The Zoologist/3rd series, vol 1 (1877)/Issue 8/The Birds of the Moy Estuary and the Surrounding District

by Robert Warren

 

THE BIRDS OF THE MOY ESTUARY
and the surrounding district.^[1]

By Robert Warren.

 

Order Natatores.

 

Wild Swans, Cygnus ferus or Bewickii.—Are often observed during winter on their passage to the mountain loughs of Erris, but only occasionally seen on the tidal parts of the Moy. I first met with them on the estuary during the severe winter of 1860; on the 28th December I observed three Swans, amongst a large flock of Wigeon, feeding on the Zostera along the Moy view shore. It being flood-tide they fed closer to the land as the water deepened, and as I watched them from behind a fence I remarked that they occasionally uttered a low sweet note. After some time the flowing tide brought them within range, and although I severely wounded two by the same shot, one having a broken wing, they unfortunately got away. My dogs, never having seen such large birds before, were afraid to follow them, and my boat lying under several feet of snow I was unable to launch her in time to secure them. On the 30th of the same month a flock of twenty were seen flying up the river, closely followed by five more. In January, 1867, I remarked a solitary bird on the river, and heard others calling as they passed overhead in a thick fog. On the 27th December, 1870, a large flock of between thirty and forty birds were seen resting in the channel near Scurmore; they remained until about three o'clock, when they all rose from the water and flew across the country in the direction of Lough Conn, and on the following morning about ten o'clock a flock of thirty, coming from the north-east, were seen flying in the same direction. On December 4th, 1871, I observed twenty birds in the estuary near Ballysokeery. I followed them in my punt, but was unable to get within range, owing to the wariness of the largest bird in the flock. This bird when he saw the boat began to call, and then, closely accompanied by two cygnets, swam off, followed by the others; but wherever he went the two cygnets kept quite close and never attempted to follow any others of the flock, the large bird very probably being the parent of the cygnets. I cannot feel certain whether the swans seen are the great Wild Swan or Bewick's, but from their call-note and size I am inclined to think them the latter species, the call-notes I have heard more resembling the words "awe, awe, awe" than the "whoo—whoo—whoop" of the Whooper.^[2]

Bean Goose, Anser segetum.—A regular winter visitant, but met with in much smaller numbers than the next species, which is the most numerous of all the inland-feeding geese in this district.

White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons.—Very common in suitable localities. I have seen them as early as the 29th September and as late as the 25th April, and have been told of their remaining up to May 1st. All through the winter several flocks pass over this place twice daily to and from their feeding grounds. They generally rest by day on the wide expanse of flat bog lying at the foot of the Ox Mountains, County Sligo, and just before dusk cross over into the County Mayo to feed about Rarooyeen Lake and the swampy lands near Mullifarry. I have only twice seen them on the tidal part of the river; but the great haunt for geese is near Foxford on the wide expanse of meadows along the River Moy.

Bernicle Goose, Anser bernicla.—Very rare in this district. In October, 1867, a solitary bird for several days frequented the Moyview shore, but I was unsuccessful in obtaining it. It was afterwards shot by a neighbouring farmer. Captain Dover informed me that when punt-shooting at Drumcliffe, Sligo Bay, he occasionally fell in with small flocks of this species.

Brent Goose, Anser brenta.—Occasionally seen in the Bay and Estuary, but seldom remains longer than a day or two, for there are no beds of Zostera where they can feed by day undisturbed, the only beds being so close to the village of Ballysokeery that even the Wigeon scarcely ever feed on them except at dusk or during the night. The chief haunts of the Brent Geese on the Mayo coast is Blacksod Bay, near Bellmullet, where they may be seen in thousands throughout the winter.

Shelldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.—Has again become resident of late years. Since 1873 a pair have reared their young every season in the Bartragh rabbit-burrows, though previous to that date I only remember seeing them in winter. The cause of their return to the old breeding haunts may be attributed to the strict preservation of the warren by the owner, Captain Kirkwood, who since he has taken up his residence at Bartragh House has most carefully preserved the island from summer poachers.

