| Article Index |
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Autumn migration at Beidaihe 1986-1990 - species
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Bitterns, egrets and herons
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Spoonbills, Ibises, Storks
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Swans, Geese, Shelducks and Ducks
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Raptors
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Partridges, pheasants and quail
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Cranes
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Rails, Crakes, Coot and Bustards
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Shorebirds
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Skuas, Gulls and Terns
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Sandgrouse and Doves
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Cuckoos, Owls and Swifts
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Kingfishers, Dollarbird, Hoopoe, Wryneck and Woodpeckers
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Larks, Martins and Swallows
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Wagtails and Pipits
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Minivet, Bulbuls, Shrikes
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Waxwings, Orioles, Drongos and Starlings
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Crows
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Wrens and Accentors
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Robins and Chats
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Rockthrushes and Thrushes
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Laughinthrushes, Parrotbill and Bush-Warblers
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Marsh-, Grasshopper, and Reed Warblers
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Phylloscopus warblers, Cisticolas, Kinglets, hill warbler
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Flycatchers
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Tits
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Nuthatches, Wallcreeper and White-eyes
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Finches
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Buntings
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Page 4 of 29
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus LT—one in market, January 1912. H—no certain records. COE—four on 25 March. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon, much decreasing in recent years.
1986: one seen from LH on 14 November, passing south with a party of Red-crowned Cranes.
1988 (Ho), 1988 (Earthwatch): one flew north and five flew south on 8th and 14 November, respectively.
•(VU)Swan Goose Anser cygnoides LT—one record, 10 October 1912. H—two autumn records; 3 September and 3 October 1945. COE—51 birds, 22-31 March. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon, gradually decreasing in recent years.
1986: one flew north on 15 October.
1988 (Ho): one flew northeast on 2 October.
1989: two flew south on 24 September.
Bean Goose Anser fabalis LT—geese (mainly this species) pass from the end of August or beginning of September to 5th or 6 November. H—more common in autumn than in spring, 21 August to 23 November; totals of 3913 (1942), 10,044 (1943), 2438 (1944) and 3196 (1945). WH—28 August not unusually early for geese to appear. COE—2607 birds, 15-31 March.
1986: 1904 birds were recorded flying south from 17 October to 16 November. The first record, of eight birds, was not followed until 26 October, when main passage began, lasting until 10 November. During this period, 1848 birds were recorded. The great majority of birds were seen migrating past LH. The maximum day total was 590 on 29 October (when three flocks were heard passing over the town after dusk); 395 on 4th and 342 on 7 November were other notable tallies.
1987: 3588 flew south from 16 October to 16 November; 2150 flew south on 29 October.
1988 (Ho): at least 366 birds, 1 October to 15 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): 420 birds were recorded flying south, and two flying north, from 28 October to 15 November. The highest day total was 105 on 10 November.
1989: 903 bird-days (900 flew south), 9 October to 13 November; highest day totals 259 on 5th and 128 on 6 November.
1990: 178 were recorded flying south, 24 October to 15 November; highest day total 68 on 5 November. A bird with near white wing-tips was seen on 9 November.
See also unidentified geese.
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons LT—no autumn records. H—two autumn records; 28th and 31 October. COE—314 birds, 23 March to 9 April.
1986: three were seen from LH, flying south, on 15 October.
1987: 155 birds which were probably this species were recorded flying south on 29 October.
•(VU)Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus LT—one shot out of a flock 14 April 1911; a flock of small geese seen passing over on 6 April 1913 ‘was probably composed of this species’.
1987: 40 geese which flew south on 29 October appeared to be around half the size of other geese they were with, and thus were considered to be this species.
Greylag Goose Anser anser LT—two specimens obtained from elsewhere in Hebei. H—one certain record, 19 October 1944. COE—nine birds, 22 March to 6 April. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon.
1986: two were recorded: one flew south over SF on 8 October and another was seen from LH, flying south, on 7 November.
Unidentified geese Anser spp.
