Waterfowl through Shearwaters

Casual to New Brunswick, individual Greater White-fronted Geese were in Dixon Island Marsh, Sackville, Westmorland Co 11–25 Mar (Caroline Arseneau, m. ob.), and in the Hillsborough Waterfowl Park, Albert Co 10–17 Apr (ph. Gilles Belliveau et al.). A long-time resident to St. John’s NL, a Pink-footed Goose continued its record by lingering through the season (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.). The Pink-footed Goose found along North River Farnham Mill Road, Colchester Co NS 27 Mar (ph. Ross Hall) was a casual vagrant. A Pink-footed Goose at Hyde Park, Cornwall, Queens Co PE 22–27 Apr (ph. Roberta Palmer et al.) provided the province with its 12th record. Similarly, a Pink-footed Goose found on Miquelon Island SPM 8–11 May (ph. Laurent Jackman, ph. Patrick Hacala) provided the French Isles with their second record for the species. An exceptional find, a Whooper Swan in the Wesleyville area, Bonavista/Trinity-Clarenville NL 31 Mar–6 May (ph. Lorne Welcher, ph. Sheldon Anthony, ph. Mary-Ann Caines, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.) was well documented, and provided the province with its second record for the species.

Outside of Newfoundland, where Tufted Duck is uncommon, there was a surge of reports. The male Tufted Duck reported last season at Oysterbed Bridge, Queens Co PE lingered through 5 Mar (ph. Sarah Hirtle, ph. Jaden Barney). A female Tufted Duck discovered at the Rustico Causeway, Queens Co PE 2 Mar (ph. Scott Sinclair) provided the province with its seventh record. Casual to New Brunswick, two male Tufted Ducks were at Cap Brûlé, Westmorland Co 7 Apr and one lingered through 25 May (ph. Gilles Belliveau, m. ob.). Another male Tufted Duck was present at Port Elgin, Westmorland Co NB 16 Apr (ph. Gilles Belliveau). Rare to Nova Scotia, five Tufted Ducks were reported this season.

Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a pair of Hooded Mergansers were at Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island 21 Mar (ph. Laurent Jackman, Joël Detcheverry). A Horned Grebe lingered into the season offshore of Anse de Ynachi, Langlade SPM through 8 Mar (ph. Laurent Jackman), and provided the French Isles with their second spring record. The previous record was on 4 Apr 2018 (fide Roger Etcheberry). The Eurasian Collared-Dove continued its presence in the Kingston area of Kings Co NS throughout the season (ph. Logan Moore et al.). In Nova Scotia, where Sandhill Crane is a casual visitor, 14 were present across the province suggesting an increasing presence in that province. Now rare to New Brunswick, nine were present this spring. Sandhill Crane remains casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, but its presence appears to be growing as well. A Sandhill Crane at the Main Doc Area, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay NL 30 Apr–8 May. It was joined by a second individual 1–8 May (ph. Brian Bishop, ph. Tony Chubbs). Another Sandhill Crane was observed in flight towards the Basin Spruce Par area, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 30 April (Tony Chubbs).

American Oystercatcher is now rare to New Brunswick with two individuals returning to Bills Island, Bay of Fundy, Charlotte Co 29 Apr+ (ph. Mark Morse et al.). An American Oystercatcher was also on Con Robinson Point, Campobello Island NB 31 May (ph. Pattie Schreiner). Within Nova Scotia, American Oystercatcher breeds along the shores of Shelburne Co. However, the appearance of an American Oystercatcher at Big Glace Bay Lake, Cape Breton Island NS 11 and 30 May (ph. Stephen McGrath, ph. Elizabeth Walsh) was completely unexpected and provided only the second record for Cape Breton. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Northern Lapwing was in the company of six European Golden-Plovers at Goulds, Avalon Peninsula 28–30 Apr (ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.). European Golden-Plover is casual in spring to Newfoundland and Labrador, with 11 individuals reported in the Goulds area, and three at Deadman’s Bay, Notre Dame Bay-Lewisporte (fide Bruce Mactavish). An exceptional find, a Common Ringed-Plover was unknowingly photographed at Barachois Beach, Anglo Rustico, Queens Co PE 8 May (ph. Susan Corrigan, Kathleen MacAulay). This fortuitous encounter provided the province with its second record of the species. A casual vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Black-tailed Godwit at Bay Bull’s, Avalon Peninsula 9–10 May (Chris Ryan, Sheldon Anthony, ph. John Alexander, m. ob.) relocated to the St. John’s area 12 May+ (Edmund Hayden, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick m. ob.). Three Sanderlings that overwintered on Mossey’s Beach, Kings Co PE were last reported 23 Mar (ph. Hélène Blanchet, Sarah Deveau).

