Lists of birds from Notes on Sussex Ornithology
LISTS OF BIRDS FOUND BETWEEN SEAFORD BAY
AND THE SOUTH DOWNS
[List 1]
December 1st. List of birds, rare and otherwise,
procured in the winter of 1846-7.
[Vol. II, Pages 15 and 16]
[Page 15]
1. A Grey Phalarope—Blat.[chington] Pond, October 15th.
2. A Little Gull—Shingle Bank by Mill—October 16th.
3. A Purre [Dunlin]—Shingle Bank by Mill.
4. A Ring-Dotterel—Blatchington Salt.
5. A Kingfisher—Tide Mill Sluice.
6. A Scoter or Black Duck—Shingle opposite Mill.
7. A Burgomaster Gull (young of the Great Black-backed Gull).
[Page 16]
8. A Kittiwake (doubtful, perhaps Black-headed Gull)
—both under Seaford Cliff.
9. A Water-Rail—Mr. Farncomb's ditches.
10. A Mew—Black-headed Gull.
11. A Jack Snipe—The Pells (unfit for stuffing).
12. A Moor-hen—ditto (unfit for stuffing).
13. A Snow-Bunting—Barrack ground and salts.
14. A Rock-Pipit—Eddy by Newhaven Harbour.
15. A Purple Sandpiper—Newhaven Harbour.
16. A Cornish Crow-Chough1.-Saddle-back—Blatchmgton Road,
back of Mr. King’s.
17. Razor-bill—picked up on the beach.
18. Common Guillemot—picked up on the beach.
(Note re item 16.). 1. [There appears to be no record in the existing pages of the Journal as to when or where this specimen, if a Chough, was obtained. Several of the birds recorded were shot in the neighbourhood of Sedgemoor, Somersetshire which Mr. Dennis often visited. The alternative name Saddle-back, i.e., Hooded Crow, makes the entry of but little value. Cf. p. 22.]
[List 2]
List of Winter Birds in the Neighbourhood of
East Blatchington, February 10th, 1847.
[Vol. III, Pages 18 to 20]
[Page 18]
1. Mew (I believe young Black-headed Gull).
2. Herring-Gull.
3. Black-backed Gull (Lesser).
4. Black Duck.
5. Teal.
6. Wild Duck.
7. Wild Goose.
8. Dobchicken (Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe).
9. Golden Plover.
10. Lapwing.
11. Ring-Dotterel.
12. Purre. [Dunlin]
13. Purple Sandpiper.
14. Snipe.
15. Jack Snipe.
16. Wood-Lark.
17. Coot.
18. Moor-hen.
19. Water-Rail.
[Page 19]
20. Rook.
21. Raven.
22. Carrion-Crow.
23. Royston (Saddle-back).
24. Jackdaw.
25. Magpie.
26. White Owl.
27. Sparrow-Hawk.
28. Blackbird.
29. Thrush.
30. Redwing.
31. Mistle-Thrush.
32. Fieldfare.
33. Bunting.
34. Tawny Bunting. } Query: Are they the same
36. Lark.
37. Pipit (Tit-Lark).
38. Rock-Pipit.
39. Chaffinch.
40. Greenfinch.
41. Sparrow.
42. Mountain-Sparrow.
43. Hedge-Sparrow.
44. Yellow-hammer.
45. Linnet.
46. Wren (Common).
47. Whinchat.
48. Starling.
49. Blue Titmouse (Nun).
50. Black-headed Bunting.
51. Creeper (doubtful, only Mr. King's observation).
52. Mountain-Finch (in hard weather). [Brambling.]
53. Willock (dead on beach). Razor-bill.
54. Ring-Dove.
55. Turtle-Dove (Denton).
56. Wheatear.
57. Black-headed Tern.
58. Little Gull.
59. Grey Phalarope.
60. Partridge.
61. Pheasant.
62. Quail.
63. Lesser Bustard (Mr. King has a specimen shot under Seaford Cliff).
64. Curlew.
65. Cormorant (I saw one on Seaford Head, A.D. 1844).
[Entry erased]
66. Robin Redbreast,
[Page 20]
67. Kingfisher.
68. Oyster-catcher (stuffed specimen, Mr. King).
69. Guillemot.
|
[List 3]
List of Summer Birds in the Neighbourhood of
East Blatchington (c.1847/8).
[Vol. III, Page 20]
1. Hoopoe (trees by the pond)
2. Cormorant (Seaford Cliff).
3. Butcher-bird, Red-backed (breeds in Bedford’s garden).
4. Yellow Wagtail (Blatchington Pond).
5. Wheatear (Shingle Bank).
6. Redstart (Ravine on Seaford Cliff).
7. Swallow (Bishopstone Marsh).
8. Martin (Blatchington Pond). .
9 Willock (Lesser Puffin, dead on beach and living on sand
between the Martello [Tower] and the Cliff).
