 1805, Rossie drain having been
dug in 1740. By 1882, the bed of the old loch
was quoted as being ‘good meadow and
pasture land’ but ‘not all suitable for crops’. Early
Ordnance Survey maps (early 20th century)

have a note ‘liable to flooding’. The present
open water in the bog itself was mapped as
small ponds by 1969 and their winter size is
much larger now. Water levels fluctuate, and
some drainage has been attempted in the past,
invariably unsuccessfully.

As the land ts privately owned, observations have
primarily been made from the minor road along
the eastern edge of the site. It is only now that the
number of visiting birders is on the increase as in
the past it has not been well known. | have been
watching and recording there for 25 years. Latterly
| surveyed the tetrad in which the bog lies for Bird
Atlas 2007-11 but it is a difficult area to work with
much of the marsh itself unapproachable. It is
possible to walk round the periphery but this
depends on water levels and can be almost
impossible in winter. If water levels are high and
vegetation is low e.g. in late winter, much of the

31:4 (2011)

large wildfowl population is visible with a ‘scope.
In autumn, when vegetation is high and water
levels low, wildfowl are impossible to count
successfully. The following account is based
entirely on my own observations.

Wildfowl are the most abundant group at
Rossie. Both Greylag and Pink-footed Geese use
the bog as a roost and the adjacent fields for
feeding. Up to 1,000 of the former and 2,000 of
the latter can be found in mid-winter. They are
often joined by Whooper Swans, which build up
rapidly in late autumn. Peak numbers exceed 70
in most winters but have reached well over 100
at times. In four of the winters that | have
watched the bog, a handful of Bewick’s Swans
have been recorded, including an 11-year-old
marked bird in 2002. Mute Swans occasionally
breed. A few Barnacles, Canadas and White-
fronts appear occasionally and a Red-breasted
Goose accompanied the Greylags in 2011.
Ducks are prolific. All common species occur,
with peaks often difficult to ascertain. Realistic

<=
Se ee

: ; ee

31:4 (2011)

Plate 307. Rossie Bog from the east. © Norman Elkins

Articles, News & Views

counts have been made over the years of
Wigeon (peak 900) and Teal (1,350). Peak
Mallard numbers are unknown and small
numbers of other species appear such as
Gadwall (peak 21), Pintail (66), Shoveler (40),
Tufted Duck (15), Pochard (8) and Goldeneye
(13). Other waterfowl include Moorhen, Coot
and Water Rail, all of which breed, and a heronry
holds up to 11 pairs. Cormorants visit in winter.

Another group, the waders, have shown a
Surprising diversity, mainly during migration. Up
to 12 pairs of Lapwing, three pairs of Redshank
and at least four pairs of Snipe breed in most
years. Sightings are usually made on the wet
meadows surrounding the marsh, where
migrants have included Common Sandpiper,
Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit,
Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank,
Pectoral Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Ruff,
Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper. In winter, flocks
of up to 600 Lapwing and 70 Curlew are found,
although the latter may reach 100 in spring.

352

=

. Mute and
Ses LS Las Buzzards are the commonest raptor with three

— # breeding pairs, with Kestrels mainly in winter
and Sparrowhawks regular visitors. Hen Harriers
and Peregrine are regular in winter and Marsh
Harrier and Merlin have occurred. Since the local
releases of White-tailed Eagles, these
magnificent birds have graced the area at times.

The marsh in summer is home to up to three
Grasshopper Warbler territories and at least 30
pairs each of Sedge Warbler and Reed Buntings.
Small flocks of up to 20 of the latter feed in the
field in winter along with a similar number of
Yellowhammers, although 60 of this species have
been recorded. Other seed-eaters include winter
flocks of Chaffinches and Goldfinches (up to 60
each), Linnet (up to 180) and Siskin (up to 50 in
the woodland). Both House and Tree Sparrows
are present all year round. Both frequent farmland
with up to 50 of each in winter and at least three
pairs of each breeding around the farm. The
surrounding patches of woodland hold all the
a = common warblers and other woodland
Plate 309. Snipe. © Norman Elkins passerines, as well as a healthy population of Jays

Scottish Birds 31:4 (2011)

and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Green
Woodpeckers are scarce. The fields round the
marsh are home to a good population of Skylarks
and, in winter, flocks of up to 60 are present.

The marsh has no wildlife designation, not even
an SSSI. It is sorely in need of one, but at present
there are no plans, despite speculation of
further drainage. The greater the understanding
of the bog’s wildlife, the more likely it is to attract
the right attention from conservation bodies.
Local wildlife groups keep a watching brief but it
is essential that all birders record what they find.

Norman Elkins

Articles, News & Views

ae -

an Elkins

O Rae

Plate 310. Skylark. © Norm

A hawk from a handsaw

P.W.F. HADOKE

Having an active, but unstructured, interest in
garden visitors is usually enough to alert me to
the appearance of something unusual on our
patch. This happened recently (on 1 October
2011), whilst | was standing at my back door
looking into my suburban garden in Burntisland,
Fife. My attention was caught by some unusual
activity in one of several mature Buddleias in
the garden. There was obviously something
larger than the usual Blue Tit or Wren moving
clumsily amongst the leaves.

My first thought was of Sparrowhawks, probably
because | had seen a Sparrowhawk in the town
on two of the three preceding days. Almost
immediately | revised this identification to
“possible” Blackbird given the apparent size of
the visitor. | then had a glimpse of brown,
speckled plumage more suggestive of a Kestrel.
This train of thought flashed rapidly through my
head and it was within 30 seconds of the
original observation that | called my son and a

31:4 (2011)

visiting friend to come and see. As they arrived
at the door, a small hawk appeared amongst the
leaves, then flew unsteadily out of the bush and
tried, but failed, to fly over the perimeter wall.
Falling back it landed on the chimney before
flying down to perch on the edge of the roof.

Since, like Hamlet, | know just enough to “tell a
hawk from a handsaw”, | was aware that this
was a bird | had never seen before. Given its
size, this left Hobby and Merlin as the two native
species most likely to fit the bill. The three of us
watched as the bird flew over the perimeter wall
and we rushed around the side of the house to
find ourselves almost face to face with the
visitor. It was sitting on the wall eating
something from its claw. The bird still appeared
dazed which allowed us to walk quietly to within
about 10 feet of its perch; close enough to get
a good view of its brown speckled front and
yellow legs. It was apparently eating a butterfly,
as wing-parts fluttered down the wall. On

Scottish Birds

3)9)5)

354

Articles, News & Views

finishing eating, it turned its back, giving us a
good view of its brown wing feathers and brown
barred tail. As we watched it turned its head full
180 degrees (much to the delight of the two
boys) to give us a very suspicious glare. Notable
on its light brown face were two faint, but
discernible, darker brown “tear tracks” or
“moustaches” which had me thinking “Hobby”. It
also had such a distinctive short and stubby
beak that the two boys commented on it. When
it turned away again it showed a light brown
nape with a darker brown central, vertical stripe.
Its plumage was rather tousled, suggestive of a
juvenile. After several minutes the bird flew back
into the garden and we were able to retrieve a
couple of fragments of the butterfly (clearly a
Red Admiral) that it had been eating.

There was no further sign of the bird when we
returned to the garden but consultation of
various books indicated very clearly that it was
most likely a young female Merlin, rather than a
Hobby. A little later | got another good view of it
when, returning to the house, | was alerted by a
ruckus from our bantams, upon which the
Merlin flew down and landed on our fence,

Plate 311. The Merlin. © Patrick Hadoke

once again holding a butterfly. It fed briefly on
the fence then hopped down onto the ground
to complete its meal. Finally, it jumped back
onto the fence, paused briefly, voided, and then
flew off out of the garden; this was the last we
saw of it. During this episode, | had been able
to get to within c.12 feet of the bird. Once again,
discarded wing fragments indicated it had been
eating a Red Admiral.

| am fairly confident of the identification of our
visitor as a juvenile, female Merlin. I'm not sure
how to account for some of its behaviour but
would speculate that in stooping for butterflies
in the Buddleia it had collided with our
boundary wall (which is obscured by the
shrubbery) and stunned itself. Whatever the
reason, it was a delight to see this uncommon
bird and doubly fortunate that my son and his
friend were able to share in the experience.
What is more, | hope to add the Merlin to the
small list of birds that | can now confidently
distinguish from ironmongery.

Patrick W.F. Hadoke

31:4 (2011)

en oad 2 ..

©

"22nd December 2010. Clear frosty start,
temperature well below freezing, crunch to
snow so -6 / -8 or so. Still in this period of Arctic
conditions, snow has been on the ground since
30th November. Overcast by 10:30 am with
heavy snow over lunch / early afternoon giving
at least another inch of cover. | settled and
waited by the apple tree beside the old A1 for
thrushes to arrive. As | laid the washes of colour
on, | was so used to the paint freezing in small
rosettes of colour, textures created by the
conditions. As it began to snow heavily the
temperature rose significantly, not the instan-
taneous freezing point as before and it was
amazing how helpful this was.”

My diary extract taken from part of a series of
large Fieldfare paintings. Painted all outside and
direct in brush with watercolour, as all of my
work is, it describes how the elements are as
much a part of painting as is the subject for me.
| am a passionate field painter, and | believe that
working outside for me brings a sense of the

Plate 313. Pallas’s Warbler and Goldcrests in
autumn Whitebeam (Watercolour 560mm_ x
380mm). Text on the painting reads: 77th October
2010, Torness, Lothian. Overcast and calm after the
strong easterly of the weekend. Beautiful bird, silent
among the twitters and buzz of cresties.

31:4 (2011)

Plate 312. Darren Woodhead with Sula, Amazondean, Lothian, July 2009. © John Macgregor

Darren Woodhead

Articles, News & Views

ee

Subject onto the page that | would struggle to
do any other way. | have no studio, just the field.
Having moved from Musselburgh into the heart
of East Lothian two years ago, | have channelled
my time and energy into a solo exhibition,
which has seen me focus on the area and

355

356

Articles, News & Views

subjects around our new home. The show,
which will be the last of the SOC’s 75th
Anniversary year, will showcase this new work.

| am and always have been passionate about
working direct from the natural world outside,
and have a fascination for watercolour. Yes,
there are days when my page has been wiped
clean with a sudden onslaught of rain or snow
yet somehow, whether it is how | have had to
tie the board to the trees to escape the
buffeting wind or how ice has formed intricate
patterns in the washes of colour, the
environment has had a say in the end result. It
is this unpredictability that grips me.

As a young naturalist, | grew up practically
spending all of my spare time outdoors with a
small group of friends. But being passionate about
art | wanted to describe things by drawing what |
saw but this was so much easier said than done.
Inspired by the work of Joseph Crawhall and
Charles Tunnicliffe, | began using watercolour and
it rapidly became an obsession. Through the
support and enthusiasm showed by great artists

Plate 314. Fieldfare and Waxwing in Buckthorn (| Watercolour 660m

and friends such as John Busby and the late David
Measures, it became possible to have a way of
keeping the energy and life of the subject.

When | give talks and demonstrations, | always
recall how watercolour changed for me one day.
It was grey, wet and windy, a day off from
working on the boats that took people around a
beautiful island reserve in Pembrokeshire. As |
painted a dead Mole that | had just found, direct
in brush, texture was created by the paint giving
a perfect feel to the velvety coat of the Mole.
Suddenly, watercolour had a life of its own. It is
such a delicate simple medium but incredibly
complex at the same time. Everything around tt,
the moisture, the weather, the paper, paints and
even water that | use affects the finished image.
| have spent many years now pushing pure
brush paintings, nothing is pre-drawn, just
colour working next to colour.

After studying at the Royal College of Art in
London, we moved to south-east Scotland, where
my first book, ‘From Dawn Till Dusk’ explored this
new environment. Drawing and painting as much

pia

ainting

a
= Ses
<——

mx x 1016mm). Text on the p

reads: 5th February 2010. Fieldfare and Waxwing feeding on Buckthorn, Gullane. Overcast with the promised
rain arriving mid-morning then relentless by early afternoon. Fresh south-easterly wind, cool. Again huge
numbers in excess 2.000 but positioned myself in usual valley, the dins, chirping, twittering so absorbing.

Waxwings around mid-afternoon but mobile

Scottish Birds

31:4 (2011)

men fe me

~ 5
Fane ms
a
hn + -

Plate 31
Tyninghame pines. After a run of cold weather since 27th November, pines now bounang with Woodcock. In this
small area near channel, around 30 birds with groups of 8—10 feeding together. First time | have ever seen Woodcock
like this. Fed all day, preferring to remain motionless to danger first before either scuttling for cover or rising vertically
to wing. When fed, held bill in ground for three to four seconds presume foraging with tongue. Same birds working
same ground over and over. Flock Waxwing overhead, small group Whoopers and Brambling. Bitterly cold, paint
freezing on contact. Could have been -14 overnight

as | could | was obsessed with spectacular new
subjects such as displaying Long-tailed Ducks off
the coast and boxing Mountain Hares in the
nearby hills. | was offered a residency working in a
small area of the Scottish Borders, the brief to
depict the natural history and seasons of the
Carlops area, working in situ as well as giving talks,
demonstrations and exhibitions. This changed my
work and in this upland environment | could push
the way | was working to the maximum and we
managed, through the kindness of so many
people, to secure funding for ‘Up River, The Song
of the Esk’, my second and most recent book. As
well as importantly creating an important archive
of the upper reaches of the river Esk from its
source in the Pentlands through Carlops, | was
now working on large-scale pieces of paper, sizes
that | could only have dreamed of doing the day |
painted that Mole.

The winter here is one of the reasons that brought

me to these parts, and the natural history just
seems to get more and more spectacular. | feel

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

very blessed that within minutes | can venture
from the heather clad hills, through winding
wooded valleys to open estuaries and stunning
rocky shorelines. The recent work that will feature
at Waterston House will include paintings of the
masses of Fieldfares that gorged on the Buckthorn
on the Lothian coast as well as the spectacular
arrival of Waxwings that stripped the Rowans,
haws and eventually rosehips. There are paintings
of Roe Deer among autumn Beech trees and the
occasional butterfly and Adder hiding among
bracken. Painting for me is about what happens
when | am out, unscripted stories of the day and
excitement when often it is least expected.

‘From Tyne to Coast’, Darren’s forthcoming
exhibition at Waterston House, Aberlady will
open on 19 November 2011 and run through till
25 January 2012. It is his first large-scale, solo
show for two years. The Gallery will be open 10
am to 4 pm, seven days a week, being closed
for the festive period 25 December 2011 to 3
January 2012.

Scottish Birds

357

358

Articles, News & Views

Mennatl

fone ae eae

—~

Plate 316. SOC Annual Conference, Aberdeen, October 1953. © SOC Archive

A reflective view of the SOC on
its 75th anniversary

S. ANDERSON

These musings on earlier times in the life of the
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club may complement
the historical records of the club presented by
David Clugston (Scottish Birds 31: 30-36,
148-153). They are personal memories of how
things have changed over the years and the
reader must, like me, be over 80 years old to
remember some of them!

