Atlantic Region: Fall 2022
Fall 2022: 1 Aug–30 Nov
David Seeler
dseeler@eastlink.ca
Recommended citation:
Seeler, D. 2022. Fall 2022: Atlantic. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-f0w> North American Birds.
The Eurasian strain of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) continued to affect the region. In the words of IL Jones, St. John’s Newfoundland, on 20 August 2022: “A substantial proportion of NL’s seabird breeding population has died this summer (I can hardly believe I am writing this). Common Murres and Northern Gannets seem to have been worst hit, with Atlantic Puffins possibly not as badly affected. Other seabirds like Razorbills and Black-legged Kittiwakes have experienced unusual mortality. For other species like Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Black Guillemots and terns, some excess mortality is likely. The number of seabirds that have died will never be known—for some species, we may have a rough idea of the proportion of pre-2022 population affected when survivors return to their colony sites in 2023. In Britain, experts are saying 25-85% of various seabird species’ individuals at various colony sites have perished this year”.
Temperature remained above normal for the region, while precipitation was below normal for the season. The most significant weather event was that of Fiona, which made landfall near Whitehead, southwest of Canso, Nova Scotia early in the morning on 24 September as a Hurricane. Fiona traversed Cape Breton Island into the Gulf of St Lawrence, weakening to a post-tropical storm, as it headed towards Labrador leaving significant damage in its wake. Interestingly, all of the significant reports that emanated from the storm were made inland above and around Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Species of note for the season include Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Barnacle Goose, Purple Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, White-tailed Tropicbird, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Trindade Petrel, Gray Heron, Mississippi Kite, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, and MacGillivray’s Warbler amongst others.
Waterfowl through Skimmer
A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck lingered into the season in Bathurst, Gloucester Co NB through 23 Aug (ph. Marco Vachon, ph. Rene Duclos). A Greater White-fronted Goose, casual to Prince Edward Island, was at St. Peter’s Bay, Kings Co 5 Oct (Roberta Palmer). Casual to New Brunswick, a Greater White-fronted Goose lingered in the Salisbury region, Westmorland Co 5–19 Nov (Yannick Dupuis, ph. Marjorie Wilson, m. ob.). The Pink-footed Goose located in the Salisbury area, Westmorland Co NB 1–24 Nov (ph. Paul and Rhonda Langelaan, m. ob.) was a casual vagrant. A Pink-footed Goose in the Shaw’s Pond area, Hants Co NS 9–26 Nov (ph. Ray Wershler, ph. Ronnie d’Entremont, m. ob.) was a casual vagrant to that province. The Barnacle Goose discovered at Cymbria, Queens Co PE 24 Oct (ph. Vanessa Bonnyman) provided that province with its fourth record. Barnacle Goose is casual to Nova Scotia, where an individual at Forster’s Lake, Pictou Co 31 Oct–13 Nov (ph. Steve Vine, m. ob.) provided the 16th record for the province. Casual in Newfoundland and Labrador, two Redheads were in Adam’s Pond, Paradise, Avalon Peninsula 14–30 Oct (ph. John Cunningham et al.), while a female Redhead at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s 22–24 Nov (ph. Frank King, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick) provided the first record of the species for that location. Yet another Redhead was at Indian Head Park, Stephenville NL 23 Nov (ph. Kathy Marche). An exceptional find, a Tufted Duck at Borden-Carleton, Prince Co PE 13 Sep (ph. Thomas Bruce) provided the fifth record for the province and the province’s first fall record. Ruddy Duck is a casual vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador where individuals were at Twillingate, Notre Dame Bay–Lewisporte 4–6 Nov (ph. Doug Clark), in Kenny’s Pond, St. John’s 16–22 Nov (Alison Mews, Ethel Dempsey, ph. Blair Fleming, m. ob.), and at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s 23–29 Nov (ph. Frank King et al.).
