Snowy Owl (2/3)
Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) (193, 6)
Photo © Phil Woollen - Ronas Hill, Collafirth, Mainland, Shetland, 21 June 2021
RECORDS (cont.)
101). 1891 Argyll Inveraray, seen, late September.
(Argyll, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1892: 71; McWilliam, 1936; Stroud, 1989; ap Rheinallt, et al., 2007).
History The Duke of Argyll, of Inveraray (1892) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. p. 71, dated 30th September, 1891, says: 'My keepers have seen a large Snowy Owl here for two or three days. Yesterday it flew across in front of the Duchess, who, with a party, all stopped to see the wonderful big white bird, which seemed to be as big as a White Heron. This is not the first time the bird has been seen here. The late Dr. Smith, minister, told me many years ago that he had seen one hunting in Glen Aray in this parish.'
Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1892: 100; ap Rheinallt et al. 2007: 263).
102). 1891-92 Argyll Coll, seen, winter.
(L. H. Irby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 210; McWilliam, 1936; J. Morton Boyd, British Birds 51: 105; Stroud, 1989; ap Rheinallt, et al., 2007).
History L. H. Irby (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 210, says: 'On Coll, I passed some time during two springs, and in early and late autumn.' Listed as "Winter of 1891-92".
J. Morton Boyd (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. p. 105, says: 'One seen in Coll during the winter of 1891-92.'
Accepted locally by ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 263) who state that some of the old records are rather vague.
Comment As Irby was not there in the winter it is not known if it was seen by a competent authority.
103.0). 1892 Shetland Quendale, Mainland, seen, 28th and 30th October; also in Orkney.
(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1893: 17; Evans & Buckley, 1899).
History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1893) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. II. p. 17, says: 'On the 28th October with S. and S.W. wind and heavy rain, and a migration of Glaucous Gulls passing S. to S.E., a magnificent Snowy Owl passed within a hundred yards of our boat on Spiggie. It was almost within range of the big eight bore, but we were all at first too much taken up in watching him, in a very bad light, trying to make him out. At first I thought it was an albino Sea Eagle. I felt dubious, and then flashed across my miserable memory the Snowy Owl's flight in Russia; the wings were not so "board-square" as the Eagle's. He flew low over Backasetter, and winged his way over the "fields" towards Fitful [Head].
When it dipped and its back became visible, it appeared to be a bird about two to three years old, from the mottling of the feathers on the back. The wings showed "frilling" or "fringing" on the edgings against the sky, much as a Rook's or an Eagle's wings do. I believe this bird would probably rest upon the flat plateau which forms the summit of Fitful, and towards which it was slowly winging its way, flying south with a S.W. wind.
Perhaps its next resting-place will be Butt of Lewis, possibly Orkney; less likely the mainland of Scotland.'
Accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899: 109) who erroneously state 1893 as the year of occurrence, but that was when Harvie-Brown recorded it.
103.1). 1892 Orkney North Ronaldsay, seen, 2nd to 4th November; same as Shetland.
(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1893: 45; A. Briggs, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1893: 71; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1893) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. II. p. 45, says: 'Mr. Allan Briggs, in a letter to Mr. R. Cook, dated 15th November 1892, says: "A Snowy Owl has been seen by several people here. It appeared early in this month, and remained for a day or two. This is most likely the same bird I saw at Quendale on the 30th October". see p. 17).'
Allan Briggs (1893) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. II. p. 71, says: 'On the 2nd November 1892 Mr. Angus (the farmer at Holland) sent a message to the house to inform me that there was a very large owl sitting in one of his fields. Unfortunately I had set out for the north end of the island. Next morning I had a good look all round, but did not search the rocks on the west shore, close to where it had been seen. I understand it was seen on these rocks the day after my ineffectual search.
From Mr. Angus's description, there is little doubt but that this was a Snowy Owl. He told me, when first his attention was called to it the bird was sitting in a stubble field. What first drew his attention was the row the gulls were making, mobbing it. It was seen subsequently by two other men and a daughter of the farmer. This is likely to have been the same bird seen by Mr. Harvie-Brown at Quendale, Shetland, and recorded in the January number of this magazine.'
104). 1892 Moray & Nairn Cawdor, Nairn, shot, December.
(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).
History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 43) say: 'One was shot at Cawdor in December 1892, and seen by ourselves in Macleay's shop.'
Comment Macleay was a taxidermist in Inverness.
105). 1893 Orkney North Ronaldsay, two: female, shot, 27th February; another, seen, early March.
(A. Briggs, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1894: 85; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Allan Briggs (1894) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. III. p. 85, says: 'A bird of this species was shot on the 27th February, while sitting on a ruined building. It was still alive when brought to me. On dissection it proved to be a female, and weighed 5½ lbs., with a spread of wing of 5 feet 3 inches. Some time after this, another was seen near the lighthouse, but it did not stay any time.'
107). 1893 Outer Hebrides Lewis, four/five, obtained, summer.
(R. Walters, Zoologist 1896: 140-141; J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1902: 200; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Radclyffe Walters (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. pp. 140-141, under 'The Fauna of the Outer Hebrides', says: 'In 1893, several appeared during the nesting season, and were very destructive, taking the hen grouse at the waterside when they left their nests for their evening drink. The bright hot weather caused them to hide themselves in the day-time, instead of being, as they are in dull weather, very conspicuous objects on the hill-side; but the keeper killed several, certainly four or five, and I think Mr. Mackenzie has two of them stuffed.'
J. A. Harvie-Brown (1902) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XI. p. 200, says: 'Mr. D. Mackenzie informs me that..."In 1893, several appeared during the nesting season and were very destructive, taking the hen grouse at the waterside when they left their nests for their evening drink. The keeper killed several - certainly four or five - and I think Mr. Mackenzie has two of them stuffed". I saw these two birds in Mr. D. Mackenzie's possession in April 1902.'
111). 1893 Shetland Spiggie, Mainland, 28th October.
(Evans & Buckley, 1899; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Pennington et al. (2004) state that one was found at Spiggie on 28th October 1893 (Evans & Buckley 1899).
112). 1893 Caithness Strathmore, undated.
(Manson, 2004).
History Manson (2004: 94) has a record for Strathmore, 1893.
113). 1894 Shetland Near Baltasound, Unst, shot, 26th January.
("Shetland Times" 3rd Feb., 1894; Eds., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1894: 113).
History In an Editorial (1894) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. III. p. 113, quoting from the "Shetland Times" of 3rd February 1894, he says: 'A fine specimen of the Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) was shot on the 26th of January, near Balta Sound, in the island of Unst. It is a considerable time since one of these birds was last seen on the island.'
114). 1895 Orkney Rousay, seen, 10th April.
(Eds., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1895: 196).
History In an Editorial (1895) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. IV. p. 196, say: 'A Snowy Owl visited the island of Rousay, Orkney, on the 10th April last.'