We have, as a club, been fortunate in having had
SO many interesting and entertaining people in
our midst; fellow members, speakers, as well as
guests and ‘camp followers’. Sadly, few of us
would have been acquainted with some of these
people other than from reading their obituaries. It
would be impossible to list all of them here, but
it would be difficult to begin without a mention
of our charismatic founder, George Waterston.
There must be several around today who, like
myself, would have come under his influence
and had his or her life changed around for the

better. In my own case, | was attracted to a small
newspaper article stating that George Waterston
was setting up a bird observatory on Fair Isle and
needed some help with this. He probably did
not foresee how successful his idea would
become in the ensuing years. | wrote to him,
whereupon he referred me to Professor V.C.
Wynne-Edwards to check that | was a ‘suitable
person’. In fact the observatory was just at the
construction stage, so | missed out on that
particular opportunity. It was nearly half a
century later that | made my first visit to Fair Isle!
In the interim, Vero Wynne-Edwards persuaded
me to leave my employment as a draughtsman
in a very noisy shipyard and to join his ‘team’ in
the Department of Natural History at the
University of Aberdeen. There followed many
happy years; on expeditions large and small, the
acquisition of a BSc degree and participation in
numerous ecological projects. | owe most of this
to George Waterston.

31:4 (2011)

Many of our interesting club members were
talented scientists (we still have quite a
number!) and several raconteurs. One such
was ‘Maury’ Meiklejohn, a professor of Italian,
whose lecture on ‘the Hoodwink’ is still a
talking piece at the club. This talk related to the
birds, which catch out all bird-watchers at one
time or another. His centrepiece caused great
hilarity when he presented a stuffed bird, put
together in random fashion, by the Royal
Scottish Museum taxidermists.

Amongst the many well-remembered members
with whom we have rubbed shoulders, was the
distinguished ornithologist David Bannerman.
He was the author of many bird books, such as
Birds of the British Isles and the eight volumes
of Birds of Tropical West Africa. David, whose
hearing was poor, made up for the shortfall with
the aid of a rather obvious wooden-boxed
hearing aid, perched on his knee. If the subject
proved not to be of his liking, he was heard,
occasionally, to cut the lecture short for himself
by means of the noisy switch! | also recall the
impressive but rather aloof Col. Richard
Meinertzhagen, the subject of several
apocryphal tales. There are at least two
published books on his colourful life. There are
many others who | remember with affection
and about whom much could be said; lan
Pennie and his love of Arctic travel and Jimmy
McGeoch with his illustrated talks and
recollections of living with the ‘Guga’ Lewis men
on North Rona. Bobby Tulloch not only
protected the Snowy Owls on Fetlar, but also
entertained us by playing his accordion
occasionally. There is, of course, my old friend
Sandy Tewnion, a wounded ex-serviceman,
who, while studying birds on the top of Ben
MacDhui, is alleged to have shot the ‘Grey Man’
which was following him down the snow slope!

Memories of David Bannerman and _ his
cumbersome hearing aid lead me to thoughts
on how fortunate we are with the
advancement and miniaturisation of so much
of our present-day equipment. Ludwig Koch,
the prime mover of bird song recording, sent
excitement through our audience in 1948
when speaking of his efforts to record bird
song and we could all see how widespread
this technique could become. Indeed this has

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

come about, but we should remember that
Koch did his research work using a large van
stuffed full of mechanical devices together
with large parabolic reflectors etc. Photography
has gone through a continuous, and similar,
evolutionary process, particularly due to the
arrival of the microchip and also with
improved lens developments.

Charlie Palmar presented to his fellow SOC
members, in those distant days, remarkable
films of Scottish Golden Eagles and other
birds, but at what cost in sweaty toil? Having
to drag bulky, heavy, cine cameras and tripods
Up mountainsides for our brief entertainment.
Now we can use cine cameras the size of a
shoebox with even better results. Still
photography is in the same category; today, a
small digital camera attached to a light
telescope can produce bird photos which
professionals of yesteryears could only dream
of. | could expand on this topic to include
radio trackers and other markers, how
wonderful to be able to follow precisely the
route to the winter quarters in West Africa of
Ospreys and Nightingales; something that
ringing can not readily do. When | was
Recorder for the North Sea Bird Club some
years ago, | received a remarkable observation
from the pilot of a submersible in the North
Sea at 54 m. A Guillemot came and looked
through his window! Submersibles with bird-
watching pilots are not plentiful, but
nowadays technology wins with transponders
attached to diving birds.

The annual conference is the highlight of the
year, drawing members and guests together
under one roof, for one weekend, to take part
in discussions, bird-watching outings and
evening ceilidhs of one kind or another.
Participants come from many corners of the UK
and also from abroad. All our speakers have
been of the highest quality at these meetings. |
still remember the fascinating delivery of James
Fisher that he did while partially sprawled on
the huge lecture bench, head couched on
forearm! He was in the process of writing his
definitive book on the Fulmar at that period.
During the afternoon outing | had the good
fortune to bird watch with him, but was taken
aback by my revered ornithologist misiden-

359

Articles, News & Views

tifying a Great Tit. Later, | conceded, to myself,
that he was probably testing me.

In the course of writing this article, | found myself
engaging with the older journals which the SOC
has produced from its beginning. The first
Scottish Birds, our principal publication, came
into being in 1958. Its origins were closely related
to the Scottish Naturalist, which was discon-
tinued in 1964. The ‘Scot. Nat. as its many
readers affectionately knew it, had a large bird
content which included useful censuses of
Scottish birds, but it also contained much. on
mammals as well as papers on invertebrates.
Clearly, the SOC needed a journal devoted to
birds only; hence Scottish Birds. There followed,
in time, other publications which were important
to us such as Scottish Bird Reports and Scottish
Bird News. These publications were all helped
along by the purchase of computers (technology
again!) and we are indebted to those of us,
computer-literate members, who were involved.
Improvement to our publications is evident over

the years, especially diagrams, maps and in
particular, photographs; all enhanced by the use
of colour. Advanced methods of statistical
analyses have also helped push the standard of
our journals toward perfection, which is where
our Scottish Birds stands today. My own
retrospective view of our publications is the
importance of the Editorial Committee and how
it has brought them to those high standards.

What of the future of the Scottish Ornithologists’
Club? Innovation and new ideas are to be
encouraged, always. What better way to achieve
this than to encourage and actively seek the
help of young people who may wish to join us
in our endeavours?

This is and has always been an ornithologists’
club, where research in its many forms, as well
as bird watching, has brought pleasure to many
and a greater understanding of the life of birds.

Sandy Anderson

Individual &
Group Tours

Welcome for a wide range of Indian tours. The expertise available in organising wildlife
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Web site:
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Tel: (00.91.141) 2621472 and 2624444

~~? >

360 | Scottish Birds 31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

RESTAURANT

Ducks at Kilspindie House, also based in Aberlady, is a great place to stay for
bird watching and related activities; great food in the intimate surroundings of
Ducks Restaurant or more relaxed fare and atmosphere in Donald’s Bar Bistro.

The Coffee Shop is a new addition and great for day visitors. Waffles,
pancakes, mince and tatties and the like as well as hot broths, baked tatties,
bacon rolls and coffees to take away or eat in whilst browsing
Ducks collection of bird books and videos.

We work closely with the SOC and try hard to enhance SOC members’ visits to
Aberlady Bay and beyond. We are happy to organise packed lunches, late or
early breakfasts. Feel free to update the sightings board when you are in!

EXCLUSIVE TO SOC MEMBERS
AND GUESTS ONLY

B&B from £57.50 based on 2 sharing

(Offer available from December 2011 - March 2012.
Date exclusions apply. Subject to availability)

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lalate a

31:4 (2011) 361

562

Articles, News & Views

% ore ae
Plate 317. Dr Torgeir Nygard of NINA at a cliff site. ©
Gabriel Levy

SOC member, Gabriel Levy travelled with the TV
crew and field workers in this project, witnessing
each stage of the process.

Norway, June 2011 saw the fifth & final chick
collection for the Irish White-tailed Eagle reintro-
duction. Dr Allan Mee who heads the project
spent a busy week with scientists and volunteers
from NINA (The Norwegian Institute for Nature

Or Oy: ( A
meine .

pti

Research) taking chicks from nests that had been
monitored over the previous months for
successful breeding. The nests also had to
contain two chicks, as lone birds are never taken
from their parents. The team scoured the coast of
Ser-Trandelag and Nord-Trandelag by foot, car
and boat covering literally thousands of square
miles. Nest locations ranged from walk-in sites on
the ground (dismissed as “too much like a
shopping trip”) to the tops of 15 m high pines
and cliffs, which provided much more of a
challenge. This year's 20 chicks bring the total
collected to 100. There are high hopes that 2012
will see the first native-born White-tailed Eagles in
Ireland for more than a century.

Gabriel Levy

The Port Glasgow shoreline is a designated Site
of Special Scientific Interest and new sports
pavilion and synthetic pitches are currently
being built there by Barr Construction for

Inverclyde Council.

Plate 318. Ornithologist Tom Roger @sterds ringing, and the TV crew. © Gabriel Levy

31:4 (2011)

Plate 319. Port Glasgow shoreline and the fence. ©
Jane Hamilton

Work was scheduled to avoid disruption to the
Redshanks (and other waders) and to safeguard
the habitat for the future. Paul Griffen,
construction director of Barr Construction, said:
“The schedule Barr developed with Inverclyde
Council and Scottish Natural Heritage was very
demanding and presented considerable time
challenges because of the expected arrival of
the wintering Redshanks. Thanks to the project
team completing the building envelope and
viewing stand works and erecting an acoustic
fence prior to the birds’ arrival, we have been
able to ensure that site activities can continue
while protecting the birds from disturbance."

Working in partnership with Inverclyde Council,
SNH and RSPB in Scotland, Barr Construction
has also commissioned and installed posters to
inform local people and visitors of these
important avian residents.

Based on a press release by The BIG Partnership
on behalf of Barr Construction. For further
information please contact: Jane Hamilton, The
BIG Partnership Tel: 0141 333 9585 or 07709 671
599 www.barr-construction.co.uk

Quail chicks at Pentcaitland, Lothian

Since 11 May 2011, | had been hearing Quail
calling almost daily from a field adjoining the
Pencaitland Railway Walk in East Lothian. Often
| could hear two birds and occasionally three;

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

sometimes a bird would be so close to the
railway walk that | could hear the “kwa-waa" call
in between the “wet-me-lips” calls. The farmer
began to harvest the barley, but a single bird
was still calling from the south-east corner of the
field, which was yet to be cut.

On 24 August, | walked the, by now, totally cut
field with my Labrador and ended up in the area
where | last heard a bird calling and an adult bird
‘exploded’ from under my feet and flew off. The
flight was unlike that of a Grey Partridge; it was
in some ways similar to a Common Sandpiper,
with shallow down beats, and a bit like a Snipe
zig-zagging as it flew off uttering some low,
guttural, short calls. It landed about 100 m away
from me, in the stubble and out of sight.

| then realised that my dog was focused on the
stubble field in front of him and when | looked,
two Quail chicks broke cover. | took some
photographs of one on my phone (Plate 320)
and left the field. The chicks looked less than a
week old, so must have been quite late birds.
Having survived the combine harvester and the
baler, their next trick was to avoid the Buzzard |
noticed perching nearby on a bale!
Brian Robertson
Originally posted on the LothianBirdNews
Yahoo!Group on 24 August 2011

" i= “a

Seo Sees:

Plate 320. Quail chick in stubble. ©

¥ ¥ ~ ™~ 9S
Brian Robertson

363

==

564

Scotland =

Articles, News & Views

BOOK REVIEWS

The Breeding Birds of
North-East Scotland. lan
Francis & Martin Cook (eds.),
2011. Scottish Ornithologists’
Club, Aberdeen, ISBN 978-0-
9561126-3-7, hardback, 528
pages, £25.00.

When fieldwork for the
first national breeding
bird atlas began in

oe

me ae 1968, the limited
ver = number of local
oi Norti-Las

birders available in
Aberdeenshire (I
was one of them!)
little realised that
would eventually

‘atlasing’
become a whole new way of life
for countless birders. Local atlases
had hardly made their mark, and

north-east birders were the
earliest to take the plunge in
Scotland, publishing their first atlas
in 1990. This was an all-year round
project covering Aberdeenshire
only and was a novel habitat-
based survey, since coverage of
the 1,700 tetrads was considered
to be unworkable. How much
more surveying was necessary,
then, to cover all the 2,340 tetrads
in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City
and Moray for this atlas between
2002 and 2006?

This stunning volume is one for
which the editors and all others
who were involved should be
justly proud; and at such an
affordable price! It begins with a
foreword by Adam Watson
followed by a short summary and
introduction. The first chapter
describes the survey methods and
data analysis. One problem
common to all atlases is variation
in observer coverage and an
innovative map shows that almost
a quarter, mainly in upland and
remote areas were visited for
fewer than three hours. The signif-
icance of this may be lessened by
the lower species richness in such

areas and therefore detracts little
from the results. Analysis of the
huge amount of data generated
has been made so much easier
since the first atlas, given the
advances in electronic processing.
One just has to glance at the book
to see that design and production
methods have also progressed
enormously.

Chapter 2 is a comprehensive and
fascinating portrayal of the
habitats that make up northeast
Scotland. It describes land cover
and the changes that have
occurred in the last few decades.
Eighteen habitat accounts are
accompanied by lists of the main
species breeding in each and
illustrated by many _ striking
photographs.

Chapter 3 is the meat of the book,
with 190 species described by 60
authors. It begins with a useful
example page labelled to
demonstrate the salient points of
the breeding maps. Each species
account is accompanied by a
tetrad map in full colour, except
that sensitive species are mapped
at the 10-km level or not at all. The
conventional dot sizes. of
confirmed, probable and possible
breeding are shown in black, with
a presence (breeding unlikely) dot
in yellow. Virtually my only
criticism of the book is that these
yellow dots are difficult to discern.
Photographs are excellent, and the
texts are short and succinct,
describing habitat, breeding
ecology, distribution, status,
population and trends. Some have
updates beyond the fieldwork
period. Smaller maps show distri-
bution in previous atlases at the
10-km level, giving a valuable
measure of change since the late
1960s, despite slight differences
in methodology across the years.
Indeed, maps demonstrating
comparisons between the two

regional atlases at the tetrad level
needed some nifty manipulation
to counter this.

Chapters 4 to 6 cover distribution,
conservation and the changes in
both birds and habitats revealed
by this atlas. That on conservation
is particularly topical and thought-
provoking. There are maps
showing distribution patterns for a
variety of bird groups and of
species with a conservation
designation, such as those on
Schedule 1 and biodiversity lists.
References, annexes and indices
follow and | particularly liked the
end-papers, showing an Ordnance
Survey map and satellite image of
the region.

In all, this atlas is as compre-
hensive as one could imagine,
without any superfluous content. It
would be disingenuous to point
out the few minor errors and
therefore | cannot fault the book in
any meaningful way. Together with
The Birds of Scotland, tt shows the
extremely high standard that SOG
published works can achieve. For
anyone with an interest in the
birds of the north-east of Scotland,
this is an absolute must for the
bookshelf.

Norman Elkins

On Rare Birds. Anita Albus,
translated by Gerald Chapple,
2011. Saraband, Glasgow,
ISBN 978-1887354-80-6,
hardback, £19.95.

Anita Albus is a German author
who has written a really interesting
and fascinating book. It is basically
in two parts. Firstly, dealing with a
few extinct birds, including the
Great Auk and Passenger Pigeon
and secondly, six threatened and
endangered species including the
Waldrapp (Bald Ibis), Corncrake,
Nightjar and Hawk Owl. Each

31:4 (2011)

chapter tells the story of the life
history and decline of each bird in
amazing detail, the Waldrapp runs
to 42 pages. All have been
thoroughly researched — using
historical sources, with — full
references in Endnotes and a
Bibliography.

Visually the book is a real treasure,
finely produced and illustrated by
Anita's own superb artwork. My
favourite is an oil painting
Waldrapps in a World Landscape,
but there are many others to
delight the eye. In addition, the
author has chosen images from
many of the great natural history
books of the past five centuries to
enliven the text. Less well-known
to English language readers are
the sequential photographs of a
bird's development by the
German biologist Oskar Heinroth,
used to great effect.

