From the Lothian Bird Report for 1988, published in 1989.
This list covers the area of Musselburgh lagoons, an area of reclaimed land used to dump waste fly ash from Cockenzie Power Station and the offshore sea area. The total of 192 species recorded during 1968-88 is dominated by ducks, waders, gulls and terns - not surprising considering the available habitat, for example until recently there was a lack of trees, or indeed any cover at all apart from some scrub in the old first lagoon. A detailed site map is reproduced in Andrews (1989) and only a sketch map showing the limits of the area covered by this list is given here. The lagoons were built in 1964-66 by enclosing an intertidal area by a new seawall. This enclosed area, divided into four lagoons, has been progressively infilled from the east, and in addition a series of four high level lagoons are now in the process of being infilled. At each stage of its development new habitats have been opened to birds: in the 1970's there were large water-filled lagoons, later, the eastern most were infilled and grassed over to provide a valuable grass habitat during 1982-84. At this stage the first lagoon remained undeveloped and held a wide variety of birds, including many of the 'common' passerines in its scrub and breeding Shelduck and Wheatear, until it was finally infilled during 1985-87 During the period 1985-86 the 'bird scrape' and boating lake were excavated and later the high level second and first lagoons - both providing temporary rich habitats and roosts. Work continues at the site, but unfortunately in 1988 an area of pools and rough vegetation (where Dunlin, Lapwing and Yellow Wagtail bred) was flattened and the first lagoon was finally filled and later excavated. We shall have to wait to see how habitats develop for birds, especially the planned bird scrape, which might be finished by 1990.
Red-throated Diver
Common in autumn and winter, mainly Sep-Apr but also rarely in summer, occasional large passage (max 76E on 11 Mar 1979, otherwise peak 34).
Black-throated Diver
Uncommon on passage and in winter (max 8).
Great Northern Diver
Uncommon winter visitor (max 2).
Little Grebe
Rare winter visitor (more common in 1970s) (max 11).
Great Crested Grebe
Common autumn and winter visitor, first arrivals in Jul, peak in Sep-Oct and occasionally in winter (max 450).
Red-necked Grebe
Regular winter visitor (Sep-Apr), but fewer than Slavonian (max 12, usually less than 5).
Slavonian Grebe
Regular winter visitor (Sep-Apr), peak usually in Jan-Feb (max 58, usually less than 10).
Black-necked Grebe
Rare but singles regular in autumn and winter (Aug-May). A favoured site in Lothian.
Fulmar
Summer visitor (Mar-Sep) mainly Apr and Sep (max 100s), uncommon in winter. Three records of 'blue' phase birds.
Sooty Shearwater
One on 23 Aug 1987, two on 12 Sep 1987.
Manx Shearwater
Summer visitor (Apr-Oct) with largest numbers in summer (?feeding flocks) and in autumn gales (max 4500).
Storm Petrel
One on 20 Sep 1981.
Gannet
Mainly a summer visitor with records of over 100 in Apr and Aug-Sep (max 1000). Uncommon in winter.
Cormorant
Present all year but largest numbers in autumn (Aug-Oct) (max 69).
Shag
Recorded every month, common, mainly winter visitor with occasional large influx in Oct-Nov (max 296).
Bittern
One record of a dying bird on 21 Jan 1979.
Grey Heron
Regular autumn passage in small numbers Jul-Oct (max 9), occasional records in winter.
Mute Swan
1-2 pairs breed annually. Present all year but spring and autumn peaks (especially 1974-76) (max 57 in May, 25 in Sep-Oct).
Bewick's Swan
One record of 11 on 19 Nov 1972.
Whooper Swan
Small numbers pass through Oct-Nov (max 16), fewer records Dec-Feb, at least one injured bird Jul 1980-Jun 1981.
Pink-footed Goose
Most records refer to flocks flying over Sep-Apr (max 750), a few records of birds on lagoons.
White-fronted Goose
One record of 2 flying over 27 Jan 1980.
Greylag Goose
A few feral birds recorded, but mainly irregular autumn and winter fly-over (max 190).
Canada Goose
Uncommon passage (moult) migrant in May-Jun and Aug-Oct (max 80).
