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© F.Coakley , 2021
[From Bird-Life in the Isle of Man]
is a strange creature, both in appearance and habits. From its way of sitting, sometimes for hours without apparently moving, even when not looking for its food, it would seem to be continuously nursingi a grievance. I am sure that it is bad-tempered and cross-grained, On Langness I have seen a bird summarily clear a rock of some thirty Lapwing, for a particular reason that I could see, and repeat the performance when they tried to return. It does not seem to mind being mobbed, which is not uncommon. One day, a lot of rooks pursued one near Onchan, and it went on quite unconcernedly, but when one was flying near Derbyhaven one day and a gull tried to attack it, it just turned back and sort of snapped at the intruder, which retired hastily. I fancy that, in February and March, when a bird fails to get a mate, it has a special sulky bout that of a disappointed suitor. I have watched a bird several times during that particular season hunched up and turned away from other birds and looking a picture of misery. It is a weird sight to see a row of herons standing, like sentries, on the rocks at Langness, motionless. I have known as many as thirteen close together. but, believe me, they omiss nothing, they are really always on the alert for food. Bbut once, on a July day, the 16th, I did wonder why eleven were standing in a a row on Carlane Beach, in a bitter wind, and they would not go away. I cannot imagine that there was any food about. It is, of course, the same along the Island streams ; and about this there is a constant controversy. The keen fisherman condemns the heron as being as keen as himself on trout. T. A. Coward has told me before now that many birds have been examined in the Manchester Museum, and little, if any, trace of trout found, though he adds that he would not like to say that a bird would be likely to resist the chance of such a tit-bit when it comes its way. Once, in September — this is the other side of the picture — I watched a bird in Kirby Park, which flew up from the river and settled in a low tree with a squawk, holding a frog in its bill, which it swallowed without even a gulp ; then it sat for a long time, chewing the cud reflectively. Talking of "squawks", what weird noises the heron makes, as weird as itself. Once, on Clay Head, a bird passed me making a noise like a hen which was having its neck wrung. That same bird had just come across the sea, almost touching it; the noise could not have been a form of sea-sickness? I disturbed a bird which was standing by the stream in Garwick Glen; it came out from among the trees without so much as disturbing a thing— a wonderful feat with its long legs and body; and it made a "cronk" at me. In Ballaugh Curraghs, Guy and I watched three birds early in April. One, a male, was making most vicious calls; presently, it made a most savage dive at another, possibly the odd man out, which dropped down a few yards, with its legs down, and then recovered itself. I have frequently had a strong suspicion that birds have nested in the Curraghs, but have never been able to discover anything. But, for two years running, thanks to the courtesy and kindness of the owner, I have had frequent chances of watching a heronry in the making, and it is coming on. Some of my readers may have seen a big heronry; I did once in Holland. There were, I believe, fully a hundred nests; most of them had young. The noise was tremendous, like the notes of a vast number of frogs, and I have smelt sweeter smells. But this beginning was quite un- expected. It started with two nests in the first year. Early the following year— it was actually February sth— one bird was already at its nest, which it left, squawking frequently. Later there were five nests. One pair commandeered a raven's nest in the top of a pine; there was dreadful trouble, as one might expect. The ravens objected strongly, and one nearly got speared at the end of a heron's bill for its pains. Then there was a sparrow-hawk which raised strong protests, and was flying up and down shouting loudly one day when I was there. But, being undisturbed by man, the company of herons was not to be disturbed by mere birds, and four nests did well for certain. Late in April I saw a male arrive at a nest with an eel, with which he fed the female bird, clucking as he held it for her. Some of the young stayed on till July. I saw two in one nest, three in another ; when my friend whistled, they stretched up their long necks and looked enormous, especially one, which appeared to be as tall as a man among the branches. Then they flew off, circled round and returned. Curi- ous as it is to watch in all its ways, its body is equally so, with that green powdery stuff which it has, hidden in the thick plumage of its under-parts. One dead bird which I examined had, sad to relate, fish remains inside, and what looked uncommonly like the tail of a trout, However, whatever they catch when they are on the jobs, they may be found wherever there is water, be it by the sea or in the Curraghs, or Union Mills, or up Baldwin ; and twice have I seen a single bird on the Calf, standing in the middle of a field in solitary state and dumb misery.