The chapter entitled Afterword
and, somewhat curiously, her
translation of Buffon’s treatise
Discourse on the Nature of Birds
(1770) complete the book.

David Clugston

There and Back? A
Celebration of Bird
Migration. Andy Brown &
Michael Warren (eds), 2011.
Langford Press, ISBN 978-1-
5070/3571, 552 pages,
hardback, £50.00.

This is a hefty
book with a
hefty price tag,
and iS
arguably the
iM O S$ %
ambitious
publication
by Langford
Press so far. It consists of a series of
46 essays by 39 authors, and is
lavishly illustrated by 39. artists
(some of whom are also authors).
Despite its claim to be a celebration
of bird migration, about a third of it

31:4 (2011)

seems more of a lament. It Is
published in association with
Birdlife International Malta, and all
royalties generated from sales will
go to help their work in protecting
migrant birds. Judging from essay
after essay recounting the sustained
persecution in many Mediterranean
locations, but especially Malta, they
need all the support they can get. It
seems incredible that the Maltese
Government can persist in contra-
vening EU law so blatantly even now.

To me it lacks a coherent thread
and could have done with more
rigorous editing. There are essays
on insect and fish migration, just
one on global _ flyways _ for
migrating birds, a good but short
section on migrants in the UK, and
an undoubted bias towards the
depressing story in the
Mediterranean. Overall, it is a bit of
a mixed bag, but some of the
essays, like much of the superbly
reproduced artwork, are excellent.
Despite my reservations, | enjoyed
it, not least because It introduced
me to some new and exciting
artists, and, given Its dedication to
such a worthy cause, | would
recommend tt.

John Savory

Life with Birds: A Story of
Mutual Exploitation.
Malcolm Smith, 2011. Whittles,
ISBN 978-1-84995-028-2, 192
pages, paperback, £18.99.

This is a fascinating book; it is more
than a miscellany, but short of
comprehensively covering its
subject. Yet it doesn't fall between
these two stools, as it leaves you
with a genuine sense of the
richness of the many points of
contact we have with _ birds,
knowing that there is so much more
that could be said, and certainly for
me wanting to follow up. | don't
want more in this volume, it could
never say it all, and | will enjoy filling
in the gaps for myself. It is one of
those books that provides a window

Articles, News & Views

into a subject that
those of
fascinated by birds
do not often ESS
manage to think 5
through. For the
non-birder it will fe
perhaps also ial
Suseeesws

something of what inspires those of
us who have the birding bug,

In 12 relatively short chapters,
Smith explores subjects as diverse
as: birds as food; domestication;
non-food use of birds; in sharing
our habitation; competition with
us for our food; as contributors to
and cleaners up of urban rubbish;
as the inspiration for poets, artists
and composers; as pets; and, in
symbolism and superstition across
the range of human cultures.

My first impression was that this
was a Slightly pricey volume ,but
maybe it's not such bad value.

Mike Martin

Growing Barn Owls in my
Garden. Paul Hackney, 2011.
Whittles, ISBN 978-1-84995-
027-5, 160 pages, softback,
je O99).

This is a personal account of the
author's earliest encounters with
Barn Owls, and long hours spent
studying the animals in the wild
and captivity, and then applying
this knowledge to developing
effective measures and
approaches for their conservation.
It has a list of contents, acknowl-
edgements and preface then 152
pages split into 37 short chapters,
an appendix of Barn Owl facts, a
list of seven useful contacts, and
another with five titles for
suggested further reading. There is
a 16-page section of colour
photographs which tie in with
different topics within the book.

Early chapters cover childhood
memories of encounters with a

365

366

Articles, News & Views

variety of wildlife, moving on to
rehabilitation of birds and a
developing fascination with Barn
Owls, collaborative work with
Chester Zoo, and then captive
breeding and release
programmes. Other topics covered
are ecology and _ habitat
requirements and factors leading
to local and national declines in
the population. There is a strong
conservation message, and
several tales illustrating the, often
frustrating, process of dealing with
Government bodies.

An enjoyable book,
written In an
enthusiastic, light, easy
style and crammed
full of anecdotes that
bring life to the
subject. A good read
for anyone interested
in how — single
individuals can
contribute to species conservation
not just Barn Owls.

Stuart L. Rivers

A Zoologist on Baffin
Island, 1953. Adam Watson,
2011. Paragon Publishing,
ISBN 978-1-907611-70-4, 241
pages, softback, £32.99.

Adam Watson provides a lively and
evocative account of four months
spent researching in the Arctic
wilderness of Canada’s Baffin
Island in 1953. His account is rich
in descriptions of the behavioural
ecology of bird populations, with
some stunning photographs of
Snowy Owls. The photographs,
although taken long ago and
limited by the reproduction quality,
are superb. They capture the
grandeur of this arctic wilderness
whilst also acting as a window into
a simpler age and one in which
the expedition kit now looks
strangely foreign — although | can
vaguely remember such items still
In use in the 1970s! The
photographs are powered by that

strange pure
ethereal light
and blue-upon-
blue skies that
for me forever &
conjure up the “*mmerarticsdvenur
atmosphere of =~ Apt g
such northern Eee MemWasy 7 |
climes. oy

524,00 ea kon camet

The writing has a_ certain
poignancy; one not just triggered
by the death of the author's friend
on the expedition, but one of
looking back on a long-lost youth.
Just how quickly times change is
shown by the propensity to shoot
the very birds that they were
spending such incredibly long
days observing, all in the name of
research.

Having spent a great deal of time
in the Arctic wilderness of east
Greenland, | enjoyed the book as
it transported me back to these
wonderful areas, driven by a man
who displays a real passion for the
region and its avian inhabitants in
particular.

Nigel Bidgood FRGS

It’s a Fine Day for the Hill.
Adam Watson, 2011. Paragon
Puolisame, ISN 7e-l-
GOVSNIESS 27 No2Ze pages,
hardback, £34.99, paperback
2 2S).S8).

This is a book of personal reminis-
cences from when the author was
aged 5 to 32. The longest chapters
tell of his friendships with Seton
Gordon (to whom he first wrote at
the age of nine), Bob Scott (stalker
at Luibeg Cottage by Derry Lodge,
who with his wife treated AW as
“one of the family”), Tom Weir and
Tom Patey. Shorter chapters
describe the single journeys in
Scotland, often on skis and alone,
when going solo was less frowned
upon than nowadays, and _ brief
expeditions to Iceland, Lofoten
and Abisko. There are lengthy
extracts from diaries and some

chapters appeared long ago in the
journals of various clubs. Birds
often get mentioned in passing,
but there is nothing of the author's
distinguished professional life.

The main strength of the book lies
in the very warm personal tributes
to the four friends’ names above.
There are numerous photographs,
all of them good, many of people
and often against a backdrop of
hills. Much material relates to the
Cairngorms approached from
Deeside. Those with an interest in
the social history of hill walking or
mountain skiing, or who
remember the days before most
hill paths had developed or
Landover tracks had been made,
or who knew any of those friends
of the author's, will wish to get this
book. It could become a classic, so
get it now.

John Law

Watching Waterbirds. Kate
Humble & Martin McGill, 2011.
A. & C. Black, ISBN 978-1-
4081-30223; | 256m pages:
paperback, £12.99.

This book is set over a day's
birdwatching at WWT's Slimbridge
reserve with Kate Humble as a
novice birdwatcher teaming up
with the senior reserve warden
Martin McGill, with the aim of
trying to see 100 birds in one day.
Each of the five chapters starts
with a light-hearted account by
Kate of the birds seen while
carrying out this challenge. These
are then followed by species
descriptions accompanied by
photos, distribution maps and
wingspan comparisons. What Kate
writes has an
uncanny ability
to stick in your
mind; for
example, she
finds that the
calls of Eiders
remind her of
< (6h he. the — oohing

31:4 (2011)

and aahing of the Monty Python
women. The distribution maps are
fairly accurate and the book
benefits from the photos included
in it, particularly when comparing
similar species such as Common
and Spotted Redshank.

As you browse through the book,
Martin has included quiz questions.
Although many of these are basic,
there are certainly some gems. For
example, | never realised
Sanderlings have no back toes.

With this book being aimed at
beginners, each bird is given a score
on the likelihood of it being seen.
This “Great Waterbird Challenge”
has been designed to make
birdwatching fun for beginners
while at the same time helping to
develop their identification skills. If
you are new to birding or struggle
with waterbirds, | would certainly
recommend this book.

Hayley Douglas

Kestrels for Company.
Gordon Riddle, 2011. Whittles,
ISBN 975-18495-029-9, 198
pages, softback, £18.99.

A first sight of
this book poses
a question. We
see a Starling-
sized _ Kestrel
with heavily
SuplO) timed
underparts.
The answer is
found (it's a Mauritius Kestrel) along
with much else in this fascinating
and absorbing book written by a
dedicated expert. Over 40 years the
author has assembled a wealth of
information mostly on Kestrels in
Scotland, but also in other parts of
the world. There are details of
habitat choice, popular prey,
breeding, migration, persecution
and population trends. This last
sadly reflects a fairly substantial
drop in numbers in recent years,
particularly in northern Britain, of

31:4 (2011)

which most of us are aware. There
is some evidence that the increase
in other raptors such as Buzzard,
Peregrine and Goshawk has had an
effect, with a hovering Kestrel being
very vulnerable.

The book is easily read and
contains large numbers of
excellent photographs not only of
Kestrels, but of other species the
author came across in his travels.

Keith Macgregor

Birds of Trinidad & Tobago.
Martyn Kenefick, Robin Restall,
& Floyd Hayes, 2011. 2nd
Edition. Christopher Helm, ISBN
I7/8=|-408 =az209-6,
paperback, 272 pages, £24.99.

Trinidad and

_ Birds of
Tobago are a Trinidad &
perfect gentle Tobago

introduction to
the unfamiliar,
and perhaps
daunting, new
familieS Of DirdS | werkt nee rman,
found in South

America. When | went, the first
edition of this guide was not
available and | had to rely on
Richard ffrench's classic guide,
which although comprehensive
did require a lot of careful reading.

So is this new edition and guide
better? Emphatically yes. It is laid
out like a standard field guide, with
introductory chapters on
geography, climate, habitats etc.

But the bulk of the book
comprises plates (perfectly
adequate) facing species

descriptions on the opposite page.

The second edition includes new
species which have recently been
found and the latest taxonomic
changes; so my Blue-crowned
Motmot now becomes Trinidad
Motmot. The number of plates has
been increased, __ including
plumages in differing ages of
birds. | particularly appreciate the

Articles, News & Views

inclusion of those showing ducks
swimming rather than standing,
and those of the owls and
Elaenias are much improved.

The changes to the text are more
subtle, but it is clear that the
authors are endeavouring to
ensure that this guide remains up
to date. So, if you are considering
trying to break the ice and going
birding in South America, buy this
guide and start your homework!

David C. Jardine

The Atlas of Birds. Mike
Unwin, 2011. A. & C. Black,
IBSN 9781408144702,
softback, 144 pages, £16.99.

This book is very different to many
that readers of Scottish Birds will be
used to. It's not a regional avifauna
(despite its title), nor does it
describe a particular group or type
of bird. Instead, it sets out to
describe birds in their entirety, from
origins, classification and _ distri-
bution, through to their interactions
with humans, conservation and
protection. Such a wide range of
topics is covered in a surprisingly
short A4 sized book of just c.150
pages. This is achieved through a
judicious use of colourful maps,
diagrams and photographs, which
are sprinkled throughout the text.

On first browsing through this book,
| was unsure how well it would
work, attempting to cover such a
wide range in such a short space.
And yet | discovered much
information of interest, and found
myself dipping into different parts
and finding new facts and figures.
The central tenet of the book is that
birds are fascinating, beautiful and
amazing, and so worthy of study,
protection and conservation. |
found that the author Mike Unwin
managed to convey this well, and
in this regard the book ts a success,
and | recommend tt.

Chris McInerny

367

568

Articles, News & Views

OBSERVATORIES’ ROUNDUP

Observatories’ Roundup is a regular bi-annual feature about our bird observatories in
Scotland. The intention is to publicize the work of the observatories, visiting opportunities, as
well as incidental snippets of news from the islands.

‘It’s official. - ™ he new Fa

In early July top ornithologists from across the
UK gathered on Fair Isle for the official opening
of the new bird observatory. The £4 million
building was completed in 2010 and is enjoying
a busy season with a new warden and adminis-
trator looking after visitors.

The observatory now has accommodation for 20
guests and en-suite facilities in every bedroom -
a far cry from the original observatory, which was
situated in a collection of ex-Naval huts which
had a heating system which required the daily
passing of an alarm clock between residents to
allow them in turn to re-stoke the coke oven in
the middle of the night to keep it alight. This
now-famous observatory was the brainchild of
George Waterston and opened in 1948. He
realised that attracting visitors to enjoy and study
the huge numbers of migrant birds that find
shelter on Fair Isle was a way of securing the
economic future of the island.

r ‘Isle
Bird Observatory is one

-D. C. JARDINE

Plate 321. Fair Isle Bird oe © David Jardine

Fair Isle is Britain's most remote inhabited island
with a population of around 70. The observatory is
run by the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT),
a charitable trust, who decided to replace the old
1960s building that was becoming increasingly
difficult to maintain (Scottish Birds 30: 157—158).
The new building, on the site of the old, was
made possible by many individual donations and
money from charitable trusts as well as major
funding from the Scottish Rural Development
Programme (£1,807,175), Shetland Islands
Council (£1,090,766) and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (£359,999).

Fair Isle is a mecca for birders and many leading
ornithologists spent formative periods at the
observatory. Among the — ornithological
heavyweights who attended the opening were
lan Newton, an expert on migration, David Parkin,
co-author of the definitive Status of the Birds of
Britain and Ireland (2010), Andy Clements,

31:4 (2011)

Director of the BTO and many of the former
wardens at the observatory.

Previous visitors will find big changes; the new
observatory is eco-friendly with a high tech
energy system which features innovative
‘breathing building’ insulation and heat recovery.
This means that any waste heat from, for
example, the kitchen and laundry room is
captured and used to heat the accommodation,
while filters in the walls deliver fresh air and
keep heat loss to a minimum. There are also
photovoltaic panels on the roof, which turn
sunlight into electricity.

Although the observatory is still very much a
working environment geared to research, It is
also a welcoming place for visitors. The new obs
has an impressive collection of original artwork,
which helps to make it an attractive place to stay.
There are bright wall hangings commissioned
from Orkney artist Sheila Scott. Sheila has also
helped design interpretation boards explaining
the key bird life and natural heritage of Fair Isle,
as well as 15 striking metallic maps showing the

baad
i

Articles, News & Views

flyways of Fair Isle's best known migrants, and a
mobile depicting a flock of Arctic Terns being
chased by a couple of Arctic Skuas.

FIBOT Chairman, Shetland-based Roger
Riddington, said: ‘Our aim is to continue the
research work on our seabirds, migrants and
breeding landbirds, but in a setting where we
can provide a welcoming environment for all
visitors to Fair Isle.’

The new warden David Parnaby commented: ‘As
a birder, working on Fair Isle is just as amazing as
| thought it was going to be. There are times
when | have to remind myself that this really is
what | am paid to do. We're in the middle of the
breeding season and the island looks fantastic
and full of life. The migrant birds have also been
incredible, with an array of rarer species seen. It's
not just the birds which make the job special
though, the range of people who have visited are
what contribute to the atmosphere of the
observatory. We've had loads of positive
comments about the new building and plenty of
people are planning their next visit.

