Nova Scotia Birds 56, number...Volume 56, Issue 1 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS 3 Annual General Meeting,...

Nova Scotia Birds A Quarterly Publication of the Nova Scotia Bird Society

Autumn Season 2013 Volume 56, Issue 1

Board 2012-2013 President David Currie

Vice President Eric Mills

Past President Vacant

Treasurer Gillian Elliott

Secretary Joan Czapalay

Membership Secretary Ulli Hoeger

Director Chris Pepper

Director Kate Steele

Director Tuma Young

Director Helene Van Doninck

Chair, NSBS Sanctuary Trust Bob McDonald

Honorary Solicitor Tony Robinson

Honorary Auditor Ruth E. Smith

Formed in 1955, the Nova Scotia Bird Society is a member of Nature Nova Scotia and Nature Canada. The activities of the

Society are centred on the observation, study and protection of the birds of the province and preservation of their habitats.

Nova Scotia Bird Society

c/o The Nova Scotia Museum

1747 Summer Street

Halifax, NS B3H 3A6

E-mail: [email protected] Find us on Facebook Web: nsbirdsociety.ca

Rare Bird Alert: http://groups.yahoo.com.group.NS-RB

Cover: This year’s most unprecedented

vagrant was the TUNDRA BEAN-

GOOSE in Yarmouth, here shown a day

after it was first reported. It subsequently

became our most “twitched” bird in

recent years. [Photo Ronnie d’Entremont]

Bird Society News – Annual Reports 3

Special Announcement – Rusty Blackbird blitz 10

Autumn Bird Reports 11

Waterfowl 13

Galliformes 18

Loons, Grebes 18

Tubenoses through Cormorants 19

Herons 23

Diurnal Raptors 24

Rallids, Cranes 26

Shorebirds 28

Gulls through Alcids 33

Pigeons through Woodpeckers 36

Flycatchers through Thrushes 39

Mimids through Wood Warblers 44

Sparrows to House Sparrow 48

List of Contributors 52

Field Trip Reports 53

Other Reports 55

Spread the Bird Word (a Beginner’s Tips) 55

Raising a Starling: part 2 56

Shorebird Excitement 57

A “Lonely” Bank Swallow 59

Our First Sight-Record of California Gull 60

Our First Hammond’s Flycatcher 61

Our First In-hand Western Warbling Vireo 62

Birds in our past 63

mailto:[email protected]

Volume 56, Issue 1 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS 2

Production Editor

Ian McLaren

Address below

Records Editor

Lance Laviolette

Address below

Copy Editor

Maxine Quinton

Events Editor

Kate Steele

Seasonal Bird Reports

James Churchill

Chris Field

Nic Fieldsend

Ross Hall

Ulli Hoeger

Ken McKenna

Eric Mills

Susann Myers

Rick Whitman

Banner Artist & Line Art

Trevor Herriot

Bird Reports to:

Lance Laviolette

RR # 1, Glen Robertson, ON,

K0B 1H0

[email protected]

Photo submissions to:

Ian McLaren

Address below

Other Items for publication to:

Ian McLaren

1755 Cambridge St

Halifax, B3H 4A8

[email protected]

.

Foreword by the Production Editor

What an autumn this was! The Society’s Facebook Page has

become our primary means of rapid exchange of

information among beginners and experienced birders alike.

(See Andy de Champlain’s delightful account of his

beginnings as a birder on p. 57). Members and others also

increasingly contributed Nova Scotia bird records to eBird,

with about 33,500 entries for August through November.

However valuable these records will be in the long run, with

use of sophisticated ‘data-crunching’ analyses, our various

Section Editors have had to contend with the overwhelming

data in various more limited ways – more art than science.

With this issue, Maxine Quinton has had her first

opportunity to cleanse the whole issue of our (mostly my)

typographic and more serious errors. Readers will, I’m sure,

find less eyebrow-raising text.

The season’s greatest excitement was generated by the

discovery of an unusual number of rare and vagrant birds,

the most outstanding of which was our first TUNDRA

BEAN-GOOSE, apparently of western Siberian origin. It

and a number of other rarities were widely publicized and

‘ticked’, photographed, and documented, by beginning and

experienced birders alike. Three other great finds were, alas,

only observed by privileged bird-banders on fabled Bon

Portage Island: CALIFORNIA GULL, HAMMOND’S

FLYCATCHER, and “Western” WARBLING VIREO

Another one, a HENSLOW’S SPARROW at Hartlen Pt.,

was found and diagnostically photographed only by its

lucky finder. The photos and careful accounts of these

rarities for readers of this journal serve as models of how

such birds should be documented for the permanent record.

Finally, we welcome James Churchill, who has relieved me

of writing the account of Sparrows to House Sparrow, and

Graham Williams, who has replaced long-serving Section

Editor Chris Field to report on Pigeons through

Woodpeckers. Readers will also note that I have, with the

approval of the NSBS Board, deemed myself “Production

Editor”, which reflects what I have been trying to do for

more than two years, and now feel more confident in doing.

Our various Section Editors, bird photographers, and others

do the real work of creating our journal; but errors of

content in the final product and awkwardness in layout

remain attributable to me.

ISSN 0383-0537

Use of written material or photos from Nova Scotia Birds needs permission from the Editor or photographer respectively

Cost of this publication is partly provided by the Nova Scotia Museum



Annual General Meeting, December 7, 2013

Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax

Minutes The meeting was called to order by the President, Dave Currie, at 7:32pm.

The 35 people in attendance were more than enough for a quorum.

1.0 Approval of the Agenda. It was moved by Bob McDonald, seconded by Gillian Elliott that the agenda be approved

as presented.

2.0 Approval of the Minutes of the 2012 Annual meeting. It was moved by Eric Mills and seconded by Tuma

Young that the minutes of the 2012 Annual Meeting be approved. Motion carried.

3.0 Business arising from the minutes. Changes in the By-laws and Memorandum of Association were presented

and discussed later in the meeting.

4.0 Reports 4.1 Membership Report presented by Ulli Hoeger. Our membership is up this year with a gain of 48 members since

2012. We are now offering the option of joining NSBS using Paypal. This has brought us 12 memberships in just two weeks.

Some are joining via our Facebook page, which now has nearly 1300 followers, from 450 last year. See Appendix 1

4.2 Treasurer’s Report Gillian Elliott reported that our budget has been balanced and audited. See Appendix 2.

Acceptance of the report was passed by all attending.

4.3 Conservation Committee report was presented by Dave Currie on behalf of Helene Van Doninck. Helene has been

very active in speaking with hunting and angling groups on the importance of eliminating lead shot and sinkers due to the

damage to birds and other wildlife. She has been twice to the U.S. to speak to hunting groups there. Helene has also been

working with Ecology Action on a program called Allied Cats, to encourage people to keep their cats indoors for the health

of the cats and to help protect the birds.

4.4. Editor’s Report. Ian McLaren, our acting editor was out of town, so his report was given by the president, Dave

Currie. Ian has been acting editor for just over a year, and our magazine, Nova Scotia Birds is now back on schedule. The

magazine is now available online through our new website: <nsbirdsociety.ca> There are two changes to the Bird Reports

editors : Graham Williams will take on Chris Field’s section of Owls to Woodpeckers and James Churchill will look after

Ian McLaren’s section. We have had good feedback on the magazine and some of our members are choosing to read the

electronic version of NS Birds. The back issues are on our website.

4.5 The Sanctuary Trust Report. See in Appendix 3.

4.6 Sanctuary Trust Treasurer’s Report. See Report in Appendix 4. Acceptance of the report was moved by Eric Mills,

seconded by Blake Maybank.

4.7 President’s report. See report in Appendix 5.

5.0 By-Laws. It was noted that six directors and a quorum of fifteen were present. It was moved by Gillian and seconded by

Chris Pepper that the new memorandum of association be passed. All were in favour. Gillian Elliott explained the necessity

of the changes to the by-laws to comply with the regulations for charitable status. Gillian Elliot moved and Suzanne

Borkowski seconded that the new by-laws be accepted. Passed unanimously.

6.0 New business: Blake Maybank called our attention to the proposed changes to the new Otter Lake Landfill site that

would be detrimental to our HRM recycling program and the possible increase in gull numbers which was a problem at the

old Sackville site, as a large number of gulls impact on the survival of other birds. Council will meet about this in January.

Blake suggested that NSBS look at the increase in the number of Bald Eagles in our province as a possible problem due to

artificial feeding. Blake is monitoring Nova Scotia’s eBird sightings and was behind due to being away. He encouraged

everyone to continue to submit sightings as he is now catching up.

7.0 Adjournment: All were invited by President Currie to stay after the meeting for the traditional cheese and wine, sweets

and coffee and social time together. Judy O’Brien moved adjournment.


The 2013 and 2014 Board of the Nova Scotia Bird Society. Back and middle row from left: Joan

Czapalay, Dennis Hippern (Sanctuary Trust), David Currie, Suzanne Borkowski (Sanctuary Trust) ,

Chris Pepper, Kate Steele, Terry Boswell. Front row from left: Ulli Hoeger, Bob McDonald (Sanctuary

Trust), and Tuma Young, Eric Mills. Missing were Gillian Elliott and Helene Van Doninck.

At left, President David Currie presents a Bird Society Certificate of Appreciation on Nov 8, 2013, to

Ashley Stagg of Just US! Coffee House in Wolfville, for their generous contribution to “Swift Night

Out” and for their ongoing support of birds through their eco-friendly coffee; and at right, on Nov

11, 2013, to Hartlen Point Golf Club Manager Mark Jessome in appreciation of management,

members, and staff for allowing our members to share their property, with its important bird habitats.


Appendix 1. Nova Scotia Bird Society Membership

*Memberships that csn be renewed for 2014

Appendix 2. Nova Scotia Bird Society Treasurer’s Report, signed by David Currie, President;

Gillian Elliot, Treasure; R. Smith, Auditor/

Balance Sheet at Sept 30, 2013, Sept 2012

2012/2013 2011/2012

ASSETS

4,535 6,132

Current Bank Account 34,128 33,765

Power Savings Account 656 322

Accounts Receivable

TOTAL ASSETS 39,320 40,219

======== =======

LIABILITIES

PAYABLES 165 305

Deferred Revenue 0 0

165 305

EQUITY

Current Earnings -759 -4,936

Accumulated Revenue 39,914 44,849

TOTAL EQUITY 39,155 39,914

======== =======

LIABILITIES &

EQUITY 39,320 40,219

______________________________ Income Statements for fiscal years ending Sept 30

2013, 20012

REVENUE 2013/2012 2012/2011

Memberships 5,370.00 4,770.00

Advertising 160.00 80.00

Donations Received 1,022.26 677.37

Grants 4,000.00 2,000.00

Interest 363.86 368.23

Product Sales 1,028.00 150.00

Miscellaneous

Income 122.71 101.26

TOTAL REVENUE 12,066.83 8,146.86

======= =======

EXPENSE

Cost of Goods Sold

2,367.30

0.00

Nova Scotia Birds 6,008.53 3,998.71

Advertising

Promotions 2,032.46 95.00

AGM 330.50 493.39

Awards and Gifts 110.65 36.46

Bank Charges 74.69 80.53

Bird Counts 0.00 120.00

Committees 0.00 633.50

Donations Given 0.00 6,600.00

Equipment 32.12 0.00

Honorariums 50.00 0.00

Insurance 450.00 462.50

Memberships 175.00 175.00

Misc. Expenses 310.19 98.91

Monthly Meeting

Expenses 884.45 288.43

TOTAL EXPENSE 12,825.89 13,082.43

======= =======

NET INCOME -759.06 -4,935.57


Appendix 3. Annual Report of Nova Scotia Bird Society Sanctuary Trust, Bob McDonald

The Sanctuary Trust (ST) exists to take care of the NSBS properties – a total of seven islands and two mainland properties

from Victoria to Yarmouth counties. In previous reports, I have outlined the sizes, locations, assessed values and taxes on the

properties. Several of the properties have wardens who may send in occasional reports. But some of the properties are

difficult to visit, and several islands are nearly impossible to land on. We have owned these properties for their value as

habitat for breeding and migrating birds. No new properties have been acquired for at least 30 years.

A couple of years ago, after being approached by a couple of long-time NSBS members, I sent a message to ST board

members with my thoughts and asked for their input on actions that might improve stewardship of the properties for birds.

Today, a number of land-trust organizations own land to protect it and also have volunteer stewards who visit their properties

to ensure they remain of high ecological value. One such organization is the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (NSNT), which now

owns and/or protects some 55 properties of over 7,000 acres across the province, and promises its members and supporters

that its land will be protected in perpetuity. The ST Board met in February 2013 to discuss options for our properties, and

after much discussion we decided unanimously to offer all of them to the NSNT, with the proviso that they remain primarily

for the birds, both nesting and migrant. As an ex officio ST Board member through his position as NSBS President, Dave

Currie took this motion to the Bird Society Board and received approval of this action.

Our contact at the NSNT, Property Manager, Dennis Garratt, has now left the employ of the NSNT, and the ST property file

has been handed over to Peter Green, whose specialty is mapping and GIS, and who is thoroughly familiar with the NSNT

properties. Peter has recently indicated that our offer to donate our properties has been enthusiastically endorsed by the

NSNT Properties Committee and anticipates a favourable response from the NSNT Board as well. Property transfers do take

time, however, so our ownership of these properties will continue for some time. Following NSNT Board approval, next

steps will be to carry out preliminary biological inventories on all of the properties, which have not been done by the NSBS.

In addition to birds, they will be looking for other fauna as well as flora, especially uncommon or rare species. Species like

the endangered boreal felt lichen would be an exciting and noteworthy find. Members of the ST Board and all members of

NSBS will be welcome to accompany the field parties when properties are visited, and we will monitor the assessments

closely. As indicated in our financial statement below, apart from paying taxes on the properties, a donation was made to the

Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for their large raptor enclosure which is now complete. Donations are always

welcome to the ST fund so that we are able to continue supporting worthwhile projects such as this.

Finally, in announcing the 2013-14 Board, I would like to thank Terry Boswell for his years of service on the Board and at

least 4 as Treasurer. Busyness at work and home has necessitated that Terry step off the Board. Many thanks for your hard

work, Terry!! Continuing and new Board members are: Suzanne Borkowski, Treasurer; Dennis Hippern, Secretary;

Verna Higgins, Director; Dave Currie, ex officio Director as NSBS President; Bob McDonald, Chair, Sanctuary Trust.

2012/2013 2011/2012

Current Assets

Bank account 1,500 2,658

Term deposits 17,000 17,000

Interest Term Deposits - -

Land (see appendix A) 47,660 47,660

Total cash 66,160 67,318

Accounts receivable 0 0

Prepaid expense 0 0

Total Current Assets 66,160 67,318

Total Assets 66,160 67,318

2012/2013 2011/2013

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable 0 0

Deferred revenue 0 0

Total Liabilities 0 0

Members' equity

Opening balance 67,318 67,450

Surplus (deficit) (-1,158) (-132)

Total members' equity 66,160 67,318

Liabilities and equity 66,160 67,318

The above financial statement was signed by ST Chair Bob McDonald, Treasurer Terry Boswell, and Auditor Ruth Smith.


Appendix 5. Nova Scotia Bird Society President’s Report, David Currie

This past year was one of significant change for our society. After years of sliding membership it was time to look at the

great ideas coming from previous members of the board, along with a few of our own, and have them all implemented before

tonight! We were counting on these changes to create new positive energy and re-engage our members.

After a phone campaign in January, in which we asked almost 50 people why they hadn't renewed in 2012, we discovered

that sadly some saw little value, some simply forgot to renew and others found writing cheques inconvenient. It was clear we

had to fix this. First, as much as the older website had provided valuable information, it could not do everything we identified

as important. We needed a website that could store all the digital back issues; it had to be easily updated; it needed a method

of on-line payment; and we needed to provide members with special privileges unavailable to non-members. If we were

going to change, it had to be impressive. At this point we knew we needed professional help with the website, at least

initially.

We knew the magazine was the single most important way to keep our members connected. In the fall of 2012, Ian McLaren

as acting editor not only learned how to do the layout of the magazine, but was writing articles, doing his seasonal bird report

as well as all the copy editing. So, it became on track. That of course wasn't enough, because we wanted to develop a full-

colour, online version to impress our members while saving on printing and mailing costs. Some of us have dreamt of

digitally reproducing the 200 or so back issues of Nova Scotia Birds and our earlier material in old Nova Scotia Museum

Newsletters, thereby making them readily available to teachers, students, researchers and members. We have realized our

dream, and this was a great step forward,

With this fresh on-line look, we decided to consider another radical departure and change the crest to fit the new image. We

hoped we could produce a modern, vibrant look that would be both appealing and recognizable. This wasn't an easy decision

but it was one that needed to be done right away in order to incorporate its colour, design and style into the new website.

Another major undertaking was to promote ourselves with identifiable clothing that would bring in revenue as well. Along

with this promotion, Ulli Hoeger helped us design a Nova Scotia Bird Society banner that any member can use for display at

trade shows, schools, special events, talks and meetings.

We also recognize that field trips combine learning and discovery with meeting new people and making long lasting

relationships. Kate Steele's mission this past year was threefold: organize trips in new areas of the province; have more

beginner outings; and combine diverse groups whenever possible. And what a great job Kate did. Along with many regular

trips, we had the first Nova Scotia Walk for Wildlife, plus co-ordinated field trips with The Young Naturalist Club, Blomidon

Naturalist Society, and Friends of McNab's Island. We also had two “Meet-Up” groups led by Blake Maybank: The Halifax

Outdoor Adventurers, and the Maritimes Camera Club. All of these trips were extremely successful. If that wasn't enough,

DNR asked for our help with regular interpretive field trips for Provincial Park users, and several members, especially Joan

Czapalay, braved really poor weather to accommodate them. Kudos to DNR for adding the trips to their parks programs.

Our Facebook group has had a profound impact with over 1500 members sharing their stunning photos and birding

information. The society greatly benefits from this group as people with common interests build friendly on-line

relationships, and many become members and volunteer to help where they can. In addition, we now have our own Twitter

account, bringing us even further into the realm of social connections. Very Special thanks go to Helene Van Doninck, who

promoted this from the beginning, and to Tuma Young, Anne Hebb and Paul Manning, who helped administer these sites.

.

Our out-of-town meeting was held in Yarmouth this year, with a very informative talk on TurkeyVultures given by New

Brunswick naturalist and society member Jim Wilson. The Yarmouth County Museum staff were exceptionally gracious,

catering to a large (and very friendly) group. At the meeting we were so pleased to present long-time supporters and

contributors, Sid and Betty June Smith, with NSBS lifetime memberships. A new and hopefully annual event called (Swift

Night Out’) was held in Wolfville in August. Many of our members attended a wonderful talk about the current problems

affecting Chimney Swift. The talk was given by Canadian Wildlife Service's Ally Manthorne and the night was organized by

The Blomidon Naturalist Society, our society, and CWS with help from JustUS! Coffee Roasters. It was a total success.

This year saw long-term member Bernard Forsythe receive the very prestigious Canadian Wildlife Federation's Stan

Hodgkiss Outdoorsman of the Year Award which was presented to him in Victoria B.C. Anyone knowing Bernard and his


efforts appreciates why the CWF picked him! Very well deserved Bernard. I presented Society certificates on your behalf to

Claire Diggins, Mary Alward, Harold Forsyth, Tom Kavannagh, and Helene Van Doninck for their support to our society and

members; JustUS! Coffee in Wolfville; and Hartlen Point Golf Course.

We are indebted to Ian McLaren who not only last year released the very popular "All The Birds of Nova Scotia", but has so

generously donated the royalties of the book sales to further the society's efforts. Ian is not here tonight, but we want to say

again how very grateful we are for all that he does for us

.

Chris Pepper and Kate Steele not only contributed to our many executive meetings this year, but led most of the New Birder

field trips. Chris organizes the Annual Spring Migration Count, an onerous job, and Chris and Kate do all the sorting, mailing

and dealing with Canada Post and our printer to get our magazines in the mail. Thank you both! Thanks to Bob McDonald,

Suzanne Borkowski, Dennis Hippern and Terry Boswell for their work on the Sanctuary Trust. And we welcome Verna

Higgins as a new member of the Sanctuary committee

Much work goes into writing seasonal bird reports for Nova Scotia Birds to make sense of bird occurrences here, and we are

fortunate to have had the expert knowledge of our section editors Susann Myers, Ulli Hoeger, Ross Hall, John Belbin, Eric

Mills, Rick Whitman, Ken McKenna, Chris Field, Nic Fieldsend and Ian McLaren. We now have Maxine Quinton who has

taken on the copy editing responsibility and is already finding the missing ifs and buts. We also have two new section editors

on board for the next issue: Graham Williams and James Churchill.

.

Enormous gratitude goes to Helene Van Doninck, our one-person Conservation-Committee army. She has been tireless in her

determination to rid our environments of lead. Not only are we fortunate to have her on our board, she also offers her expert

knowledge and leadership on several other public-interest groups. I don't think she sleeps, but what a legacy she is creating.

A very special thank you to Shirley Cohrs, who edited our magazine and served on our executive for so many years and also

designed our original puffin crest that served us so well. We are very appreciative of all that the crest symbolized and can

only hope our new one can garner as much respect as the older one did. Thank you Shirley.

.

Pat Kelly was a huge help all year maintaining the old website; his amazing organizational skills allowed our new executive

to slide seamlessly into our roles. Pat, Ulli, Azor Vienneau and Kate also volunteered to run the booth during the three days

and evenings at the RV and Sports Show in March. It was a lot of fun and we hope you'll volunteer again.

.

It is so nice to be able to count on my daughter Jennifer to look after our coffee and treats each meeting; and I speak for

everyone when I say we hope you continue next year. And keep bringing your Mom's Chocolate chip cookies! Our Wine and

Cheese offering tonight would not be nearly as impressive if Joan Czapalay hadn’t taken charge. Thank you Joan.

We needed to comply with the new Federal and Provincial rules on Bylaws and Memorandum of Association, and with

Gillian Elliott over-seeing this change, we will do so this evening by special resolutions. Thank you Gillian (and Jim).

Finally, it was my pleasure to present our annual Puffin of the Year Award to long-time member Sylvia Fullerton, for her

many contributions.

We have accomplished a lot this year that would have been impossible without the unanimously enthusiastic support from

our executive. And we are on track. It has been a great year working with Eric, Chris, Gillian, Helene, Joan, Kate, Terry, and

Ulli.

.

Sylvia J Fullerton 2013 Puffin of the Year

One of the most important and pleasurable jobs for your president is choosing the recipient of the coveted Puffin of The Year

Award. The award is presented to an exceptional member of our society; someone we are fortunate to have among us;

someone who stands out for their contributions to bird life, whether through awareness, science, literature, ongoing society

business, or through mentoring the young or new birders of our province. Our 2013 Puffin Of The Year recipient has

contributed in all of these ways, and just as quietly and unassumingly in many more ways.


This is a person who has gained enormous respect and trust and whose knowledge and expertise are sought not just in the

birding communities of Nova Scotia, but in many places throughout the world. This individual has written seasonal reports as

a section editor for Nova Scotia Birds, has served as our secretary, treasurer, and as a much-admired director for many years,

always agreeing to serve when called upon by our society. You may have met our Puffin on one of many Christmas Bird

Counts, or as a fellow participant on countless outings over the years. You may have been lucky enough to have had this

expert lead you on one of those outings.

Our honoured recipient has been a dedicated citizen scientist for many years, conscientiously devoting time and effort to both

Breeding Bird Atlases and to the Piping Plover Programs in the Atlantic region, and in so doing has added considerably to

our collective knowledge and awareness. This individual has the unique and record-setting distinction of running forty-two

consecutive years of Breeding Bird Surveys, with a total of sixty-three surveys completed in all; and for forty-three

consecutive years has compiled a Christmas Bird Count and played host to the many participants.

As head of Dalhousie University's Killam Science Library, she was responsible for acquiring an outstanding collection of

ornithological journals that remains as a wonderful resource for students and researchers.

Her bird sightings and meticulous write-ups of rare birds, particularly those from her beloved Seal Island and Broad

Cove, are legendary.

This year's Puffin is practically a founding member of our society. Since the early 1960's, when she took out her first

membership, she has endeared herself to everyone she meets with her kindness, her hospitality, and with her unparalleled

generosity. Her ever present smile accompanied by her warm and amazing ability to speak from her heart in a friendly,

intelligent and welcoming manner, immediately makes you feel at ease.

I expect by now many of you know of whom I'm speaking. I've been trying to avoid making it obvious until the end, but

that's difficult to do when you're talking about someone so well-known and so much-admired.

I am very honoured to present this award tonight. I

am even more honoured to have had the friendship of

this remarkable woman for these many years. Please

join me in congratulating the 2013 recipient of the

NSBS Puffin of the Year Award . . . Sylvia Fullerton.


Rusty Blackbird spring migration blitz – calling all birders!

Why? Over the past half-century, the historically abundant Rusty Blackbird has endured one of the steepest population

declines ever documented among North American landbirds.