A bird was shot, I believe it was by Radcliffe, not far from Sulby, in the Curraghs, on December 23rd, 1931. He very kindly let me have the body, which | had mounted, and I have loaned it to the Manx Museum. It is not a very large specimen. I do wish that the bird would take to here and be given a chance It is most interesting, and I have seen it nesting else- where, and our Curraghs ought to suit it well in places, although the reeds which grow here are not quite what it likes.
some years ago, in October, I was walking along the Douglas Promenade when I heard a loud call like "woo-up". I turned round and saw eight of these swans in a group. They flew over Onchan Head, passed quite close to me, with a very powerful and deliberate flight, then circled round Douglas Head and passed out of sight in a westerly direction [ have seen birds on three other occasions in or about Douglas Bay. But Eary-Dam has been indeed a happy hunting-ground. One year, on February 24th F. G. Comish and I saw two birds there, which flew all round the dam and settled again on the water : this was done in a thick mist, and the coming and going of these great birds was quite ghostly. Guy and I saw one, possibly from these two, at Peel a few days later, near the harbour. Another year there were three birds on the Eary from November 20th to December 9th, and I saw them constantly. A fine sight was the three of them in open water, cleaning themselves most methodically, and spreading out their huge wings during the performance. Another day they were lying in the reeds and feeding very lazily, a most amusing sight; every now and then lifting their heads to see if all was well. Then only one stayed for a few days, and it was gone. One January on the 5th, H. M. Rogers and I found a big immature bird here; it was having a clean, and every now and then kicking a black leg up. The bill was still pink with a black looking nail, and the neck all brownish, otherwise it was generally white. Now it stayed for two months, and then, alas, the Eary was frozen stiff, and it had to go. On February 17th, I noticed the end of the bill getting blacker. On the 26th, the base of the bill showed quite yellow, and what pink was left was of a much deeper colour, almost crimson ; the lower mandible had a lot of black. . The last time I saw it, on March 5th, it was still darker at the end of the bill, and deep crimson elsewhere where not already yellow. I had hoped to have seen the complete change of colour on the bill, incidentally the neck was looking much greyer, but it was not to be. Derby- haven Bay once gave of its best ; four birds circling round and passing quite close to us, the wings making a sort of purring noise, and away out to sea. It was a great sight, and they are grand birds to see.
I have seen very little of this bird in the Island. There was a nearly mature bird which hung about Ramsey Harbour for nearly a month one year, during April and part of May, and which I saw on several occasions, generally half asleep. It may have been sick or hurt. Once, late in January, after some very heavy storms, two young birds were seen at Derby- haven by C. T. W. Hughes-Games and myself. They were close in-shore, and we could see the pinkish bills (one was getting darker at the end), the smooth plumage of the back, which was grey-brownish with some white patches, and of course the size. I was interested in a conversation which we had with Mrs. Cain of the village, who lives almost on the shore, She constantly sees mate swans, and had taken no interest in these until I asked her to look at them with my glasses, and she at once said: "Well, I never I never saw the like of them before, they must have come from somewhere far." Twice, in November birds have been seen by me which had been shot by W. Berry, near Ballamoar, Jurby. One was one of four, of almost perfect plumage, which weighed nine pounds, two ounces; the other was about eight pounds, with grey back and wings, very dark on top of the head, and part of the neck. The bill had a black point and was pink— almost bl , white at the base. ; Le : nie ein ony
Whilst this species is not looked upon as strictly a wild bird, yet, outside of the fact that oe ce Manx birds appear to have a real owner and roam all over the place, I am sure that some birds which have been seen by me on Castletown and Derbyhaven Bays were strangers from a distance, and presumably wild. Late one February, for instance, there were six birds in Castletown, which were coloured with the marks of red soil. Three birds came into Derbyhaven Bay late in January and stayed for two days, and were very shy and timid, and I have seen a few other instances. I may be wrong. But they are fine-looking birds, and I love watching them; on the wing they look grand. F. G. Cornish and I once saw a big bird near Sulby Bridge Station, which flew past us with great wings full out and out-stretched neck, and landed in the corner of a field. When displaying before its mate, the male will run its wings over its back like a huge fan. The nest is a very large affair. Guy and I came on one near Pooil Veash, in early June ; it was close to the pebbles, and built of old seaweed and straw, a vast pile. The female was on the nest, the male was just by it, and five grey chicks which had been hatched out within forty-eight hours. And the old birds are not friendly at such times, nor during nesting. It is as well to give them a very wide berth, though they will become quite friendly to anyone whom they see constantly under semi-domestic con- ditions. Once in April I watched a bird alongside Douglas Pier, which was tearing off bits of green weedy stuff which was clinging on the water-line on the concrete, and thoroughly enjoying it. But I think that, judging loves the Harbour at Castletown best.