Shoveller, Anas clypeata.—Very rare, and has only once come under my notice. On January 1st, 1862, I observed a fine adult male Shoveller amongst a flock of Wigeon on the river. In November, 1870, Capt. Dover, when punt-shooting near Bartragh, shot a beautiful pair, male and female, which he presented to the Royal Dublin Society's Museum.

Wild Duck, Anas boschas.—Very common in the district. A few small flocks are occasionally seen in the estuary, a hard night's frost always increasing their numbers, but the great body of them always keep on the lakes and inland waters, and when some of the large flocks come down from their inland haunts to the sea-coast they do not rest with the Wigeon in the estuary, but keep outside Bartragh in the open bay, and, if the weather is stormy, rest on the sands of that island facing the sea. On some mornings hundreds may be seen on their passage from the lakes to the sea, where they remain safe from molestation all day, and after dark they return in little detached parties to their inland feeding grounds. They breed in suitable localities throughout the district, and though an exceptionally early nest may be discovered, about the middle of May is the time I have found the greatest number of nests with the females sitting.

Gadwall, Anas strepera.—This rare duck I have only seen here twice. In the first instance, in the winter of 1855, I observed five birds feeding on the sands at low-water on the Sligo side of the estuary near Scurmore; and again, on the 6th March, 1856, I shot an adult pair (male and female) out of a flock of seven as they were feeding on the Moyview shore in company with some Wigeon. The patch of black on the tail-coverts of the male, and the peculiar carriage of their heads and bills, induced me to aim at them rather than at the Wigeon, of which latter I killed a pair also at the same shot.

Pintail, Anas acuta.—Visits the estuary every winter in limited numbers, associating with the Wigeon. Sometimes ten or twelve birds may be seen together, but the general number is seven or eight, probably a little family party.

Teal, Querquedula crecca.—Seldom seen in any numbers on the waters of the estuary, unless driven by severe frost from their inland haunts. Flocks of from fifty to a hundred birds may then be seen on the tidal parts of the river, where they remain while the frost lasts; but shortly after the thaw sets in they all return to their favourite feeding grounds by lake and bog. I have seen Teal on Rarooyeen Lake in summer, where they probably have nests amongst the reeds on the margin of the lough.

Wigeon, Anas penelope.—Large numbers frequent the estuary and bay, sometimes arriving from their breeding haunts in September. On the 12th of that month, in 1868, I saw fifty near Roserk, and they sometimes delay their departure in spring until April 20th.

Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca.—A regular summer visitant to the bay and estuary, generally making its appearance between the last week of March and the middle of April, though I have seen them arrive as early as the 20th March and as late as the 26th April. They breed on the little bog-lake of Rarooyeen. I need not repeat the particulars here, as I have already given a detailed account of their fresh-water breeding haunts in 'The Zoologist' for March of the present year (p. 101).

Common Tern, Sterna hirundo.—Common; visiting us regularly every summer, but I have never seen them here before May. They breed on some of the flat islands in Lough Conn.

Arctic Tern, Sterna arctica.—I have occasionally shot specimens of this Tern in the estuary and bay during summer, but I have not been able to ascertain whether it breeds in the district.

Lesser Tern, Sterna minuta.—Occasionally seen in summer. On the 24th May, 1851, I shot one out of a little flock fishing in the Moyne channel; and in July, 1861, on the sands near Killala, I saw two old birds with a young one. The latter, though able to fly pretty well, had the long feathers of its wings not fully grown up.

Black Tern, Sterna nigra.—Very rare, and has only once come under my notice. On the 12th October, 1859, as I was fishing for sea trout near Bartragh I remarked a group of four or five small Terns resting on the sands. I at first took them to be the young of the Common Tern; but shortly after they commenced to hawk after insects, and the very sudden and adroit twists and turns they made in pursuit of their diminutive prey at once showed that they were birds I had never seen before. On shooting a pair I found they were the Black Tern in immature plumage, and it is not improbable that they had been bred on one or other of the bog-lakes of the district.

Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus.—Resident and breeds in large numbers on several of the lakes of the district. Cloonagh Lake, about two miles from Ballina, is a favourite resort, as also Rarooyeen, the breeding ground of a large colony. In the middle of the little lough there is a small island about fifteen yards in diameter, upon which the nests are placed so thickly that it is almost impossible to walk without damaging either nests or eggs. When I last visited the island I counted upwards of two hundred nests with eggs or young, independently of the numerous nests built amongst the reeds and bulrushes which surround the island and grow on the margin of the lake. In the centre of the island, under a small bush quite in the middle of the gulls, I discovered two wild ducks' nests, containing eight and nine eggs respectively, upon which the ducks were quietly hatching, undisturbed by their noisy neighbours, whose cries were almost deafening while we remained near them.

Kittiwake, Larus tridactyla.—Numerous in summer, but only only occasionally seen in winter. Thousands breed on the high cliffs of Downpatrick Head.

Common Gull, Larus canus.—Very common in winter; a few occasionally seen in summer. Previously to 1855 a few pairs bred on a little rocky islet in Lough Talt, situated in the Ox Mountains, County Sligo, about ten miles from the sea. I have seen the young birds, scarcely fledged, on the lough, and an old man living close by told me they have always bred there. Since 1855, however, boats have been put on the lake for the use of trout-fishers, and the place has become too much disturbed, especially in May, for the gulls to resort there for breeding.

Herring Gull, Larus argentatus.—Resident and common; breeding on the cliffs of Downpatrick Head.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus.—On the contrary, is rare. I have seldom met with it.

Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus.—Common on the estuary during winter, and ten or twelve pairs nest on the pillar-like rock of Downpatrick Head. Tins rocky pillar, situated about one hundred yards from the mainland, with deep water between, is about one hundred and fifty feet high, with perpendicular sides, and is quite inaccessible. There are numerous shelf-like ledges along the sides formed by the decay of the softer strata, and on these ledges both species of Cormorants, Guillemots, Razorbills, Herring Gulls, and Kittiwakes rear their young in safety, quite free from molestation by man. The Great Black-backs keep possession of the flat grassy top, and rear their young apart from the ledge-breeding birds. About the end of May this rock and the cliffs of the mainland present one of the most pleasing sights that a lover of nature could wish for. Some few years ago the Great Black-backed Gulls of this locality were nearly exterminated by poison. The tenant of the Bartragh rabbit-warren, being much annoyed by rats, which swarmed in the burrows and destroyed the young rabbits, laid poisoned meat and poisoned rabbits all about the sand-hills. The Gulls, always on the look out for food, devoured this bait greedily, and were afterwards found lying dead in all parts of the island. The following winter I do not remember seeing more than one or two Gulls about the sands; indeed it took several years before their numbers at all came up to what they were before this wholesale poisoning took place.

Iceland Gull, Larus islandicus.—Occasionally seen in winter, but not every year. Those met with are generally immature birds, in that cream-coloured garb which I take to be the second year's plumage. I have only once seen it in the adult state, and on two occasions I think I saw birds in the first year's plumage. On the 4th December, 1851, I shot an immature bird at Bartragh. On the 9th December, 1854, I saw either an Iceland or a Glaucous Gull, but I was too far off to be able to distinguish between the species, although I was able to see quite plainly the white wings which infallibly distinguish the northern gulls. On the 7th May, 1855, a bird in splendid adult plumage flew close by the window where I was sitting at the time, and I had a first-rate view of it. On the 26th January, 1862, I caught on a baited fishhook a fine young bird that had frequented my ploughed fields for nearly a month, feeding on the worms turned up by the plough. It seemed so tame that I thought it a pity to shoot it, so I attempted to catch it alive for the Zoological Gardens, but it had completely swallowed the hook, and was too much injured by it to live. So, having killed it, I presented it to the Dublin Natural History Society's collection. On the 22nd December of the same year I saw one, on the Enniscrone sands, so very dark in colour as to be evidently a young bird of the year. In 1866, on the 6th January, I shot another young bird in one of my fields, and on the 19th February I saw one at Enniscrone. In 1873, on the 26th January, as I was talking to a friend near Dooneen House, a young bird flew close past us and alighted on the high road about thirty yards off; after looking about for awhile it flew along the road, as if searching for food, for about two hundred yards, and then passed over the adjoining fields. The last time I had the pleasure of seeing one of these northern visitors was on the 28th January of the present year. It was resting amongst a flock of Common and Black-headed Gulls in one of my pasture fields.