A White-winged Dove, rare to Newfoundland and Labrador, briefly visited the home of Yvonne Lane in Grand Bay West, Port–aux–Basques 5 Aug (ph. Yvonne Lane). Casual on Prince Edward Island, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was at East Point, Kings Co 23 Oct (ph. Vanessa Bonnyman, ph. Melanie McCarthy). The 10 Yellow-billed Cuckoos reported in Newfoundland and Labrador were unexpected. Exceptional was the report of 52 Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Nova Scotia this season where the 10-year fall average is 18. This, along with the 44 individuals reported last fall, could indicate a bountiful food supply within the province for that species (fide Alix d’Entremont). Rufous Hummingbird is a casual vagrant to Nova Scotia, with individuals reported at feeders in Western Head, Queens Co 3–4 Aug (Dorothy Poole, ph. Diane LeBlanc, m.ob.), in Bay’s Water, Lunenburg Co 14–15 Sep (ph. Tina McClement), and at Portuguese Cove, Halifax Co 6–9 Nov (Susan Vallance, ph. Diane LeBlanc, ph. Sylvia Craig). A Purple Gallinule was an exceptional find at Hyde Park, Cornwall, Queens Co PE 10–14 Nov (ph. Christopher Marshall, ph. Dwaine Oakley, et al.) that provided the province with its second record. The presence of Sandhill Crane in Newfoundland and Labrador is always noteworthy. Four Sandhill Cranes were at The Block, St. George’s–Stephenville 4 Sep (ph. Tina Randell), while at nearby Shoal Pond, St. George’s–Stephenville five Sandhill Cranes were present 10 Sep (Robert White). Shortly later, seven individuals were in St. Anthony’s, near Shoal Pond 17 Sep (Richard Lott). The eight Sandhill Cranes found at Pleasure Steady, Kenamu River, Labrador–Happy Valley–Goose Bay 8 Sep (Tony Chubbs) were an unexpected surprise.
Accidental to New Brunswick, a Black-necked Stilt at Hartland, Carleton Co 5 Aug (Teresa Boyle-Middleton, ph. Paul and Rhonda Langelaan et al.) provided the fourth record to that province. Of note is the fact that the first two New Brunswick records for the species were made in the 1800s (fide Paul Mansz). The discovery of an American Avocet, rare to Nova Scotia, along the Salt Marsh Trail, Halifax Co 26 Aug and 3 Sep (Marty Zelenietz, ph. Aaron Marshall) was subsequently followed by the report of two American Avocets near Rainbow Haven Provincial Park, Halifax Co 1–29 Sep (ph. Peter Shelton, m. ob.). Casual to New Brunswick, pairs—or perhaps the same pair—of American Oystercatchers were on Ross Island, Bay of Fundy, Charlotte Co 1 Aug (Ken Edwards), in White Head Island Marsh, Charlotte Co 14–18 Aug (Roger Burrows et al.), and on a rocky outcropping between Grand Manan Island and White Head Island 15 Aug (Jacques Ibarzabal). American Golden-Plover is common to insular Newfoundland, but the discovery of 170 individuals along Cape Race Road, Avalon Peninsula 25 Aug (Bruce Mactavish, Ken Knowles) must have been exhilarating. A Marbled Godwit at Covehead, Prince Edward Island National Park, photographed from outside of the National Park 10 Oct (ph. Melanie McCarthy) was a casual visitor to that province. Stilt Sandpiper is a casual vagrant to St. Pierre et Miquelon, where one was present at Ravenel, St. Pierre Island 10 Sep (ph. Patrick Hacala, ph. Guillaume Turcotte). In New Brunswick, where Stilt Sandpiper is a rare migrant, six were reported for the season. Uncommon to Newfoundland and Labrador, individual Stilt Sandpipers were located in Arnold’s Cove, Avalon Peninsula 13 Aug (Barry Day), at Kelligrews, Avalon Peninsula 22–28 Aug (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.). Stilt Sandpiper is casual to Prince Edward Island where pairs were reported at Robinson’s Island, Prince Edward Island National Park 16 Sep (Stephen Novosad), and at East Lake, Kings Co 13 Oct (ph. Roberta Palmer).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper is casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, so the report of at least four individuals this season was extraordinary. Two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the Isthme Prairie 12 Sep (OFB SPM975 Survey Group), four individuals were at the nearby Observatoir, Grand Barachois and on the Isthme de Langlade 14 Sep (ph. Joël Detcheverry, ph. Patrick Hacala, Laurent Jackman). Reports of seven Willets (ssp. inornata) in Nova Scotia this season was unexpected. Rarely documented, and casual to Prince Edward Island, a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger was photographed along the rocky coastline of the Prince Edward Island National Park at Cavendish 3 Sep (ph. Aaron Janzen). Sabine’s Gull, casual to the region, was well represented this season in Nova Scotia with 14 individuals reported. A Sabine’s Gull was a brief visitor to insular Newfoundland at Holyrood, Avalon Peninsula 11–12 Sep (ph. John Brattey, m. ob.). In New Brunswick, a Sabine’s Gull’s arrival at Cap Pelé, Westmorland Co 24 Sep (ph. Gilles Belliveau, ph. Mitch Doucet et al.) was likely due to the pre-storm wind effects of Fiona. The second year Little Gull at the Borden Lagoons, Prince Co PE 27 and 31 Aug (ph. Donna Martin, Rolland Leader) was casual to that province. Little Gull is also casual to Nova Scotia where an individual was located in Boat Harbour Park Reserve, Pictou Co 15–30 Nov (ph. Ken McKenna, ph. Fred Mackenzie, ph. Steve Vines, m. ob.). Three additional Little Gulls, whose presence was likely due to the coastal effects of Fiona on Nova Scotia, were reported. The first was at East Bay, Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Co 24 Sep (ph. Nathan Hood, ph. Brandon Holden), at Iona, Bras d’Or Lake, Victoria Co 26 Sep (Greg Stroud), and along Route 216, Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Co 27 Sep (Bruce DiLabio).