As my chances of seeing geese in the Island in such a way as to be sure of identification are limited, I am going to place them all under one head. There have been many birds which have been either heard or seen by me, some of the former being at night, but I could not be sure of what they were, although, from their calling, there seemed very little doubt as to those about which I am certain.
In 1926 I was very lucky in that, on several oc- casions, and every time in December and within a few days of each other, I saw several small lots on Fort Island. On the gth there was one. I got quite close to it, then it went off, making a curious hissing noise, and joined some mallard which were close to the Island. On the 18th— a very stormy day— there were three there; and on the 23rd, three more. When they saw me, they got on the wing, circled and rose to a great height and at an astounding speed. I saw from the numbers, this swan.no more to be sure for five years, then there were five in a field near Ronaldsway. I got very close to them by the hedges; then they got uneasy and went off, calling deeply. Later they came down near Fort Island, and, as I was watching them, one solitary pink-footed goose— I know not where it came from — passed me very close, and plumped down close to the others. This is the only one of this species that [ have seen here, though I have seen many in Norfolk. These and one or two more are all December happen- ings. I have only one record outside of that month, and that is February, when T. F. Cregeen and I saw eight on a pool near Langness, which flew off very soon.
Two birds were seen by me once in December by a pool in a meadow near Ronaldsway. F. G. Corris | got very close up to them—lI believe they do not scent men well— then they got up and flew, showing their white tail with the black band a little back from the end. Also, I saw them dead in a bay next day, though it gave me the sad satisfaction of correct identification.
Only twice seen for certain. I had one pass me quite close along the edge of Clay Head, flying south ; and once, in April, two were seen quite near by my wife and myself on a pool on the Ayres below Knock-e-dhooney ; they flew off in a northerly direction.
One February it had been very cold, and four of these handsome birds were seen by me in Derbyhaven Bay ; two were mature birds, two brown immatures. Eight came in later in the month, of which three were shot by a gun-man. They were a mature and two immature birds; but the other five stayed for over a fortnight through some very cold weather. My wife and I were staying in Derbyhaven at the time, and it was interesting to watch their regular routine of moving to the best places for their food according to the tides. At low water they would often come up on the mud, where they seemed to enjoy themselves. Towards the end of the year three young birds were seen here by me, near Ronaldsway, but they did not stay. On several other occasions I have seen birds in this vicinity, one bird being about in early May; I thought that this one was hurt or sick, but it left all right. Once in April two mature birds were seen by me close in-shore off the Ayres, not far from Rue Point ; they flew off west, shortly after I had spotted them.
There is no doubt that, on the Island, Langness is the stronghold of these birds, and there they come and go according to the season and supply of food, and probably for other reasons unknown to me. I think that they collect in large numbers mostly in March, although I have seen over a hundred one day in that month, and only half a dozen the next. They court here ; some breed here— many of them no doubt mov- ing off to Kitterland for that purpose; and, later, may be seen strings of youngsters being shepherded carefully into the sea. And what a fuss there is! One day, in the middle of June, I watched an old male who was terribly worried about his children ; he flew wildly round and round, then he made a sort of grunting call, and dashed close past me shouting a deep \u201c\u2018er-er-er'' of worry. No wonder— mother was taking eight young yellow chicks into the sea; and there were two evil-looking hooded crows in the offing. Once I saw two pairs of old birds out at sea, each with ten young ones; and a nest which I found in a rabbit-burrow contained twelve. The sandy shore of the Ayres is also a favourite breeding place, and, I think, getting more so. In June I have seen young ones which were swimming about in the pools, Guy and I have seen as many as twenty old birds together here. And what quaint noises they indulge in. Besides quacks and grunts, I heard a bird once which made a noise remarkably like a laugh. With all their heavy build, they are very speedy on the wing and fine fliers. Once in February, with a heavy south- west gale blowing, I watched fourteen birds go up and balance themselves beautifully against it, a glorious picture of black and white. Once a big bird was chased over Derbyhaven Bay by an immature great black-backed gull. It doubled and doubled again and again, at an amazing speed ; then suddenly it dropped into the water, as if exhausted and cowering. The gull hovered for a moment or two and then flew off, and the duck seemed to buck up very quickly.
