Scottish Birds
Vol. 20 No. 1ISSN 0036 9144
Scottish BirdsThe Journal of the Scottish Ornithologists' ClubEditor: Or S da PratoAssisted by: Professor 0 Jenkins, Dr J B Nelson, Or I Bainbridge, Dr M Marquiss and R SwannBusiness Editor: The Secretary SOC, 21 Regent Terrace Edinburgh EH7 5BT(tel 0131-556 6042, fax 01315589947) .Scottish Birds, the official journal of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, publishes original material relatingto ornithology in Scotland. Papers and notes should be sent to The Editor, Scottish Birds, 21 RegentTerrace , Edinburgh EH7 5BT.Two issues of Scottish Birds are published each year, in June and in December. Scottish Birds is issuedfree to members ofthe Scottish Ornithologists' Club, who also receive the quarterly newsletter Scottish BirdNews, the annual Scottish Bird Report and the annual Raplor round up. These are available to Institutionsat a subscription rate (1997) of 36.The Scottish Ornithologists' Club was formed in 1936 to encourage all aspects of ornithology inScotland. It has local branches which meet in Aberdeen , Ayr, the Borders, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh,Glasgow, Inverness, New Galloway, Orkney, St Andrews, Stirling, Stranraer and Thurso, each with its ownprogramme of field meetings and winter lectures. The Waterston Library at the Club's headquarters at 21Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 58T is the most comprehensive ornithological library in Scotland, and isavailable for reference during office hours (Monday to Friday, 0930-1630 hrs) . (But please phonebeforehand) .SOC annual membership subscription ratesDirect DebitAdultFamily (2 adults and any children under 18) living at one addressJunior (under 18, or student under 25)Pensioner/unwagedPensioner Family (2 adults living at one address)LifeLife Family 18.00 27.00 7.00 10.00 14.50 360.00 540.00Other methods 20.00 30.00 8.00 11 .00 16.00 400.00 600.00All subscriptions may be paid by Direct Debit and Covenanted. Subscriptions paid by Direct Debit greatlyassist the Club. Please ask for a Direct Debit form by phoning the Secretary at the above address.Published by the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BTPrinted by Meigle Print, Block 11, Units 1 & 2, Tweedbank Industrial Estate, Galashiels TD1 3RS
Scottish Birds (1999) 20: 1-5The breeding birds of Auskerry, Orkney, 1969-1998R G ADAM & C J BOOTHThis paper documents changes that have taken place in the sea birdpopulation of Auskerry in the last 3 decades. In addition, other breedingbirds are mentioned briefly.Auskerry is a small island, approximately 1.5x 1 km, situated on the eastern side of theOrkney archipelago , 5 km south of Stronsay.It has a rocky coastline with some boulderand shingle beaches. There are cliffs on thewest side which reach a height of 18 metresand where Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbillsand the majority of Shags nest. The islandhas long been used for grazing sheep. Thevegetation is mainly Gal/una heath and acidicgrassland with Oeschampsia tussocks onboth east and west coasts . It was designatedan SSSI in 1997 and classified as a SpecialProtected Area (SPA) in June 1998.MethodsInformation on the breeding birds from 1969to 1998 has been obtained from a variety ofsources including the Seafarer counts in 1969(Cramp, Bourne and Saunders 1974). ADK Ramsay made almost annual visits in the1970s into the mid 1980s, staying for severaldays on each occasion. It is due to hisenthusiasm for recording the birds of Auskerrythat we have so much data for these years.Both authors have visited the island on anumber of occasions throughout the studyperiod and particularly from 1992 to 1998,when 3 to 4 day stays were made annually.Apart from 2 visits in May and one in June themajority of counts have taken place in July,which means that some breeding birds thatfailed early will have been missed. For anumberof species this means thatthe countswill be minima:Breeding seabirdsFulmar Fulmarus glacialisA total of 150 apparently