Waterfowl through Skimmers

The New Brunswick Records Committee accepted the documentation in respect to the six Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks discovered last season at the Atholville Lagoons, Restigouche Co NB. This action resulted in the province gaining its first six records of that species. Accidental vagrants to Nova Scotia, the four Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in the Shinimcas area, Cumberland Co 6–14 Sep (Daniel Penner, m. ob.) and later observed in the Village of East Apple River, Cumberland Co (ph. Kathleen Spicer) provided the first Fall records to that province. A Snow Goose harvested by a hunter in the St. John’s area NL 27 Sep (fide Paul Linegar) was a casual vagrant. Individual Greater White-fronted Geese in Victoria Vale, Annapolis Co NS 2 Oct—9 Nov (ph. Lyall Bouchard), and at Masstown, Colchester Co NS 12 Oct—11 Nov (Dominic Cormier, Wayne Green et al.) were casual visitors to the province.  Casual to New Brunswick, single Greater White-fronted Geese were in Miramichi, Northumberland Co 9 Oct (ph. Kiirsti Owen, ph. Colin McFarland), at Memramcook, Westmorland Co 10 Oct—20 Nov (Alain Clavette, m. ob.), in Belledune, Restigouche Co 29 Oct (ph. Andrew Olive), and at Peticodiac, Westmorland Co 4–6 Nov (ph. Paul Langelaan, m. ob.). 

The Pink-footed Goose in St. John’s NL continued through 26 Nov (Jamie Fowler, m. ob.), and another individual was present in Stephenville, St. George’s-Stephenville NL 18 Oct–26 Nov (Janice Flynn, ph. Randolph White, m. ob.). A Pink-footed Goose at Cardigan, Kings Co PE 8 Oct was joined by three others 5–30 Nov at which time all were taken by visiting hunters (fide Dwaine Oakley) providing the province’s 12th through 15th records of the species. Two Pink-footed Geese were present in the Truro area, Colchester Co 12–22 Oct (Jeff and Katherine Ogden, m. ob.) providing that province with its 14th and 15th records. Two Brant, uncommon vagrants to St. Pierre et Miquelon were at the Grand Barachois, Isthme de Miquelon-Langlade 22 Oct–15 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman, ph. Laurent Malthieux). Accidental to New Brunswick, the Mute Swan at Chamcook, Charlotte Co 18 Nov (ph. Rebecca Goreham) has yet to be considered by that province’s Record Committee. Three Tundra Swans in Upper Ferry, St. George’s-Stephenville NL 30 Oct (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Delphine Ward, ph. Denise McIsaac) were casual vagrants. A female Tufted Duck in the Dorchester Sewage Lagoons, Westmorland Co NB 16–28 Nov (ph. Vernon Buckle, ph. Thomas Gianoli, m. ob.) was a casual vagrant. Occasional to insular Newfoundland, a female Ruddy Duck was in Chapel’s Cove Ponds, Avalon Peninsula 21–22 Aug (Edmund Hayden et al.).

A Eurasian Collared-Dove discovered in St. Leonard, Madawaska Co NB 14–15 Aug (Charlotte LaPointe, ph. Roy LaPointe) provided that province with its third record. The continuing Eurasian Collared-Dove in the Melvern Square area, Kings Co NS was at Aylesford 1 and 22 Aug (Andrea Drake, ph. Larry Neily), and was last reported 14 Nov (ph. Lyall Bouchard). A Eurasian Collared-Dove located in Grand Bay West, South Coast-Channel-Port au Basques NL 9 Nov+ (Andrea-Colin Osmond, Yvonne Patricia, Alvan Buckley, m. ob.) was an exceptional find providing the province with its first record. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, individual White-winged Doves were at Logy Bay, Avalon Peninsula 22–25 Sept (Donna Lynn Evans, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.), and at a home on Dunne’s Lane, Avalon Peninsula 5–15 Nov (Clara Dunne, ph. Frank King et al.). Casual to insular Newfoundland four Yellow-billed Cuckoos were reported. In St. Pierre et Miquelon, where Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a casual vagrant, an individual was at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island 19 and 29 Sep (ph. Joël Detcheverry). A Common Nighthawk at Aquathuna, Port-au-Port, St. George’s-Stephenville NL 12 Sep (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Delphine Ward) was an exceptional find. Accidental to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Rufous Hummingbird at Mt. Carmel, St. Mary’s Bay, Avalon Peninsula 7 Aug photographed visiting flowers on a residential property (fide Bruce Mactavish) provided the sixth record for that province. A Corn Crake was found deceased on a school parking lot in Paradise, Avalon Peninsula NL 17 Oct (fide Bruce Mactavish). Occasional to Prince Edward Island, an adult Common Gallinule was present in Noonan’s Marsh, Borden, Prince Co 6 Sep (ph. Melanie McCarthy). A Purple Gallinule located in Virginia Lake, St. John’s NL 12 Sep–5 Oct (Edmund Hayden, ph. Frank King, m. ob.) was a casual visitor. The presence of Sandhill Cranes on Prince Edward Island has been gradually increasing. This season reports of 12 individuals including adults in the company of two immature individuals at Hampton, Prince Co 11 Sep (Donna Martin) raises the possibility of breeding activity on the island. 