Barnacle Goose
Regular passage migrant Sep-Oct (max 230) with occasional records Feb-Mar.
Brent Goose
Small numbers of both races have occurred Sep-Mar (max 22).
Shelduck
1-2 pairs bred 1973-83. Recorded every month but mostly passage Mar-May and Jul-Aug (max 52, usually less than 10).
Mandarin
One record of a tame male on River 12 Apr-15 Jun 1987.
Wigeon
Mainly autumn passage in Sep-Oct (max 200), but up to 30 occasionally overwinter to Mar with a few records in summer.
Gadwall
Male overwintered 1984/85, and Apr records in 1987 (2) and 1988 (5).
Teal
Autumn passage migrant in small numbers Aug-Nov (max 60), very few in winter and summer.
Mallard
Broods seen on river. Common, present all year with peaks of c.175 in Aug-Sep (max 301) and Dec-Jan, least in spring.
Pintail
Irregular autumn and winter visitor, mostly Sep-Oct (max 25).
Garganey
Three records: pair on 20 Apr 1974, female on 7 May 1974 and female on 7 Aug 1983.
Shoveler
Irregular on spring and autumn passage (max 5).
Red-crested Pochard
Female/imm 23-28 Aug 1984.
Pochard
Irregular winter visitor in small numbers (Nov-Jan), few records in spring and autumn (max 47 in Jan, usually less than 10).
Tufted Duck
Irregular visitor with autumn (Sep-Nov) and Jan peaks (max 74, usually less than 10) (fewer than Pochard).
Scaup
In the 1970s the huge Seafield flock occasionally ventured off Musselburgh (max 25,000), recently majority in autumn and winter (max 80 in 1980s). A few birds have summered.
Eider
Up to 5 broods of small ?local young. Common winter visitor (max 2500), but c.100 remain in summer.
Long-tailed Duck
Common winter visitor (Oct-May) (max 260).
Common Scoter
Mainly common winter and spring visitor (Nov-May), variable numbers but max 280.
Velvet Scoter
Uncommon in winter and spring (Oct-May) (max 115).
Surf Scoter
Male on 13 Nov 1983.
Goldeneye
Common winter visitor (mainly Oct-May), formerly more common (c.500, max 1470 in 1970s, c.250, max 636 in 1980s). A few are regularly seen in summer.
Smew
Scarce winter visitor (Oct-Apr) (max 2).
Red-breasted Merganser
Recorded every month but large autumn congregation of c.200 in Sep-Oct (max 560), usually less than 50 in winter but occasional peak in Mar.
Goosander
A female with brood seen in 1985. Otherwise irregular visitor mainly in autumn (max 9), but birds have stayed to moult.
Honey Buzzard
One on 28 Sep 1981.
Marsh Harrier
Female/imm flew SW on 7 May 1988.
Hen Harrier
Ringtail flew SW 8 Oct 1985.
Sparrowhawk
Irregular sightings mainly in spring and autumn.
Osprey
One on 31 Mar 1979.
Kestrel
Recorded in every month, with some evidence of passage, more sightings when a pair breeds nearby (max 4).
Merlin
Fairly regular singles Aug-Apr.
Peregrine
Regular singles in autumn and winter (Aug-Apr).
Red-legged Partridge
One on 24 Nov 1979.
Partridge
1-2 pairs breed. Present all year but autumn and winter coveys (max 85).
Moorhen
One on the River 19 Dec 1987.
Coot
Two-three used to winter in late 1970s, now rare visitor in extreme cold (max 7) and a few in Sep-Oct.
Oystercatcher
Present all year with peak in Sep-Nov (max 3420) and c.2000 in winter, but less than 500 Apr-Jun.
Avocet
One on 15 Feb 1980.
Ringed Plover
Up to 6 pairs breed annually. Present all year with peaks in May (max 182) and Aug (max 250), c.30 in winter.
American Golden Plover
One on 9-17 Sep 1977.
Golden Plover
Common autumn migrant and winter visitor in Jul-Feb, especially Sep-Oct (max 2100 in Sep).
Grey Plover
Regular autumn passage and winter visitor since 1970s, most Sep-Feb, especially Oct (max 107).
