The Zoologist/4th series, vol 6 (1902)/Issue 737/Ornithological Notes from the West Coast of Scotland

by William Hughes Workman

 

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE WEST
COAST OF SCOTLAND.

By W.H. Workman, M.B.O.U.

 

For many years I have wished to visit the west coast of Scotland in the breeding season, and see the Gulls, &c, with their nests, eggs, and young. Most seasons we have been rather late, but this year we managed to leave Belfast Lough on the 18th of May; and were about the first sailing yacht to go north. It was very cold and wet, much more like the middle of winter than the beginning of summer. On the way up to Oban we had what might have been the bad luck to get drawn into the much-dreaded Gulf of Corrievrechan. It is rather a strange sensation to feel quite helpless, the rudder being useless, as there was no way on the 'Hotspur.' Sometimes we were swept so close to the rocks that one could have thrown a biscuit on shore, then round in a circle and out to the centre, where there is a short, rather heavy swell; but, owing to the calm weather, we had no trouble, and after about an hour we got shot out at the west side. There were a great many Guillemots, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls fishing in the tideway. We have always noticed this in strong tides; the fry must be brought to the surface by the rush of water. At Lismore there are always large flocks of Terns feeding. Our first anchorage was Loch Spelve, in Mull, which we reached on the 23rd. We here found the nests of two Sandpipers (Totanus hypoleucus), situate rather high up on banks, and made of moss, ferns, and grass; each nest contained four eggs. We also noticed large numbers of Lapwings (Vanellus vulgaris).

On the 26th we landed on a small island in the eastern end of the Sound of Mull, where we found a great number of nests of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus); all contained eggs, it being rather early for young birds. The nests were very roughly made of grass, situate among bracken and long coarse grass. A Duck's nest was also found. We rounded Ardnamurchan without feeling those—to put it mildly—quieting effects of open water. I was on the look-out for Richardson's Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus), for I had seen one off this point in 1900; but this year I was not so fortunate. We anchored on the 30th in the lee of the island in Loch Airlort. Shortly after we let go, I noticed some Sheld-Ducks (Tadorna cornuta) flying about, and looking beautiful in the sunlight. On the island we found nests of Herring-Gulls (Larus argentatus), which are much neater than those of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. The eggs are about half an inch longer, and much more handsomely marked. On this island there is a very good example of a vitrified fort, showing clearly the bubbles of molten stone.

We reached Glenelg on the 31st, and while walking close to the stony beach came on some Ringed Plover (Ægialitis hiaticula) running to and fro, and calling to each other. We watched them for a long time with glasses, and then approached them to see if they had a nest; they came quite close, getting very excited. Suddenly we heard something squeaking close beside us, and we looked about for some time, but could see nothing. At last I noticed a little ball of down among the stones; it was grey on the back, with white tips to the wings, white under parts, and a black strip from the beak to the back of the head. So like was this young Ringed Plover to the stones amongst which it was standing, that whenever I took my eyes off, it was quite difficult to pick up again, although I knew the spot where it ought to be. All the time the old birds were running about whistling, and occasionally one of them would fall over on its breast, spread out the tail, extend the wings, and flap about like a wounded bird; then stretch its wings straight up, as if in the last agonies of death. It would let me approach within three or four yards, then get up and fly away to some other part of the beach. We found some more birds of this species at Gairloch.

On the 4th of June we landed on the Ascrib Islands, west coast of Skye; they were almost covered with Puffins (Fratercula arctica), especially round their breeding-places. We walked to the edge of the small cliffs, and found the earth on the top riddled with burrows. Some we opened up were about two or three feet long, with a little heap of grass at the end; on this is laid the one white egg, which soon gets very dirty. The earthroad up to the nest is kept damp by the wet breast and feet of the bird as it comes from feeding; this earthy paste is carried to the egg, which soon gets a warm brown colour. These birds were very tame, and I got within a few feet of them. Two of our party caught one as it came out of its burrow; they were very sorry afterwards when they found they had caught more than the Puffin. In a small marsh one of the party found the nests of two Eider Ducks (Somateria mollissima). One of the birds flew off on approach.

We left Oban on the 11th to again sail north. As we were going through the Sound of Mull we lowered the dingy, and pulled over to an island, where we found nests of a large number of Terns (Sterna fluviatilis), and I think the Arctic Tern (S. macrura) was also present. The eggs were very plainly marked, and there was no attempt at building a nest.