Within the last 15 years, scientists have learned more about this bird’s breeding

and wintering ecology and this knowledge allows us to target conservation

initiatives during these phases of this bird’s annual cycle. However, as with

many migratory species, we know very little about Rusty Blackbird ecology,

distribution, and habitat use during migration. Are there hot spots where many

individuals congregate? Are there stopover areas that are used predictably each

year, and are these locations protected? The Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration

Blitz will address these and other questions to help focus future research and

conservation of one of North America’s most vulnerable blackbirds. We’re

recruiting an army of birders to participate in this effort to help conserve this

fascinating songbird. Will you accept our birding challenge?

Who? The International Rusty Blackbird Working Group, eBird, and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies are partnering with

local organizations, like the Nova Scotia Bird Society, to recruit volunteer observers from across the southeastern U.S., East

Coast, Midwest, Alaska, and Canada.

What? Each participating state, province, and territory will have a 3-8 week target window during which birders will search

for Rusty Blackbirds. Within this window, birders may explore favored birding haunts or newly identified areas that they

suspect may harbor Rusty Blackbirds. We’ll provide some guidance on potential habitats to explore, but birders should feel

free to get creative – and ambitious! – with their searching.

When? Spring 2014 kicks off the first year of this three-year Spring Migration Blitz; the Blitz window will span early

March through mid-June, with more specific time frames identified for each state or province to account for the northward

migratory progression. Target dates for Nova Scotia are mid-April to mid-May.

Where? Get ready for a continent-wide event! The Spring Blitz will span the Rusty Blackbird’s entire spring migration

range, from the wintering grounds in the southeastern United States, up the East Coast and through the Midwest to Canada

and Alaska.

How do I get involved? Easy! If you’d like to contribute data to the Spring Migration Blitz effort, bird as you normally do,

focusing on potential Rusty Blackbird habitat during the Blitz time frame established for your region. You can seek out the

best-known places for Rusty sightings or explore uncharted territory. Make sure to report ALL of your observations to eBird

– we want to know both where you saw these birds and where you didn’t. Please log your data under the “Rusty Blackbird

Spring Migration Blitz” protocol (under Other) on eBird, whether or not you detected any Rusties. Check out the newly

revamped website of the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group (http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/)

for information about identification, vocalizations, habitat preferences, and types of data to collect to support this initiative.

Also, check with your provincial coordinator Kate Steele ([email protected]) for additional ways you can help with the

Blitz efforts in your region, or contact Spring Migration Blitz Coordinator Judith Scarl ([email protected]) to get

involved in the broader Blitz initiative!

Thanks for “Getting Rusty” with us this spring! Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rustyblackbirdspringblitz)

to follow up-to-the minute information about our Blitz, and happy birding!

The International Rusty Blackbird Working Group

eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Nova Scotia Bird Society

http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/



https://www.facebook.com/rustyblackbirdspringblitz


NOTE: The following are frequently used abbreviations and acronyms, especially used to save space in tables and often in

text. In addition, months and most county names are abbreviated (except when stand-alone), and the latter are always in

italics to distinguish them from towns with the same names. Well known cities and towns, even some small ones, are spelled

out in full, without their counties or municipalities. Cardinal and ordinal directions may be abbreviated (as w., n.e., etc.) and

capitalized only when part of a place name.

General terms

ABO = Atlantic Bird Observatory (reports from)

AOU = American Ornithologist’s Union

Ad., ad. = adult

Atlas = Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas, 80-90 &/or 06-10

BBS – Breeding Bird Survey

Bch., bch. = Beach, beach

Brk.= Brook

ca. = approximately

CBC = Christmas Bird Count

DU = Ducks Unlimited wetland

f. = female

fide = on the authority of

Hbr. = Harbour

Hway(s) = Highway(s) usually numbered

I.= Island (pl. Is.)

imm. = immature

incl. = including

juv. = juvenile (first post-nestling plumage)

loc(s). location(s)

Lr. = Lower

m. = male

m. obs. = many observers

n.d. = no details (unsupported by documentation)

no. = number

NP = National Park

nr. = geographically near

NSNT = Nova Scotia Nature Trust (properties surveys)

obs., as in ‘2 obs.’ = observer(s), not observation(s)

Pk. = Park

Pen. = Peninsula

ph. = photographed

PP = Provincial Park

Pt. = Point (not Port)

pr. = pair

R. = River

Rd. = Road

rept(s). = report(s)

Sanct. = Sanctuary, as in several Game Sanctuaries

spec. = specimen

thr. = throughout a season, as in ‘thr. summer’

Tr. = Trail

var. obs. = various observers

WMA – Wildlife Management Area

yng. = young

+ or ++ with numbers = more; with dates = later

< , > = less (or fewer) than, greater (or more) than

Geographical locations

APBS = Amherst Point Bird Sanctuary, Cumb

BPI = Bon Portage (Outer) I. Shel

Brier I. = Brier Island, Digby

CBI = Cape Breton Island

CBHNP = Cape Breton Highlands National Park

CBRM = Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Hbr., hbr. = Harbour, harbour

HRM = Halifax Regional Municipality

Keji NP = Kejimkujik National Park

Keji Seaside NP = Kejimkujik NP Seaside Adjunct

PPP, Halifax = Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

Saltmarsh Tr., HRM = Saltmarsh Trail across Cole Hbr.

Seal I. = Seal Island, of the 6Outer Tusket Is., Yar.

Uniacke Pk. = Uniacke Estate Museum Park, Hants


Waterfowl

By Ross Hall

The fall of 2013 was an exciting time for waterfowl watchers in Nova Scotia. Birders had the opportunity to see many species

of waterfowl, some regarded as very rare. Most unexpected was our first-ever TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE (our cover bird),

observed through most of November at the Yarmouth Golf and Country Club. Preliminary analysis (details to be published in

the next, Winter-Season, issue) indicates that the bird originated in western Siberia. A BARNACLE GOOSE and a PINK-

FOOTED GOOSE, both near Truro, also generated excitement. These three species were sought by birders both local and

from afar. Neil Hayward from Cambridge, Massachusetts, included the three Nova Scotia goose species in his record North

American ‘Big Year’ total of 749.

This image of the lingering PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, six days after discovery, shows all field marks,

including vivid pink feet. The BARNACLE GOOSE, here on discovery day, was conspicuous among

the small Canadas (small interior from Greenland?). [Photos: left, Lou-Anne Bidal; right, Ian McLaren]

ROSS’S GOOSE, which caused much interest last winter at Hartlen Point, HRM, seemed a little less special this year. The

one photographed by Cliff Sandeson Oct 10 near Truro was possibly or probably the same bird that settled near Windsor

from Oct 19 through November and was seen by many enthusiasts.

ROSS’S GOOSE at left, Oct 10 at Lr. Truro, Col, is dwarfed by larger (“Atlantic” or “Interior”

subspecies?) Canada Geese. A cropped photo of the (same?) individual found later near

Windsor (here Oct 22) shows the lack of a ‘grinning patch’, grey base, and straight back edge

of the bill, all good marks of this species. Photos: left, Cliff Sandeson; right, Lou-Anne Bidal]


Another rare goose, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, was seen at two locations. The first spent several days at and near

Grandview Golf Course, HRM, and was said to have been present at least a week prior to being first seen Oct 2 by DAC. The

other was found only briefly in the Onslow, Col, area. Photographs (below) suggest that the former probably came from n.w.

Canada, and the latter was the more usual kind from Greenland.

The adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at left, with distinctly pink bill, and a back only slightly

darker than the grey underparts, seems to be of the subspecies gambelli breeding in taiga and tundra of

northwestern Canada. It has an intact left hind-toe (hallux), but distinguishing this subspecies from an escape of

the Eurasian subspecies albifrons remains problematic. The orange bill of the one at right marks it as the

Greenland-nesting subspecies flavirostris, the usual form here. [Photos: left, David Currie; right, Lou-Anne Bidel]

There were only two reports of SNOW GOOSE, normally more common in Nova Scotia during fall. Among the thousands of

CANADA GEESE in the Truro area with the Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese was at least one goose identified by several as

a CACKLING GOOSE. Eric Mills described it as: “Much smaller than the Canadas; head squarish, forehead abrupt; bill

very small and stubby. A typical Richardson’s (race of Cackling) Goose, Branta. h. hutchinsii.” Confused like me on what is

a Cackling Goose? The smallest four of eleven long-recognized Canada Goose subspecies were recently determined (July

2004) by the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) Committee on Classification and Nomenclature to be distinct enough to

be their own species based on genetic analysis. They became Cackling Goose, with the scientific name Branta hutchinsii.

Cackling Goose includes the races known as “Richardson's”, “Taverner's”, “Aleutian”, and “Cackling” Goose. Confusingly,

the "Lesser Canada Goose" remains a race of the Canada Goose. “Richardson’s” Cackling Goose” nests in arctic tundra from

s.w. Baffin I. to w. NWT, and winters mainly in Texas and Mexico. Interestingly, geese with smaller body mass, therefore

harder to keep warm at the core, must migrate further south. In the table below, only the higher flock numbers of Canada

Geese are listed for information. Although they were undoubtedly present in their usual abundance on CSI, only a single

BRANT was recorded on eBird – at BPI in October.

The table below lists the dates and locations for the expected dabbling and diving ducks seen around the province, mostly

from eBird or NS-RBA. Readers of Nova Scotia Birds are encouraged to use eBird and report rarities to NS-RBA. Instead of

the usual listings by date, the table entries of duck species follow a counter-clockwise path around the province from the

north in CBI south to Antigonish, Pictou, and Cumberland, then down the Fundy shore to Yarmouth, then across the end of

the province and up the Atlantic coast to Guysborough. This is to better compare seasonal changes among and within various

counties of the province

There was a less-usual record of EURASIAN WIGEON at North River near Truro in addition to the usual ones in HRM.

Readers will note the sometimes very high concentrations this fall of AMERICAN WIGEON, with numbers at times

exceeding 100. Clyde Stoddard reported the observation by a co-worker of a CINNAMON TEAL at Sherose I. in Shel.

However, Sherose I. is the site of a large waterfowl collection, so the record must remain suspect. On Oct 11, Judy Tufts and

Cliff Sandeson both observed 100+ GREEN-WINGED TEAL at separate locations at Canard Pond, Kings, and Annapolis

Royal Marsh. There were reports of NORTHERN SHOVELER at only four locations.


Of the adult female RED-CRESTED POCHARD at left,

photographed at Eagle Head Bch., Queens, Eric Mills

writes: “No doubt an escape but an interesting sight.

Normal range includes sporadic breeding in western

Europe and main range eastward from the Caspian Sea in

Central Asia.” Accordingly, it is not included on the table

below. The REDHEAD at Bissett L., HRM, was much

more plausibly wild. The groupings of 50 to 175

GREATER SCAUP in Pictou in late August and

September and reports of 30 to 74 during October and

November in Lunenburg and HRM, were forerunners of our

usual large winter buildup of these scaup. As usual, the

only large numbers of LESSER SCAUP were on Bissett L.,

HRM, in November.

David Currie saw early male and female HARLEQUIN DUCK Aug 20 at Chebucto Head, HRM, and there were enviable

observations of 26-29 Harlequins at Keji Seaside Adjunct in late November. The table lists the fall observations around Nova

Scotia of SURF SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER and LONG-TAILED DUCK. These sea ducks

brush by Nova Scotia on their migrations. The preferred winter-concentration waters for Scoter are further south along the

Atlantic seacoast; however some do winter here. Researchers in the Sea Duck Joint Venture partnership have attached

satellite transmitters to scoters and Long-tailed Ducks to identify their little known wintering, staging, breeding, moulting

areas and migration routes. From these telemetry studies we as humans can only envy and marvel at the journeys of these

four sea duck species between Canada’s northern habitats and southern wintering coastlines. Imagine their views and the ease

with which they move over the Canadian north. An example of the telemetry study is the Atlantic population of Black Scoter

that winters along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland into Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico west to Texas. The

greatest winter concentration is along the New Jersey and Massachusetts coastlines. On the northward migration with an

estimated 250,000 Atlantic population of Black Scoter, more than 100,000 are known to stage on the Restigouche River in

New Brunswick. From here they fly north to nest near shallow tundra and taiga lakes. Black Scoter was once thought only to

breed in northern Quebec and western Labrador but the telemetry study has identified a completely new view of their nesting

range. Additional breeding range has now been discovered into n. Manitoba, n. Ontario, Nunavut and Northwest Territories.

Before migrating south the Black Scoter, like all ducks, must moult and is flightless for one month. Replacing feathers is a

protein rich investment for all birds requiring nutritious food intake. Moulting areas where birds concentrate are vital and the

telemetry study is identifying James Bay, w. Hudson Bay, Labrador and Newfoundland coastlines as critical molting areas.

There was an August report of perhaps non-migrating BUFFLEHEAD at Annapolis Royal Marsh. Kate Steele had a sighting

of 100 Bufflehead at Lawrencetown Lake in November. An interesting fact about Buffleheads is that they are cavity nesters,

using almost exclusively the old tree cavities excavated by Northern Flicker near ponds and lakes in boreal forest and aspen

parkland of Canada. COMMON GOLDENEYE has a late migration and the mostly late November records of Goldeneye

testify to this. By December our coastlines will have many Goldeneye. There were various reports of RUDDY DUCK,

including 26 seen by George Crowell at Glace Bay.

There were several reports of the three merganser species through the fall period. Ken McKenna and Charlie Kendell had

some of the higher counts of COMMON MERGANSER and Red-BREASTED MERGANSER in Pictou, and the former

found his largest flock of HOODED MERGANSER he had ever seen at Haliburton Gut. Pict. One can speculate that there is

an attractive food resource of small fishes in the Pictou areas of the Northumberland Strait for these piscivores.

TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE

Nov 6 thr. Nov. Yarmouth 1 Roland Pothier, + m. obs.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE

Oct 18 thr. Nov. Onslow area, Col 1 DAC, IAM + m. obs.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE

Oct 2-7 Grandview Golf Course, HRM 1 ph. DAC + m.obs. Oct 23 Onslow, Col 1 ph. CHP, KST, Lou-Anne Bidal

ROSS’S GOOSE

Oct 10 Lower Truro, Col 1 C. Sandeson Oct 19 thr. November Windsor 1 ph. IAM, DAC + m. obs.

Snow Goose

Oct 16, 27 Shubie Watershed, HRM 1 imm. (ph) 2 obs. Nov 16 Middle Musq., HRM 1 CHP, KST

BARNACLE GOOSE

Oct 18 thr. Nov. N. River to Masstown, Col 1 DAC, IAM, m. obs.

Canada Goose

thr. season Throughout province many repts.of smaller nos. var. obs.

Aug 5 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 75 RIW Aug 13 Tidnish Marsh, Cumb 50 D. Gorham


Aug 20 Sherbrooke, Guys 20 Greg Baker

Aug 29 Parrsboro 100 ROH Sept 21, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 20, 290 KJM

Oct 16, 26 Waterside PP, Pict 190, 165 KJM

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 550 KJM Oct 26 Corkums I. – First South Lun 221 JAH

Oct 31 Apple R., Cumb 100 KFS

Nov 5, 7, 30 Masstown, Col 1700, 3000, 400 ROH Nov 10 Habitant, Kings 225 T. & A. Hall

Nov 10 Tatamagouche, Col 225 JOK

Nov 11, 17 Onslow-Masstown, Col 5000, 2000 DMC, D. Bell

Nov 21 Masstown, Col 1000 JAH

Nov 21 Chance Hbr., Pict 200 KJM

Nov 21 Melmerby Bch. PP, Pict 270 KJM Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 345, 500 KJM

Nov 23, 28 Waterside PP, Pict 345, 400 KJM

Nov 24 Hemeon’s Hd., Shel 600 SAB Nov 24 Sable R., Port L’Herbert, Shel 1030 JAH

Nov 24 Port Joli Migr. Bird Sanct., Queens 1160 SAB

Nov 23 Cole Hbr – Bissett L., HRM 300 CHP, KST

CACKLING GOOSE

Oct 19 Onslow, Col 1 DMC, JBO

Oct 22 Onslow, Col 1 ph. Lou-Anne Bidal Nov 7 Masstown, Col 1 ROH

Nov 11 Onslow, Col 1 DMC, D. Bell

Nov 26 Onslow, Col 1 ELM

Brant

Oct 9, 29 BPI 1 ABO.

Wood Duck

Aug 11, 19; Sept 6 Egerton, Pict 12, 3; 6 KJM, CHK

Sept 8 Halburton Gut, Pict 2 KJM Sept 7 Trafalgar, Pict 2 KJM

Aug 21 Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 2 KJM

Aug 29 Lr. Barneys River, Pict 3 KJM, CHK Oct 20 Lr. Barneys River, Pict 2 KJM

Oct 20 Big Island, Pict 1 KJM

Oct 3 Churchville, Pict 12 KJM Oct 17 Waughs River, Col 6 JOK

Aug 9, 15 Miner’s Marsh, Kings 1 RIW, B. Mills

Sept 23 Rte 12 to Little. River L., Kings 2 RIW Sept 24 Greenfield, Little L., Kings 16 RIW

Aug 5 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 2 RIW

Sept 11 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 30 RIW Aug 27 Annapolis Royal Marsh 30 RSM

Sept 12, 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 4, 22 RBS, B. Mills

Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh 4 C. Sandeson

Sept 15 Port Royal, Anna 9 R. Scranton

Sept 17 BPI 2 ABO.

Sept 21 Caledonia, Queens 3 JAH Sept 21 Pleasant River, Queens 2 JAH

Sept 16 First South, Lun 4 KEL

Sept 9 Shubie Park, HRM present MZE

Gadwall

Nov 25 NSPC Outflow, Trenton, Pict 1 KJM

Nov 30 North River, Col 2 ROH Aug 27 Annapolis Royal Marsh 2 RSM

Sept 9 Annapolis Royal Marsh 35 WPN


Sept 14, 15 Port Royal, Anna 4, 6 R Scranton

Oct 3, 6, 22 BPI 3, 6, 1 ABO

Oct 6 Kingsburg, Lun 2 JAH Nov 22 Grand Desert, HRM 1 CHP, KST

Nov 26 Sullivan’s Pond, HRM 2 D. Bell

Eurasian Wigeon

Nov 30 North River, Col 1 m. ROH

Oct 13 Lawrenctown, HRM 4 m. CHP, KST

Nov 22 Grand Desert, HRM 1 CHP, KST Nov 22 Lawrenctown, HRM 1 CHP

Nov 25, 30 Birch Cove Park, HRM 3 MZE

Nov 26 Sullivan’s Pond, Dartmouth 4 m., 2 f. D. Bell

American Wigeon

Aug 7 Little Pond, CBRM 7 TEB Aug 23 L. Barney’s R. Pict 1 KJM

Oct 20 L. Barney’s R. Pict 3 KJM

Aug 23 Big I., Pict 4 KJM Sept 6, 17 Big I., Pict 3, 13 KJM

Nov 25 Trenton NSPC outflow, Pict 6 KJM

Nov 28 Waterside PP, Pict 1 KJM Nov 30 North River, Col 130 ROH

Oct 11 Canard Pond, Kings 16+ JCT

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 20 WPN Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh 50-100 C. Sandeson

Nov 29 Yarmouth Hbr. 4 BLM

Oct 7-14 Seal I. 1-15 KJM Sept 20 – 26 BPI 1-2 ABO

Oct 28 BPI 2 ABO

Oct -Nov Birch Cove Park, HRM 1-40 (14 repts.) MZE Oct- Nov Sullivans Pond, HRM 6-40 var. obs.

Nov 22 Red Bridge Pond, HRM 55 TEB

Oct 13 W. Lawrencetown Marsh, HRM 113 CHP, KST

Nov 23 W. Lawrencetown Marsh, HRM 60 CHP, KST

Nov 22 Grand Desert Marsh, HRM 7 CHP, KST

American Black Duck

thr, fall Throughout many repts. var. obs.

Mallard thr. fall Throughout many repts. var. obs.

CINNAMON TEAL

Sept 26 Sherose I., Shel 1 m., 1 f., (n.d. see text) fide CST

Blue-winged Teal

thr. fall CBI no repts

Sept 8, 16 Waterside PP, Pict 1-2 KJM Sept 9, 12 Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 16, 8 KJM

Sept 6 Big I., Pict 14 KJM

Sept 17 L. Barneys R., Pict 3 KJM Sept 1 Tatamagouche, Col 1 TEB

Aug 12-20 Tyndall Rd. Marsh, Cumb 20-31 D. Gorham

Sept 2 Tyndall Rd. Marsh, Cumb 12 D. Gorham

Aug 5 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 4 RIW

Sept 11 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 2 RIW

Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh 10 C. Sandeson Oct 9 Seal I. 2 KJM

Sept 20 BPI 2 ABO.

Oct 5, 11 BPI 1-2 ABO Sept 19 The Islands PP, Shel 2 Laura Wilson

Sept 29 Hemeons Hd., Shel 8 AVM

Oct 6 Kingsburg, Lun 2 JAH Aug 29 Lahave R., Lun 1 NAD

Nov 18 Lahave R., Lun 3 NAD

Sept 7 Sober I., HRM 1 (only HRM rept.) KJM

Northern Shoveler

Sept 23 Canard Pond, Kings 1 RBS

Oct 11 Canard Pond, Kings 1 m., 1 f. JCT Sept 11, 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 2, 5 RIW, WPN

Sept 24 BPI 3 ABO.

Nov 22 Grand Desert Marsh, HRM 1 CHP, KST

Northern Pintail Nov 4 Dominion Beach, CBRM 4 f. GEC

Oct 11 Antigonish Landing, Ant 17 JOK

Nov 20 Forbes L., Pict 2 KJM

Nov 25 Trenton NSPC outflow, Pict 5 KJM

Nov 14 North River, Col 1 ROH Nov 11 Onslow, Col 2 DMC, D. Bell

Sept 29 Canard, Kings 1 RIW

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 1 WPN Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh pr. C. Sandeson

Sept 23-27 Brier I. 3-5 KJM

Oct 12 Seal I. 1 KJM Thr. October BPI 1-6 ABO

Oct 19 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 4 SJF

Nov 30 Oakland/Indian Pt., Lun 1 JAH


Sept 8 East Ironbound I., Lun 1 BLM

Nov 22, 25 W. Lawrencetown Marsh, HRM 1 m, 1 m. CHP, DMW

Green-winged Teal thr. fall CBI no repts.

Oct 11 Antigonish Landing 24 JOK thr. fall Pictou many repts KJM

Sept 1 Tatamagouche, Col 14 TEB

Oct 17 Waugh’s River, Col 1 JOK thr. fall Cumberland no repts.

Nov 7 Masstown, Col 4 ROH

Nov 11, 17 Onslow- Masstown, Col 4 DMC, D. Bell Nov 14, 30 North River, Col 3 ROH

Sept 6 Windsor Sewage Lagoon 6 WPN

Aug 14 Wolfville 1 D. Bell Sept 23 Canard pond, Kings 50 RBS

Oct 11 Canard Pond, Kings 100-150 JCT

Oct 2, 30 Horton Landing, Kings 5, 16 RIW Nov 6 – 16 Horton Landing, Kings 4-50 RIW

Nov 5 Grand Pré- The Guzzle 22 RIW

Nov 17 Wolfville Hbr. 6 LUB

Aug 14 French Basin Trail, Anna 3 RBS

Sept 11 Bellisle Marsh, Anna 10 RIW

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 4 WPN Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh 100+ C. Sandeson

Sept 14 Port Royal, Anna 8 R. Scranton

Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 11 JAH Sept 18; 23-27 Brier I. 12; 2-20 G. Clulow, KJM

Oct 7-14 Seal I., Shel 12-24 KJM thr. fall BPI 1-19 ABO

Oct 5 Hemeon Hd.- Black Pt., Shel 4 RIW

Nov 24 Sable R. Migr. Bird Sanct., Shel 2 SAB Nov 24 Port Joli Bay, Queens 2 SAB

Nov 24 Keji. Seaside NP 3 SAB

Sept 30 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 23 SJF Oct 25, 26 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 33, 12 JAH, KEL

Aug 14, 29 Rose Bay, Lun 8, 12 KEL

Sept 9 Rose Bay, Lun 48 JAH October Rose Bay, Lun 5-39 JAH, KEL

Nov 2 Rose Bay, Lun 2 JAH

Oct 13 Lilydale, First South, Lun 7 KEL Sept 17 Big Tancook I., Lun 1 BLM

thr. fall HRM many repts. var. obs.

thr. fall Guysborough no repts.

Redhead

Nov 26 Bissett L., HRM 1 BLM

Ring-necked Duck

Sept 2 CBHNP 2 CHP, KST

Aug 11, 19; Sept 6 Egerton, Pict 13, 15; 5 KJM

Aug 21 Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 7 KJM Sept 7 Piper L., Pict 2 KJM

Nov 20 Forbes L., Pict 7 KJM

thr. fall Cumb no repts. Aug 6 Brookfield Marsh, Col 1 KST

Aug 27 Annapolis Royal Marsh 20 RSM

Sept 12, 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 20, 15 RBS, WPN Sept 14 Port Royal, Anna 25 R. Scranton

Sept 17 Tiddville, Digby 2 KJM

thr. fall Shelburne, Queens no repts.