The presence of a Bridled Tern observed in flight over Bras d’Or Lake, Victoria Co NS 24 Sep (Brandon Holden) was accepted by eBird. A Gull-billed Tern at Pinkey’s Point, Yarmouth Co NS 2–6 Aug (Jake Walker, Dominic Cormier, Ken McKenna et al.) was a casual visitor to that province. The Black Tern in flight over the beachfront at Borden, Prince Co PE 1 Sep (ph. Donna Martin) was a casual vagrant. Casual in fall to insular Newfoundland, a Black Tern lingered at Kelligrews, Avalon Peninsula 21–29 Sep (ph. John Brattey, m. ob.). The sole report of Least Tern was from Dominion Beach, Cape Breton Co NS 26–27 Sep (ph. Kenneth MacIntosh, ph. Bruce DiLabio, ph. Kenneth DiLabio) was likely present as the result of Fiona. A Casual visitor to insular Newfoundland, a Forster’s Tern reported at Spaniard’s Bay, Avalon Peninsula 29 Oct–27 Nov (ph. Adam Timpf, m. ob.) was the sole report for the region.
Tropicbirds through Larks
Casual to Nova Scotia, the increased number of reports of White-tailed Tropicbird was likely due to the imminent arrival of Fiona over Cape Breton 24–25 Sep. One White-tailed Tropicbird was found injured at Port Hawkesbury, Inverness Co 24 Sep (fide Nancy Dowd), and taken to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Two were observed in flight over Bras d’Or Lake at Iona, Victoria Co Cape Breton Island 24 Sep (ph. Nathan Hood, ph. Brandon Holden). The last White-tailed Tropicbird was found deceased at East Bay, Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Co 26 Sep (ph. Gail Bisson). A visual observation of a Band-rumped Storm-Petrel at East Bay, Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Co NS 24 Sep (Nathan Hood, Brandon Holden) was accepted by eBird. Casual to Nova Scotia, individual White-faced Storm-Petrels were in Canadian waters south of Yarmouth Co NS 3 Aug (Jake Walker, Dominic Cormier et al.), and over the Continental Slope of Brown’s Bank, east of Shelburne Co NS 2 Sep (Sebastián Pardo).
Trip Report, 24 September 2022
Words cannot describe what happened here… Centre of Post-tropical Fiona came ashore an hour or two earlier in Whitehead, NS with sustained winds of 165 kph and a new all-time Canadian low pressure record of ~932mb … The centre was likely over or leaving the
west end of the lake at first light (~630 am).. Intense S winds (est. sustained 100-110kph) picked up thereafter and a seabird spectacle unfolded… We were able to find an exceptional windbreak in the eastern corner of the narrows – but were eventually forced out due to surge and relocated to the post office on the opposite side… Flat tire kept us around a bit longer
than we might have stayed, but it paid off… Had to get the tire fixed before we moved locations with a wind shift more SW!
