Atlantic Region: Spring 2022

Waterfowl through Skimmer

Eleven Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were an exceptional find in Birchy Lake, Note Dame Bay NL 14 May (Colin Pardy, ph. Winst Jenkins), and provided Newfoundland and Labrador with its first eleven records of the species (fide Alvan Buckley). Ten Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, casual to Nova Scotia, arrived in the Cape Forchu area, Yarmouth Co 16 May (ph. Angie Millard, ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis, m. ob.), but did not linger. Curiously, a single Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was later reported in the same locale 23 May (Tony Millard). Also unexpected, nine Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were found in Bathurst, Gloucester Co NB in late May (ph. Hazen McCrea, Rene Robert Duclos, ph. Marc LeBlanc, ph. Marguerite and Bill Winsor, m. ob.), and lingered through the season. Rare to Prince Edward Island, individual Snow Geese were reported at China Point, Queens Co 13 Mar (Brett MacKinnon), in Miscouche, Prince Co 6 Apr (ph. Donna Martin),  in Pownal, Queens Co 9 Apr (Lucas MacCormack), and along Horne Cross Road, Queens Co 28 Apr (Vanessa Bonnyman). Two Snow Geese, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, were observed in Haricot, Avalon Peninsula in early Apr (fide Anne Hughes), and remained through 28 Apr (ph. John Brattey et al.). Casual in Nova Scotia, individual Greater White-fronted Geese were in Aylesford, Kings Co 23 Apr (ph. Guy and Emily Stevens), in the Truro area Colchester Co 2 May (Ross Hall, Jeff and Katherine Odgen). Three Greater White-fronted Geese present at Stephenville, St. George’s-Stephenville NL 3 May (ph. Randolph White), and the individual present at Stephenville Crossing NL 18–20 May (Vernon Buckley, ph. Kathy Marche et al.) were casual vagrants. The Pink-footed Goose that was in St. John’s NL continued through the season (Alex Day, ph. Brenda Bungay, m. ob.). The four Pink-footed Geese previously reported at Gardiner Mines, Cape Breton remained at that locale through 14 Mar (ph. David McCorquodale, Rowland Spear et al.).

Accidental to Newfoundland and Labrador in spring, eight Barnacle Geese were at Bonavista/Trinity-Clarenville 14–15 Apr (Brenda Taylor, ph. Alison Mews et al.). These individuals were advance notice of a significant incursion of Barnacle Geese—amongst other species to the province. Their appearance was likely the result of sustained easterly winds across the North Atlantic to insular Newfoundland. Four Barnacle Geese were then observed in Portugal Cove South, Avalon Peninsula NL 15–30 Apr (Jared Clarke, m. ob.), seven individuals were present on Green Island, Bonavista NL 23 Apr (ph. Cody Power, ph. Jordyn Billard). These Barnacle Geese represent the only spring records to date for Newfoundland and Labrador. A casual visitor to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Tundra Swan was in Upper Ferry, St. George’s-Stephenville 11 Mar (ph. Alvan Buckley). A Tundra Swan located in the Canard area, Kings Co 17 Mar–3 Apr (ph. George Forsyth, m. ob.) was a casual vagrant to the province. An adult, male Garganey discovered in the Amherst Sewage Lagoons, Cumberland Co NS 10 May (ph. Zack Wile, ph. Andrew Darcy et al.) provided the province with its seventh record. A male Garganey in the Dorchester Sewage Lagoons, Westmorland Co NB 11–15 May (Marc LeBlanc, ph. Jim and Therese Carroll, m. ob.) provided the province with its fourth record of the species.

Particularly rare to Newfoundland and Labrador, a male Gadwall inhabited Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s 2 Mar–3 Apr (ph. Frank King, m. ob.). A female Mallard, casual to the French Islands, was in Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island SPM 25 Mar–15 Apr (ph. Joël Detcheverry, ph. Patrick Hacala et al.). A Canvasback discovered in Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island, SPM 1 and 11 Mar (ph. Valérie Jackman, ph. Laurent Jackman was a casual vagrant to the French Islands. Casual to the French Isles, five Bufflehead were reported—four on Miquelon Island, and one on St. Pierre Island SPM. Hooded Merganser is casual to Newfoundland and Labrador where six individuals were present. Similarly, five Hooded Mergansers, casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, were reported on St. Pierre Island. The Eurasian Collared Dove, a long-term resident of Melvern Square, Annapolis Co NS was last reported 10 Apr (ph. Larry Neily). The Eurasian Collared-Dove, previously reported at Grand Bay West, South Coast-Channel-Port aux Basques NL was last reported 11 Mar (ph. Alvan Buckley). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Shubenacadie, Hants Co NS 22 May (ph. Keatha Bearss) was a casual visitor to the province. A Chimney Swift, discovered in Rocky Harbour, Northern Peninsula NL 17 May (Darroch Whitaker) was a casual vagrant. Four Sandhill Cranes, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, were in Happy Valley-Goose Bay 12–13 May (ph. Tony Chubbs), with two individuals being reported in the same area 15 May (ph. Brian Bishop). Sandhill Crane is a casual visitor to Nova Scotia where seven individuals were reported.