1986: 761 unidentified geese were recorded flying south, 10 October to 14 November. Flocks of 35 on 10th, 41 on 14th and 40 on 21 October were the only records until the 26th; 642 were then recorded during the main period of Bean Goose migration making it likely that most of the unidentified geese were this species. Most were seen from LH; the maximum day total was 281 on 29 October, the same date as the peak of Bean Goose migration.
1987: 692 were recorded flying south.
1988 (Ho): at least 157 were recorded.
1988 (Earthwatch): 247 were recorded flying south.
1989: 530 bird-days (519 flew south, 11 flew north), 15 October to 12 November; 357 flew south on 15 October.
1990: before 23 October, 185 were recorded flying south on 14 October. From 23 October, 439 were recorded flying south, 3-11 November; highest day totals 206 on 7th and 74 on 9 November.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea LT—winters on the plain, passes from the latter half of October. H—winter visitor; earliest appearance 30 September, and 10 November the latest of the dates of first appearance in four years. COE—228 bird-days, 22 March to 10 May.
1986: 389 bird-days were logged from 14 October to 16 November. Main passage was from 25 October to 1 November, when 273 bird-days were logged. The maximum day total was 92 on 27 October. Most flew south, including 277 recorded from LH (51 were recorded flying north past LH).
1987: 478 bird-days (438 were recorded flying south), 16 October to 29 November; highest day totals 78 on 21st and 83 on 29 October, flying south.
1988 (Ho): 80 bird-days, 1 October to 17 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): 161 birds were recorded flying south, and seven flying north, from 14 October to 16 November. The highest day count was 39 birds on 2 November.
1989: 498 bird-days (453 flew south, 44 flew north), 8 October to 16 November; 376 bird-days from 3-10 November. The highest day totals were 79 (recorded from LH, flying south) on 4th and 77 (recorded from LH, 67 flew south, eight flew north) on 8 November.
1990: 231 were recorded flying south, and 69 flying north, 27 October to 15 November; highest day total 81 (80 south, one north) on 1 November.
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna LT—passes from mid-September to mid-October. H—more common in autumn than in spring, from 19 July to 21 November. COE—735 bird-days, 21 March to 19 May.
1986: 228 bird-days were logged from 26 August to 11 November, though the species was seen on only 17 dates. There were 102 bird-days from 26 August to 1 September (there were 50 at SF on 27 August), and 91 over 24-31 October (including 59 recorded from SF, flying south, on 25th). SF was much the favoured locality; other records were from LH, YH and Se.
1987: 306 bird-days (243 were recorded flying south), 28 August to 16 November; the highest day totals were 35 (flying south) on 28 August, 47 (flying south) on 9 September and 69 (63 flying south, six present) on 11 October; 16 were present on 17 November.
1988 (Ho): 28 bird-days, 9-18 September.
1989: two were at SF on 10 October and 5 November, and ten flew south on 15 October.
1990: before 23 October, 59 bird-days were logged, highest day total 35 on 1 September. There were three records from this date: one at SF on 23 October, 25 at SF on 3rd and five flying south past Fishhook Point on 4 November.
•(NT)Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata LT—one record, 17 April 1913. H—a flock of 17 on 11 October was the only autumn record. COE—22-23 individuals, 9 April to 3 May. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: fairly common, declining in recent years.
1986: 23 bird-days were logged from 9 September to 19 October. It appears that 13-14 individuals were involved—a little over half as many as in spring 1985. Records were as follows: a female or immature at LH on 9th, 13th and 17th, one at Re on 28 September, two at Re on 7th, three at LH on 7th and 8th, one at SF on 10th, two at LH over 12th-15th, one at LH on 18th and three at Re on 19 October.
1987: 11 bird-days (three birds?), 18 September to 18 October; two birds were seen on five days.
1988 (Ho): four bird-days, first half of October.
1989: a pair on the sea off Temple Beach on 11 October.