10. Whimbrel—Mr. Catt's Salts
11. Common Sandpiper—the Shingle Bank and Mr.Catt's
Salts (common)—August 28th and 25th.
Feathers loose—very fat.
12. Sanderling—Shingle Bank—August 25th. Moulting.
[List 4]
List of Bird Feeding at the Back Door (Feb 10th 1847)
[Vol. III, Page 21]
1. Blackbird 2. Thrush 3. Lark 4. Greenfinch 5. Chaffinch
6. Titmouse 7. House-Sparrow 8. Hedge-Sparrow
9. Mountain-Sparrow Yellow-Hammer (I believe) 11. Redwing
12. Mountain-Finch.
[List 5]
List of Birds Migrating to the Neighbourhood of East Blatchington in Spring with the Date when first Noticed - A.D. 1847.
[Vol. III, Page 23]
1. Wheatear. April 1st—three individuals near the Battery.
2. Gulls. Returned to the cliffs to breed a few days earlier; they were
assembled in flocks at the mouth of the Cuckmere beforehand as if holding a council.
4. Swallow. April 21st, Bishopstone Marsh. Mr. Moor reports to have seen several some days before at Bedford. Mr. Hamilton (April 26th) reports having seen both Martins and Swallows to the westward about Salisbury.
5. Yellow Wagtail Blatchington Pond and the Downs near Beachy Head. The bird-stuffer shot fourteen last Thursday.
6. Martin. May 6th—Blatchington. I think that I saw some several days ago but could not be sure, to-day I saw a pair of Martins and a pair of Swallows sporting together over the pond.
[List 6]
List of Birds not before Procured at Blatchington
A.D. 1847-8.
[Vol. IV, Pages 31 to 33]
[Page 31]
Common Sandpiper (Totanus hippoleucus) frequents the ditches in Mr. Farncomb's Brooks, Mr. Catt's Salts, and (Mr. Turner is my authority for this) is numerous in the Chinting Brooks. I have noticed them chiefly in August and September.
2. Common Redshank (Totanus calidris). Killed one of a pair of these birds in the Tide Mill Pond in August, and one occasionally mixes with the flights of Purres and Ring-Dotterel, but they are not numerous at any time as far as my observation and intelligence goes: though in the Essex Creeks they are the commonest mud bird. I have shot a straggler in the spring in the Mill Pond.
3. Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres). These birds come down to the Tide Mill Pond and the Harbour Eddy early in autumn. As the mud is left bare at turn of tide I have repeatedly watched them wheeling high in air, and descending for their meal, and long before I could see them I have heard their harsh peculiar cry. They fly about like the Ring-Dotterel, and are by no means a shy bird. The flesh is dark, dry and strong, in fact, eatable only by persons suffering from hunger. Their flight is strong, swift and graceful. There was a small flock of four, and a pair. One bird (either male, or female, was much larger than its mate). They kept high up on the bank amongst the stones and not on the mud. J. Catt, Esq., shot one picking about in the road at dusk in the winter of 1848-9.
4. Brent Goose (Anser torquatus). Shot at Cuckmere (vide, February 21st). Three were killed at [page 32] Cuckmere, and two at Blatchington a few "days before, and one at Cuckmere about a week since. I have seen no other species
5. The Red-necked Grebe (Podicipes rubricollis). I am not confident as to the species to which this specimen belongs and will therefore endeavour to describe it. (This specimen turned out to be a Slavonian or Horned Grebe, but in the winter of 1848-9 I procured a Red-necked Grebe, which some boys had stoned in the Mill Pond).
6. The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). A pair of these birds were washed ashore in an exhausted condition after the heavy gale at the end of February and captured by some of the Seaford Rockers. One of them, the male, was brought to me dead.
7. Common Gull (Larus communis). I shot a specimen of this bird in winter plumage, i.e., with brown marks on the head. It appears to be an adult and fully answers Yarrell's measurements. It was killed in the south-east corner of Blatchington Salt. A small flock of them appears to feed with the Rooks on the clover layers and fresh ploughed ground. I have not noticed any other Gulls in their company.
8. Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). I shot a hen bird on the Shingle Bank in the dead of winter: I have last year frequently noticed the adult male about the ditches on the road to Denton, and in the hard weather on the wall close to Blatchington Farmyards.
This autumn I noticed some in Mr. Catt's reeds, but they disappeared before Christmas and I have not seen them since. Have they migrated or fallen victims to H. Catt's gun?, who I understand has begun collecting.
