97 



BIRD-NOTES FROM THE TEES DISTRICT, 



DURING THE LATE AUTUMN AND 



WINTER MONTHS, 1889-90. 



ROGER LOFTHOUSE, 

 M iddleshroiigh-on- Tecs. 



Small flocks of Dunlins {Tri/iga alpina) and Ringed Plovers 

 {y£gialitis hiatiaila) frequented the mud-flats and sands at the Tees 

 estuary all the summer as usual. 



The autumn migration set in about the end of July. On the 

 31st, Terns were noticed, probably the Common or Arctic species 

 {Sterna fluviatilis or .i". macriira). 



On the 5th of August the flocks of Dunlins and Ring Dotterels 

 had increased in size, and a few Knots {Tringa canutus) were seen, 

 and also two or three Sheldrakes {Tadorna cornutd). On the 17th, 

 Sanderlings {Calidris arenarid) were first observed, and a mature 

 bird was shot; Knots were also observed. On the 21st Sanderlings 

 were more common. On the 22nd an extremely large flock of 

 Arctic Terns was noticed in the early morning resting on the sands 

 (they were associated with Gulls of various kinds) ; one or two were 

 shot for identification. These Terns were noticed in the same 

 place on several successive mornings. On the same date a Curlew 

 Sandpiper {Tringa stibarqiiatd) was shot — a good specimen, and 

 I heard of another being shot about the same date. On the 23rd, 

 early in the morning, I fell in with a flock of about fifty Dittle Stints 

 {Tringa mifmta), and shot one or two for identification ; they settled 

 by the margin of a small pool close to where I happened to be 

 concealed, and I had a good chance of observing their quick and 

 lively movements in the shallow water as they probed their bills into 

 the mud. Knots and Sanderlings were more common at this date, 

 and there were immense flocks of Dunlins and Ring Dotterels and 

 a good few Curlews {Nu?neniiis arquata) were about. I also noticed 

 about half a dozen Duck, which I thmk were Teal, but the light at 

 the time was not very good. On the 24th several Bar-tailed Godwits 

 {Limosa lapponica) and Turnstones {Strepsilas interpres) were 

 noticed, and two of the former shot, and one or two Common Terns 

 {Sterna fluviatilis) were shot for identification in the place frequented 

 by the Terns before mentioned. A small flock of Little Stints were 

 also noticed, and Sanderlings were frequently seen ; this is one of 

 the most restless of shore birds, being always in motion, and running 



April 1890. G 