Sept 7, Oct 6, Nov 17 Kingsburg, Lun 5, 11, 2 JAH

Oct 26 Rhodes Corner, Lun 11 JAH

Nov 2, 17 Masons Beach, Lun 20, 6 JAH Nov 3 First South, Lun 12 KEL

Aug 19 Shubie Park, HRM 1 GRW

Sept 24 Dartmouth 14 H. Tyson-Fader

Oct 13 Dartmouth 20 DAC

Oct 29; Nov 11, 23 Cole Hbr.-Bissett L., HRM 2; 3, 2 DAC; CHP

Sept 11 Sandy Pond, HRM 1 CHP thr. fall Guysborough no repts.

Greater Scaup thr. fall CBI no repts.

August Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 5 repts. 50-150 KJM, CHK

September Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 3 repts. 132-175 KJM, CHK Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 1 JAH

Oct 21, 30 BPI 10, 19 ABO

Nov 17 Corkums I.-First South, Lun 74 JAH Oct 29; Nov 23 Cole Hbr.-Bissett L., HRM 50; 30 DAC; CHP, KST

Nov 26 Beaver Hbr., HRM 7 KJM, CHK

Lesser Scaup

Sept 14, 15 Port Royal, Anna 6, 8 R. Scranton

Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 2 JAH

Oct 29 Cole Hbr.-Bissett L., HRM 2 DAC Nov 11, 23 Cole Hbr.-Bissett L., HRM 11, 50 CHP, KST

Common Eider

thr. fall CBRM 8 repts. var. obs. thr. fall Guysbotough. Antigonish, Colchester no repts

Aug 19, 26 Big I., Pict 1, 1 KJM

Nov 22 Big I. Pict 5 KJM Sept-Oct Caribou I., Pict 3 repts. KJM

Sept 21 Advocate Hbr., Cumb 20 BLM

Nov 17 Wolfville Hbr. 150 LUB

Nov 21 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 50 RIW

Sept 27 Long I., Digby 80 KJM

Sept 22 Freeport, Digby 40 KJM August, September Brier I. several repts. var. obs.

Oct 8-14 Seal I., Shel 10-150 KJM

October-November BPI 4-50 ABO thr. fall Shel, Queens, Lun, HRM several repts.var. obs.

Aug 20 e. of the Salvages, Shel 270 D. Wadlow Aug 16 Louis Hd., Shel 50 AVM

Aug 3 Beach Meadows, Queens 5 KEL

Aug 25 Sambro Pelagic Trip 50 RIW Aug 20 Duncans Cove, HRM 100 DMC

thr. fall PPP, Halifax 4-100 var. obs.

thr. fall Hartlen Pt., HRM 3-50 var. obs.

Harlequin Duck Oct 26 Caribou I., Pict 3 m. KJM

Nov 22 Big I., Pict 3 KJM Nov 24 Johnstons Pond, Shel 4 SAB

Nov 22, 24 Keji Seaside NP 24, 29 ph. RIW SAB

Aug 20 Chebucto Hd., HRM m. + f. DAC Nov 26 Sober I., HRM 1 KJM, CHK

Surf Scoter thr. fall CBI. no repts. August Big Merigomish I., Pict 5 repts. 32- 86 KJM,CHK

September Big Merigomish I., Pict 9 repts. 2-160 KJM, CHK

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 85 KJM, CHK Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 64, 36 KJM, CHK

Nov 29 Melmerby PP, Pict 3 KJM

Sept 29 Harbourville, Kings 7 RIW Oct 6 Margaretsville, Kings 6 WPN

Sept 23, 27 Brier I. 19, 23 KJM

Oct 7 Seal I., Shel 2 KJM September BPI 1 ABO

October BPI 2-9 ABO.

Nov 24 Port Mouton, Queens 26 SAB Sept 20 Maders Cove, Lun 1 JAH

Oct 23, 31 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 1, 2 RIW

Nov 2 Kingsburg, Lun 3 KEL

Nov 18 LaHave R. Loop, Lun 6 N.&M. Dowd

Sept 9 PPP, Halifax 18 J. Nieuwenhuis

Oct 22 Phoenix I., HRM 7 CHP Nov 9 Grand Desert, HRM 2 KST

Nov 12 E. Chezzetcook, HRM 15 CHP, KST

Nov 26 Sober I., HRM 15 KJM, CHK

White-winged Scoter

thr. fall CBI no repts.

thr. fall Big Merigomish I., Pict 7 repts., 3-15 KJM Nov 29 Melmerby PP, Pict 6 KJM

Oct 22 Evangeline Bch., Kings 50-60 JCT

Nov 22 Digby 4 Z. Cornell


Sept 18 Brier I. 1 RBS

Sept 24, 27 Brier I. 2, 1 KJM Oct 10 Seal I., Shel 1 KJM

Sept, Oct BPI 12 repts. 1-4 ABO

Nov 30 CSI 4 Bill Crosby Oct 26 West Head, Shel 3 AVM

Oct 13 Breakwater, Shel 5 AVM

Nov 24 Port Mouton, Queens 2 SAB Oct 26 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 2 KEL

Sept 7 Borgles I., HRM 1 CHP

October, November HRM 5 repts. 1-4 var. obs.

Black Scoter

Sept 9, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 5, 4 KJM

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 KJM Nov 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 KJM

Oct 26 Caribou I. Pict 3 KJM

Oct 29 Horton Landing, Kings 1 RIW Oct 7-13 Seal I. 6 repts. 4-46 KJM

September BPI 4 repts. 1-3 ABO

October BPI 17 repts. 1-46 ABO

November BPI 3 repts. 1-6 ABO

Oct 13 Breakwater, Shel 1 AVM

Nov 24 Johnstons Pond, Shel 4 SAB Nov 24 Keji Seaside NP 6 SAB

Nov 16 Western Head, Queens 2 ROH

Nov 17 Big Mush-a-Mush L., Lun 4 NAD

Sept 17 Big Tancook I., Lun 2 BLM

Sept 9 PPP, Halifax 4 J. Nieuwenhuis

Long-tailed Duck

Nov 4 Dominion Beach, CBRM 20+ GEC

Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 KJM Nov 29 Melmerby PP, Pict 10 KJM

Oct 26 Waterside PP, Pict 3 KJM

Oct 26 Gull Light, Pict 3 KJM Nov 23 North Nova Seafoods, Pict 7 KJM

Oct 12 Seal I. 1 KJM

Oct BPI 6 repts. 1-2 ABO Nov 24 Port Mouton, Queens 1 SAB

Nov 9, 25 Conrad Beach, HRM 2, 2 CHP, KST


Bufflehead

thr. fall Ant, Guys,CBI no repts.

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 KJM Nov 20 Forbes L., Pict 5 KJM

Nov 24 Abercrombie, Pict 2 KJM

Aug-Oct Annapolis Royal Marsh, 5 repts. 1-4 var. obs Oct 27 BPI 1 ABO

Nov 24 Sable R. Migr. Bird Sanct., Shel 18 SAB


Nov 24 Port Joli Migr. Bird Sanct., Shel 16 SAB

Nov 24 Port Mouton, Queens 6 SAB Oct 26, 31 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 9, 12 KEL, RIW

Oct 23 Rissers Bch. PP 10 RIW

November Lunenburg 11 repts. 1-32 var. obs. Oct, Nov HRM 8 repts. 1- 24 var. obs.

Nov 5 Lawrencetown L., HRM 100 KST

Common Goldeneye

Nov 24 Keji Seaside NP 1 SAB

Nov 23 Tufts Cove, HRM 8 TEB

Sept 8, 12 Middle R. Of Pictou Dyke 2, 1 KJM, CHK Oct 26 Pictou Causeway area 4 KJM

Nov 20+ Pictou 13 repts. 1-100 KJM, CHK

Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 100, 81 KJM Nov 24 Sable R. Migr. Bird Sanct, Shel 2 SAB

Hooded Merganser

thr. fall CBRM, Guysborough, no repts. Oct 11 Antigonish Landing 3 JOK

Aug-Sept Pictou 16repts. 1-25 KJM, CHK

Oct 26; Nov 20, 23, Haliburton Gut, Pict 300; 300, 280 KJM

Nov 10 Tatamagouche, Col 47 JOK

Nov 16 Wolfville 2 LUB Nov 11, 17 Hants 2, 1 DMC, D. Bell


Nov 29 Yarmouth Hbr. 6 BLM Oct 3 BPI 1 ABO

Oct 19-25 BPI 8 ABO

Nov 24 Port Joli Migr. Bird Sanct., Queens 6 SAB Sept 12 Lunenburg 4 KEL

Oct Lunenburg 5 repts 2-5 var. obs.

Nov Lunenburg 10 repts. 1-14 var. obs. Aug 23, 26 Cole Hbr., HRM 10,12 GRW

Sept 7 Sober I., HRM 1 KJM

October HRM 4 repts. 1-4 var. obs. November HRM 5 repts. 2-20 var. obs.

These male HOODED MERGANSERS were

in full display for an indifferent female, Nov.

5 at Annapolis Royal. [Photo Cliff Sandeson]

Common Merganser

Sept 7 Ingonish Bch., CBRM 15 J. Nieuwenhuis

Aug 30 Cheticamp 12 GRW Aug 19 Big Merigomish I., Pict 80 KJM

Aug 1, 8, 28 Middle R. of Pictou Dyke 45, 1, 7 KJM Oct, Nov Pictou, 25 repts. 1-200 KJM, CHK

Aug 12 Tatamagouche, Col 3 JOK

Sept 2 Tyndal Rd.Marsh, Cumb 36 D. Gorham Aug 1 Lake Torment, Kings 1 ad., 5 yng. NAD

Sept 4 Lake Torment, Kings 1 NAD

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 30 Buck Mills Nov 1 BPI 1 ABO

Nov 24 Keji Seaside NP 1 SAB

Nov 17 Big Mush-a Mush L., Lun 1 NAD

Sept 23 Oxners Beach, Lun 1 JAH

Sept 28, Nov 1 Mahone Bay 9 JAH

Nov 8 Graves I. PP, Lun 1 Grace Smith Aug 20 Lawrencetown L., HRM 37 (many yng.) CHP, KST

thr. fall HRM 18 repts. 1-135 var. obs.

Red-breasted Merganser

thr. fall Ant, Guys, CBRM, no repts.

thr. fall Pict 15 repts. 1-290 KJM

Oct BPI 4 repts. 1-4 ABO. Nov 30 CSI 4 Bill Crosby

Nov 24 Hemeons Pt., Shel 7 SAB

Nov 24 Keji Seaside NP, Shel 23 SAB Nov 24 Port Mouton, Queens 14 SAB

Sept 17 Big Tancook I., Lun 1 A. Ramsey

Oct 23-31 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 3-5 KEL, RIW Nov 2, 17 Kingsburg, Lun 1, 97 JAH

Nov 17 Garden Lots, Lun 25 JAH

Nov 3 First South, Lun 15 KEL Aug 31, Conrad Marsh, HRM 8 DMW

Sept 24, Hartlen Pt., Cow Bay, HRM 2, 2 TEB

Sept 25 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 6 KST


Oct 27, Nov 5, 25 Conrad Marsh, HRM 3, 10, 30 DMW

Nov 13-26 HRM 10 repts 1-7 var. obs

Ruddy Duck

Nov 1 Glace Bay 26 GEC

Nov 6 North River, Col 3 ELM Nov 12 Wolfville 1 RIW

Aug 27 Annapolis Royal Marsh 2 m. RSM

Sept 11-14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 2 m., 1 f. var. obs. Oct 11 Annapolis Royal Marsh 3 C. Sandeson

Nov 23 Dartmouth (Red Ridge Pond) 1 CHP, KST

Nov 11 Cole Hbr.-Bissett L., HRM 10 CHP, KST Nov 26 Bissett L., HRM 7 BLM

A record number of RUDDY DUCK turned up in

Glace Bay Hbr.; here are some of a total of 26

counted Nov. 1. [Photo Allan and Cathy Murrant]

Galliformes

By Rick Whitman

All three species listed below were well-reported on eBird during this period. The counties named below indicate the

geographic limits of the eBird reports. The number of reports given is an attempt to count each location only once. There

have only been two reports of RING-NECKED PHEASANT from CBI during the past sixteen months.

Ring-necked Pheasant Aug-Nov Digby, Lun, Guys, Pict 1-11 birds eBird Aug 14 Tremont, Kings 1 f, 6 juv. SLH

Sept 5 n, of Kentville, Kings 3 SLH

Oct 27 Wolfville 2 JWW Sept-Nov Lawrencetown, HRM 1-4 DMW

Nov n.of Aylesford-Berwick, Kings several SLH

Ruffed Grouse Aug-Nov Kings,Queens,HRM, Inv, 30 repts. 1-20 birds eBird

Sept 4 River Bourgeois, Rich 2 RIV

Spruce Grouse Aug-Nov Anna, Shel, Guys, Vic, 20 repts. 1-6 birds eBird

Sept 3, 19-Oct 24 Joggins, Cumb 4 KFS

Loons and Grebes

By Ross Hall

Ken McKenna reported the highest number of RED-THROATED LOON, 63 at Waterside PP in late October. They are

presumably attracted to the Northumberland Strait by plentiful small fish, which I also speculated (see p. 15) accounts for the

abundance of mergansers there in fall. The Red-throated Loon generally breeds north of 50° in both Eurasia and North

America, and in the latter winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts south to California and Florida. With their upturned

bills, they are always a delight to spot along our Nova Scotia coastline. Our resident COMMON LOON was well

documented. The majority of the Common Loons were seen on sheltered salt waters along Nova Scotia coastlines.

In early August (here Aug 6

at Sunken L., Kings) some

COMMON LOON chicks

still have lots of growing to

do. [Photo: Cliff Sandeson]

The PIED-BILLED GREBE has a broad breeding range in s. Canada, throughout the United States, Central America, the

Caribbean, and temperate South America. Unlike the loons and the other two grebes, the Pied-billed Grebe does not winter

on the ocean, but keeps inland year-round. Many Pied-billed Grebes do not migrate but some do seek the advantages of richer


and under-occupied freshwater wetlands further north. If they have nested where the water freezes in winter, they must

migrate in September and October to join the southern, non-migrating Pied-billed Grebes. Yet one rarely sees a Pied-billed

Grebe flying, since they migrate at night, and when disturbed in wetlands they prefer to sink out of sight rather than flush.

From Rick Whitman’s observations at Miners Marsh, Kings, these grebes were completing their nesting season in September.

Then, in the dark of night, they will have flown south.

HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBE live a double life, with radical changes in plumage and choice of living environments

from summer to winter. Boldly marked, vocal, and aggressive during the breeding season, they are quiet and subtly attired in

winter. More than 90% of the Horned Grebes in North America breed in ponds and lakes in western and northern Canada.

Probably not known by most of us is that a small isolated population of Horned Grebe nests on the Magdalen Islands in the

Gulf of St Lawrence. In 2009, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSWIC) designated the

Western population as of Special Concern because of ongoing declines and numerous threats throughout the year, and the

Magdalen Islands population as Endangered given its very small and declining size. The following table lists observations of

loons and grebes through the season.

Red-throated Loon

Sept 10, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1, 3 KJM

Sept 17; 26 Brier I. 1 KJM, PMC; ELM Oct 10 Seal I. 1 KJM

Oct 16, 26 Waterside PP, Pict 25, 63 KJM

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 10 KJM Oct 23 Peggys Cove, HRM 1 B. Sabourin

Oct 27-31 BPI 5 repts. 1-7 ABO Oct 29 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 6 KST

November Horton Landing, Kings 3 repts. 1-2 RIW

Nov 13 East Chezzetcook, HRM 1 KST Nov 17 Cheverie, Hants 14 DMC, D. Bell

Nov 17 Grand Pré-The Guzzle, Kings 2 DMC, D. Bell

Nov 26 Sheet Hbr., HRM 1 KJM, CHK Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 8, 2 KJM

Nov 23, 28 Caribou I.-Gull Light, Pict 1, 3 KJM

Common Loon

thr. fall throughout many repts. var. obs.

Aug 13,14 Keji NP, Anna 17,13 RIW

Sept 4 Mill L., Lun 1 ad., 7-8wk. Juv. KEL

Pied-billed Grebe

Aug 4 Miners Marsh, Kings 1 TEB

Aug 5 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 8 RIW Aug 7 Little Pond, CBRM 2 TEB

Aug 11, 19 Egerton, Pict 6, 5 KJM

Aug 29 Annapolis Royal Marsh 12 RSM Aug 31 Miners Marsh, Kings ads. + 2 yng. RBS

Sept 7, 28 Lunenburg 1,1 JAH

Sept 9 Miners Marsh, Kings ad. + 4 juv. RIW Sept 11 Belleisle Marsh, Anna 5 RIW

Sept 12 Shubie Park, HRM 3 A. de Champlain

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal Marsh 6, 12 2 obs. Sept 14, 15 Port Royal, Anna 16, 13 R. Scranton

Sept 19, 28 First South, Lun 2,2 KEL

Sept 22 Frog Pond, Spryfield, HRM 1 H. Tyson-Fader

Oct 10, 11 Outer Tuskets-Seal I. 1,1 KJM

Oct 10, 14 Grand Desert Beach, HRM 1,1 KST

Oct 11 Annaapolis Royal Marsh 3 C. Sandeson

Oct 11, 20 Lunenburg 1 JAH, KEL

Oct 20 Egerton, Pict 1 KJM Oct 29 Bissett l., HRM 2 DMC

Nov 13, 19 Sullivans Pond, Dartmouth 1,1 MZE

Nov 23 Bissett l., HRM 2 CHP, KST Sept 11, 18 Old Halifax Rd. Pond, Pict 4, 4 KJM, CHK

Horned Grebe

Sept 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 2 KJM

Oct 12-30 BPI 1-2 ABO

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 15 KJM Oct 23 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 2 RIW

Oct 23 Rissers Beach PP, Lun 1 RIW

Nov 8 Graves I. PP, Lun 1 Grace Smith Nov 13 E. Chezzetcook, HRM 2 KST

Nov 17 Kingsburg, Lun 2 JAH

Nov 19 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 25+ SJF Nov 21 Apple R., Cumb 1 KFS

Nov 21 Melmerby Beach PP, Pict 4 KJM

Nov 22, 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 2, 5 KJM

Nov 24 Hemeons Pt., Shel 2 SAB

Nov 24 Sable R.-Port L’Hebert, Shel 5 JAH


Nov 24 Port Motuon, Queens 13 SAB


Red-necked Grebe

Aug 20 R. Bourgeois, CBRM 1 RIV

Sept 27 Sandy Cove, Digby 1 PMC Nov 22 Digby 1 Z. Cornell

Oct 20 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 KJM

Oct 25 Cherry Hill Beach, Lun 2 JAH Oct 26-31 BPI 1-3 ABO

Nov 16 Western Hd., Queens several ROH

Nov 23 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 TEB Nov 24 Sable R.- Port L’Herbert, Shel 4 JAH


Tubenoses through Cormorants By Eric Mills

Lightning does strike twice, at least in the pelagic birding realm. During August 2012, Tom Johnson, a seabird observer on a

U.S. oceanographic research vessel made observations and took photographs of an Audubon’s Shearwater, four Barolo

Shearwaters and two White-faced Storm-Petrels in Nova Scotian waters east of Georges Bank and near the edge of the

Canadian 200 nmi Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These were reported in Nova Scotia Birds for Autumn 2012, and the

account by Tom Johnson was printed in the Winter 2012-2013 issue, providing the first photographic documentation of these

species in our waters. Now we have more evidence of these species from an August 2013 cruise of the same research vessel,


the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Henry B. Bigelow. Between Aug 6 and 8, seabird observers on

Bigelow recorded nine AUDUBON’S SHEARWATERS, five BAROLO SHEARWATERS, a WHITE-FACED

STORM-PETREL and as well, two BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETRELS in an area from 100 to 200 nmi due south of

Cape Sable and still within the Canadian EEZ and the extended boundary of Shelburne County. (I am indebted to Michael

Force, one of the observers, for the data, and to Dr. Debra Palka of NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Centre, Woods

Hole, MA, for allowing its publication.)

Sea-surface temperatures, Aug. 8, 2013, at 00:43 GMT. [Modified

figure from Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory]

The map above (scales clarified from the original) shows sea temperatures south of Nova Scotia on Aug 8, 2013, indicating

that all the above seabird observations were made within a relatively small area (marked by a box) on the north side of the

Gulf Stream that appears to contain an eddy, quite likely a degrading warm-core ring originating from the Stream. This

feature is evident in satellite imagery before and after Aug 8, so it was relatively persistent, and likely contained food items

preferred by these warm-water pelagic birds. The temperature contrast between the much colder water along the coast and in

the Gulf of Maine and the warmer Slope and Gulf Stream water is evident in the satellite image, and while warm-core rings

do occasionally make their way into coastal waters, the chance of seeing these rare southern pelagic birds anywhere within a

day or so of shore is slim at best. It is interesting, though, that there were near-shore sight reports of Band-rumped Storm-

Petrels from s.w. Nova Scotia during the summers of 2009 (when inshore waters were exceptionally warm) and 2010 (after

Hurricane Earl).

A few NORTHERN FULMARS were reported, beginning in September, possibly the most unusual being the five off Halls

Harbour, well up the Bay of Fundy, on Sept 9.

CORY’S SHEARWATER prefers relatively warm offshore waters with an abundance of squid and frequently peak in our

waters in late fall when birders have stopped going to sea. But there were a few well south of Cape Sable in early August

according to the seabird observers on Bigelow, and NSBS birders enjoyed seeing six at sea south of Halifax on Sept 21.

Both GREAT and SOOTY SHEARWATER built up in modest but not high numbers this summer and fall in Fundy waters,

suggesting that their preferred food was somewhere else in the Fundy and Gulf of Maine area. MANX SHEARWATER was


sparsely reported, although the group of 50 reported Oct 6 off BPI on was certainly unusual. Why so many and where did

they come from?

This SOOTY SHEARWATER came up close and personal to snatch chum

during the NSBS pelagic trip Sept 21 off Sambro, HRM. [Photo Andrea Drake]

Off Brier Island, WILSON’S STORM-PETREL was present all summer and early fall, but never abundant, probably because

their preferred food (copepods) was scarce. An early November LEACH’S STORM-PETREL was found stranded in the Mic

Mac Mall area of Dartmouth on Nov 6, a date when the last individuals of this species are usually moving through our

waters.

Hundreds of NORTHERN GANNET reports accumulated, and as with the previous breeding season, there were very few

young of the year late in the season due to breeding failures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland colonies.

A lone FRIGATEBIRD was reported from s.w. Nova Scotia in late August, but with no details.

The fall exodus of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT during October (it starts in September) is clear in the selected

reports below, as is the corresponding arrival of GREAT CORMORANT during the same month. There appears to be a

buildup of locally-breeding Greats in s.w. Nova Scotia from late August through September, before the later arrival of birds

from farther north by early November.

Northern Fulmar Sept 6 Scotian Shelf 1+ Jean-Paul LeBlanc Sept 9 Halls Hbr., Kings 5 Josh Vandermeulen

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 17 NSBS


Oct 8 BPI 1 David Bell et al.

Nov 30 10 km w. of Seal I. 1 RDE

Cory’s Shearwater Aug 7 ca. 77 nmi S. of Cape Sable 2 Michael Force, N. Metheny

Aug 8 ca. 77-147 nmi s.of Cape Sable 1 Michael Force

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 6 NSBS Oct 11 BPI 1 David Bell et al.

Great Shearwater Aug 1 w. of Brier I. ca. 100 ELM Aug 2 Off Brier I. ca. 500 ELM

Aug 23 BPI Some on seawatch David Bell et al.

Aug 31 Off Brier I. 30 ELM

Sept 9 BPI 1 David Bell

Sept 15; 23 Off Brier I. 350, 1000 NIF;KJM Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 50 NSBS

Oct 8, 11 BPI 1, 500+ David Bell et al.

Oct 26 BPI 150+ David Bell

Plus ca. 20 eBird repts. of low nos., mainly outer Bay of Fundy.

Sooty Shearwater Aug 1 w. of Brier I. 2 ELM Aug 2 Off Brier I. 30 ELM

Aug 23 BPI Some on seawatch David Bell

Sept 14 Off Digby 2 Maine Audubon Society Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 3 NSBS

Oct 8. 26 BPI 150+, 75 David Bell et al.

Manx Shearwater Aug 20 Off Brier I. 2 GRW


Oct 26 BPI 50+ David Bell et al.


AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER

Aug 6 ca. 200-156 nmi s. of Cape Sable 9 Michael Force

BAROLO SHEARWATER Aug 6-8 ca. 108-195 nmi s. of Cape Sable 5 Michael Force,

Pete Duley, Gary Friedrichs, Nicholas Metheny

WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL Aug 7 ca. 154 nmi s. of Cape Sable 1 Michael Force, N. Metheny

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Aug 2, 20, 31 Off Brier I. 4 ELM, GRW, ELM

Aug 20 Off Brier I. 10 GRW

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 7 NSBS Oct 7 Clarks Hbr, Shel to Seal I., Yar 2 KJM

BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL Aug 6 ca. 195 nmi s. of Cape Sable 2 Michael Force

Leach’s Storm-Petrel Aug 16-28 BPI 1-6 on census Nikki Flood

Sept 1-Oct 27 BPI low nos. regular on area counts (max. 30, Sept 18) Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 1 NSBS

Sept 23 Off Brier I. 1 KJM

Oct 9 Kentville, Kings 1 Liz Stern fide RBS

Nov 6 Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth 1, ph. Donna Redden

Storm-Petel sp. Sept 26-27 Big I. causeway, Pict ca. 20 ALD

Northern Gannet Aug 1 w. of Brier I. 6 ELM

Aug 2 Off Brier . 10 ELM Aug 5 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 ELM

Aug 11 Western Hd., Queens 20 ad. JAH Aug 12 Conrads Bch. PP 3 KST

Aug 19 Big I., Pict 15 KJM, CHK

Aug 20 Off Brier I. 20 RIW Aug 25 Scotian Shelf s. of Sambro 150 NSBS

Aug 28 Halifax Hbr., HRM 38+ AGH

Aug 30 Off Northern Pt., Brier I 20+ ELM Early Sept-Nov 3 Off BPI Few to hundreds on area counts

Sept 8 Off BPI 220 on area count

Sept 9 Off Caribou Pt., Pict 40 KJM Sept 9 Waterside PP, Pict 50+ KJM

Sept 16 S of Pictou I., Pict 250 KJM

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf SE of Sambro 100 NSBS Sept 23 Off Brier I. 500 KJM

Sept 27 Around Brier I. 50+ ELM

Oct 13 Seal I. 50 KJM et al. Oct 25, 28 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 52, 75+ ad. JAH, SJF

Nov 1 BPI 253 David Bell et al.

Nov 3 Kingsburg, Lun 1 JAH, DAW Nov 22 Keji Seaside NP 12 RIW

Plus about 300 eBird repts. around province in usual nos.

Double-crested Cormorant Aug 11 Beach Meadows, Queens 75+ ELM

Aug 29 n.of Kentville, Kings 1 SLH

Aug 31 Conrad Bch., HRM 2 DMW Sept – early Nov BPI Peak of 1264 on Oct 9 David Bell et al.

Sept 17, 29 Conrad Bch., HRM 1, 1 DMW

Sept 21 Off Sambro, HRM 40 NSBS Sept 23-27 Brier I. 200-250 KJM, ELM


Oct 4, 26 Conrad Bch., HRM 3, 3 DMW

Oct 5, 12 BPI 692, 485 David Bell et al.

Oct 9, 12 Seal I., Yar 150, 415 KJM

Oct 17 n. of New Minas, Kings 2 SLH Oct 20 Big I., Pict 132 KJM

Oct 27 Ogdens Pd., Ant 40 Lloyd Jewkes

Oct 29 Lawrencetown, HRM 200 KST

Nov 3 BPI 60 David Bell et al. Nov 23 Pictou Pier C 5 KJM

Nov 24 Keji Seaside NP 1 fide SAB

Nov 26 Eastern HRM 3 KJM, CHK Nov 27 The Guzzle, CSI 5 JON

Plus about 600 eBird repts. low to moderate nos. throughout.

This NORTHERN GANNET was nicely

photographed during the NSBS Sept 27

pelagic trip off Sambro, HRM. It is apparently

in its third-cycle plumage, and next year will

be fully mature. [Photo Richard Stern]

Great Cormorant Aug 4 Kingsburg, Lun 1 KEL

Aug 11 Western Hd., Queens 1 imm. ELM Aug 15 W. Grand Pre, Kings 1 RBS

Aug 16 Bird Is., Vic 25 Nathan Williams

Aug 23-28 BPI 1 on census Nikki Flood Aug 25 Off Sambro, HRM 25 NSBS

Aug 26 Big I., Pict 1 imm. KJM

Aug 30 Brier I. 26 ELM Sept 1-Nov 3 BPI A few regularly, peaking at 32 on Oct 10.

Sept 2 Margaretsville, Anna 1 WPN Sept 8 E. Ironbound I., Lun 2 BLM

Sept 17 Big I., Pict 1 imm. KJM

Sept 23-27 Brier I. 30 ELM, KJM Oct 7-14 Seal I. 2-40 KJM et al.

Oct 10, 21 BPI 32, 10 David Bell et al.

Nov 1-3 BPI 1-2 David Bell et al.

Nov 24-25 Pictou Pier C 1 KJM

Plus about 200 eBird repts. mainly from s.w. Nova Scotia.

FRIGATEBIRD sp. Aug 24 Shag Hbr., Shel 1 n.d. fide JAH


Herons By Ulli Hoeger

It would really have been a below-average fall for exciting herons this year if it weren’t for a number of GLOSSY IBIS that made

appearances in many parts of the province during September. Quite a few birders were able to add this species to their life lists, or at

least to their provincial totals.

This trio of GLOSSY IBIS,

Sept 13 on Big I., Pict,

outmatched the numbers of

singles that occurred widely in

the province. [Photo Ken

McKenna]

The another not-so-common one in this section was the adult LITTLE BLUE HERON that lingered from late July for a few days in

Shubie Park. It was obviously not annoyed by the heavy off-leash dog traffic in the area, and many birders went to see it. Others went

to find the immature YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that spent some time at Hartlen Point’s Back Cove. The brief

selection of GREAT BLUE HERON reports below illustrates the usual gatherings at the onset of their fall migration in mid-

September. However, many birds stay in the province well into winter as long as there is open water in the marshes.

American Bittern

Aug 28 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DGA

Sept 17 BPI, Shel 1-3 var. obs.

Sept 26 Conrad Bch., HRM 1 RIW Oct 4 Conrad Marsh, HRM 1 DMW

Nov 3 CSI 1 CST

Great Blue Heron

Sept 10 Salt Marsh Tr., HRM 13 T. MacDonald

Sept 22 Cole Hbr., HRM 19 KST Sept 15 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 15 PMC

Sept 29 Caribou I., Pict 50 ROH

GREAT EGRET

Aug. 14 Conrads Island, Lun 1 DAW

Aug 22 Cole Hbr., HRM 1 GRW

Sept 12 Digby 2 Buck Mills Nov 4 Glace Bay 1 GEC, BEC

LITTLE BLUE HERON

Aug 2-6 Shubie Park, HRM 1 ad var obs

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Aug 8 Sandy Cove, Cumb 1 Donald Gorham

Sept 19 The Islands PP, Shel 2 Laura Wilson

Oct 5 BPI 1 ABO

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON

Aug 25-Sept 6 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 imm. var. obs. Oct 6 Blanche, Shel 1 imm. ph. Eleanor Lonnie-Snow

GLOSSY IBIS

Sept 14 Big Island, Pict 3 var. obs Sept 14 Clam Point, Shel 1 AAD

Sept 15 PPP, Halifax 1 AGH

Sept 15 CSI 1 Cal Brown Sept 15 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 var. obs.

Sept 17 Bridgewater, Lun 1 JAH

Sept 18 Salt Marsh Tr., HRM 1 Carolyn Fields

Sept 21 Conrad Bch., HRM 1 DGA Sept 24 Bacarro, Shel 1 Greg White

Sept 28 Big Island, Pict 1 DOU

Oct 17 BPI 1 var obs

This humorous pose of the Shubie Park LITTLE BLUE

HERON was obtained in late July. [Photo Guylaine McGuire]


Diurnal Raptors

By Rick Whitman

A TURKEY VULTURE reported from Millville, CBRM, was well outside the current range within the province. A BLACK

VULTURE near Parrsboro, Cumb, and well-described by JCZ, is a rare species in Nova Scotia. The last OSPREY was seen

Oct 14 and the last BROAD-WINGED HAWK Oct 13, showing the strong migratory behaviour of these two species. It is

also noteworthy that about 50 Broad-winged Hawks were seen on Brier I. and 148 counted on BPI on that exact date.

Conversely, the first ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK arrived Nov. 2 in Yarmouth. An ad. GOLDEN EAGLE over Petite

Passage, Digby, was well documented by NIF and his visiting father, David Fieldsend, both very familiar with the species.

Then a juvenile was photographed by Richard Stern as it passed over Brier I. on Oct 13 (see images below). COOPER’S

HAWK was reported from seven locations, with BPI being noteworthy for the number of sightings during the ABO’s

banding program there (fide David Bell).

For all species, the counties named in the eBird reports below indicate the geographic limits of the records.

Turkey Vulture

Aug-Nov Yar, HRM, Col, Cumb, 20 repts. 1-24 birds eBird

Aug-Nov Bridgetown, Anna up to 16 MCR Aug 5 Advocate, Cumb 6 KFS

Aug 7 Mid. Musquodoboit, HRM 1 VJH Aug 10 New Salem, Cumb 1 KFS

Aug 11 Millville, CBRM 1 fide BID

Aug 11 Port Greville, Cumb 1 JCZ Aug 14 Brookville, Cumb 1 JCZ

Aug 17 Squally Pt., Cumb 1 JCZ

Sept 6 BPI 5 David Bell Sept 9 n. of Aylesford, Kings 1 SLH

Sept 19 BPI. 3 David Bell

Sept 20 Porters Lake, HRM 1 AGH Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 8 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL


Sept 27 Apple River, Cumb 1 KFS

Sept 27, 28 BPI 3, 10 David Bell

Oct 13 Brier I. 24 RBS

Oct 24 Sackville, HRM 3 PEL Nov 19-21 Waverley, HRM 1-2 LPP

BLACK VULTURE Aug 21 nr. Parrsboro, Cumb 1 JCZ

Osprey Aug-Oct 14 Yar, Guys, Inv, Col 1-6 birds eBird

Aug 4 Rose Bay, Lun 1 JAH Aug 5 Big I., Pict 1 DOU

Aug 7 Cambridge, Kings 1 Larry Bogan

Aug 18 Blanche, Shel 1 CST Aug 28 McNabs I., HRM 3 DAC

Sept 20 Digby Neck, Digby 7 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL

Sept 26 BPI. 3 David Bell

Bald Eagle Aug-Nov Yar, CBRM, Vic 1-26 birds eBird

Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 4 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL Oct-Nov Lawrencetown, HRM 1 DMW

Nov 20 Beaverbank, HRM 1 diving on a Black Duck GMU

Northern Harrier Aug-Nov Yar, CBRM, Cumb 1-15 birds eBird

Aug 5 Upper Granville, Anna 1 SLH

Aug 5-6 Big I., Pict 1 DOU Aug 11 Big I., Pict 2 KJM

Aug 27 Annapolis Royal 1 RSM

Aug 29 n.of Kentville, Kings 1 SLH Sept 14 Apple River, Cumb 1 KFS

Sept 21 Digby Neck 3 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL

Sept 26 BPI 11 David Bell Sept 26 Brier I. 4 ELM

Oct 10 n. of Berwick, Kings 2 SLH

Nov 21 Stewiacke, Col 1 JAH

A nearly all-dark juvenile BALD EAGLE, like

this one Sept 8 on CSI, can be temptingly like a

Golden Eagle. Especially from angles that may

not show the tawny nape. One key difference is

the dark bill with a pale patch at its base; Golden

has a pale, dark-tipped bill. [Photo Cindy Newell]

Sharp-shinned Hawk Aug-Nov Yar, HRM, Inv, Cumb 1-50 birds eBird

Aug 26 Big I., Pict 1 KJM

Sept 5 River Bourgeois, Rich 1 RIV Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 3 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL


Sept 26; 28 Brier I. 100+; many ELM; RBS Oct 6 Lawrencetown, HRM 1 DMW

Oct 25 Port Clyde, Shel 1 SAH

Oct 26 Tremont, Kings 1 killing Mourning Dove SLH Nov 30 Mid. Musquodoboit, HRM 1 VJH


Cooper’s Hawk

Aug 18 Cape George, Ant 1 ELM Aug 19, 20 BPI 1 David Bell, Nikki Flood

Aug 25 Belliveaus Cove, Digby 1 Kathy Barnard

Aug 25 Middle R. Dyke, Pict 1 ph. Chris Morrison Aug 25, 26 BPI 1 David Bell

Aug 28 Middle River, Pict 1 KJM

Sept 15 Petite Passage, Digby 2 NIF Sept 18 Gullivers Cove, Digby 1 Kathy Barnard

Sept 20, 26 BPI 1 David Bell

Oct 19 Cape Sable, Shel 1 ph. RDE Oct 22, 30 BPI 1 David Bell

Nov 25 n. of Kentville, Kings 1 Paul Turbitt

The 50+ BROAD-WINGED HAWKS visible in the

“kettle” at right, Sept 28 over Brier I., were a fraction of

those observed [Photo Elke Love]

The narrowly streaked underparts, sturdy feet, small

eye relative to its bill, and the broadly white-tipped tail

are all good marks of the increasingly regular

COOPER’S HAWK; this juvenile was found Aug 25

at Middle R. Dyke, Pict. [Photo Chris Morrison]

Northern Goshawk Aug 18 Shubie Park, HRM 1 MZE

Sept 14 Annapolis Royal 1 Buck Mills Oct 13,23,29 BPI 1 David Bell

Broad-winged Hawk Aug-Oct 13 Yar, HRM, Inv, Cumb 1-250 birds eBird Aug 20 Big I., Pict 1 ALD fide DOU

Aug 25 Brier I. migrants LAL

Aug 26 Big I., Pict 1 KJM Aug 28 McNabs I., HRM 1 DAC

Aug 31 Blanche, Shel 1 JAH, DPO, CST

Aug 31 River Bourgeois, Rich 1 RIV Sept 15 over Petite Passage, Digby ca. 250+ NIF

Sept 18 Gullivers Cove, Digby ca. 100 Kathy Barnard

Sept 21 Digby Neck, Digby 2 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL Sept 26 BPI 9 David Bell

Sept 26 Brier I. 10 + imm. ELM

Sept 28 Brier I. ca. 100 RBS Oct 13 Brier I. ca.50 RBS

Oct 13 BPI 148 David Bell

Red-tailed Hawk Aug-Nov Yar, HRM. Vic, Cumb 1-8 birds eBird Sept 20 Digby Neck 8 JAH, DPO, DAW, KEL

Sept 26 Brier I. 1 ELM

Oct 13 BPI. 24 David Bell Nov 17 Garden Lots, Lun 1 JAH

Rough-legged Hawk Nov 2 Big Gooseberry I., Yar 1 AAD

Nov 9 Wolfville 1 David Bell

Nov 17 Little River, Digby 1 dark ELM Nov 21 Onslow, Col 1 light ELM

Nov 23 Wolfville 1 LUB

Nov 24 New Minas, Kings 1 Paul Turbitt Nov 29 Big Merigomish I., Pict 2 KJM

GOLDEN EAGLE Sept 15 over Petite Passage, Digby 1 ad. NIF, David Fieldsend Oct 13 Brier I. 1 ph. RBS

American Kestrel Aug-Nov 29 Yar, HRM, Inv, Col 1-43 birds eBird Aug 4-6 Big I., Pict 6-8 DOU

Aug 28 McNabs I., HRM 1 DAC



Sept 26 Brier I. 8 + ELM Oct 21 Crescent Beach, Lun 1 SJF

Merlin Aug-Nov 30 Yar, Guys, CBRM, Vic 1-16 birds eBird Aug 5 Advocate, Cumb 1 KFS

Aug 5-6 Big I., Pict 2 DOU

Aug 23 Hantsport, Hants 2 RBS Sept 6 BPI 2 David Bell

Sept 7 n. Grand Pré, Kings 1 JWW

Sept 8 Cherry Hill, Lun 1 SJF Sept 26 BPI 8 David Bell

Sept 26 Brier I. 2 ELM

Sept 28 Brier I. many RBS Oct 3 Little Hbr. L., Shel 1 ph. Russel Crosby

Peregrine Falcon Aug-Nov 30 Yar, HRM, Cumb 1-3 birds eBird Aug 15 Cherry Hill, Lun 1 SJF

Aug 24 undisclosed loc., Digby nest BLM

Aug 26 Annapolis Royal 1 Kathy Barnard Sept 7, 22 n.. Grand Pré, Kings 1-2 JWW

Sept 9 Duncans Cove, HRM 1 HAT

Sept 18 Gullivers Cove, Digby 2 Kathy Barnard Sept 26 Brier I. 2 ad. ELM

Oct 10 Lunenburg backyard 1 juv. ph, Tracy West

Oct 10 Cape Sable, Shel 1 RDE Oct 17 E. Sable R. 2 juvs. fighting ph. Russel Crosby


Although there have been several reports in recent years, this juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE Oct 13 over Brier

I. is only the third of the species to be photographically documented in Nova Scotia. [Photos Richard Stern]

Rallids and Crane

By Ulli Hoeger

SORA was well reported in Pictou. including one that was observed Aug 10 at Churchville “having a good long bath out in

the open” and an adult Aug 19 at Big I., Pict, “that seemed to be carrying nest material [about six] times into a clump; odd

given there were young birds present and so late in the season” (KJM). Andy Horn noted that Sora sometimes builds resting

platforms above water level, so that may be what the bird was up to. AMERICAN COOT numbers on Bissett Lake were still

in small numbers in November, but this changed in December; that will be another story when we return with the Winter-

Season Issue. The SANDHILL CRANES of the season seemed to show up in pairs. It is still far from an everyday bird, but

when a report is posted our bird listers no longer get Zugunruhe (pronounced “zoo gen ROO ha”, another German word, like

Kindergarten, that made it into the English language).

Sora

Aug 10 Churchville, Pict 1 KJM

Aug 15 Big Merigomish I., Pict 1 Lou-Anne Bidal Aug 15, 19, 23 Big I., Pict 1 ad., 3 yng . CHK, KJM

Aug 23 Big I., Pict 3 juvs. KJM

Aug 25 Lawrencetown Bch. Tr., HRM 1 NSBS, KST, CHP Aug 29 McGee Pond, Big I., Pict 7 juvs. CHK, KJM

Sept 8 Waterside PP, Pict 1 KJM

Sept 9 Miners Marsh, Kings 1 RIW Oct 31 Masons Bch. Pond, Lun. 1 ELM

Nov 6 North River, Col 2 ELM

American Coot

Oct 27 Eel Lake, Yar 1 AAD

Nov 11 Bissett L., HRM 4 RIV

Nov 14 North River, Col 3 ROH Nov 23 Bissett L., HRM 4 var. obs.

Sandhill Crane

Aug 19-22 Mid. Musquodoboit area HRM 2 ads. Daryl Abolit, et al. Aug 31 Amherst Shore, Cumb 2 Paul Calder

Oct 15 Elderbank, HRM 2 Dean Cole

This juvenile SORA was one of up to seven

seen during August at Big. I., Pict (here Aug.29

at McGee Pond. [Photo Charles Kendell]


Shorebirds

By Susann Myers

Fall shorebirds are all about migration: the ebb and flow of flocks as first adults and then juveniles arrive from their northern

breeding grounds, to fuel up for the next leg of their southward journey. Migrants this season were generally on schedule and

in average to low numbers. A small number of rarities were found, including Wilson’s Plover, Western Sandpiper, Curlew

Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER migration peaked as usual in mid-August, with good counts submitted from Crescent Beach,

Lun, by JSC (140, Aug 18) and from Summerville, Hants by RBS (150, Aug 17). Overall numbers reported were low, and

the seasonal total of only 1350 was lowest since seasonal numbers were first tabulated in 2005. The low total is due in part to

a lack of reports from some favoured staging areas, such as Morien Bar, CBRM, the Windsor sewage ponds, the Saltmarsh

Trail, HRM, and CSI. The first AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER arrived two weeks ahead of schedule July 31, but migrants

were most common in September as usual. They were reported in very low numbers this season, with the exception of an

unusually large flock of 210 that delighted participants in the annual NSBS shorebird field trip Sept 7 at the Sydney airport.

The last Golden-Plovers departed on schedule in late October.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was widespread and abundant as usual from early August to mid-September, with a seasonal

total of about 9,600, which is average. A good count of 2,000 was noted Aug 11 at Crescent Bch., Lun, by ELM. The

territorial chatter of these little shorebirds as they compete for feeding areas on mudflats is one of the pleasures of the fall

season, and is sorely missed as their numbers dwindle through October. Few PIPING PLOVERS were noted this August,

suggesting that many departed early due to the wet and often unsuccessful breeding season. The last juveniles reported were

six at Cherry Hill Bch., Lun, Aug 24. The last straggler, found Oct 14 at Crow Neck Bch., Shel, by BJS and SIS, was a full

month later than average. KILLDEER was seen in average numbers, and were most abundant as usual in September, with the

only flocks reported at Sydney Airport (22, Sept 7) and at Highview Farm, Kings (12, Sept 15).

A WILSON’S PLOVER, one of the season’s few rarities, was found Aug 21 at Crescent Bch., Lun by CLS and CSS. A

welcome posting encouraged others to try for this bird, and included details which, despite the obvious bill size, are needed

for records of this species. This one was described as larger than a Semipalmated Plover, with a “humungous” bill, pale flesh-

coloured legs, and wide brown neck band indicating a female or juvenile. There have been about 13 previous reports in NS of

Wilson’s Plover, which breeds along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as far north as Maryland. A small breeding colony of

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER has become established in recent years at CSI, where they normally remain until early- to

mid-September. There were no reports from CSI this season, but two were photographed by AAD Aug 4 at the nearby

Smithsville wharf, Shel, opposite Crow Neck Bch. Also, two singles were noted on migration from BPI, the last heard Sept

22 as it flew past.

Twelve SPOTTED SANDPIPERS noted Aug 1 at Taylor Head PP, HRM by RIW would likely still have been on their

breeding territories. Spotties were then reported in record-high numbers in August and September, thanks to eBird records,

mainly as ones and twos seen throughout the province. The usual stragglers were noted to mid-October, most moving through

at offshore islands. The seasonal total of 57 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS was also roughly twice the average, again with many

reports from eBird. They were widespread on the mainland, with concentrations in Pict and Yar. A remarkable eight were

found at Argyle Head, Yar, Sept 5 by AAD. Only one was reported from CBI this season.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS moved through on schedule, with migration peaking in August. They were reported in above-

average total numbers, thanks largely to reporting on eBird of small numbers at numerous sites. No reports were received

during the August peak of migration from the traditionally favoured staging areas of Morien Bar, CBRM, Chezzetcook Inlet

and Cole Harbour in HRM, and around CSI. WILLET numbers peaked on schedule in July and the majority of migrants had

left the province by early August. Juveniles remained in breeding areas, however, and were noted in dwindling numbers to


mid-September. Only one “Western” Willet was noted, on the NSBS field trip Sept 7 at Morien Bar, CBRM, where it was

first identified and photographed by Tuma Young. Although difficult to study due to strong winds, in longer looks at low tide

this juvenile showed its characteristics compared with “Eastern”: larger size and longer legs; longer bill with a smaller pale

area at its base; pale buffy-grey overall colouring, without contrasting dark scapulars and cap; more elongated body and

longer primary projection. As earlier migrants than Greaters, numbers of LESSER YELLOWLEGS peaked in most areas in

July, although a peak of 176 was noted at Big I., Pict, Aug 11 (KJM). Numbers dropped sharply by September, and the last

lingered until the roughly average date of Nov 9, at Cherry Hill Bch,, Lun.

We are bypassed by most

HUDSONIAN GODWITS,

but this largely moulted

adult displaying its black

underwing coverts put down

(here Sept 20) to forage at

the Sydney Airport. [Photo

Nicolas Honig]

WHIMBREL was also on schedule, in the usual numbers. The only good-sized flocks noted were at Hartlen Pt., HRM, where

Whimbrel, attracted by the golf course and probably by the Shearwater airfields, appears to spend part of the day. Few

HUDSONIAN GODWITS were spotted this season, suggesting that fair weather conditions permitted them to make non-stop

flights from staging areas in the north (e.g. James Bay) to South America, merely passing over the Maritimes and New

England. The seasonal total of 13 was less than a third of average, and included only one group – seven at Breakwater, Shel,

Sept 29 (AVM). October stragglers like the singleton spotted Oct 18 by JSC at Crescent Bch., Lun, are fairly regular. One

found Nov 16 at Masstown, Col, by DAC was very late.