115). 1895 Shetland Scousburgh, Dunrossness, Mainland, adult, shot, 17th May.
(R. & T. Henderson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1895: 195-196; Pennington et al., 2004).
History R. & T. Henderson of Dunrossness (1895) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. IV. pp. 195-196, say: 'On the 17th May last a large Snowy Owl (Surnia nyctea) settled in a field at Dunrossness, and was soon the centre of attraction for a flock of gulls, which seemed determined to make the stranger "move on". It was shortly afterwards shot, and proved to be an adult bird, very white, with a few small dark markings on the wings and head. The date we believe to be late for a visit of this fine bird.'
[A Snowy Owl visited the island of Rousay, Orkney, on the 10th April last. - Eds.]
116). 1896 Highland Forsinard, Sutherland, male, obtained, 12th December.
(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 43).
History T. E. Buckley of Inverness (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 43, says: 'An almost pure white Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) - a male, judging from its size - was obtained by Mr. D. Barclay, gamekeeper, at Forsinard, Sutherland, on or about the 12th of December 1896.'
117). 1897 Shetland Unst, obtained, summer.
(Evans & Buckley, 1899; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Evans & Buckley (1899) p. 109, say: 'Mr. Godfrey writes that one was obtained in Unst in the summer of 1897.'
118). 1899 Orkney North Ronaldsay, 1st February.
(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
119). 1899 Orkney North Ronaldsay, 9th November.
(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
120). 1900 Outer Hebrides Barra, seen, 5th and 8th December.
(W. L. MacGillivray, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 115; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History W. L. MacGillivray of Barra (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XI. p. 115, says: 'A Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) was seen on the 5th of December. It was sitting in a potato field, and appeared to have newly arrived. This bird was seen again on the 8th, but not since.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
121). 1902 Shetland Yell, seen, 24th January.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1902: 113; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 113, says: 'One reported from Yell on Jan. 24th. This bird is becoming exceedingly rare. During all my wandering during the past four years I have only been fortunate enough to come across one, and have heard of no others, nor have any traces been seen.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. However, it is not in Pennington et al., 2004.
122). Pre 1903 North-east Scotland Glenbervie, adult female, shot, undated.
(Sim, 1903).
History Sim (1903: 121) says: 'One was shot on the estate of Glenbervie, the property of the late J. Badenoch Nicholson, Esq., and is still in Glenbervie House. It is a splendid adult specimen, and evidently a female.'
123). 1903 Shetland Unst, seen, at least 5th March.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1903: 158; T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1903: 118; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby of Halligarth, Unst (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 158, says: 'Seen at intervals since March 6th. This Owl is becoming rare.'
T. Edmondston Saxby of Unst (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p. 118, undated, says: 'A Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca), first seen on 5th March, is still haunting the district.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. However, it is not in Pennington et al., 2004.
124). 1903 Shetland Dunrossness, Mainland, seen, 23rd April.
(T. Henderson, jun., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1903: 185; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Venables & Venables, 1955).
History Thomas Henderson, jun., of Dunrossness, Shetland (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p. 185, says: 'We have a good many Swans on their passage northwards during April; and I saw a fine Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) also passing north on the 23rd of that month.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
125). 1903 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, seen, 12th October.
(T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 210; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Clarke, 1912).
History T. G. Laidlaw (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 210, says: 'Outer Hebrides. - Flannans, Oct. 12, one "first I have ever seen on Island".'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911. Further, p. 276, Clarke adds: 'Snowy Owl - One, 12th October 1903.'
126). 1903 Shetland Ungista, Unst, immature, 13th November.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1904: 230; T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 156; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby of Unst (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 230, says: 'One, immature, Nov. 13th, 1903.' T. Edmondston Saxby, (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 156, says: 'One, immature, at Ungista, 13th November 1903.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. However, it appears to have been overlooked by Pennington et al., 2004.
127). 1903 Shetland Haroldswick, Unst, seen, 17th November.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1904: 230; T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 156; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby of Unst (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 230, and in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p.156, says: 'One, quite white, reported to me from Haroldswick, Nov. 17th, 1903.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. However, it is not in Pennington et al. (2004).
128). 1904 Shetland Baliasta, Unst, seen, 29th October.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1905: 189; T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1905: 118; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby of Baltasound, Unst (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 189, says: 'One seen on Oct. 29th.' T. Edmondston Saxby (1905) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 118, says: 'One at Balliasta [sic] on 29th November.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Comment Presumed to refer to the same individual; but which 29th?
129). 1905 Shetland Baltasound, Unst, seen, 4th April.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1905: 189; T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1905: 182; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby of Baltasound, Unst (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 189, says: 'One seen April 4th.' T. Edmondston Saxby (1905) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 182, says: 'One in grey plumage at Baltasound on 4th April.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
130). 1905 Caithness Berriedale, 13th April.
(Manson, 2004).
History Manson (2004: 94) has a record for Berriedale, 13th April 1905.
131). 1905 Norfolk Cockley Cley, trapped, early April.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1906: 126; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Riviere, 1930).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 126, says: 'Early in April a Snowy Owl had the misfortune, as I learn from Mr. W. Clarke, to put its foot in a rat-trap at Cockley Cley, near Swaffham. The owner of the soil intended sending it to the Zoological Gardens, but, though not damaged, it refused to feed in confinement, and did not long survive. It was probably the sharp cold of the 5th, 6th and 7th, accompanied by snow, which brought this Norwegian stranger over; but April is a late date for it. It is always a more difficult bird to keep in confinement than the Eagle Owl, and I am not surprised that Mr. Taylor was unsuccessful.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
132). 1905 Isles of Scilly St Martin's, two, shot, September, photo, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.
(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 298; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Tresco Abbey Records; Penhallurick, 1978; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 89).
History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 298, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'The Snowy Owl is represented by a single specimen, shot on St Martin's in September, 1905, and now in the [Tresco] Abbey collection.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Comment Luckily I recorded my references for this, which came from John Parslow. (J.L.F.P. = John Parslow pers. comm. with me. ARB=Abbey Record Book where he was the last person (as far as I know) to examine it - that was c.1960. (SABOR = St Agnes Bird Obs Reports). It goes like this: I had queried a comment of his in 1964 SABOR pp. 16 saying "the 5th record for Scilly, the first for 30 years" as I made it the 4th record: 1905, 1913 & 1934. He replied, his words in italics: "Lazy writing on my part-should be the 5th bird for Scilly". He then goes on to berate Penhallurick for not picking this up but then amplifies everything thus: "1 - One shot Martins Sep 1905 (C&R) (Handbook) (etc.), now in Abbey Collection ( Clark (1906) 2 - Two (specimens) are in Abbey collection 3 - Amendments in ARB "2 shot St Martins Sept 1905", "a pair observed and (one) 2 shot" the one placed in brackets with a 2 above it. 4 – "The two in the Abbey collection were obtained in Sept 1905 and a very fine one on St Marys in Feb 1913" (J. Clark in litt. to C. J. King 25.10.23) (I read this as meaning the Abbey specimens are 1905 + 1913) … followed by stuff about 1934 record...and continuing. "So the 'fifth' is dependent on (3) above. I've not gone back to the original Zoologist or BB accounts to see what they say. There wasn't much conscience in those days about shooting birds but I wonder whether there was a sight one and that someone wanted to avoid saying in the official record that both had been shot. Tom DS (Dorrien-Smith) told me the Abbey policy had always been to shoot just one of each species for the collection, and by and large this is what happened". In my correspondence with J.L.F.P. I was struck by his prodigious memory of his earlier research and work with Penhallurick. I think he got it right and 2 were shot in 1905. Maybe we should have explained this more in Essential but that might have been picked up by the Dorrien-Smiths and made it just a bit tricky here: although I stress that was NOT why we omitted it. It was more an oversight or just too much detail for most readers. Nigel Hudson, email.