Nearly everyone knows the wild-duck which is so closely allied to the domestic duck. Indeed the wild-duck easily becomes practically domesticated, take, for instance, Ballachurry, Andreas. The place swarms with Mallard, which nest all over the place and are so tame that one can almost touch them when sitting; although there was one nest which I saw there I should not have cared to try the stroking business, and that was one which was under a big holly-bush and well in the centre, and had thirteen eggs. Outside of the breeding season, Langness and the coast-line of the Ayres seem to be their favourite resorts, if I except Balghum Bay, where at one time numbers used to congregate. I have seen over two hundred off the Langness rocks, and quite.a hundred and fifty off Point of Ayre. Others may be found inland. One Christmas Day, Rex, Guy and I counted forty-six which were swimming about in a flooded turnip field close to the Ballaugh Curraghs. I have watched a bird which was flying into the teeth of a gale, with head and neck outstretched, and wings well tucked in between strokes, and making good time, which was coming down wind with wings more out- stretched to catch the wind. Presently, at the various rendezvous, as spring approaches, there is more and more \u201c quacking'', like a farm-yard, and beating of the water with the wings; or, maybe, the drake circling round and round the duck in display; and soon the rocks and inlets are deserted, and somewhere, in the Curraghs or elsewhere, the nesting begins. I never get tired of finding the nests; the birds are so full of tricks. Here a nest of nine eggs under a clump of heather with a passage-way carefully made both ways. Here a nest of ten, covered over with grass, like a lid on a pot. Here a nest of eleven, on a hedge top, well concealed under some ferns. Once I found a nest with ten eggs which had been singed very brown by a grass fire which had burnt right up to the nest, and the duck went on sitting. The most interesting nest which has been seen by me was on the east side of Langness ; it was right far out on the rocks, in a niche where the sea spray constantly fell, and with not a particle of cover. Creeping close, I caught the duck asleep with the head tucked back on her neck. Then slowly she turned her head, raised it, elongated her neck, then was up and off like a flash, and not one of the eight eggs disturbed. But she never had a chance; the "hoodies'' never left her alone, and finally she deserted. I have seen eleven well-grown youngsters following their parents over the Langness rocks into the sea; on the Eary I have seen a duck with seven chicks on the water which could only have been a week old at most. And then as autumn comes on once more, the birds begin to collect in numbers in some spot where food is plentiful and the going is good.
My observations go to show that the Gadwall is a regular visitor to the Island in small numbers during the autumn and winter, arriving, sometimes in August, generally in September ; mostly frequenting Langness, where it can find inlets with nice, smooth water— it does not appear to care for rough stuff— and generally silent, though I have heard an occasional "quack "' which does not seem so deep as that of the mallard. Though within an area visited by the other ducks, the parties keep strictly to themselves. One day, late in August, Guy and I saw a party of twelve together; a few days later, two parties of ten and seven respectively. As a rule, the numbers are much less; and they go in March. On two occasions birds have been seen by me off the Ayres; one party of four came along late in April, of which one rested a short while on the sea; but they appeared to be in a hurry to get on north. Once, late in September, T. A. Coward and I found one, a drake, swimming about in a pool below Kentraugh. I love watching this somewhat dignified duck.
As the year moves on towards early spring, the teal begins to seek for nesting sites in some retired spot, mostly in the Curraghs. In the early days of March, I have watched a pair which were courting pro tem on Bishops Dub, and no doubt on the way to a more secluded place for the great annual occasion. Num- bers have been seen by Rex and myself flying about in the Curraghs and gradually settling down; and I am sure that the numbers are increasing here every year. Once, on April 19th, I was driving slowly along the Curragh road when, from just below me, a female jumped up. I pulled up, got out, and found the nest with six eggs which was on the bank by a ditch, not a foot from the road. Once E. Brindle and I found a very strange nest; there was a big, main nest which contained eight eggs and was on the top of a big hummock of grass; alongside this nest and on the same hummock was a small cup in which were three more eggs. Once, on the Ayres, W. E. Mylecraine and I found a nest with ten eggs which was hidden a long way back under a large heather bush. The nest always looks so beautiful and yet so simple ; sometimes very deep, just grass and a lining of the lovely black down with a touch of white. The nestling is a sweet little fellow, generally black-brown above and brownish-white below, with buffish cheeks and a black bill with a red black point and the under mandible red. Later I have seen the young bird guarded by mother in a shallow pool; when I came on the scene she went off with a plaintive call, and they scattered in every direction. I grieved over the job it must have been to collect them once more. When the nesting time is over, the birds collect in big parties in suitable places. Incidentally I have come across a single bird twice away up on the Rheast, in August and September respectively. At times they may be seen in large numbers off Langness. I love to listen to the males when they are whistling with an occasional call like "cack". And still more I love to watch them when they fly in at a simply tremendous pace— and this pace is amazing — and settle on the water with a rush.