Plate 322. Wardens and Administrators of Fair Isle Bird Observatory at the opening of the new observatory,

2 July 2011. Back Row (left to right): Susannah Parnaby, Roger Broad, David Parnaby, Deryk Shaw, Judy
Broad, Iain Robertson, Roger Riddington. Front Row: Hollie Shaw, Nick Riddiford, Elizabeth Riddiford,

Elizabeth Harvey, Roy Dennis. © David Jardine

31:4 (2011)

370

Articles, News & Views

Susannah Parnaby, the observatory adminis-
trator, said: ‘Relocating to Fair Isle, to run the
observatory, felt quite daunting as our moving
date approached, but we have been very lucky
to move to such a welcoming and supportive
place, making it much easier to cope with the
inevitable challenges that come with running a
large guesthouse on a remote island.’

The building was supplied by Orkney
contractors Andrew H. Wilson, who went into
receivership before its completion last year. The
final work was carried out by Northmen, who
are based on Fair Isle.

Roy Dennis, President of FIBOT and former
Chairman of the Trust and warden at the
observatory, performed the official opening which
was attended by around 120 islanders and
guests, including some visiting Swedish birders
who had come by yacht to enjoy the seabirds.

Roy Dennis paid tributes to all those involved in
the re-building of the observatory, but in particular
the outgoing warden and administrator Deryk and
Hollie Shaw and the treasurer, Mike Wood, who
had helped steer FIBOT through the financial
complications during construction.

Plate 323. FIBOT President, Roy Dennis, opening the new Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, 2July 2011. © David Jardine

Jimmy Stout of Skerryholm, Fair Isle, noted that:
‘effort is essential if the excitement is to be
maintained’, and the efforts of all those
associated with FIBOT has certainly been
rewarded with exciting birds over the years, with
no fewer than 26 additions to the British List. He
closed his speech with a toast: ‘To those before
who saw the future, and to those who see it
now and look forward’.

As the community of Fair Isle celebrated the
official opening of the new Fair Isle Bird
Observatory they called for a Marine Protected
Area for the island's waters. With support of the
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT) and the
National Trust for Scotland, they are drawing up a
proposal to the Scottish Government to make
the coastal waters a Demonstration and
Research MPA. The new Scottish Marine Bill
provides an opportunity for communities to
pioneer marine management methods, aimed at
more sustainable use of the marine resource.

Full community support is one of many factors
underpinning the proposal. Islanders have been
concerned about breeding failure of some
seabirds. Fair Isle has one of Scotland's largest
seabird colonies. The health and productivity of

31:4 (2011)

the marine environment ts vital, to ensure that it
stays that way. They say the new bird
observatory, with its excellent research facilities,
as well as local expertise and the substantial
information already collected, mean the qualities
of the marine environment, culture and maritime
heritage can be interpreted and made available.

The community congratulated FIBOT for its
considerable investment in the new building
and tts determination to secure its future.

‘For more than 60 years the observatory and
staff have been an essential element of our

Articles, News & Views

island community’, said Fiona Mitchell, chair of
the Fair Isle Committee and Community
Association. ‘The observatory work not only
draws attention to our rich environment, but
also plays a large part in the socio-economic
well-being and _ stability of the community
attracting visitors to Fair Isle and Shetland.

More information on the Fair Isle Marine
Environment and Tourism Initiative see
http://www-fairisle.org.uk/FIMETI/.

David Jardine

SOC Lothian Branch trip to Fair Isle

— September 2011
D. MAIN

“Why don't you go to Fair Isle” - this from Willie
Prest at the Christmas outing in 2009. “You
could go in May/June for the nesting season or
in September/October for the autumn
migration. Either way you'll have a good time!”
(This was in response to our considering how to
celebrate the 75th Anniversary of both the SOC
and Lothian Branch). Others agreed and, as we
had two events planned for the spring, autumn
it was. We would be going to see for ourselves
what inspired George Waterston to purchase the
island and open a Bird Observatory there; plans
that he put together while in a prisoner of war
camp from 1941 to 1943.

Twenty-one members were interested and, in our
initial discussions with the Fair Isle Bird
Observatory (‘the Obs’ or ‘FIBO’), we were firmly
put off the idea of taking such a large group — not
least as it would mean hiring a plane at £1,000
per hour. So, we opted for two shorter but
overlapping periods. With the benefit of
experience, a group of 21 would not have worked.

Most people had their preferred way to get to
Shetland, fly from Edinburgh, Glagow or
Aberdeen, bus to Aberdeen and ferry to Lerwick,
camper van/caravan to Lerwick so the arranged

31:4 (2011)

part of the trip started from Shetland. The Good
Shepherd IV was considered but we were put
off by the tales of very rough crossings (this
proved to be a good decision as the Good
Shepherd was laid up for part of the time we
were there). Direct Flight had two planes and
would be able to take each group to and from
Fair Isle 15 minutes apart. Nearer the time we
were told they had only one plane as the other
was in bits in Cumbernauld — this did cause
some logistical problems — more of that later.

Wg llliay

a ee

Plate 324. The first Lothian SOC group on Fair Isle, September

2011 - without Mark Holling who was still outside savouring

‘the best day's birding of his life” © Doreen Main

371

BZ.

Articles, News & Views

James and | had three days on Shetland before
the trip and were lucky to have excellent views of
one of the juvenile Pallid Harriers at Hillwell. On
13th, eight of the group (minus Mark Holling,
who was arriving on the 14th) met for dinner at
the Grand Hotel, Lerwick. Despite booking a table
in the bar, the waiter insisted that we ate in the
very posh dining room, even although we were In
our birding gear. However, we did have a good
meal and it was a good start to the trip.

On 14th, eight of us met at Tingwall at 9.30 and
luckily we all got on the 10 am flight — in spite
of some heavy pressure from two day trippers
that we should let them go on the first flight.
(We had been booked for a year!). We arrived
in brilliant sunshine and were met by Susannah
Parnaby, the administrator, who quickly whisked
us to the Obs, gave us coffee and an
introductory chat then we walked down to the
South Haven. There were Bonxies everywhere,
some Ringed Plovers, Twite and one very
confiding Knot. After lunch, we were taken by
Jason Moss, one of the rangers, to Shirva where
we had excellent views of a long-staying
Melodious Warbler. It was on a fence 20 feet
away catching flies and oblivious to the 14 or so
birders watching It. The group then settled down
for six days there.

Fair Isle lies between Orkney and Shetland and
is only three miles long and a mile and-a-half
wide with 70-75 inhabitants, a chapel, a church,
a shop and two lighthouses and, of course the
Observatory and the George Waterston
Museum. Despite, or because of, the small
population it is a very integrated and supportive
community. The Observatory plays a key role in
the community and it is used for community
events and weddings.

Staying at the Obs is wonderful. The public areas
are well laid out and very comfortable and the
bedrooms all have en-suite facilities — Roy
Dennis was incredulous that bird watchers
needed en-suite facilities!) We had no
complaints. The food is good and ample,
seconds always available — if you have room! At
breakfast there was always porridge, cereal and
fruit as well as a cooked breakfast and filter
coffee. At lunch there was home-made soup
and a main course and a very fresh salad bowl.
(Sunday lunch was a roast and all the
trimmings). Dinner was a main course and
pudding and tea and coffee were available at all
times in the lounge. The bar opened before
dinner and stayed open until 11 pm or when the
last drinker went to bed. We were never that

[iixorennus ceceeamcoraserrel)

Plate 325. The second group of Lothian SOC members, Fair Isle, September 2011. © Doreen Main

31:4 (2011)

late. The bar has an excellent selection of
Shetland beers from Simmer Dim to Auld Rock
and the usual lager, spirits and wine.

Outside the Obs is a new plantation, which is
already proving attractive to migrants. While we
were there we had a Great Grey Shrike, Yellow-
browed Warbler, Wryneck, Blyth’s Reed Warbler
and Grasshopper Warbler and numerous more
common birds in this plantation alone. Many of
those could be viewed from the library! Also
down at the North and South Havens there
were the usual waders, a Slavonian Grebe one
morning and Snow Buntings on Buness. Also
there was an almost-comatose young Gannet.
We expressed concern but were assured it
would probably be OK - just sleeping off an
overdose of fish. Sure enough on day three it
seemed to perk up in the morning and later,
made its way down to the water then swam off
into North Haven and out to sea.

A typical day started in the Boot Room at 07:00
then off to run the traps - back to the ringing
room at 07:45 with the birds from the traps. The
rangers are hugely knowledgeable and expert at
ringing and bird identification and were happy to
share their knowledge with us. The traps and
mist-nets were checked frequently throughout
the day and if a rarity was caught we were all
invited to the ringing room to witness the ringing
and release.

Morning and afternoon outings were weather
and bird dependent. We might decide to seek
out a particular species e.g. Lapland Bunting at
Pund or for Citrine Wagtail, initially at Furse then
at Da Water. Alternatively, we might just check
out all the croft gardens in the hope of finding
our own rarity. One particularly windy day we
opted for a sea watch from South Lighthouse. We
were able to find a sheltered spot and were
rewarded with Sooty and Manx Shearwater, one
Razorbill and Guillemot as well as the common
Tysties or Black Guillemot. If a rarity is discovered
the Obs minibus flies round the island picking up
birders — if it is a BBRC bird, the bus sports a red
flag. One afternoon, we were swept off to Da
Water, where a Great Snipe had been spotted.
Once everyone gathered the rangers organised a
line over the marsh and we all had a good views
as it flew off and landed nearby.

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

Plate 326. Great Grey Shrike, Fair Isle, September 2011.
© Mark Holling

You could order a packed lunch but usually we
were back at the Observatory for a fairly quick
lunch, coffee and then out again. We had to be
back for dinner at 6 pm. After dinner our group
did our own checklist. On four nights there were
talks, one by our own Mark Holling on the Rare
Breeding Birds Panel, one on a great birding trip
(if somewhat rain-soaked) to Colombia and one
on some Norfolk rarities. Jason Moss also gave
an interesting talk on Fair Isle and the role of the
rangers. Then at 9:30 pm there was the main
checklist, taken by the warden, Dave Parnaby or
one of the rangers. This was mainly to record the
birds seen by the rangers and their counts were
hugely impressive. Occasionally, either our group
or one of the other visitors had seen something
the rangers hadn't, but this was unusual.

The best way to see the island is to walk. It is
only three miles from north to south. However,
we were there for 10 days, so we decided to
hire a car from Florrie and Jim Stout at

27/5)

Articles, News & Views

Plate 327. The group at Pund, Fair Isle, where they had

been watching Lapland Buntings. © Doreen Main

574

Skerryholm. Jim is the grandson of the famous
George Stout. The car was a white Lregistered
Volvo Estate, which got us around safely. The car
deserves a page to itself, but let's just say it had
certain idiosyncrasies. Some old hands are
probably expressing horror at the idea of a car,
but it did save the slog back to the Obs towards
the north of the island, especially for lunch and
dinner. Interestingly, the Obs has just started an
experimental “taxi” service to and from the shop,
which is two-thirds of the way down the island.

Regarding the shop (the Stackhoull Stores) this
carries a comprehensive stock and has a cash
machine; the garden and area around Is a well-
known mecca for rare birds, so much so that
John Holloway wrote a book called ‘Fair Isle’s
Garden Birds’ in 1983, which records birds seen
from the shop between 1978 and 1983. This
includes Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Pied
Flycatcher, Wryneck, Hawfinch, Bluethroat and
Isabelline Wheatear. It also includes ornitho-
logical recollections as told by the Fair Isle
households as well as a sketch of each house.
This includes notes on a “big bird” sitting at
Barkland in 1970. It turned out to be a Great
Bustard! Also a Song Sparrow at Setter. There are
also some interesting comments on_ bird
watchers, not necessarily complimentary. One
resident commented that, had they been better
informed, they wouldn't have teased the Assistant
Warden about their cat having orange feathers
sticking out of its mouth, when everyone was
hunting a Baltimore Oriole in 1976.

Regarding our own experience, we soon got to
know the island and the crofts and areas by the
birds found there, e.g. Pund for Short-eared Owls
and Lapland Buntings (Plate 327); the shop and
the chalet for Barred and Yellow-browed Warblers;
the Haa for the Spotted Flycatcher and the many
waders on the back fields; Schoolton for
Common Rosefinch and Barred Warbler (the
owner, a previous warden at the Obs, flagged us
down and told us about the Barred Warbler — an
example of how it all works on the island); Bull
Park and Utra for Little Bunting (only two of the
group were lucky!); Shirva for the long-staying
Melodious Warbler; South Harbour and Buness
for Snow Buntings, Purple Sandpipers and, on
one day, 35 Whooper Swans flew in.

| noted earlier that the fact that Direct Flight had
only one plane caused some logistical problems,
not least on the last day when six were booked to
go out at 2.30 pm and six at 3.30 pm. The 2.30
flight went off and there were no indications of
any difficulties, but the plane never made the
second flight as it was diverted to Fetlar. So six of
the group had to be found space at the Obs for
one more night. One of the group opted to sail
on the Good Shepherd and had a very rough,
miserable crossing. The plane returned the next
morning to take the remaining five to Tingwall.
One compensation — a Baird's Sandpiper had
been spotted at the Haven by Al (Alastair) McNee
from Inverness (a former Recorder for Highland).

The Good Shepherd sails three times a week
and it can be very rough. However, it is an
essential link to the island for the delivery of
food and all other commodities, including cars.
It also takes the Fair Isle sheep to market in
Shetland. Jim Stout, previously mentioned, was
on the Good Shepherd for 40 years, 20 of them
as Captain — he now chooses to fly!

Fair Isle is very special especially for bird watching
but, just being on such a small island is a unique
experience. Mark Holling was one of the first
group and he describes one day on the island as
probably the best day's birding he has ever had!
Fair Isle weaves a magic all of its own. Many of us
are planning to return, probably next year.

Doreen Main,
SOC Lothian Branch Secretary

31:4 (2011)

The autumn at Strathbeg is always exciting,
from mid-September onwards numbers of
returning Pink-footed Geese steadily increase
and there is always the possibility of some
other goodie turning up as well (Steppe Grey
Shrike in October 2010 for example). This week
was no exception and, in addition to the geese
arriving, there had been a couple of sightings of
Common Crane showing briefly before
disappearing. | was annoyed that | kept missing
it, whilst the rest of the team had seen it briefly,
and had been chatting to Tim Marshall, saying
that it would be just my luck that we get sent a
photo and it had turned into a Sandhill Crane!

On 22 September, there was a steady arrival of
Pink-footed Geese from early that morning.
After lunch, we were standing outside the office
enjoying the sights and sounds of the geese
arriving and working out the priorities for the
rest of the day, so that everyone could enjoy
the seemingly never ending stream of geese
arriving. The team went off to hang a couple of
gates and | headed back into the office to finish
a few things when Ken Jack and Pauline
Johnson came over and mentioned that the
crane had just landed on Savoch Low Ground, |
grabbed my scope and wandered over, e-mails
or Common Crane not really a choice!