Lapwing
One pair bred 1988. Irregular flocks Sep-Dec, a few also in spring (max 500).
Knot
Common passage and winter visitor, peak in Nov, erratic numbers but usually 500-1000 (max 10,000).
Sanderling
Essentially a passage bird in May (max 14) and Jul-Aug (max 34), a rarity in winter.
Little Stint
Passage bird with records of 1-2 in May-Jun but majority Jul-Oct (max 18).
Temminck's Stint
Five records in May-Jun, two in Sep.
White-rumped Sandpiper
One spring record, three in autumn.
Pectoral Sandpiper
One on 4-5 Sep 1987.
Curlew Sandpiper
Passage bird with two spring records, regular Aug-Oct (max 23).
Purple Sandpiper
Irregular sightings Sep-Apr (max 12).
Dunlin
One pair bred 1987-88. Common in winter with slight passage in May. Winter numbers have declined from c.2500 in early 1970s to c.600 in 1980s.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Six records in autumn (max 2).
Ruff
Mainly autumn passage (Sep-Oct, max 36) but recorded every month and occasionally 1-2 overwinter.
Jack Snipe
Five singles in autumn and winter, 2 on 6 Dec 1988.
Snipe
Uncommon visitor in Apr, Aug-Sep and Nov-Jan (max 10).
Woodcock
Two records, Mar and Oct.
Black-tailed Godwit
Recorded in every month but peak in Jul-Aug (max 12).
Bar-tailed Godwit
Common in winter and on passage (usually c.750, max 2250).
Whimbrel
Regular passage migrant with small numbers Apr-May (max 4) and majority Jul-Oct (max 63), many flying over.
Curlew
Common in winter (150-200) and on passage, autumn build-up starts in Jun (max 330).
Spotted Redshank
Occasional passage migrant Mar-May and Aug-Nov (max 3).
Redshank
Common in winter and on passage in Mar-Apr (max 1500) and Jul-Oct (max 900), c.150 in winter.
Greenshank
Uncommon passage migrant Apr-May (max 2) and Jul-Oct (max 11).
Green Sandpiper
Nine records of singles Jul-Nov.
Wood Sandpiper
Four records in Aug.
Common Sandpiper
Passage migrant in Apr-May (max 13) and Jul-Sep (max 24), one Oct record.
Turnstone
Mainly on passage, large numbers Apr-May (max 930), fewer in autumn (max 300), 50-100 in winter.
Red-necked Phalarope
One on 24 Jun 1977.
Grey Phalarope
Four-five records in Feb-Mar and autumn.
Wilson's Phalarope
One on 29 Aug 1987.
Pomarine Skua
Regular in small numbers in Jul-Nov (max 14), two spring records.
Arctic Skua
Regular autumn passage (Jul-Oct), largest numbers in gales (max 95), few in Jan and Apr.
Long-tailed Skua
Nine records in autumn (Aug-Oct).
Great Skua
Regular autumn passage in small numbers (Aug-Oct, max 11), occasional Nov-Feb and May.
Mediterranean Gull
Rare, recorded every month except Aug, but most in winter and spring.
Little Gull
Uncommon visitor, recorded every month but marked peak in Oct-Nov (max 36).
Sabine's Gull
Seven records in autumn (Jul-Oct).
Black-headed Gull
Resident with influx in autumn and winter (max 9000).
Ring-billed Gull
Two-three records: 23 Feb 1985, 2 Apr 1985, ?same 7 Apr-1 May.
Common Gull
Present all year, chiefly a winter visitor with large spring passage (max 10,000).
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mostly a summer visitor (Mar-Oct, max 220), 1-2 overwinter. Scandinavian races recorded in winter and spring.
Herring Gull
Present all year (max 8000 in Jan). Leucistic birds seen most springs, one record of melanistic bird. Also records of yellow-legged (?northern) birds.
Iceland Gull
Mainly a rare spring migrant (Mar-Apr), also records in May, Jul and Dec.
Glaucous Gull
Essentially an uncommon winter and spring visitor, occasional records in summer (max 2). More frequent in the 1980s.
Great Black-backed Gull
Largest numbers in autumn and winter (max 155).