1990: before 23 October, 47 bird-days; highest counts flocks of 18 on 8th and 16 on 17 October, overflying LH (heading northeast). From 23 October, two records: a pair at Re on 23 October and one at LH on 2 November.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope LT—not common; one shot in October. H—30-40 birds on 6 November 1943. WH—rare migrant in October. COE—143 bird-days, 1 April to 23 May.
1986: between 33 and 35 individuals were recorded, as follows: at SF, three on 24 September, and five on 9th and two on 10 October, and 25 at ER on 27 October.
1987: 24 bird-days (12 flew south), 16 September to 6 November.
1989: 55 bird-days, 8-24 October; 33 flew south on 15th and 20 flew south on 24 October.
1990: 14 were recorded flying south: six on 31 October and eight on 1 November.
Falcated Teal Anas falcata LT—extremely abundant during the latter half of September, remaining during October and occasionally until November. H—only one autumn record, 23 September. COE—355 bird-days, 21 March to 31 May.
1986: 32 bird-days, 25 August to 16 October. Only seen on 11 dates: at Re, singles on 25th and 27 August, nine on 14th, two on 21st, four on 27th, five on 29 September and one on 7 October; also one seen passing LH on 30 September, six at SF on 14 October and two at YH on 16 October.
1987: 21 bird-days (ten were recorded flying south), beginning of survey to 25 October.
1988 (Ho): 24 bird-days, 10 September to 7 October.
1989: 14 were at Re on 15 October.
1990: 306 bird-days, highest day totals 39 on 15th, 71 on 22nd and 45 on 29 September; all before 23 October, and mainly recorded at Re.
Gadwall Anas strepera LT—one shot on 28 September. H—two autumn records: 11 October (some) and 12 October (a female shot). WH—rare winter resident. COE—184 bird-days, 18 March to 28 May.
1986: 241 bird-days were logged from 29 September to 14 November. Only recorded on six days: four at Re on 29 September, 222 at SF on 27 October (large duck influx on this day), two at Re on 28th, one at ER on 30th and 11 south past King’s Point on 31 October, and one south past LH on 14 November.
1987: two flew south on 18th and six flew south on 29 October.
1988 (Ho): six bird-days, 13-15 October.
1989: one at Re on 16 September.
1990: three bird-days, before 23 October.
•(VU)Baikal Teal Anas formosa LT—extremely abundant on passage, beginning of September to the end of October. H—only one in autumn, but dense flocks seen spring 1944. WH—erratic spring migrant in Hebei. COE—five birds on 20 March. Ch—migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common during migration and in winter.
1986: the only record was of a female or immature at Re on 15 September, with a small flock of Common and Falcated Teal.
1987: singles on 13th and 16 September.
1988 (Ho): one flew south, 14 September.
1989: no records.
1990: two records of a female (same bird?), at Re on 25th and SF on 30 August.
The few recent records contrast markedly with earlier observations, especially by La Touche, substantiating reports that there has been a marked decline in the population of this species.
Common Teal Anas crecca LT—very abundant, beginning of September to the end of October. Wilder (1924)—in great numbers, 12 September 1924. H—less common in autumn than in spring, 16 September to 25 October. COE—1175 bird-days, 19 March to 20 May.
1986: a total of 2161 bird-days was logged. The great majority were seen on 27 October, when ca. 2140 were on the sea off SF in the afternoon, after a cold front had arrived. Otherwise, only single figures recorded on seven days: one from LH on 1 September; at Re, one on 15th, two on 21st, four on 27th, two on 29 September and seven on 6 October, also one at SF/ER over 30-31 October.
1987: 51 bird-days, 21 September to 1 November.
1988 (Ho): 14 bird-days, 7-12 October.
1989: at Re, three on 16th and four on 21 September; 72 bird-days, 8 October to 1 November; 45 flew south on 15 October.