A Black-necked Stilt discovered in Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island SPM 22 Apr–3 May (ph. Laurent Jackman et al.), provided the French Isles with its first record of the species. Accidental to Nova Scotia, two Black-necked Stilts at The Guzzle, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co 20–22 May (ph. Mark Dennis, m. ob.) provided the fifth and sixth spring records for the province. Two American Oystercatchers, accidental to New Brunswick, lingered on Bill’s Islet, Charlotte Co NB 20–29 May (ph. Andrew Darcy et al.). A Northern Lapwing discovered in the First South area, Lunenburg Co NS 20–21 Mar (ph. Kevin Lantz, ph. James Hirtle, m. ob.) provided the province with its third spring record. An exceptional spring vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Northern Lapwing in Goulds, Avalon Peninsula 12–15 Apr (Paul Linegar, ph. Alison Mews, m. ob.) provided the province with its third spring record. The exceptional number of thirty-two European Golden-Plovers, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, was likely due to sustained easterly North Atlantic winds in late April. A Pacific Golden-Plover discovered in Hartlen Point, Halifax NS 23-26 Apr (au. ph. David Currie, David Bell, m. ob.) provided a first record of the species to Nova Scotia. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, the presence of thirteen Black-tailed Godwits this season was also likely due to the sustained easterlies over the North Atlantic in late April. Individual Wilson Phalaropes casual to Prince Edward Island were reported in New Harmony, Queens Co 22 May (Ray Cooke), and in Brackley Marsh North, Prince Edward Island National Park 15 May (David and Elaine Seeler).

A Common Murre first observed at East Point, Kings Co PE 22 May (ph. Scott Sinclair. Fiep de Bie, Gary Schneider), and later at nearby Basin Head Provincial Park, Kings Co PE 29 May (ph. Livia Yu) onshore, was later found deceased (fide Melanie McCarthy) at East Point. It provided Prince Edward Island with its first spring record of the species and raised concerns that it may have been victim of the current Avian Flu—H5N1—considered responsible for the death of thousands of seabirds, particularly Norther Gannet within the region. Rare in spring for Nova Scotia, a Common Gull was at Sambro Creek, Halifax Co 4 May (ph. David Currie, Sebastián Pardo), while another was reported at New Glasgow, Pictou Co 6–8 Apr (ph. Ken McKenna).

Loons through Larks

Accidental to Nova Scotia in spring, a Pacific Loon well offshore of Cape St. Mary’s, Digby Co 24–26 Apr (ph. Kathleen MacAulay, et al.) was an exceptions find that provided the province with its second spring record. A Least Bittern in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax NS 11–12 Apr (ph. Angie Lynch, m. ob.) was a casual visitor. A Green Heron in Clarke’s Pond, Burin Peninsula NL 21–22 Apr (ph. Lillian Walsh, ph. Brenda Bungay) was a casual vagrant to that province. Rare vagrants to Nova Scotia, only two Green Herons were reported—one on Goose Flats, Yarmouth Co 24–29 May (Kathleen MacAulay, ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis et al.), while the second was on Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co 26–30 May (ph. Christopher Escott, ph. Mark Dennis et al.). Casual to the French Isles, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron found in the Vallée du Milieu relocated to the Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island 30 May + (ph. Patrick Hacala, ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.). Five Glossy Ibises were an unexpected find at Beaver Pond, Bonavista, and Avalon Peninsula NL 20–22 May (ph. Barry Day et al.). Continuing to increase their presence on Prince Edward Island, five Turkey Vultures were reported through the season.

A Steller’s Sea-Eagle was an exceptional find by Andrew Pike while hiking the White Horse Path, Avalon Peninsula NL 22 Apr (vt. Andrew Pike) and not-surprisingly provided the province with its first record of the species. A Steller’s Sea-Eagle, likely the same individual, appeared in Greenville Centre, Annapolis Co NS 4 Mar (Greg Stroud). It subsequently wandered Bayview, Pictou Co NS 1 Apr (ph. Scott MacDonald, and eventually remained within Cumberland Co NS through 17 Apr (Ray Cooke, m. ob.). Twelve Snowy Owls were reported within Nova Scotia this season—an exceptional number. The Yellow-throated Vireo present in Anchorage Provincial Park, Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co NB 10–11 Apr (ph. Thomas Gianoli, ph. Émillie Martel-Brosseau, ph. Jim and Therese Carroll) was a casual vagrant. A Philadelphia Vireo found along the East Point Road, King’s Co PE 29 May (ph. Scott Sinclair) was the seventh record for the province.

