A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



Winter Movements. The great emigratory 

 movements of winter begin in November, 

 and continue throughout December, January, 

 and February. Mr. Eagle Clarke writes 

 " that these moves are synchronous with 

 outbursts of cold, snow, or unsettled 

 weather." The emigrations last for several 

 days and nights when most of the thrushes 

 on our islands seem to be " on the move." 



Next we come to the spring immigration 

 of summer visitors. February witnesses the 

 return of thrushes which have left us in the 

 autumn to winter further south. Mr. Eagle 

 Clarke has a record from the Eddystone 

 Lighthouse for February 19, 1903, when 

 " several song thrushes appeared in company 

 with missel-thrushes, starlings, and other 

 small birds ; these immigrations were per- 

 formed by small parties during mild periods 

 of the month." 



The thrushes continue arriving during the 

 first half of March, and with them come 

 blackbirds, larks, meadow-pipits, starlings, 

 lapwings, and curlew: on the south coast 

 of England these arrivals take place during 

 the night or early morning, whilst in Ireland 

 they are recorded during day and night. 

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