1990: before 23 October, 32 bird-days, highest day total 15 on 29 September. From 23 October, one was at SF on 3rd and three flew south on 8 November.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos LT—one of the commonest ducks, 20 September to the beginning of November. H—also found the Mallard one of the commonest ducks; largest autumn numbers in October. COE—1492 bird-days, 15 March to 23 May.
1986: 247 bird-days, 1 September to 18 November. Seventeen bird-days were logged over seven dates to 27 September, on which date 32 birds were recorded. The species was then recorded on a further seven dates to, and including, 26 October, totalling 21 bird-days. There was a minor peak in passage from 27 October to 2 November, when 71 bird-days were logged. Subsequently, 107 bird-days were logged over four dates, with the maximum day total of 89 on 13 November, on the sea off Temple Beach. About half the records refer to birds resting on the sea off Temple Beach and Se; 65 were recorded from LH, flying south.
1987: 383 bird-days, 6 October to 24 November; 134 were recorded flying south.
1988 (Ho): at least 218 bird-days, 3 October to 17 November.
1989: at Re, two on 16th and one on 21 September; 558 bird-days (30 flew south), 10 October to 16 November; highest day totals 71 on 4th and 70 on 8 November.
1990: before 23 October, 87 bird-days. From 23 October, 241 bird-days, 25 October to 16 November (eight flew south); other than 50 at SF on 25 October, highest counts were of birds on sea off Temple Beach—50 on 30 October, 75 on 7th and at least 40 on 9 November.
Neither La Touche nor Hemmingsen notes the species as being less common in autumn than in spring, which our studies suggest is the case.
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha LT—passes from beginning of September to November; probably breeds. H—common, 30 July to 25th or 30 October; typically up to ten birds but occasionally parties of 30-40. COE—1522 bird-days, 20 March to 1 May.
1986: 1070 bird-days, 23 August to 20 November. There were two peaks of passage: 17-24 September, when 248 bird-days were logged, and 27 October to 2 November, with 236 bird-days. A rather prolonged period of significant passage linked these periods—i.e. from 17 September to 2 November. The highest day totals were 90 (flying south) on 17th, 62 (39 recorded from LH, flying south; 23 at SF/Re) on 18 September, 48 (one recorded from LH, flying south, 45 at SF, two at Re) on 10th, 48 (45 at SF, two at Se and one recorded from LH, flying south) on 10th, 53 (51 at SF, two flying south over Se) on 27th and 137 (114 at SF, 23 at YH) on 31 October. After 29 on 2nd, numbers in November did not exceed three. The Re/SF area attracted most birds; there were also 315 recorded from LH, flying south.
1987: 1237 bird-days, beginning of survey to 19 November; 270 were recorded flying south; highest day total 112 (50 present, 62 flying south) on 29 October; 30 were present on 19 November.
1988 (Ho): 267 bird-days, 9 September to 18 November.
1989: 205 bird-days (five flew south), 8 October to 10 November; highest day total 26 on 24 October.
1990: before 23 October, 97 bird-days. After 23 October, 80 bird-days (11 flew south), 25 October to 16 November; highest day totals 22 (at SF) on 31 October and 21 (11 at SF, ten flying south) on 8 November.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta LT—perhaps the most abundant of the larger ducks, mid-September to the end of October. Wilder (1924b)—in great numbers, 12 September 1924. H—noticeably less common than in spring; six dates in one autumn, 19 July and 23 September to 11 October. COE—167 bird-days, 16 March to 30 April. Ch—migrates through Hebei; status: abundant on passage.
1986: 35 or 36 bird-days were logged from seven dates over 1-27 September. The first record was of 18 flying south past LH, and the remaining 17/18 birds were recorded during the last ten days of the passage period at SF, YH and Re.
1987: one on 25 September and 137 flew south over 26-29 October (including 133 on 29th).
1988 (Ho): 40 bird-days, 4-10 October; flock of 38 on 10th.
1989: 51 bird-days, 15 October to 5 November; 45 flew south on 15 October.
1990: before 23 October, 53 bird-days, highest day total 43 on 29 September. From 23 October, 55 flew south on 8 November.