9. Hedge-Sparrow (Accentor modularis).
10. Red-breast (Erythaca rubecula).
11. Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
12. Norway Owl (Otus brachyotus). Flushed from a solitary clump of rushes about 1 1/2 feet in diameter at the edge of a little grip [etc., etc., vide supra, [page 33] December 8th]. I have seen these birds hawking in a foggy day after Larks in the Fens of Cambridgeshire and have seen them rise from turnips, rough grass and from among rough clods thrown into a grass field as dressing: but have never seen them perch, while my specimen appears fond of ascending the highest point within his reach. Mr. K.[King] and Mr. F.[Farncombe] both assured me that the hounds put up from twenty to thirty of these Owls from the short furze just over our hill: they rose one by one but near together.
13. A Yellow-hammer (Emberiza citrinella).
14. Linnet (Linota cannabina).
15. Common Shelldrake (Tadorna vulpanser)
17. Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis).
18. Black Tern. shot by Mr. Catt near the Workhouse ditch It was bluish smoky black except about the chest where it was snow white, and a light spot on each side of the neck. The colour was darker and more glossy on the head. Bill black and straight, of moderate length. Feet and toes black, legs red. Claws much hooked, well scalloped. The bird was in good condition. Tail forked.
19. Pheasant (phasianus colchicus) from a furze on Blatchington Down. I have heard of several being shot about the Sutton hedges and one in the hedge between Blatchington and Bishopstone. They breed occasionally in the little covers at Bishopstone. My spaniel sprung a cock bird there to-day, and it would not fly far so that I conclude that the hen was not far off.
20. Lesser Tern. Beach opposite the Buckle Bank on May 3rd, 1848.
21. Bar-tailed Godwit. Upper Tide Mill Pond on the soft mud feeding in company with a flock of Purres there was a pair of them and they suffered me to approach within easy shot without any kind of cover.
[List 7]
List of Nests and Eggs of British Birds with their
Locality and Local Names
[Vol. V, Pages 38 to 40]
[Page 38]
1. PEREGRINE FALCON. The eggs answer perfectly to those figured in Hewitson's work. Cliff Hawk. Ledge of cliff. Eggs reddish with dark red blotches.
2. RED-BACKED SHRIKE. This bird always betrays itself by its clamour. The old birds and young form a little flock until they migrate and the cock bird perches frequently on the top of a sprig uttering his shrill, peculiar cry. Cheeter—from the parent bird fluttering [page 39] anxiously round the nest with the cry of "cheet ! cheet ! "
Builds in the middle of hedges.
3. PARTRIDGE. Lucerne patch, Seaford.
4. QUAIL. This is by no means a numerous species in this locality. Cut out of a piece of seeds by Mr Farncomb’s mowers at Bishopstone.
5. JACKDAW. These eggs answer Yarrell's description; crevices of Seaford Cliff.
6. THRUSH, SONG-. Bishopstone hedgerow. The eggs in one nest are nearly twice the size of those in the other.
The country people say that one is the nest of an old, the other of a yearling bird, and as the same thing holds good with tame fowls, it is very credible.
8. WHITETHROAT. Called about Cheltenham in Gloucestershire the Nettle-creeper.
9. BUNTING, COMMON. Clod-Bird. Yarrell says that the nest is lined with horsehair, all the number which have been brought to me this mowing season are composed solely of dry grass (I had one lined with horsehair last year) and are very thick and solid at bottom this wet season, as if to raise and protect the eggs from the wet
10. BUNTING, YELLOW. Yellow-hammer.
11. SPARROW, HOUSE-. Taken from a Martin's nest; they build very commonly in the crannies of the cliff, also in Mr. King’s and the Sutton Plantations, as well as in holes in the thatch.
12. LINNET, COMMON. Furze bushes, April 25th, G. Stace, Shepherd boy, brought twenty-one eggs most not sat on. This seems to be the great laying time with these birds (1848).
13. GREENFINCH.
14. RING-DOTTEREL. Shingle Bank. Without a nest among the shingle (I am told).
15. GULL, HERRING-. Seaford Head.
16. GULL, KITTIWAKE. Seaford Head.
17. COMMON GUILLEMOT. Willock or Will. East Dean Cliffs near Fairlight Lighthouse.
18. RAZOR-BILL. Willock or Will. Ditto.
19. HEDGE-SPARROW. (Accentor) Set. Four eggs, April 22nd, 1848.
20. STARLING. Four eggs with half-formed young [page 40] ones in them and a single egg taken from Mr. King's hollow trees, April 22nd, 1848; seven hard set, April 25th.