134). 1906 Shetland Unst, shot, 30th January.
(T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 50; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 143; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315).
History T. Edmondston Saxby (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 50, says: 'Snowy Owl. One shot on 30th January.'
Admitted by John Paterson of Glasgow (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 143, in the annual report for 1906.
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
135). 1906 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, seen, 6th to 7th May.
(J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 143; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Clarke, 1912).
History John Paterson of Glasgow (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 143, in the annual report for 1906, says: '6th and 7th May, Flannans (1).'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles' says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911. Further, p. 276, Clarke adds: 'Snowy Owl - One, 6th and 7th May 1906.'
136). 1906 Caithness Watten, 25th December.
(Manson, 2004).
History Manson (2004: 94) has a record for Watten, 25th December 1906.
137). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 26th October.
(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 83; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 1: 384; Clarke, 1912; Dymond, 1991).
History William Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 83, says: 'One seen on 26th October is the first example reported for Fair Isle.'
H. F. Witherby (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 384, says: 'One was seen on October 26th.'
Clarke (1912 (2): 155) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle' says: 'Snowy Owl - There is only one record of the occurrence of this species, namely, of a bird seen on 26th October 1907.'
138). 1907 Outer Hebrides South Uist, shot, October.
(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 182; Eds., British Birds 2: 140; D. Guthrie, Scottish Naturalist 39: 147).
History J. A. Harvie-Brown of Dunipace (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 182, says: 'A fine specimen of this noble Arctic bird was shot at the farm of Milton, South Uist, in October, 1907, and is now in the collection of Outer Hebridean birds in the possession of Sir Reg. Cathcart, Bart.'
In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 140, he says: 'Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown records a fine example of Nyctea scandiaca shot on South Uist in October, 1907 (Ann. S.N.H., 1908, p. 182).'
Donald Guthrie, Lighthouse keeper (1919) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIX. p. 147, who was resident for 22 years on South Uist, says: 'I have only once seen this handsome bird in the Outer Hebrides, it was procured and is now in Sir Reginald Cathcart's collection.'
139). 1911 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, 24th June.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), June 24th.'
140). 1911 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, 23rd and 24th July.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), July 23rd and 24th.'
141). 1911 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, 10th August.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), August 10th.'
142). 1911 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, 2nd October.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), October 2nd.'
143). 1911 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, 11th December.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), December 11th.'
144). 1912 Outer Hebrides Locality in the North, Lewis, male, caught, late March.
(R. Clyne, Scottish Naturalist 1912: 164).
History R. Clyne of Butt of Lewis (1912) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXII. p. 164, says: 'During the strong northerly winds prevailing at the end of last March, a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) was caught on the moorland in the north of Lewis. The wholly white plumage of the specimen was only relieved by a few dark-brown speckings on the wings, indicating that the bird was probably a male. There are several records of these Northern Owls being got in the district previously, but none for many years.'
145). 1912 Outer Hebrides Barvas, Lewis, seen, 14th April.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1913).
History Baxter & Rintoul (1913: 11) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: 'One is recorded from Barvas, Outer Hebrides, on 14th April.'
146). 1912 Outer Hebrides Near Stornoway, shot, 20th April.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1913).
History Baxter & Rintoul (1913: 11) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: 'On 20th April one was shot about five miles from Stornoway.'
147). 1913 Orkney Sule Skerry, male, shot, 5th February.
(C. Kirk, Scottish Naturalist 33: 92; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Charles Kirk of Glasgow (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 92, says: 'On 5th February, after a long series of westerly gales accompanied by severe weather, a fine male specimen of the Snowy Owl was shot on the island of Sule Skerry, Orkney. The stomach was found to contain a partly digested Purple Sandpiper, which had evidently been swallowed entire as the bird was quite complete. This specimen has been acquired for the British collection of birds in the Royal Scottish Museum.'
148). 1913 Isles of Scilly St Mary's, shot, February, photo, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.
(Penhallurick, 1978; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 89).
History Penhallurick (1978) says: '1913. Another fine specimen in the Tresco Abbey collection was taken on St Mary's in February (letter from Clark to King, 25.x.1923).'
149). 1915 Dumfries & Galloway Little Ross Lighthouse, Kirkcudbrightshire, seen, 24th February.
(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 36: 151; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 10: 172).
History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1916) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVI. p. 151, in the annual report for 1915, say: 'A beautiful white Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) was observed at Little Ross on 24th February (W. Begg).'
H. F. Witherby (1916) in British Birds, Vol. X. p. 171, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1915, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'The following items from the Report worthy of special note have not been published previously. Snowy Owl. One seen at Little Ross on February 4th.'
150). 1917 Moray & Nairn Covesea Lighthouse, Elgin, Moray, killed, 18th June, now at Elgin Museum.
(W. Ogg, Scottish Naturalist 38: 274; Eds., British Birds 12: 214; Witherby, 1920-24; Cook, 1992).
History William Ogg of Duffus, Elgin (1918) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 274, says: 'After reading the report of the birds, uncommon and otherwise, that have visited us in 1917, I am tempted to record - although a little belated - in the Scottish Naturalist the occurrence of the Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) as being sufficiently rare to be worth noting. On 18th June a very fine specimen was got a little distance inland from the lighthouse at Covesea rocks west of Lossiemouth.
Three days after it was got it weighed 4 lb. 8½ oz. Length of bird 26 in., spread of wings 50 in. This bird was in grand condition, plump and fat. However long or short its stay had been, it was just in the spot for an abundant supply of young rabbits, to which no doubt it helped itself freely. I may add that it has been beautifully set up and is a magnificent specimen, and a great acquisition to the already extensive collection of birds in the Elgin Museum.'
In an Editorial (1919) in British Birds, Vol. XII. p. 214, says: 'Mr. W. Ogg states that a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) was killed a little distance inland at Covesea Rocks, west of Lossiemouth, Elgin, on June 18th, 1917. It was fat and in good condition, and has been placed in the Elgin Museum (Scot. Nat., 1918, p. 274)....The date of the Elgin bird is remarkable, although one has been recorded from Belmullet, Co. Mayo, as late as July 21st (cf. Zool., 1906, p. 351).'
