Geese through Hummingbirds

Multiple Snow Geese were reported from across NB and NS, as expected, with an additional individual in Miscouche, PEI 28 Sep (ph. Donna Martin). The only Greater White-fronted Geese reported this autumn were 1 adult in Borden-Carlton, PEI 24 Oct (ph. Mark Macdonald) and one juvenile in Nashwaak, NB 3–4 Nov (ph. Peter Fraser). The long-staying Pink-footed Goose celebrated its fifth year in Burton’s Pond, St. John’s, NL, never having moved more than two km away since arriving. Birders in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador enjoyed an adult Pink-footed Goose that visited a farm field 28 Oct–4 Nov (ph. Brian Bishop). Other Pink-footed Geese include a juvenile that moved throughout Salisbury Parish, NB 1 Oct–9 Nov, and one at Shubenacadie, NS from 4 Nov–2 Dec, associated with Cackling Geese. Up to three Cackling Geese were observed between Snides Lake and Milford, NS 24 Oct–2 Dec. Belledune, NB had a Cackling Goose 25 Sep, and Petitcodiac, NB had two Cackling Geese 2 Oct and another 4 Nov. PEI also had a Cackling Goose this season from southern Stratford 26 Oct. An above average number of Brant were reported in the region with one in NB, four in NL, and four in NS. A juvenile Tundra Swan was observed in Gloucester, NB 13–20 Nov, where the species is casual, and another was seen in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador 4–26 Nov (ph. Brian Bishop) (eighth record for NL). An unexpected arrival of European strays in mid-November included two Common Shelduck in Renews, NL 2 Nov and a widely seen individual in Bay Bulls, NL 19–22 Nov (providing the seventh and eighth record for NL).

White-winged Doves continued their annual vagrancy to the Northeast with a total of five documented across the region. Several Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos were reported from NB and NS, but the only cuckoos elsewhere were two Yellow-billed Cuckoos in NL, and one in PM 14–15 Sep (ph. Valerie Jackman). Casual to NL, Common Nighthawk sightings came from Happy Valley-Goose Bay 7–13 Aug, which is one of the only known breeding sites for the species in that province. There were three records in PEI during the fall migration period where the species is casual. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common in NB, NS, and PEI; however, an unprecedented movement in early Sep was reported by banders on Brier Island, NS highlighted by 226 caught in mist-nets over a 3-week period (fide Lance Laviolette). Of all the hummingbirds caught, only one was an adult male, likely because males precede females and juveniles in their migration timing. A Rufous Hummingbird was found in Lunenburg, NS Aug 7–8 (ph. Melanie Cooke) and another was at feeders in Lake Annis, NS Aug 11 (ph. Janice Girard) providing the 17th and 18th records for that province.

Rails through Terns

A Clapper Rail was observed on Grand Manan, NB 20–23 Sep (found by Mike Bouman, ph. Mark Morse) where the species is accidental. Common Gallinule remains casual throughout the region: there were reports from Salisbury, NB that continued from the Summer until 17 Sep; one in Queens, PEI 2 Sep; and one in St. John’s, NL 19 Oct–17 Dec which was about the 22nd record for the province (ph. Barry Day). Purple Gallinules, experts in vagrancy, were reported from Port Joli, NS 2 Oct and L’anse au Clair, Labrador 3 Nov. Small numbers of Sandhill Cranes were the norm throughout the region. The furthest out of range being three actively migrating in Southwestern NL 8 Oct (ph. Bruce Mactavish) and a handful in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador area until at least 10 Sep.