occupied nest siteswas counted in 1969; then numbers rangedfrom 200 in 1971 to 121 in 1974 and 150 in1980. Almost all of the inland nesting pairsthat laid from 1974 to 1980 failed and thenumbers at these sites dropped from 70 to20 pairs. There was a large increase overthe whole island in 1981 to 280 pairs and thislevel was maintained for several years. Adecline has been noted in the last 5 yearsand a count in July 1997 found 110apparently occupied sites on the west coast.There were very few inland nesting pairs in1997 and 1998. It was thought that thenumber of nesting pairs in 1998 was verysimilar to the 1969 total.Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicusBefore surveying methods had beenestablished, it had been speculated that thebreeding population was between 1,000 and9,999 pairs.A survey in 1995 using adaylight playback technique found anestimated 3,613 occupied nesting sites(Wood 1996). No obvious changes have
2R G Adam & C J Boothbeen noticed during the study period but it ispossible that sheep have collapsed someburrows.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelisTwenty nests were counted in 1969; numbersthen increased to a peak of 75 pairs in 1974before gradually declining to 30 pairs in1983.A further decline has occurredalthough numbers have remained fairly stablein the last 5 years with 21 nests in 1994,20in 1996, at least 16 in 1997 and 20 in 1998.Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticusOnly one pairwas recorded breeding in 1969but 3 pairs were present in 1970 and 4,possibly 5, in 1973. Four pairs bred from1974 to 1977, then 2 to 3 pairs were notedbetween 1978 and 1983. Two pairs werepresent in 1988 and from 1992 to 1998.Great Skua Catharacta skuaSingle pairs bred in 1969, 1970 and 1972.There were 2 pairs in 1973 and 1974 thenonly one pair annually to 1983. Single pairshave been on territory from 1992 to 1996,with a nest and eggs found in 1993. A pairwas present in 1998 but there was noindication of breeding.Common Gull Larus canusEighty pairs were counted in 1969 and duringthe 1970s numbers fluctuated, declining to20 in 1973 then rising to 40 pairs in 1976.There was a peak count of 90 pairs in 1983.Numbers have since fallen to only 25 pairs in1996; 50 birds were recorded in 1997 and 51in 1998.Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscusThis gull has declined dramatically in the last15 years and it now appears to be extinct asSB 20(1)a breeding species. One hundred pairswere found in 1969 increasing to 200 in1973, numbers then fluctuated but graduallydeclined to 125 in 1983. In 1992 only 5 birdswere counted ; there were 2 pairs in 1993 butnone have been found breeding since then .No birds were seen in 1998.Herring Gull Larus argentatusAs with the previous species there has beena massive decline in recent years. From 450pairs in 1969, numbers increased to amaximum of 900 pairs in 1976 then droppedto 600 pairs in 1983. In 1993 only 29 birdswere counted , just 6 pairs in 1996 and 6 to 7pairs in 1997. Nine nests were found in 1998but breeding success appeared to be low.Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinusFollowing an increase in the early 1970snumbers declined for a time but have sinceapparently stabilised. Only 20 pairs werenoted in 1969 but there had been an increaseto 125 in 1973 and a peak of 180 pairs wasreached in 1974. Control measures in 1976led to a decline to 60 pairs by 1983. Onehundred and twenty five birds were countedin 1993 and 95 birds in 1996. In 1998 therewere colonies of 80 and 25 birds, also 2 pairsnesting on inland peat banks and 7 pairsalong the west coast.Kittiwake Rissa tridactylaThe 1969 count was 81 pairs; numbersfluctuated through the 1970s with 60 pairs in1973, 27 in 1974, 42 in 1976 and 82 in 1980.There has been a gradual decline since thenwith 55 to 60 pairs in 1983,28 nests found in1996 and 27 in 1997. In 1998 only 18 nestswere counted including 6 in one area, wherethe young appeared to have been predatedby a nearby pairof Great Black-backed Gulls.
