CHAPTER XI 
MIGRATION OF SHORE-BIRDS AND WILDFOWL 
Some notes relative to the dates on which numbers of our 
shore-birds and wildfowl visit our shores from their breeding 
homes and northern haunts will be useful in such a book as 
this. Several species of shore-birds and wildfowl breed in our 
islands, but their numbers (even if all stayed the year round) 
are very small compared with those which reach us from the 
north. What are known as residential birds, such as the red- 
shank, curlew, green plover, golden plover, dunlin, mallard, 
and teal, by the end of July begin to flock on the coast, either 
from our local breeding-grounds or from those abroad. In 
August most of the curlew and golden plover have left their 
moorland haunts and resorted to quarters adjacent to the coast. 
In the same month large numbers of knot, godwit, whimbrel, 
and mature grey plover arrive; also the less plentiful green 
sandpiper, common sandpiper, and greenshank are in strong 
evidence. At this season oyster-catchers, turnstones, sander- 
lings, and many other species are to be met with flying the 
coast-line in search of new quarters. In August also the home- 
bred mallard have flocked, and daily wing to the estuaries and 
other safe retreats. The beginning of September brings an 
increase in the numbers of birds on the coast. Great flocks 
of gulls and terns, leaving their sea-bound breeding homes 
for more southern climes, may be seen. At this time the 
curlew-sandpiper, little stint, and other smaller flocks of birds 
pay usa passing visit. They stay from a week to a fortnight 
with us, then depart for thesouth. By the middle of September 
IIo 