31:4 (2011)

| scanned the area, but could see nothing
crane-like, lots of Herons, but nothing larger. My
attention was caught by a group of Black-tailed
Godwits and Ruff flying over the marsh, and as
| watched, they flew in front of a crane. At this
stage | was counting the flock, but did register
that the crane had lots of red on its head, so it
must be an adult, then as the waders started to
land | did a mental double take — there was no
white or black on its neck. | quickly abandoned
the waders and turned my full attention to the
crane — sure enough huge area of red
extending down to the base of the bill and no
black or white markings at all. Sandhill Crane
instantly crossed my mind and the harder |
looked, the more convinced | became that it
was one, but there was no one else around to
confirm that | was not hallucinating. At this point
without taking my eye from the scope | called
the team and left some apparently very funny
messages pleading with them not to drive any
closer to the Low Ground, as | did not want this
bird flushed and at the same time telling them
to get back here with cameras as it wasn't a
Common Crane. | also phoned two of our
regulars — Margaret, who had only left the
centre about 45 minutes before, and Tim, who
was probably the next closest. The conversation
with Tim in particular was not in the least bit

| B75)

576

Articles, News & Views

coherent; | suspect he thought | had been
drinking, but | did get across that | was watching
a crane that was not a common and he should
get up here fast. | finally managed to get in
touch with Diana, our Visitor Officer, who was
on her day-off shopping at the time and
convinced her that she should come in pronto.

| sat back and watched the bird whilst taking
notes and having a quick scan through the
Collins Bird Guide, and yes everything fitted, red
patch on forehead that seemed to encompass
the eye and extended to the base of an all dark
bill, the face and the front of the neck was more
silvery grey than the rest of the bird and,
although distant, it did appear to have brown
feathers on the wings and the base of the neck.
Surely, this had to be a Sandhill Crane, a bird |
had wanted to see so much that, in 2009, | had
broken my rule of never leaving my home
county and twitched the Orkney bird (there is a
moral in this somewhere). After what seemed
to be several hours, if not days, but in reality
was probably no more than 20 minutes,
Margaret came in and was soon grilling the bird,
followed by Diana (shopping carelessly thrown

into the boot of her car) and then a short time
later by Tim — who had taken the garbled
conversation seriously and had bought a
decent field guide with him. It is amazing what
stress and adrenaline does to your ability to
think rationally, normally | am quite confident
that | know my alphabet (even if my spelling
leaves a little bit to be desired), but | was
completely unable to find Crane in the index
and had to rely on calmer members of the team
to undertake that simple task on my behalf.

With multiple birders watching it, all absolutely
happy that | was not mad but had indeed found
a Sandhill Crane we started to put the news out
as widely and as rapidly as possible. Of course
in true Strathbeg style the minute other people
Started to arrive the crane decided to fly off low
to the north — although we were able to see
that it did land again. By this stage thanks to
Pauline and Ken, we had some perfectly
adequate photos that readily confirmed its
identification just in case it was never re-located
— which as my attempts at digiscoping are more
a source of amusement than instruction was a
good thing, in truth if my pictures had been the

Plate 329. Sandhill Crane, RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, North-East Scotland, September 2011. © Joseph Nichols —

31:4 (2011)

only supporting images | am not sure | would
have been able to convince anyone (myself
included) that | was looking at a bird let alone a
Sandhill Crane!

As it was well past four, with unavoidable
childcare duties beckoning (my wife was on 12-
hour night shifts) | had to abandon the fun and
leave the relocation of the bird to others and |
sped off to pick up my youngest from nursery
school before | started to get phone calls asking
if | was leaving Cameron there for the night - an
option that did briefly cross my mind, as | wanted
to enjoy the bird, but one | felt would not be too
popular with my wife, Cameron or the nursery
school. In fact, on arriving home just before my
wife left for work, | got a rather amusing response
to the news of my great find, along the lines of
“didn't you travel a long way to see one of those
just a couple of years ago as they were so rare ...
always thought you were mad!"

The relief was immense when | started to get
messages from Diana to say it was showing
well, feeding in fields close to St Combs and was
watched until it got dark, although she had not
seen it coming in to roost...

With it likely to prove quite a popular attraction
(should it show), opening the centre at 08:00
just was not an option, so a rota was prepared.
To say | was relieved when Diana sent me a text
just after 07:00 the following morning to say
that tt was asleep on the Low Ground, would be
an understatement, although the text that
followed about ten minutes later saying tt had
flown got my pulse racing again! The bird spent
the Friday feeding in stubble fields around St
Combs — occasionally giving everyone the slip
when it would fly off low and disappear behind
buildings or contours in the fields, sometimes
taking over an hour to be relocated. That
evening, it flew back onto the reserve at about
19:00 and was watched until it got dark —
Saturday was going to be busy!

On Saturday morning, again at around 07:00 |
got the message that the crane was probably on
the Low Ground, but due to the centre being
packed was not certain. This was followed not
long after by confirmation that it was behaving in
the same manner as the previous day and had

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

‘a Mb
Scotland, September 2011. © Harry Scott

flown off north to feed. Over the weekend, tt
followed the same pattern, roosting on Savoch
Low Ground, before flying off to feed in recently
harvested fields close to St Combs. It usually
showed well, although was very good at hiding
behind the big bales of straw and in previously
unnoticed dips in the ground. The reserve was
busy over the weekend, including, on Sunday
morning, three birders from Belgium, who had
driven overnight up to Strathbeg and had to get
back to Dover by 20:00 that night — whilst calling
in on an American Black Tern in Lincolnshire on
the way, which as they did not leave until about
08:00 was going to be pretty tight.

On the 26th, the bird was definitely more jumpy
than on previous mornings, although this could
have been related to the level of shooting on
adjacent land. It left the roost before 07:00,
when it again flew low north to feed, before
returning to Savoch by 11:30. At midday, it took
off and started to circle over the area steadily
gaining height before it drifted off to the south
and being lost to view.

A great bird with which to finish my seven-year
stint at Strathbeg.

Dominic Funnell, RSPB Loch of Strathbeg,
Aberdeenshire.

Plate 330. Sandhill Cr ne, RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, North-East

378

S. BENTALL

Despite Broadford Bay's limited intertidal zone It
provides some of the richest feeding grounds
along the north-west seaboard. Poor weather in
late September-early October had already seen
Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Jack Snipe and
significant numbers of Pale-bellied Brent Geese
arrive at Broadford Bay.

The 4 October 2011 started bright in Broadford
turning overcast by midday with strong south-
westerly winds. At 15:45 visiting friend Andrea
Hudspeth and | were preparing to leave the
house when | decided to take one last look out
across the bay from my living room. Scanning
across Glas Eilean with the naked eye | picked
out a medium-sized white heron-like bird flying
very low over the skerry. My hopes were raised
immediately. The identification was quickly

established as Little Egret Egretta garzetta. | told
Andrea our plans had changed and she was to
start her car immediately and that this was a
local rarity. | grabbed my bins, scope and
camera and we rushed to a friends’ house
further along the bay.

The egret was feeding frantically when we
relocated it and | knew that there was a good
chance that this bird could leave at any time. Its
greenish legs and pink lower mandible showed
clearly this bird was a juvenile. | took a few quick
shots and then commandeered Paul Withey’s
phone to contacting my wife, and local birder
Martin Benson. They both promptly arrived
within minutes and Martin was able to secure
some fantastic images.

31:4 (2011)

The egret continued to feed for an hour before
being harassed by Herring Gulls and then flew
to roost in a neighbours’ garden. Martin
broadcasted the news on BirdGuides and |
submitted the record to BIO BirdTrack and
Highland county recorder Hugh Insley.

The Little Egret has continued to show well
throughout October providing many local
residents and passing birders with great views.

McMillan, R.L 2009. Skye Birds (2nd ed.). Skye-
Birds.com, Isle of Skye.

Stephen Bentall, Tullymet, Harrapool,
Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AQ.
Email: s.bentall@talk21.com

se Sr

Plate 332. Little Egret Broadfor

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

In late summer 2011, the Scottish record count for
a group of Little Egrets was equalled and then
broken twice. In July, four were counted at
Guardbridge (Fife); this equalled the previous
Scottish record (surprisingly on Mull in 1969). Five
were then seen in Dumfries & Galloway in August.
In Lothian, varying numbers of egrets were seen at
Aberlady Bay, Tyninghame and Belhaven; some
ringed and some not. A hint as to the true number
of birds involved only came when seven were
seen together at Tyninghame on 20 August. Colin
Davison, Keith Gillon and Calum Scott were
birding the south side of the Tyne Estuary when
they saw two and then three birds across in the
Heckies Hole area. Returning later, the number of
individuals visible increased as birds were pushed
out of the creeks by the rising tide, and the final
count reached seven together on the saltmarsh.

d Bay, Skye, October 2011. © Martin Benson

580

M.S. CHAPMAN

The first Red-flanked Bluetail for Scotland (and
second for Britain) was shot at Skaw, Whalsay,
Shetland on 7 October 1947. It was 24 years
until the next, a spring male on Fetlar in 1971. It
remained an extremely rare visitor here until
very recently: occurrences in Scotland were few
and far between, with three in the 1970s, two
in the 1980s, then four in the 1990s. The first
multiple occurrence was in 1999, when two
birds were found. It is almost exclusively a late
autumn visitor, with just two spring occurrences,
with the vast majority of records referring to first-
winter birds, although several adult males have
appeared: Fetlar, Shetland 31 May to 1 June
1971; Foveran bushes, Ythan Estuary, North-
East Scotland, 27—28 September 1998: Fair Isle,
29 September 2004.

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As a rare migrant it has everything: stunning looks,
Siberian taiga origin, and it is related to a favourite
everyday species, though more skulking,
enigmatic and exotic. Its fleeting visits on cold
autumnal days to remote, sometimes obscure,
coastal sites gave those places a special aura and
their finders a privileged status. This changed in
2010. It has now become a realistic target for late
autumn bird-finders at almost any of the
migration hotspots, though so far maintaining a
strong east coast bias in its appearances.

In recent years, it has continued a westwards
range expansion, which started in the late 19th
century in Russia. This is linked by some to
climatic amelioration in northern Europe from
that time; with a few pioneering males singing in

31:4 (2011)

N
oa)

N
fo)

Oi

Number of occurrences

jo)

1946-50
ail e95)
1956-60
1961-65
1966-70
IS N=75

Articles, News & Views

1976-80
1981-85
1986-90
S995
1996-00
2001-05
2006-10

Figure 1. Records of Red-flanked Bluetails in Scotland by five-year periods.

the high latitude forests of Finland from the early
1970s the vanguard of a serious colonization
there, with up to 500 singing males estimated to
be on territory from the early part of this century.
The population is centered in forested regions
between latitudes 70° and 75°N, especially
around Kuusamo. Breeding attempts have also
been made in Estonia and Sweden.

Figure 2. Distribution of Red-flanked Bluetails in
Scotland (red = up to end 2009, blue = 20/0 only).
The Fife 2010 record is included, but ts still to be
assessed by BBRC.

31:4 (2011)

A steady rise in occurrences in Scotland in the
last decade is apparent, with 15 up to and
including 2009, and three records each in
2003, 2006 and 2008, coinciding with the
consolidation of the range extension.

With the previous highest annual total in Scotland
of three (2003, 2006, 2008), 2010 was clearly
exceptional, with 13 birds, and records exhibit a
split between the Northern Isles (10 birds) and
singles in Fife, Lothian and Borders (Fig. 2).
Perhaps surprisingly, none has yet been recorded
on the west side of Scotland.

Table 1. List of 2010 Scottish records.

Five in September:
27th two (one trapped) Fair Isle
28th one first-winter trapped Fife Ness, Fife*
28th one Norwick, Unst, Shetland
30th one trapped Skaw, Whalsay, Shetland

Eight in October:
8th one Tresta, Shetland
8th one Geosetter, Shetland
11th one Queenamidda, Rendall, Orkney
11th one Scoughall, Lothian
14—15th one Kergord, Shetland
15th one Troswick, Shetland
16th one Fair Isle
16th one first-winter trapped Mire Loch, St. Abbs
Head, Borders

*Of these, all were accepted by BBRC with the exception of the
record of one trapped at Fife Ness (Plate 336), details of which
have recently been submitted via the BTO Ringing Office.

UK records

There have now been a total of 98 accepted
individuals in Britain to the end of 2010, with 37
of these in Scotland.

381

Articles, News & Views

In addition to the 13 birds in Scotland, there
were 18 accepted records in the rest of Britain in
2010, where the recent pattern of increasing
sightings has broadly matched the situation
here. Of these the timings of the majority of
east-coast records correlate closely with ours,
but the five in the far south and south-west all
occurred a little later, making a case perhaps for
some filtering down of earlier more northerly
arrivals, although late ‘sibes’ in the south-west
also appear to turn up quite often when those
parts are also in the thrall of their own locally
ideal weather patterns for a direct easterly origin.

Fe AF artaAFr le

The clear arrival in the last few days of September
was associated with a good arrival of migrants of
possible Fenno-Scandinavian origin, such as Red-
breasted Flycatchers, Rustic and Little Buntings,
and several Arctic Warblers, as well as more
classic Siberian species such as Yellow-browed
Warblers and White's Thrush. From 8th to 15
October, the ‘second wave’ of Bluetails coincided
with a clear arrival of Siberian species; Pallas’s
Grasshopper, Lanceolated, Pallas’s, Yellow-
browed, Dusky and Radde’s Warblers and
Isabelline Shrike, as well as Blyth’s Reed Warbler,
Red-breasted Flycatchers and Ortolan Buntings,
again perhaps with closer Scandinavian origins.

The first accepted record for Finland occurred as
recently as 1949, although birds were reported
prior to this, but before the national records
committee there assessed them. Singing birds in
the 1970s heralded the start of the colonization.
Although only four pairs were actually confirmed
in 1995, for example, with the remoteness of the
region and the unobtrusive breeding presence of
the species, only good estimates of breeding
numbers are possible, typically taken as being
c.10 times the number found on transect surveys.
These estimates varied between 50-300
pairs/occupied territories in the 1990s, with
some variation between years and an average of
100 pairs or less then (Vdisdnen et a/. 1998),
with between 150-350 pairs or occupied
territories in 2000-05, increasing to 300—1,500
pairs in 2006-10 (Valkama et a/. 2011), with an
amazing peak of possibly as many as 4,000 pairs
in both 2009 and 2010 (A. Rajasdarkka pers.
comm.). Similar rising patterns, of migratory
occurrence, for the UK and places like Norway
and Sweden, and the close correlation with the
timings and progress of Finnish colonization
mean a case could be made for linking all the
records and theorizing that the bulk of our
Bluetails originate from the Finnish population,
although presumably there has been a similar

Plate 334. Red-flanked Bluetail, Kergord, Shetland, October 2010. © Hugh Harrop

582

31:4 (2011)

pattern of breeding range expansion and perhaps
greater numbers involved in neighbouring parts
of west Russia.

It was also suggested recently (Hudson et al.
2011) that migration patterns may have recently
altered. With a large and growing population
moving westwards, and with the associated
‘random’ dispersal of juveniles into new areas, It
does seem possible that new routes may be
‘trialled’ and even new wintering sites and areas
found. However, we might also logically expect
that with a large new population in northern
Europe of a long distance migrant with a wintering
range in southern Asia, there would be increased
vagrancy in north-west Europe by way of the
‘normal’ vagrancy routes explained by theories
such as reverse migration and high pressure drift.

Equally, the effect of prevailing weather conditions
in the UK on the number of Red-flanked Bluetails
occurring in different years should not be under-
estimated. In Shetland and much of eastern
Britain in 2010, late September and the second
week of October saw spells of sustained suitable
easterly winds from the continent and produced
a large influx of Bluetails. In Shetland, in particular
in 2011, the local weather has been dominated
by Atlantic systems and a strongly prevailing
westerly airstream. To date (end October) we
have had none and the only bird in Scotland was
a first-winter on Papa Westray, Orkney on 14
October, whereas there have been ten birds on
the English east coast from Kent to County
Durham during 13—19 October.

In Scotland, Red-flanked Bluetails will probably
always remain a rare treat, but it does not seem
too far-fetched to imagine a young male being
discovered at some point in the future singing
atop a small conifer on a sunlit, forested slope in
some remote glen...