Scottish Birds (1999)The Breeding Birds of Auskerry, Orkney, 1969-1998Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensisTwo pairs attempted to breed in 1973 butwere unsuccessful. On recent visits birdshave occasionally been seen flying over theisland but there has been no evidence of anyfurther attempts at breeding.Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaeaBreeding numbers and group sizes havefluctuated widely during the study period .Only 160 pairs were noted in 1969 but therewere 700 pairs in 1973, just 60 pairs in 1976then a huge increase in 1980 when 4,000pairs were recorded, the peak count. Therewere 800 pairs in 1983 and 4,200 birds in1988. Recently numbers have remainedfairly stable with between 1,000 and 1,500birds annually from 1992 to 1996. Counts ofindividual birds including failed andnonbreeders were 2,060 in 1997 and 2,330in 1998. Since the introduction of the NorthRonaldsay breed of sheep 5 years ago therehas been predation of those colonies on orclose to the beaches . In 1998 a successfulattempt was made to keep these sheepaway during the breeding season from themain colony near the lighthouse.Guillemot Uria aalgeThis species appears to have increasedduring the study period , especially in the1970s. Unfortunately visits in July are toolate to give meaningful counts. Six individualswere noted in 1969, then in July 1976 280birds were counted but many of these werethought to be non breeders. Over 100 birdswere present in the main colony in 1985 and190 on 15 June 1986. There were 109 birds,some with young , on 9 July 1998.Razorbill Alca tordaAs with Guillemot, July visits are too late foraccurate counts of breeding numbers. In31973, 6 sites and in 1976, 25 sites , wereoccupied. A count on 15 June 1986 found 70birds and on 9 July 199826 birds on ledges,some with young.Black Guillemot Cepphus gryl/eBreeding pairs have declined since the mid1970s but appear to have remained fairlystable during the last few years. Seventyfour nests were found in 1976 but only 35 in1983 and 37 in 1988. In 1993 and 1994, 26nests were located, 28 in 1996 and 31 in both1995 and 1997. Only 25 nests were recordedin 1998 but some other sites , usuallyoccupied , had been flooded by run off fromheavy rain .There is a count of 205 birds around theisland in April 1983 (Tasker & Reynolds) .The Seafarer count was 342 individuals in1969-70.Puffin Fratercula arcticaThe main colonies are along the west coastand in the north east of the island. Puffinsincreased in the 1970s and have remainedfairly stable or even increased slightly sincethen. Further increases may be limited bylack of suitable breeding sites.Thirty four birds were recorded in 1969, 90 in1974 then an increase to 225 in 1976. Furthercounts are 175 to 225 in 1983, 200 in 1994and 250 birds in 1997. There were 140 birdson land on 9 July 1998.other speciesShelduck Tadorna tadornaA pair was present in May 1993 but breedingwas not confirmed.Mallard Anas platyrhynchusOne or 2 pairs bred , although not annually, inthe 1970s. No recent breeding records.
4R G Adam & C J BoothSB 20(1)Eider Somateria mollissimaAbout 20 pairs were recorded breeding in1977. Numbers remain about the same.Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensisSeveral pairs were recorded in the 1970s, atleast 2 pairs in 1997 and 3 in 1998.Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serratorRock Pipit Anthus petrosusAbout 25 pairs were present in the 1970s. Aminimum of 18 pairs was located in 1998.A pair was present in 1985 and a nest with 10eggs was found in 1986.Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegusFour to 9 pairs bred annually in the 19705and between 4 and 20 pairs in the 19905.Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticulaTwo pairs bred in the early 19705, 6 in 1984and 5 to 8 annually since 1994.Lapwing Vanellus vanellusA pair was present and probably bred in1992.Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelliiNone were recorded in the 1970s. Two pairsbred in 1992 and 1993, single pairs in 1994to 1998.Wheatear Oenanthe oenantheEight to 12 pairs were present in the 1970s,one pair in 1994, 3 in 1995, 2 in 1996, 1 in1997 and 1998.Dunlin Calidris alpinaA single pair bred in 1974 and 1976.Hooded Crow Corvus coroneA single pair was seen in 1974. There were2 pairs in 1992 and 1993; single pairs 1996to 1998.Snipe Gallinago gallinagoFifteen to 20 pairs bred annually in the 1970's.Numbers still about the same.Raven Corvus coraxA single pair has nested on the west side inmost years and is usually successful.Curlew Numenius arquataIn 1993 one pair was present and a nestfound . Single pairs were present in 1996and 1997.Starling Stern us vulgarisAt least 10 pairs bred in 1976. Flocks of 20to 50 birds are seen annually.Turnstone Arenaria interpresA single bird was displaying and defendingterritory in 1992.Rock Dove Columba liviaBetween 20 and 30 pairs bred annually in the1970s. Only 25 birds were seen in 1998.Skylark Alauda arvensisAt least 6 pairs were noted in the 1970s.Skylark have declined with none seen in1998.Twite Carduelis flavirostrisSix to 10 pairs bred annually in the 1970s.None were seen in 1997 or 1998.DiscussionSome of the changes detailed above are duein part to more intensive grazing withsubsequent depletion of ground cover.Sheep disturb ground nesting birds and mayeat eggs and young.Apart from ArcticTerns, the seabirds most affected have beenCommon, Lesser Black-backed and HerringGulls, although sheep are probably not the
