A detailed survey compiles lighthouse and shore-observer returns from multiple east and west coastal stations to document autumn 1879 bird movements. Printed enquiry forms elicited variable cooperation—many stations reported unusual scarcity while others supplied careful logs and a full list of participating lights and observers. The main text presents species-by-species accounts recording dates, numbers, directions, mortalities at lanterns, and associated weather, enabling assessment of migration timing and local variation. Coast-by-coast summaries and notes on unidentified or anomalous records accompany brief commentary linking observed movements to storms and the preceding severe winter.