An immature American Avocet discovered at St. Shotts, Avalon Peninsula NL 8–9 Sep (Sharon Topping, Bruce Mactavish, Ken Knowles et al.) was a great find. The pair of American Oystercatchers on Bill’s Island, Charlotte Co NB lingered into the season and on 1 Aug it was reported that the pair appeared to be in a protective-aggressive mode (ph. Alain Clavette, ph. Caroline Arsenault, Mitch Doucet). Subsequently the pair was observed with a juvenile 18–25 Aug (ph. Denise Tétreault et al.). After that, only the pair of adult American Oystercatchers were present through 13 Sep. This is the first known recent successful breeding attempt of American Oystercatchers within the Bay of Fundy. The last successful breeding of American Oystercatchers within New Brunswick’s borders was in 1883 when John James Audubon visited nearby White Head Island, Charlotte Co and noted that the species breeds in the Bay of Fundy.  Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Northern Lapwing was on Shoal Point, Port-au-Port Peninsula, St. George’s-Stephenville 25–29 Nov (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Denise McIsaac, ph. Randolph White, m. ob.). Common Ringed Plovers are casual to Newfoundland and Labrador with individuals reported at Bear Cove, Avalon Peninsula 4 Aug (ph. Blair Dudeck), at Dry Pond, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay, 23 Aug (ph. Vernon Buckle), in Bird Cove, Northern Peninsula 24 Aug (ph. John and Ivy Gibbons), and at Cape Freels, Bonavista/Trinity-Clarenville 6 Sep (ph. Barry Day). A Common Ringed Plover photographed in Scots Bay Provincial Park, Kings Co NS 13 Aug (ph. Rick Whitman) was only the second one photographed in that province. 

American Golden-Plover is not unknown to St. Pierre et Miquelon, yet the discovery of 150 individuals in one flock on Observatorie, Miquelon Island 2 Oct (ph. Patrick Hacala, ph. Joël Detcheverry) must have been exhilarating. Three Piping Plovers remained on St. Pierre et Miquelon exceptionally late this year—no doubt vying for the record. The winner was a Piping Plover at Goulet de Grand Barachois, Miquelon Island, last seen 21 Nov (ph. Laurent Malthieux). Upland Sandpiper is casual to Newfoundland and Labrador where one was on Long Beach, Avalon Peninsula 7–8 Oct (ph. Cliff Doran, Bruce Mactavish, ph. Alison Mews et al.). Accidental to Nova Scotia, a Whimbrel (ssp. phaeopus) was in flight over Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 12 Oct (ph. David Currie, Jim Edsall). Stilt Sandpiper was well represented within the region with eight reported in Nova Scotia, five in New Brunswick, three in Newfoundland and Labrador, and one each on St. Pierre et Miquelon and Prince Edward Island. Casual to New Brunswick, a Curlew Sandpiper was in Red Head Marsh, St. John 7 Sep (ph. John and Therese Carroll). August is an unusual time to come across Purple Sandpipers in the Maritimes, but one was photographed with an iPhone while kayaking back from Cape Sable (ph. Andrew Keaveney). In Nova Scotia where Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a rare migrant, 20 were present. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Étang du Cap Blanc, Miquelon Island SPM 18 Sep (ph. Laurent Jackman) was a good find. In Newfoundland and Labrador where Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a casual vagrant, eight were reported. An immature Western Sandpiper, accidental to Newfoundland and Labrador, was in Laraline, Burin Peninsula 4 Sep (ph. Bruce Mactavish, Ken Knowles) providing the province with its third record. Rare migrants to Nova Scotia, individual Western Sandpipers were on Peases Island, Yarmouth Co 5 and 18 Sep (ph. Kathleen MacAulay, ph. Alix d’Entremont), and at Cook’s Beach, Yarmouth Co 11 Sep (ph. Alix d’Entremont, ph. Kathleen MacAulay). A Long-billed Dowitcher, an accidental vagrant to insular Newfoundland, was at Virginia Lake, St. John’s 7–17 Nov (ph. Frank and Heather King, Bruce Mactavish, m. ob.). 