Scottish Birds (1999)The Breeding Birds of Auskerry, Orkney, 1969-1998main reason for the dramatic decline in thelast 2 species. Numbers of both these gullshave fallen at colonies elsewhere in Orkneyduring the last 10 years (pers obs) anddecreases have also been recorded fromother parts of Britain (Thompson, Brindleyand Heubeck 1998).The drop in Kittiwake numbers is in line withthe decline that has occurred at some coloniesthroughout Orkney since at least 1975 (Uoyd,Tasker and Partridge 1991).While adecrease in Black Guillemots has beenrecorded on Auskerry from the mid 1970s, adecline at other Orkney colonies does notappear to have been noted until the late1980s (Orkney Bird Reports 1988 to 1990).Two ofthe species that have increased since1969 are Great Black-backed Gull andGuillemot. The Great Black-backed Gullpopulation, despite fluctuations, is nowapparently fairly stable although decreaseshave been reported from some Orkneycolonies since 1990 (Orkney Bird Reports1990 to 1996). The increase in Guillemotnumbers would seem to follow the trends atmonitored colonies elsewhere in Orkney(Thompson, Brindley and Heubeck 1998).AcknowledgementsWe are very grateful to Simon and TeresaBrogan and their family , not only for additionalinformation, but also for their help and5hospitality during our visits to Auskerry.Andrew Ramsay carried out nearly all theearly survey work on which this paper isbased. Our thanks to S da Prato and ananonymous referee for their comments onan earlier draft of this paper. We are alsoindebted to the boatmen who havetransported us to and from Auskerry in avariety of conditions, particularly JohnDeerness, Harvey Groat and especially SmithFoubister.ReferencesCramp S, Bourne W RP and Saunders 01974.The Seabirds of Britain and Ireland. Collins.Lloyd C, Tasker M L and Partridge K 1991. TheStatus of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland. T and Ao Poyser, London.Orkney Bird Reports 1988 to 1994. Chris Booth,Mildred Cuthbert and Eric Meek (eds).Orkney Bird Reports 1995 to 1996. Chris Booth,Mildred Cuthbert and Bob Adam (eds) .Ramsay AD K 1978. Breeding Birds of Auskerry.Orkney Bird Report 1976-1977 D Lea 1978.Ramsay AD K 1984. Seabirds on Auskerry 19711983, Orkney Ringing Group Report 1983:3-9.Tasker M and Reynolds P 1983. A survey ofTystie (Black Guillemot) Cepphus grylledistributionin Orkney, 1983. Report to Nature ConservancyCouncil.Thompson K R, Brindley E and Heubeck M 1998.Seabird numbers and breeding success in Britainand Ireland, 1997. JNCC Peterborough.Wood 0 1996. An estimate of the number ofStorm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus breeding onAuskerry, Orkney. Seabird19 :40-46.R G Adam, Northolme, St Ola, Orkney, KW151SBC J Booth, Ronas, 34 High Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW151AZRevised manuscript accepted December 1998
6Scottish Birds (1999) 20: 6-13SB 20(1)The use, abuse and misuse of crow cage traps in Scotland:a report on behalf of the Scottish Raptor Study Groups and theRSPBD DICK & A STRONACHThe use of crow cage traps was investigated across Scotland duringMarch-July 1998. All known records of crow cage trap catches received bythe RSPB between 1985-1997 from members of the public were collated. Awide range of rare and fully protected species had been accidentally butsometimes deliberately trapped in crow page traps. Following thesefindings, a 5 month study into the use and legal status of a sample of 36crow cage traps in Scotland was conducted. At least 78% of these crowcage traps were being operated illegally, with most failing to provide water,shelter and food. Although it is believed that most illegal crow trap usewas not malicious and that many traps had been left carelessly set byoperators, there is some historical and current evidence of crow trap abusewhich is considered to be deliberate. The impact that crow cage trapshave on protected species was investigated and it is concluded that crowcage traps pose a significant threat to a wide variety of protected speciesin Scotland. Changes to the law are urgently required and a number ofrecommendations are suggested that would reduce the threat crow cagetraps pose to many protected species of birds.IntroductionThe crow cage trap is a widely used tool inthe uplands of Scotland. It has a long historyof use in this country and is recommended bygame and agricultural advisors for multiplelive trapping of Crows Corvis spp, MagpiesPica pica, Rooks Corvus frugilegus andJackdaws Corvus monedula (Dick 1997).The legitimate use of these traps is coveredby the catch all phrase 'cage trap' in section5(5)(a) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act1981.There