In sharp contrast to strong numbers of early migrants in July, RUDDY TURNSTONE numbers were low this fall, with the

seasonal total one-third less than average. The only good-sized group reported was one of 37 at BPI, Sept 2. Numbers of the

endangered RED KNOT continued their sad decline this year. Fall numbers have dropped from a total of 351 in 2011

(roughly average for 2005-11) to 216 in 2012 and only 78 in 2013. The only October report was of a single juvenile at BPI,

whereas in the past, October has brought large numbers of late migrants, part of the group (possibly subspecies roselaari)

that winters along the southern coasts of the US and Central America. Computer modeling had predicted that the rufa

subspecies of Red Knot would be extinct by 2010, and extinction still seems likely, if slightly delayed. SANDERLING

numbers here vary from year to year, depending on their wide dispersal from northern staging areas. This season’s total of

about 1570 was only half the average of the past eight years, with only one high count reported, of 428 on Aug 10, by BJS

and SIS – the only CSI count submitted. Sanderlings were most abundant in August this year, rather than the usual September

to October.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was reported in strong numbers this season. The largest concentrations of this species are

at sites in the upper Bay of Fundy and Minas Basin. This year’s peak counts were in early- to mid-August (20,000 at the

Guzzle, Grand Pré, Aug 2-11; and 25,000 at Avonport Bch., Aug 13). The Eastern Shore also had good numbers in early

August (600 at Martinique Bch. PP Aug 6; 550 at 3 Fathom Hbr. Aug 12), while high counts at most other sites were later,


typically consisting mainly of juveniles (e.g. 250 at Louis Head, Shel, Aug 23; 676 at BPI Sept 2; 375 at Cherry Hill

Bch., Lun, Sept 8). The last stragglers departed on schedule in late October. Two WESTERN SANDPIPERS were spotted

this season, and reported with good details. The first was a juvenile found by ELM at Crescent Bch., Lun, Aug 11 and the

second an adult seen at Wolfville Hbr., Kings, Aug 14 by David Bell. Another seeming Western, with long droopy bill, was

typically well photographed by RIW Sept 14 at N. Grand Pré, Kings, but its plumage characteristics were more suggestive of

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Eventually identified as a Semipalmated, after much interesting discussion (see p. 58), this bird

clearly illustrated the difficulties of distinguishing between these two species during autumn moults. LEAST SANDPIPER

was also seen in above-average numbers, with large concentrations in late August at sites on Minas Basin, Kings, and good

counts at some HRM sites and Cherry Hill Bch., Lun. Only small numbers remained in October, as usual, and two late

stragglers were at BPI Nov 2. The seasonal total of WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was also above-average, with the

highest numbers seen in late August and September, and at Minas Basin sites. No major concentrations were noted this

season, and stragglers to mid-November were not unusual for this rather late migrant. BAIRD’S SANDPIPER migrates

mainly through the interior of the continent and was considered a rare fall transient in NS until recently. The total of 23 seen

this season is average for recent years, thanks to careful observation and increased reporting of shorebirds. All were sightings

of ones and twos, and there were no reports from CBI.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER was reported widely and in good numbers. The seasonal total of about 381 was more than 2.5

times the average, thanks to a report by RDE of over 200 Oct 10 at Cape Sable, Shel, the sandy island off the tip of CSI.

Pectorals prefer short-grass habitat like that at Sydney Airport, where 20 were found on the NSBS field trip Sept 7. But good

numbers are also regular at the mudflats between Rainbow Haven PP and the Cole Hbr. Saltmarsh Tr., HRM, where RIW

found 27 on Sept 16. The first two PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen in late October, typical for this hardy species that has

the most northerly winter distribution of any shorebird. It winters along the Atlantic coast from s.e. Labrador to n. Florida, as

well as in s. Greenland, Iceland and w. Europe. The fall total of 36 was above-average for the season, but little can be judged

from numbers this early in its migration. DUNLIN, which rarely arrives in NS before mid-August, was first noted on

schedule Aug 21 and in roughly average numbers. This species prefers sandy beaches and adjacent mudflats where it

feeds, often belly-deep, in receding tides. Good counts were 100 at N. Grand Pré, Kings, Oct 2; 100 at Grand Desert, HRM,

Nov 2; 223 at Silver Sands Bch., HRM, Nov 5; and 200 at Cape Sable, Shel, Nov 17.

Another rarity this season was a CURLEW SANDPIPER found by Tony Miller at Mahoneys Bch., Ant, Oct 12, and

reported with good details. This long barrier beach separates one side of the estuary at Antigonish Hbr. from St. Georges Bay.

The sandpiper was seen on the pebbly part of this quiet beach. Features that distinguished it as a Curlew Sandpiper were: size

similar to a Red Knot; body shape not as tall and slender as a Stilt Sandpiper; very long bill, evenly decurved over its length,

“curlew-like”, not just drooping at the tip; white uppertail coverts and dark tail, seen in flight; and soft, chirruping call. As

IAM notes in All the Birds of Nova Scotia, the Curlew Sandpiper “is the second most frequent vagrant Eurasian shorebird

here, with 12 individuals reported prior to 1985 and about 17 since.” Only two STILT SANDPIPERS were reported this fall,

well below the seasonal average of 12. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was also unusually scarce, with the only reports of

four at BPI in August-September and one at Sydney airport, CBRM, Sept 7. A seasonal total this far below the average of 40

could be a matter of concern for this species, which is considered threatened. There were record-high numbers in 2012,

however, and this fall no reports were received for some favoured sites (e.g. Shearwater airport and CSI).

Migration of adult SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER peaked in July, and a second peak in late August consisted of a mix of

adults and juveniles. The total count for the fall season was roughly 10% above the average for 2009-13, which is the period

that regular counts have been unavailable from CSI, the most favoured location in the province for this species. LONG-

BILLED DOWITCHER is one of the rarities sought by birders in fall, and this season brought four sightings. The first were

juveniles in August, one Aug 16 at BPI (David Bell) and one Aug 22 at Hortonville, Kings (RIW; see p. 58). Two later ones

were an adult, Sept 1 at Pinkney’s Pt., Yar (RDE), and the other found Oct 13 at Lower Rose Bay, Lun, by JAH. None was

seen in late October or November, however, when these late migrants are often found.

Typically, few reports of WILSON’S SNIPE were received, but Miners Marsh in Kentville continued to be a gathering spot

for this species in October. And although AMERICAN WOODCOCK was also little-seen, Rick Ferguson had a remarkable


sighting of 32 at the Drummond Mine site in Westville, Pict, on Oct 11. Migrating phalaropes at the Bay of Fundy followed

their usual pattern of recent years, with RED-NECKED PHALAROPE most common off the coast of New Brunswick and

RED PHALAROPE the most common species off Nova Scotia. No large concentrations were noted off Brier I. this season;

peak counts were of 100 Red-necked Aug 2 to Sept 7, and 2000 Red on Aug 2 and over 1000 on Sept 27.

small shorebird species Aug 15 w. Grand Pré, Evangeline Bch. ca. 4500 RBS Sept 4, 22 Evangeline Bch., Kings ca. 2500 JCT; JWW Sept 29 The Guzzle, Grand Pre, Kings ca. 50 AND Sept 30; Oct 14 Saltmarsh Tr., HRM ca. 50 PMU Oct 21 Wolfville Hbr., Kings 2 JWW Black-bellied Plover Aug 2, 18, 24 Crescent Bch., Lun 8, 140, 130 JSC Aug 6, 15, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 19, 35, 23 SJF Aug 7, 16, 31 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 32, 60, 40 RIW Aug 11, 23 Big I., Pict 14, 30 KJM Aug 17 Summerville, Hants 150 RBS Aug 20 Conrad Bch., HRM 65 CHP, KST Aug 29 Lahave R. area, Lun 50 NAD other Aug 32 locations, widespread 268 total var. obs. Sept 4 Hartlen Pt., HRM 85 DAC Sept 7 Sydney airport, CBRM 50 NSBS, SEM Sept 7 Morien Bar, CBRM 50+ NSBS, SEM Sept 8, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 15, 26, 15 SJF Sept 8, 23, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 25, 21, 3 JSC Sept 9, 29 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 44, 18 RIW other Sept 26 locations, widespread 156 total var. obs. Oct 7, 19, 28 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 9, 19, 8 SJF Oct 9. 20, 29 Crescent Bch., Lun 5, 7, 4 JSC Oct 17 Conrad Bch., Lun 15 KST Oct 29 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 18 RIW other Oct 9 mainland locations 31 total var. obs. Nov 2-9 4 locations, widespread 13 total var. obs. Nov 9 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 13 SJF Nov 30 Cape Sable, Shel 1 AAD et al. American Golden-Plover July 31; Aug 1 Seal I. 6, 2 IAM Aug 11 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 1 BJS, SIS Aug 21-24 Kings, Lun 3 total var. obs. Sept 2, 4 Hartlen Pt., HRM 2, 16 DAC, MIK, GRW Sept 7 Sydney airport, CBRM 210 NSBS, SEM other Sept 8 locations, widespread 19 total var. obs. Oct 1-13 4 locations, widespread 10 total var. obs. Oct 16 The Guzzle, Grand Pre 6 RIW Oct 26 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1 SJF Semipalmated Plover Aug 2, 11, 24 Crescent Bch., Lun 350, 2000, 800 JSC; ELM Aug 4, 12, 24 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 260, 500, 440 SEM Aug 6 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 500 SEM Aug 6, 15, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 565, 390, 189 SJF Aug 10 South Side Bch., CSI 287 BJS, SIS Aug 11, 19, 29 Big I., Pict 140, 200, 180 KJM Aug 13, 19, 23 Louis Head, Shel 55, 160, 225 AVM Aug 15 Grand Pre, Kings 200 RBS Aug 15, 18 McCormacks Bch., HRM ca. 190, 200 IAM; GRW Aug 18 Digby Neck, Digby 178 RIW Aug 31 Little Dyke Bch., Col 700 ROH other Aug 46 locations, widespread 1570 total var. obs. Sept 4, 18, 23 Conrad Bch., HRM 500, 120, 100 CHP, KST Sept 4, 22 Evangeline Bch., Kings ca. 400, 100+ JCT; JWW Sept 8, 16, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 670, 452, 86 JSC Sept 8, 17, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 75, 300, 30 SJF; ROH Sept 15, 21 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 460, 450 SEM Sept 19, 29 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 320, 44 BID other Sept 37 locations, widespread 1436 total var. obs. Oct 3, 17 Conrad Bch., HRM 40, 8 KST Oct 7, 19, 31 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 31, 17; 1 SJF; RIW Oct 8, 14, 22 BPI 82, 40, 4 eBird Oct 9, 14 Seal I. 46, 35 KJM Oct 9, 20, 31 Crescent Bch., Lun 7, 17: 1 JSC; RIW Oct 18 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 45 CHP, KST Oct 20 Big I., Pict 27 KJM other Oct 7 mainland locations 105 total eBird Nov 2-3 Kings, Shel 4 total RIW, David Bell Piping Plover Aug 3 Beach Meadows, Queens 1 KEL Aug 6, 24 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 3 ad,1 juv.; 6 juv. SJF; JAH, DPO Aug 10 South Side Bch., CSI 2 juv. BJS, SIS Aug 11 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 1 juv. BJS, SIS Aug 12 Conrad Bch., HRM 1 CHP, KST Oct 14 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 1 BJS, SIS

Killdeer Aug 15; 31 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1; 1 SJF; KEL other Aug Pict, Kings, HRM, Shel 8 total eBird Sept 7 Sydney airport, CBRM 22 NSBS, SEM Sept 15 Highview Farm, Kings 12 TEB other Sept 6 locations, widespread singles eBird Oct 4-22 BPI singles eBird Nov 11 Graves I. PP, Lun 1 eBird WILSON’S PLOVER Aug 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 CLS, CSS American Oystercatcher Aug 4 off Smithsville Wharf, Shel 2, ph. AAD Aug 23 BPI 1 David Bell Sept 22 off BPI 1 David Bell Spotted Sandpiper Aug 1 Taylor Head, HRM 12 RIW other Aug 32 locations, widespread 71 total var. obs. Sept 8, 12 Middle R. of Pictou dyke 4 KJM, CHK Sept 1-10 10 locations, widespread 15 total var. obs. Sept 11-20 14 locations, widespread 17 total eBird Sept 21-30 7 locations, widespread 8 total eBird Oct 1-10 BPI singles eBird Oct 3 Grand Pre, Kings 1 RIW Oct 3 Duncan Reef, HRM 1 HAT Oct 7-14 Seal I. singles eBird Oct 11 Canard Pond, Kings 2 JCT Solitary Sandpiper Aug 11 Cape Sable, Shel 1 AAD Aug 11, 13, 23 Saltmarsh Trail, HRM 2, 3, 1 PMU et al. Aug 11-29 3 locations, Pict 9 total KJM, CHK Aug 15-27 11 locations, widespread 13 total var. obs. Aug 18, 22, 23-26 BPI 1, 3, 1 David. Bell Aug 24, 27 Miners Marsh, Kentville 3, 2 KEL; RBS Sept 5 Argyle Head, Yar 8 AAD Sept 5-20 BPI 1-4 eBird Sept 30; Oct 14 Saltmarsh Trail, HRM 1 PMU other Sept 10 mainland locations 12 total var. obs. Greater Yellowlegs Aug 3, 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 17, 50+ JAH; CLS, CSS Aug 4, 18 Rose Bay, Lun 19, 15 JAH Aug 11, 17, 26 Big I., Pict 5, 15, 8 KJM; ROH Aug 12, 24 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 23, 16 SEM Aug 22 Goose Creek, Cumb 45 SAB other Aug 48 locations, widespread 162 total var. obs. Sept 15, 21 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 27, 15 SEM Sept 16, 23, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 8, 8, 2 JSC Sept 30 Saltmarsh Trail, HRM ca. 20 PMU other Sept 49 locations, widespread 221 total var. obs. Oct 7 CSI 30 KJM Oct 13 Rose Bay, Lun 19 JAH Oct 14 Cole Hbr. Saltmarsh Trail, HRM 30+ PMU Oct 16 Crescent Bch., Lun 10 JSC Oct 20, 29 E. Lawrencetown L. Trail, HRM 16, 2 CHP, KST other Oct 26 locations, widespread 104 total var. obs. Nov 2-10 12 locations, widespread 29 total var. obs. Nov 17 Garden Lots, Lun 1 JAH, DAW Nov 22 Conrad Bch., HRM 1 IAM Willet Aug 1 Taylor Head PP, HRM 9 RIW Aug 2, 3 Crescent Bch., Lun 23, 25 JSC; JAH Aug 4 Kingsburg, Lun 14 KEL Aug 4, 12, 24 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 25, 29, 14 juv. SEM Aug 11 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 17 BJS, SIS Aug 11, 26 Big I., Pict 4, 7 KJM other Aug 18 locations, widespread 53 total var. obs. Sept 2, 10, 17 Big I., Pict 6, 4, 2 KJM Sept 2, 12 HRM, CBRM singles eBird Sept 7 Morien Bar, CBRM 1 juv.W, ph. NSBS, SEM Sept 10, 14 Saltmarsh Trail, HRM 25, 3 eBird Sept 15 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 4 juv. SEM, PMC Lesser Yellowlegs Aug 4, 12, 24 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 11, 26, 12 SEM Aug 4, 29 Rose Bay, Lun 31, 7 JAH; KEL Aug 11, 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 30, 12+ ELM; CLS, CSS Aug 11, 26 Big I., Pict 176, 76 KJM other Aug 27 locations, widespread 125 total var. obs. Sept 2, 15, 21 Big I., Pict 24, 15, 4 KJM


Sept 6 Windsor sewage ponds, Hants 16 WPN Sept 9, 14 Rose Bay, Lun 15,9 JAH; KEL Sept 10 Saltmarsh Trail, HRM 29 eBird other Sept 21 locations, widespread 82 total var. obs. Oct 1, 15, 25 BPI 7, 1, 1 eBird Oct 1-18 9 mainland locations 23 total var. obs. Oct 26; Nov 9 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1 SJF Oct 27 Hemeons Head, Shel 2 AVM Whimbrel Aug 1 Seal I. 2 IAM Aug 5 Hartlen Pt., HRM 20+ ELM Aug 6, 26 Big I., Pict 3, 5 DOU; KJM Aug 13 Eastern Passage/Hartlen Pt. 25 DAC other Aug. 15 locations, widespread 39 total var. obs. Sept 4, 6 Hartlen Pt., HRM 42, 15 DAC; WPN Sept 9 BPI 12 David Bell Sept 10 Ketch Hbr., HRM 10 eBird other Sept 11 locations, widespread 39 total eBird Oct 9 Hartlen Pt., HRM 2 DAC Oct 10 Cape Sable, Shel 4 RDE Hudsonian Godwit Aug 13 Louis Head, Shel 1 AVM Sept 5 BPI 1 D. Bell Sept 7; 20 Sydney airport, CBRM 1 juv., ph. NSBS, SEM; N. Honig Sept 19 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 1 BID, Sheila Digout Sept 29 Breakwater, Shel 7 AVM Oct 18-29 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 JSC et al. Nov 16 Shore Rd., Masstown, Col 1 DAC Ruddy Turnstone Aug 1 Taylor Head PP, HRM 16 RIW Aug 3, 10, 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 1, 1, 3 var. obs. Aug 3-16 4 locations, Shel 13 total var. obs. Aug 4, 18 Kingsburg, Lun 12, 20 KEL Aug 13 Eastern Passage, HRM 10 DAC Aug 15, 23 Big I., Pict 1, 8 KJM Aug 17, 22 BPI 3, 13 eBird other Aug 9 locations, widespread ca. 20 total var. obs. Sept 2, 14, 28 BPI 37, 9, 6 eBird other Sept 11 locations, widespread 32 total eBird Oct 1, 17, 28 BPI 17, 7, 1 eBird Oct 19 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1 SJF Red Knot Aug 5 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 ELM Aug 11, 26 Big I., Pict 6, 1 K. & L. MacLeod; KJM Aug 18 Sandhills Bch. PP, Shel 30 JKD, RDE Aug 18-26 3 mainland locations 4 total var. obs. Aug 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 8, 7 SJF Sept 5, 14 BPI 6, 1 juv. David Bell Sept 7 Morien Bar, CBRM 3 NSBS, SEM Sept 8, 16 Crescent Bch., Lun 7 JSC Sept 8, 22 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 8, 4 SJF Sept 9-29 3 locations, widespread singles var. obs. Oct 1 BPI 1 juv. David Bell Sanderling Aug 2; 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 1; 50+ JSC; CLS, CSS Aug 4, 18 Rose Bay, Lun 5, 40 JAH Aug 6 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 80 SEM Aug 10 South Side Bch., CSI 428 BJS, SIS Aug 11, 31 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 90+, 125 BJS, SIS other Aug 13 locations, widespread 106 total var. obs. Sept 8, 26 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 14, 74 KST; RIW Sept 11, 19 Keji NP Adjunct 13, 56 eBird Sept 19, 29 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 45, 7 BID, Sheila Digout other Sept 21 locations, widespread 188 total var. obs. Oct 5, 13 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 57, 10 BID Oct 6, 17 Conrad Bch., HRM 54, 30 KST Oct 18 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 60 CHP, KST other Oct 8 locations, widespread 69 total var. obs. Nov 5-18 3 sites, HRM & Lun 16 total var. obs. Nov 9 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 33 SJF Nov 9 Crow Neck Bch., Shel 45 BJS, SIS Nov 11 Cape Sable, Shel 30 AAD Nov 22 Big I., Pict 1 KJM Nov 24 Hemeon’s Head, Shel 12 SAB Semipalmated Sandpiper Aug 2-11 The Guzzle, Grand Pre, Kings 20,000 var. obs. Aug 3 Pinkneys Pt., Yar ca. 2000 RAS Aug 3, 17 Summerville, Hants 300,100 RIW; RBS Aug 6 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 600 SEM Aug 6, 15, 30 Cherry Hill Bch.,Lun 209, 145, 127 SJF Aug 12, 24 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 550, 300 SEM Aug 13 Avonport Bch., Kings 25,000 D. Bell Aug 14 Wolfville Hbr., Kings ca. 3250 D. Bell Aug 16, 23 Louis Head, Shel 100, 250 AVM Aug 31 Little Dyke Bch., Col 1300 ROH other Aug 44 locations, widespread 2314 total var. obs. Sept 2, 14 BPI 676, 334 eBird Sept 4, 7 Evangeline Bch., Kings ca. 4000, 1900 JCT

Sept 4, 23 Conrad Bch., HRM 500, 100 CHP, KST Sept 11 Keji NP Seaside Adjunct 350 eBird Sept 15, 21 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 255, 260 SEM Sept 8, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch.,Lun 375, 105, 9 SJF Sept 16, 23, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 240, 10, 3 JSC Sept 19, 29 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 120, 27 BID, Sheila Digout other Sept 27 locations, widespread 2056 total eBird Oct 1, 28 BPI 97, 2 eBird Oct 2, 26 Grand Pré, Kings 250, 3 RIW; eBird Oct 5, 17 Conrad Bch., HRM 40, 4 KST other Oct 11 locations, widespread 119 total var. obs. WESTERN SANDPIPER Aug 11 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 juv. ELM Aug 14 Wolfville Hbr., Kings 1 ad. Dsvid Bell Least Sandpiper Aug 5-31 5 locations, Shel 192 total eBird Aug 6, 15, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 43, 38, 69 SJF Aug 8, 21, 30 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 50, 500, 500 RIW Aug 13 Avonport Bch., Kings 150 David Bell Aug 17 Summerville, Hants 50 RBS Aug 18 McCormacks Bch. PP, HRM 75 GRW Aug 18, 23 Hartlen Pt., HRM 70, 100 GRW Aug 20 Brier I. 60 GRW Aug 23 Conrad Bch., HRM 50 GRW Aug 27 The Guzzle, Grand Pre, Kings 200 WPN, CSS other Aug 31 locations, widespread 295 total var. obs. Sept 2, 5 Evangeline Bch., Kings 191, 125 eBird Sept 8, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 73, 8, 3 SJF Sept 10, 14 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 100, 150 RIW other Sept 20 locations, widespread 120 total var. obs. Oct 26 The Guzzle, Grand Pre, Kings 10 RIW other Oct. 8 mainland locations 20 total var. obs. Nov 2 BPI 2 David. Bell

This ultra close-up of an ad. SANDERLING, Aug 5 at Daniels Head, CSI, shows what they’re up to in their frantic back-and-forths on our surfy beaches. It has grabbed a food item that appears to be a tiny snail (a displaced young periwinkle?). [Photo Ron d’Entremont]

White-rumped Sandpiper Aug 6, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 23, 5, 10 SJF Aug 21, 30 Horton Landing to E. Pt., Kings 25, 100 RIW other Aug 14 locations, widespread 93 total var. obs. Sept 4, 17 Conrad Bch., HRM 30, 10 CHP, KST Sept 4; Oct 10 Cape Sable, Shel many RDE Sept 7 Evangeline Bch., Kings 50+ JWW Sept 19 Pt, Michaud Bch., Rich 11 BID, Sheila Digout other Sept 15 locations, widespread ca. 60 total var. obs. Oct 3, 26 The Guzzle, Grand Pré, Kings 50, 20 RIW; Bryan Sabourin Oct 8, 17 BPI 36, 24 David Bell other Oct 9 mainland Locations 63 total var. obs. Nov 2 BPI 12 David Bell Nov 4-11 Hartlen Pt. & Grand Desert, HRM 6 total DAC; KST Nov 6, 16 Horton Landing to East Pt., Kings 15, 1 RIW Nov 9 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 6 SJF Nov 17 Cape Sable, Shel 1 AAD Bairds Sandpiper Aug 18-28 8 locations, widespread singles var. obs. Aug 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 2 CLS, CSS Aug 31 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 2 KEL Sept 4-21 7 locations, HRM, Pict & Shel 8 total var. obs. Oct 8-19 4 locations, HRM & Shel singles var. obs.


Pectoral Sandpiper Aug 7 Lwr. Rose Bay, Lun 1 KEL Aug 15-31 12 locations, widespread 14 total var. obs. Aug 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 6 SJF Sept 2, 22 BPI 1, 15 D. Bell Sept 7 Sydney airport, CBRM 20 NSBS, SEM Sept 11-30 6 locations, widespread 18 total var. obs. Sept 15, 16 Rainbow Haven, HRM 19, 27 RIW Sept 19 Point Michaud Bch., Rich 10 BID, S. Digout Sept 21 Advocate Hbr., Cumb 22 BLM Oct 1-20 10 locations, widespread 37 total var. obs. Oct 10 Cape Sable, Shel 200+ RDE Oct 11, 28 BPI 7, 4 D. Bell Oct 19 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 6 SJF Oct 22 The Guzzle, CSI 1 JON, SAN Purple Sandpiper Oct 26 Grand Pre, Kings 2 eBird Nov 29 W. Apple River, Cumb 6 KFS Nov 29 West Head, Shel 15 Bill. Crosby Nov 30 Point Pleasant Park, HRM 8 AGH Nov 30 Cape Sable, Shel 5 AAD et al. Dunlin Aug 21 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 CLS, CSS Aug 22 BPI 1 eBird Sept 7-30 17 locations, widespread singles eBird Sept 19, 29 Pt. Michaud Bch., Rich 7, 29 BID, S. Digout Sept 21; Oct 20 Big I., Pict 23, 20 KJM Sept 22 Evangeline Bch., Grand Pré 5 JWW Sept 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 32, 81 SJF Sept 23, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 4, 42 JSC Sept 29 Breakwater, Shel 35 AVM Oct 2 East Pt., N. Grand Pre ca. 100 RIW Oct 7, 19, 28 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 32, 67, 4 SJF Oct 10 BPI 38 eBird Oct 12, 27 Hemeon’s Head, Shel 30, 40 AVM Oct 17 Conrad Bch., HRM 40 KST Oct 18 Martinique Bch. PP, HRM 40 CHP, KST Oct 27 Grand Desert, HRM 50 KST other Oct 12 locations, widespread 107 total var. obs. Nov 2, 17 Grand Desert, HRM 100, 14 SEM Nov 5 Silver Sands Bch., HRM 223 DGA Nov 17 Cape Sable, Shel 200 AAD other Nov 8 locations, widespread 90 total var. obs.

This WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER is making i.d. easier by revealing its rump. They don’t always do so, and particularly short- or short-billed individuals can be confused with other species. [Photo Maxine Quinton]

This juvenile DUNLIN, at Matthews L., Shel, 20 Aug) is starting to exchange its rufous edged scapulars for the gray ones of its first Basic plumage, but will retain its already gray juvenile coverts through winter. [Photo Bill Crosby]

CURLEW SANDPIPER Oct 12 Mahoneys I., Ant 1, Basic Tony Miller Stilt Sandpiper Aug 13 Oxner’s Bch., Lun 1 imm., ph. JAH Aug 24 Crescent Bch., Lun 1 WPN Buff-breasted Sandpiper Aug 16; Sept 6 BPI 3, 1 David Bell Sept 7 Sydney Airport 1 NSBS, SEM Short-billed Dowitcher Aug 2, 18, 24 Crescent Bch., Lun 68, 240, 265 JSC Aug 4, 12, 24 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 79, 80, 111 SEM Aug 4, 18 Rose Bay, Lun 84, 100 JAH Aug 6, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 24, 19, 27 SJF Aug 11, 26 Big I., Pict 26, 71 KJM other Aug 29 locations, widespread 378 var. obs. Sept 2, 15, 21 Big I., Pict 55, 30, 1 KJM Sept 8, 16, 30 Crescent Bch., Lun 65, 32, 2 JSC Sept 8, 22, 30 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 43, 11, 2 SJF Sept 10; Oct 19 Saltmarsh Tr., HRM 46, 3 eBird Sept 15, 21 3 Fathom Hbr., HRM 56, 15 juv. SEM other Sept 13 locations, mainland ca. 175 eBird Oct 7 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1 SJF LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER Aug 16 BPI 1 juv. David Bell Aug 22-26 Hortonville, Kings 1 juv., ph. RIW, RBS, BLF Sept 1 Pinkney’s Pt., Yar 1 RDE Oct 13 Lr. Rose Bay, Lun 1 JAH Wilson's Snipe Sept 6 mainland locations 12 total eBird Oct 9, 15 Miner’s Marsh, Kentville 6 or more AND; RBS other Oct 7 locations, widespread 17 total var. obs. American Woodcock Aug 25- Oct 12 5 locs., widespread singles var. obs. Oct 11 Drummond Mine, Westville, Pict 32 RFE phalarope species Aug 25 off Sambro ca. 18 DAC, KJM et al. Aug 31 off Brier I. (75% Reds) ca. 500 ELM Red-necked Phalarope Aug 2 off Brier I. ca. 100 ELM Aug 20, 25 off Brier I. 100, 7 GRW; BLM Aug 25 off Sambro 8 GRW Aug 26 off BPI 1 D. Bell Aug 29 Big I., Pict 2 KJM, CHK Sept 7, 23 off Brier I. 100, 12 eBird Sept 21 off Sambro 8 DAC et al. Sept 27 off Brier I. 2 ELM Oct 25 Cherry Hill Bch., Lun 1 JAH Red Phalarope Aug 1, 2 off Brier I. 50, 2000 ELM Aug 20 off Brier I. 250 GRW other Aug off a,w,mainland 16 total eBird Sept 6, 17 off Brier I. 20, 25 eBird Sept 21 off Sambro 3 DAC et al. Sept 27 off Brier I. 1000+ ELM Oct 2-28 off BPI 1-2 daily eBird Oct 9 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DGA


Gulls through Alcids

By Eric Mills

There has been considerable rearrangement of the sequences of the birds in this section by the AOU, based on genetic

analyses. But, we’ll wait until the next issue to make those changes.

Nova Scotia’s first and long-awaited CALIFORNIA GULL, a second-cycle bird, was seen briefly on Bon Portage Island on

Oct 1, and again early November. The details overall (see p. 62 in this issue) appear convincing, although we still await the

ne plus ultra of proof – photographs of a less skittish bird.

An unusual feature of the 2013 autumn season was the almost total absence of LAUGHING GULL reports – only one, an

adult in the fog on Brier I. during the first week of August. Not quite definitively identified was a probable MEW GULL

adult in Lunenburg around the same time.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE dispersal from their colonies, mainly well north of us, begins in late summer, but sea-

watch information from ABO personnel on Bon Portage Island makes it clear that it is mid-October before they arrive in

numbers at the latitude of s.w. Nova Scotia.

A few BLACK-HEADED GULLS were present, likely as non-breeders early in the season in traditional spots, with the

exception of six reported from an unusual location, Port Wade, Anna, in early Aug. At the same time, BONAPARTE’S

GULL was arriving back in numbers in their usual haunts in Pictou, where numbers continued to increase into late

November. RING-BILLED GULL is seldom scarce in its favoured locations, mainly in Pictou, Cumberland and Colchester,

as was true this autumn. But there was a big build-up of this species in some western counties in Nov, persisting into the

early winter and involving very few birds of the year. A wing-tagged HERRING GULL found by the Murrants at Beacon

Street dam, Glace Bay, in 2011 and 2012 reappeared this Sept 24 and was present for several weeks. Bearing the letters AAF,

it was likely tagged on Sable Island in 2011.

Now almost a ho-hum bird, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was a constant feature in Kings through the late summer and

autumn. Certainly interesting, was their regularity on census counts by ABO personnel on Bon Portage Island between Sept

30 and Nov 2.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS are

increasingly found on our fields and in our

harbours, but at least two first-winter birds

(differentiated in these photos by bill tones and

tertial patterns) were an unusual find during the

NSBS pelagic field trip off Sambro, HRM.

[Photos: above, John Loch; below, Ian McLaren]


ICELAND GULLS were non-existent until November; the first of the season were on Nov 3 at Schooner Pond, CBRM, and a

juvenile joined the Tundra Bean-Goose on the Yarmouth golf course during a bitterly cold Nov 8. Thereafter, there were few

until late in the month when, as an early winter set in, they began to appear in numbers throughout the province. The only

GLAUCOUS GULL of the season appeared on a supermarket roof in Bedford on the unusually early date of Sept 15.

Terns were sparsely reported. The only ROSEATE TERN was seen during a BPI sea-watch on Aug 6. COMMON TERNS

continued to arrive at numerous locations in Pictou and to pass by BPI during September. After Oct 17 there were no more

reposts from anywhere. The last ARCTIC TERN was seen at sea south of Halifax during a pelagic trip on Sept 21. A lone

FORSTER’S TERN (often a late migrant) was reported (without details) from CSI late in November. Fifteen CASPIAN

TERNS were reported on six dates between Aug 7 and Sept 28, seven of them in total Sept 26-28 on Bon Portage, Brier and

Big Islands, suggesting birds in passage.

A young GREAT SKUA reported off Brier I. on Sept 15 was convincingly described (NIF). SOUTH POLAR SKUAS were

photographed at sea south of Yarmouth and off Brier I. late in August, and at sea south of Halifax in September. Another was

seen from BPI late in Aug. A scattering of POMARINE JAEGER reports from early August to mid-October was typical of

the season, although the 12 seen south of Halifax on Sept 21 were noteworthy. PARASITIC JAEGERS frequently follow the

terns south; only eight individuals were reported, all between late September and the third week of October.

Among alcids, a DOVEKIE seen Aug 31 by Peter Stow in Hubbards Cove, west of Halifax, was unusual but not

unprecedented this far south in summer. There was a scattering of ATLANTIC PUFFIN reports from August into October,

all of them attributable to nearby breeding locations, but only a few COMMON MURRE and one RAZORBILL. Hidden in

the abundant reports of BLACK GUILLEMOT is a suggestion of steady migratory passage through October, when our

resident breeders are replaced by immigrants from farther north.

Black-legged Kittiwake Sept 7 Cape Sable, off CSI 1 AAD Sept 22-26 Off Brier I. 1-4 KJM et al.

Sept 26-27 Westport hbr., Brier I. 3, 2nd-yr. ELM

Oct 7 Off Clarks Hbr. Shel. 1 KJM Oct 12 BPI 1 David Bell

Oct 12-Nov 1 BPI Regular, peak of 13 on Oct 26 David Bell et al.

Oct 26 BPI “good numbers” David Bell

Nov 20 Off Digby 40 Doug Hitchcox, Pat Moynahan

Nov 30 10 km w. of Seal I. 1 RDE

Black-headed Gull Aug 14 Port Wade, Anna 6 PMC

Aug 16 Mahoneys Bch., Ant 6 TEB

Sept 6 Cole Hbr., HRM 6 WPN Sept 15 Rainbow Haven PP, HRM 2 RIW

Oct 14 Lawrencetown, HRM 2 KST

Oct 20 Lawrencetown, HRM 4 KST, CHP Nov 17 Bayport, Lun 1 JAH

Nov 23 Tufts Cove, Dartmouth 1 TEB

Bonaparte’s Gull Aug 1 Middle R., Pict 20 KJM

Aug 5 Big I., Pict 80+ DOU

Aug 11 Big Hbr., Inv 15 Dorothy Wadlow Aug 13 St Peters, Rich 17 Dorothy Wadlow

Aug 16 Horton Landing, Kings 1 ph. SAB, RIW

Aug 23 Conrad Bch., HRM 26 GRW Aug 23 Big I., Pict 92 KJM

Aug 25 Lawrencetown, HRM 10 NSBS

Aug 28 Middle R., Pict 95 KJM Aug 29 Big I., Pict 185 KJM, CHK

Aug 31 Conrad Bch., HRM 2 DMW

Sept 1 Brule Pt., Col 45 TEB Sept 2 Lawrencetown, HRM 4 KST

Sept 1 Big I., Pict 48 KJM, CHK

Sept 7 BPI 1 David Bell et al. Sept 9 Caribou Pt., Pict 270 KJM

Sept 9 Lawrencetown, HRM 5 CHP, KST

Sept 16 Gull I., Pict 450 KJM Sept 17 Bayhead, Col 172 JOK

Sept 21 s.e. of Sambro, HRM 2 NSBS

Oct 6 BPI 1 David Bell et al. Oct 11 Antigonish Landing 25 JOK

Oct 16 Waterside PP, Pict 142 KJM

Oct 26 Waterside PP, Pict 118 KJM Nov 10 Tatamagouche, Col 12 JOK

Nov 20 Haliburton Gut, Pict est. 4000 KJM

Nov 21 Chance Hbr., Pict 500 KJM

Nov 23 Conrad Bch., HRM 6 DMW

Nov 24 Sable R., Shel 2 JAH

Nov 28 Kingsburg Bch., Lun 5 ad. ELM Noc 28 Plus about 70 eBird reports, mainly from Pict.

A second-winter BONAPARTE’S GULL and a

winter adult BLACK-HEADED GULL offer a

pretty comparison, Nov 13 at Big Gut Bridge,

Pictou Landing. [Photo Peggy Scanlan]


Laughing Gull

Aug 3 Pond Cove, Brier I. 1 ad. RBS

MEW (COMMON) GULL Aug 4 Rose Bay, Lun 1 probable ad. JAH

Ring-billed Gull Aug 6 Betsys Bch., Guys 1 JOK

Aug 11 Crescent Bch., Lun ca. 20, mainly 2nd-cycle. ELM

Aug 12-13 Wolfville, Kings 20-25 David Bell Aug 13 Eastern Passage, HRM 4 DAC

Aug 15 Eastern Passage, HRM ca. 40 IAM

Aug 22 Cole Hbr., HRM 25 GRW Aug 25 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 2 NSBS

Aug 27 Eastern Passage, HRM 20 GRW

Aug 29 Parrsboro, Cumb 100 ROH Aug 29 Big I., Pict 150 KJM, CKE

Aug 30 Horton Landing, Kings 19 RIW

Aug 31 Conrad Bch., HRM 13 DMW Sept 18 New Glasgow, Pict 50 KJM


Oct 4-8 BPI 1-5 on daily counts David Bell et al.

Oct 6 Conrad Bch., HRM 100 CHP, KST

Oct 11 Antigonish Landing 70 JOK

Oct 12 McNabs I., HRM 12 KST Oct 20 Lr. Barneys R., Pict 125 KJM

Oct 20 E. Passage, HRM 20 DAC

Oct 25 Brule Pt., Col 98 JOK Oct 25-26 BPI 1 David Bell et al.

Nov 2 Kingsburg Bch., Lun 4 ad. ELM, JAH, KEL Nov 18 Central Onslow, Col 300 ROH

Nov 23 Bridgewater, Lun 6 JAH

Nov 26 Halifax Hbr. 15 David Bell Nov 29 Big I., Pict 140 KJM

Nov 30 Conrad Bch., HRM 4 DMW

Plus about 400 eBird reports mainly from Pict, HRM, Col and s.w.NS

CALIFORNIA GULL Oct 1, Nov 2 BPI 1, 2nd-cycle David Bell

Lesser Black-backed Gull ca. Aug 25 Grand Pré, Kings 1 3rd-cycle RBS

Sept 1 Grand Pré, Kings 1 ad., ph. RIW

Sept 9 BPI 1, 3rd-yr David Bell Sept 11 Ballantyne Cove, Ant 1 ad. Carolyn Fields

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 2+? imm. NSBS

Sept 29 Grand Pré, Kings 5 ad. IAM Sept 30-Nov 2 BPI 1 -2 on most daily counts David Bell et al.

Oct 8-Nov19 Grand Pré & Horton Landing area Kings 1-4 sev. obs.

Oct 18 Grand Pré area, Kings 5 RBS Oct 26 Englishtown, Vic 1, 1st-cycle AGH

Oct 27 Beacon St. dam, Glace Bay 1 ALM, CAM

Oct 27 Lr. W Pubnico, Yar 1 AAD Nov 3-12 Beacon St. dam, Glace Bay 2 ALM, CAM

Nov 23 Haliburton Gut, Pict 1 near ad. KJM

Nov 24 Lr. Sackville, HRM 1 ad. for 3rd winter DGA

Iceland Gull Nov 3 Schooner Pond, CBRM 4 ALM, CAM

Nov 8 Yarmouth golf course 1, 2nd-yr. ELM, DAC Nov 20 Haliburton Gut, Pict 5 KJM

Nov 22 Big I., Pict 1 KJM

Nov 23 Pictou area 28 KJM

Nov 23 Sullivans Pond, Dartmouth 1 TEB

Nov 23 Wolfville, Kings 1 David Bell

Nov 24 Milford, Hants 1 Marian Zimmerman Nov 25 Pier C, Pictou 5 KJM

Nov 26 Birch Cove, Dartmouth 1 David Bell

Nov 26 Sober I., HRM 1 KJM, CHK Nov. 27 Lunenburg Hbr. 5 ELM

Nov 28 Gull I., Pict 1 KJM

Nov 29 Yarmouth Hbr. 3 BLM

Glaucous Gull Sept 15 Bedford, HRM 1 ad. LOC, DCO

Roseate Tern

Aug 26 BPI 1 on seawatch fide David Bell

Common Tern Aug 2 Off Brier I. 3 ELM

Aug 5 Grand Desert, HRM 1 ad. 1 imm. ELM Aug 6 Cherry Hill, Lun 22 ad., 7 juv. SJF

Aug 11 Western Head, Queens 20 ELM

Sept 2-17 BPI 1-19 on daily counts David Bell, David Lumpkin Sept 2 Big I., Pict 22 KJM, CHK

Sept 8 Morien Bar, CBRM 2 ALM, CAM

Sept 9 Caribou Pt., Pict 15 KJM Sept 10 Glace Bay bar, CBRM 14 ALM, CAM

Sept 14-15 Big I., Pict 18-45 KJM, CHK

Sept 17 Bayhead, Col 19 JOK Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 14 NSBS


Oct 9 Ogdens Pd., Ant 4 Lloyd Jewkes Oct 17 Caribou Pt., Pict 4 KJM

Plus about 50 eBird reports mainly from HRM, Pict and s.w. NS.

Arctic Tern Sept 9 BPI flock of 5 David Bell


Common/Arctic Tern Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 35 NSBS

FORSTER’S TERN Nov 26 Daniels Head., CSI 1 n.d. JON

Caspian Tern Aug 7 Rushton Beach PP, Pict 2 Pam Miller Aug 29 Big I., Pict 1 ad., 1 imm. KJM, CHK

Sept 18, 26 BPI 4, 2 David Bell

Sept 28 Big I., Pict 2 AAD

GREAT SKUA

Sept 15 Off Brier I. 1 1st-cycle NIF, David Fieldsend

SOUTH POLAR SKUA Aug 20 15 n. mi s. of Yarmouth 1 ph. AAD

Aug 23 BPI 1 David Bell

Aug 30 Off Brier I. 1 ph. British birding group Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 2 ph. NSBS

Pomarine Jaeger

Aug 1 Off Brier I. 1 ad. light, ph. Penny Graham Sept 6 Scotian Shelf 1 ad. Jean-Paul LeBlanc

Sept 14 Off Digby 3 Maine Audubon Soc.

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 12 NSBS Oct 7 BPI 1 dark ad. David Bell et al.

Oct 8 BPI 1 light imm. David Bell et al.

Oct 11, 12, 15 BPI 2, 1, 1 David Bell et al.

There’s nothing like a looming SOUTH POLAR SKUA,

this one a dark morph off Brier I. in late August, to spread

panic among foraging gulls [Photo Peter Comeau]


Parasitic Jaeger

Sept 21 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 1 NSBS Oct 7 BPI 1 light David Bell et al.


Oct 19 Cole Hbr., HRM 1 Bryan Sabourin Oct 20 BPI 1 light imm. David Bell et al.


Dovekie Aug 31 Hubbards Cove, Lun 1 PST

Common Murre Aug 2 Off Brier I. 2 ELM Aug 28 Off Digby 6 Nikki Flood


Murre sp. Nov 30 10 km w. of Seal I. 40 RDE

Razorbill Sept 9 BPI 1 David Bell

Black Guillemot

Sept 6 BPI 32 David Bell et al.

Sept 21 nr. Sambro, HRM 1 NSBS

Sept 27-Oct 9 BPI Peak of 27 on daily counts David Bell et al.

Sept 27 Grand Passage, Brier I. 5+ ELM.

Oct 13 BPI 45 David Bell et al. Oct 13 Seal I. 15 KJM et al.

Oct 14-20 BPI 2-4 daily David Bell et al.

Oct 21 BPI 35 David Bell et al. Oct 26 BPI 25 David Bell et al.


Nov 26 Sober I., HRM 10 KJM, CHK Nov 30 The Hawk, CSI 2 Bill Crosby

Plus 200+ eBird reports of low nos., CBI to w. NS.

Atlantic Puffin Aug 1 2 km w. of Brier I. 10 ad. ELM

Aug 16 Bird Is., Vic 25 Nathan Williams

Aug 20 Off Brier I. 25 GRW Aug 23 BPI Some on seawatch David Bell

Aug 25 Scotian Shelf s.e. of Sambro 5 NSBS

Aug 28 Off Digby 1 Nikki Flood Aug 31 Off Brier I. 15 ad. ELM

Sept 18 Off Shelburne 1 Arlene Levin


Pigeons through Woodpeckers

By Graham Williams

This fall season produced a few interesting reports of vagrants and rarities, including two WHITE-WINGED DOVES. One

Aug 26 at Meat Cove, Inv, was a “quick flyby below eye level”, but its dove shape and white crescent-shaped wing patches

were convincingly described by the observer (Mike Fahay). Another, frequenting a feeder Sept 1-6 in Apple River, Cumb,

was well photographed (KFS). A NORTHERN HAWK-OWL photographed at Glasgow Head, Guys, in evening Oct 15

(JOK), unfortunately was not seen again.

Although they have been almost annual here in

recent years, with over 50 since 1979, WHITE-

WINGED DOVE (this Sept 5 at Apple River,

Cumb) is always worth photographing for clues

on possible origins. This one, like most of ours,

appears to be from the s.w. U.S., where the

population (nominally subspecies mearnsi) tends

to be greyer, with no warmer brown wash on the

breast. [Photo Kathleen Spicer]


The NORTHERN HAWK OWL at left was

photographed in dim light at Glasgow Head,

Guys, by its lucky finder. The image was

brightened to bring out plumage features that

confirm this very rare find – only about 20

since 1960. [Photo John Kearney]

Owls were the big story this fall, with some uncommon but regular species reported in fair numbers. In addition to the

Northern Hawk-Owl, two LONG-EARED OWLS were reported; Sept 27 on Brier I. and Oct 14 on BPI. Although they nest

sparsely here, the autumn’s first SHORT-EARED OWL was not noted until Nov 16 at Grand Pre, Kings. Soon after, the first

SNOWY OWL of this winter’s incredible irruption was reported Nov 29 at West Head, Shel. Only a day later, no fewer than

ten Snowy Owls were reported on Cape Sable off CSI, and the winter irruption was already well underway – much more on

that in the next issue.

This apparent first-fall female

SNOWY OWL, Nov 30, along

with nine of these owls that

day on Cape Sable, was a

harbinger of many more to

come. [Photo Bill Crosby]

COMMON NIGHTHAWK reports were widespread in August with as many as 47 individuals reported at a time in large

migrating flocks. Reports quickly waned in early September as the birds left the province for their wintering grounds, and the

last reported were four at Annapolis Royal, Sept 16 (Robert Scranton). CHIMNEY SWIFT reports this fall came in from a

dozen locations across four counties. The season’s peak count of 365 came from the chimney of Middleton Regional High

School, Anna, during the "Swift Night Out" event held on Aug 10. Nearly all the swifts had departed for their wintering

grounds by the end of the second week of August; however, a few stragglers were reported through Sept 9, when there were

singles near Horton Landing, Kings (RIW) and in Waterside PP (KJM).


The white-plumaged RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD that spent the latter part of the summer at a yard and feeder in

Pictou (see photo p. 41 in last issue) was last seen Aug 28 (fide KJM). It will be interesting to see if it returns in the spring.

The latest was an individual Oct 4 on BPI (ABO).

The usual woodpeckers were reported in the usual numbers through the season, but there were relatively few reports of RED-

BELLIED WOODPECKER. These included a long-staying pair (fide IAM) as well as a lone male in Halifax observed eight

times between Oct 9 and Nov 23 (DOU); a female at Albert Bridge, CBRM, photographed and reported by Nick Coyle, and

one at season’s end (Nov 29) at Tusket, Yar (AAD). BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was reported in fair numbers this

fall, primarily from along the Eastern Shore from Halifax and north into CBI.

This fine male Black-

backed Woodpecker

was one of four seen

by DAC and GRW

Aug 28 at Abraham

Lake Nature

Reserve, HRM [Photo

Graham Williams]

Flycatchers through Thrushes

By Ian McLaren

As is increasingly the case, casual reports of our regular species in this section during this season were overwhelmed by the

6300 + count entries (plus many “present” records) on eBird. Where I give totals, almost all from eBird, these are trimmed of

duplicate counts by different members of the same party, but not of counts from the same locality on different days. So, there

remains lots of redundancy for consideration in future analyses. But the per-count totals might be taken as roughly corrected

for effort, and for comparisons among species in this section. There were also lots of ‘really good’ birds this fall, but some

were beyond reach of most birders. Those included our first-ever HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER and first confirmed in-

hand “WESTERN” WARBLING VIREO, which is widely recognized (although not yet by the AOU) as a separate species

from our “Eastern” subspecies. Both were captured by the ABO banders on BPI, and are well documented with photos by

David Bell in this issue (see pp. 69-62).

Three single OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS noted Aug 2-12 in Victoria, Queens, and HRM, were probably lingering

residents, but individuals Aug 25 both on Brier I. (BLM) and at Chebucto Head, HRM (GRW, ph.) were presumably on the

move. There were no later reports. As usual, our regular small flycatchers skedaddled in early fall. EASTERN WOOD-

PEWEE was reported on eBird in ones and twos (total 28 in 22 counts) through August. A dozen more, presumably migrants,

were noted up to Sept 15, seven of them on BPI, with a peak count there of four on Sept 6 (ABO). A YELLOW-BELLIED

FLYCATCHER 2 Aug in CBRM (CHP, KAT) was probably a resident, and another Aug. 15, 17 and 20 at Barr Settlement,

Hants (Lou-Anne Bidal), was presumably so. Individuals Aug 25 on Big I., Pict (KJM), and Aug 26 on BPI (ABO) were

presumably on the move. Standardized counts on BPI of five on Sept 6, one on Sept 7, and four on Sept 9, might suggest two

small “waves” (ABO). Thirty five counts of 95 ALDER FLYCATCHERS through August reflect its continuing relative

abundance. A dozen Empidonax noted Aug 24 on BPI (ABO) were almost certainly migrants. One captured next day for

banding was identified in the hand as a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, leading to designation of the previous day’s birds as

“Alder/Willow”. Unless vocalizing, this “difficult” species remains almost unidentifiable in the field. Eleven later presumed


Alders were sighted, all but one on BPI, the latest being five there on Sept 5. Two more Willow Flycatchers were identified in

the hand and banded Sept 9 and Sept 25 on BPI (David Bell). Twenty one eBird counts of 32 LEAST FLYCATCHERS in

August, and 18 counts of 35 in September, were mostly of singles, and all but one in mainland counties. The only palpable

peaks were on BPI: six on Sept 9 and five on Sept 15 and the latest one was there Sept 19 (ABO). The latest Empidonax,

found Sept 23 on Brier I. (KJM), was probably wisely left unidentified.

An EASTERN PHOEBE Aug 11 at Coalburn, Pict. (KJM) was presumably still on its summer grounds. Two between Sept

26 and 28, singles Oct 7 and 9, all on BPI (ABO), and a late one Oct 20 on CSI (CST, Cal Komolka Brown, ph.) were

noted in migration. A GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER Aug 30 on BPI (Nikki Flood) was clearly on the move (wrong

way?).

