Scottish Birds Volume 21 Abstracts
Part 1 - June 2000
Amendments to the Scottish List.
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Breeding birds of the Isle of May, Firth of Forth, 1972-99.
During the last 28 years the numbers of auks and Eiders breeding on the Isle of May have increased dramatically, terns have recolonised and gull numbers have declined. With the exception of the feral pigeon, landbirds have done less well. Lapwing, Stock Dove, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush and Meadow Pipit have not bred in recent years and numbers of Pied Wagtail and Starling are much reduced. Ringed Plover, Stock Dove and, probably, Black Redstart bred for the first time.
Wintering seafowl in Scapa Flow, Orkney, October 1998 to March 1999.
Monthly counts of all seafowl were carried out in Scapa Flow for the 6 months from October 1998 to March 1999, utilising both shore and boat based observations. Thirty species were recorded and the maximum number of individuals of all species recorded in any month was 14,886. Two species, Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe, were present at levels of international importance, and a further 11 species were present at levels of national importance. The maximum of 781 Great Northern Divers recorded was an unprecedented figure for this species in any single locality in the UK and represents 26% of the GB and 15.6% of the European winter population respectively. Slavonian Grebes peaked at 124, representing 31% of the GB and 2.5% of the European winter population. The other species of national importance were Red-throated Diver, 1.2% of GB winter population, Black-throated Diver (8.1%), Red-necked Grebe (14%), Shag (9%), Wigeon (1.4%), Teal (1%), Eider (3%), Long-tailed Duck (6.7%), Goldeneye (1.7%), Red-breasted Merganser (6.2%), and Black Guillemot (2.6%). Surface feeding duck numbered c6,300 and diving duck c4,200. Wigeon was the most abundant species with a maximum of 3,895. Overall numbers of most species exceeded those recorded during previous surveys in 1974-78 and in 1988-89.
Greylag Geese breeding in Shetland.
Greylag Geese from the Icelandic breeding population have migrated through Shetland for many years. As the Icelandic population has increased, Greylags have become more common in Shetland as migrants and wintering birds, while more recently an increase in reseeded hillsides in the islands has apparently tempted some to remain to breed. Unst was colonised in 1985, possibly earlier, and birds have also been seen in suitable breeding habitat on Mainland since the late 1980s. The current breeding population in 1998-99 is estimated at between 80 to 100 pairs. About half are on Unst with most of the others on Mainland. The Shetland population is of particular interest as it forms a third distinct British breeding population, presumably of Icelandic origin, in addition to the native Scottish population and feral birds.
East Ross Rookeries in 1998-99.
East Ross rookeries were surveyed in 1998-9 and the results compared with those of the 1975 survey organised by the BTO. Overall, there was a 33% decline in the number of nests and a 20% decrease in the number of rookeries between 1975 and 1998. Declines were pronounced on the Black Isle and in Easter Ross, but there was a 13% increase in the number of nests in Mid Ross and a 65% increase in the number of rookeries. The median rookery size declined in all 3 areas. Rookeries in farm woodland and forestry plantations showed greater declines than those in the vicinity of villages and gardens and the majority of new rookeries were established in villages and gardens.
Part 2 - December 2000
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