is no definition or description of 'cagetrap' in any British or Scottish legislation.This lack of definition has led to aproliferationof cage trap designs, and uncertainty overthe terms of their use and maintenance byusers and over the advice given by variousagencies involved with enforcement of wildlifelegislation (Dick 1997). There are 3 commontypes of crow trap: funnel , ladder and Larsentraps. All 3 types are widely used acrossScotland but it is the first 2 which are thesubject of this paper.Operators of crow traps must comply withthe conditions of the Protection of Animals(Scotland) Act (1912), the Abandonment ofAnimals Act (1960), the conditions of theOpen General Licence (1997) and the Wildlifeand Countryside Act (1981). These piecesof legislation require the responsible
Scottish Birds (1999)The use, abuse and misuse of crow cage traps in Scotlandperson(s) to undertake certain tasks inrelation to the use of traps and behaviour inrelation to animal welfare by not causingunnecessary suffering.This includesinspecting crow traps daily when in use,unless there are problems with severeweather, and removing any birds caught ateach inspection. Water and food must beprovided in traps and it is likely that theprovision of shelter in the harsh upland climatewould also be required. All protected speciesmust be released immediately.Crow cage traps are generally used in opencountry for the purpose of catching nonterritorial crows outside the breeding season,and are visited by a wide variety of protectedspecies of birds which are sometimes caughtin them. The main aims of this paper are todetail the known cases of protected speciescaught in crow cage traps, investigate theirgeneral use and assess their potential impacton a range of species.MethodsThe first part of this study examines therecords of known trapping of protectedspecies in crow cage traps received by theRSPB between 1985-1997. A separate listis also provided which lists incidents of crowcage trap abuse which were considered tobe deliberate. Incidents with evidence ofalleged wrongdoing were reported to thepolice. From this appraisal, we consideredthat a more detailed st
Scottish Birds, the official journal of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, publishes original material relating to ornithology in Scotland. Papers and notes should be sent to The Editor, Scottish Birds, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT. Two issues of Scottish Birds are published each year, in June and in December. Scottish Birds is issued
2. An aviary is an enclosure for keeping birds. There are 134 birds in the aviary shown in the diagram. What is the number of birds per cubic yard for this aviary? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth. A. 0.19 birds per cubic yard B. 0.25 birds per cubic yard C. 1.24 birds per cubic yard D. 4.03 birds per cubic yard 3.
Scottish Birds, the official journal of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, publishes original material relating to ornithology in Scotland; papers concerned with status and distribution are particularly invited. Short notes are also accepted. Papers and short notes should be sent to The Editor, Scottish Birds,21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 SBT.
Praise to the cooks who give us bread. Praise cooks for bread. BIRDS IN THE WILDERNESS Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness birds in the wilderness, Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, waiting to be fed. Waiting to be fed - (TWEET TWEET) Waiting to be fed
The term "birds of prey" describes birds that catch their food by using a hooked beak and claws. Hawks, owls, eagles, kites, and falcons are all considered birds of prey. Some birds of prey of the Everglades include the most common hawk - the Red-shouldered Hawk. This very vocal bird swoops down to feed on lizards and snakes. The most common
The term "birds of prey" describes birds that catch their food by using a hooked beak and claws. Hawks, owls, eagles, kites, and falcons are all considered birds of prey. Some birds of prey of South Florida include the most common hawk - the Red-shouldered Hawk. This very vocal bird swoops down to feed on lizards and snakes. The most common
In rare instances, you may be lucky enough to witness breeding behaviors higher on the list. We do not recommend seeking out these birds or their nests. Please do not use playback to stimulate birds to vocalize. The use of playback can have a disrup-tive effect on nesting birds if used improperly. Playing recorded vocalizations can cause birds to
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Ang Araling Panlipunan ay pag-aaral ng mga tao at grupo, komunidad at lipunan, kung paano sila namuhay at namumuhay, ang kanilang ugnayan at interaksyon sa kapaligiran at sa isa’t isa, ang kanilang mga paniniwala at kultura, upang makabuo ng pagkakakilanlan bilang Pilipino, tao at miyembro ng lipunan at mundo at maunawaan ang sariling lipunan at ang daigidig, gamit ang mga kasanayan sa .