Kittiwake
Large autumn roost (Aug-Sep, max 470) and passage in N/E gales in Jan, Mar, May, Oct-Nov (max 1000) but generally few winter.
Lesser Crested Tern
One on 21-22 Aug 1987.
Sandwich Tern
Common summer visitor Apr-Oct, max 145 in May and 1350 in Aug. A few winter records of 1-2. One melanistic bird recorded.
Roseate Tern
Six records during May-Sep.
Common Tern
Common summer visitor Apr-Oct, max 75 in May and 260 in Aug. One Nov record.
Arctic Tern
Irregular summer visitor in small numbers Apr-Oct (max 6).
Forster's Tern
One record 6 Oct-9 Nov 1985.
Little Tern
Irregular summer visitor Apr-Aug, mostly May and Jul (max 8)
Black Tern
Uncommon, but regular, autumn migrant Jul-Sep (max 6).
Guillemot
Small numbers recorded all year but large numbers in post-breeding influx (Aug) and autumn gales (max 400).
Razorbill
Essentially a winter visitor (max 83), but also influx in autumn.
Black Guillemot
Uncommon winter visitor (Sep-Apr, max 3), most in the 1980s.
Little Auk
Formerly rare, but annual winter visitor since 1983 with influxes in Feb and Nov-Dec (max 233).
Puffin
Uncommon summer visitor (Apr-Aug, max 70), only occasional in winter.
Rock Dove
Feral and racing pigeons often occur.
Stock Dove
Regular winter visitor (max 35), few throughout the year with more in autumn.
Woodpigeon
Irregular migrant, few ?local birds Aug-Sep, most records refer to hard weather movements in Jan (max 1000).
Collared Dove
One on 29 Aug 1987.
Cuckoo
Only four records in late summer.
Short-eared Owl
Regular autumn and winter visitor (Sep-Apr, max 8).
Swift
Regular May-Aug, occasionally also Apr and Sep, mainly passage and feeding birds (breeds in the town) (max 150).
Kingfisher
One on the River 1984/85.
Green Woodpecker
One on the Golf Course on 9 Sep 1987.
Skylark
10+ pairs breed. Present all year but slight passage Sep-Nov and occasional large influx in extreme cold (max 1000).
Short-toed Lark
One on 16 Sep 1973.
Shore Lark
Principally a rare autumn migrant (Oct-Nov), but wintered 1983/84 and 1986/87 (max 4).
Sand Martin
Passage migrant in small numbers Apr-May and Aug (max 150).
Swallow
Summer visitor Apr-Oct, peaks on passage Apr-May and Sep (max 800).
House Martin
Summer visitor Apr-Oct, peaks on passage Apr-May and congregation of ?local birds Aug-Sep (max 350).
Tawny Pipit
One on 15 Sep 1972.
Tree Pipit
One on 2 Sep 1987.
Meadow Pipit
Common passage migrant especially in Apr and Sep, less frequent in winter (max 400).
Red-throated Pipit
One on 15 Sep 1981.
Rock Pipit
Regular on autumn passage and in winter (max 8). One record of Scandinavian race on 24 Mar 1985.
Water Pipit
One on 28 Nov 1982.
Yellow Wagtail
One pair bred in 1987 (and possibly nearby in other years), regular passage migrant in small numbers Apr-May and Aug-Sep (max 10). About four records of Blue-headed race in Apr-May and Aug.
Citrine Wagtail
One on 10-12 Oct 1985.
Grey Wagtail
Small numbers in autumn and winter (max 14 town centre to mouth in Aug).
Pied Wagtail
Some 5 pairs breed. Present in small numbers all year, but chiefly autumn migrant and formerly also roosting (Aug-Sep, max 226).
The continental White Wagtail is a regular passage bird in spring (Apr-May, max 20) and possibly also in autumn.
Waxwing
Three records in the 1988 invasion (max 18 flying west).
Dipper
Occasional winter visitor to the River mouth (max 4).
Wren
Has been seen on a few occasions.
Dunnock
Also seen a few times.
Robin
A rare wanderer from adjacent woods.
Whinchat
A rare migrant in Apr-May and Aug-Oct (max 2).
