Birds around Sheffield in 1843

Extract from "The Vital Statistics of Sheffield" by G.Calvert Holland, Esq., M.D. 1843

[It is interesting to note that many of the following birds were 'shot' in and around Sheffield!]

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The wood-crowned hills surrounding Sheffield, once abounded in objects of interest to the Ornithologist; but the destructive axe, and the more destructive strolling grinder, have caused the rarer birds to disappear, whilst those formerly common are now equally scarce. The Buzzard (Buteo fuscus) is no longer to be seen soaring over the Old Park wood. Kingfishers, (Alcedo Ispida,) Sandpipers, (Tringa hypoleucos,) and Little Grebes, (Podiceps minor,) may still occasionally be found along the rivers and brooks. Notwithstanding the progress of the axe, numerous birds are still found in the neighbourhood of this populous town. The following have come under our immediate inspection:—

Rough legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)—Eight or ten have been seen and procured.

Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus)—Three have been obtained, in the course of ten years; one at Hillsbro' fish pond, another, in 1838, on the edge of Bradfield moor, and a very fine specimen at Whirlow.

Brown-bee Hawk (Pernis apivora)—Wharncliffe wood has furnished three specimens, Tinsley park one, and Ecclesall wood one of this rare Hawk. Few localities can boast of such a number.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)—Three of these birds have been shot lately: two are in the collection of M. J. Ellison, Esq. We observed one fly over the Infirmary in the spring of 1840. This is the species famed in falconry

The Hobby (F. Subbuteo)—Merlin (F. iEsalon)—are seen every year. Kestrels (F. Tinnunculus) are pretty plentiful.

Marsh Harrier (Circus Cyaneus)—occasionally seen; one shot on Hallam moors.

Owls are scarce here. The following are sometimes found:— Hooting Owl, (Ulula Aluco,) Long and Short Eared Owls, (Asio Otus and A. brachyotus.)

Night-jar (Caprimulgus Europeus)—The Moors.

Grey Fly-catcher (Muscicapa grisola)—Common.

Pied Fly-catcher (M. atricapilla)—The park Wharncliffe; sometimes in the vicinity of the town.

Bombycilla garrula (Waxwing)—Many of these beautiful birds have at various times visited our locality.

Red backed Shrike (Lanius Collurio)—Used to be found about Steel bank, but is now almost extinct. A few sometimes are in the valley of Loxley.

Long billed Chough. (Fregilus Graculus)—One was shot on the Subscription Moors.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla Boarula)—Breeds on the Moors—is found about the town in the winter—acquires its summer plumage before it retires. A few M. Yarelli stay the winter over.

Dipper (Cinclus Europeus)—This lively little bird is not unfrequent along the Moor streams; it is quite a local species.

Ring Thrush (Turdus torquatus)—Plentiful on the Moors—visits the gardens near the town, feeding on currants, cherries, &c.

Philomela Luscinia (Nightingale)—Is sometimes in the Old Park wood—said to have been heard in Ecclesall wood, but perhaps the rich notes of Sylvia hortensis or atricapilla have been mislaken for this charming songster.

The following Titmice are common:—Parus fringillago, cairuleus ater palustris, and longicaudata. In their company are Regulus aurocapillus and Certhia familiaris.

The Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis and Picus pipra are occasionally found. A male and female of Picus Striolatus were shot in Middlewood.

The Wry-neck (Yunx torquilla)—Once frequented the Rivelin, but now is scarcely ever seen.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis)—visits the moors every year—one obtained in a garden adjoining Pitsmoor Workhouse.

Mountain Finch (Fringilla montifringilla)—Not uncommon in the winter season.

Coccothraustes atrogularis (Grosbeak)—Has been shot near Heely, but not recently.

The Lesser Redpole (Linaria minor)—Breeds abundantly. Linaria borealis (Mealey Redpole)—One shot in the Infirmary gardens.

Carduelis Spinus (Siskin)—Not unfrequent.

Common Crossbill (Loxia Europea)—Has been seen in many fir plantations about the town.

The Stock dove (Columba (Enas)—Is often intermingled with small flocks of Ring Doves (C. Palumbus) in Wharncliffe and other woods.

Columba Turtur (Turtle Dove)—One was shot near the Blast Furnace; others have been obtained a few miles from the town.

The game birds of the locality are Phasianus Colchicus, (Pheasant,) Perdix Cinerea. (Partridge)—(the Quail is said to have been heard near Brightside)—Tetrao Tetrix, (Black Grouse,) on some moors; Lagopus Scoticus, (Red Grouse,) plentiful where preserved.

Herons (Ardea major)—Frequently fly over the town, but seldom find a fishing place sufficiently secluded.

Bittern—Little London dam and Ecclesall wood.

Numenius Phseopus (Whimbrel—On the Moors is not unfrequently obtained.

Woodcocks, Snipes and Judcocks are not uncommon; the former sometimes breed in the neighbourhood.

Charadrius pluvialis (Golden Plover)—Rather frequent.

C. Morinellus (Dotterel!)—Sometimes on the Moors.

Ring Plover—Shot near the reservoir at Redmires.

Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus)—One or two have been caught in an exhausted Btate.

Sterna Hirundo, (Common Tern,) Sterna Minuta, (Little T. and S. Fissipes Black T—Shot on Blonk dam and various parts of the river.

Larus Argentatus, Canus and Tridactylus, (Herring, Common and Kittiwake gulls)—Often fly over, and a good many are shot, mostly young birds.

Stormy Petrel (Procellaria pelagica)—One is said to have been shot on a house in Waingate, by Mr. Raven, watchmaker.

Anser ferus (Grey lag Goose)—Frequently fly over; sometimes settle in the wheat fields.

Mallards (Anas boschas) and Teal (Anas crecca)—Are obtained most winters.

Anas Clangula (Golden eye Duck)—Fine specimens have been shot on Little London dam and at Brightside lane.

One hundred and thirty species have been obtained in the neighbourhood. Of these, fifty-one are resident, forty are stragglers, and thirty-nine are migratory.

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