Wandering WESTERN KINGBIRDS were

found Aug 29 at the Hawk, CSI (RDE) and

Sept 19 at Keji Seaside NP (RIW), both

nicely photographed (see Sept 19 bird, by

Rick Whitman, at left). EASTERN

KINGBIRD continues to decline, with only

ten eBird counts of 17 birds in August (with

some probable repeats from the same

locations), two found Sept 8 on E. Ironbound

I., Lun (BLM), and one on Sept 15 at Three-

Fathom Hbr., HRM (CHP, KST).

The following account of a yellow-bellied kingbird on Country I., Guys (by Sara Wong who was doing research on terns there

with Rob Ronconi) demonstrates the importance of documenting even inconclusively identified birds.

We had a storm Thursday Aug 29 in the evening and overnight with gale force n.e. winds all night.

Strong n.w. winds persisted all day Friday, but diminished to light overnight. Saturday morning

(Aug 31), I noticed a large flycatcher/kingbird at the top of a spruce tree, grabbed my binoculars

and yelled at Rob to grab his. Rob realized quickly this was no usual bird and went to get the

camera but didn't manage to get a photo (bird flew away the moment he returned with it). While

he was getting the camera, I watched it catching insects (looked like dragonflies or something

large). It didn't vocalize so all we have is a description:

Bright yellow belly that came up to the throat. The throat was very light grey/white and the head

was grey with a distinct black mask. Its back was brownish – a bit swampy green. When it flew, I

saw it had a notched, all light-brown tail, definitely not the distinctive dark tail and white outer tail

feathers of a Western Kingbird. Rob and I think it was a Tropical or Couch's Kingbird. According

to Sibley, the only reliable way to distinguish them is through vocalizations (which we didn't hear).

Although the bird seems almost certainly to have been either a Tropical or Couch’s Kingbird, the description has two

elements that are somewhat contradictory for identification. The back’s greenish tone is said to be typical of Couch’s

Kingbird, and the notched tail is more noticeable on Tropical Kingbird. Nonetheless, such observations and descriptions

remind us to keep alert for the unexpected; write down everything that you can (and always carry your camera!).

An early NORTHERN SHRIKE Oct 13 was on Seal I. (imm., KJM, et al.), and singles Oct 31 and Nov 21 at E. Apple

River, Cumb (KFS) were presumably different individuals. Single vagrant WHITE-EYED VIREOS turned up Sept 22 at

Graves I. PP, Lun (HAT), and Sept 29 at Hartlen Pt., HRM (DAC, Andy de Champlain). There were 26 eBird counts

totaling 39 BLUE-HEADED VIREOS in August. Another 84 counts of 150 individuals of this still regular migrant were

noted in September-October, but there were no great movements; the highest count was of 12 on Brier I. Sept 27 (KJM),


and the latest a single Sept. 26 on BPI. WARBLING VIREO is more often seen as an scarce vagrant rather than as a rare

breeding bird here. Singles Sept 5 at Lawrencetown, HRM (CHP, KST) and Oct 19 at Port La Tour, Shel (AAD, ph.), were

even fewer than usual. But, note also the “Western” Warbling Vireo referred to in the first paragraph of this section.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO is a similarly rare breeding bird here, but is generally a more regular, although uncommon,

migrant. There were perhaps more than usual this autumn: a total of 14 at eight locations between Aug 28 and Oct 13, with

a maximum of three (banded) Sept 9 on BPI (ABO). As usual, RED-EYED was best represented of the vireos, with 88

counts of 198 individuals from CBHNP to BPI in August, and 109 counts of 280 in September-October, the latest a single

on BPI Oct 24 (ABO).

WARBLING VIREO (left, Oct 19

near Port La Tour, Shel) and

PHILADELPHIA VIREO (right,

Sept 9 on Brier I.) are most quickly

distinguishable in fall, when the

latter shows much more yellow. This

Warbling Vireo appears to be an

“Eastern”, too bright for “Western”

subspecies swainsoni (see p. 62), but

the “Western” subspecies brewsteri

can also be bright, and photos

showing the state of moult of the

coverts are desirable. [Photos: left,

Alix and right, Ron d’Entremont]

GRAY JAY is hanging on, with five eBird counts totaling 12 birds during August and 16 counts of 46 in September-

November. All were on the mainland except, not surprisingly, the maximum of ten counted Oct 26 around Rear Big Hill,

near Baddeck, Vic (AGH). A total of 502 counts of 2307 BLUE JAYS is some measure of their ubiquity. Of interest on Brier

I. were ca. 100 on Sept 27 (KJM) and 200 on Sept 28 (RBS), certainly reflecting a strong movement of these partial migrants.

What can be said about AMERICAN CROW? The 6351 individuals on 623 separate eBird entries must be among the most

for any landbird here this season except European Starling. There is no firm evidence of migration through our southern

islands, although this does occur. Brier Island had pretty uniform eBird counts of about 20 between Sept 15-27, and BPI had

effort-standardized counts by the ABO of 24-34, with possible influxes from nearby of 45 on 17 Sept and 48 on 19 Oct. A

truly murderous 400 were found Nov 30 at flooded gravel pits near North River, Col (ROH); were they attracted by

something there or on the move? NORTHERN RAVEN was as usual widespread (CBHNP to the s. islands), with a total in

393 eBird counts of 1131 individuals – thus indicating average counts of ca. three ravens, and of course many more singles,

compared with an average of ca. ten for crows.

The earliest reported HORNED LARKS were nine around Hemeons Head and Black Pt. Bch, Shel, Oct 5 (RIW). Thereafter

there were 27 counts of some 316 birds, all in mainland counties. Especially good numbers were noted around Grand Pré (45

on Oct 26; RIW), at Waterside PP (40 on Nov 15; KJM), and Brier I. (25+ on Nov 16; ELM).

A single flyby PURPLE MARTIN noted Sept 16 at BPI (ABO) gave no opportunity for scrutiny – just in case. There were

19 counts of some 61 TREE SWALLOWS in August, and a gathering of ca. 40 on Sept 10 over the Annapolis Royal Marsh

(Dan Parliament), but otherwise only a single Sept 10 on Brier I (RIW), two and one on BPI Oct 1 and Oct 7 respectively

(ABO), and “a few” Oct 10 around Cape Sable Light (RDE). These are not comforting numbers. BANK SWALLOW,

although probably in even greater trouble, put on a brave front in August with 10 counts of 235 birds. But those included ca.

150 around a colony with ca. 450 burrows Aug 13 at Avonport Bch., Kings (David Bell). The latest were four on Aug 24 at

Big I., Pict (KJM). (See also Rick Whitman’s account of one Bank Swallow’s behavior, p. 59.) A total of 224 BARN

SWALLOWS on 39 eBird counts in August and 172 more on 17 counts up to Sept 17 mark it as our most common swallow.

These included swarms of 50 seen at the Windsor Sewage Ponds Sept 6, and 55 over the Annapolis Royal marshes Sept 14

(both by WPN). To these can be added a gathering of 30+ on Aug 24-25 at White Pt., Queens (MMI), and 200+ around the

Cape Sable Light Oct 10 (RDE). Yet a pair was still feeding young Aug 24 at Union Square, Lun (fide JAH). Single

stragglers were noted Oct 19 at Rainbow Haven PP (Bryan Sabourin) and Nov 13 at Lanark, Ant (Marilyn O’Brien). Single

CLIFF SWALLOWS were observed Aug 10 at Churchville, Pict (KJM), Aug 23 on Brier I. (GRW), Sept 8 at Belleisle

Marsh, Anna (RIW), and Oct 10 at the Cape Sable Light (RDE).


The omnipresent BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was, well, everywhere, with 723 eBird counts of 3646 birds through the

season. BOREAL CHICKADEE has been diminishing sharply on our BBS, and is thought to be retreating into the boreal forest

beyond us, yet 682 were reported on 128 counts. Most were in our more northern counties, but they still cling to our damp, spruce-

clad southern islands; a pair feeding young was noted Aug 2 on Brier I. (RBS), and four fledglings were observed Aug 21 on CSI

(CST). The highest eBird count was of 16 on BPI Sept 9 (ABO). RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was a little less commonly

reported (376 on 163 counts) than the Boreal Chickadee, which is contrary to our recent BBS results. However, two peak counts

on Brier I. of ca. 46 on Sept 27, and 50 next day at North Pt. (KJM), suggest its numbers might have been diminished during the

period by some out-migration. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH is found here almost entirely in urban hardwoods; almost all

our 92 eBird counts of 130 birds were of ones and twos (one count of four) in such locations, many of them the same birds in

regularly surveyed “local patches”. Such matters will have to be considered in serious analyses of all eBird records. BROWN

CREEPER, was the least common of these woodland sprites: 83 on 51 eBird counts, with a few small spikes on BPI that might

suggest some out-migration.

There were 18 WINTER WRENS on 16 eBird counts throughout the province, including a maximum of three noted on a biking

trip Aug 5 from Louis Head to Hemeons Head, Shel (AVM). Kathleen Spicer was pleased to have a wandering CAROLINA

WREN turn up Aug 30 for a prolonged stay through fall at her feeders in E. Apple River. Cumb. Another wandering wren, a

HOUSE WREN found Oct 10 in Dartmouth (CHP), did not linger for others to see.

Kathleen Spicer got this close-up of her long-staying,

CAROLINA WREN Oct 19 at E. Apple River, Cumb.

That quite regular vagrant, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, put on a good show of seven singles: Aug 31 at Duncans Cove,

HRM (DAC, Jennifer Currie); Sept 9 at Lawrencetown Bch., HRM (CHP, KST); Sept 15 and Oct 25 (banded) on BPI (ABO); Sept

25 on Brier I. (KJM); Sept 28 at Glasgow Head, Guys (Brad Woodworth, JOK; banded); and Nov 5-14 at Tusket, Yar (AAD, ph.).

This lively BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER

at Tusket, Yar, the longest-staying of several

this autumn, was photographed on Nov 14, the

last day it was found. [Photo Alix d’Entremont]

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET is an abundant resident, and this autumn’s total of 2062 on 322 eBird counts confirms it.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET by comparison produced only 218 on 85 counts. The latter is well known to be a short-distance


migrant, and the BPI reports on both seem instructive (graph below). There was considerable day-to-day variation in counts there

of Golden-crowned, possibly from wanderings of variously sized flocks encountered during the standardized surveys on the

island; the slight overall increase of peak counts after early September might be attributed to further consolidation of some such

flocks. By contrast, Ruby-crowned Kinglet was first encountered in much smaller numbers, with a gap in sightings between Oct 8

and Oct 15, then as a burst of sightings later in the month. That burst was a bit later than its mid-October migration peak estimated

from long-term records from Seal I. by Fleming et al. (2010. Environmetrics 21: 482–492)

Daily eBird counts of kinglets by volunteers of the ABO during daily standardized surveys on BPI.

A vagrant of a very different origin (most of ours

come from the southwest or west), was our single

NORTHERN WHEATEAR (at right) found (by

KEL) Nov 2 near Kingsburg, Lun. It was also

observed by others (ELM, JAH) that day, but

disappeared thereafter. It was, as expected, a

first-fall bird (note the pale margins of the wing

coverts) of the browner-backed, buffy-breasted

leucorhoa subspecies nesting in Nunavut. [Photo

Kevin Lantz]

Some Northern Wheatears are now known to fly non-stop from Nunavut to Europe (Bairsten et al. 2012, Biology Letters

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2011.1223), but most return non-stop to n.w. Africa. Migration modelling by Jamie McLaren, in a soon-to-be

published paper, has shown that this autumn strategy is fail-safe, as most wind-displaced birds will be deflected toward s.

Europe, and thence can migrate to Africa. Some though, evidently decide not to try.

Two or three EASTERN BLUEBIRD fledglings were observed Aug 12 near Wards Brook, Col (JCZ). Later, some lingered as

usual on Brier I., with reports of one to four between Sept 4 and Oct 6 (BLF, RBS, RIW), and “a small flock” appeared Nov 28

at their usual overwintering area near Wyman Rd., Yar (fide JOS).

The only VEERY noted was an Aug 28 migrant on Brier I. (GRW), and the only BICKNELL’S THRUSH was along Benjies L.

Tr., CBHNP, on Aug 28 (cautiously reported by GRW as “Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s”, but surely the latter in situ).

SWAINSON’S THRUSH also seemed very scarce: two singles presumably still on nesting grounds Aug 2 and 3 in CBHNP

(CHP, KST), one probably so, Aug 10 in Pictou. The rest were on BPI: 11 in late August may have included some locals, but 15


there Sept 3-9 included two and four “nocturnal migrants” (heard?) on Sept 5 and 6 respectively (ABO). It has been decreasingl

sharply on our BBS, but HERMIT THRUSH has not. Yet it to seemed somewhat sparse, with 35 eBird counts of 101 birds from

CBHNP to Louis Head, Shel, in August, 40 counts of 85 birds from Antigonish to BPI thereafter, and only up to the end of

October. AMERICAN ROBIN (compared to our woodland thrushes) is conspicuous and loud. There were 149 eBird counts of

598 birds in August, 140 counts of 612 in September, 140 counts of 2149 in October, and 76 counts of 658 in November. This

certainly indicates migration through the province in October, and this is supported by five counts of 100 or more between Oct

18 and 28, and only one such large count later, on Nov 10.

Mimic-Thrushes through Wood Warblers

By Ken McKenna

As usual, GRAY CATBIRD was the most commonly reported of the three species of Mimidae for this period. There were 68

reports of 108 catbirds, with almost 50% of the observations from September. Early migration peaks include five on Aug 28

at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lr. Sackville, HRM, (CLS). Migration was steady through September on offshore islands and

started to taper off through October, when after the first week, all sightings were either from Brier I. or BPI, with the latest

report Oct 22 from the banding group at BPI. There were no November reports.

There were a couple of observations of successful nesting of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. A pair nesting in Port

Williams, Kings, was noted Aug 6 dive-bombing birds, cats and people near Planters Square, as well as carrying food (RBS).

The young of a pair breeding in New Waterford, CBRM, reported in the last issue, were photographed soon after leaving the

nest July 31 and were observed in the area until mid-September (Kathy MacNeil). From other reports received, there were

probably about seven other locations with mockingbirds this fall. Some were where they have been noted in other seasons

and years, such as Wolfville Ridge and Kentville. Others were from Middle Musquodoboit, HRM, Aug 6 (Ellen Higgins);

BPI, Aug 26 (David Bell); Schooner Pond, CBRM, Sept 20 (CAM, ALM); Grand Desert, HRM, Nov 23 (CHP, KST) and

Bayport, Lun, Nov 17 (JAH, DAW). Only one BROWN THRASHER was noted: Nov 16 in David Young’s yard at W. Sable

River, Shel.

In early September, an observer in Falmouth described a flock of 500-1000 EUROPEAN STARLINGS in flight, turning in

unison and sounding like distant thunder. It remains by far the most common bird in this section with over 600 reports

received. AMERICAN PIPIT is often first seen in southerly migration the first week of September, but this year it arrived

Sept 18, at least according to reports received, when observers reported them in Digby, at Gullivers Cove and on Brier I.

About 25 reports of up to 20 birds were noted until the end of the month. Numbers increased into October when there were

about 60 reports, and peak numbers of 30-60 birds mid-October from Seal I. and BPI. After the third week, flock sizes

returned to fewer than 20. There were fewer than ten November reports, with the largest flock of 30 at Wolfville Harbour,

Nov 23 (LUB).

As in 2011, there were no reports of BOHEMIAN WAXWING this autumn, but many reports of CEDAR WAXWING.

There were 120+ reports of about 500 birds province-wide in August, and these continued to pour in with 220 reports from

September to November. Monitoring by the ABO on BPI gives a pretty good picture of fall migration. There were 48 reports

from this location, with peak numbers up to 89 birds between Sept 16 and 28, and up to 48 betwen Oct 10 and 19. Numbers

tapered off as usual in November, with 11 reports from the mainland totaling slightly fewer than 100 birds.

Surprisingly few reports of LAPLAND LONGSPUR were received this fall. First sightings of up to two birds were Oct 4-6

along the HRM coast in the Lawrencetown and Conrad Bch. areas (CHP, KST, MZE). Other reports were received from

Wolfville-Grand Pré and Hortons Landing in Kings (LUB, RIW), and Cherry Hill Bch., Lun (RIW), with the largest count of

20 on Big I., Pict, Nov 29 (KJM). A single bird was present Oct 13-21on BPI (ABO). On Sept 9 in the gully at Duncans

Cove, HRM, Hans Toom had a very brief view of a bird he first thought was a Bachman’s Sparrow but after a couple nights

sleep, he felt a better possibility would be Smith’s Longspur. He reports: “The bird had a distinct facial patch very similar to

a Lapland Longspur, a bird I am very familiar with . . . [It] was a very large sparrow about 6 inches in length, as I estimated

in the field. The bird was bright ochre (rusty brownish-yellow) from the chin to the under parts, not buffy.” He concluded

this could probably be a male bird in non-breeding or transitional plumage. Unfortunately the bird did not linger for

photographs. In late October, James Hirtle came close to getting a photograph of a mysterious longspur along the junction of

the inner pond and dune grass at Cherry Hill Beach. He was the only observer of this bird which he described as pale with a

large pink bill, pale face, short tail, broad supercilium and un-streaked chest. He felt it resembled a McCown’s Longspur, but


with no other observers seeing this bird, he felt it might be best left as a longspur sp. There is no documented report for this

bird for NS, so too bad the camera did not cooperate. The first SNOW BUNTING was one on BPI Oct 24 (ABO). The next

sightings were in widely separated areas on Oct 26: four at Cherry Hill Bch., Lun (KEL), 20 at Bay St. Lawrence, Vic (ASM),

and 30 at West Head, Shel (AVM). After that, there were about 50 reports of over 750 birds from widespread parts of the

province. Observers reported the species from road shoulders, gravel pits and shorelines, so one seen at the Medavie Blue

Cross building in Dartmouth was the last place Heather Tyson-Fader thought she would see one.

Some observers felt that a switch had been pulled on bird song in the first week of August. Warblers, which had been actively

singing up to that time, suddenly fell silent as they prepared for the change from breeding to migration mode. Several pulses

of migration were noted by observers. On Aug 28, 230 birds were banded on Brier I., many of them warblers such as

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (LAL). On Sept 9, there was a great warbler migration on BPI with most species accounted

for (David Bell). Two weeks later (Sept 25), David Young had a large fallout of warblers and waxwings at Little Harbour,

Shel. A few days after that, there was a nice migration at Northern Pt., Brier I. A group of birders stood at the end of the trees

before the lighthouse for three hours and watched a steady stream of warblers arrive, mostly PALM and MYRTLE.

A side-by-side NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH

and MAGNOLIA WARBLER, Aug 28 on Brier

I., were an unusual sight, as the former is a

ground dweller, and the latter more at home in

the trees. [Photo Blake Maybank]

OVENBIRD was somewhat scarce, with 12 reports of 24 birds in August. An early fall departure for most of them can

probably be discerned from the seven at Northern Pt., Brier I., on Aug 29. There were only seven reports of nine Ovenbirds

in the first two weeks of September. On Nov 13 in w. end Halifax, Ian McLaren had the latest sighting of the only other one

reported in the province. Like the Ovenbird, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH migration occurred mostly at the end of

August, and this was captured nicely by banding operations at both Brier I. and BPI, where more than 98% of the season’s

records of this species were noted. The first was spotted Aug 20 at Duncans Cove, HRM (DAC, IAM). On Aug 24, 65 of 230

birds banded on Brier I. were this species, and 20 more were banded two days later at BPI (ABO). Then, up to Sept 17, there

were nine reports of 11 birds. Another substantial peak was observed Sept 18 on BPI, when 20 were noted by ABO staff. The

last and only other sighting was Sept 30 at Sandy Cove Rd., HRM (IAM). A few lucky people were able to observe BLUE-

WINGED WARBLER at two locations this fall. A trio (MIK, DAC and GRW) saw two, one drab and one brighter, and

obtained a photo of one, Sept 2 at Hartlen Pt., HRM. Only two days later, Judy O’Brien and Giselle D’Entremont identified

one at Amherst Shore PP. August sightings of BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER were widespread, with 70 reports of 125

birds. Ten seen at McNabs I., HRM, Aug 28 (DAC, GRW) was the only double-digit observation, suggesting some migration

then. Migration was in full evidence in September, with 91 reports of just over 300 birds. Half this total was from BPI, where

daily census showed two peaks of movement. On Sept 6, a total of 25 was recorded, with only three the day before and one

the following day. On Sept 20, there was another peak of 28, followed by a lesser peak on Sept 26. One bird that did not

successfully migrate was found dead on a house deck in Dartmouth (GAM). Only three birds were noted in October, all on

BPI, one on each of the first three days of the month. TENNESSEE WARBLER was in very low numbers with only eight

reports, all of single birds. The earliest was Aug 28 at Hartlen Pt., HRM (DGA). Others were at Uniacke House, Hants, Sept

9 (JVA); Pubnico Pt., Yar, Sept 10 (RDE); Port Royal, Anna, Sept 13 (Robert Scranton); and the BLT tr., HRM, (SEM). The

ABO crew on BPI had three – Sept 6, 9 & 20 – and there were no later reports.

A migrating ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was first noted Sept 26 by ABO on BPI, the only sighting that month.

There were 14 reports of 16 birds during October from Schooner Pond, CBRM, to BPI, mostly in HRM. About the same


number (14) was seen through November, all but one in HRM. I garnered 13 reports of 16 NASHVILLE WARBLERS seen

in August. Main migration was in September, with 38 reports of 57 birds with no real peak numbers, just a steady trickle of

one-four birds through the month. Then, most seem to have moved out, with the last singles Oct 2 and Oct 5 at BPI.

One reason for the small numbers of TENNESSEE

WARBLERS reported in fall, this one Sept 10 at

Pubnico Pt., Yar, may be that the yellowish young

can be misidentified or escape notice among other

yellowish warblers. They differ from the similar

Orange-crowned in their white, not yellow,

undertail coverts. [Photo Ronnie d’Entremont]

David Bell with the ABO banding station on BPI was able to identify a CONNECTICUT WARBLER as it flew over the

banding shed. He had a visual sighting as well as a call note to help identify it. They are rarely seen here. All but one of the

six reports of 11 MOURNING WARBLERS in August were from northern areas of the province. There were another 11

reports of single birds in September, but this time the only reports from the north was when singles were seen Sept 11 and 12

at Schooner Pond, CBRM (ALM, CAM). Five of the sightings were from HRM, four from BPI, and one was photographed

Sept 19 at Argyle Head, Yar (RDE). Mourning Warbler is not known to stay very late. So, when a photo of a warbler Oct 31

in Dartmouth, first identified as a Nashville, was studied, it surprisingly turned out to be a first-fall Mourning Warbler (DAC,

KEL). McLaren (“All the Birds of Nova Scotia”) notes a later one attending a Canning, Kings, feeder until Dec 1, 1995.

About 325 reports were received for COMMON YELLOWTHROAT representing 1570 birds, roughly broken down as:

August, 110 reports of 490; September, 175 reports of 1000; and October, 40 reports of 80. Daily monitoring at BPI gave a

pretty good picture of migration peaks. Higher numbers, 24-30, were recorded between Sept 6-9, 26-39 between Sept 18-21

and 19-25 Sept 25-28. Daily totals fell to ten or less after that. After Oct 10, daily totals were one to four, and last the bird

was reported Oct 24 on BPI. There were almost no records from CBI after August, but this may be just a lack of reporting

effort.

There only report of HOODED WARBLER was of one at Daniels Head, CSI, Sept 19 (RDE, CST). There were 56 reports

of 136 AMERICAN REDSTARTS in August. Only two reports were from CBI, but mainland numbers were pretty consistent

through the month, although numbers in northern counties such as Pictou tended to peak before mid-month. A total of 20

observed Aug 28 at McNabs I., HRM, was likely a forerunner of peak numbers observed along the coast over the following

week. In September, there were 45 reports of 118 birds, including distinct concentrations in two locations on Sept 6: Hans

Toom reported “throngs moving through all areas” at Hartlen Pt., HRM, and ABO researchers tallied an impressive day’s

total of 32 at BPI. After that date only 48 were observed, the latest one Sept 30 in the Hartlen Pt. area (DAC).

Reports may point to a come-back of CAPE MAY WARBLER. In the last few years there have been only handfuls, but this

year I received 16 reports of 22 birds, a nice improvement. All were observed close to the coast, from Inverness and

Homeville in CBI to Brier I., Pubnico Pt., CSI and BPI in the south of the province. The first was Aug 20 on Brier I. (GRW),

and eight of the remaining reports were in the last week of August. One banded Oct 3 on BPI (ABO) was late. I noted 32

reports of 70 NORTHERN PARULA for August, although only two of those reports were from CBI. A nice total of 15 was

recorded Aug 28 on McNabs I., HRM (DAC, GRW). I noted 70 September reports of 138 birds, with a high of nine at

Glasgow Head, Guys, on 28 Sept (JOK). Sightings petered out in October, with six reports of 12 birds, including the latest

two Oct 20 at Hartlen Pt., HRM (DAC, MIK).