21. BUNTING, CIRL.
22. BLACKBIRD. Furze-bushes, Bullock Hill, four eggs containing half-formed young birds, April 25th.
23. REDSHANK. Hungerford Market.
24. BUNTING, CIRL.
25. THRUSH, MISTLE-. The eggs answer Yarrell’s description. The nest is a good specimen of bird architecture. The fork of an elm-tree at the bottom of Mr. King's grounds. The nest was formed of dry bents plastered against the stick on which it rested, the inside was lined with fine, loose bents and was four inches in diameter.
26. LAPWING. These birds formerly bred in Bishopstone Brooks, about the Cuckmere valley, and in great numbers in Pevensey Level where they are still found. I have seen them in the breeding season on the Downs towards Firle where there is much coarse herbage and heath.
[List 8]
List of Birds Procured or Observed in Blatchington and the Neighbourhood from May 12th, A.D. 1848
[Vol. VI, Pages 43 and 44]
[Page 43]
1. OYSTER-CATCHER. The name here is Olive. Yarrell's description, is admirable. John Ockenden brought me a pair May 12th shot at Cuckmere; they were in fine condition and plumage. One, which from the worn state of its bill was evidently an old bird, was much heavier and more clumsily built, the feet and tarsi being thicker and more fleshy; I noticed the same great difference in [page 44] size in pairs of the Turnstone and also that in some specimens the bill was much worn. There was a depression of the centre of the bill of the larger bird.
2. SWIFT. Battery Road, June 20th. I saw several individuals, one on 19th over Blatchington Salt, one 14th over my garden. I have since seen these birds passing inland in a flock of twelve to twenty, flying low in a gale of wind towards evening and gliding to seaward in the morning.
3. RED-BACKED SHRIKE, Cheetor. I noticed a pair of these birds calling to their brood, June 24th, just above Blatchington Pond. A young cock bird was brought me (vide June 26th). I shot a young bird out of a large brood on the Bullock Hill not being sure what it was. The gizzard was full of coleoptera and gravel.
4. CHIFF-CHAFF. I shot one from the top of my wall and another, July 18th, from the same situation. Mr. King caught five, July 21st, in a cage-trap set for Sparrows. Examined all the stomachs, they were very small and filled with fragments of insects, among which were perfect wing cases of middle-sized beetles. They are fond of alighting on the top of a wall, flirt the tail up and down, something like a Wagtail, and twist about the branches of trees and shrubs, apparently for insects. One or two still remain about my garden.
5. GREAT TIT. Shot a couple on a dead apple-tree in my garden, October l4th. Several others were flying about searching the trees for insects. Their movements are very quick and lively and the birds themselves beautiful.
6. RICHARDSON'S SKUA. Shot in Seaford Bay by —— and stuffed by Swaysland, October —–-.
7. FRENCH PARTRIDGE. I am told that these birds are found at Firle. Mr. King tells me that they are found on the clay lands and not on the chalk. Mr. Farncomb told me that he saw a covey in Heighten Furze, and that the Keeper pursued them unsuccessfully; now that is the heart of the Chalk Downs, but the birds might have been driven.
8. QUAIL. Mr. King sent me one shot November 22nd by Mr. Catt, who shot one the winter before last in the snow near his stacks: one was caught in the Lark-nets about the same time by the Reeds.
9. CARRION-CROW. Shot in the elm over Blatchington Pond, it swept round, alighted and remained long enough for me to fetch my gun: and allowed me to get near enough to kill it with a half-charge of dust shot. The bill was malformed and like that of a Crossbill.
[List 9]
List of Birds' Eggs
[Vol. VI, Pages 46 and 47]
[Page 46]
WHINCHAT. The nest is open, large in proportion to the bird, and rather coarsely made, blending admirably with the under part of the furze, where it is snugly [page 47] ensconced. Hawth-Tit. Short furze, Blatchington Down, June 23rd. On 22nd I saw a brood of young ones creeping about in some short furze and examined one, it was full feathered of a delicate brown shade. It ran among the furze like a mouse.
STONECHAT. Sweep-Jack. Furze patch on Blatchington Down. Five eggs, he (Fred Stace) took one with six while I was out. An open, but not neatly made nest, wool, roots, moss, and some horsehair. He reports it a late breeder.
WAGTAIL (PIED). Dishwash. Cart-shed.
SWALLOW, CHIMNEY-. Cart-shed. Fred Stace, four eggs not set. Second brood I suppose, as there is a family of five now flying about my garden.
[List 10]
List of Birds Either Permanently at East Blatchington or the Neighbourhood, or Occasionally Visiting it.
[Vol. VI, Pages 53 to 62]
[Page 53]
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus). Occasionally frequents the Cuckmere. One was shot at Piddinghoe and another by the old chief boatman at Cuckmere who told me of it.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus). Builds in the cliffs of Seaford Head and Beachy Head.
KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus). Builds in the cliffs of Seaford Head.
