Atlantic: Winter 2023–2024

Waterfowl through Skimmer

A Snow Goose, casual to Prince Edward Island, was at South Lake, Kings Co 31 Dec and 2 Feb (Roberta Palmer). In Nova Scotia, a Pink-footed Goose continued into the season and wandered from Hants Co 1 Dec (ph. Paolo Matteucci) eventually to Lunenburg Co 13 Dec through 21 Feb (Steven Morris et al.). Transitioning the status of Pink-footed Goose from casual into rare in Nova Scotia, two were at Alder Point, Cape Breton Island 14 Dec (ph. David McCorquodale, ph. Steven McGrath). A Mute Swan which lingered into Pembroke, Yarmouth Co NS through 27 Feb (Bernard Tedford, Ervin Olden, ph. Paul Gould, m. ob.) was the sixth record for the province. A Eurasian Wigeon at La Pointe, St. Pierre Island SPM 26 Jan (ph. Joël Detcheverry) was a casual visitor to the French Isles. A Northern Shoveler was at Hyde Park pond, Cornwall, Queens Co PE 28 Dec through 27 Jan (ph. Wes Slauenwhite et al.), while 10 others were present at the Cavendish Farms Holding Ponds, Prince Co 22 Jan (ph. Melanie McCarthy), and at least six were exceptionally late at the same location 25 Jan (Camille Sullivan). The Redhead at Oysterbed Bridge Causeway, Queens Co PE 11 Feb (Spencer Haakman, ph. Melanie McCarthy, et al.) was a casual vagrant. A Tufted Duck at Cap Brûlé, Westmorland Co NB 3–5 Dec (ph. Gilles Belliveau, Marc LeBlanc) was a casual visitor to that province.

A good find, a Tufted Duck x scaup sp. at Oysterbed Bridge Causeway, Queens Co PE 27 Jan–11 Feb (ph. Melanie McCarthy, ph. Vanessa Bonnyman, Tristan John, ph. Roberta Palmer et al.) was the first ever recorded on Prince Edward Island. Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Barrow’s Goldeneye was discovered on the Isthme de Miquelon-Langlade 5 Dec (ph. Laurent Jackman). A Ruddy Duck at Étang de Mirande, Miquelon Island, SPM 5 Dec (ph. Laurent Jackman) provided the French Isles with their first winter record, and fifth overall. A casual vagrant to insular Newfoundland, a female Ruddy Duck at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s NL lingered into the season through 5 Jan (Tony Chubbs, ph. Frank King, m. ob.). The Common Gallinule found at West Light and Ponds, Sable Island National Park, Halifax Co, NS 3 Dec (ph. Natalie Thimot) provided a sixth winter record for that province. An unexpected find, the Common Gallinule in Margaree, South Coast-Channel-Port aux Basques, NL 14 Jan (ph. Susan Sweet-Skinner) provided that province with its sixth winter record. The American Coot at Murray River, Kings Co, PE 25–28 Jan (Cindy Esau, ph. Roberta Palmer et al.) was exceptionally late for that province. Sandhill Crane is rare to Nova Scotia in winter—yet one individual lingered within Yarmouth Co through 10 Jan (ph. Logan Moore et al.).

A Ruff at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s, NL lingered into, and through the season (Tony Chubbs, ph. Frank King, m. ob.). Casual in winter to Prince Edward Island, a Sanderling was present at Little Harbour, Kings Co 20 Jan (ph. Melanie McCarthy), while 13 were later present on Basin Head Beach, Kings Co 1 Feb (ph. Hélène Blanchet), an exceptionally late date for that province. The Trepassey, Avalon Peninsula Willet (ssp. inornata) lingered into the season through 13 Jan (ph. Bruce Mactavish, m. ob.) providing NL with its first winter record for the species and the third overall. A Parasitic Jaeger, casual to Nova Scotia in winter, was observed offshore of Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 17 Dec (David Bell, Dominic Cormier).