The recent studies do not support La Touche’s assertion that this may be the most abundant of the larger ducks.
Garganey Anas querquedula LT—appears during September. H—noted on three dates in autumn 1944: 18 July, 18th and 21 August. COE—2096 bird-days, 23 March to 1 May; the commonest of the ducks.
1986: 147 bird-days were logged from 20 August to 10 October. The highest count was 42 on 1 September. The first record was of a family party of two adults and seven juveniles at Re, suggesting that they had bred in the area. Certain passage was first noted on 28 August, when nine flew south over the sea off Se. This marked the beginning of the main passage period, which lasted until 6 September and during which 86 bird-days were logged, and the highest day total was 42 (37 recorded flying south, five were at Re) on 1 September. A further 43 bird-days were logged during 10-21 September and the next record was the last—four at Re on 10 October. The Re/SF area was the favoured locality. The passage was earlier than that of the Common Teal, in agreement with the findings of La Touche and Hemmingsen, and roughly mirroring the occurrences in spring, when the Common Teal tends to pass before the Garganey.
1987: 31 bird-days, beginning of survey to 25 September; late bird (with a damaged wing?) on 8th and 9 November.
1988 (Ho): three bird-days, 9-24 September.
1989: 17 at Re on 16 September.
1990: 67 bird-days, highest day total 24 on 2 September, all before 23 October.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata LT—passes commonly during the first 15 days of October; doubtless also in September. H—four dates in one autumn, 21 August to 10 November. COE—112 bird-days, 23 March to 31 May. Ch—migrates through Hebei; status: common during migration.
1986: 103 were seen. Records were as follows: two at Re on 10 October, 90 off ER on 27 October (there was a large duck influx on this day), one north past LH on 28 October, nine south on 6 November, and one at YH on 8 November.
1987: one flew south on 28th and 28 flew south on 29 October.
1989: one at Re on 14 October.
1990: before 23 October, three bird-days. From 23 October, 12 flew south on 8 November.
Common Pochard Aythya clypeata LT, H—no records. WH—evidently usually scarce or rare in Hebei, but in spring 1924 ‘common on the lakes in Peking, at Peitaiho [Beidaihe] (H) [Hubbard], and at the Summer Palace, since April 3rd, until June 11 at least.’ COE—165 bird-days, 18 March to 20 April.
1987: 41 bird-days, 23 October to 27 November; maximum 15 on 21 November.
1989: ten flew south on 25 October.
1990: five were at SF on 29 October and seven flew south on 4 November.
•(VU)Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri LT—extremely abundant during the latter half of September and beginning of October, remaining until the end of October. H—four possibly seen, 30 April 1943. COE—ca. 20 individuals, 23 March to 1 June; a pair remained at Re to the end of the survey period.
1986: recorded at Re on three dates: one on 1st, ten on 5th and one on 10 October.
1988 (Ho): five birds flew south and one was seen at Re on 24 September.
1990: two records at SF: six on 2nd and one on 14 October.
Only La Touche has found this species extremely abundant in the area—more recent work has found it to be rather scarce, suggesting a substantial decline since early this century.
•(VU)Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca LT, H, COE—no records; La Touche originally misidentified autumn Baer’s Pochards as this species. Ch—migrates through central China and winters along the middle region of the Yangzi valley. Mentions record from Beijing market in March, by Wilder, but asserts that the bird was probably a Baer’s Pochard.
1986: a male was at Re on 5 October and another bird, probably an eclipse male, was on the sea off ER on 27 October.
1987: one bird at Re, 21-28 October.
Baer’s Pochard/Ferruginous Duck Aythya baeri/A. nyroca
1988 (Ho): two at Re 10 October.
1989: one at Re on 8 October.
1990: one flew south on 8 November.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula LT—common in October. H—one spring and one autumn record; the latter of two birds on 21 October 1943. COE—no records. Ch—migrates through Hebei; status: rather uncommon in breeding localities, very rare elsewhere.
