NOTES 357 



Waders at Balgray Reservoir, East Renfre^vshire — 

 Autumn, 1915. — The water in Balgray reservoir had fallen so low 

 by the middle of August that the best feeding zone was already 

 exposed and dry ; consequently the prospect of seeing waders on 

 passage by the margin did not appear bright. However, from 21st 

 August to loth October I kept to my usual autumn custom of 

 visiting the reservoir once a week — except between 12th and 30th 

 September when I was on holiday. The following are the more 

 noteworthy occurrences, bearing in mind that Balgray is an inland 

 locality. 



The Ringed Plover was represented by five or six birds on 

 2ist August, seven on 29th August, and three or four on 12th 

 September. On 30th September I had three Grey Plovers under 

 observation at the same time, and one bird remained on 2nd and 

 3rd October. I watched two Turnstones, birds of the year, on 

 1 2th September. On the same date I had a fine view of two 

 Little Stints, and on 30th September there were three, which 

 were piloted about by a Curlew Sandpiper. On 2nd and 3rd 

 October, judging by the notes, there still appeared to be some 

 Little Stints present, but I could not get near enough to distinguish 

 the birds properly. I find that sometimes the notes of the Curlew 

 Sandpiper, especially when uttered shortly, resemble so closely some 

 of the notes of the Little Stint that, failing a good view of the birds, 

 it is unsafe to depend on the notes alone. Evidently the low state 

 of the reservoir was not to the liking of the Curlew Sandpiper, 

 for one on 12th September, and one, or possibly two, on 30th 

 September and 2nd and 3rd October were all that came under my 

 notice. To the Ruff also the conditions were unsuitable, only one 

 bird, a male, putting in an appearance on 27th August and 5th and 

 1 2th September. A Green Sandpiper was present on 5th 

 September. On most of my visits I observed from one to four 

 Greenshanks either here or at the neighbouring Waulkmill 

 Glen reservoir. The absence of the Greenshank from Balgray in 

 autumn would be more notable than its presence. Li addition to 

 those mentioned above I noted six everyday species which need 

 not be detailed. — John Robertson, Glasgow. 



Great Snipe in Elginshire. — An example of this species was 

 shot by Mr Robert Bell, head keeper at Gordonstoun, on the part 

 of the Spynie marshes belonging to Sir W. G. Gumming. Strange 

 to say, the Snipe had not shifted more than fifty yards from the 

 place where I flushed it. Mr Bell thinks it had just taken a short 

 flight and settled there, loitering about for the six days between the 

 visits. — Wm. Ogg, Elgin. 



