Birds of Guernsey (1879) Informative Summary

Overview:

Cecil Smith’s “Birds of Guernsey” (1879) delves into the avian world of Guernsey and its neighboring islands: Alderney, Sark, Jethou, and Herm. Smith, a keen ornithologist, provides detailed observations spanning several decades, highlighting the rich tapestry of resident, migratory, and occasional visitor birds. The text offers a glimpse into the island’s history, particularly concerning the impact of human activity on the local avifauna, including agricultural changes, quarry expansion, and the effects of a Sea Bird Protection Act.

Smith meticulously describes each species, providing information on their behavior, nesting habits, breeding patterns, and distribution across the islands. He also draws attention to local names for certain species and incorporates French names, reflecting the bilingual nature of the island community.

Key Findings:

Human Activity: Smith emphasizes the significant impact of human activity on the island’s birdlife. He discusses the transformation of the landscape through drainage, improved cultivation, road-making, and the proliferation of granite quarries. These changes have altered the availability of suitable habitats for various species, leading to the decline of some.
Sea Bird Protection Act: The act aims to protect seabirds and their eggs, but Smith critiques its effectiveness, particularly concerning egg-robbing by fishermen. He suggests a small gun-tax as a more effective conservation measure.
Species Diversity: The text reveals the remarkable diversity of birdlife in the islands, with resident species, seasonal migrants, and occasional visitors creating a dynamic ecosystem.
Local Knowledge: Smith highlights the unique local names for various birds, demonstrating the deep connection between the islanders and their surrounding wildlife.

Learning:

Bird Identification: The text provides detailed descriptions of each bird, including distinctive features, plumage variations, and call notes, enabling readers to identify the species they encounter.
Bird Behavior: Readers gain insight into various bird behaviors, including mating rituals, nesting habits, feeding strategies, and territoriality.
Conservation Challenges: Smith’s observations shed light on the challenges facing bird populations due to human activity, emphasizing the importance of responsible conservation efforts.
Local Culture: The inclusion of French names and local names for birds provides a window into the local culture and language.

Historical Context:

The text was written in 1879, a period when the Channel Islands were undergoing significant agricultural and industrial changes, which had a direct impact on their natural environment and the birdlife within it.

Facts:

White-tailed Eagle: The White-tailed Eagle is a frequent visitor, typically arriving in autumn, and often killed by islanders due to its perceived threat to sheep and poultry.
Osprey: An Osprey was shot in St. Samsons, Guernsey, on October 29, 1868.
Greenland Falcon: A young Greenland Falcon was found in Alderney, likely shot in the winter of 1876-1877.
Iceland Falcon: An Iceland Falcon was killed in Herm on April 11, 1876, likely due to its predation on introduced game birds.
Peregrine Falcon: The Peregrine Falcon is now primarily an autumnal visitor, though evidence suggests it may have once bred in the Islands.
Hobby: The Hobby is a rare visitor to the Islands, typically arriving late in the autumn.
Merlin: The Merlin is a more common autumnal visitor than the Hobby, with occasional spring visits as well.
Kestrel: The Kestrel is the most common hawk in the Islands, breeding in all of them.
Sparrowhawk: While the Sparrowhawk is resident and breeds in the Islands, it is considered rare.
Common Buzzard: The Buzzard is a regular autumnal visitor to all the Islands.
Rough-legged Buzzard: The Rough-legged Buzzard is a rare, occasional visitor to the Islands.
Marsh Harrier: The Marsh Harrier is the least common of the Harriers in the Channel Islands, though it does occur.
Hen Harrier: The Hen Harrier is a rare, occasional visitor to the Islands.
Montagu’s Harrier: Montagu’s Harrier is a more frequent visitor than the Hen or Marsh Harriers.
Long-eared Owl: The Long-eared Owl is a rare and accidental visitor.
Short-eared Owl: The Short-eared Owl is a regular autumnal visitor to the Islands.
Barn Owl: The Barn Owl is considered a resident species in the Islands.
Red-backed Shrike: The Red-backed Shrike is a regular but not very common summer visitor.
Spotted Flycatcher: The Spotted Flycatcher is a common summer visitor, arriving and departing at similar times as in England.