Acknowledgments

To all the photographers whose excellent
portraits appear here: George Petrie, Lee Mott
and Jim Cobb. Also Hugh Harrop for photos,
helpful discussion and help with contacting
Finnish observers, and to Ari Rajasdarkkd,
Conservation Biologist with the Finnish Forest
and Park Service, for the most up-to date
breeding data from Finland, very many thanks.

31:4 (2011)

Articles, News & Views

—

Plate 335. Red-flanke
October 2010. © George Petrie

*

| iad

Plate 336. Red-flanked Bluetail Fife Ness, Septemb
© Jim Cobb

References

Hudson, N. and the Rarities Committee. 2011.
Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2010.
British Birds 104: 557-629. [pp. 612-614]

Vaisdanen, R.A., Lammi, E. & Koskimies, P. 1998.
Muuttuva Pesimalinnusto: New Finnish Bird
Atlas. Finnish Museum of Natural History.

Valkama, J., Vepsaldinen, V. & Lehikoinen, A.
2011. The Third Finnish Breeding Bird Atlas.
Finnish Museum of Natural History and
Ministry of Environment. atlas3.lintuatlas.fi/
results/species/red-flanked%20bluetail

Sveinung Hobbererstad’s bird sites: http://
www.hobberstad.net/fugl/blaastjertq_eng.htm

Mark Chapman, 55 Leaside, Firth,
Mossbank, Shetland ZE2 9TF
Email: msc.1 @btinternet.com

| Bluetail Geosetter, Shetland,

er 2010.

383

384

BIRDGUIDES4 REVIEW

1 July to 30 September 2011

S. MENZIE

All records refer to the period 1
June to 30 September 2011
unless otherwise stated.

Records in BirdGuides Reviews
are published for interest only.
All records are subject to
acceptance by the relevant
records committee.

To submit your sightings, use
the following web link
www.birdguides.com/birdnes/
submit.asp, telephone on 0333
5772473, email sightingsG
birdguides.com (no _ large
attachments please), or text
BIRDS RPT (followed by your
message) to 07786 200505.
Sightings are also picked up
from selected local mews groups
and various other sources.

Recent bird mews can be
viewed at www.birdguides.com
(free registration is required),
with a vwalued-added service
available on subscription.

The following abbreviations for
the respective recording areas are
used within the text: Ang - Angus
& Dundee; Arg - Argyll; Ayrs -
Ayrshire; Bord - Borders; Caith -
Caithness; D&G - Dumiries &
Galloway; High - Highland; Loth -
Lothian; M&N - Moray & Nairn;
NES - North-east Scotland; Ork -
Orkney; OH - Outer Hebrides;
P&K - Perth & Kinross; Shet -
Shetland; UF - Upper Forth.

Rarities

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31:4 (2011)

juvenile was present at the Ythan
Estuary (NES) from 27 September
onwards. A juvenile Least
Sandpiper was at South Ness,
Foula (Shet) from 14-24
September. There were six Baird’s
Sandpipers reported during the
period, with individuals at Loch of
Strathbeg RSPB (NES) on 23
August, at Banna Minn, Burra
(Shet) on 30 August, on_ Islay
(Arg) on 4—5 September, on Fair
Isle on 24 September, at Uig,
Lewis (OH) on 13 September, and
at Loch Paible, North Uist on 21
September. White-rumped
Sandpipers sightings included
birds on the Ythan Estuary (NES)
on 29 July and 21-22 September,
on Tiree (Arg) on 4 August and 15
September, two at Uig, Lewis on
13. September, an adult at
Peninerine /Kilpheder, South Uist
on 15th and 21st, and singles on
St Kilda (all OH) on 19-20
September, Hopeman (M&N) on
23-24 September, at Northton,
Harris (OH) on 26th, and at
Musselburgh Lagoons (Loth) on
30th. A possible Hudsonian
Whimbrel was seen briefly at
Grenitote, North Uist (OH) on 24
September. A Lesser Yellowlegs
was at Findhorn Bay (M&N) on 25
September. A Great Snipe was on
Fair Isle from 30 August to 2
September, with presumably a
second bird on the island from 18
September to 29 September. A
juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher
was at Baron’s Haugh RSPB
(Clyde) from 17 September until
at least the end of the month.

A first-winter Laughing Gull was
photographed off Torsa Island
@rg) on 14 September
Bonaparte’s Gull — sightings
consisted of a Ist-summer off
Berneray, North Uist (OH) on 18 &
19 July, an adult at Borve, Lewis
(OH) from 14-19 August, with
another, or the same, adult on
Berneray, North Uist on 26-30
August, and an adult at Dornoch
(High) from 14-17 August. Single
Yellow-legged Gulls were at
Stranraer (D&G), Barassie (Ayrs),
and a probable full adult at Aijth,
West Mainland (Shet) on 25 July.

A Whiskered Tern made a brief
appearance at Loch of Strathbeg

RSPB reserve (NES) on 12
September. A White-winged
Black Tern was on North

Ronaldsay (Ork) on 9 & 10 July,
with presumably the same bird
then seen on Fair Isle on 16 July.

On Lewis (OH), a male Snowy
Owl was reported intermittently at

© Jacqui Herrington

31:4 (2011)

Plate 338. Short-toed Lark, North Ronaldsay, Orkney, September 2011.

BirdGuides Review

several sites from 23 July through
to 17 September. An Alpine Swift
was present at Laxo, Central
Mainland (Shet) on 29 July.

Short-toed Larks were restricted to
the Northern Isles, with a bird at
Inner Skaw, Unst (Shet) from the
end of June staying until 5 July, with
a second bird there on 19 July and
on 18 September, a bird on Fair Isle
from 7 August to 27 August and
presumably a second bird present
a month later on 20 September,
and a bird on North Ronaldsay
(Ork) from 27 September onwards.
There were two records of Red-
rumped Swallow: on Mull (Arg)
on 5 July and at Loch of Hillwell
(Shet) on 19-21 August.

A Red-eyed Vireo was on Barra
from 22 September to the end of
the month. An adult Lesser Grey
Shrike was at Laxo, Central
Mainland (Shet) from 25-29
September.

All records of Greenish Warblers
came from Shetland, with the
exception of a bird at Collieston
(NES) on 24-26 August. The
earliest and latest records from
Shetland came from Fair Isle on 12
August and Sumburgh on 4
September. Arctic Warblers were
restricted to Shetland, with birds on
Fair Isle on 23-24 August,
Sumburgh/Grutness, South
Mainland on 24—26 August, at
Norwick, Unst on 25 August, Tresta,
Fetlar on 4 September, Hoswick,

rs oa*_f we*_ yg
Centtich Rirds
ICOUUISH BIG.

Plate 337. Baird's Sandpiper, Islay, Argyll, September 2011. © Jim Dickson |

385

586

BirdGuides Review

South Mainland from 7-9
September and Sandwick on 17-18
September, the latter being joined
by a Greenish Warbler on the
second day of Its stay. There was a
Western Bonelli’s Warbler from
Gulberwick (Shet) on 9—12 August,
and another at Leagarth, Fetlar on
12 September.

A Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler
was on Fair Isle on 30 September,
with an Eastern Olivaceous
Warbler there on 2—3 September.
Booted Warblers were seen at
several sites across Shetland with
birds at Grutness, South Mainland
on 24-26 August, Fair Isle on 26
August, Skaw, Unst (Shet) on
23-28 August and at Scatness on
2-3 September; a probable was at
Wester Quarff on 28-30
September. A Melodious Warbler
was at St Abbs Head (Bord) on 30
August. A Blyth’s Reed Warbler
was on Tiree (Arg) from 19-26
September, one at Bixter, West
Mainland (Shet) on 19th, with
another trapped and ringed on Fair
Isle on 19 September. Marsh
Warblers were in Shetland at Unst
on 7 July, Ham, Foula on 6 & 8
September, at Quarff, South
Mainland on 13 September, and in
Orkney on North Ronaldsay on 1
July and 30-31 August.

>

Scottish Birds

A Grey-cheeked Thrush was
present at Tresta, Fetlar (Shet)
from 22-24 September, while at
Boddam, South Mainland (Shet),
a Swainson’s Thrush was present
from 21-23 September. A
Common Nightingale was on
Tiree (Arg) from 3—8 September.

All records of Citrine Wagtail came
from Fair Isle and North Ronaldsay
(Ork) during the last week of
August onwards, except for a
possible at Rigifa Pool (NES) and
one seen on a vessel at sea
approximately 37 miles east of
South Ronaldsay. A Pechora Pipit
was at Burns and Harrier on Foula
(Shet) from 18-20 September. Up
to two Buff-bellied Pipits were on
North Ronaldsay (Ork) on 22—26
September, with other single birds
on St Kilda (OH) on 18th and near
Ham, Foula on 22—29th. A Tawny
Pipit was on North Ronaldsay
(Ork) on 18 September and a Red-
throated Pipit was on the same
island on 30th.

A juvenile —-Yellow-breasted

Bunting was on Foula (Shet) from
25-28 September. A male Black-
headed Bunting was on Fair Isle on
3-16 July, and one at Belmont,
Unst (Shet) from 28 September.
Little Buntings were at Sanday

Plate 339. Black-headed Bunting, Unst, Shetland, September 2011. © Mike Thrower

(Ork) on 18 September and at
several sites on Shetland induding
one on Fair Isle on 19-29
September, one at Ajth, Fetlar on
25th, one at Vaivoe, Whalsay on
25-29 September, and one on Out
Skerries on 29 September. Two-
barred Crossbills were seen at
several sites across Shetland, with a
female at Halligarth, Unst on 29—31
July, joined by a male from 30th to
1 August, then a female at
Sumburgh on 14 August and a
juvenile on Tronda on the same day.

Scarce

Snow Geese were at several sites
and included a white morph on
Barra (OH) on 27 September, a
white morph at Craobh Haven (Arg)
from 8 August to 5 September, and
three at Blackdog (NES) on 25
September. An American Wigeon
was at Loch Stiligarry or Loch Bee,
South Uist (OH) from 13 July to at
least the end of September and in
Spey Bay (M&N) on 11 September.
Surf Scoters were seen off
Blackdog (NES), peaking at four
individuals on 4 July, in Lunan Bay
(A&D) from 1 August, and a male
was in Ronas Voe, North Mainland
(Shet) from 28 September.

Cory's Sheatwaters were seen at
three sites, with birds passing
Dunbar (Loth) and then St Abbs
Head (Bord) on 17 September and
Rubha Reidh (High) on 28 August.
Great Shearwaters were slighily
more numerous, with singles
passing North Ronaldsay (Ork) on
28 August and 9 Sepiember, two
past Ardvule, South Uist (OH) on 2
September, and a probable past
Coll (Arg) on 7 September. Single
Balearic Shearwaters were seen
off the Butt of Lewis, Lewis (OH) on
27 & 29 August, with 306 Sooty
Shearwaiers seen off there on 28th,
and a Balearic was seen off Ardvule,
South Uist (OH) on 24 September.

Single Leach’s Petrels flew past
Peterhead and Kinnaird Head
(NES) on 27 and 29 August,
Griminish Point, North Uist (OH)

31:4 (2011)

on 7 September, Caerlaverock
WWT (D&G) on 12 September;
several passed Islay (Arg), with
seven seen on 6 September, three
past on 7 September and one on
13. September. Other multiple
counts came from the Ayrshire
coast, with four past Troon on 12
September and two past Turnberry
Point on 13th, and four from the
Outer Hebrides on 6 September.
Two were noted from Griminish
Point, North Uist and singles off
Ardvule, South Uist (both OH) on
22 and 26 September, another
past the Oban—Barra ferry on 24th.
Birds were ringed overnight on Fair
Isle and North Ronaldsay (Ork) on
several dates through the period.

There were three reports of Honey
Buzzards, all heading south, from
Portobello (Loth) on 27 August,
Saltcoats (Ayrs) 24 September and
Glasgow (Clyde) on 30th. A Hobby
was seen at Clumlie, South
Mainland (Shet) on 7 July, one at
Scatness, South Mainland on 14
August, and one at Quarff, South
Mainland on 26 August. Three adult
Common Cranes were at New
Pitsligo (NES) from 1—3 September,
with a single bird at Loch of
Strathbeg (NES) on 18 September.
A Corncrake on Whalsay (Shet) on
1 September was notable.

American Golden Plovers were at
several sites, including one at Uig,
Lewis on 3 September, and at least
two juveniles at Borve, Barra (OH)
from 25-30 September and three
with Golden Plovers at Funzie,
Fetlar (Shet) on 30 September. A
Temminck’s Stint was at The
Shunan, Mainland (Ork) on 9 July,
with a juvenile on Aberdeen beach
(NES) on 28 August and a report
of one from Doonfoot (Ayrs) on 13
September. Most records of
Pectoral Sandpiper came from
the Western Isles, with singles at
Loch Bee, South Uist on 10 August
and 13 September, Butt of Lewis,
Lewis on 2nd and 7 September,
two at Loch Paible, South Uist on 4
September, a juvenile at Ardvule,

31:4 (2011)

South Uist on 9th, and a high
count of six near Butt of Lewis,
Lewis from 9-11 September, then
singles at Ardvule on 11th, Loch
Bee, South Uist on 13 September
and Peninerine, South Uist and St.
Kilda on 17 September, singles at
West Gerinish, South Uist on
22-29th, Butt of Lewis on 22nd,
and Northton, Harris on 26th.
Other birds included five birds
together at Loch of Strathbeg RPSB
on 8 September, with one bird
having been present since 19
August and one bird remaining
there until the end of September;
then singles at Tyninghame (Loth)
and Loch of Banks (Ork) on 30
August, Isbister (Ork) on 12
September, Loch of Tingwall,
Central Mainland (Shet) on 22 July,
Fair Isle on 4—9 September, at Loch
of Funzie, Fetlar on 30 September,
with at least three at Loch of Huxter,
West Mainland (Shet) the same
day. Buff-breasted Sandpipers
were reported across the region,
with single birds at Loch Bee, South
Uist (OH) on 10-14 August, North
Ronaldsay (Ork) on 11—21 August,
at Uig, Lewis (OH) on 2-3
September, Portnaluchaig (High)
from 8-19 September, Butt of
Lewis, Lewis (OH) on 14
September, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB
(NES) on 15 September, Tiree (Arg)
on 29 September, Lewis (OH) on 3

BirdGuides Review

& 14 September, at West Gerinish,
South Uist (OH) on 28—30th, and
on Shetland two were at South
Ness, Foula on 17—18 September,
then one from 19-—22nd, and
another at Esha Ness, North
Mainland on 22-28 September.
Two were seen from. the
Oban-—Barra ferry crossing on 11
September, and two at Bornish,
Southeast Oh) on 26
September. Grey Phalaropes
were seen at a number of sites
from late August through
September, including an early one
at Balgarva, South Uist (OH) on 29
August, and one at Caerlaverock
WWT (D&G) on 13 September.

Long-tailed Skua - an adult was
at East Burra (Shet) from 5—9 July,
other reports came from Girdle
Ness (NES), with one bird on 8
July; a juvenile past Ardvule, South
Uist (OH) on 8 September, Coll
(Arg), where seven birds passed
on 10 September, Aberdour (Fife)
with one on 16 September and
two on 22 September; Fife Ness
(Fife), where three passed on 3
September; and others were
noted from Chanonry Point
(High), Skye (High), Dunbar
(Loth), Tyninghame Bay (Loth),
Hound Point (Loth), Portknockie
(M&N) and one at Traigh Mhor,
Barra (OH) on 25 September.