Casual to New Brunswick, an aggressive first year Great Skua southeast of Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co 1 Aug (ph. Mitch Doucet, ph. Alain Clavette, ph. Caroline Arsenault) was an early arrival to the Bay of Fundy where four more Great Skuas were later reported in New Brunswick waters. Thirteen South Polar Skua reported within Nova Scotia waters were rare visitors. In New Brunswick South Polar Skua, is a casual visitor, with four being reported through the season southeast of Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co in the Bay of Fundy. Rare to Nova Scotia, seven Long-tailed Jaegers were present. Casual to New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy, a Sabine’s Gull was observed during a pelagic trip southeast of Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co 18 Aug (Andrew Keaveney, ph. Mitch Doucet, m. ob.), just out of reach of Nova Scotian waters. Individuals were noted from Nova Scotia offshore of Northern Point, Brier Island, Digby Co 10 Sep (Ray Wershler, Tim Wershler), and in the Northumberland Strait at Melville, Pictou Co 14 Sep (Mathew Silk). Rare in New Brunswick, a Little Gull was at Head Harbour Passage, Charlotte Co 15 Aug–23 Sep (Carl Alessi, ph. Sarah Caputo et al.). A first winter Little Gull at Bellevue, Avalon Peninsula 6 Oct (Edmund Hayden) was a very good find. Laughing Gulls used to breed in Nova Scotia, but are now rare visitors to the province. This season four Laughing Gulls were on mainland Nova Scotia and one was on Cape Breton Island where they are exceptionally rare. A Laughing Gull at Burton’s Pond, St. John’s NL 14 Nov (ph. Alvan Buckley, Todd Boland) was a casual vagrant. Casual to Nova Scotia, a Franklin’s Gull was found at Oslow, Colchester Co NS 22 Oct (ph. Patricia Sowinski). The second year Common Gull present at North Sydney, Cape Breton Island NS 23 Aug–22 Sep (ph. David McCorquodale) was an exceptional find.

Rare in Nova Scotia, an immature Least Tern was observed over Nova Scotian waters south of Shelburne Co 5 Aug (ph. Tom Johnson) during an Atlantic Marine Assessment Programme for Protected Species carried out by the NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow. A Caspian Tern at Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island SPM 14–15 Aug (ph. Valerie Jackman, Patrick Hacala) was an unexpected find. An exceptional find for Nova Scotia was the Black Tern at Little Pond Road, Cape Breton Island 5–6 Sep (ph. David McCorquodale). A Sandwich Tern was an unusual Fall visitor at Shoal Point, Port-au-Port Peninsula, St. George’s-Stephenville NL 11 and 17 Aug (ph. Tina Randell, ph. Randolph White, ph. Mike House et al.). 

