Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1880. [Second Report]

This meticulous 1881 report captures a snapshot of British bird migration during the spring and autumn of 1880. Compiled by a trio of naturalists appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, it draws on a network of dozens of coastal stations across Scotland, England, and even Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Listeners are invited into a Victorian era of fieldwork, where telegrams, handwritten logs, and earnest observations piece together the seasonal journeys of swans, geese, gulls, and countless smaller species.

The volume blends concise data tables with vivid narrative notes—such as a flock of swans seeking refuge on Fair Isle or unexpected appearances of black crows after gale‑force winds. Throughout, the authors stress the importance of precise details like flight direction and exact dates, offering a rare glimpse into early scientific rigor. As you listen, you’ll hear the quiet excitement of naturalists charting the sky, a mix of statistics and storytelling that still resonates with today’s birdwatchers.