Stonechat
One on 31 Oct and 6 Nov 1976, others 20 Oct 1977 and 19 Mar 1988.
Wheatear
One pair bred in 1975, 1979 and ?1980. Regular migrant in spring and autumn (max 14). One Dec record.
Ring Ouzel
One on 8 Sep 1985.
Blackbird
A rare wanderer from local gardens.
Fieldfare
An irregular fly-over in autumn and in extreme cold (max 10).
Song Thrush
Few records of single birds.
Redwing
A few records of flocks in hard weather (max 10).
Mistle Thrush
A few records in autumn and winter (max 4).
Grasshopper Warbler
One reeling on 7 May 1985.
Sedge Warbler
Four records of singles on spring and autumn passage.
Whitethroat
A few records on passage.
Willow Warbler
A few spring and autumn records, including 30 on 19 Aug 1979.
Goldcrest
Two records: 6 Nov 1982 and 19 Oct 1988.
Blue Tit
A few birds have been recorded.
Great Tit
Regular along the river, and may have occurred on the lagoons.
Great Grey Shrike
One on 20 Nov 1978.
Magpie
One on 17 Dec 1972 and 3 over the river mouth 16 Oct 1986.
Jackdaw
A resident in small numbers, few counts but max 25.
Rook
Not often recorded, except for influx of local-bred birds in autumn (max 150).
Carrion Crow
Resident with largest numbers in late summer through to winter (max 45). Only two records of Hooded Crow.
Starling
Resident, but flocks in autumn and winter (max 5000).
House Sparrow
A small flock at the River mouth but very rare on the lagoons.
Tree Sparrow
Two records.
Chaffinch
A flock may appear in cold weather (max 100), but generally very scarce.
Brambling
Only records refer to cold weather influxes (max 25).
Greenfinch
Occasional autumn and winter flocks (max 100), also small numbers at the river mouth.
Goldfinch
Small numbers in autumn and winter (max 25).
Siskin
Small numbers fly over on passage in Feb-Apr and Oct-Dec (max 41), occasional at the river mouth.
Linnet
About 5 pairs breed. Flocks in autumn and winter (max 1000).
Twite
Irregular winter visitor in small numbers (max 20).
Redpoll
Three records of singles in autumn and winter. There is also records of up to 7 Mealies in Dec 1988.
Bullfinch
Three on 26 Dec 1981 in snow.
Lapland Bunting
Winter visitor, formerly rare but regular in 1980s, Sep-Apr (max 48).
Snow Bunting
Annual winter visitor in varying numbers Sep-Apr but has become scarcer (usually less than 50, max 590 in 1977/78).
Yellowhammer
A few cold weather records only (max 7).
Reed Bunting
One pair bred 1972. Occasional records in cold winters, in autumn and rarely in spring (max 10).
Corn Bunting
Two records in Nov.
Escapes
The following species have occurred in the area but are thought to have been escapes from captivity: Chilean Flamingo, Night Heron (from Edinburgh Zoo), African Grey Parrot, Budgerigar and Waxbill.
Sources of information
This list is largely based on observations made by Dr L.L.J. Vick and the author, augmented by numerous other records sent to the Local Recorder during the period. Thanks also go to Mervyn Griffin and Bryan Hickman for their comments and additional records. Previous reports on Musselburgh's birds are as follows:
Andrews, I.J. 1989. Musselburgh lagoons. In: Birdwatching Sites in Lothian. Scottish Ornithologists' Club, Lothian Branch.
Ballantyne, J. 1967. The Birds of Musselburgh Bay 1957-1966. Privately produced. 17 pp.
Ballantyne, J. 1970. Birds of Musselburgh Bay August 1969 to March 1970. Privately produced. 5 pp.
Furness, R.W. 1973. Wader populations at Musselburgh. Scottish Birds 7, 275-281.
Furness, R.W. 1973. Roost selection by waders. Scottish Birds 7, 281-287.
Hillas, D.K.N. (?editor) 1955. Loretto School Ornithological Society Bird Report 1946-54.
Vick, L.L.J. 1975. Musselburgh lagoons. Edinburgh Ringing Group Report 3, 16-19.