MANX ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES, 1918-19. 



p. G. RALFE. 



The following notes are intended to continue the record 

 for the Isle of Man from the article in British Birds, Vol. XI.,. 

 pp. 277-279. 



I have yet so far failed to obtain any additional information 

 of importance as to the summer residence of the small migrants, 

 in the Island. But I give some particulars, kindly supplied 

 me by Mr. H. Laidlaw, of the Point of Ayre Light, as to the 

 appearance of such species at our two northern lighthouses. 

 Mr. Laidlaw, who previously had considerable experience 

 of migration at the now famous station of Auskerry (Orkney), 

 has been five years at Maughold Head and one at the Point 

 of Ayre. Notes from our Manx lights have hitherto been, 

 rather scanty. The occurrences now given, though sometimes 

 relating to species scarcely recorded as Manx, are quite 

 what might be expected by comparison with those from the 

 neighbouring coasts. A good deal of time spent on the 

 extensive northern sands has not revealed much of interest.. 

 They do not appear to offer much attraction to migrant 

 waders. 



Whinchat {SaxicoJa r. rubetra). — This species has repeatedly 

 occurred at the lights, and Mr. H. Laidlaw, who has met with it 

 both at Maughold Head and the Point of Ayre, says that it is frequent 

 both in spring and autumn. It has very rarely been recorded else- 

 where in the Island, but Mr. P. M. C. Kermode saw several in September 

 1 91 8 at Ballayelse, in the southern highland 



Redstart (Phasnicurns ph. phceniciirus). — This species has a 

 somewhat similar record in the Island, and Mr. Laidlaw has frequently 

 seen it at both the above-mentioned stations. 



Black Redstart {Ph. o. gibraltariensis). — Mr. Laidlaw has seen 

 specimens at both lights. 



Lesser Whitethroat [Sylvia c. curruca). — The status of this~ 

 species in the Island is very uncertain. Mr. Laidlaw met with it 

 three times at the Point of Ayre light in igig, once in May and twice 

 in September. 



Blackcap (5. a. atricapilla). — Mr. Laidlaw, in May 191 8, saw a 

 male at the Maughold Head light, the only one in his six years' Manx 

 experience. Mr. James Bell, of Ramsey, has twice met with the 

 Blackcap, once in a thicket at Port Moar (close to Maughold light),, 

 where it was in full song, and once at Rheaby, Glenmay. The species 

 has never before been recorded in the Island, but will certainly occur,, 

 at least as a migrant, from time to time. 



