SCOTTISH BIRDS ;Ti~ I '\ , ~ ~
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ISSN 0036-9144 SCOTTISH BIRDS ;ti~ I '\ , ~ ~ THE JOURNAL OF THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB Vol. 12 No. 3 AUTUMN 1982 Publication 6th August 1982 BIRD HABITATS In Britain by R. J. Fuller Rob Fuller's book is a sequel to the BTO's Register of Ornithological Sites, itself the product of an incalculable amount of fieldwork by birdwatchers and others, in which about 4000 sites were recorded. The book describes the main habitat types, wetland and terrestrial, their associated bird life through the seasons, and the distribution of sites throughout Britain. It offers the birdwatcher a detailed resume of typical and less typical species likely to be met in each habitat. There are over 50 illustrations by Donald Watson, numerous maps and diagrams and more than 60 photographs. 320 pages plus 32 plates, £13.00 net ISBN 0 85661 031 3 T & A D POYSER Calton, Waterhouses, Staffordshire ST10 3JX BOOKS CENTRALLY HEATED on FULLY MODERNISED SELF BIRDS CATERING and HOLIDAY COTTAGES ISLANDS to let In GALLOWAY St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, Caldow Lodge, Hebrides and Natural History Corsock, especially Ornithology Castle-Douglas, Books and libraries bought. Kirkcudbrightshire, Collection can usually be arranged during my visits Scotland, DG7 3EB. to Scotland and the High- Tel. Corsock 286. lands and Islands. Proprietors, Norman and Anthea Grall Amidst Moor, Marsh, Forest DA VID WILSON and Lochs, glorious country 95 Worlds End Lane side. Birdwatchers' paradise. Weston Turville Off Season Lets. Aylesbury, Bucks. Please send for brochure, stamp (Stoke MandevUle 22.7) appreCiated. Isle of Jura Binocular * Repairs Self catering, comfortable, modern, semi-detached ARE you a cross-eyed birdwatch- cottage beside sea. er? Even with careful Ule, binoculars can become mis-aligned Well equipped. over a period. We offer a special Sleeps two only. service of cleaning and re-align. ment at the prices listed below for any make or size of hand-held * binocular. RSPB and SOC members Send s.a.e. for details to (please state you are a member) £12.85 including p and p and VAT. Non-members £16.52. A full repair Mrs Paton service is also available. Send to : Service Dept. Charles Frank Ltd, Craighouse PO Box 5, Saxmundham, Suffolk ISLE OF JURA - ARGYLL IiP17 2NL. Tel. 049682 242 CYGNUS WII,DLIFE Birdwatching holidays at realistic prices GAMBIA 16 days 26 November - 11 December The delightful west African Republic of Sene-Gambia is an ideal country to gain an introduction to the colourful bird-life of Africa. In a friendly, sunny environment we will be making the acquaintance of over 200 species during this leisurely paced tour which includes a 4-day excursion by riverboat along the Gambia river. Leader John Ward. £850 SRI LANKA 22 days 10-31 January 1983 Sri Lanka is a tropical island paradise for natural history with a wealth of birds and mammals disproportionate to its modest size. Over 20 of the bird species are endemic to the island and few places in Asia are better for viewing Leopard and Elephant. We will be looking for both at Wilpattu and Yala National Parks and discovering in depth the magic of the southern high lands. Leader Ron Appleby. £950 NORTHERN INDIA & THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS 20 days 7-25 February Following the successful formula of our 1981 and 1982 tours we will: again be savouring the spectacle of Bharatpur for almost a week before moving to Corbett and Nainital in the Him alayan foothills where exciting birQ.watching is complemented by beautiful scenery. Siberian Crane is just one of 300 species likely on this tour. Leader David Hunt. £940 OTHER 1983 TOURS: Northern Thailand 20 days 29 January - 17 February Leader Dave Holman - £1090 Malaysia 20 days 20 February - 11 March Leader Graham Madge - £1200 Israel 17 days 26 March - 11 April. Leader Dave Holman £775 Texas 17 days 31 March - 16 April. Leader Peter Clement £770 AJ.so Soviet Central Asia £825 (May); Camargue (May); South East T"'.rkey (May) and many more exciting destinations. Cygnus Wildlife Worldwide Hol idays For full infonnation and colour brochure contact our resident ornithologist Paul Dukes. Southwest Travel Ltd., 96 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 IPY Telephone Kingsbridge (0548) 3181/6178 - Telex 45639 (Comput G) PS7 The Birdwatchefs Glasses. As used by the 'orestry commission. Ideal 'or the young and beginners. lightweight (26 025.), extra wide angle, 514 ft. foeld 0' view, also su~abIe for spectacle wearers. We believe !hem incomparable value at £37.26 inc. case and lanyard plus £1 .95 towards p&p. Top quality optical goods at enormous savings Heron NEW 8x40 Heron QUaI~ . Heron service. Heron choice - we hold in stock what we believe to be !he Zcf binoculars £29.21 largest range 0' telescopes and binoculars for