Nearby EC weather station (Eskasoni) has an unofficial (and unadjusted for sea level) pressure of 933.5 mb at 5 am — we were really in the thick of it… Brandon Holden, Nathan Hood, Iona Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
During the impact of Fiona upon its approach 24–27 Sep to the region and afterwards, 11 White-faced Storm-Petrels were reported, including six deceased individuals on Cape Breton Island NS (ph. Nathan Hood, ph. Brandon Holden, ph. Jeannie Fraser et al.). Most exceptional, was the presence of three Trindade Petrels on Cape Breton Island NS: one, a light morph, in flight over Bras d’Or Lake at Iona, Victoria Co 24 Sep (ph. Nathan Hood, ph. Brandon Holden). Additionally, two Trindade Petrels—a light morph and a dark morph—were at the East Bay Sandbar, Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Island NS 24 Sep (ph. Nathan Hood, ph. Brandon Holden) providing Nova Scotia, Canada and the region with their first three records of the species. Casual to New Brunswick, a Cory’s Shearwater was observed in flight over the Bay of Fundy, Charlotte Co 6 Aug (ph. Mitch Doucet). The Manx Shearwater breeding colony, discovered in 1985, on Middle Lawn Island Newfoundland and Labrador has been less active—if at all—in recent years. Evidence of continuing activity at the colony was confirmed when a Manx Shearwater chick was located during a seabird survey 22 Aug (ph. Kyle d’Entremont). A Magnificent Frigatebird was an exceptional find in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just offshore of Miscou Island, Gloucester Co NB 23 Sep (ph. Andrew Darcy) providing that province with its second record. A Magnificent Frigatebird photographed in flight past a fishing vessel offshore of Shelburne Co NS 14 Oct (ph. Gavin Robbins) provided that province with its ninth record.
Casual to most of the region, American White Pelicans made their presence known this season when New Brunswick reported seven individuals, and Nova Scotia noted five individuals. The only reports of Brown Pelican emanated from Nova Scotia—where they are casual visitors—with individuals at Prospect Village, Shad Harbour, Halifax Co 10 Sep (ph. Dwayne Hodgson), offshore of Clark’s Harbour, Yarmouth Co 11 Sep (ph. David Ilse), and at McNutt’s Island, Shelburne Co 12–13 Sep (ph. Paul Crowell, Dee Moores). A Least Bittern, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, was in Crow Head Pond, Twillingate, Avalon Peninsula 19–30 Sep (Doug Clark, Barry Day). Unexpected, and a great find, a Gray Heron at Covehead, Prince Edward Island National Park PE 6 Aug–10 Oct (ph. Vanessa Bonnyman, ph. Melanie McCarthy, ph. Dwaine Oakley, m. ob.) provided the province with its first record of the species. A Snowy Egret found in the Stephenville Crossing Estuary NL 23 Oct–6 Nov was a casual visitor to that province. Rare to insular Newfoundland, individual Little Blue Herons were in Marystown, Burin Peninsula 14 and 20 Aug (ph. Jordyn Billard, ph. Brenda Bungay), and at Abbott’s Pond, Port-au-port Peninsula St. George’s-Stephenville 2–15 Sep (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Denise McIsaac, m. ob.). Tricolored Heron is casual to New Brunswick where two were present this season: one on White Head Island, Charlotte Co 11–19 Aug (ph. Roger Burrows et al.), and one in St Rest’s Marsh, St. John 1–11 Sep (ph. Jim Carroll, Shari Foley et al.). The Tricolored Heron at Chezzetcook Inlet, Halifax Co 19 Sep (ph. Natalie Barkhouse-Bishop, ph. Wayne Green, ph. Vernon Buckle, ph. Megan Boucher) was a casual visitor. Cattle Egret is casual to insular Newfoundland where individuals were at Bay Bulls, Avalon Peninsula 25 Oct (Chris Ryan, ph. John Brattey, ph. John Alexander), and in Goulds, Avalon Peninsula 26–30 Oct (ph. Alison Mews, ph. Ethel Dempsey, m. ob.). A Cattle Egret at St. Lewis, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 27 Oct (ph. Vernon Buckle) provided a first record for Labrador. Casual to Prince Edward Island, a Cattle Egret was at Parson’s Creek, Queens Co 31 Oct (ph. Devin de Zwaan, Constanza Rivas), while five were briefly observed in North River, Queens Co 11 Nov (ph. Nicole Murtaugh, Dwaine Oakley). A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, was at Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island 11 Aug (ph. Valérie Jackman). Casual to New Brunswick, a Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron was on Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co 24 Aug–13 Sep (ph. Barry Coombs, ph. Lisette and Michel Godin, ph. Mike Bouman). A single Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at South Lake, Kings Co PE 19 Sep (ph. Roberta Palmer) provided that province with its fourth record.