1986: three birds were seen: a first-winter male at YH on 31 October and two females or immatures at the same locality on 8 November.
1987: 15 bird-days, 15 October to 9 November; possibly only six birds, four of which flew south.
1990: six flew south on 8 November.
Greater Scaup Aythya marila LT—several on 16 April 1916. H—a female over 10-11 April 1944. COE—a female on 3 April. Ch—migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon.
1986: a female or immature was at YH on 31 October.
1987: six present, 21-28 October.
Harlequin Histrionicus histrionicus LT, H—no records. Ch—recorded at three localities, in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shandong; status: very rare. COE—immature male present from 6 April to 5 May.
1989: a female or immature was on the sea off LP on 4 November.
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis LT—specimens of immature male on 5th and female on 6 April 1916. H—one record in spring; two to four on three dates in November 1943. COE—no records.
1987: at YH: two on 31 October and 1 November, singles on 6th and 9th, and two on 15 November.
1990: a male flew south past SF on 16 October.
Velvet Scoter (White-winged Scoter) Melanitta fusca stejnegeri LT—in market, February and December 1913; a number just caught 14 April 1913. H—on 15 dates in autumn, 4 October to 29 November. Only one spring record. COE—one on 3 April, two on 11 May. Ch—migrant and winter visitor to Hebei coast; status: very rare.
1986: 93 bird-days, 23 August to 20 November. The species was thus recorded throughout the survey period and, with the Spot-billed Duck, exhibited the most extended occurrence of the ducks. However, the Velvet Scoter was only recorded on 15 dates, with the pattern as follows: 11 flew south on 23 August, three males flew north on 18 September, 15 bird-days logged 6-10 October, 31 bird-days 19-23 October, 21 bird-days 27 October to 2 November, six bird-days 9-12 November, and six flew north on 20 November. The maximum day count—14 birds—was recorded on 20th and 27 October. Most records were from the eastern part of Beidaihe—of birds on or flying over the sea off SF, ER and King’s Point.
1987: 260 bird-days, 29 August to 15 November; 93 birds were recorded flying south; five bird-days to 5 October, after which more regular; highest day total 65 (60 present, five flying south) on 11 October; the only records in November were five on 4th and four (flying south) on 15th.
1988 (Ho): 13 birds seen on 13 October.
1989: 255 bird-days, 8 October to 9 November; highest day total 124 on 17 October (111 flying past TH, 13 recorded from LP).
1990: before 23 October, 44 bird-days. From 23 October, ten bird-days (three present, seven flying south over sea), 30 October to 8 November.
Cheng’s assertion that this species is very rare is evidently wrong; perhaps it was based on numbers of specimens—which are less readily collected than for most ducks.
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula LT—common from the beginning of October. H—very common during the winter, earliest autumn dates in four years lay between 22nd and 26th or 30 October. COE—1554 bird-days, 15 March to 8 May.
1986: 644 bird-days, 27 October to 20 November, though the species was only recorded on ten days. The main passage was over 8-13 November, when 498 bird-days were logged. The highest day counts were 212 on 8th, 180 on 12th and 140 on 17 November. About two-thirds of the records were of birds on the sea off YH, with most of the remainder off Se.
1987: 1525 bird-days, 19 October to 30 November (end of the survey); 112 birds were recorded flying south; highest day total 325 on 22 November.
1988 (Ho): 84 bird-days, 16-19 November.
1989: 335 bird-days (72 flew south), 16 October to 16 November; 53 passed south off LP on 8 November; 134 were at YH on 16 November.
1990: 171 bird-days (13 flew south), 3-16 November; highest day total 77 (seven at SF, 70 at YH) on 16 November.
Smew Mergus albellus LT—’may be seen in October and at the beginning of November … probably winters.’ H—two autumn records, 13th and 21 November. COE—31 bird-days, 17-21 March. Ch—migrant and winter visitor to Hebei; status: fairly common during the winter.