Scottish Birds

Plate 340. Long-tailed Skua, Tyninghame Lothian, September 2011. © Mike Thrower

387

Plat

588

BirdGuides Review

The only Ring-billed Gull reported
during the period was an adult at
Kinneil Lagoon (UF) from 30
August to 25 September. Sabine’s
Gulls were largely restricted to the
west coast, with sightings including
one off Butt of Lewis, Lewis, on 1
September, singles past Ardvule,
South Uist (OH) on 6th & 13th and
two on 26 September, three
juveniles past Tiree (Arg) on 13
September and at least three past
Hunterston Sands (Ayrs) on 13
September. In the east, at least two
Sabine’s Gull were seen off the
Tyninghame—Dunbar—Barns Ness
coast during 13-18 September. An
adult Black Tern was at Loch Fada,
Benbecula (OH) on 1—4 July.

Hoopoes were at Coll (Arg) on
22-26 August, Tiree (Arg) on 30
September, Newmachar (NES) on
6 & 18 September, and North
Berwick (Loth) on 23-27
September. Wrynecks included
birds on Mull (Arg) on 15 August,
at Caolas Liubharsaigh, South Uist
(OH) on 29 August, and at least
ten reports from Shetland. The
peak count came from North
Ronaldsay (Ork), where four birds
were present on 25 August. A
Golden Oriole was at Halligarth,
Unst (Shet) on 18 August.

BSS, oe
e 341.
Lothian, September 2011. © Fiona Govan

Red-backed Shrikes were restricted
to the Northern Isles, with birds on
Orkney at Deerness, Sandray, Evie
and on South Ronaldsay in
September, and birds on Shetland at
Sumburgh, Grutness, on Fair Isle, on
Foula and on Unst; the first bird
reported during the period was at
Pool of Virkie on 10-11 August. A
Great Grey Shrike was on Fair Isle
on 19 & 24 September.

Yellow-browed Warblers began to
arrive on 13 September, with birds
on Foula and Out Skerries (Shet).
Peak counts included three on Yell
(Shet) on 18 September, five on
Fair Isle on 19th, five at Quendale
(Shet) on 23rd and three at Sanday
(Ork) on 25th. Away from the
Northern Isles, birds included four
on St. Kilda (OH) on 17 September
with singles at Howmore, South
Uist (OH) on 21—22 September,
Creachan and Brevig, Barra on
22nd, Snishival, South Uist on 24th
and Drinsishader, Harris (all OH) on
26th, on Coll (Arg) on 26th, and at
Kinneff and at Collieston (NES) on
17th, with a Barred Warbler also at
the latter site on the same day.
Other Barred Warblers were seen at
Balcomie (Fife), where three were
present on 18 August and one was
noted on 27 August, at Port of Ness,
Lewis (OH) on 1 September,
Rattray Head (NES) on 4-17
September, St. Kilda (OH) on
19—20th, at Castlebay, Barra (OH)
on 19th with birds at Creachan and
Glenn, Barra on 22 September.
There were birds on Orkney from
26 August onwards, with two on
North Ronaldsay on 2 September,
and birds on Shetland from 15
August onwards, with a peak count
of seven on Fair Isle on 26 August.
Icterine Warblers were recorded in
August at Whalsay, Unst, Sumburgh,
Quendale and Quarff (all Shet) and
North Ronaldsay (Ork); one was on
Unst on 19 September.

Adult Rose-coloured Starlings
were on Islay (Arg) from 3 —23 July,
on Handa Island (High) on 6—8 July
and at Loch Carnon, South Uist

(OH) on 29 July to 7 August, on
Mull (Arg) on 26 September;
juveniles were seen on Fair Isle on
25-27 September and Isle of
Whithorn (D&G) on 5—8 September.

Bluethroats were at Quendale,
Mainland (Shet) on 25 September
and on Unst (Shet) on 27-29
September. Red-breasted
Flycatchers were rather thin on
the ground, with singles at Kirkwall
Airport (Ork), and Wester Quarff
and Eswick (both Shet) being the
only three reported. The only
Richard’s Pipit was a probable
reported from Sanday (Ork) on 23
September. Common Rosefinch
reports came largely from Orkney
and Shetland, with birds seen in
numbers from mid-August.
Elsewhere birds were seen on
Benbecula (OH) on 27 July and
again on 3 August, at Fife Ness
(Fife) on 23 August, and Bru,
Lewis (OH) on 3 September and
Druidibeg, South Uist (OH) on 26
September, and on Tiree (Arg) on
30 September. The peak count
was a remarkable 15 on Fair Isle
on 3 September; even more
remarkable, one of the birds was
colourringed and had originally
been ringed on the west coast of
Sweden on 25 August. A Coue’s
Arctic Redpoll (C. h. exilipes) was
at Ronas Voe, North Mainland
(Shet) on 25 September.

Notable common migrant records
included a Turtle Dove at Voe,
Central Mainland (Shet) on 6 July,
with another at Cullivoe, Yell
(Shet) on 28 July and with one at
Bragar, Lewis on 12 July, with it or
another seen there on 17 August,
and one at Vallay, North Uist (all
OH) on 31 August. An early
Lapland Bunting was seen at
Ardvule, South Uist (OH) on 28
August, with another at Butt of
Lewis, Lewis (OH) on 8
September, and 28 there on 9th.

Correction: in the /ast issue on

page 288 the Forest of Ae
should read “D&G” not “Ayrs”.

31:4 (2011)

Scottish
Birds

The journal of the The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
Index to Volume 31 (2011)

Issue 1 (March 2011) pages 1-96
Issue 2 June 2011) pages 97-192
Issue 3 (September 2011) pages 193-288
Issue 4 (December 2011) pages 289-392

Supplement 1. The Scottish List (March 2011)
pages 1—32 (not indexed)

Bold figures indicate a main article. Note: species
are indexed under their vernacular names.

Albatross, Black-browed; 12
Auk, Great; 340, 341-347, 364
Auk, Little; 134, 288

Avocet; 287

Blackbird; 21, 87, 156-159, 176, 209, 281, 353
Blackcap; 158, 192, 208-209, 218, 250, 331
Bluetail, Red-flanked; 93, 162, 380-383
Bluethroat; 95, 171, 249, 288, 374, 388
Bobolink; 18, 20

Brambling: 21, 93, 208-209, 357

Brant, Black; 134

Bullfinch, Northern; 96, 192

Bullfinch; 160, 209, 311-314 (see also Bullfinch, Northem)
Bunting, Black-headed; 159, 285, 386

Bunting, Chestnut; 10

Bunting, Cir; 18, 134

Bunting, Com; 258

Bunting, Cretzschmar's; 18, 170

Bunting, Lapland; 96, 281, 288, 373-374, 388
Bunting, Little; 96, 131-132, 134, 285, 374, 382, 386
Bunting, Ortolan; 107-108, 130-131, 134, 382
Bunting, Pine; 170

Bunting, Reed; 207, 259, 352

Bunting, Rustic; 96, 107, 131, 134, 285, 382
Bunting, Snow; 96, 373-374

Bunting, Yellow-browed; 169

Bustard, Little; 171

Buzzard, Roughlegged; 94, 117, 134, 190, 284

Buzzard; 83, 92, 103, 142, 172, 197, 206, 208, 218, 287, 290,

BIS, 52, 505, Sos
Buzzard, Honey (see Honey-buzzard)

Capercaillie; 198, 235, 240-241, 333

Chaffinch; 21, 28, 86, 156, 158-159, 209, 312-313, 352
Chiffchaff, Iberian; 16

Chiffchaff; 77, 175-176, 192, 208, 210, 212, 250-251, 285
Chough; 242

Coot; 67-68, 164, 207, 351

Cormorant, Continental; 12, 113-114, 134

31:4 (2011)

Cormorant; 114, 190, 351 (see also Cormorant, Continental)

Comcrake; 138, 255, 287, 364, 387

Cowbird, Brown-headed; 18, 20

Crake, Spotted; 287

Crane, Sandhill; 13, 77, 79-81, 82-85, 375-377, 384

Crane; 79, 191, 287, 375, 387

Crossbill, Common; 21-22, 129, 192

Crossbill, Parrot; 109, 129-130, 134

Crossbill, Scottish; 108-109, 129-130, 134

Crow, Carrion; 158, 208

Crow, Hooded; 59, 378

Cuckoo, Yellow-billed; 15, 77, 92, 171

Cuckoo; 207, 334

Curlew, Slender-billed; 47-48

Curlew, Stone (see Stone-curlew)

Curlew; 3-7, 40, 43, 48, 92, 101-104, 107, 117-118, 134, 159,
207-208, 210, 212, 255, 287, 348, 451, 378

Dipper, Black-bellied; 288

Dipper; 51, 209, 332

Diver, Great Northem; 94, 185, 315-316

Diver, White-billed; 94, 107-109, 111-112, 133-134, 171, 190,
284, 315-317, 330, 384

Dotterel: 94, 106

Dove, Collared; 158, 175, 208

Dove, Onental Turtle; 10

Dove, Turtle; 288, 388

Dowitcher, Long-billed; 385

Duck, Ferruginous; 11, 19, 110, 134

Duck, Long-tailed; 188, 286, 302, 324, 357

Duck, Ring-necked; 93, 146, 190, 286

Duck, Tufted; 208, 324, 351

Dunlin; 92, 98-106, 260, 351

Dunnock; 158, 179, 206, 209-211, 215, 218-219, 249

Eagle, Golden; 64-66, 103, 137, 142, 154, 185, 197, 201,
203-205, 226-228, 310, 330, 331, 359

Eagle, Short-toed; 284

Eagle, White-tailed; 142, 167, 185, 197, 287, 308-310, 326,
352, 362

Egret, Cattle; 107-109, 114, 134, 384

Egret, Great White; 94, 107, 115, 133-134, 284

Egret, Little; 68-69, 190, 286, 378-379

Eider, King; 188, 284, 384

Eider, Northern; 9, 188

Eider, Steller’s; 171

Eider; 9, 143, 164, 242, 246, 274, 302, 324-325, 366 (see also
Eider, Northern)

Falcon, Gyr; 92, 189, 284, 331

Falcon, Red-footed; 94, 107, 117, 134

Fieldfare; 61, 209, 355-357

Finch, Trumpeter; 18, 20

Firecrest; 89, 163, 279-280, 348

Flycatcher, Collared; 17, 20, 169-170

Flycatcher, Pied; 86, 288, 374

Flycatcher, Red-breasted; 96, 178, 288, 382, 388
Flycatcher, Spotted; 10, 86, 144, 208, 252, 349, 374
Flycatcher, Taiga; 17

Fulmar; 70, 166, 247, 339-340, 359

(ni
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Scottish Birds

390

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- HMICA LY V io

Gadwvall; 351

Gannet; 27, 140, 220-225, 239, 244 333, 344, 346, 373

Garganey; 146, 190, 286

Godwit, Bartailed; 331

Godwit, Blacktailed; 351 (See also Godwit, Continental
Blacktailed)

Godwit, Continental Blacktailed; 10, 107, 120, 134

Goldcrest; 86, 88-89, 93, 208, 355

Goldeneye; 302-307, 325, 351

Goldfinch; 21, 144, 156, 158-159, 208-209, 215, 218,
312—313, 352

Goosander; 51, 207, 306, 325

Goose, Bamacle; 91, 96, 188, 320-324, 348

Goose, Bean; 190, 286, 4323

Goose, Brent; 286, 321, 324, 331, 348, 378 (see also
Brant, Black)

Goose, Canada; 9, 91, 188, 207, 317, 321, 319, 384

Goose, Greylag: 166, 188, 190, 208, 250, 319, 321, 323, 351

Goose, Pinkfooted; 93, 143, 145, 236, 286, 317, 323, 351, 375

Goose, Red-breasted; 188, 284, 317

Goose, Ross's; 91, 188

Goose, Snow; 93, 286, 317, 386

Goose, White-fronted; 286, 320, 322—323
Goshawk; 197, 287, 367, BC (issue 2)

Grebe, Black-necked; 256

Grebe, Great Crested; 164

Grebe, Little; 185-187, 189, 208

Grebe, Pied-billed: 27, 185-187, 189, 284
Grebe, Red-necked; 256

Grebe, Slavonian; 94, 137, 188, 190, 256, 373
Greenfinch; 156, 158, 209, 311-313
Greenshank; 154, 262, 265, 333, 348, 351
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted; 279

Grouse, Black; 198, 235

Grouse, Red; 100, 103, 196, 198-200, 203, 207, 230-235
Guillemot, Black; 373

Guillemot; 171, 247-248, 239, 342, 359, 373
Gull, American Herring; 15, 92, 189

Gull, Blackheaded; 159, 191, 208

Gull, Bonaparte's; 189, 285, 385

Gull, Caspian; 107, 121, 133-134

Gull, Common; 103, 107, 120, 159, 208, 213
Gull, Franklin's; 14, 285

Gull, Glaucous; 95, 191, 288

Gull, Great Black-backed; 80, 191, 208

Gull, Herring; 15, 92, 208, 247, 318-319, 379
Gull, Iceland; 95, 191, 288, 348

Gull, Kumlien’s; 191, 285

Gull, Laughing; 285, 385

Gull, Lesser Black-backed; 208, 210, 212, 241-242, 247
Gull, Little; 279

Gull, Mediterranean; 191, 279, 288

Gull, Ring-billed; 95, 107, 109, 120, 132—134, 191, 287, 388
Gull, Ross's; 92, 171

Gull, Sabine's; 95, 288, 388

Gull, Thayer's; 285

Gull, Yellowlegged; 109, 134, 189, 191, 285, 385

Hamer, Hen; 45, 66, 80, 162, 172-173, 185, 197, 201-205,
260, 338, 349, 352

Scottish Birds

Hamer, Marsh; 44-45, 352

Hamer, Montagu's; 116, 133-134, 284, 384
Hamer, Northem; 172-174, 189

Hamier, Pallid; 162, 172, 384, 372

Hawtinch; 38, 66, 236, 288, 311-314, 374
Heron, Grey; 51, 80, 160, 208, 266-267, 375
Heron, Night (see Nighi-heron)

Heron, Purple; 134, 266-268

Hobby; 142, 166, 256, 279, 287, 330, 353-354, 387
Honey-buzzard; 287, 290, 331, 387

Hoopoe; 95, 288, 388

Jackdaw; 158, 191, 208
Jay; 250, 348, 352
Junco, Darkeyed; 159, 171

Kestrel, Lesser, 384

Kesirel; 26, 143, 197, 208, 213, 218, 261, 352, 353, 367
Killdeer; 13, 19-20, 189

Kinghsher, 50-51, 144, 207, 288, 333

Kite, Black; 12, 115-116, 134, 284

Kite, Red; 103, 115, 140, 191, 197, 287, 290, 326, 333
Kittwake; 245

Knot; 372

Lapwing; 82, 103, 143, 207-208, 218, 333, 351
Lark, Calandra; 16, 162, 169

Lark, Crested; 285

Lark, Shore; 95, 192, 288

Lark, Shoritoed; 95, 122-123, 134, 285, 385
Linnet 209, 218, 259, 312, 352

Magpie; 158, 160, 197—198, 206, 208, 218, 250
Mallard; 43, 51, 68, 166, 208, 324. 351
Mandann; 286

Martin, House; 159, 192, 208

Martin, Sand; 192

Merganser, Hooded; 12

Merganser, Red-breasted; 185, 302-307, 325
Merlin; 83, 197, 201-202, 275, 348, 352-354
Moorhen; 208, 351