Always exciting, three American Avocets were found: two in Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park 17 Aug–10 Sep (ph. Natalie Barkhouse-Bishop) and one 12 Aug–12 Sep in Cape Freels, NL providing the 15th provincial record (ph. Barry Day). A juvenile Common Ringed Plover at Grand Pré, NS 16 Sep was the eighth record for NS, and surprisingly was the fourth juvenile (ph. Rick Whitman). This species is now annual in NL where one was observed in Cape Freels 12 Aug and another on Grand Beach 30 Aug. A very late juvenile Piping Plover was seen near Pictou, NS 28 Nov (ph. Patricia Sowinski). Northern Lapwings joined Common Shelducks on the mid November trans-atlantic flight. A total of 12 were seen in NL and PM during this season: five at Cape Pine at St. Shott’s 16–21 Nov, one at Badger on 20 Nov, one in Cappahayden 21–27 Nov (ph. John Brattey), two in Lamaline 25–26 Nov (ph. Brenda Bungay), and three 18–25 Nov around St. Pierre, PM. The Wilson’s Plover found in July in Cormierville Marsh, NB remained until at least 4 Aug, providing many birders the opportunity to see this exceptional first record for NB. Upland Sandpipers are always notable in the region, the only records this season were two in NS: West Chezzetcook Marsh 3 Aug and Pubnico, NS 19 Aug (ph. Ronnie d’Entremont). A total of 12 Long-billed Dowitchers were observed between NS and NB, which is about average. Wilson’s Phalaropes were found in all five sub-regions, totaling eight individuals. An impressive flock of 40,000 Red Phalaropes was well documented off Brier Island, NS 6 Sep (ph. James Lees). This is a known staging site for this species. The only Ruff of the season was on Cape Breton Island, NS 5 Aug. An adult Curlew Sandpiper was found near Port La Tour, NS 22 Aug (ph. Kathleen MacAulay) providing the province with a remarkable 33 records. An unprecedented 16 Stilt Sandpipers were reported from PEI where they are normally casual.

Over a dozen Buff-breasted Sandpipers were found throughout the region; PEI enjoyed its 12th documented record at Wood Islands Provincial Park, 16–21 Sep (ph. Anneke Harpur). A record early Purple Sandpiper was seen in Trinity Bay, NL 3 Aug (ph. Brad Rogers). Only two Western Sandpipers were noted this season: Debert Beach, NS 1 Sep and Petit-Cap, NB 2 Sep. At least seven Little Gulls were reported from NB which is about average for this province; this species went unreported in all other sub-regions. A total of six Sabine’s Gulls were found in NB which is above average for this typically more pelagic species. The influx of Laughing Gulls continued from late summer through August and early Sep, providing NL with its highest annual total. Labrador enjoyed its fourth record of Franklin’s Gull 1 Aug–17 Sep (ph. Vernon Buckle). Only two others were reported from the remainder of the region, including PEI’s fourth record at South Lake 25 Sep (ph. Roberta Palmer). Increasingly rare in NL, an adult Common Gull was seen at Topsail Beach 8–12 Nov (ph. Alvan Buckley). A total of 10 Black Terns were reported between NB, NS, and PEI which is about average. Rare for the region, a Forster’s Tern was photographed on an inshore NB seawatching trip 17 Aug (ph. Doug Hitchcox). A record late Common Tern for NL was photographed in CBS 22 Nov (ph. Nick Ramsey).

Loons through Woodpeckers

A Pacific Loon was photographed in Miscou, NB where the species is accidental (ph. Rosemonde Duguay). A Multi-Species Survey in the Gulf of St. Lawrence netted PEI its first documented record of Northern Fulmar 20 Sep (ph. Robin Besançon). An unprecedented movement of Cory’s Shearwater occurred from early Sep to early Oct in NL with hundreds being observed from land. A definite explanation for this occurrence is challenging to prove, but the increasingly warming waters to the South of NL are certainly correlated. Perhaps this will become the norm in future years. A single Scopoli’s Shearwater was seen offshore from Pubnico, NS 13 Aug, providing one of less than five photo-documented records for the country (ph. Mark Dennis). A Brown Booby was seen on a boat off PM 18 Aug where it provided the first record for the archipelago; the same bird then followed to waters off Cape Breton Island, NS the following day. An August and September movement of Glossy Ibis was noted across Canada in 2024. This species is rare in the Atlantic provinces. Totals for the Atlantic region were: four in NL, one in NS, and one in PM. Approximately two dozen Little Blue Herons were reported from the region this season which is above average, including PEI’s third record in Belfast 16–18 Aug. Six Snowy Egrets between NB and NS were expected. In mid to late November, Little Egrets were reported: one in PM 16–21 Nov, one in Richmond, NS 20–23 Nov and the same or another individual in Homeville, NS on 30 Nov. These are likely associated with the arrival of Common Shelducks and Northern Lapwing around the same time period. Casual to NL, a Green Heron was seen at Virginia Lake 10–11 Sep (ph. Ian Winter). Four others were found between NB and NS which is about average. Five Western Cattle-Egrets were found between NB, and NS.