Statistics:

White-tailed Eagle: A White-tailed Eagle was wounded and taken alive in the parish of the Forest in Guernsey in 1845.
Greenland Falcon: The Greenland Falcon was shot in Alderney approximately 18 months before June 1878.
Iceland Falcon: An Iceland Falcon was killed in Herm on April 11, 1876, along with another similar bird.
Hobby: A Hobby was killed in the Islands, likely Guernsey, in November, 1873.
Merlin: Two Merlins were brought to Mr. Couch in November, 1875, both shot in the Vale.
Marsh Harrier: Two specimens of the Marsh Harrier in immature plumage are in the Guernsey Museum.
Hen Harrier: A young Hen Harrier was shot in Herm in April, 1876.
Montagu’s Harrier: Two Montagu’s Harriers were shot in Herm in July, 1874.
Long-eared Owl: A Long-eared Owl was shot in St. Martin’s on November 9, 1874.
Short-eared Owl: There is only one specimen of the Short-eared Owl in the Guernsey Museum.
Barn Owl: Two specimens of the Barn Owl in the Guernsey Museum were said to be killed in Guernsey.
Spotted Flycatcher: Spotted Flycatchers were observed to be more numerous in 1878 than in 1866.
Golden Oriole: There was a female Golden Oriole specimen in the Guernsey Museum.
Dipper: Two Dippers are in the Guernsey Museum, likely killed in Guernsey.
Mistletoe Thrush: Mistletoe Thrushes sell at fourpence each in the Guernsey market.
Ring Ouzel: A few Ring Ouzels are seen in the Guernsey market between the end of September and beginning of December.
Redwing: Redwings arrive in Guernsey around the end of October and depart in March or April.
Fieldfare: Fieldfares arrive in Guernsey around the end of October and depart in March or April.
Stonechat: Many Stonechats were observed in the Vale during the summer of 1878.
Wheatear: Wheatears arrive in Guernsey around March and depart in October.

Terms:

Avifauna: The birdlife of a particular region or time period.
Bailiwick: A territorial jurisdiction, in this case, referring to the islands under the governance of Guernsey.
Billet d’Etat: A formal announcement or decree issued by a government.
Clos du Valle: The name for the land that was once separated from the mainland of Guernsey by an arm of the sea, now part of the Vale.
Flappers: Young birds that have recently fledged but are still learning to fly.
Geai: The local Guernsey-French name for the Mistletoe Thrush.
Grand Mare: A wetland area in Guernsey.
L’Ancresse Common: A large open area in Guernsey.
Le Ree: A location in Guernsey.
La Fauconnière: A rocky island near Jethou, named for its history as a hawk nesting site.
Oiseaux de Mer: Seabirds in French.
Projet de loi: A draft or proposal for a law.
Rousailleries farm: A farm in Guernsey.
Vallon or Woodlands: A wooded area in Guernsey.
Vraic: Seaweed in Guernsey French.
Vrangue: A location in Guernsey.

Examples:

White-tailed Eagle: A White-tailed Eagle was wounded and taken alive in the parish of the Forest in Guernsey in 1845.
Osprey: An Osprey was shot in St. Samsons, in Guernsey, on the 29th of October, 1868.
Greenland Falcon: A young Greenland Falcon was found in Alderney, likely shot in the winter of 1876-1877.
Iceland Falcon: An Iceland Falcon was killed in Herm on April 11, 1876, likely due to its predation on introduced game birds.
Peregrine Falcon: A Peregrine Falcon was killed in Herm in December.
Hobby: A Hobby was killed in the Islands, likely Guernsey, in November, 1873.
Merlin: Two Merlins were brought to Mr. Couch in November, 1875, both shot in the Vale.
Marsh Harrier: A Marsh Harrier was found in Herm in May of 1875.
Hen Harrier: A Hen Harrier was shot in Herm on June 19, 1877.
Montagu’s Harrier: Two Montagu’s Harriers were shot in Herm in July, 1874.

Conclusion:

Cecil Smith’s “Birds of Guernsey” provides a fascinating and detailed account of the island’s birdlife during a period of significant human-induced environmental change. The text reveals a diverse avifauna, including resident species, seasonal migrants, and occasional visitors, but also highlights the challenges posed by human activities like agriculture, quarrying, and hunting. By meticulously documenting his observations and incorporating local knowledge, Smith offers a valuable resource for understanding the history, ecology, and conservation of Guernsey’s avian community.

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