The sole report of a Back Vulture was that of an individual observed in flight over Greenlaw Mountain, Charlotte Co NB 30 Oct (fide Todd Watts) during a Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch. Mississippi Kites exploded into Yarmouth Co Nova Scotia last season and lingered into the current season, expanding to Brier Island, Digby Co NS through 10 Sep with seven individual reported at that time (m. ob.).
A Nova Scotia Mississippi Kite Influx
Five Mississippi Kites were first observed catching insects on the wing with a small group of gulls at the boundary of the Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth Co NS Jul 20 (Alix d’Entremont). A maximum of six individuals were eventually confirmed by that evening by a group of local birders that had mobilized quickly to see the southern rarities. On Jul 22, birders located a roost of up to 10 in a stand of dead trees near the original sighting location and the maximum count of 12 kites were first confirmed on Jul 23. A group of this size is unprecedented in Northeastern North America. During their stay, the kites were seen perched in the dead trees at the roost site early and late in the day, but also spent time at the roost site for much of the day during days with dense fog. The foraging area frequented most often by the kites was roughly two square kms between Highways 101 and 103. Most of the individuals were second-year birds and only two adults were confirmed. The number of kites reported in the area slowly dropped after mid-Aug and the last sighting was of a single bird on Sep 17.
The story of this Mississippi Kite influx to Nova Scotia is confounded by additional sightings of this species also reported from Brier Island, Digby Co, in Aug and Sep. On Aug 16, the same day that eight were spotted on Brier Island, 11 were seen later in the day at the Yarmouth Co location. This suggests that at least 19 Mississippi Kites were present in the province in Aug. Perhaps these were all in Yarmouth Co earlier, however, not all were seen at once to confirm this larger number. Following this, when most kites appeared to have left the Yarmouth Co location, a maximum of seven were observed at Brier Island on Sep 10. The geography of Nova Scotia and the placement of Brier Island means that the island hosts the largest numbers of migrant raptors in all of the province during fall. The groups of kites seen on the island in Aug through Sep were almost certainly searching for a way out of the province to continue their autumn migration towards central South America. Previous to this 2022 event, only five documented records of this species had occurred in Nova Scotia. (Alix d’Entremont).
The Steller’s Sea-Eagle was present from Trinity Bay through Spaniard’s Cove on insular Newfoundland 6–25 Aug (ph. Barry Day, m. ob.). Subsequently, it briefly relocated to the southern coast of Langlade, SPM 28 Oct (Claude Coutances). The Steller’s Sea-Eagle was last reported in the Bouctouche area, Kent Co NB 25–27 Nov (ph. Pierrett Bourque, ph. Marc LeBlanc, m. ob.). Broad-winged Hawks, casual to Prince Edward Island, continue to improve upon their presence within that province. Five Broad-winged Hawks were at East Point, Kings Co PE 25 Aug (Brian McElroy, Jennifer McNutty), and a single individual was observed in flight over Clyde River, Queens Co PE 2 Nov (Melanie McCarthy). Casual to Nova Scotia, a Swainson’s Hawk was located at Western Light, Brier Island, Digby Co 17 Sep (ph. Russell Crosby) provided that province with its 15th record. Unexpectedly early to Prince Edward Island, a Rough-legged Hawk was located along the Confederation Trail, east of Route 301, Kings Co 19 Sep (David Dahnke). Also exceptionally early to Prince Edward Island, a Snowy Owl was at Green Gables, Cavendish, Queens Co 12 Aug (ph. Nathalie Turgeon, Éloise Fiset) and another was in Albany, Prince Co 15–17 Aug (ph. Maria Rose Murnaghan). Casual to Prince Edward Island, individual Red-bellied Woodpeckers were reported in Horne Cross Road, Queens Co 7 Nov+ (ph. Vanessa Bonnyman), in Summerside 16 Nov (Aaron Marshall), and at Tignish, Prince Co 22 Nov (Marie-Eve Blanchet).