Weight 21 ozs., 341 ft. field of view at 1,000 birdwatchefs in the country. A 'ew examples are yards. FoId-down rubber eyecups. Only t2t.21 shown below: Retail Our plus £1 .95 p&p. BINOCULARS Price Price Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 MKII (380z) - £109.66 Swift Grand Prix 8 x 40 MK.I(240z) £64.58 Carl Zeiss 10x 40 B Dialyt (240z) £325.35 Zeiss Jena Notarem 10 x 40B (240l) £148.95 Zeiss Jena 8 x 30 Jenoptem (17oz) £38.94 Zeiss Jena 10xSO Jenoplem (35oz) £68.24 Habicht Diana 10 x 40 (23oz) £329.89 £230.92 This leitz 10x40 B (210z) £365.70 quite VISTA 8 x 30 BUDGET (24oz, £16.45 magni'icent (!de.1 for children) telescope 'rom TELESCOPES West Germany is B Nickel Supra 15 x 60 x SO £191 .7t £141 .27 ideal 'or use or, (280z) reservoirs and Hertel & Reuss Televari seashore. Robust in construction, 25 x 60x SO (320z) £186.88 £145.47 rubber covered, excellent in £1 Order direct from this list - oplical quality. We believe Prices correct as of 21st July, 1982, inclusive Ihis to be the best on the market 0' case, lanyard and manufacturer's guarantee, today. Weight 950g., length 300m plus £1 .95 post and packing charges. Access closed, 560mm open. Fitted with tripod and Barclaycard accepted. Apply for details and brush. Exit pupil 41 mm. light-gathering 9 power 16.1, twilight 30.60, field of view send 'or your gu ide to Binocular & Telescope ownership. 1 ,oOOm 47.12m. Heron price 0' £126.50 including leather case and rubber eyecup Further details and comprehensive price bst for spectacle wearers is outstanding value. available in return 'or this coupon, including Add £1 .95p&p. Field & Trek Catalogue 0' camping, rambling and climbing equipment. Or call in person and see our vast stock for yourself. tp;_-il"'l'I,j"iIolM'i!;!m. send me details and "(Typical 11 [ffi ®rY@[TIJ1 ,pnc8liStson:.BlnocularsO A P R 30 6%) Telescopes(2Sp)OField&Trek . ..... I (._ot .... '..., . T.... "''''''') I Backpacking Equipment (7Sp) 0 Skiing . I The new 'f"oeld and Trek Group Equipment 0 I Heron Optical Co. 23-25 Kings Road. I Budget Account Card" 0 I Brentwood. Essex, CM14 4ER .Telex:995566 I Name I g (0277) 221259, 219418, 210913 I .-'-'--~ I Only 5 minutes Prom 6f'",,1wOOd Stalion . 30 _ """' I ,....,.-.. london's ~ Station (Southend t.;ne). Open do.., " SB3 / =~~amto430to~riday , .... _-------------- 1982/83 SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS by PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS Directors: Raymond Hodgklns, MA (Oxon) MBOU Patrlcia Hodgklns, MTAI and Nev1l1e Wykes. FA A! By Scheduled Air and Inclusive. With Guest Lecturers and a Tour Manager. ·Provisional COTO DONANA (SPAIN) Birds: Rick Goater 3-10 Oct £360 PHlLIP OF MACEDON Archaeology: Trevor Rowley B.Litt 16-23 Oct £368 AUTUMN IN ROME Archaeology : David Miles 7-14 Nov £305 AUTUMN IN CRETE Sites, Birds: WiIIiam Taylor FRIBA at the de luxe Minas Beach Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos 4-18 Nov £385 1983 RWANDA & TANZANIA Gorillas, Birds, Wildlife 11-27 Feb £1900· MALAYSIAN ADVENTURE Birds, Flowers, Butterflies 11-28 Feb £1500· SPRING IN ROME Sites: WiIliam Taylor FRIBA 20-27 Mar £317" SPRING IN CRETE Birds, Sites 17-31 Mar £395 SPRING IN MALTA Birds, Flowers, Sites 26 Mar-9 Apr £443" BIRDS & FLOWERS OF CEPHALONlA Mont Hirons 26 Apr-10 May £350· EVVIA AND SAMOS Birds, F10wers 8-22 Apr £450" INDIA (KULU VALLEY) Birds, Flowers, Wildlife May 18-Jun 3 £1300" TUNISIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Oct. Sites : David Miles BA £550. LAKES PRESPA & OCHRID (MACEDONIA) Sept. Birds £550. AUTUMN IN CRETE Nov. Sites, Birds £395" "Straight" Travel: We are a lullll licenced travel agencu dealing matnlll with Universitll Senior Members. Our experience 01 Sabbaticals, Lecture Tours and Conlerences is entirelll at lIour disposal lor accurate planning 01 lanD itineraries Of' economical Conlerence arrangements. Registration: Costs nothing, does not commit you in any way but gives you first sight of the brochure on publication. PEREGRINE HOLIDAYS at TOWN AND GOWN TRAVEL, 40/41 SOUTH PARADE. SUMMERTOWN. OXFORD, 0X2 7JP. Phone Oxford (0865) 511341·2-3 SCOTTISH BIRDS TIlE JOURNAL OF TIlE SCOlTISH ORNmlOLOGISTS' CLUB 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 SBT (tel. 031-556 6042) CONTENTS OF VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3, AUTUMN 1982 Page Corrections 65 The abundance and feeding distribution of Clyde Estuary shorebirds (J. B. Halliday, D. J. Curtis, D. B. A. Thompson, E. M. Bignal & J . C. Smyth) 65 Observations and food of Hen Harriers at a winter roost in Orkney (N. Picozzi & M. F. Cuthbert) 73 Bird watching at St Abb's Head (S. R. D. da Prato) 81 Short Notes Response of Storm Petrels to calls of other species (B. Zonfrillo) ...... ... ... 85 A new colony of Leach's Petrels (J. A Fowler & J. C. Butler) 86 Elusive Chiffchaffs (A. W. Brown & R. W . J. Smith) 87 Merlin apparently preying On Common Frog (G.