151). 1918 North-east Scotland Port Errol, Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, seen, 7th September.
(E. G. Paterson, Scottish Naturalist 38: 274; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 39: 101; Eds., British Birds 12: 214; Phillips, 1997).
History Ernest Gordon Paterson of Cliff House, Cults (1918) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 274, says: 'When shooting near Port Errol, on 7th September 1918, I saw a very large white owl which I believe could only be the Snowy Owl. It passed within a few yards. This owl has been observed formerly near here, and was recorded many years ago.'
L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1919) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIX. p. 101, say: '...and a bird of this species occurred at Port Errol, Aberdeenshire, on 7th September.'
In an Editorial (1919) in British Birds, Vol. XII. p. 214, says: 'Mr. E. G. Paterson (loc. cit.) also states that on September 7th, 1918, he saw a very large White Owl within a few yards, while shooting near Port Erroll, Aberdeenshire, which he believed to be this species.'
152). 1922 Norfolk Waxham, seen, 1st May; same, Horsey, Winterton, seen, early May; same, Sutton, seen, 13th May.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 16: 232-233; Witherby, 1920-24; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 11: 589; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1923) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. pp. 232-233, under 'Norfolk Annual Report', says: 'Somewhere about the 1st of May a Snowy Owl made its appearance on the coast, being first seen at Wayham, and then for a time frequenting the sand-hills at Horsey and Winterton. On the 13th it had got as far as Sutton where it was seen by Dr. Long, after which it must have migrated as nothing more was heard of it. A correspondent picked up some of its pellets, one of which measured 2¼ inches with a circumference of nearly 4 inches, and contained the bones of a young rabbit, while another which was much smaller seemed to be made up of stems of the sea marram (Ammophila arundinacea). The last Snowy Owl for this county was trapped in April, 1905, at Cockley Cley, which is some sixteen miles from the sea.'
Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1924) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XI. p. 589, under 'Additions to Part XI (Eighth List) 1919-23'.
153). 1922 Northumberland Holy Island, seen, 20th May.
(W. G. Watson, British Birds 16: 325; Witherby, 1920-24; Bolam, 1932; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).
History W. G. Watson (1923) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 325, under 'Notes from Holy Island, 1922, they say: 'A Snowy Owl appeared on the bents during the afternoon of May 20th and remained until 9 pm, when it flew northwards. This may possibly be the identical bird observed in Norfolk (antea, pp. 232, 233).'
Bolam (1932) says: 'On May 20th, 1922, Abel Chapman and Mr. W. G. Watson saw a Snowy Owl on the links at Holy Island. It was first noticed amongst the bents and when disturbed flew from one eminence to another. This was after 9 p.m. and it finally flew away northwards, with a strong low flight, from the Sand-Rigg where it had last settled.'
154). 1924 Caithness Coire na Beinne, trapped, March.
(Manson, 2004).
History Manson (2004) says: 'Dr. Kennedy mentions one caught in a pole-trap on the side of Coire na Beinne in March, 1924.'
155). 1925 Somerset Haddon Hill, 12th and 23rd or 24th October; presumed same, near Dunster, about 25th December; presumed same, Brendon Hill, 15th March 1926.
(F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1926: 8; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1937: 13; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).
History F. L. Blathwayt (1926) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 8, says: 'Mr. Fred Goss (Dulverton) writes that a Snowy Owl was seen by Mr. Froude Hancock, Col. Wiggin, Mr. Thornton and himself on Haddon Hill on Oct. 12th, 1925, and again on the 23rd or 24th of the same month. It was not seen there again nor known to have been shot. Mr. G. F. Luttrell saw a Snowy Owl on a wall near Dunster about Christmas 1925. Major Jones-Mortimer saw a big white bird which was believed to be a Snowy Owl on Brendon Hill on Mar. 15th 1926 (N.G.H.).'
F. L. Blathwayt (1937) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 13, adds: 'Mr. H. G. Thornton, of Yarcombe, also reports that he saw one high up on Haddon Hill, Exmoor, about 1927.'
Comment Nearly made into two records.
156). 1926 Sussex Near Littlehampton, seen, November; presumed same, Chichester, seen, late November.
(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 20: 228; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
History H. F. Witherby (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 228, says: 'A large migration of Snowy Owls (Nyctea nyctea), and also Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis), took place in the north Atlantic in November, 1926, many Snowy Owls being captured on board ships and brought to this country. Exact details of position and dates have been difficult to obtain, but it would appear that the large majority of the occurrences were on the American side of the Atlantic, and I have heard of only one Snowy Owl as having been probably captured "off north Scotland", but details are not available. Mr. D. Seth-Smith informs me that Mr. H. W. Drewitt tells him that a Snowy Owl arrived on his farm at Colworth, Chichester (Sussex), at the end of November and stayed for about three weeks. Mr. Drewitt writes: "Its principal food seemed to be Moorhens and it was quite tame, allowing approach to within five yards, so probably it too was an escape from a passing ship".'
Recorded in square-brackets due to assisted ship passage (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 199-200).
157). 1927 Kent Langdon, Dover, adult, shot, 4th March, now at Maidstone Museum.
(Harrison, 1953; Borrer, 1960).
History Harrison (1953 (2): 16) says: 'There is a fine adult Snowy Owl, which was shot at Langdon on 4th March 1927, in the Mannering collection, in the Maidstone Museum.'
Borrer (1960) in the Catalogue of the Guy Mannering collection of British Birds in the Maidstone Museum states Langdon, Dover, Kent, 4th March 1926.
158). 1927 Highland Glen Feshie, Badenoch & Strathspey, three, seen, 1st May.
(S. Gordon, British Birds 21: 95; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 108).
History Seton Gordon (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 95, says: 'On the afternoon of May 1st, 1927, Mr. J. C. Harrison, the bird artist, and I were walking up Glen Feshie, a glen that leads into the Cairngorms south of Kingussie. There were five inches of snow on the ground, but the sky was cloudless and the sun very warm. We were passing beneath a high cliff where a pair of Ravens were nesting. The old birds had seen us and circled over head, but had now settled down. Suddenly one of them flew out excitedly, and, following with our eyes the line of its flight, we saw three white birds drifting - for that exactly describes their progress - down the glen and steering north-north-west. They were about 900 feet above us. What impressed us first was their wonderful whiteness and the almost uncanny gliding swiftness of their flight. They were quite unlike any British bird. All too soon they had gone behind the hill. Mr. Harrison had his glasses ready and was quite positive that the birds were Snowy Owls (Nyctea nyctea). A sketch which he kindly presented me with afterwards shows their features unmistakably. This occurrence is interesting in view of the large southward migration of Snowy Owls which occurred in the north Atlantic in the late autumn of 1926.'
Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 108, under 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1927.'
161). c. 1927 Shetland Sandwick, found dead, winter.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'We have traced a few other occurrences during the present century: About 1927. Winter. One found dead at Sandwick.'
162). 1929 Shetland Catfirth, Mainland, male, shot, 17th March.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'We have traced a few other occurrences during the present century: 1929. 17th March. Male shot at Catfirth (Russell: 1891 et seq.).'
163). 1930 Cumbria West Moor End, Aspatria, seen, January.
(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 67; Hutcheson, 1986).
History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 67, says: 'While snipe shooting at West Moor End, Aspatria, one day in January 1930, Dr. Ian Macquarrie came upon a Snowy Owl which he purposely flushed several times. This is the first recorded occurrence of the species in Lakeland.'
164). 1930 Somerset Haddon Hill, Exmoor, 18th January.
(G. Churchill, British Birds 23: 274; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1930: 20; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).
History Geoffrina Churchill (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 274, says: 'On January 18th, 1930, I saw a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) on Haddon Hill, Exmoor. The bird, which was on the ground among short heather, was about forty yards away, and appeared to be about the size of a Buzzard. I watched it for some minutes and could see that it was not entirely white, but had some blackish speckles or bars. After I had watched it for a few minutes it flew heavily as though tired, and again alighted at some distance. As I was hunting at the time I was unable to follow it up.'
F. L. Blathwayt (1930) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XVII. p. 20, quotes from British Birds.
165). 1930 Angus & Dundee Near Dundee, Angus, early February, photo.
(T. L. Smith, Field 22nd Mar., 1930: 438; T. L. Smith, Scottish Naturalist 50: 38; Crighton, 1976).
History T. Leslie Smith of Broughty Ferry (1930) in The Field of 22nd Mar., Vol. CLV. p. 438, says: 'During the first week of February, after four days of severe north-east winds, a Snowy Owl was seen near Dundee in Angus, and although obviously tired out from its long journey was captured only with difficulty. As will be seen from the accompanying photograph it is a very fine specimen in excellent plumage. Although a regular winter visitor to Shetland and possibly to the extreme north of Scotland, this species is very rare as far south as Angus; in fact only two previous occurrences seem to be recorded for this county.'
[It is refreshing to be able to publish a photograph of the living bird, and not, as used to be the rule where rarities were concerned, of a stuffed specimen. - Ed.]
166). 1931 Caithness Loch More, two: one seen, 5th November; another, caught, earlier.
(J. Berry, Scottish Naturalist 52: 39-42; Eds., British Birds 26: 57).
History J. Berry (1932) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 40, says: 'The first few days of November...When driving past Loch More towards midnight under the most stupendous aurora I have ever seen, a Snowy Owl flew up the road in front of the car for a couple of hundred yards, finally swinging back over the bonnet and narrowly missing the wind-screen; another had been caught in a trap near that spot only a short time previously, so it is possible that this was its mate.'
In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 57, they say: 'In the same journal (Scot. Nat., 1932, pp. 39-42) Mr. John Berry gives notes of birds seen in western Caithness in the autumn of 1931. Among these we note a Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) seen on November 5th at Loch More and another caught in a trap near there a short time previously.'
168). 1932 Borders Near Byrecleugh, Roxburghshire, shot, about 22nd January.
(A. M. Porteous, jun., History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 28: 107).
History A. M. Porteous, jun. (1933) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists 'Club, Vol. XXVIII. p. 107, says: '1932. circa Jan. 22. Snowy Owl shot near Byrecleugh.'
169). 1932 Devon Plymouth, ship assisted, 24th October.
(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1932: 20; Moore, 1969).
History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns (1932) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 20, say: 'Plymouth. October 24th. One arrived on a ship on which it had alighted, when in distress, at sea. L. Major.'
170). 1932 Devon Huntsham, 26th December.
(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1932: 20; Moore, 1969).
History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns (1932) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 20, say: 'Huntsham. December 26th. One, probably of this species. S. G. Williams.'
171). 1932-33 Highland Eigg, Lochaber, killed, winter.
(P. R. Evans & W. U. Flower, Scottish Birds 4: 429).
History P. R. Evans & W. U. Flower (1967) in Scottish Birds, Vol. IV. p. 429, say: 'One killed winter 1932/33.'
172.0). 1934 Cornwall Off Land's End, boarded Scillonian, 14th February.
(N. Hudson, Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review 2006: 122).
History N. Hudson (2006) in the Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review, p. 122, erroneously under Barn Owl, states that one which had boarded Scillonian at Land's End, Cornwall on 14th February 1934, on reaching The Roads, St Mary's flew towards Samson and was seen the next two days on Bryher. It was not known to have been fed by humans.
172.1). 1934 Isles of Scilly The Roads, St Mary's, boarded Scillonian off Land's End on 14th February, flew towards Samson, seen Bryher, 15th to 16th February.
(N. Hudson, Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review 2006: 122).
History N. Hudson (2006) in the Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review, p. 122, erroneously under Barn Owl [email], states that one which had boarded the Scillonian at Land's End, Cornwall on 14th February 1934, on reaching The Roads, St Mary's flew towards Samson and was seen the next two days on Bryher. It was not known to have been fed by humans.
173). 1936 Fife Eden Golf Course, St Andrews, seen, 31st January.
(D. M. Wilson, Scottish Naturalist 56: 45; Eds., British Birds 30: 94-95; J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 151; Smout, 1986).
History D. M. Wilson, St Andrews (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. p. 45, says: 'While shooting on 31st January 1936, within ten miles of St Andrews, Fife, this owl was clearly seen by Mr. Harold Wilson, his nephew and the keeper.'
In an Editorial (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 94-95, they say: 'Mr. D. M. Wilson states (Scot. Nat., 1936, p. 45) that a Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) "was clearly seen" by Mr. Harold Wilson and others on January 31st, 1936, within ten miles of St. Andrews. No further particulars being given it is impossible to judge of the accuracy or otherwise of the observation.' Smout (1986) adds that it was seen on the Eden golf course.
174). 1937 Shetland Yell, late March; presumed same, Bressay, spring.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'We have traced a few other occurrences during the present century: 1937. Late March. One seen several days in Yell (C. Inkster).'
175). 1937-38 Shetland Unst, wintered.
(Venables & Venables, 1955; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'One wintered on Unst in 1937-38 (Stephen Saxby).'
176). 1938 Norfolk Gunton, seen, 27th October.
(M. Meiklejohn & R. F. Meiklejohn, British Birds 32: 236; S. H. Long, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1938: 19; Seago, 1977).