Tropicbirds through Larks

An unexpected delight, a White-tailed Tropicbird found and briefly inspected the U.S. NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow during a survey over the George’s Canyon, Yarmouth Canyon, Yarmouth Co NS 3 Aug (ph. Michael Force) before moving on. An immature Black-browed Albatross was photographed offshore of Labrador NL during a fishing trip 8 Sep (fide Bruce Mactavish). An astonishing thirty-six White-faced Storm-Petrels were observed by crew members of the U.S. ship Henry B. Bigelow during its exercises this Fall in southern Nova Scotia waters 3 and 12 Aug (ph. Vt. Tom Johnson, Doug Gotchfeld et al.). Similarly, crew of the Henry Bigelow reported three Band-rumped Storm-Petrels southeast of George’s Banks NS 2 and 8 Aug (ph. Tom Johnson) providing the sixth through eighth records of the species. Black-capped Petrels photographed from the Henry B. Bigelow southeast of the North East Channel NS 2 and 7 Aug (ph. Tom Johnson) provided the fourth and fifth records for Nova Scotia and they represented only the second and third individuals to be photographed. Unexpected was the 102 Audubon’s Shearwaters reported by crewmembers of the Henry B. Bigelow this season (fide Tom Johnson). A Magnificent Frigatebird offshore of Logy Bay, NL 8 Aug (ph. William Dalton) provided that province with its fifth record. Subsequently, a Magnificent Frigatebird observed sailing over Daniel’s Head, Cape Sable Island NS 15 Aug (ph. Michelle Locke, Andrew Keaveney) provided that province with its 24th record (fide Alix d’Entremont) and the first record for Cape Sable Island, which has a rather extensive list already. Despite making good use of the new Noca Scotia Discord Listserve, the bird was gone before the first twitchers arrived 15 minutes later. A Brown Booby was observed during a Henry B. Bigelow exercise in southern Nova Scotian waters 3 Aug (Alison Ogilvie), and another was observed from the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Hudson in Roseway Basin, Shelburne Co 24 Aug (ph. Jeannie Winkel). A Brown Booby was offshore of St. John NB in the Bay of Fundy 20 Sep (ph. Dianne Young) that, pending acceptance, will provide that province with its third record of the species.

Casual to Prince Edward Island, a Great Egret was in French River, Queens Co 14 Sep (Roberta Palmer). Rare vagrants to St. Pierre et Miquelon, individual Great Egrets were at Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island 2–19 Oct (ph. Laurent Jackman), in the Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island 2 Oct (ph. Valerie Jackman), the Vallée du Milieu, St. Pierre Island 25 Oct (Patrick Hacala). Other Great Egrets were at the Marais de l’île Vert, Miquelon Island 5 and 21 Nov (ph. Laurent Malthieux), and at Marais cap Blanc, Miquelon Island 19 Nov (ph. Laurent Malthieux). Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, six Great Egrets were reported this Fall. Unexpected was the Little Egret at Antigonish Landing, Antigonish Co NS 9 Oct–7 Nov (ph. Mike Melchin, m. ob.). Little Egret is casual to Newfoundland and Labrador where the individual at Kelligrews, Avalon Peninsula 17 Oct–20 Nov (ph. Ben Keen, m. ob.) was joined by a second Little Egret 22 Oct–6 Nov (Frank King). Snowy Egret is rare to New Brunswick where four were reported. A rare visitor to Nova Scotia, individual Snowy Egrets were at Black Oler Farm Marsh, Lunenburg Co 13–14 Sep (ph. Barbara McLean et al.), and on Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co 17–30 Nov (ph. Mark Dennis, m. ob.). 

Casual to insular Newfoundland, a Little Blue Heron was in the Little Codroy River Valley area, St. George’s-Stephenville 1–19 Oct (Janice Flynn, ph. Denise McIsaac, m. ob.). Two Little Blue Herons were reported in New Brunswick where they are considered rare visitors. Cattle Egret is a rare vagrant to St. Pierre et Miquelon where, this season, five were reported. Newfoundland and Labrador reported five Cattle Egrets where they are casual visitors, while Prince Edward Island reported seven and New Brunswick eight Cattle Egrets—considered rare migrants to both jurisdictions. Rare to Nova Scotia, four Green Herons were reported, and on insular Newfoundland where considered casual vagrants, a Green Heron was at Mt. Pearl, St. John’s 6–14 Sep (ph. Brian Hill, Alvan Buckley, m. ob.). Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, individual Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were at Renews, Avalon Peninsula 3–8 Aug (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick et al.), in Quidi Vidi Village, St. John’s 6–15 Aug (ph. Heather King, m. ob.), and at Old Shop, Trinity Bay 3–10 Sep (Clara Dunn, Gerald Hickey, ph. Jackie Dawe). A rare vagrant to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was at Grand Barachois 1 and 5 Aug (ph. Patrick Hacala, ph. Laurent Jackman). Individual White Ibises were reported in Sonora, Guysborough Co NS 2 Aug (Darlene Pye, ph. Ralph Burns), at Lawrencetown, Halifax Co NS 5 Aug (Yogi Gutz), and in the Brookfield Wetlands, Colchester Co 27 Sep (ph. Mark MacDonald) were unexpected. Glossy Ibis is rare to New Brunswick where one was at Inkerman, Gloucester Co 1 and 6 Nov (ph. Denise Boudreau, ph. Andrew Olive).