Loons through Thrushes

A Gray Heron was a great find in Ste. Anne-du-Ruisseau, Yarmouth Co, NS 2 Dec + (ph. Kathleen MacAulay, ph. Alix d’Entremont, m. ob.), and provided that province with its third record. “This Gray Heron represents the fourth record for Canada outside Newfoundland and Labrador. The other non-NL record was an adult at Covehead, Prince Edward Island National Park, PE 6 Aug through 10 Oct 2022” (fide Alix d’Entremont). Casual to Nova Scotia in other seasons, Snowy Egret is accidental in winter to that province. This season a Snowy Egret was at St. Anne-du-Ruisseau, Yarmouth Co 1–2 Dec (vt. Colton d’Eon, ph. Alex d’Entremont, ph. Kathleen Macaulay, ph. Ronnie d’Entremont), and provided the province with its second winter record. The Snowy Egret in the Pubnico Head Marshes, Yarmouth Co, NS 30 Dec through 13 Jan (ph. Ronnie d’Entremont et al.) provided the third winter record. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was an unexpected surprise at Mundy Pond, Avalon Peninsula, NL 1–15 Dec (ph. Blair Fleming). It was captured on 15 Dec by a Wildlife Rescue Group due to its poor condition, but unfortunately later perished. This Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron established first winter records for the province, Region, and Canada (fide Alvan Buckley). Accidental in winter to Prince Edward Island, a Golden Eagle continued into the season within the East Point area, Kings Co and was intermittently reported through 26 Feb (ph. Roberta Palmer et al.) providing a first winter record. The Steller’s Sea-Eagle continued its presence on insular Newfoundland in the Codroy Valley area, St. George’s-Stephenville through 12 Jan (Claudine DeVoe, ph. Jacob Stasso, Linda Carr, ph. Kharis Samms, m. ob.).

Casual in winter to Nova Scotia, three Red-shouldered Hawks were reported this season—the last being reported in Hants Co 31 January (ph. Jason Dain). A Red-headed Woodpecker tending feeders in Wheatley River, Queens Co, PE 8–10 Dec (ph. David Vail) was a seventh provincial record. The exceptional, though not unprecedented Crested Caracara reported last season, lingered through the entire winter season in Marshfield, Queens Co, PE (fide Glen Kelly). This is the first provincial, second Regional, and third Canadian winter record—the previous Regional winter record was at Balls Creek, Cape Breton Island, NS 18 January 2014. A Least Flycatcher, first reported along the Virginia River Trail in St. John’s, NL 6 Dec lingered through 5 Jan (ph. Randy Wheeler, m. ob.) and provided a first winter record. Eastern Phoebe was reported in above average numbers within the Region, where it is considered somewhat casual in winter. This season saw New Brunswick and Nova Scotia reporting two and 10 individuals, respectively. An Eastern Phoebe was at Bay Robert’s, Avalon Peninsula, NL 11 Jan (ph. Brenda Dalley), providing a first winter record. Accidental to Nova Scotia in winter, a Say’s Phoebe in Argyle, Yarmouth Co 25–27 Dec (Terry Achenbach, ph. Ronnie d’Entremont, ph. Logan Moore et al.) provided the ninth record. Later, in Woodside, Kings Co, NS a Say’s Phoebe was documented 29 Dec (ph. Melissa Bailey O’Hare). The Vermilion Flycatcher previously reported in the Chebogue Point area, Yarmouth Co, NS lingered through 2 Dec (ph. Ervin Olsen, m. ob.) providing the province with its first winter record, and fourth overall. A White-eyed vireo, casual in winter to New Brunswick, continued into the season at La Dunne de Bouctouche, Kent Co 1–9 Dec (ph. Mitch Doucet, ph. Irene Doucet, ph. Marc Poirier et al.). Accidental in winter to Nova Scotia, a Bell’s Vireo was discovered in Truro, Colchester Co 3 Dec (ph. Jeff Ogden), amazingly the third winter record, and 10th overall. This is a species whose eastern range has shrunk markedly in recent decades and it would be interesting to know which population(s) these birds are originating from.