History M. Meiklejohn & R. F. Meiklejohn (1938) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. p. 236, say: 'On October, 27th, 1938, we were motoring past Gunton, when we saw a very large white bird flying over a stubble field among a lot of gulls. It flew with strong wing beats and an occasional hover and alighted on the corner of a haystack near a cottage. We motored round to this, and headed it off before it went into Gunton Woods. We got a very close view of it through Zeiss glasses and were able to identify it as a Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca). The plumage was white except for a few flecks of fawn on the back, and the head was unmistakable. The bird was almost the size of an Eagle-Owl. It finally disappeared into the wood after being mobbed by Rooks. One of us had seen Snowy Owls on occasions when in Russian Lapland so knows this species well.'
177). 1940 Moray & Nairn/North-east Scotland Cairngorm/Ben Macdui, male, summer.
(Cook, 1992).
History Cook (1992) says: 'Since 1940 there have been summer records from the plateau between Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui in at least 14 years. Occurrences in this area are as follows: 1940. One male in summer (Nethersole-Thompson & Watson 1974).'
178). 1941 Clyde Fannyside Moor, Lanarkshire, seen, January.
(D. Stephen, Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin 2: 41).
History David Stephen (1953) in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 41, says: 'In January 1941 and February 1947 single Snowy Owls were seen by me on Fannyside Moor.'
179). 1942 Northumberland Alnmouth, female or immature, seen, 16th May.
(A. Noel, British Birds 38: 318; G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 71: 120; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).
History Andrew Noel (1944-45) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 318, says: 'Just before dusk on May 16th, 1942, I watched a Snowy Owl, as it quartered a field near Alnmouth, Northumberland. It was a big white owl and the upper-parts (which were all I could see as it was flying low), were fairly strongly barred brown. The flight was much stronger than the usual owlish flit. The Handbook has recorded only three for Northumberland.'
G. W. Temperley (1946) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXI. p. 120, records it in the Northumberland Annual Report for 1945. Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978) and (Kerr 2001) who add that it was 'a female or immature'.
180). 1942 Highland Canna, Lochaber, November.
(P. R. Evans & W. U. Flower, Scottish Birds 4: 429).
History P. R. Evans & W. U. Flower (1967) in Scottish Birds, Vol. IV. p. 429, say: 'Canna. One November 1942.'
181). 1945 Cumbria Near Sedbergh, Yorkshire, seen, 24th January.
(C. K. Mylne, British Birds 38: 375; Mather, 1986).
History C. K. Mylne (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 375, says: 'On 24th January 1945, C. R. B. King, a member of the Sedbergh School Ornithological Society, observed what was clearly a Snowy Owl in a valley in the Yorkshire fells near Sedbergh. He described it as a very large white owl with grey brown spots on the back. What chiefly impressed him, apart from its whiteness, was its size and slow wing-beats. It was first sighted on the ground about 150 yards away and when it took wing flapped slowly away southward.'
182). 1945 Somerset Simonsbath, Exmoor, seen, 26th January and 1st February.
(I. A. Bonar, British Birds 38: 375; M. Brooks-King et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1945: 44; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).
History I. A. Bonar (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 375, says: 'During the hard weather in January 1945, I several times observed a Snowy Owl on the high ground of Exmoor near Simonsbath, Somerset. It was probably first seen on 25th January, but I did not see it myself until 27th January. It was a very large white owl with brown-barred wings, so large that I feel confident it must have been an adult female. It was only seen during the daytime and as there was deep snow at the time the area over which I could observe was somewhat limited. It was seen either sitting on a hedge or post or slowly hawking up and down beside hedges. It was not very shy: on one or two occasions I got to within about 20 yards of it and once I was able to observe it at about 10-12 yards range when I was hidden close to a post on which it often perched. I saw it for about five days, after which I left the district, the deep snow having by then thawed.'
M. Brooks-King et al. (1945) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XVIII. p. 44, quote from British Birds.
183). 1945 Wiltshire Near Marlborough, seen, 29th January.
(Eds., British Birds 38: 375; L. G. Peirson, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 51: 216; Peirson, 1959; Buxton, 1981; Palmer, 1991; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).
History In an Editorial (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 375, says: 'It is evident that the cold spell in January was marked by the appearance of Snowy Owls in several widely scattered localities in England. One or two additional reports which have reached us might have seemed to fall just short of complete certainty if isolated, but in view of the other undoubted records are probably also correct. Thus, Mr. L. G. Pierson informs us that a Snowy Owl was reported near Marlborough College, by one of the boys, P. D. Holmes, on 29th January, but he considers that the record should be qualified as "probable" owing to the inexperience of the observer. The bird rose off the snow-covered ground and was twice seen to settle again, on the first occasion at a distance of about 30 yards. The boy was positive that it was an owl and described it as very large and pure white, with the eyes showing as black dots.'
L. G. Peirson (1945) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. LI. p. 216, under 'Wiltshire Bird Notes', says: 'These few notes, mainly a list of unusual occurrences, refer, unless otherwise dated, to the period November, 1944, to October, 1945...What was probably a Snowy Owl was reported from near Marlborough at the end of January. I should not have recorded so great a rarity on the basis of one observation had it not been for the fact that Snowy Owls were reported from several places in England at just about the same time.'
Accepted locally (Wiltshire Ornithological Society 2007).
184). 1945 Moray & Nairn Knockando Estate, Moray, trapped, 27th February, photo.
("Aberdeen Press and Journal" 27th Feb., 1945; Field 17th Mar., 1945: 275; Eds., British Birds 38: 376).
History In an Editorial (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 376, they say: 'A record from the mainland of Scotland, of a bird trapped on the Knockando Estate, Morayshire, appeared, together with a photograph in the Aberdeen Press and Journal, February 27th, 1945, and subsequently in The Field, March 17th, p. 275.'
185). 1945 Devon Cullompton, seen, early April.
(M. H. Thomas, British Birds 38: 374-375; Moore, 1969).
History M. H. Thomas (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 374, says: 'During the early spring of 1945 I observed Snowy Owls in three comparatively widely separated areas of Cornwall and Devon. The second was when I was travelling by train early in April I saw one perched on a fence by the railway line about six miles from Cullompton, Devon. Though the view was brief I am in no doubt that it was this species; I was able to see part of the upper side of the wing clearly and it was white without a trace of colour. I may add that I have seen Barn Owls Tyto alba, too often for there to be any confusion in my mind.'
186). 1945 Devon Near Hatherleigh, seen, 12th April.
(M. H. Thomas, British Birds 38: 374-375; Moore, 1969).
History M. H. Thomas (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 374, says: 'During the early spring of 1945 I observed Snowy Owls in three comparatively widely separated areas of Cornwall and Devon. The third was on 12th April, near Hatherleigh, Devon, when one of these birds flew across the road about five yards in front of my car and I was again impressed by its majestic, deliberate flight. I may add that I have seen Barn Owls Tyto alba, too often for there to be any confusion in my mind.'
187). 1946 Hampshire Woodlands, near Southampton, seen, 22nd January.
(F. J. Goddard, British Birds 39: 216; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).