On the 13th we dropped anchor in Knoydart Bay, Loch Nevis, where we found another Sandpiper's nest with four eggs; a little farther on we came to an old Sandpiper with four young ones, which were very hard to distinguish from the ground, being a warm grey on the back, with black stripes; they had long legs, and could run fairly fast, although they must only have been a few days old. A winged Sandpiper will dive and swim like a Duck; so will a wounded Oystercatcher (Hæmatopus ostralegus). We saw a Goosander (Mergus merganser) swimming about in the bay; it was easily recognized with the glasses, as it came close to the shore.

Balmacarra was our next stopping-place. When passing the keeper's cottage I noticed four large Wild Cats' skins nailed on the kennels, and I immediately went in search of their owner, as I thought there might be a tale connected with them. The keeper told me he trapped seven in 1900, two in 1901, and four this season, but it seems a pity to exterminate such a rare and fast decreasing mammal. As we were talking a large bird flew over some trees; he told me it was a Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris), and that these birds breed every year on this estate, along with Merlins (Falco æsalon) and other Hawks; but I am sorry to say their nests are destroyed every year. At Gairloch, on the 18th, I had a talk with the keeper of the Flowerdale Estate. He told me that they had Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaëtus), Peregrines (Falco peregrinus), and Merlins. I am glad to be able to say that the owner does not have them exterminated altogether.

From Gairloch we had a long sail to Loch Inver, which we reached on the 19th in a strong breeze of wind. As we passed one of the islands at the mouth of the loch, half a dozen Wild Geese flew close across the bows. I think they were Bernicla leucopsis; at least they were very like a stuffed specimen of this species I had seen in the possession of Mr. Sheal, the taxidermist, at Belfast.

At Loch Broom, which was our next anchorage, I paid a visit to the excise officer, who is somewhat of a naturalist. He showed me some rather interesting birds—a young Sea-Eagle, shot near Loch Broom; a Shearwater, but of what species I am not certain; a Storm-Petrel and egg; also eggs of Black- and Redthroated Diver. He also showed me a Pine Marten, shot near Ullapool, which I believe is another of our fast-disappearing mammals.

On the 25th we lay close to Piper Island, Loch Hourn. We landed, and found a large number of Terns' nests, which were rather different from those in the Sound of Mull, and, being on the rocks, were made, or rather banked up, with stonecrop and seaweed. The eggs were very handsome, being yellowish with large sepia blotches, but perhaps these were eggs of the Arctic Tern. When walking round the shore we found an Oystercatcher's nest with three beautifully marked eggs; it was placed under heather, and made of grass. The usual place is a depression in the shingle a little above high-water mark; at least, that is where I found one near Fort William some years ago. At the mouth of this loch there is a fine cliff called Priest's Rock, where, in 1900, I had the pleasure of seeing a pair of Peregrines flying round and round, uttering their wild screams. This year we sailed close under, and fired a gun, but saw no sign of them. Perhaps they had been shot.

Canna, which we reached the next day, is a most interesting island, being one of the most fertile and prosperous on the west coast. In the evening we landed for a climb to the high part of the island, where the cliffs are sheer down for 700 ft. When we reached the moor on the top of the hill, I noticed some birds running about and whistling to each other. In a few seconds I had them in focus, and saw they were Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) in breeding plumage, which interested me greatly, as it was the first of this species I had seen alive. They went about in pairs, sometimes coming quite close; I think they had young among the grass and heather. We next went to the edge of the cliffs to see the thousands of Puffins that are continually flying backward and forward. It is wonderful looking down from this great height at the never-ceasing stream of bird-life, all seeming to be in a great hurry about something. As we were leaving the northern cliffs I noticed an Eagle circling at a great height above the water; it settled on a rock on the edge of the cliff, and I had a good look at it with the glasses. From the description in Saunders' 'Manual,' and from the stuffed bird I saw at Loch Broom, I think it was a young White-tailed Eagle (Haliaëtus albicilla). I think there is nothing that gives more pleasure than to look on a species that one has often read about, but has never seen alive in the wild state. I had this pleasure a few times this year, but what must it be to discover a species new to science! The Great Black-backed Gulls also come to Canna, and Mr. Thorn, the owner of the island, tells me they sometimes attack the lambs, pecking out their eyes, and gouging into the brain. One he knew, which was kept in captivity, swallowed three Starlings, feathers and all, one after the other. I saw a pair of Peregrines in 1900, and I hear they still live unmolested in one of the cliffs.

One day I was talking to our skipper about Gannets (Sula bassana). He told me that one year, off the Isle of Man, he caught them in herring-nets twelve fathoms down—seventy-two feet is a big dive for a bird—and at Loch Strivin he has often obtained Guillemots (Uria troile) in the cod-nets thirty fathoms down.

I hope my few notes may be of some interest to ornithologists who intend spending their holidays in what I think is the most beautiful part of the British Isles.