Swallows through Dickcissel

Rare to Nova Scotia, a Marsh Wren lingered into the season at the Broad Brook Wetland Park, Yarmouth Co NS through 23 Apr (Mike MacDonald et al.). Subsequently, a Marsh Wren was discovered in the Amherst Marsh, Cumberland Co NS 30 May (Zack Wile). Two Carolina Wrens were in Summerside Prince Co PE mid-April + (ph. vt. Donna Dehmel, au. Melanie McCarthy, Roberta Palmer) providing the province with its seventh and eighth records of the species. Carolina Wren is casual to Nova Scotia where one lingered into the season in Miner’s Marsh, Kings Co 1 Mar–16 Apr (ph. Sarah Foote, ph. Wayne Green, m. ob.), where it was temporarily joined by another Carolina Wren on 23 Mar. Individual Carolina Wrens were at Fort Point, Queens Co NS 24 Mar (ph. Jane Stevenson), in Sherbrooke Village, Guysborough Co NS 9 Apr (ph. Angela MacDonald), along the Harvest Moon Trail, Wolfville, Kings Co NS 4 May (ph. Logan Lalonde), and in Liverpool, Queens Co NS 21 May (Harold Forsyth). A Brown Thrasher found in Cotton Park, Stratford PE 24 May (Melanie McCarthy) was a casual visitor to the province. The Redwing in St. John’s, Avalon Peninsula NL 11–18 Mar (Kyle d’Entremont, m. ob.) was not only out of place but provided the province with its third spring record. Casual in spring to Newfoundland and Labrador, individual Northern Wheatears were at Red Bay, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 30 Apr–1 May (ph. Vernon Buckle), in Pond Cove, Northern Peninsula (ph. John and Ivy Gibbons), at Portugal Cove South, Avalon Peninsula 8 May (ph. Richard Thomas), and at Plum Point, Northern Peninsula 25 May (John and Ivy Gibbons).

A male, immature Brambling was an exceptional find when Clara Dunne first noted it in her yard in Renews, Avalon Peninsula 18 Apr (ph. Clara Dunne). The Brambling lingered through 5 May providing many individuals the opportunity to view it (ph. Shawn Fitzpatrick, m. ob.), and it provided the first record of the species for Newfoundland and Labrador. Casual vagrants to Newfoundland and Labrador, the Lark Sparrow previously reported in St. John’s continued into the season through 19 Mar (ph. Frank King et al.), and a second individual was in St. Lawrence, Burin Peninsula 4 Apr (ph. Brenda Bungay). The Harris’s Sparrow, first reported in Acadie, Yarmouth Co 27 Dec 2021 was last reported 3 Mar (Sharman Fells). Exceptional in spring, a Yellow-breasted Chat lingered into the season in the Virginia River area, St. John’s NL through 23 Apr (ph. Frank King, et al.), providing the province with its third spring record. Casual to Nova Scotia, a Louisiana Waterthrush was an excellent find along the Rail Trail to Castle Rock, Lunenburg Co 20 Apr (Ian Manning). A Pine Warbler at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island SPM 5 Mar–1 Apr (Joël Detcheverry) was a casual vagrant to the French Islands. A Yellow-throated Warbler discovered on Kent Island, Charlotte Co NB 17 May (ph. Sarah Dobney) was a casual vagrant to that province. Individual Yellow-throated Warblers along Rennie’s River, St. Johns NL 11 Mar–13 Apr (Alick Tsuis, ph. Josh McCarthy, m. ob.), and at Kent’s Pond, St. Johns NL 24 May (ph. Bruce Mactavish) were unexpected vagrants.

Summer Tanager is a rare migrant through Nova Scotia with six individuals reported this season. On Prince Edward Island, a Scarlet Tanager discovered at Cavendish, Queens Co 20 Apr was a casual vagrant to that province. An exceptional spring find on insular Newfoundland, a Western Tanager lingered along the Rennie’s River, St. John’s 12 Mar–22 Apr (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.) providing the province with its second spring record of the species. Accidental in spring to Nova Scotia, a male Black-headed Grosbeak at Forbe’s Point, Shelburne Co 3 May lingered through 8 May (Mary Lou and Vincent Goreham, ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis et al.), providing the province with its third spring record. An Indigo Bunting at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island SPM 10 May (ph. Joël Detcheverry) was a casual vagrant. Indigo Bunting is also a casual vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador where individuals were in St. Lawrence, Burin Peninsula 27 May–19 Apr (ph. Lilian Walsh), at Fortune, Burin Peninsula 10 May (ph. Brenda Bungay), and at Shallop Cove, St. George’s 10 May (ph. Delphine Ward). Casual in spring to Nova Scotia, a Dickcissel was present in Halifax 15–18 May (David Hamilton et al.). 

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 5 Jul 2022.