History F. J. Goddard (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 216, says: 'At about 5 p.m. on January 22nd, 1946, at Woodlands, near Southampton, during a period of very cold weather, my attention was drawn to a very large white owl, which flew at some fifteen feet from the ground and about 50 feet ahead of me. It settled in an oak tree and I estimated its length as about 20 inches or slightly more. It remained perched for about 20 seconds and then flew off at right angles to me, passing within 20 feet, when I noticed some brown spots or irregular marks on the shoulder region. Apart from this the bird was almost pure white, but I could not observe the colour of the beak, or the eye, as the light was failing. The wing-beats were very powerful, quite different from those of the Barn Owl Tyto a. alba, with which I am very familiar, and it was also about twice the size of that species. It was clearly a Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca. I searched the vicinity on subsequent evenings, but saw no more of the bird, and local enquiries failed to elicit that it had been seen by anyone else. The locality is one of open fields surrounded by small copses and woods on the edge of the New Forest, with many open spaces of gorse and heather.'
188). 1946 Shetland Yell, autumn.
(Pennington et al., 2004).
History Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'A single on Yell in autumn 1946.'
189). 1947 Breconshire Near Bwlch, seen, 7th January.
(H. B. Elton, British Birds 40: 216; Massey, 1976; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History H. B. Elton (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 216, says: 'On January 7th, 1947, I saw a Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca near Bwlch, Breconshire. I was out after duck with a friend about 4.40 p.m. (G.M.T.) when it was getting misty. As we were crossing a flat field a huge white owl flew about a hundred yards ahead of us right across the field from right to left and about 8-10 feet from the ground. I am certain that the very large size was not an illusion due to the light and foggy air, as duck and White-fronted Geese were not distorted and I am quite satisfied that it was a Snowy Owl. I am thoroughly familiar with Barn and other owls.'
Accepted locally (Massey 1976) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
190). 1947 Devon Torrington Common, seen, 16th February.
(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1947: 27; Moore, 1969).
History M. Brooks-King (1947) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XX. p. 27, says: 'Torrington Common. February 16th, one, probably immature female, seen flying. Size and flight very similar to that of Common Buzzard (B.G.L.-V.).'
Moore (1969) who records this one and others, says: 'It has been recorded under a dozen times in the county, and some of these records are doubtful or not fully substantiated.'
191). 1947 Clyde Fannyside Moor, Lanarkshire, seen, February.
(D. Stephen, Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin 2: 41).
History David Stephen (1953) in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 41, says: 'In January 1941 and February 1947 single Snowy Owls were seen by me on Fannyside Moor. The 1947 specimen was tired and easily approached.'
192). 1948 Kent Swalecliffe, seen, 13th January.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953 (2): 16) says: 'Mr. H. T. Pout informs me (in litt., 10.ii.1950) that he put a Snowy Owl up from one of his fields adjoining the sea-front at Swalecliffe at midday on January 13th, 1948, remarking that it flew off strongly towards the sea. There was a west-north-west gale at the time; in a letter (6.iii.1950) he writes: "With regard to the Snowy Owl I saw, here are a few details which I can remember. 1. That it was a much larger bird than our familiar Barn Owl, and that it appeared to be almost white in colour with a speckling of brown marks on the wings and tail. 2. The flight was rather strong but fast. 3. The particular spot where I saw it is frequently used by various species of duck and even the odd goose. There are two large ponds in this area and a quantity of rough grass, and being close to the sea has an attraction for them".
I feel from the description that there is no doubt at all that the bird seen by Mr. Pout was indeed a Snowy Owl.'
193). 1948 Cornwall Moorland locality, seen, 2nd November.
(B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1948: 22; Penhallurick, 1978).
History B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick (1948) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, p. 22, says: 'On November 2nd I was on the moors near a plantation, when my attention was drawn to some Carrion Crows mobbing something in a tree. Half an hour later, passing the same spot, a huge white owl (a very pure white) flew out about 50 yards away. As it swerved I could distinctly see black spots on its body. The wing-span appeared almost double that of a Barn Owl. (M.R.).'
Penhallurick (1978: 144) says: '1948, on 2nd November one was seen "at a moorland plantation" where it had been mobbed in a tree by Carrion Crows. The owl flew out and was seen at about 50 yards range.'
Comment Third record for Cornwall.
1950-57 RECORDS
194). 1950 Kent Dungeness Lighthouse, 30th March.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953 (2): 16) says: 'Mr. W. Bennett, the Dungeness Lighthouse keeper, informed me (Verbatim, 28.v.1950) that on March 30th, 1950, at 3 a.m., a Snowy Owl came to the lantern and remained for a short time. He was able to see its large size, white plumage, flecked with grey, and its white-feathered legs and feet.'
195). 1952 Shetland Dunrossness, Mainland, 2nd to 9th January.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'We have traced a few other occurrences during the present century: 1952. 2nd to 9th January. One seen Dunrossness.'
196.0). 1952 Moray & Nairn/North-east Scotland Cairngorm/Ben Macdui, Aberdeenshire/Banffshire, adult male, 19th to 29th June, photo.
(S. Van Den Bos, A. Watson & A. Watson, jun., Scottish Naturalist 64: 176-177; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 65: 129; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 69: 57; D. Jenkins, Scottish Birds 2: 98; Cook, 1992).
History S. Van Den Bos, A. Watson & A. Watson, jun. (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. pp. 176-177, say: 'Although winter records of Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca are frequent in the Scottish Highlands, summer records for Britain are rare. The Handbook of British Birds (2, 1938: 311) records "several May, two (Elgin, Mayo) June, two (Mayo) July, one (Bucks) July-August". It is therefore of great interest that a Snowy Owl was found frequenting a high plateau of the Cairngorms during June 1952.
The owl was first seen by S. Van den Bos on 19th June. He followed it from place to place over the plateau for about one-and-a-half-hours. Identification could not be mistaken. At first sight it seemed to him just like a snowman as it sat on top of a boulder, with the same featureless rounded outline of the upright body and three dark points on the head, the two eyes and bill. He likened the flight, heavy and gliding, to that of a Harrier. He noticed that when it was disturbed it nearly always alighted in a prominent position giving a wide view in all directions. As the owl appeared extremely pale - almost dead white - he considered that it was probably a male. He had previously seen a Snowy Owl in England during winter on the east coast. Next day he returned, but in spite of a prolonged search he saw no sign of the bird.
The day after his return visit, 21st June, the Adam Watsons, senior and junior, climbed to the plateau and saw the owl almost immediately after entering the stony corrie, where it had been followed by S. Van den Bos. They also commented on the remarkable resemblance of the bird to a snowman. It was difficult to tell which way the owl was facing, as it turned its head at times to look straight out over its back. It appeared pure white at a distance, but a close view at less than 100 yards range showed that in fact it was dirty white in colour, with a few very small fawn-coloured marks on the wings and mantle. Adam Watson senior had seen a Snowy Owl before in the Dovrefjell of central Norway.