Three Black Vultures were noted in NS this season where the species is rare. A Turkey Vulture was in St. Lewis, Labrador 10 Aug and another in Griquet, NL 28 Oct where the species remains casual. A movement of 80+ Turkey Vultures on Brier Island, NS 9 Oct was notable. Four Golden Eagles were noted between NB and NS, which is average for this region. A Swallow-tailed Kite was well described from Sydney, NS 7 Aug. The famous Steller’s Sea-Eagle lingered around its Summer territory a little later than previous years: it was last seen in Trinity Bay, NL 28 Sep and was next documented 33 km to the West in Lethbridge, NL 30 Nov. Mississippi Kites are increasingly being observed in NS. The autumn of 2024 continued this trend where one was seen 6–22 Sep on Brier Island, another in Yarmouth 14 Sep, one on Cape Sable Island 15 Sep, and finally, one in Canso, NS 18–27 Oct. Broad-winged Hawks are known to arrive by the hundreds in NS in mid Sep. This year a record count of at least 1824 individuals was tracked moving into the Long Island and Digby Neck area and Southwest towards Brier Island, before turning around and reverse migrating towards the mainland of NS on 21 Sep (Alix d’Entremont). Three days later over 400 were photographed landing on multiple boats 20–40 km’s to the South of NS, with many staying on the boats until at least 25 Sep. Up to five Red-shouldered Hawks were reported from NB and NS.

After being absent in autumn 2023, Snowy Owls returned this season. About a dozen were reported across the region in 2024. The long-staying Burrowing Owl, on the Blanche Peninsula, NS, was last observed 5 Oct. Casual for the archipelago, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in St. Pierre, PM 14 Oct (ph. Joel Detcheverry). NS enjoyed the majority of the region’s Red-headed Woodpeckers this season with no less than six individuals. Grand Manan Island, NB had the only other record this season on 12 Oct.

Flycatchers through Wrens

Record late for the province, an Olive-sided Flycatcher was photographed in Renews, NL 10 Oct (ph. Clara Dunne). The fifth and sixth well-substantiated records of Western Wood-Pewee for NS were found in Cape Forchu 14 Aug (Kathleen MacAulay) and Halifax 4–7 Nov (Andy Horn); the remainder of the region is still missing this species on their lists! NL finally got its first West-coast flycatcher with a Hammond’s Flycatcher in Musgrave Harbour 29 Sep (ph. and audio Barry Day), adding to a growing trend for these vagrant Empidonax species appearing in September. A Western Flycatcher was discovered in Kings Co, NS 10 Nov providing the province with its third record, and first that was seen by m. ob. (ph. Mark Macdonald). Rare in the region, a Say’s Phoebe was found on Sable Island 30 Aug (ph. Zoe Lucas). Great-crested Flycatcher is a casual visitor to NL where two were photographed: Burin 21 Oct and Birchy Cove 12 Nov. The remainder of the region did not report this species this season. Western Kingbird is a rare visitor to Nova Scotia where three individuals were reported; whereas, the Western Kingbird found at Bellevue, PEI 8 Nov (ph. Dale Murchison) provided that province with its fourth record for that species. A Fork-tailed Flycatcher present near Lumsden, NL 23 Oct–3 Nov (ph. Sheldon Anthony) was the province’s ninth record. Casual to NB, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen by m. ob. in Baie Verte, 3–7 Nov (Kiirsti Owen).

Above average counts of White-eyed Vireo were reported from the region this autumn with 10 in NB, four in NL, four in NS, and one in PM. A Bell’s Vireo was a one-day wonder in Halifax, NS 29 Sep (ph. Jason Dain) where it has become a near-annual rarity since the pandemic birding-era. Three Yellow-throated Vireos in NL were a record count for that province where it is casual. NS and NB also recorded one and three, respectively.

