240 



On the Occurrence and Migration of Birds in the Belford 

 District, for 1885. By John AlTCHISON, Belford. 



On the Otli and 8th of January large Hocks of Wood 1'igeons visited the 

 neighbourhood of Blagdon dene and Belford Crag. Many of the birds 

 were shot ; and from specimens I had an opportunity of seeing, the flocks 

 appear to have been largely composed of birds from over sea — Danish or 

 Norwegian birds. They appeared to be travelling southwards, and dis- 

 appeared in a few days. Daring the months of January and February 

 occasional flocks of Wild Swans, Geese, and Ducks visited Fenham and 

 Waren Flats; but nothing of a noteworthy kind occurred, either in respect 

 to the size of the flocks, or in any of the few individuals captured — so far 

 as I have been able to learn. I observed a considerable flock of Fieldfares 

 at West-hall, on March 20 ; and also saw a company of about a dozen 

 individuals of the same species at the same place, on April 2. Redwings, 

 which were not uncommon with us throughout the winter, appear to have 

 left the district in the earlier half of April ; the last I saw were a few 

 individuals, accompanied by Missel Thrushes, on Easter Monday, April 6. 

 A pair of Wheatears wei'e noticed at Zionside, on March 27 (both males) 

 and a few more at Mousen, on April 2 ; but I did not notice the arrival of 

 any female example before April 6 — on which day I saw several individuals 

 of both sexes on Zionside moor. The Chiff-chaff made its appearance in 

 the form of a single bird on March 30; and on April 6 several more were 

 seen. The arrival of the Stonechat and Whinchat were both noted on 

 Friday (Good Friday) April 3, and again on April 6. Sandmartin arrived 

 (a pair) April 14; Chimney Swallow, April 17; House Martin, April 21; 

 AVood Wren, April 15 ; Willow Wren, April 21 ; Blackcap Warbler, April 

 30 : Grasshopper Warbler, April 25 ; Sedge Warbler in full song, May 2 ; 

 Cuckoo heard in Belford Crag, April 25; Redstart in song, April 23; 

 Greater Whitethroat, April 29 ; Ring-ousel on Zionside moor, May 3 ; 

 Lesser Whitethroat at Belford, May 4 ; Garden Warbler, April 30 ; Spotted 

 Flycatcher, May 6 ; Swift, May 3 ; Black-headed Bunting, April 29 ; Land- 

 rail, May 2 ; and Goatsucker, May 12. Pied Wagtail remained in the 

 district all winter. Grey Wagtail returned, April 12 ; Yellow Wagtail at 

 Mousen, May 6. Several Rock Pipits seen on the coast between Bamburgh 

 and North Sunderland on April 15 ; Meadow Pipits in small flocks on 

 Zionside moor, April 6. Two male Eider Ducks seen at Monks House, 

 near Bamburgh, on April 15 ; a few others at sea. Six Solan Geese on 

 Megstone rock, Fame Islands, March 6. April 15, a King Eider Drake 

 was noticed on the beach near Bamburgh. It was subsequently reported 

 in local papers to have been seen at Holy Island, and likewise in the 

 vicinity of the Fame Islands ; but it appears to have at length been shot 

 by a gentleman from London, who visited Bamburgh in the month of May 

 or June; and who afterwards recorded in the Field (I do not at present 

 remember the exact date) his good luck in securing a fine specimen of this 

 l-are visitor to our shores, utterly forgetful of the fact that all birds are 

 much more interesting in life than in death, Note of the Cuckoo last heard 



