At the January 2016 meeting, the speaker was Chris Rollie, well known local Area R.S.P.B manager, Robert Burns enthusiast, researcher and author on Burns.
His wide ranging presentation entitled “Burns and Birds” was an intriguing blend of History, Geography Literature, Poetry, Song and Ornithology. Clearly and enthusiastically delivered, it was warmly appreciated by members and visitors.
“Gie me ae spark o’ Nature’s fire that’s a’ the learning I desire” (wrote Burns) and Chris Rollie explained how learned and knowledgeable was Burns about nature in general (things like flowers, trees, mammals and fish) and birds in particular.
Referring to the seminal work by John Young : “Robert Burns – a man for all seasons – the natural world of Robert Burns” and one of the most comprehensive analyses of references to nature in Burns work, he told how Burns work contains over 460 references to birds and covers over 40 species.
Burns output reveals that at a time (18th century) when there were no field guides or sophisticated optical equipment to aid recognition, through careful observation he was a man who developed a detailed knowledge of plumage, song, bird behaviour, habitat and food. He knew of bird migration and recognised birds as fellow creatures and inhabitants of the planet.
Burns, a keen and thoughtful student of nature and bird life, gained his appreciation of the natural world in diverse settings but primarily through his upbringing in Ayrshire and subsequent travels in other parts of Scotland including the Highlands and to England. (His travels in England are dealt with in Rollie’s own book, recognised as a major contribution to Burns scholarship).
Illustrating his talk with examples from Burns published work of poems and songs like “Song Composed in August”; “Elegy on Captain Matthew Henderson”; “On scaring some fowl on Loch Turit”; Chris Rollie showed and read some telling passages to the audience. Also, impressively, he quoted from memory significant passages of work referring to birds.
All were accompanied with fine photographs of bird life. Burns clearly knew Bittern, Corncrake, Cuckoo, Dove, Heron, Linnet, Nightingale, Partridge, Plover, Red Grouse, Red Kite, Robin, Rook, Skylark, Song Thrush, and Woodcock among others.
However there were some anomalies too. Burns never mentioned Barnacle Geese which commonly winter in this region. Also although Burns is thought to have visited Ailsa Craig and knew the importance of the rock as a seabird colony there is limited mention in his work of seabirds.
The owl too is rarely referred to and it is not clear whether he refers to a Tawny Owl or a Barn Owl.
Burns too uses alternative names for birds in some instances.
Changes in habitats and migration patterns may account for some of these anomalies.
This was a fascinating presentation, both entertaining and educational, showing aspects of Burns work many may not have appreciated.
The next meeting of Kirkcudbright History Society is on Wednesday February 10 when well known author and local historian, David Collin, will be talking about his very latest research into “Little Ross Lighthouse: How it came to be built” .
Chris mentioned 3 books of interest. These are
Robert Burns, A Man for all Seasons, by John G Young.1996, Scottish Cultural Press
Robert Burns in England,by Chris Rollie, 2009, New Cumnock Burns Club, Solway Offset
Jack Gordon’s Birds of Wigtownshire 1895 – 1930, Edited by Richard Mearns and Chris Rollie in prep. (to be published 2016)