SPARROW-HAWK (Accipiter nisus). I have one shot by W. Farncomb among the Bishopstone trees.
MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus). Mr. Lamb shot one January, 1854,
HEN-HARRIER (Circus cyaneus). Mr. Turner, Chinting, Seaford, September 11th, 1850; Harrison sent me one (both young). I sometimes see it on wing.
SHORT-EARED OWL (Otus brachyotus). Found in autumn and winter among rushes or furze frequently. I procured one in Mr. Farncomb's brooks.
BARN-OWL (Strix flammea). A pair always breed in Blatchington Church.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio). Breed in high hedges.
[page 54]
SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER (Muscicapa grisola). Shot on Martin's nest. May 29th, 1851.
MISTLE-THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus). Builds in Mr. King's trees, in the forks.
FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris). A winter visitor. More abundant in snow and frost.
SONG-THRUSH (Turdus musicus). Breeds in the furze bushes, hedges and evergreens.
REDWING (Turdus iliacus). A winter visitor, suffers extremely in snow.
RING-OUSEL (Turdus torquatus). Two shot here May, 1849, a flight came October 8-20. Their stay is short.
BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula). Builds in furze bushes and hedges.
GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus galbula). Mr. King shot a female, May 14th, 1853. (I have a female shot by Mr. King.) I saw two males in Mr. Borrer's collection shot by Roodes of Charleston. Mr. Carnegie told me that it was supposed that a brood were hatched there.
HEDGE-ACCENTOR (Accentor modularis). A pair build in my faggot pile.
RED-BREAST (Erythaca rubecula). Build in old walls, etc.
REDSTART (Phoenicura ruticilla). In spring in the gap on Seaford Head. Summer visitant, very abundant, 1849.
STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola). Builds in low furze bushes.
WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra). Builds in furze bushes. Summer visitant.
WHEATEAR (Saxicola oenanthe). Breeds in old rabbit holes, etc. Summer visitant.
REED-WARBLER (Salicaria arundinacea). I found twenty-three nests in Park Gut, 1853. They feed on caterpillars, etc.
NIGHTINGALE (Philomela luscinia). Frequents Mr. King's trees in spring. Summer visitant.
BLACKCAP WARBLER (Curruca atricapilla). Elm over the corner of my garden, May 4th.
GARDEN-WARBLER (Curruca hortensis). Devouring a cherry opposite my bedroom window (July 29th, 1850).
COMMON WHITETHROAT (Curruca cinerea). Builds among fern, etc. Summer visitant.
WOOD-WARBLER (Sylvia sylvicola). About the gardens at the latter end of May.
WILLOW-WARBLER (Sylvia trochilus). Park Gut. Summer visitant.
CHIFF-CHAFF (Sylvia hippolais). Plentiful about gardens in September. Summer visitant.
[page 55]
DARTFORD WARBLER (Melizophilus dartfordiensis). Heighten Furze, October 29th. Saw one at Newhaven, also on Bullock Hill.
GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS (Regulus cristatus). Found in winter in Heighten Furze; I have seen a pair about my garden and also about Mr. King's plantations.
GREAT TIT (Parus major). About the gardens, etc., in autumn.
BLUE TIT (Parus coeruleus). About the houses and stacks in winter. One built in a crack in the wall of James Stace's cottage, 1849, but did not rear its young.
LONG-TAILED TIT (Parus caudatus). Received from Wilmington, February 24th, 1849.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrula) I have seen a specimen shot at Piddinghoe. One was killed at Denton and another at Newhaven, January, 1850 (vide [M.S.] Journal, p. 38).
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla yarrellii). Builds in sheds and walls, and is much more abundant in summer than winter.
RAY'S WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava). On the fresh-ploughed land and about Blatchington Pond. Summer visitant.
MEADOW-PIPIT (Anthus pratensis). Builds in the clover and grass, etc.
ROCK-PIPIT (Anthus petrosus). Builds among herbage on the Shingle Bank; in crevices of cliffs, feeds about the weed. Constant in the same favourite spots all the year.
SKY-LARK (Alauda arvensis). Builds in the corn, etc. More numerous in winter.
SNOW-BUNTING (Plectrophanes nivalis). Found in winter about Blatchington Waste, the Salts, etc., at uncertain intervals.
COMMON BUNTING (Emberiza miliaria). Builds late, in seeds, etc. Flocks to the barn doors in snow.
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus). Builds in Bishopstone Pells, Park Gut, etc. It partially migrates in a way which I do not understand.
YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza citrinella). Builds in the furze, low down.
CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs). Builds but rarely. Flocks about the houses, etc., in winter.
MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Fringilla montifringilla). Taken by nets and in the drifts to the westward in snow. Winter visitant.