Within the ensuing three days Adam Watson junior crossed the plateau twice without seeing the owl. However, an interesting clue was found by him at Glenmore Lodge. There the warden, Mr. Charles Cromar, told him that his daughter had seen a "great white owl like an eagle" on the plateau about a mile from the corrie favoured by the owl, as far as the end of May. On 29th June the owl was seen by Professor M. F. M. Meiklejohn, Adam Watson senior, Adam Watson junior, Professor V. C. Wynne-Edwards and his son Hugh, in very good light at the end of a long search. Alex. Tewnion, who also searched independently that day, failed to see the owl. As far as is known it has not been seen since....'
Cook (1992) says: 'Since 1940 there have been summer records from the plateau between Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui in at least 14 years. Occurrences in this area are as follows: 1952. One male, 19-29 June (S. N. 64: 176-177).'
196.1). 1952 Moray & Nairn/North-east Scotland Cabrach, near Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, adult male, caught, about December, photo; same as 1952 North-east Scotland.
(D. Jenkins, Scottish Birds 2: 99, plate 6; Eds., Scottish Birds 2: 100).
History D. Jenkins (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 99, says: 'Dr. Dally has practised in the Angus glens for several years and is familiar with Short-eared and other common owls. On some date between 1953 and 1955 a cock Snowy Owl was photographed alive at Culterty House, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire and this photograph was published in the press. Dr. Watson is satisfied that this is a reliable record though I have no details.'
In an Editorial (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 100, they say: Adam Watson Sr. describes the bird which he saw on 7th January 1953 as being little if at all different in plumage from the one which he had seen in the Cairngorms the previous summer. There is a possibility that it was the same bird. At the time he assumed that it was the same Snowy Owl which he had recently heard had been caught in the Cabrach area and taken to the late Dr. Edgar Smith at Culterty, Newburgh. A photograph of the bird had appeared in the local press.
After considerable amateur detective work by several people a copy of this photograph was eventually traced to Miss E. A. Garden's photograph album. It is reproduced in this issue of Scottish Birds. Miss Garden writes that a farmer in the Cabrach area, near Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, was puzzled as to why every rabbit in his snares had its head removed, until he came on the Snowy Owl in a snare, caught by its foot but otherwise unhurt. He took the bird home and got in touch with Charles Cockburn of Aberdeen who took it to Dr. Smith at Culterty. There it was kept in a dirty little shed for a week (hence the dark primaries in the photograph) before being ringed and released. It was a magnificent bird, despite its miserable surroundings, with striking large golden eyes. Dr. G. Swapp took a cine film of it being released, and this was the last that was seen of it. We rather admire people who simply pick up huge birds of prey and carry them home with them, as seems to have been the ignominious fate of two of these birds. Dr. W. Dally has sent us details of his bird - it was seen on 22nd February 1958. It is at least possible that the Snowy Owls seen in the Cairngorms during the summers of 1952 and 1953, the one captured on the Cabrach about December 1952, and the one seen at Corse Maul in January 1953, were all the same bird - an adult male. On this reckoning the score would be reduced to a minimum of four birds in the area in recent years.'
196.2). 1953 North-east Scotland Corse Maul, near Dufftown, Banffshire, adult male, 7th January; same as 1952 North-east Scotland.
(D. Jenkins, Scottish Birds 2: 99; Cook, 1992).
History D. Jenkins (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 99, says: 'A. Watson Sr., an experienced observer who watched a Snowy Owl on the Cairngorm plateau in 1952, saw another at the summit of the road at Corse Maul between Dufftown and Huntly in Banffshire on 7th January 1953.
196.3). 1953 Moray & Nairn/North-east Scotland Cairngorm/Ben Macdui, Aberdeenshire/Banffshire, adult male, 19th July to 13th September; same as 1952 North-east Scotland.
(A. Tewnion, Cairngorm Club Journal 89: 25; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 69: 57; D. Jenkins, Scottish Birds 2: 99; Cook, 1992).
History In an Editorial (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 57, they say: 'A Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) was seen during the summer of 1953 on the same Cairngorm plateau where one (probably the same bird) appeared in 1952 (Scot. Nat., 64: 176; 65: 129). Mr. Alex Tewnion has described the 1953 occurrences (Cairngorm Club J., 89: 25). The owl was first seen by four Cairngorm Club members on 19th July, about half a mile south of the corrie it seemed to frequent most in 1952. They were able to approach to about 20 yards from the bird. Several other parties later saw the owl, the last recorded on 13th September, near the north end of the plateau. On that day two climbers found in one small area many pellets of fur and feathers, the skeleton of a blue hare, picked clean, and several skeletons of grouse-like birds, probably Ptarmigan. Though none of these climbers was an ornithologist, their descriptions, which we also heard, were accurate and unquestionably referred to the Snowy Owl. Having seen many owls in the Arctic since 1952, we consider it almost certain that the Cairngorm bird was an adult male.'
D. Jenkins (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 99, says: 'There are three additional published records from the Dee area recently, of one bird on the Cairngorm plateau in each of the two summers 1952 and 1953, but apparently not in between (Scot. Nat. 64: 176, 65: 129 and 69: 57), which may refer to the same bird...'
Cook (1992) says: 'Since 1940 there have been summer records from the plateau between Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui in at least 14 years. Occurrences in this area are as follows: 1953. One male, 19 July - 13 Sept. (S. N. 69: 57).'
197). 1953 Gwent Bishton, Monmouthshire, 23rd December.
(H. Morrey Salmon, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1953-54: 24; Humphreys, 1963; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History H. Morrey Salmon (1953-54) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. LXXXIII. p. 24, says: 'Mr. G. W. A. Griffith reported seeing a large white owl of approximately the size of a Buzzard, B. buteo, when snipe-shooting at Bishton on December 23rd, 1953. His full description from a range down to 50 yards makes it clear that the bird can have been nothing else than this species. It was flushed four times, from the ground, during the afternoon. What was apparently the same bird was seen a week earlier about a mile away by a friend of Mr. Griffith. The country here adjoins the Severn foreshore and is flat, low-lying and marshy. This is the first definite record for the county.'
Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
198). 1956 Fair Isle Ward Hill, male, 17th April.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 127; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1955-56: 21; Williamson, 1965).
History K. Williamson (1956) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 127, says: 'A bird with black-mottled underparts (so presumably a male) was seen by T. Stout on Ward Hill on April 17th.'
K. Williamson (1956) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, p. 21, says: 'I personally got off to a brilliant start by failing to see a male Snowy Owl on April 17th.'
199). 1957 Suffolk Westleton, late October; same, Walberswick, male, 2nd November.
(F. K. Cobb, Suffolk Bird Report 1957: 19; Payn, 1978).
History F. K. Cobb (1957) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 19, says: 'A male at Walberswick on Nov. 2nd (T.W.G., T.L.) - full details were submitted; at about this time a gamekeeper reported seeing a very large white owl in that district.'