Eider Duck, Anas mollissima.—An extremely rare visitant. In March, 1870, I observed a pair of immature males near Bartragh, one of which remained about the river and estuary all through the summer and autumn. I shot it near Killanly on the 6th October following. Of this bird I have already given a full account in 'The Zoologist' for February of the present year (p. 50). In December, 1870, my friend Captain Dover obtained a beautiful adult male near Bartragh. Both specimens are now in the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society.

Black Scoter, Oidemia nigra.—Very rare. I have only once met with it, in the winter of 1857, when a pair frequented the channel near Bartragh for some weeks.

Pochard, Fuligula ferina.—I once shot a solitary female Pochard near Moyview, as it was feeding in the shallow water on the sand, but this is the only one I ever saw in this district.

Scaup, Fuligula marila.—Not often seen. I once shot a duck of this species as she was feeding in the channel here, and in January, 1875, I saw two males and a female feeding in the tidal part of the river near Moyfort. Captain Dover, when out punt-shooting, has occasionally seen a few on the river.

Tufted Duck, Fuligula cristata.—A winter visitant to the lakes. I have seen it on Lough Conn, but never met with it on the estuary.

Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis.—A pretty regular winter visitor to the bay and estuary from 1851 up to 1861. During that period I noted their occurrence every year, except in the years 1853, 1854 and 1860, but the reason of their not appearing during those years in the estuary may have been that they confined themselves altogether to their favourite feeding grounds close to the breakers of the Killala and Moy bars, and did not come into the more accessible parts of the river and estuary, where they would have been more easily observed. During the above-mentioned years they appeared in flocks of from five to fifty; but when they came up the river I only remarked one or two pairs, sometimes only a solitary bird. I have observed them early in October, and once remarked a pair remaining there up to May 6th. On the 31st December, 1861, I shot a fine adult male, and from that time gave up noting their occurrence, for I then came to regard them as regular winter visitors. My friend Captain Dover, who commenced punt-shooting in the estuary in 1868 and has continued to shoot there up to 1876, has only met with this species occasionally, and not every year, during that period. In April, 1875, I saw a pair near Killala, and shot the female, but I have not met with a single bird for the past two winters, although I have closely watched for them in their former favourite feeding grounds. Unless their food has failed in this locality, I cannot account for their desertion of it, as the neighbourhood of their feeding grounds is now much less disturbed than when they regularly visited it.

Goldeneye, Anas clangula.—A regular winter visitor, but seldom comes from the inland waters to the tidal parts of the river earlier in the season than February and March, when a few small flocks may be seen near Belleek demesne and Moyfort, about a mile below the town of Ballina.

Redbreasted Merganser, Mergus serrator.—Resident and common, breeding on Lough Conn and other suitable lakes. They sometimes assemble in large flocks on the river near Roserk, and on May 2nd I saw a flock of twenty-four birds close to the shore here, all of which appear to have paired.

Eared Grebe, Podiceps auritus.—Very rare. In February, 1852, I saw a pair of Grebes in the Moyne channel, and one which I shot proved to be an Eared Grebe in immature plumage.

Little Grebe, Podiceps minor.—Resident and breeds on the little loughs throughout the district. During the winter a little party of five or six birds generally come down to the river and haunt the shores of the islands near Bartragh until March.

Great Northern Diver, Colymbus glacialis.—A regular winter visitant. Its favourite haunts are in the bay and estuary, where during winter and spring a few may be always seen. They generally take their departure for their summer quarters about the latter end of April or beginning of May, although sometimes they remain later. Before leaving many assume the summer plumage. On the 24th May, 1851, I had the pleasure of seeing a sight not often witnessed, viz. a flock of ten Northern Divers, nine of which exhibited the beautiful plumage of summer. I met with them in the open bay between Bartragh and Killcummin Head, and they had evidently congregated in preparation for their final departure.

Red-throated Diver, Colymbus septentrionalis.—More numerous than the last mentioned. Many assume the breeding plumage before leaving in April and May.

Black-throated Diver, Colymbus arcticus.—Very rare. One exhibiting the fine black throat, and apparently in full summer plumage, was seen by my brother, Mr. E.H. Warren, near Bartragh, in April, 1851.