[page 56]
TREE-SPARROW (Passer montanus). In snow it comes close to houses like a Common Sparrow. Winter visitant I have seen it and shot it in spring, but do not know whether it breeds here.
GREENFINCH (Coccothraustes chloris). Scarce in summer at Blatchington, but numerous in winter.
GOLDFINCH (Carduelis elegans). Occurs in small numbers in winter, generally on thistly banks. A pair produced young in Mr. King's garden, A.D. 1849.
COMMON LINNET (Linota cannabina). Very abundant. Builds rather high in the furze. Flocks.
BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula vulgaris). Not found to my knowledge nearer than Alfriston, from whence I have received it.
COMMON STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris). Builds in cliffs and hollow elms. Very abundant. Great flocks.
RAVEN (Corvus corax). Breeds in the Cuckmere Cliff in February.
CARRION-CROW (Corvus corone). Winter visitant, and not common. I shot one, in the elm over the pond, with a deformed bill.
HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix). Winter visitant, abundant both on the beach and fallows.
ROOK (Corvus frugilegus). Very numerous; there is a Rookery at Bishopstone.
JACKDAW (Corvus monedula). Breeds in swarms in the cliff and feeds on the beach, etc.
MAGPIE (Pica caudata). Common at Wilmington. Has built once in Mr. King's plantation. Mr. King shot a young one, July 17th, 1850.
JAY (Garrulus glandarius). Received from Wilmington, February 24th, 1849.
NUT-CRACKER (Nucifraga caryocatactes). One in Mr. Borrer's collection was shot at Alfriston by Newman.
WREN (Troglodytes vulgaris). Numerous in the furze and scarcely a ditch without one or two.
HOOPOE (Upupa epops). Shot in the elms by pond, hedge and Mr. F.'s (Bish.[opstone]) brooks.
COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus). Frequents Mr. K.'s grounds, etc., for a few days in spring and August.
KINGFISHER (Alcedo ispida). Numerous about the sluice of the Tide Mill Ponds in autumn.
SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica). Breeds in most of the village chimneys and in cart-lodge and under bridge, and in my low bakehouse chimney.
[page 57]
MARTIN (Hirundo urbica). Builds under the Rectory eaves, etc.
SAND-MARTIN (Hirundo riparia). Breeds in the cliffs about Cuckmere where there is sand.
COMMON SWIFT (Cypselus apus). Breeds in the chalk cliffs.
NIGHT-JAR (Caprimulgus europoeus). Numerous in the latter end of August and beginning of September and in spring. I see it and hear it all summer, but
RING-DOVE (Columba palumbus). Frequents the Downs occasionally and feeds on the stubbles. Mr. Catt shot one at the stacks, as he told me, autumn, 1849.
TURTLE-DOVE (Columba turtur). Frequents the fresh sown rape and the wheatfields in August, etc. A nest with one egg in the Turnfield hedge, May 31st, 1851.
COMMON PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus). Occurs rarely in the furze brakes, breeds in Bishopstone Plantations, and Mr. K.'s.
COMMON PARTRIDGE (Perdix cinerea). Tolerably numerous about the arable land.
COMMON QUAIL (Coturnix vulgaris). Breeds with us, but in small numbers. Mr. Catt shot one near the stacks in the dead of winter.
LITTLE BUSTARD (Otis tetrax). Mr. King has a specimen shot under Seaford Cliff.
GREAT PLOVER [Norfolk Plover] (Edicnemus crepitans). A living specimen in an exhausted state was brought to me February l7th, 1853—I frequently [hear] them pass over of an evening; saw a pair on Sutton Farm, and received two pair of eggs containing nearly full-sized chicks from Alciston.
GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis). Frequents the fallows and clover layers, sometimes in flocks in company with Lapwings, and sometimes in great flocks alone, for a short time.
DOTTEREL (Charadrius morinellus). Visit us occasionally in spring and autumn—Mr. K. has killed seventeen in a day.
GREY PLOVER (Squatarola helvetica). I shot one on the Tide Mill Salts October 1st, 1849. Killed a pair May 14th, 1853, opposite upper Mill Pond.
RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula). Breed on the shingle and remain all the year.
PEEWIT (Vanellus cristatus). Breeds in the Cuckmere Level. Bishopstone was a favourite breeding place within [page58] a few years. In frosty weather they lay on the fallows in flocks.
TURNSTONE (Strepsilas interpres). Visit us in small numbers. I have killed several. June and August are the times at which they usually appear.
OYSTER-CATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus). Visits us in pairs about May, but they are always shot or driven off.
COMMON HERON (Ardea cinerea). Numerous about the Cuckmere. I have seen one fly over Blatchington and received one shot near the Tide Mill.