Continuing into the season, the Marsh Wren at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s, NL last reported 4 Dec (ph. Ethel Dempsey, m. ob.) provided a fourth winter record. Further south in the region, Marsh Wren is a casual winter visitor to Nova Scotia where seven individuals were reported, with three remaining until early Jan. Accidental in winter to New Brunswick, two Marsh Wrens were in Moncton, Westmorland Co 27 Dec (ph. Devin Johnstone, ph. Brian Johnstone), just the third and fourth winter records. One of these lingered at that location until 12 Feb (au. Marc LeBlanc, au. Rhonda Langelaan). A Townsend’s Solitaire in Quispamsis, Kings Co, NB 12–14 Dec (ph. vt. Jim Carroll, ph. Therese Carroll) provided that province with its fifth record. Later, another Townsend’s Solitaire was discovered in Inkerman, Gloucester Co, NB 25–26 February (ph. Rene Duclos, ph. Michel Godin, ph. Marjorie Wilson) was not only exceptionally late, but provided the province with its sixth record. Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Hermit Thrush was observed at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island 26 and 28 Jan (ph. Joël Detcheverry). Exceptionally late for Prince Edward Island, a Hermit Thrush was documented at East Lake, Kings Co 8 Feb (ph. Roberta Palmer), and is a first for that month. Redwing is accidental to Nova Scotia, where an individual located at Grand Pré National Park Historical Site, Kings Co 2 Feb (ph. Jake Walker) provided the 10th record. Another Redwing, this one at Étang Boulot, St. Pierre Island, SPM 10–26 Feb (ph. Valérie Jackman, ph. Joël Detcheverry, ph. Laurent Jackman et al.) was a third record for the French Isles, a testament to the intense scrutiny of birds that goes on there. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Redwing is still a rare visitor, where an individual was present in St. John’s 22–27 Feb (ph. John Brattey, m. ob.).

Sparrows through Dickcissel

Casual to Nova Scotia, four Clay-colored Sparrows were reported this season: one in Taylor Head Provincial Park, Halifax Co 2 Dec (ph. Logan Moore), another was in Little Harbour, Richmond Co, Cape Breton Island 27 Dec (ph. David McCorquodale, ph. Susann Myers); one in Sydney, Cape Breton Island 2 Jan–16 Feb (ph. Steven McGrath et al.), and the last was on the First Peninsula, Lunenburg Co 21 Jan–22 Feb (ph. James Hirtle, m. ob.). St. Pierre et Miquelon’s fifth recorded Field Sparrow lingered into the season to become a first winter record. It was intermittently reported at Vallée du Milieu, St. Pierre Island 10 Dec and 27–31 Jan (ph. Patrick Hacala, ph. Joël Detcheverry, ph. Laurent Jackman). The Golden-crowned Sparrow in Canso, Guysborough Co, NS 15 Dec–14 Feb (ph. Tom Kavanaugh et al.) was thought to have returned to that location for a second winter in a row. It provided the province with its fourth documented winter record. Casual in winter to Nova Scotia, single Lincoln’s Sparrows, totalling five, were present this season: Cole Harbour, Halifax Co 9 Dec (Aaron Marshall); Little Pond, Cape Breton Island 24 Dec and 3 January (ph. David McCorquodale, ph. Steven McGrath); Windsor, Hants Co 1 Jan (ph. Devin Johnstone, ph. Brian Johnstone); Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island 3 Jan (ph. David McCorquodale); and finally New Waterford, Cape Breton Co, Cape Breton Island 4 and 10 Feb (ph. Peter Littlejohn). Two Swamp Sparrows were exceptionally late on Prince Edward Island—one was in Summerside, Prince Co 9 Jan (ph. Donna Martin), while the other was in the Clarkin area, Queens Co 27 Jan (Michael Salter). A late Western Meadowlark in Delbert, Colchester Co, NS 2–3 Feb (ph. Denise-Clarke Filmore) provided that province with its ninth overall and fourth winter record.