Common Guillemot, Uria troile.—Very common, and breeds in large numbers on the cliffs of Downpatrick Head.

Ringed Guillemot, Uria lachrymans.—Has been obtained on two occasions. On October 23rd, 1862, I shot one in the channel near here, and on the 23rd April, 1875, I killed a second one in the Moyne channel.

Black Guillemot, Uria grylle.—Resident. Breeding in very limited numbers between Kilcummin and Downpatrick Heads.

Liltle Auk, Alca alle.—Has only twice come under my notice. On the 22nd December, 1862, I found four nice specimens thrown up by the surf on the Enniscrone sands, and a fifth on the Moyview shore. Although dead they were quite fresh and uninjured. Again, on the 17th December, 1863, I found a beautiful specimen thrown up by the surf on the same part of the sands.

Puffin, Mormon fratercula.—Only met with in winter, and these were dead birds (chiefly young of the year) thrown up by the surf on the Enniscrone sands. On one occasion I found two birds alive, but so thoroughly waterlogged as to be unable to move.

Razorbill, Alca tarda.—Breeds on the same cliffs as the Guillemots. Occasionally in winter I have found dead birds cast ashore on the Bartragh sands.

Cormorant, Carbo cormoranus.—Very common on the estuary and river, extending its fishing excursions also to the inland lakes. It breeds about Downpatrick Head in considerable numbers. When visiting the fresh water they commit great havoc amongst the trout and salmon fry. One shot this spring on the Bunree—a tributary of the Moy—had twelve or fourteen trout in its stomach, one of which was nine inches long.

Green Cormorant, Carbo cristatus.—Numerous on the tidal parts of the river and estuary. It appears to be strictly marine in its habits, for I have never seen it either on the lake or upper part of the river. It breeds at Killcummin Head and on other suitable cliffs round the coast.

Gannet, Sula bassana.—Often seen during summer in the bay, and probably breeds on the Stags of Broadhaven and other similar islands off the Achill coast. I cannot say with certainty whether it breeds on the Mayo coast, for it is difficult to obtain reliable information. Few persons here take any interest in our sea-birds; and I have had neither time nor opportunity to explore the parts of the coast to which I refer.

Glaucous Gull, Larus glaucus.—Has not come under my notice so often as the Iceland Gull, and is of a much more wary and distrustful nature, at least such is my experience. In 1859 I first saw the Glaucous Gull during some snow, on the 14th December, when I came across a fine bird on the shore here, which, although I fired at and severely wounded it, unfortunately got away. In March, 1871, I saw an adult bird on two occasions, but was unable to secure it; and several times during January, 1873, I saw another (also an adult bird) about the sands and river. At length, on the 23rd of the same month, I shot it near Ballysokeery. It was a fine bird, with some of the dusky colour of the winter plumage about the head and neck. I shot an immature bird in the winter of either 1874 or 1875—I am not certain which, as I did not note it at the time. Again, during the past winter, I several times observed a Glaucous Gull on the river and estuary; and as I was passing the Moyne channel in my punt, on the 28th March last, it flew close by me, and I could not resist the temptation of bringing it down. It proved to be a beautiful adult bird, and the only trace of either winter or immature colours was the angle of the bill being horn-colour.

Pomarine Skua, Lestris pomarinus.—On October 22nd, 1862, I saw several flocks passing to the southward on their autumnal migration, and obtained two birds. Both were nearly adult. As I have already given a detailed account of the occurrence of this and the following species in my notes of the autumnal migration of these two Skuas in 'The Zoologist' for November, 1875, it will be unnecessary to repeat my observations here.

Richardson's Skua, Lestris Richardsonii.—Also seen on their autumnal migration, and specimens obtained at various times.

Long-tailed Skua, Lestris Buffonii.—Has only twice come under my notice. In the first instance, on October 24th, 1862, I fired at a small Skua near Scurmore, but, although badly hit, it got away over the sand-hills. The next day, when walking on the Enniscrone sands, I found a dead Skua, which I brought home, and on skinning it I found gun-shot wounds, which proved it to have been the bird I had wounded the day before. On October 10th, 1867, Mr. N. Handy, of Ballintubber, near Killala, gave me a bird of this species that he had shot on his grouse mountain as it rose from the carcase of a dead horse upon which he said it was feeding. This specimen was nearly adult, but unfortunately had been kept too long, and was unfit for preservation.