Black Vulture is rare to Nova Scotia where individuals were at Margaree Fork, Inverness Co, Cape Breton Island 5 Aug (ph. Christine Sabean), and on Isle Madame-Arichat, Richmond Co 1 Nov (ph. Donald MacLellan). Turkey Vultures continue to increase their presence on Prince Edward Island with nine reported. The documentation for Steller’s Sea-Eagle previously reported in New Brunswick was accepted by the New Brunswick Records Committee thereby providing the province, the region and Canada with their first records of the species. More important was the discovery of a Steller’s Sea-Eagle—likely the same individual—in the Falmouth area, Hants Co NS 3–4 Nov (Phil Taylor, ph. Rick Whitman, ph. Lyall Bouchard, m. ob.) which provided that province with its first record of that species (fide Alix d’Entremont). Casual in New Brunswick, a Swainson’s Hawk was at Kelly’s Beach, Kouchibouguac National Park, Kent Co NB 13 Sep (ph. Rhonda and Paul Langelaan), while an immature was reported along the Lower Marsh Road, Sackville, Westmorland Co NB 24 Oct (ph. Jaden Barney et al.). Two visiting Swainson’s Hawks to Isle Madame, Cape Breton Island NS 26 Sep–2 Oct (ph. Ruth Neil, ph. David McCorquodale, ph. Steven McGrath et al.) provided that province with its 16th and 17th records. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, three Red-Headed Woodpeckers were present, while in Nova Scotia, where considered rare, only two were noted. An Ash-throated Flycatcher in Upper Ferry, Codroy Valley, St. George’s-Stephenville, 30-31 Aug (Claudelle Devoe, ph. Denise McIsaac, ph. Kathy Marche et al.) provided that province with its third record of the species. 

A Western Kingbird, a rare vagrant to New Brunswick, was in Alnwick Parish, Northumberland Co 8 Sep (ph. Deana and Peter Gadd). The Western Kingbird at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island SPM 24 Sep (Joël Detcheverry) was also a rare vagrant. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, individual Western Kingbirds were in Marystown, Burin Peninsula 3 Oct (ph. Lilian Walsh, Jared Clarke), at Codroy, St. George’s-Stephenville 24–28 Oct (Alison Mews, Bruce Mactavish, ph. Denise McIsaac, m. ob.), and the last  was at Buchans, Central Newfoundland-Grand Falls-Windsor Co 16–17 Nov (fide Diane Burton).  A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Liverpool, Queens Co NS 28 Oct–3 Nov (Peter Davis, ph. Sylvia Craig, m. ob.) was a good find. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Hampstead, Queens Co NB 10–28 Nov (W. Jesse Webb, ph. Jackie Makepeace et al.) was also a great find. An Olive-sided Flycatcher at Savoyard, St. Pierre Island SPM 6–8 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman, Joël Detcheverry) was exceptionally late for the archipelago. Rare to Nova Scotia, individual Say’s Phoebes were at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth Co 4 Sep (ph. Mark Dennis, ph. Ronnie d’Entremont, m. ob.), and at South Head, Cape Breton Island 9 Sep (ph. Catherine Fergusson). A Say’s Phoebe at North Lake, Kings Co 14–18 Sep (ph. Heather LaPierre, ph. Dwaine Oakley et al.) provided that province with its second record of the species.

Rare migrants to both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, three White-eyed Vireos were in Nova Scotia while New Brunswick had three. A Bell’s Vireo, exceptionally rare to Nova Scotia, was at Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 20 Sep (Sylvia Craig, ph. Jim Edsall, ph. Mike Jones, David Currie). The Yellow-throated Vireo along Blackhead Road, Avalon Peninsula NL 2–3 Oct (ph. Robert Blackmore, m. ob.) was an occasional visitor to that province. A rare migrant to Nova Scotia, Yellow-throated Vireos were at Gunning Cove, Shelburne Co 14 Sep (Mike MacDonald), and at Sullivan’s Pond, Halifax 21 Sep (ph. Dominic Cormier). Casual in Newfoundland and Labrador, five Warbling Vireos were present; in St. Pierre et Miquelon, where they are considered exceptionally rare, one was at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island SPM 12 Sep (Patrick Hacala).

