Cumminsiella mirabilissima (Peck) Nannf. (Rust Fungus) in IrelandAuthor(s): M. J. P. ScannellSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Jan., 1980), p. 44Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25538372 .

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44 Ir. Nat. J. Vol. 20 No. 1 1980

SITE FAITHFULNESS BY AN OVERWINTERING FEMALE BLACKCAP SYLVIA AT RI CAP ILL A L.

A female blackcap ring no. KR34277 was caught and ringed as a first winter bird on 12 February 1978 at a site on the outskirts of Helen's Bay, Co Down (J 4582), near a well-stocked bird table in a

large garden. This bird was retrapped at exactly the same site on 11 February 1979.

This appears to be the first record for Co Down, if not for Ireland, of a wintering blackcap warbler

being retrapped at the same wintering site in the following year. Blackcaps have been known to visit this garden since 1972-73. A number have been ringed as

follows:

1973 21 February 2 adult male, 1 adult female 26 February 1 adult male (up to 6 blackcaps sighted at one time)

1974 23 February nets set, but no blackcaps caught 7 March 1 adult male, 1 adult female

1975 site not visited 1976 22 February nets set, no blackcaps caught, but sightings reported. 1977 site not visited

1978 12 February 2 first winter males, 2 first winter females 1979 11 February 2 first winter females, 2 adult females (including KR 34277)

Two other Irish recoveries of blackcap are worthy of comment and comparison in relation to this

record.

Blackcap KP 00181, an adult female ringed on 10 November 1976 at Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire, Scotland (NH 5131) was found dead at Courtown Co Wexford (T1956) on 3 January 1977. (Spencer R. and Hudson R. 1978 Ringing and Migration 2 : 92). This occurrence would fit in

with the view that Irish wintering blackcaps come from outside Ireland.

Blackcap JR 79833, a first year female was ringed in Banbridge, Co. Down (J 1245) on 27 October 1975, then 'controlled' i.e. caught and released again, on 8 February 1976 at Rostrevor Co Down (J 1718), 28 km to the south (Spencer R. and Hudson R. 1978 Ringing and Migration 1:241).

Was JR 79833 an early winter visitor, or a tardy Irish bird which did not migrate? The current

theory is that our Irish breeding blackcaps migrate in the late summer, and are replaced by a different

population which overwinters. Further ringing of the wintering population should be encouraged, as

only the hard evidence of ringing recoveries will clear up the mystery of the origins of our wintering blackcaps. Further ringing of our breeding blackcaps is also needed to provide evidence of the winter

quarters of the Irish breeding population of blackcaps.

Department of Extra-Mural Studies, Queen's University, Belfast. J. FORSYTH

BOTANICAL NOTES CVMMINSIELLA MIRABIUSSIMA (PECK) NANNF. (RUST FUNGUS) IN IRELAND

Dr C. Booth, Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, has documented the introduction and

spread in Britain, of the fungus, Cumminsiella mirabilissima, known asMahonia rust, which is found on the underside ofleaves Mahonia aquifolium. The disease is endemic in the western part of USA and Canada. In a paper 'The Changing flora of microfungi with emphasis on plant pathogenic species' published in The Changing Flora and Fauna of Britain (ed. D. L. Hawksworth, 1974, pp 90-91), Booth reported that the species was found first in Edinburgh in 1922. In 1923 it was recorded as

widespread in the Tees Valley ? the area considered the source of its introduction and spread in

Britain and Europe. The rust spread rapidly throughout the island. In 1925 it was found in Denmark and in 1926 in Holland.

In Ireland, there appears to be no published record of the occurrence of C. mirabilissima, yet it is often seen marring the foliage of Mahonia. In 1972 during a visit to Mount Stewart Gardens,

Strangford Lough, Co Down, a heavy infestation of C. mirabilissima was observed and specimens were collected for DBN. The species was not previously represented in the Irish mycological collection. Mr Fionnbharr O Riordain, An Foras Taluntais, Kinsealy, Co Dublin believes the rust to be quite common in Ireland. He informed me (pers. comm.) that in 1966 Dr D. Condon (Instructor in Horticulture, Cahir) reported the rust from material sent by Mr Walsh of Ardfinnan and in 1978 Mr P.

Kenneally (Instructor in Horticulture, Cork) reported it from material sent by Mr T. Walsh of Castleredmond.

I thank Dr J. E. M. Mordue, Commonwealth Mycological Institute who identified the Strangford material.

Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. M. J. P. SCANNELL

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