Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.1983, Page 84

THE AUTUMN MIGRATION AT AKRABERG,...
87
populations — nor, in most cases, from
Scandinavian ones.
Migrants from the NW. For migrants, the
distance between Iceland and Scotland is so
short that it can be managed in one day or one
night. Consequently, many of these birds
will only rest on the Faroes in case of an
easterly drift in westerly winds (such as
Pink-footed Goose, p 83). Easterly winds
were common during these autumn ob-
servations (Table 2), and therefore no large
occurrences of norchwesterly species were
seen. Altogether, it was typical for the period
that not a single bird of American origin was
seen, a type of occurrence which will not be
specially rare under other conditions (Bloch
& Sørensen 1984).
Migrants from the East. Comparison with
Fair Isle. The occurrence of birds from the
east, including both far eastern, northeastern,
and southeastern species, was of an extent
which was in every respect new to what was
known from the Faroes so far (Williamson
1943, 1945, 1947, 1970). In comparison, the
migration of eastern species to the Fair Isle
is of a greater extent, both quantitatively and
qualitatively. Both because of a shorter
distance to Norway and Scotland and because
of a permanent manning and a continuous
sequence of years of observations at the
Fair Isle Bird Observatory. A comparison
between Nólsoy (Fig. 1) and the Fair Isle
was made for the spring and the autumn
migration of 1949, but no unambiguous
conclusions could be drawn (Williamson & á
Botni 1951). However, during the spring
migration of 1953, the two stations made
concordant observations (Williamson 1954).
This period of observation at Akraberg shows
the same concordance. Especially concerning
the unusually large arrival of small eastern
birds on the Fair Isle on Sep. 20th and at
Akraberg on Sep. 21th and concerning a very
exciting period on the Fair Isle from Oct. 6th
and at Akraberg from Oct. 7th. Most of the
intervening period about the turn of the
month had surprising occurrences of a
southeasterly origin at both places (FIBO
Report 1982).
Conclusion.
We hope that the conclusion of this experi-
ment of observation will encourage continu-
ous observations of migrants at Akraberg.
The combination of the southernmost point
of Akraberg and the fine resting possibilities
at Sumba offers brilliant opportunities for
the study of the migration of small birds.
Studies of windassisted and reverse migration,
especially, at Akraberg are bound to yield
valuable results. If possible, these should be
linked together with observations on Nólsoy/
Fugloy (eastern islands) and Mykines (west-
ern outpost). But moreover, for studies of
foraging movements of sea birds Akraberg is
an obvious place, besides giving fine possi-
bilities for the observations of real migration
of sea birds. Altogether, the establishing of
a permanent bird station would be valuable
regarding detailed studies of the migration,
both as to time and as to the influence of
the weather conditions. Especially now, when,
apart from the bird stations towards the
southeast, Øræfum (Iceland), towards the
northwest, will also offer opportunities of
comparison. Consequently, we hope that this
will arouse such an interest in the establishing
of a bird station that the necessary capital
and manning can be procured for the work.