Swallows through Dickcissel

Exceptional in Fall, a Rough-winged Swallow was at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth Co NS 4 Sep (Mark Dennis, Ronnie d’Entremont at al.), and exceptionally late was the Rough-winged Swallow at Canso, Guysborough Co 4 Nov (Chris Pepper). A rare migrant to Nova Scotia, individual House Wrens were in Dartmouth, Halifax Co 7 Oct (ph. David Currie), in the Lower Onslow area, Colchester Co 11 Oct (ph. Jeff and Katherine Odgen), in the Ogilvie area, Kings Co 11 Oct (ph. Devin Johnstone, ph. Brian Johnstone), and at Sand Beach, Bunker’s Island, Yarmouth Co 29 Nov (ph. Ervin Olsen). Individual Marsh Wrens, rare to Nova Scotia, were at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth Co 9 Oct (au. Kathleen MacAulay), in Broad Brook Wetland Park, Yarmouth Co 22 Oct–9 Nov (Kathleen MacAulay et al.). A Carolina Wren in Miner’s Marsh, Kings Co 8 Aug–28 Nov (ph. Lori Buhlman, ph. Kyle Shay, m. ob.) was a rare find. The Carolina Wren found on Battle Islands, St. Lewis, Labrador NL late Aug through 4 Sep (au. Peter Ball) provided the province with its first record. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Brown Thrasher visited Powles Head, Avalon Peninsula 26–27 Oct (ph. John Brattey et al.). Casual to insular Newfoundland, a Northern Mockingbird was present in Blackhead, Avalon Peninsula 17 Sep (Jared Clarke, Chris Ryan). A Townsend’s Solitaire at Petit-Cap, Westmorland Co NB 25 Nov (ph. Marc Leblanc) was a good find. An estimated count of 250 American Robins at Coté est de Miquelon SPM 23 Oct (Laurent Jackman) was an excellent count amongst others for this species. Within the region Northern Wheatear is considered rare, Nova Scotia reported three, St. Pierre et Miquelon one, and insular Newfoundland three. White-winged Crossbills were sporadically reported though the season, but the observation of 500 individuals at Anse du Gouvernment, Miquelon Island SPM 23 Oct (Laurent Malthieux) was incredible. 

A grasshopper Sparrow at Glasgow Head, Guysborough Co NS 23 Oct–21 Nov (Diane LeBlanc, Sylvia Craig, Sebastián Pardo, ph. Ken McKenna, David Currie) was a rare vagrant to the province. Newfoundland and Labrador had widely dispersed reports of eight Lark Sparrows, casual visitors to that province. A rare vagrant to St. Pierre et Miquelon, individual Clay-colored Sparrows were at Galantry, St. Pierre Island 1 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry), and in the Vallée des 7 Étangs, St. Pierre Island 5 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman). In Newfoundland and Labrador, where Clay-colored Sparrow is a casual vagrant, seven were reported, while in New Brunswick where they are considered rare migrants, 11 were present. Two LeConte’s Sparrows on Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co NB on 13 Sep (ph. Maureen Mark, m. ob.) dwindled to one individual 14–20 Sep (Stuart Tingley) providing the province with its fourth and fifth records. A Western Meadowlark at Peggy’s Cove, Halifax Co NS 13 Nov (ph. Jason Dain, m. ob.) provided the sixth record to that province. Yellow-breasted Chat appeared to target Newfoundland and Labrador this season with seven individuals reported. In St Pierre et Miquelon, where Yellow-breasted Chat is considered a rare Vagrant, three were present this Fall. Accidental to Prince Edward Island, a Yellow-breasted Chat visited feeders in Charlottetown 20 Nov+ (Elaine Seeler, ph. David Seeler) providing the province with its fifth record. Casual in Fall to Nova Scotia, an Orchard Oriole was at Duncan’s Cove, Halifax Co 5 Oct (ph. Diane LeBlanc). Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, an immature Brown-headed Cowbird was along Harbour Drive, Forteau, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 25 Aug (ph. Vernon Buckle). 