The earliest date which I have noted for the autumn arrival of these ducks is September 4th, and their chief stronghold appears to be Derbyhaven and Langness, where the numbers vary considerably, but, when Janaury comes along, birds increase largely, sometimes up to 150 or more; anyhow, they must be continually coming and going. In the early months of the year most of them seem to be paired, and it is amusing to listen to the drakes indulging in what one might call connubial grunts. In March I have seen as many as forty up at one time calling in great style, Then they are soon off, and off Langness I have not seen any birds after April 13th, and then only stragglers. Actually I saw a solitary drake over on April 15th on the Bishop's dub, and one on Smithy Lough, Andreas, on the 19th — no doubt resting. In January I have seen birds off the Point of Ayre. Unlike some ducks, they appear to rather enjoy rough seas. I have watched them out to sea in Derbyhaven bay bobbing up and down, as a party wended its way towards an inlet near Ronaldsway, where they made a regular habit of coming in for a meal according to the time of the tide. One February, which was an intensely wintry month, a number used to be watched by me coming right up on to the mud in one corner of Derbyhaven Bay, and as tame as a lot of domestic ducks and so charming to look at, espec- ially the males, with their backs like those of guinea- fowls and their smart chestnut heads with the centre parting of creamy yellow.
Two females were once seen by me in November in Port St. Mary Bay, where they were busy preening themselves and dipping their heads in the water ; otherwise I have only seen birds off Langness, never in large numbers, the biggest party being eight ; but they have become very regular and appear to stay all the winter. The earliest arrival which I have been able to note is August 30th, when a female was in a pool with three shovelers; and the latest before departure is April 6th, when two females were still to be seen. On three different occasions I have had the pleasure of showing T. A. Coward birds off the rocks, and on one occasion O. Pike. On one occasion two birds appeared to be paired and courting. With their slender slimness they are always a delight to watch.
I have not found the Shoveler a very common bird, and again Langness figures mostly in their appearances here. August 30th is the earliest autumn appearance, if it may be termed autumn, as I have mentioned in my Pintail notes. The latest is April 13th. On one occasion in March I watched a pair off Langness ; the female was in a pool; the male standing on a rock exactly like the picture in T. A. Coward's famous bird-book. A. W. Boyd, when on a visit here, saw _ four birds in these parts. Once, in November, W. Berry shot a female in the north of the Island, which he kindly sent me to view. Once, in February Guy and I watched seven birds which came from Port St. Mary direction and dropped into Pooil Veash Bay close in-shore ; three males and four females. Once, on April 3rd, I came on a pair which were settled on the Long Dub in Ballaugh Curraghs; presently they rose very slowly and flew a short distance in their clumsy sort of way. Nine days later a male was spotted by me in a very wild part, but there were no signs of a female and, though I kept my eyes open here on subsequent occasions, any hopes of nesting were dashed. Perhaps it may yet happen. Who knows ?
A not uncommon visitor to the Island; it has been seen by me in many places, in ones and twos generally; the largest number which I have seen at one time was twelve. I found them on a pool on the Ayres, one evening late in April. They were just resting, and soon flew off, some calling a poor sort of "qua-a- ack '', They appear to have a great liking for the Eary and Foxdale Dams, and I have records of them for every winter month up to March, but never more than three at a time, except on one occasion in November when I watched ten, which were on the Foxdale dam and appeared most uneasy, constantly flying round and then coming down with a sudden rush into the water ; whilst, on the other hand, one was so fast asleep on the Eary that I had to clap loudly to wake it. From time to time I have seen them on or near the sea, but they are not naturally sea-birds. My wife and I have seen a bird in September, which was on a pool on the shore by the Ayres, but it flew off at once ; and Langness has been an occasional resort. Once, late in February, when it was very severe weather and the Eary was nearly frozen off, two pairs were on the little space of water that was still open and diving for food— sometimes they jump a little when doing so. They appeared to be paired and keeping away from some wigeon which were there too ; and I loved listening to the male's little whistling
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