Fulmar Petrel, Procellaria glacialis.—This bird (so rare on the Irish coast that Thompson mentions only three specimens as having come under his notice) has on several occasions in winter been found on the Enniscrone sands, thrown up by the surf, and occasionally on the sands of other parts of the bay which open to the north. Except in one instance, the birds were dead but quite fresh. On the 24th January, 1857, I found a young Fulmar—I I should say in the first year's plumage—thrown up on the Moyview shore, the tide having brought it in from the open bay. it was in such good condition that I sent it to my friend Dr. Harvey, of Cork, for his fine collection of native birds. For some days previously to the 24th October, 1862, there was a succession of south and south-westerly gales, but on the night of the 23rd the wind changed to the north and blew very heavily. This induced me to visit Enniscrone on the 24th, to look out for any stormdriven birds that might have come ashore. In the course of my search I found several dead Puffins (both adults and young of the year), and picked up one alive, but so exhausted that it died shortly afterwards. While engaged in examining the Puffin, my attention was attracted by a Great Black-backed Gull dragging and trying to tear something that was lying partly in the water and had just been washed ashore by the surf. On reaching the spot, I picked up an adult Fulmar, in a most wretched condition, completely water-soaked and so utterly worn out as to be unable to stand. It died shortly after I put it into my bag. A few hundred yards further off I shortly afterwards saw the same gull, at the edge of the water, watching something he apparently feared to attack. I at once hastened to the spot, and found a second Fulmar just come ashore, and in as miserable a state as the first, except that it was not quite so weak, being able to walk a little and to use its powerful beak in self-defence against the attacks of the gull. On November 3rd, 1865, I found another specimen, quite fresh, on the sands of Enniscrone, but unfortunately the gulls had got at it before me and rendered it quite useless as a specimen. On the 3rd October, 1867, I also found a Fulmar cast upon the same part of the shore, and so fresh and uninjured that I sent it to the Dublin Society's Museum; and on the 21st October, 1868, I got another at the same place, which I sent to the Belfast Museum. In 1870, on the 4th March, I found the remains of one destroyed by gulls on the Bartragh sands; and sometime during the winter of 1872 or 1873, I got a fine bird on the Enniscrone sands, which I have now set up for myself. I have no doubt that specimens of the Fulmar would be found every year on the Enniscrone shore, and also of other migratory sea-birds, if a careful search was made during the months of October and November, and up to the middle of December, especially after heavy gales.

Great Shearwater, Puffinus major.—Has once come under my notice. When visiting Downpatrick Head with some friends on the 22nd Angust, 1859, we obtained a dead bird in the brown-mottled plumage of the first year, from a man who had fished it up on the shore a few minutes before we met him. He had some Razorbills and Guillemots which had been washed ashore dead, and we were much amused, when I offered him a few pence for the Shearwater, to hear him recommend us to take the Razorbills in preference, as they were "so much fatter, and better eating!"

Common Shearwater, Puffinus anglorum.—Occasionally seen along the coast between Downpatrick Head and the Stags of Broadhaven early in August. I have no doubt they nest on some part of that coast, but I cannot be certain as I never had the opportunity of thoroughly exploring it.

Storm Petrel, Thalassidroma pelagica.—"Very seldom met with. I have been informed that they breed on some parts of the coast, but have not been able to discover the precise locality.^[3]

 

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1. Concluded from p. 290.
2. In Ireland Bewick's Swan is said to be much commoner than the Whooper, c.f. Thompson, 'Birds of Ireland, ' vol. iii. p. 17.—Ed.
3. The scarcity of the Storm Petrel on the Mayo coast, if such is the case, would be rather remarkable, inasmuch as this bird breeds on the coasts and on the islands off the coasts of Donegal, Galway, Clare and Kerry. We can scarcely doubt that it is to be met with, if searched for, on the equally favourable shore line and the numerous islets between Erris Head and Killary Harbour.—Ed.