A Worm-eating Warbler was an unexpected surprise on Brier Island, Digby Co 4 Sep (Jake Walker, Logan Lalonde). A rare migrant to Nova Scotia, individual Blue-winged warblers were at Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co 14 Aug (James Hirtle), in Sable River, Louis Head, Shelburne Co 1 Sep (ph. Mike Jones), and at Clam Point, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co 4 Oct (ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis, Mike MacDonald). A Blue-winged Warbler in Cappahayden, Avalon Peninsula NL 1–3 Oct (David Brown, ph. Jared Clarke, Bruce Mactavish) was a casual vagrant. Individual Prothonotary Warblers in Duncan’s Cove, Halifax Co NS 5–11 Oct (ph. Diane LeBlanc et al.), and at New Minas, Kings Co NS 6–7 Oct (ph. Harold Forsyth et al.) were rare vagrants to the province. Rare to Nova Scotia, individual Hooded Warblers were at Sanford harbour, Yarmouth Co 5 Sep (Angie Millard), and Cape Forchu, Yarmouth Co 6 Sep (Rick Brown). Casual in Newfoundland and Labrador, five Pine Warblers were present, while in St. Pierre et Miquelon, where exceptionally rare, two Pine Warblers were present. Casual to Prince Edward Island, a Pine Warbler was discovered in the Valleyfield Demonstration Woodlot, Kings Co 11 Oct (au. Melanie McCarthy). Six Yellow-throated Warblers—rare migrants to Nova Scotia—were reported through the season. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, five Yellow-throated Warblers were present on insular Newfoundland while one was at Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Rare to New Brunswick, seven Prairie Warblers were noted through the season, while on Newfoundland and Labrador, where considered casual, six individuals were on insular Newfoundland. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was an unexpected yard visitor in Bathurst, Gloucester Co NB 25 Nov+ (ph. Helen and Don Arsenau, Jim Wilson) providing the province with its fifth record.

 Summer Tanager is a rare migrant to Nova Scotia where individuals were at Birch Cove Park, Dartmouth 16 and 19 Oct (ph. Megan Boucher, ph. Jay Weeks et al.), and in Pictou, Pictou Co 5 Nov (ph. Tammy Campbell Gallant). Two Summer Tanagers at Cap de Miquelon, Miquelon Island SPM 23 Oct (ph. Laurent Jackman) were excellent finds. Eight Scarlet Tanagers were reported in Nova Scotia. An accidental vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Western Tanager at Virginia Lake, St. John’s, Avalon Peninsula 9–17 Nov (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.) provided the fourth record to insular Newfoundland, and with the two records in Labrador, this is the sixth for the province. Single Western Tanagers, casual to Nova Scotia, were at Ketch Harbour, Halifax Co 9 Oct (ph. Mart Finch, ph. Joanne Morgan), on Seal Island, Yarmouth Co 10–11 Oct (ph. Ken McKenna, ph. Pat McKay et al.), in the Town of Canso, Guysborough Co 21 Nov (ph. Ken McKenna, ph. Angela MacDonald), and at Gaspereau, Kings Co 26–27 Nov (ph. Devine Johnstone, m. ob.). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Savoyard, St. Pierre Island SPM 6 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman) was exceptionally late. Occasional to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Blue Grosbeak was at Cappahayden, Avalon Peninsula 12 Sep (ph. Alison Mews, ph. Catherine Barrett), and another was in Chance Cove Provincial Park, Avalon Peninsula 17–19 Sept (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick et al.). In New Brunswick where Blue Grosbeaks are rare migrants, two were at Mill Cove, Charlotte Co 1 Oct and one continued through 4 Oct (ph. Sandra Bourque, ph. Susan Cline), four were observed at Castalia Marsh, Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co 2–3 Oct with three present 6 Oct (ph. Jim Edsall), while one lingered to 8 Oct (ph. Rhonda Langelaan). Finally, a Blue Grosbeak was at Black Beach, St. John Co NB 23 Oct (ph. Shari Foley). A rare migrant to Nova Scotia, individual Blue Grosbeaks were on Brier Island, Digby Co 1 Oct (Eric Mills, ph. Larry Neily), at Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 2 Oct (ph. Natalie Barkhouse-Bishop), and in the Town of Canso, Guysborough Co 22–24 Oct (ph. Diane LeBlanc, m. ob.). Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, five Indigo Buntings were reported, while in Newfoundland and Labrador where considered occasional visitors, eight were present. Individual Dickcissels were in Diamand, St. Pierre Island SPM 3 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry), at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island SPM 8 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry), and in St. Pierre, St. Pierre Island SPM 24 Nov (ph. Laurent Jackman). Thirty-three Dickcissels were reported on Newfoundland and Labrador where they are casual visitors. Occasional to Prince Edward Island, a Dickcissel was at East Point, Kings Co 18 Sep (Ray Cooke, Dwaine Oakley, Dan McAskill).

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 22 February 2022.