ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK
FOR 1897.
By J.H. Gurney, F.L.S.
It will be remembered that last year the autumn migration was very marked indeed, such exceptional visitors as the White-winged Tern, Greater Shearwater, Barred Warbler, Gull-billed Tern, Icterine Warbler, Bluethroat, Aquatic Warbler, Sabine's Gull, Greater Spotted Cuckoo, Pallas's Willow Warbler, Blackbreasted Dipper, and Red-breasted Flycatcher followed each other in Norfolk in bewildering succession, to say nothing of what occurred further along the coast. The autumn of 1897 was a contrast to that of 1896; August produced a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Barred Warbler, and October one Tawny Pipit, while September and November were quite uneventful. The saltwort bushes at Blakeney were reported by visitors as being very destitute of birds, day after day "not a bird in them," to quote from a letter. The only approach to a rush was on Oct. 22nd (T.E. Gunn), and the next day Mr. Caton Haigh marked the influx of birds at Humbermouth ('Naturalist,' 1898, p. 26). The explanation of this dearth of migrants must be sought for in the unusual weather, and the wind. From the returns made by Mr. Arthur Preston, F.R.Met.Soc, it appears that in 1896 the prevailing wind in September was S.W. (mean estimated force 3.7); in 1897 it was N.W. In November, 1896, it was N.E.; in November, 1897, S.W. From his notes the annexed table is abridged (Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc. vi. p. 196 et seq.).
| 1895. | 1896. | 1897. | |
| August | W. | N. | W. |
| September | S.E. | S.W. | N.W. |
| October | W. | S.W. | S. |
| November | S.W. | N.E. | S.W. |
Medium |
Strong Migration. |
Slight |