Accidental to Nova Scotia, an Ash-throated Flycatcher discovered at Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 4–6 Nov (ph. Mary Kennedy, ph. Justin Crosby, m. ob.) provided that province with its 10th record. A very good find for New Brunswick, the Ash-throated Flycatcher in Lorneville, St. John Co 13 Nov (au. ph. Vt. Jim Carroll) was a casual fall visitor to that province. Western Kingbird made a moderate appearance this season with Nova Scotia reporting three individuals, and New Brunswick recorded one. In St. Pierre et Miquelon, where Western Kingbird is a casual vagrant, three were reported: one at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island 24 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry, ph. Patrick Hacala), while another—or perhaps the same individual—was at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island 25 Oct (ph. Laurent Jackman, ph. Valérie Jackman). The last Western Kingbird was observed at Anse du Gouvernement, Langlade 16 Nov SPM (Joël Detcheverry). A casual vagrant to insular Newfoundland, a Fork-tailed Flycatcher was observed at Biscay Bay, 1 Oct (Edmund Hayden). The Eastern Phoebe at Bear Cove, Avalon Peninsula NL 13 Oct (ph. John Brattey, ph. John Alexander, ph. Glenn Mitchell, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick) was a casual fall visitor. An Eastern Phoebe, also a casual visitor to St. Pierre et Miquelon, was on Plaine des 3 Sapins, Langlade 29–30 Oct (ph. Laurent Jackman).
Two Say’s Phoebes were reported in the region this season. The first, casual to Nova Scotia, was present on Seal Island, Yarmouth Co 20–21 Sep (ph. Ken McKenna, ph. Pat McKay et al.). The second individual was discovered along the North West River, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay NL 3–5 Nov (ph. Winnie Montague, ph. Vernon Buckle et al.) where it is an accidental vagrant providing that province with its second record. Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a White-eyed Vireo lingered at Étang Frecker 30 Sep–21 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.). White-eyed Vireo is also casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, where one was at Cape Race, Avalon Peninsula 21 Oct (ph. Jared Clarke). A Yellow-throated Vireo in St. John’s NL 1–2 Oct (ph. Ethel Dempsey et al.) was an unexpected find. A rare vagrant to the French Isles, a Yellow-throated Vireo was present in Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island SPM 30 Sep–4 Oct (ph. Patrick Hacala et al.). A well described Philadelphia Vireo along the Confederation Trail, east of Tracadie, Queens Co PE 17 Sep (David Dahnke) was a casual visitor to that province.
Swallows through Dickcissel
Two Cave Swallows at The Hawk, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co NS 9 Nov (Paul Gould, ph. Mark Dennis, Mike MacDonald) provided the 36th and 37th records for the province. The sole reports of Northern Rough-winged Swallows emanated from Nova Scotia. Individuals were at the Mercator Vineyards, Kings Co 8 Sep (ph. Jake Walker), at Westport Marsh, Brier Island, Digby Co 10 Sep (Megan Boucher, Angela MacDonald, Vernon Buckle, Zach Wile, m. ob.), and lastly, two were also found along Camp Road, Brier Island, Digby Co 10 Sep (Logan Lalonde). Accidental to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher found at Anse du Gouvernement, Langlade 15 Oct (ph. Laurent Jackman) provided the French Isles with their eighth record. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that lingered at Brook Marsh, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 15–24 Oct (au. ph. Vernon Buckle) provided Labrador with its first record of the species. Insular Newfoundland reported one Blue-gray Gnatcatcher this season—that of an individual at Cape Freels, Avalon Peninsula 9 Sep (ph. Barry Day). Two of the Carolina Wrens previously reported in Summerside, PE were again reported this season in Summerside 8 Aug+ (Donna Dehmel). A Marsh Wren, accidental to Newfoundland and Labrador, was located along Grassy Point Road, Forteau, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 29 Sep (ph. Vernon Buckley) providing the first record of the species for Labrador. On insular Newfoundland where Marsh Wren is a casual visitor, one individual was at Mundy Pond, St. John’s 15–22 Oct (Terry James, Blair Flemming, ph. Robert Blackmore et al.).
Infrequently reported on Prince Edward Island, a Brown Thrasher at South Lake, Kings Co 4 Sep (Helene Blanchet) was a good find. A Townsend’s Solitaire at St. John NB 11 Oct (ph. Paul and Rhonda Langelaan) was a casual vagrant to the province. Varied Thrush is normally reported in the winter season in Nova Scotia, but this year one was found at Port Bickerton Lighthouse, Guysborough Co NS 14 Oct (ph. Linda and Gerald d’Entremont). Two Grasshopper Sparrows were reported this season within the region—both in Nova Scotia. The first was observed at Cole’s Harbour, Halifax Co 10–12 Oct (ph. Aaron Marshall et al.), and the other was on Bon Portage Island, Shelburne Co 12–13 Oct (ph. Logan Moore, ph. Mike MacDonald, ph. Mark Dennis et al.). Particularly rare in fall, an Orchard Oriole was located along Blackhead Road, Avalon Peninsula NL 9 Sep (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, ph. Ethel Dempsey, ph. Frank Kink). Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Yellow-breasted Chat at Étang Frecker 30 Sep (Laurent Jackman) was a good find.
