Many Grey-Geese were observed by the coastguard passing over North Cotes on Feb. 10th and 11th. About the same date Golden Plovers were singing their spring song, one of the most charming sounds in nature, always reminding me of some of the flute-like notes of a Blackbird.
Resident Starlings are now (March 24th) busy at their nesting quarters; at least a dozen pairs in the ivy of this house. Tens of thousands, however, of the foreign purple-headed birds continue each afternoon to fly over the grounds to roost in a blackthorn cover in the marsh. They are late emigrants, and will probably not altogether disappear before April is well on.
I saw the Gold-crest here on the 24th, and a Woodcock the same day. On the 25th many Golden Plovers, several blackbreasted, and the remainder more or less in transition. In meadow lands and pastures extraordinary numbers of Fieldfares and a few Redwings. The great severity of the weather since March 17th has probably retarded and thrown back any migratory movements on their parts, hence this great accumulation in our coast district.
Further Notes on Spring Migration.
On the night of Feb. 7th to 8th, Larks, Thrushes, and Redwings beat about the lantern of Flamborough Lighthouse, and again, mixed with Starlings, on the night of 14th to 15th.
Night of April 4th to 5th a Water-Rail was killed against the lantern; also two Golden-crested Wrens flew against the glass—this was just after midnight. The same night (4th to 5th) a remarkably fine heavy Woodcock flew against one of the telegraph wires near Filey Station, and all but decapitated itself, the head being only attached to the body by a loose fragment of skin. The Water-Rail which I obtained at the lighthouse on the 6th was bruised down one side, and appeared to have struck sideways. These notes are interesting, as they indicate the time these birds were on the move and actually leaving the country.
Between April 1st and 4th many Wheatears passed north, apparently touching the most prominent positions along the coast. They were, between these dates, seen in some number at the Spurn, Flamborough Head, Filey Brigg, and Scarborough