Nighi-heron; 107, 114, 134, 284

Nightingale, Thrush; 285

Nightingale; 86, 107, 126, 134, 237, 282, 285, 359, 386
Nighijar, 364

Nuthatch; 29, 140, 144, 158, 165, 250, 288, 348

Onole, Baltimore; 285, 374

Onole, Golden; 86, 388

Osprey; 141-142, 190, 197, 201, 250, 290, 326, 331
Ouzel, Ring; 192, 374

Owl, Bam; 144, 146, 191, 197, 261, 365-366

Owl, Hawk; 9, 364

Owl, Long-eared; 197

Owl, Shori-eared; 43-44, 143, 197, 237, 349, 374
Owl, Snowy; 92, 137, 172-173, 189, 285, 359, 366
Owl, Tawny; 144, 197, 207

Oystercatcher, 27, 103, 159, 166, 191, 207—208

31:4 (2011)

Partridge, Grey; 208, 218, 363

Parula, Norther; 2, 86-90, 192

Peregrine; 45, 55, 103, 190-191, 197, 201, 203, 227, 317,
348, 352, 367

Petrel, Fea’'s; 12, 91, 384

Petrel, Leach’s; 386

Petrel, Madeiran; 330

Petrel, Storm; 169, 190

Petrel, Wilson's; 134, 245

Phalarope, Grey; 95, 191, 387

Phalarope, Red-necked; 137, 287

Phalarope, Wilson’s; 20, 334

Pheasant; 198-201, 208

Pigeon, Feral; 158, 208, 247

Pintail; 51, 324, 351

Pipit, Blyth’s; 17

Pipit, Buff-bellied; 18, 170, 386

Pipit, Meadow; 61, 192, 207, 209, 339

Pipit, Olive-backed; 93, 95, 280—281

Pipit, Pechora; 161-162, 386

Pipit, Red-throated; 95, 107, 109, 126, 134

Pipit, Richard's; 95, 388

Pipit, Rock; 60-63 (see also Pipit, Scandinavian Rock)

Pipit, Scandinavian Rock; 60—63

Pipit, Tawny; 107, 133-134, 285

Pipit, Tree; 349

Pipit, Water; 61-62, 126-127, 133-134, 285

Plover, American Golden; 79, 82, 94, 107, 109, 118-120,
134, 387

Plover, Caspian; 13, 20

Plover, Golden; 82-83, 98-106, 171, 351, 387

Plover, Greater Sand; 9, 13, 19

Plover, Kentish; 13, 20, 107, 118, 134, 284

Plover, Lesser Sand; 9, 13

Plover, Little Ringed; 11, 135, 250

Plover, Pacific Golden; 13, 171, 384

Plover, Ringed; 69-70, 143, 166, 351, 372

Plover, Sociable; 57

Pochard; 324, 351

Ptarmigan; 198, 230-235

Puffin; 84, 191, 247

Quail; 349, 363

Rail, Water; 351

Raven; 98-106, 144, 198, 201, 207

Razorbill: 248, 373

Redhead; 94, 190

Redpoll, Arctic; 93, 108-109, 127-128, 134, 192, 388

Redpoll, Common; 50, 66, 87, 128, 192

Redpoll, Lesser; 66, 158, 192, 257, 331, 349

Redshank, Spotted; 367

Redshank; 51, 55, 69, 143, 207, 262, 351, 362—363, 367

Redstart; 144, 349

Redwing; 62, 165, 208-209

Robin, American; 159

Robin, Siberian Blue; 169

Robin; 21, 29, 38, 62-63, 93, 157-159, 170, 208-211, 215,
218, 308, 310, 322, 367

Roller; 285

31:4 (2011)

Crotich Rirde: indey tan Vnlitme Z7
Scottisn DITdS: /NGex to VOiUMe Si]

Rook; 206-208, 215, 218, 237
Rosefinch, Common; 96, 288, 374, 388
Ruff; 348, 351, 375, 378

Sanderling; 237, 263-264

Sandpiper, Baird's; 374, 385

Sandpiper, Buff-breasted; 94, 171, 287, 387

Sandpiper, Common; 69-70, 351, 363

Sandpiper, Curlew; 92, 255, 287, 348, 351, 378

Sandpiper, Green; 351

Sandpiper, Least; 385

Sandpiper, Pectoral; 47, 94, 171, 287, 351, 387

Sandpiper, Purple; 191, 287, 374

Sandpiper, Semipalmated; 14, 92, 189

Sandpiper, Solitary; 14

Sandpiper, Spotted; 14, 92

Sandpiper, Stilt; 14, 20

Sandpiper, Upland; 14, 20, 83, 85

Sandpiper, Westem; 143

Sandpiper, White-rumped; 107, 119, 134, 171, 285, 385

Sandpiper, Wood; 70, 287, 351

Scaup, Lesser; 91, 188

Scaup; 306, 324

Scoter, Black; 269, 271, 274, 276-278, 284, 384

Scoter, Common; 273, 276-278, 302-307

Scoter, Surf; 94, 190, 271, 386

Scoter, Velvet; 94, 164, 188, 269, 271-273, 302-307

Scoter, White-winged; 269-275, 276-278, 284

Senin; 96, 134

Shearwater, Balearic; 94

Shearwater, Cory’s; 112, 133-134

Shearwater, Great; 109, 113, 133-134

Shearwater, Manx; 94, 348, 373

Shearwater, Sooty; 94, 255

Shelduck; 143, 166, 324, 334

Shoveler; 324, 351

Shnke, Brown; 15

Shrike, Great Grey; 96, 178, 180-182, 184, 191, 247, 249,
288, 3/3—3/4, 388

Shrike, Isabelline; 9, 92, 382

Shrike, Red-backed; 96, 249, 288, 348, 388

Shrike, Southern Grey; 178-184

Shnke, Woodchat; 122, 134, 285

Siskin; 157-158, 192, 208, 312, 352

Skua, Arctic; 137, 166, 237, 244, 348, 369

Skua, Great; 70, 137, 191, 237, 240-244 348

Skua, Long-tailed; 255, 287, 387

Skua, Pomarine; 255, 287, BC (issue 3)

Skylark; 23, 208, 259, 353

Smew; 94, 190, 286

Snipe, Great; 285, 373, 385

Snipe, Jack; 378

Snipe, Wilson's; 92

Snipe; 101-103, 143, 208, 351-352, 363

Sparrow, House; 21, 157-159, 207, 209-211, 218, 352

Sparrow, Song; 374

Sparrow, Tree; 209, 259, 333, 349, 352

Sparrow, White-crowned; 18, 20

Sparrowhawk; 55, 160, 197, 199, 202, 208, 314, 352, 353

Spoonbill; 11, 190

Scottish Birds

ZOl
wJ J ti

Scottish Birds: index to Volume 31

Starling, Rosy; 11

Starling: 11, 158-159, 207, 209, 213, 218, 367
Stint, Little; 255, 348

Stint, Temminck’s; 287, 387

Stonechat; 25, 50, 140, 192, 207, 251-252
Stone-curlew; 94, 107, 117-118, 134

Stork, Black; 12

Stork, White; 190, 286

Swallow, Red-rumped; 123, 134, 162

Swallow; 28, 95, 192, 208, 257, 279, 285, 385
Swan, Bewick’'s; 286, 351

Swan, Mute; 208, 291-301, 319

Swan, Whooper; 83, 190, 286, 323, 349, 351-352, 357, 374
Swift, Alpine; 107, 122, 134, 385

Swift; 159, 208, 279

Teal, Blue-winged; 91

Teal, Green-winged; 94, 190

Teal: 143. 207, 283, 324, 351, 384

Tern, American Black; 10, 377

Tern, Black; 10, 388

Tern, Common; 246

Tern, Gull-billed: 15, 20

Tern, Sandwich; 67, 191

Tern, Whiskered; 15, 285, 385

Tern, White-winged Black; 121, 133-134, 385
Thrush, Black-throated; 93, 159

Thrush, Eyebrowed; 17, 170

Thrush, Grey-cheeked; 386

Thrush, Hermit; 93, 279-283

Thrush, Mistle; 158, 209

Thrush, Siberian; 17, 169

Thrush, Song: 87, 160, 209, 249

Thrush, Swainson’s; 283, 386

Thrush, White's; 170, 175-177, 247, 382
Tit, Blue; 21, 158-159, 192, 208, 240, 243, 313, 353
Tit, Coal; 21, 157-159, 208

Tit, Crested; 288

Tit, Great; 158-159, 208, 210-211, 360
Tit, Long-tailed; 208

Treecreeper; 158, 209

Twite; 259, 372

Veenyi li, 169) 285
Vireo, Red-eyed; 15, 20, 77-78, 92, 282, 385

Wagtail, Ashy-headed; 10

Wagtail, Citrine; 93, 373, 386

Wagtail, Grey; 208, 311

Wagtail, Grey-headed; 288

Wagtail, Pied; 192, 209, 311

Wagtail, Spanish; 10

Wagtail, White; 61, 192

Wagtail, Yellow; 10, 255, 348 (see also Ashy-headed,
Grey-headed, Spanish)

Warbler, Aquatic; 107, 134

Warbler, Arctic; 382

Warbler, Barred; 86, 95, 178, 374, 388

Warbler, Blackburian; 18

Warbler, Blackpoll; 18

Warbler, Blyth’s Reed; 86, 88, 93, 178, 285, 373, 382, 386
Warbler, Booted; 93, 386

Warbler, Cetti's; 134

Warbler, Dartford; 134

Warbler, Dusky; 96, 107, 124, 133-134, 332

Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous; 16, 19

Warbler, Garden; 77, 243

Warbler, Grasshopper; 23, 143-144, 166, 171, 207, 352, 373, 386

Warbler, Great Reed; 24, 285

Warbler, Greenish; 124, 134, 178, 285, 385-386
Warbler, Hume's; 16, 19, 93

Warbler, Icterine; 95, 249, 288, 388

Warbler, Lanceolated; 92, 382

Warbler, Marsh; 107, 125, 133-134, 285, 386
Warbler, Melodious; 107, 134, 372, 374, 386
Warbler, Paddyfield; 161

Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper; 92, 171, 382, 386
Warbler, Pallas's; 95, 355, 382

Warbler, Radde's; 38, 96, 107, 124, 134, 178
Warbler, Reed; 86

Warbler, River; 16, 20

Warbler, Savi's; 16, 285

Warbler, Sedge; 267, 331, 352

Warbler, Subalpine; 109, 125, 133-134, 166, 285
Warbler, Sykes's; 16, 169

Warbler, Western Bonelli's; 16, 19, 86, 88, 386
Warbler, Willow; 87, 207-210, 212, 252, 281
Warbler, Wood; 87, 207-208, 251, 279, 288
Warbler, Yellow; 169

Warbler, Yellow-browed; 86-87, 96, 178, 374, 382, 388
Warbler, Yellow-rumped; 170

Waxwing; 71-76, 95, 140, 144, 157, 192, 255, 288, 356-357
Wheatear, Cyprus; 57

Wheatear, Desert; 17

Wheatear, Isabelline; 256, 374

Wheatear, Pied: 17, 93

Wheatear; 57, 140, 192, 288

Whimbrel, Hudsonian; 14

Whimbrel; 140, 348, 351, 385

Whinchat; 95, 330

Whitethroat, Lesser; 22-24, 86, 96, 143, 348
Whitethroat; 86, 209, 348

Wigeon, American; 133, 190, 286, 386

Wigeon; 143, 324, 351

Woodcock; 53, 95, 357, BC (issue 1)

Woodlark; 123, 134, 285

Woodpecker, Great Spotted; 158, 208, 328, 353
Woodpecker, Green; 29, 208, 353

Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted; 134, 238
Woodpigeon; 74, 157-159, 191, 208, 213

Wren; 50, 55, 88-89, 96, 156, 158, 192, 208-209, 262, 353
Wryneck; 95, 171, 249, 288, 333, 373-374, 388

Yellowhammer, 144, 157, 207, 209, 218, 259, 352

Yellowlegs, Greater; 19
Yellowlegs, Lesser; 92, 385

31:4 (2011)

Advice to contributors

There is a basic division in Scottish Birds between papers and short notes that are peer-reviewed and
articles, news and Club items that are not. This split in content is differentiated by fonts used and paper colour.

The first part accepts manuscripts on the status, distribution and populations of birds in Scotland and, partic-
ularly, changes in these over time. Write-ups of census work find a natural home in this section, as do the
culmination of research topics and updates to information in The Birds of Scotland (Forrester et al. 2007).
Original work and observations are encouraged, but summary papers will be considered and key-note papers of
a more general nature may occasionally be commissioned. Papers should be fully referenced as in any scientific
work, and our house style should be followed. Articles of less than 700 words are generally considered as Short
Notes, but are otherwise in the same format.

Authors should bear in mind that only a small proportion of the Scottish Birds readership are scientists and
should aim to present their material concisely, interestingly and clearly. Unfamiliar technical terms and symbols
should be avoided wherever possible and, if deemed essential, should be explained. Supporting statistics should
be kept to a minimum. All papers and short notes are accepted on the understanding that they have not been
offered for publication elsewhere and that they will be subject to editing. Papers will be acknowledged on receipt
and are normally reviewed by at least two members of the editorial panel and, in most cases also by an
independent referee. They will normally be published in order of acceptance of fully revised manuscripts.

Scottish Birds publishes obituaries of Club members and others who have contributed to Scottish ornithology.
These are organised through Waterston House, where the Office Manager will liaise with contributors. Book
reviews are organised through the Club Librarian.

The second part of Scottish Birds welcomes informal as well as more serious contributions about any aspect of
birds and their habitats in Scotland. It is not peer-reviewed, has minimal editing and contributions can be
descriptive, anecdotal, controversial, humorous or quirky. They can report on surveys, express opinions, describe
birds and places, look back into history, speculate as to the future and can represent organisations or be the work
of private individuals. The documentation of rare and scarce birds in Scotland, plus a wide range of identification,
site and species related information is lavishly illustrated by high quality colour photographs. We welcome
photographs, maps, cartoons, and will accept basic graphs and tables when relevant. Meeting reports or field trip
accounts are all welcome, but our main aim is to focus on Scottish birds in Scotland or abroad. We will
occasionally include articles from other parts of the world and sometimes about other wildlife. In terms of length,
we accept anything from short notes up to articles of c. 2,000 words. There are no strict guidelines as to format,
but we would encourage contributors to follow our house style shown in the excerpts from a recent issue
available on the SOC publications web page.

Please submit articles! We very much wish to encourage unsolicited contributions to this part of Scottish Birds.
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PhotoSPOT

Plate 342. As Cameron Thomson and | left

Edinburgh on 13 June 2011, it was a cold damp |

morning and we had our doubts about our trip to
the Isle of May. It was cold and the wind was
blowing pretty strong. When we got to Anstruther,
we were told that we might not be able to land as
the wind was so bad! | was not surprised. Anyway,
we sailed out to the island. It was choppy, but
when we approached the harbour, all was calm; it
was as though the island was sheltering the
landing dock for us. So the landing was on.

After we had our usual tern attack on landing, it
_ was off to the Puffins. | was determined to get
_some close-up shots of the Puffins this year, so |

headed to my favourite spot, close to some
burrows that | have known to be there for some
years. | lay down beside them (not too close)
and waited. After about 15 minutes, they soon
got used to me.

The parent birds were coming in fast and furious,
all with full beaks of Sandeels, so | guessed it was
going to be a successful season. The less said
about the return trip the better; it was like being on
a rollercoaster. To end our great day was a visit to

the famous Anstruther fish and chip shop.

Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400mm, f5.6,
1/350 second, 300 ISO.

Bill Brown

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT

wii

il ] mn)

8319

—_