A Franklin’s Gull, casual to New Brunswick in spring, was an excellent find at McGowan’s Corner, Sunbury Co 2 May (ph. Janet Kempster, ph. Jim and Jean Wilson). Casual to Nova Scotia in spring, a Common Gull lingered in the New Glasgow area, Pictou Co from mid-Dec through 5 Apr (ph. Ken McKenna et al.). A Common Gull was also at West head, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co NS 17 May (ph. Mark Dennis). A Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Grand Barachois, SPM 5 Apr (ph. Laurent Jackman), and two individuals in St. Pierre, St. Pierre Island 21 Apr (ph. Laurent Jackman) were exceptionally rare to the French Isles. Slaty-backed Gull is a casual vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador, with one present at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s 3–6 Mar (ph. Blair Flemming, ph. Frank King, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick, m. ob.). The first report of the season for Sooty Shearwater in Newfoundland and Labrador waters was of an individual in flight near Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve, Avalon Peninsula 27 May (fide Jean-François Rousseau). The first report of Sooty Shearwater over the waters of St. Pierre et Miquelon, was that of an individual observed southwest of St. Pierre Island 30 May (ph. Joël Detcheverry).

Loons through Wrens

A Pacific Loon offshore of Miscou Island, Gloucester Co NB 22 April (ph. Andrew Olive, ph. vt. Rosemond Duguay) was only the sixth record for that province and the first spring record. A Gray Heron in the Argyle Head area, Yarmouth Co NS lingered into the season through 31 Mar (ph. Paul Gould, m. ob.). A Gray Heron discovered on St. Pierre Island, SPM 12 Mar remained through 10 Apr (ph. Patrick Hacala et al.) and provided the French Isles with their first record. Thelma Phillips discovered, and photographed daily, a Snowy Egret in her backyard at Foxley River PE 15–18 May (ph. Thelma Phillips,  Rosemary Curley), providing Prince Edward Island with its third record. A Little Blue Heron, casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, was present in Stephenville, St. George’s-Stephenville 26 May (ph. Kathy Marche) and was the sole report of that species within the Region. Similarly, a Tricolored Heron in the Saint’s Rest Marsh area, St. John NB 30 Apr–3 May (ph. Paul Martin, m. ob.) was also the sole report of this species in the Region. Casual in spring to Nova Scotia, three Black Vultures lingered into the season along Dump Road, Victoria Co, Cape Breton Island through 25 Mar (ph. David McCorquodale). The presence of Turkey Vultures on Prince Edward Island has been steadily increasing in spring. This season, they made an incredible appearance with 20 individuals reported across the province.