COMMON BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris). One was shot at Cuckmere by Childs, another by Forward, October 4th, 1853.
NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax gardeni). Mr. W. Elphick has a stuffed specimen shot in his trees. Rare.
WHITE SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia). Shot in the autumn of 1847 by a
COMMON CURLEW (Numenius arquata). Breeds on the Downs, and feeds in numbers about the Cuckmere Rocks.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phoeopus). Comes down to the walls about the Tide Mill in spring and to the shingle beach. I have shot a good many.
COMMON REDSHANK (Totanus calidris). Visits the Tide Mill Pond in May and August.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Totanus ochropus). The late Mr. King had one shot by himself in the Level near Alfriston. (I have examined it.)
AVOSET (Recurvirostra avosetta). A flock of six occurred in Blatchington Salt July 14th, 1853, and a straggler in Tide Mill Salts. I procured an old and a young one.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Totanus hippoleucus). Breeds in considerable numbers about the ditches in the Levels.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa rufa). Feeds with Purres in Mill Pond. May, 1851, I killed a pair, the male with the red breast, and heard of many. May 14th, 1853, killed two females at a shot.
KNOT (Tringa canutus). Shot, October 16th, Tide Mill Pond from a flock of three; I have seen a specimen in summer plumage shot by John Catt.
WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola). Is found occasionally amongst furze or bushes in autumn.
COMMON SNIPE (Scolopax gallinago). The late Mr. King had a specimen shot by himself in the Cuck[page 59]mere Level (I have examined it), it is only a Common Snipe. Frequents the Bishopstone Brooks and Cuckmere Levels. [Mr. King appears to have thought this bird to be a Great or Solitary Snipe.]
JACK SNIPE (Scolopax gallinula). Mr. Farncomb's Pells are its favourite haunt.
DUNLIN (Tringa variabilis). Feeds in flocks about the beach during most part of the year, but is said not to breed here.
PURPLE SANDPIPER (Tringa maritima). Frequents the beach occasionally in winter, and young birds in August.
LAND-RAIL (Crex pratensis). Breeds with us in small numbers in the corn.
SPOTTED CRAKE (Crex porzana). Park Gut, October 25th.
WATER-RAIL (Rallus aquaticus). Occurs in small numbers in the Bishopstone Brooks in winter.
MOOR-HEN (Gallinula chloropus). Occurs in winter in Bishopstone Brooks; breeds at Denton.
COMMON COOT (Fulica atra). Occurs rarely about the Tide Mill. John Catt sent me a specimen, April 30th, 1851, weight just under 1 1/2 Ib.
GREY PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus). Occurs after storms as a straggler. I shot one in Blatchington Pond.
WILD SWAN (Cygnus bewickii), small, I watched a flock of six circling about Bishopstone uttering their musical cry.
BRENT GOOSE (Anser torquatus). Comes on to the rape occasionally in spring and frequents both the mouth of the Ouse and of the Cuckmere. Hundreds cross the Bay. I have shot two, both ganders, one a fine old bird.
BEAN GOOSE (Anser segetum). Very numerous, January, 1854. (I had many opportunities of watching flocks of these geese within moderate distances).
WHITE-FRONTED OR LAUGHING GOOSE (Anser albifrons). Numerous, January, 1854. (Ditto.)
COMMON SHELD-DRAKE (Tadorna vulpanser). I have seen them in autumn feeding on the Cuckmere rocks, and shot a young one, and two out of four, January 21st, 1850.
SHOVELLER (Anas clypeata). Shot at a pair close to Cuckmere rocks, April 17th, 1857.
WILD DUCK (Anas boscas). Frequents the Bishopstone Brooks, the Cuckmere, etc., in autumn and winter. I shot a Mallard in Blatchington Pond.
TEAL (Anas crecca). Frequents the Ouse, Cuckmere and the ditches.
LONG-TAILED DUCK (Fuligula glacialis). I shot one in the upper Mill Pond.
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GOLDEN-EYE (Fuligula clangula). Grant shot one in the upper Mill Pond (vide Journal, 1849, December 31st, p.18).
WIGEON (Anas penelope). Frequents the rivers and ditches.
TUFTED DUCK (Fuligula cristata).
PIN-TAILED DUCK (Anas acuta). The Cuckmere. Shot by me November 26th, 1849, Tide Mill Pond.
COMMON SCOTER (Oidemia nigra). Occasionally lands on the Shingle to bask, where I shot one. I obtained a fine specimen caught in a fishing-net.
SCAUP-DUCK (Fuligula marila). Shot by Lt. McKillop in the creek near his house; this bird I did not see, but I bought a fresh shot one of Chapman at Cuckmere.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator) A pair were blown ashore in a gale and caught by the boys under the cliff.