Both Ovenbirds reported on the French Isles were particularly late: the first lingered at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island SPM 30 Sep–3 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.), and the other was located at Cap à Dinan, St. Pierre Island SPM 30 Sep (Laurent Jackman). The sole reports of Golden-winged Warbler emanated from Nova Scotia where they are casual visitors. They included an individual banded on Brier Island, Digby Co 1 Sep (Lance Laviolette), and another that was at Ell’s Cemetery, South Scott’s Bay, Kings Co 26 Sep (Jake Walker et al.). Five Blue-winged Warblers were reported this season—three in New Brunswick, where they are considered rare migrants, and two in Nova Scotia where they are casual visitors. In Nova Scotia, the first Blue-winged Warbler was alongside Strickland Road, Yarmouth Co 13 Sep (ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis), and the second was at Duncan’s Cove, Halifax Co 14–16 Sep (Nicolas von Maltzahn, ph. Lucas Berrigan, ph. Hilary Mann et al.). Three Prothonotary Warblers were reported within the region this season. Rare migrants to Nova Scotia, individual Prothonotary Warblers were at West Cape Forchu, Yarmouth Co 21 Aug (ph. Ronnie d’Entremont), and at Tor Bay Provincial Park, Guysborough Co 1 Oct (Angela MacDonald). The last Prothonotary Warbler reported at the Vallée des 7 Étangs, St. Pierre Island SPM 13 Sep (Patrick Hacala) was accepted by eBird. Accidental to Nova Scotia, a MacGillivray’s Warbler, discovered at Bull’s Head Warf, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co 8–10 Oct (ph. Mark Dennis et al.) provided the province with its third record of the species. The Hooded Warbler, located at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island SPM late Sep–5 Oct (ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.) was a casual visitor to the French Isles.
A good find in fall for Prince Edward Island was the Pine Warbler at South Lake, Kings Co 19 Sep (ph. Roberta Palmer). Yellow-throated Warbler is accidental to Prince Edward Island, where one found in Charlottetown 13–14 Nov (ph. Phil Taylor et al.) provided the province with its fourth record. Prairie Warbler is casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon where four were reported: one at Ruisseau Debons, Langlade 6 Sep (ph. Patrick Hacala), another was in Vallée des 7 Étangs, St. Pierre Island 14 Sep (Patrick Hacala), at Étang Frecker, St. Pierre Island 15 Sep (ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.), and in Maquine, Langlade 5 Nov (Laurent Jackman). Interestingly, insular Newfoundland reported nine Prairie Warblers for the season. The Prairie Warbler discovered at Brook Marsh, Forteau, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 18 Oct (ph. Vernon Buckle) provided Labrador with its second record. A Townsend’s Warbler, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, was in St. John’s 15–20 Nov (ph. Judith Blakely, Alison Mews, Randy Wheeler) provided the sole report of that species for the region.
Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, seven Scarlet Tanagers were reported this season. On nearby St. Pierre et Miquelon, Scarlet Tanager is also a casual visitor, yet five individuals were reported. Reports of Blue Grosbeaks, rare visitors to Nova Scotia, tallied to 16 individuals. Casual to the French Isles, a Blue Grosbeak was at Vallée du Milieu, St. Pierre Island 1 Oct (Laurent Jackman). Blue Grosbeak is exceptionally rare to Newfoundland and Labrador, where one was located in Salmonier, Avalon Peninsula 27–28 Nov (ph. Alison Mews, ph. John Brattey, ph. Ethel Dempsey, ph. John Alexander).
Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 04 Apr 2023.
Photos–Atlantic Region: Fall 2022
























































