The only Purple Martin in the region this season was an individual on Oct 3 in Conception Bay South, NL. The region’s only Northern Rough-winged Swallow was on Grand Manan, NB 23 Aug. Cave Swallow is casual in the region, and the only one this season was in the vagrant-rich town of Canso, NS 13 Oct (ph. Ronnie d’Entremont) providing the province with its 36th record.

The fifth record of White-breasted Nuthatch for PM was observed by local birders 1–2 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman). The range of Northern House Wren makes an abrupt cutoff before reaching the Atlantic region. Out of range individuals were reported from NB, NS, and NL with seven, four, and one individuals, respectively. The NL record was the 24th provincial record (ph. Alison Mews). Marsh Wren has a similar cutoff in range and similar frequency of vagrancy. It is casual in NL where one was observed in St. Mary’s 17–18 Nov (Bruce Mactavish, ph. Charlie Fitzpatrick), providing the province with its 24th record of that species as well. Carolina Wren is slowly increasing in the mainland provinces of the region. This autumn there were at least six in NS, over 20 in NB, and PEI recorded its 13th record (audio Andrew Beaumier). It remains unrecorded in PM and the island of Newfoundland.

Solitaires through Buntings

The only Townsend’s Solitaire in the region was in Kent Co, NB 10 Nov (ph. Oliver Prowse). Similarly rare, a single Varied Thrush was found, this one near Pubnico, NS 15–16 Nov (ph. Ronnie d’Entremont). Always challenging to detect, and increasingly uncommon in the region, an adult Bicknell’s Thrush was well photographed on Cape Breton Island, NS 19 Aug (ph. John Gainer). Three Northern Wheatears were found in NL this season, where they are expected in small numbers. Three Grasshopper Sparrows were found in NS, the only other one was in Tors Cove, NL 6–12 Nov (ph. Charlie Fitzpatrick). At least 10 Chipping Sparrows were found on the Avalon peninsula of NL this season, where one or two is the norm. A Field Sparrow was photographed near St. Pierre, PM on 3 Nov where the species is accidental (ph. Laurent Jackman). The only Harris’s Sparrow of the season was found at Argyle Head, NS 24 Oct (ph. Kathleen MacAulay), the province’s 15th record. NB and NS each recorded one Vesper Sparrow this season. Accidental to the region, a Seaside Sparrow was found at Matthews Lake, NS 27 Aug (ph. Kyle Lima), providing the 45th record for NS.

Three Yellow-headed Blackbirds were found, two in NS and one on a boat 240 km to the Northeast of Cape Freels, NL—one of the lowest counts for the autumn season for several years. Two Eastern Meadowlarks were found in Southern NS. An Orchard Oriole was found on Seal Island, NS (ph. Ken McKenna). NS’s 26th record of Bullock’s Oriole was well described and sketched after a brief observation on Isle Madame, NS 26 Oct.

Another impressive autumn warbler season for NL included 17 species in Nov alone. Most common of all was Orange-crowned Warbler with at least 43 individuals recorded that month. Notable records included: two Golden-winged Warblers, three Blue-winged Warblers, one Brewster’s hybrid, two Hooded Warblers, one Cerulean Warbler (14th record, ph. Barry Day) in Bear Cove 15 Sep, a record total of seven Black-throated Blue Warblers, the province’s second record of Black-throated Gray Warbler at Virginia Lake 18–20 Oct (Fred Perry, ph. Roman Yaremchuk, m. obs.), and no less than four Townsend’s Warblers where this species continues to defy all reason and is an annual vagrant. Notable warblers in NB and NS include a total of six Prothonotary Warblers, three Hooded Warblers, and two Black-throated Gray Warblers (the 13th and 14th record for NS). PEI recorded its third Prairie Warbler at East Point 30 Aug (ph. Roberta Palmer).

At least four Summer Tanagers were found this season, one on Grand Manan, NB 8 Oct, two in the Halifax region on 18 Oct and 27 Nov, and finally one in St Pierre, PM 12 Oct. There were an impressive three Western Tanagers in NS this season where it is casual: Halifax 15–18 Nov, Cumberland 30 Nov, and Big Island 30 Nov (where there are now 37 records). A total of six Blue Grosbeaks in NS was about average. Always stunning, a male Painted Bunting was at a feeder in Macast Bay, NB 15 Nov.

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 14 Mar 2025.