GOOSANDER (Mergus merganser) female—vide Journal, 1849, December 29th, p.17. I shot one January 4th, 1850 (male).
RED-NECKED GREBE (Podicipes rubricollis). Two boys caught a wounded one in the Tide Mill Pond. I shot a large Grebe with a snow-white breast and dark neck in Hope Gap, which I believe to have been of this species.
SLAVONIAN GREBE (Podicipes cornutus). Frequents the Bay and Ponds. Two specimens were brought me last spring. I shot one adult specimen in the upper Mill Pond.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podicipes cristatus). Brought to me by a Seaford man, December 28th, 1853.
EARED GREBE (Podicipes auritus). Brought me by young fisherman Green May 1st, 18—.
LITTLE GREBE (Podicipes minor). Frequents the Tide Mill Pond, the Ouse, etc. I have a specimen caught on the beach.
RED-THROATED DIVER (Colymbus septentrionalis). Seaford rocks, taken alive. I shot one off the groins; two, Mill Pond.
COMMON GUILLEMOT (Uria troile). Breeds about Beachy Head and fishes in the Bay in the winter.
BRIDLED GUILLEMOT (or RINGED) (Uria lacrymans). Bay opposite Blatchington Battery, January 12th, shot by me.
LITTLE AUK (Mergulus melanoleucus). An adult specimen picked up December 27th, 1853 (vide Journal 1853-4, p. 325).
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RAZOR-BILL (Aica torda). Breeds in the East Dean Cliffs, I have picked both it and C.[ommon] G.[uillemot] up on the beach in winter.
PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica). Picked up upon beach, January 27th, 1851, by Tom Mills.
COMMON CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo). I once saw this bird in summer sitting on a ledge of Seaford Cliff.
THE GANNET (Sula alba). A specimen in indifferent plumage was brought to me, November 16th, 1853. I picked up a dead one in full plumage in the Tide Mill Salt, spring, 1853.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo). Passes and remains a day or two in its spring and autumn migrations. I shot three, 6th October, 1851.
ARCTIC TERN (Sterna arctica). Visits us in the same way as the Common Tern. I have repeatedly shot individuals.
LESSER TERN (Sterna minuta). Visits us in the same way as the Common and Arctic, but in smaller numbers.
BLACK TERN (Sterna fissipes). Visits us in pairs in spring and autumn.
SABINE'S GULL (Larus sabini). Killed by Mr. Catt's gardener.
LITTLE GULL (Larus minutus). I shot one flying over the Shingle Bank in autumn and one was brought me by a boy, winged, which I kept alive for months.
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus). In great flights. Fallows, Bay, Downs, etc. Winter visitant.
KITTIWAKE (Larus tridactylus). Breeds in the cliffs in small numbers.
COMMON GULL (Larus canus). I have shot it on Blatchington Salt.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus). Breeds in the cliffs. Fishes in the Bay. Remains all the year— young one shot July, 1853.
HERRING-GULL (Larus argentatus). Breeds in the cliffs in greater numbers than the other kinds.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus). Visits in winter. I have shot a young one under Seaford Head.
RICHARDSON'S SKUA (Lestris richardsonii). Shot by a young Cambridge man in Seaford Bay late in autumn.
GREATER SHEARWATER (Puffinus major). Picked up by a Rocker (Tom Mills), June 7th, 1850.
FORKED-TAILED PETREL (Thalassidroma leachii). Picked up fluttering about in the Tide Mill Pond.
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STORMY PETREL (Thalassidroma pelagica). Shot by the Seaford exciseman in a ditch opposite Newhaven.
A PARROQUET (Euphemia undulata) was killed at Sutton, December, 1853. Of course it must have escaped from captivity—probably from a passing vessel.
SPARROW-HAWK.
GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS.
SWALLOW.
KESTREL. One usually haunts the cornstacks near the village and when a stack is taken in sits on the wall watching the men at work, and when a mouse is started pounces on it. They commonly alight on paths, and when gorged will bask in the sun on a warm fallow. Mice and the small, corn-eating birds are their usual prey. A pair were circling about the village chasing one another in the middle of February, and a few days afterwards I saw them about the cliffs. This is by far the most abundant of the Falcon tribe in this neighbourhood. Breeds regularly in the cliffs. Four eggs were brought me last year and I saw four young ones fresh from the nest trying their wings about the edges of the cliff under their parent's protection. The old birds kept sweeping round me endeavouring to attract my attention and the hen was very bold.
BRIDLED GUILLEMOT.
For the Introduction and Diary use "READ MORE" link below.
For the Introduction and Diary use "READ MORE" link below.
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