A casual migrant to New Brunswick, a Golden Eagle was in Harvey, Albert Co NB 20 Mar (ph. vt. Marc LeBlanc). The Steller’s Sea-Eagle briefly returned to the Port Union area of Bonavista/Trinity-Clarenville, Avalon Peninsula NL 30 Apr–2 May (ph. Dawn Lodge, ph. Sheldon Anthony et al.). A Northern Hawk Owl, casual to Prince Edward Island, was at the entrance to Bubbling Springs Trail, Dalvay, Prince Edward Island National Park PE 16 May (ph. Walter Brooks et al.)—an exceptionally late date. Casual to Prince Edward Island, but with increasing numbers, six Red-bellied Woodpeckers were present. Red-bellied Woodpecker is casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, with one at Port-au-port Peninsula, St. George’s-Stephenville 22–25 May (ph. Kathy Marche et al.). A Say’s Phoebe discovered in Ketch Harbour, Halifax Co NS 7–10 May (ph. Diane LeBlanc, m. ob.) provided a first spring record to that province and a third spring record for the Region. A Yellow-throated Vireo, a rare migrant to Nova Scotia, was on Aspotogan Peninsula, Lunenburg Co NS 21 May (ph. Robert and Sandi Keereweer) and provided the only report of the species for the Region. A Eurasian Jackdaw appeared at the Muskrat Falls Hydro Station, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay 1–4 May (Robert Stickley, ph. Natasha Andrews, ph. Lidija Cicjak-Chubbs et al.) and provided the province with its second record of the species. The previous record was of an individual in St. John’s NL in December 1994.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow observed in flight over Grand Étang, Miquelon Island SPM 12 May (ph. Laurent Jackman) provided the first spring record to the French isles. A well observed, and documented, female Purple Martin at Vallée du Milieu, St. Pierre Island SPM 10–11 May (ph. Laurent Jackman, ph. Valérie Jackman) provided a second record to the French Isles. The first record was of a Purple Martin in St. Pierre, St. Pierre Island SPM 7 June 1978 (fide Roger Etcheberry). A female Purple Martin at Bidgood Park, Goulds NL 19–25 May and was briefly joined by a second female 20 May (ph. John Brattey et al.). Purple Martin is a casual vagrant to Newfoundland and Labrador. A casual vagrant to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Cliff Swallow was observed at various nearby locations on St. Pierre Island 3–10 May (ph. Joël Detcheverry et al.). The White-breasted Nuthatch at Stephenville, St. George’s-Stephenville NL lingered into the season through 9 Mar (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Barry Day), and provided the third spring record of that species to the province.

Casual to Nova Scotia, four Carolina Wrens were reported for the season. On Prince Edward Island, a Carolina Wren was in Summerside 10 May (ph. Donna Martin), and provided the 11th record for the province. Carolina Wren is now casual to that province. Casual in spring to Nova Scotia, individual House Wrens were: at Sanford Harbour, Yarmouth Co 12 May (au. Kathleen Macaulay, Mike MacDonald), and along Granville Road, Annapolis Co 18 May (au. John Forsyth). A Sedge Wren discovered at Sunday Point, Kelly’s Cove, Yarmouth Co NS 16–30 May (au. Kathleen MacAulay, ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis et al.) was a casual migrant to the province.

Thrashers through Cardinals

A Brown Thrasher in Anse du Gouvernement, Langlade SPM 29 April (ph. Laurent Jackman) provided that province with its fifth record. Casual to Prince Edward Island, a Brown Thrasher was observed visiting a birdbath in Marshfield, Queens Co 12 and 24 May (ph. Fiep de Bie). Brown Thrasher is also casual to Newfoundland and Labrador in spring with an individual located at Greenspond, Bonavista/Trinity-Clarenville 27–28 May (au. ph. Ryan Larsen). A Veery on St. Pierre Island SPM 28 May+ (ph. Laurent Jackman, Patrick Hacala) was a casual vagrant to the French Isles. The Townsend’s Solitaire discovered in Quispamsis, Kings Co NB 2–4 Apr (ph. vt. Therese and Jim Carroll) was a casual vagrant to that province. Casual to Nova Scotia, reports of individual Gray-cheeked Thrush emanated from Chebogue Point Road, Yarmouth Co 2 May (ph. Mark and Sandra Dennis et al.), the Halifax Public Gardens, Halifax Co 5–6 May (Jean-François, ph. Gisèle d’Entremont, ph. Justin Burke), and Ketch Harbour, Halifax Co 7–8 May (ph. Diane LeBlanc, m. ob.). The last individuals were at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park, Halifax Co NS 7 May (ph. Lucas Berrigan), and Sable Island National Park, Halifax Co NS 10 May (Greg Stroud). The female Eurasian Blackbird first reported 22 Dec 2022 at Cartwright, Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay NL continued through 1 Apr (Jeff and Tracy Martin, ph. Alvan Buckley, ph. Vernon Buckle, ph. Bruce M. Di Labio) thus providing that province with its first spring record. A male Brambling was an exceptional and unexpected find at Charlos Cove, Guysborough Co NS 14–15 Apr (ph. Diane Richard, m. ob.) that provided the province with its second record, both from spring, and the third for the Region.