This season the Region did exceptionally well in respect to warbler species. A Tennessee Warbler lingered into the season at Wolfville, Kings Co, NS through 12 Dec (Todd Smith, ph. Harold Forsyth, Andrew Bates) providing the province with its fifth winter record. Casual in winter to Nova Scotia, four Nashville Warblers were reported this season. A MacGillivray’s Warbler, accidental to Nova Scotia in winter, which lingered along the Bissett Trail, Cole Harbour, Halifax Co 25 Dec–4 Jan (ph. Lori Buhlman, ph. Natalie Barkhouse-Bishop, m. ob.) provided the province with its first winter record. Unexpected, a Cape May Warbler—casual to New Brunswick in winter—was found in Riverside, Albert Co 6–19 Dec (ph. Marjorie Wilson). Three late Cape May Warblers, casual to Nova Scotia in winter, were reported: one in the Wolfville area, Kings Co 1 and 12 Dec (ph. Andrew Bates, m. ob.), another was at Little Pond, Cape Breton Island 23 Dec (ph. David McCorquodale), and the last was in Pictou, Pictou Co 26 Dec—11 Jan (ph. Ken McKenna, ph. Danny Cameron et al.). Casual to St. Pierre et Miquelon, a Palm Warbler was at La Réserve, St. Pierre Island 12 Dec (ph. Joël Detcheverry). Pine Warbler is casual in winter to Newfoundland and Labrador, where eight individuals were reported this season, and three lingered into Feb. Now casual to Prince Edward Island, two Pine Warblers were reported this season—one in Stratford, Queens Co 6–8 Jan (ph. Keisha Holmes), and the other was in Summerside, Prince Co 24 Jan–19 Feb (ph. Donna Martin).

The Yellow-throated Warbler present in the Quidi Vidi Lake area, St. John’s, NL 2–29 Dec (ph. Ian Winter, ph. Bruce Mactavish, ph. Frank King, m. ob.) was a casual vagrant to that province. Three Prairie Warblers, casual to Nova Scotia were reported this season: one at Hartlen Point, Halifax Co 3 Dec (ph. Jim Edsall), and two were in Sydney, Cape Breton Island 13 Dec with one remaining 23 Dec (ph. David McCorquodale, Steven McGrath). Also casual to Newfoundland and Labrador, a Prairie Warbler was present at Kelly’s Brook, St. John’s 19 Dec (John Brattey, ph. Charles Fitzpatrick). A Black-throated Gray Warbler, an unexpected find at Barrington Passage, Shelburne Co, NS 19 Dec and 2 Jan (ph. Mark Dennis et al.) provided the fourth documented winter record for that province. The Townsend’s Warbler in Sackville, Westmorland Co, NB 26 Dec–3 Jan (Graham Sorenson, Kristina Hick, Drew Sorenson, ph. Burke Korol et al.) provided that province with its first winter record. A Townsend’s Warbler discovered at the Irish Cove Limestone Quarry, Richmond Co, Cape Breton Island, NS 26–27 Dec (ph. Steven McGrath, ph. Morgan Wadden, ph. Kristen Macleod et al.) provided Cape Breton Island with its first record. Insular Newfoundland reported five Townsend’s Warblers this season—where they are considered casual visitors—with two lingering into mid-Jan. 

A casual winter visitor to Nova Scotia, a Summer Tanager lingered into the season at Dartmouth, Halifax Co through 9 Dec (Joanne Morgan, Marty Finch, m. ob.). Also casual to Nova Scotia in winter, a Western Tanager was also in Dartmouth, NS 3 Dec (Dominic Cormier), while another was found during the Christmas Bird Count in Port Caledonia, Cape Breton Island 28 Dec (ph. Janis Wall). Second winter records of a Black-headed Grosbeak in Stillwater Lake, Halifax Co, NS 4–6 Dec (ph. Beth Sherwood, m. ob.) and an exceptionally late Dickcissel was found at Tea Hill, Queens Co, PE 5 Feb (ph. Fiep de Bie) were well documented.

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 2 Dec 2025.