1986: 56 bird-days were logged from 16 October to 17 November; recorded on only eight days. Fourteen bird-days were logged from four days in October. During November, one on 2nd was followed by 23 on 8th, eight on 9th and ten on 17th. Most were seen at YH, and the number of individuals involved was probably very close to the bird-day total.
1987: 42 bird-days, 17 October to 20 November; ten flew south on 20 November.
1988 (Ho): 17 bird-days, 5-18 November.
1989: 41 bird-days, 26 October to 16 November; 15 flew south on 5 November and 17 were at YH the following day.
1990: three were at Re on 16 November.
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator LT—no records. H—three records in November 1943; less common than in spring. COE—372 bird-days, 16 March to 13 May.
1986: 218 bird-days were logged from 30 September to 19 November. There were 27 bird-days from seven dates to 25 October. The main passage began on 27 October and lasted until 2 November: during this period, 120 bird-days were logged, and the maximum day count—47 birds—was made on 27 October. There were 56 bird-days over 8-13 November, followed by 15 on 18th and the last record of one flying north the following day. Just over half the records were of birds on the sea east of Lighthouse Point, and most of the remainder were from Se and the sea off YH. Five were seen from LH.
1987: 388 bird-days, 11 October to 29 November; 126 birds were recorded flying south; the highest day totals were 43 (12 present, 31 flying south) on 26th, 38 (13 present, 25 flying south) on 31 October and 48 (37 present, 11 flying south) on 6 November.
1988 (Ho): 12 bird-days, 14 October to 17 November.
1989: 184 bird-days (39 flew south), 10 October to 11 November; highest day total 36 on 4 November.
1990: before 23 October, eight bird-days. From 23 October, 134 bird-days (32 flew south), 29 October to 16 November; highest day totals 48 (22 at SF, 26 flying south offshore) on 31 October, 20 (at SF) on 3rd and 25 (at YH) on 15 November.
Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser LT—noted in late autumn and often seen in the market in winter. H—recorded on 12 or 18 dates in three autumns, 22 October to 23 November. COE—151 bird-days, 17 March to 21 May.
1986: 667 bird-days were logged from 30 October to 19 November. Significant passage began on 4 November, when 29 were seen from LH, flying south. The next day, 78 were seen from LH; 142 bird-days were logged over 10-11 November. The period of main passage was during 14-16 November, when 378 birds were recorded from LH, flying south, and the maximum day count—187 birds—was made on 15th. In all, 639 birds were recorded migrating south past LH; the remainder of the records were of birds on, or passing over, the sea.
1987: 526 bird-days, 31 October to 20 November; 489 birds were recorded flying south; highest day totals 126 (flying south) on 10th and 200 (flying south) on 11 November.
1988 (Ho): 485 bird-days, 7-18 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): 615 birds were recorded flying south from 25 October to 16 November. The main passage was from 9-16 November, when 605 birds were recorded. The highest day total was 122 birds on 15 November.
1989: 1149 flew south, 31 October to 16 November; highest day totals 401 on 10th and 431 on 13 November.
1990: 761 bird-days (758 were recorded flying south), 31 October to 16 November; highest counts of birds flying south 367 on 9th and 258 on 10 November—all seen from LH.
Unidentified ducks
1986: 2249 unidentified ducks were recorded from 22 August to 18 November, with the highest count 313 on 27 October (there was a large influx of ducks on this day). The numbers recorded tended to increase during the survey period, and peaked at 857 bird-days during 26 October to 6 November.
1987: 3838 bird-days.
1988 (Ho): 331 bird-days.
1989: notable records were 200 flying south on 15 October and 100 flying south on 5 November.
1990: 214 bird-days for unidentified dabbling ducks, before 23 October.
Unidentified teal Anas spp.
1986: 95 bird-days were logged from 24 September to 10 November. There were 57 bird-days over 24-26 September, 14 bird-days from 28 September to 10 October and 24 bird-days after 18 October.
1987: 61 bird-days.
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