Casual in spring to New Brunswick, individual Hoary Redpolls were at Oromocto, Sunbury Co 7 Mar (Nancy Rideout), in Restigouche Co 30 Mar–20 Apr (ph. Andrew Oliver), and at Tide Head, Restigouche Co 1 Apr (ph. Lucette Lyons). The Brewer’s Sparrow, previously reported at Quispamsis, Kings Co NB, lingered into the season through 3 May (ph. Tracy Maas, ph. Rene Duclos et al.) and provided a first spring record to that province. Accidental in spring to Nova Scotia, a Golden-crowned Sparrow lingered into the season at Canso, Guysborough Co through 16 Apr (Tom Kavanaugh, m. ob.) and provided the fourth spring record for that province. A Seaside Sparrow found along the Saltmarsh Trail, Halifax Co NS 9 April (ph. Anne Simons) provided a first spring record for that province. Casual in spring to Nova Scotia, a female Yellow-headed Blackbird present at Cook’s Brook, Halifax Co 1 and 5 Mar (Anne Macdonald, ph. Wayne Green et al.) was subsequently relocated in Milford, Halifax Co 25 Mar (Lori Buhlman et al.). A tired Western Meadowlark that landed on a fishing vessel well offshore south of Yarmouth Co NS 27 May (ph. Aldric d’Eon) provided the province with its eighth record of the species and a second spring record. Casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, an Orchard Oriole was present at François, South Coast-Channel-Port aux Basques 26 May (ph. Corey Courtney).

Pine Warbler is particularly rare in spring to Nova Scotia—yet this season, 28 individuals were reported across the mainland portion of the province. A Blue-winged Warbler, a rare vagrant to New Brunswick in spring, was at Seal Cove, Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co 15 May (ph. Mitch Doucet, ph. Marc LeBlanc). The sole report of Hooded Warbler for the Region was of an individual at East Quinan, Shunacadie, Yarmouth Co NS (ph. Ervin Olsen) that provided that province with is ninth documented record. The sole reports of individual Prairie Warblers this season emanated from Grand Manan Island, Charlotte Co NB 21 May (ph. Marc LeBlanc, ph. Rhonda and Paul Langelaan), and Kent Island, Bay of Fundy, Charlotte Co NB 29 May (Sara Mueller). Two Yellow-throated Warblers, were reported in the Region—one on Kent Island, Charlotte Co NB 9 May (Sarah Mueller), and along Rennie’s River in St. John’s NL 1 Mar–30 May (ph. Roman Yaremchuk, m. ob.). Both were casual visitors to their respective provinces.

A Summer Tanager at McVane’s Creek, Kings Co PE 12–20 May (ph. Roberta Palmer et al.) provided the province with its ninth record of the species. A Scarlet Tanager—casual to Prince Edward Island—was at Fullerton’s Marsh, Stratford 15 May (fide Julie-Lynn Zahavich). Similarly, Scarlet Tanager is casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, with one found at Port-au-port Peninsula, St. George’s-Stephenville 26–30 May (ph. Kathy Marche, ph. Denise McIsaac et al.). A Western Tanager in Victoria Park, Charlottetown PE 20–22 May (ph. Alex Plamondon et al.) provided that province with its fourth record. The Northern Cardinal previously reported at Anse du Gouvernement, Langlade SPM lingered to 6 Apr (fide Laurent Jackman). It previously provided the French Isles with their sixth record, and now, its second spring record.

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 26 Nov 2023.