First-fall male CAPE MAY WARBLER (left, 31 Aug, CSI) is readily recognizable, but the young female (right,

Pubnico Pt., Yar, Aug 30) qualifies as one of Peterson’s “confusing fall warblers”. [Photos Ronnie d’Entremont]

In August, I noted 50 reports of 169 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, with a high of 20 on McNabs I. on Aug 28 (DAC, GRW).

In September there were 79 reports of 180 birds, with the largest count of ten found Sept 20 on BPI (ABO). Three singles

were found on each of the first three days of October on BPI, the Oct. 3 one the latest reported (ABO). They are not always

insectivores, as KST observed one eating Wild Raisin berries Sept. 29 at Three Fathom Hbr., HRM. The banders at BPI

netted an unusual warbler Oct 5 that was diagnosed by David Bell as a hybrid MAGNOLIA X NASHVILLE WARBLER.

Photos of this most unusual bird are shown below for others to study.

This apparent hybrid MAGNOLIA with NASHVILLE WARBLER, netted for banding Oct 5

on BPI, has features of both. The eyering, grey face and yellow underparts are common to

both species, the wingbars are characteristic of Magnolia, but the unstreaked underparts, olive

back, and lack of yellow rump or white in the tail are Nashville features. [Photos David Bell]

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER is seldom in large numbers, and this was true this autumn, with reports of singles in August,

and 14 reports of 18 birds in September. The latest was one on the Lawrencetown Bch Tr., HRM, Sept 28 (CHP). Not enough

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS were seen to detect a distinct migration pattern: 12 reports of 17 birds in August, and 10

reports of 12 in September. The latest reported (RBS) was one in a large movement of mixed migrants Sept 28 at Northern

Pt., Brier I. Most YELLOW WARBLERS were noted in August, with 87 reports of 240 birds, the largest number of 20

during three hours on Aug 18 at Eastern Passage and Hartlen Pt., HRM (GRW), and only one from CBI. This warbler was

spotted widely in small numbers through September with 56 reports of 91 birds – again with only one report of a single bird

on CBI. The latest one was found Sept 26 on BPI (ABO).


On its way to wintering grounds in Central America, the CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER looks quite different from its

breeding-season appearance, losing much of the back striping and sporting lime-green plumage that is hard to depict in

paintings. All were noted from outside CBI, with 18 reports in August of 34 birds, and 23 in September of 24 birds. The

largest count noted was of eight on Aug 20 at Duncans Cove, HRM (IAM), which slightly preceded the bulk of sightings in

the third week of August. The latest was Sept 27 on Brier I. (KJM et al.).

Reports submitted this fall paint a very good picture of the migration of BLACKPOLL WARBLER, which moves to our

coastal areas to await the right conditions for them to take their over-ocean route to wintering grounds in lowland tropical

forests of South America, very unlike the stunted spruce forests of their breeding grounds. Ian McLaren spent a little time on

Seal I. in early August and commented that Blackpolls were holding their own there and about half as common as Myrtles.

There were only ten reports of 22 birds in August, but numbers built up in September, with the maximum in the last week of

the month but still good numbers into the first week of October. There were a total of 87 reports of 904 birds for September

and 57 reports of 433 birds for October. The latest were 11 on BPI Oct. 23 Below are the standardized daily “exhaustive area

counts” by the ABO group on BPI. The BLACK-THROATED BLUE is a relatively uncommon warbler and it’s still a thrill

to see one. There were six reports of single birds in August, 16 reports of 17 birds in September, and nine reports of nine

birds in October. The latest records were from CAM and ALM, who observed a female Oct 16 and 22 at Schooner Pond,

CBRM.

The graph at right shows clear

spurts of overnight arrivals of

BLACKPOLL WARBLER on

BPI during some dates through

September. Most didn’t linger

before setting out over the

ocean to South America, as

most are believed to do. There

does appear to have been a

sustained presence during the

first week of October, perhaps

related to a period of poor

weather for departure.

PALM WARBLER migration was stretched out over the four months, but in general, numbers seemed to be a little low for

this species, and there was only one report from CBI (River Bourgeois, Sept 5, RIV). It is not an early fall migrant, and there

were only nine reports of 27 in August, with largest total of 11 at Blanche, Shel, Aug 31 (JAH). Numbers increased in

September with 55 reports of 204 birds (includes BPI totals). High count for the month was at Sandy Pond, HRM, on Sept 11,

when CHP had a flock containing 25 and a single “Myrtle” keeping company. First migrants appeared Sept 14 on BPI and

46 were seen there over nine days to the end of the month, five banded. The peak number on BPI was 18 on Sept 26. The first

“Western” Palm was examined at close range Sept 28 at Three Fathom Hbr., HRM (CHP). Numbers slowly decreased in

October, but there were still 16 reports of 55 birds. Of these, nine reports of 41 birds were from BPI, with three banded. A

few “Western” Palms were also noted at BPI, with singles Oct 4, 24, 27 and 28 (David Bell); interestingly, these were only

noted on days when “Easterns” were not seen. There were four November sightings of Palm Warblers, including single

“Westerns” Nov 2 at BPI (David Bell) and Nov 4 at Cranberry l, HRM (DAC). The last Palms were noted Nov 8 and 9 in

Lunenburg (Grace Smith). PINE WARBLER is reported here with incomplete information as there were no reports in the

summary I received from eBird, and there should have been. Numbers of birds reported therefore may be a little low, but the

seasonal pattern was similar to that in most years, with the first in late September and increasing numbers as fall progresses.

Thus, this fall’s first Pine Warblers were two on the BLT Tr., HRM, on Sept 14 (SMB). The next four were on BPI Sept 26 to

Oct 26 (ABO). There were nine reports of 13 birds from Oct 29 to the end of the report period, most from HRM locales, but

also from Brier I. and Kentville. Even though a number of eBird reports seemed missing, particularly from BPI, YELLOW-

RUMPED WARBLER, as always, was the most numerous warbler reported, with over 350 reports for this period.

Observations were steady throughout the province in August with the largest count of 35 on Aug 28 at McNab’s I. (DAC,

GRW). Peak number was on Sept 27 when 400 were observed on Brier I. (KJM et al).


Autumn usually brings a few sightings of the beautiful YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, and this year followed the

same pattern with three to report. One was at the home of Nancy Nickerson in Port Williams, Kings, from Oct 21 to 24 (fide

JCT). The next was present for a short 20 minutes in Bridgetown, Anna. It was well described by the observer, MCR, who

noted the yellow seen “front on” was “an egg yolk yellow”. The third was in Kentville, not far as the bird flies from Port

Williams. Although it was photographed Nov 30 by RBS, it had been present a few days earlier.

An elegant YELLOW-THROATED

WARBLER photographed Nov 30 in

Kentville appeared to be of the white-

lored inland subspecies, albilora. [Photo

Richard Stern]

Reverse-migrant PRAIRIE WARBLERS were noted first on BPI, where two were found Aug 17 during the daily census

(David Bell). Sixteen reports from 11 locations from Schooner Pond (CBRM) to Seal I. indicated that we hosted about 18

individuals. All these locations were well known ‘migrant traps’, close to the Atlantic Coast, including: Glasgow Head,

Guys; Three Fathom Hbr.; Hartlen Pt.; PPP; and Sandy Cove Rd.; all in HRM; and The Hawk, CSI. Among these, there were

four reports of five in August, ten reports of 11 in September and two singles in October, the latest Oct 14 on Seal I. (KJM).

Migration of BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was more spread-out than for most other warblers, with about 150

reports of ca. 400 over the report period. A high totaling about 100 birds in 24 reports was in the last week of August, but

there was another peak in the last week of September, when there were 22 reports of 90 birds. Sightings then dropped off,

with eight reports of singles in the first two weeks of October. Then none was seen until JOS had one show up Nov 27 on the

Wyman Rd. in Yarmouth after a storm.

Most CANADA WARBLERS were noted in the last two weeks of August, when there were nine reports of 13 birds from

Pictou, Hants, and HRM. Although migration was underway, two males were heard singing Aug 22 along the Shearwater

Flyer Tr., HRM (DAC, GRW). In September, eight singles were noted in CBRM, Shelburne, HRM, Hants, and Annapolis. By

the end of the third week of September, all had seemingly headed south, with final reports of singles on Sept 20 at Hacketts

Cove, HRM (Aidan Ramsey) and on BPI (ABO). WILSON’S WARBLER was not noted in early August, but by the end of

the month had started to move and become more visible, with five reports of ten birds in the last week. A high of four was

noted Aug 29 at North Pt., Brier I. (PAC). Sightings in September were all from the mainland, with 18 reports of 25 birds.

The latest was a male Oct 26 at Lr. W. Pubnico (AAD), the only one reported for that month.

YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS appeared fewer than normal this fall, but data received seemed incomplete, with no eBird

reports in the summary I received. One was banded Oct 20 on BPI (ABO). I predict they will be scarce this winter.

Sparrows to House Sparrow

By James Churchill

An appendix of a recent research paper (Blancher, P. 2013, Avian Conservation and Ecology: <http://www.ace-

eco.org/vol8/iss2/art3/) indicates that nearly 30 of the species in this section are vulnerable to predation by cats, primarily

because of their behaviours and choices of nesting or foraging sites. Nearly all our sparrows fall into this category and, as

they run the migratory gauntlet on their southward journeys, there is good reason to think that it is as much a fight for

survival at this time as during the breeding season.


Commendably, birding and banding by the Atlantic Bird Observatory on Bon Portage Island led to the contribution of over

3000 eBird records for this section which are included in this report. .

Good numbers this season of some vagrant sparrow species (5 EASTERN TOWHEES, 5 CLAY-COLORED

SPARROWS, at least 8 LARK SPARROWS, and 5 FIELD SPARROWS) were balanced by an absence of a number of

other regulars. However, the outstanding rarity was our first photographically confirmed HENSLOW’S SPARROW found

in late September by Rita Viau at the e. entrance of Hartlen Pt., HRM. Alas, it did not linger or, if it did, it was

characteristically furtive.

These two images of a HENSLOW’S SPARROW Sept 22 at Hartlen Pt., HRM,

capture the field marks needed for positive identification. The image at left shows the

broad, buff-tinged margins of its upper scapular and strongly rufous wing coverts, and

at right, the greenish olive supercilium and weak eye-ring. [Photo Rita Viau]

‘Dump birding’ in north end Halifax proved profitable once more this fall, as Dave Currie, and Dominic Cormier amassed an

impressive list of vagrants and fall rarities in these regenerating habitats: CLAY-COLORED, LARK, and SAVANNAH

(Ipswich) SPARROW, INDIGO BUNTING, DICKCISSEL and BOBOLINK. It will be interesting see changes in the bird

community in this location, but certain to be disappointing, as it is slated to be added to the nearby shipping terminal.

NORTHERN CARDINAL continues its march through the province, and eBird totals were again higher than in previous

years (nearly double the 2012 total). Conspicuously absent this year were reports of tanager species, Blue Grosbeak and

Yellow-headed Blackbird. Only one HOUSE FINCH was directly reported this season (in mid-August on BPI) relative to the

six reported in 2012; however, they are known to cling on in Yarmouth (see photo below). In contrast to the year of plenty

for “winter finches” in 2012, reports in 2013 were relatively slim: while PURPLE FINCH reports surpassed 200, PINE

GROSBEAK, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, RED CROSSBILL, PINE SISKIN were all dramatically reduced in number

relative to 2012, and Common Redpoll failed to appear.

As of 2013 RUSTY BLACKBIRD is classified as ‘Endangered’, and Bobolink as ‘Vulnerable’ in Nova Scotia

(<http://novascotia.ca/NATR/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp>). At least 15 Rusty Blackbirds were reported from

Yarmouth through HRM in August and October, with eight found Aug 20 in Keji NP by a fortunate Peter Kaestner. A

maximum of 30 BOBOLINK were reported in the province in September, and a trickle passed through BPI and HRM until

mid-October. Our Savannah (“Ipswich”) Sparrow, of ‘Special Concern’ nationally, was observed in HRM throughout

October, and 3 individuals were noted in November. Only one was reported from Kings this fall.

Note: In the following table, monthly or seasonal totals include only the largest counts from frequently birded localities; also

species that were searched for reports in NatureNS and NS-RBA are indicated with ‘*’

EASTERN TOWHEE* Oct 2, 19 BPI 1 banded, 1 David Bell

Oct 18 Baccaro Light, Shel 1 m. ph. AAD. Nov 22 Lr. Sackville, HRM 1 f. DGA

Nov 24 Kingsburg Rd., Lun 1 DMC

FIELD SPARROW* Oct 4 Duncan Reef, HRM 1 imm. HAT

Oct 13 Western Head, Queens 1 (possible) JAH, DPO Oct 19 BPI 1 David Bell

Oct 19 Cape Light, CSI, Shel 1 RDE Oct 20 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 MIK, DAC

http://novascotia.ca/NATR/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp%3e)


American Tree Sparrow

Nov 16 Front Centre Rd., Lun 1 KEL Nov 17 Greenwich, w. Wolfville, Kings 1 RIW

Nov 17 Kingsburg, Lun 1 JAH

Nov 21-29 Kings to Cumb, 9 locs. 23 birds eBird + 1 obs.

Chipping Sparrow*

Aug 4-28 Sandy Cove, Cumb up to 5 Donald Gorham

Aug 10-30 BPI to Pict, 9 locs. 20 birds eBird September BPI to Inv, 15 locs. 41 birds neBird + 3 obs.

October BPI to Pict, 9 locs. 14 birds eBird + 3 obs.

Nov 2-8 BPI to Kings, 3 locs. 5 birds eBird

This first-winter CHIPPING SPARROW, Oct 6 in

Enfield, HRM, is about as drab as they get, with

unusually buffy supercilium and weak stripe

through lores. Note the grey rump, which is brown

in Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrow. [Photo

Donna MacNeil]

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW* Aug 17 BPI 1 Nikki Flood

Oct 5 Dartmouth 1 ph. KEL

Oct 6, 7 Old City Dump, Halifax 2, 1 DAC

Nov 16 Lr. Sackville, HRM 1 ph. RIV

Vesper Sparrow* Sept 15, 16 Cheticamp I., Inv 3, 1 eBird

Nov 16 Oban, Rich 1 WMA

LARK SPARROW* Sept 2 Brier I. 1 LAL

Sept 4,15 Old City Dump, HRM 1, 1 DAC, DMC Sept 16, 25 Glasgow Head, Guys 1, 1 BKW, JOK

Sept 18 CSI 1 CST

Sept 24 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DMC Sept 30, Oct 15 BPI 1, 1 imm. David Bell

Oct 25 Voglers Cove, Lun 1 JAH

Savannah Sparrow

August BPI to Vic, 31 locs. 123 birds eBird

September BPI to Vic, 40 locs. 262 birds eBird

October BPI to Vic, 30 locs. 184 birds eBird + 1 obs. November BPI to HRM, 8 locs. 26 birds eBird

Savannah (Ipswich) Sparrow*

Sept 25 Baccaro, Shel 1 imm. ph. Greg White Sept 28 Lawrencetown Bch., HRM 1 CHP

Oct 3, 4 Duncan Reef, HRM 20+ HAT, Ray Staszko

Oct 9 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1; 2 DAC, IAM; DGA Oct 12 Old City Dump, HRM 1 DAC

Oct 13 Conrad I. & Lr. Rose Bay, Lun 2 JAH

Oct17 Hortonville, Kings 1 juv., ph RIW Oct 25 Cherry Hill, Lun 3 JAH

Nov 9, 10 Grand Desert Bch., HRM 1,1 KST Nov 30 CSI 2 AAD

HENSLOW’S SPARROW

Sept 22 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 ph. RIV

Nelson’s Sparrow August BPI to Pict, 20 locs. 79 birds eBird + 2 obs.

September BPI to Pict, 8 locs. 23 birds eBird

Oct 2-12 BPI to HRM, 5 locs. 6 birds eBird

Fox Sparrow August BPI to CBHNP, 4 locs. 14 birds eBird

September BPI and Lun, 2 locs. 4 birds eBird October 6-17 BPI 1 eBird

Nov 4 Front Centre Rd., Lun 1 KEL

Song Sparrow August BPI to CBRM, 92 locs. 400 birds eBird + 2 obs.

September BPI to Vic, 95 locs. 811 birds eBird + 1 obs.

October BPI to Ant, 70 locs. 582 birds eBird November BPI to Rich, 63 locs. 288 birds eBird

Lincoln’s Sparrow Aug 1-5 Shel to Inv, 4 locs. 50 birds eBird Aug 23 Rainbow Haven PP, HRM 1 GRW

Aug 31 Benjies Lake Tr., CBHNP, Inv 2 GRW

Aug 31 Skyline Tr., CBHNP, Inv 4 GRW

Sept 6-30 BPI to Cumb, 9 locs. 13 birds eBird

October 12-15 Yar to HRM, 4 locs. 4 birds eBird

Swamp Sparrow August BPI to Inv, 18 locs. 31 birds eBird

September BPI to Inv, 36 locs. 145 birds eBird + 1 obs.

October BPI to Ant, 24 locs. 62 birds eBird November BPI to Pict, 6 locs. 10 birds eBird

White-throated Sparrow August Shel to Inv, 23 locs. 90 eBird

September BPI to Inv, 44 locs. 235 eBird

October BPI to Ant, 22 locs. 66 eBird November BPI to Rich, 23 locs. 97 eBird

White-crowned Sparrow Sept 26, 27 Brier I. 1 KJM Sept 27 BPI 1 David Bell

Sept 27 Digby Neck, Digby 1 KJM

Oct 3-26 BPI to HRM, 4 locs. 7 eBird Nov 10++ McCormacks Bch, HRM 1 ph. Lou-Ane Bidal et al.

Nov 16 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DGA

Dark-eyed Junco August Province-wide, 41 locs. 207 birds eBird

September Province-wide, 37 locs. 130 birds eBird

October Province-wide, 27 locs. 135 birds eBird November Lun to Rich,, 30 locs. 116 birds Bird + 1 obs.

This juvenile DARK-EYED JUNCO, Aug 30 on

the Salt Marsh Tr., HRM, was more brownish than

we usually see them here, and was obviously only

recently off the nest. [Photo Donna MacNeil]

Northern Cardinal August Yar to HRM, 10 locs. 18 birds eBird + 3 obs.

September Shel to HRM, 13 locs. 21 birds eBird + 1 obs.

October Lun to HRM, 11 locs. 43 birds eBird + 1 obs.


November BPI to HRM, 16 locs. 44 birds eBird + 1 obs.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Aug 1, 2 Plymouth, Pict 1, 2 KJM

Aug 29 Egerton, Pict 1 CHK

Sept 2 Big I., Pict 1 CHK Sept 5 Marshy Hope, Pict 1 KJM

Sept 5, 8 Apple River, Cumb 1 f. KFS

Sept 24 BPI 1 David Bell Sept 25 Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DMC

Oct 6 Birchdale Ave., HRM 1 DMC

Indigo Bunting* Sept 23, 24 BPI 1,1 David Bell

Oct 2, 3, 7, 10 BPI 4, 2, 1,.1 David Bell

Oct 2 Ashton L., HRM 1 imm. m. CHP Oct 6, 7, 12 Old City Dump, HRM 2 DAC

Oct 17 Bald Rock Rd., HRM 1 DAC

Oct 22; 24 Hartlen Pt., HRM 2; 1 DMC; DGA Oct 26 The Hawk, Shel 1 f. CST

Dickcissel* Aug 26 Brier I. 1 LAL

Sept 10 Big I., Pict 1 m. KJM

Sept 28 Old City Dump, Halifax 1 imm. DAC

Oct 10 Seal I., Yar 1 PMC Oct 19 BPI 1 David Bell

Oct 22 Glasgow Head, Guys 1 flight call JOK

Oct 22, 23 White Point, Queens 1 f., 1 imm. m. MMI Oct 30 BPI 1 flight call ABO

Nov 2 + McCormacks Bch., HRM 1 Lou-Anne Bidal et al Nov 13 Wolfville 1 RIW

The WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW lingering

through November at McCormacks Bch., HRM (here

Nov 10), was a hatch-year bird of subspecies gambellii,

as shown by its pale lores. [Photo Lou-Anne Bidal]

Bobolink Aug 5-31 BPI to Pict, 6 locs. 15 birds eBird + 1 obs.

September BPI to Pict,6 locs. 30 birds eBird + 1 obs. Oct 2 Conrad Bch. PP, HRM 1 TEB

Oct 2, 4, 5 BPI 1,1,3 David Bell

Oct 12 Fairview Dump, HRM 1 DMC Oct 12 Old City Dump, HRM 1 DAC

Rusty Blackbird* Aug 20 Keji NP 8 Peter Kaestner Oct 5 BPI 2 David Bell

Oct 6 Three Fathom Hbr., HRM 1 imm. CHP

Oct 10 Seal I., Yar 2 PMC Oct 14, 16 PPP, Halifax 1 AGH

Oct 14 Seal I., Yar 1 KJM

Nov 16 Brier I., Digby 1 m. ELM

Common Grackle August Province wide, 30 locs. 404 birds eBird

September Province-wide, 20 locs. 472 birds eBird + 1 obs. October Lun to Pict,19 locs. 351 birds eBird + 1 obs.

November Yar to Pict, 9 locs. 25 birds eBird

Brown-headed Cowbird Aug 6 Betsys Bch., Guys 1 JOK

Aug 16-28 BPI to Cumb, 4 locs. 12 birds eBird

Sept 6 BPI 1 David Bell Sept 7 CSI 1 AAD

Oct 7 CSI 2 KJM

Oct 15 Higginsville Rd, HRM 1 CHP Oct 31 E. Passage--Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DAC

Nov 4, 5 Apple River, Cumb 1 male KFS

Baltimore Oriole Sept 7-30 BPI to HRM, 7 locs. 6 birds eBird

Oct 2,3,4,20,22 BPI 2 David Bell

Oct 2,3 E. Passage, Hartlen Pt., HRM 1 DAC, DMC Nov 6 Cranberry Lake, HRM 1 KST

Nov 10 Green Bay area, Lun 1 JAH

Nov 30 Beech St., Halifax 1 MZE

Pine Grosbeak Aug 2 Benjies Lake Tr., CBHNP 2 CHP, KST

Aug 2 CBHNP, 3 locs. 3 CHP, KST

Aug 29 Glenora Distillery, Inv 1 GRW

Aug 30 Cheticamp, Inv 1 GRW

Aug 31 Benjies Lake Tr., CBHNP 1 GRW Sept 10 BPI 1 David Bell

Purple Finch August BPI to Inv, 24 locs. 74 birds eBird September BPI to Vic, 19 locs. 33 birds eBird + 1 obs.

October BPI to Vic, 21 locs. 78 birds eBird November Yar to Pict, 13 locs. 50 birds eBird

House Finch* Aug 19 BPI 1 ad. m. Nikki Flood

This male HOUSE FINCH, Oct 29 in Yarmouth, is

one of a small number still found there, often visiting

the Ruff’s feeders. [Photo Alix d’Entremont]

Red Crossbill Sept 12 Pye Brook, Guys 3 CHP Oct 19 Forked Pond, HRM 1 AGH


White-winged Crossbill Aug 2 Benjies Lake Tr., CBHNP 1 CHP, KST

Aug 29 Strathglass Rd., Pict 17 GRW

Sept 15 BPI 2 David Bell Nov 5 Wolfville, Kings 2 David Bell

Nov 22 Lakeview, Kings 20 Mike Dowd, NAD

Pine Siskin Aug 6 Betsys Bch., Guys 1 JOK

Aug 19 Claires, HRM 3 GRW

Aug 20 Brier I. 1 GRW Sept 5 Brierly Brook Quarry, Ant 4 KJM

Sept 5 Fishermans Cove, Inv 1 Larry Morden

Sept 15 Brierly Brook Quarry, Ant 10 KJM Sept 21 Normaway Inn, Inv 4 George Clulow


Oct 5 Brierly Brook Quarry, Ant 4 KJM

Oct 13 Grand Desert Station Road, HRM 1 CHP Nov 8 Graves I. PP, Lun 1 Grace Smith

Nov 9 Lunenburg 1 Grace Smith

Nov 10 Kelley River WA, Cumb 40 KEL

American Goldfinch August Province-wide, 97 locs. 440 birds

September Province-wide, 75 locs. 1248 birds October Province-wide, 42 locs. 364 birds

November Province-wide, 53 locs. 589 birds

Evening Grosbeak Aug 6 Greenfield, Queens 2 ROH

Aug 12 Lakeview, Kings 2 Mike Dowd, NAD

Aug 23,24 Barr Settlement, Hants 11 eBird Sept 5 Brierly Brook Quarry, Ant 22 Lou-Anne Bidal

Oct 5 Brierly Brook Quarry, Ant 3 KJM

Oct 20-29 BPI to Ant 4 locs. 12 birds eBird Nov 16 Higginsville camp, HRM 2 KST

House Sparrow Aug 5-31 Kings to Inv, 5 locs. 36 birds eBird Sept 2-30 Lun to Vic, 9 locs. 51 birds eBird

Oct 2-25 CSI to HRM, 8 locs. 32 birds eBird

Nov 3-30 Kings to Col, 9 locs. 61 birds eBird

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of Those Contributors Represented by Initials. Names of other contributors are spelled out in full in the reports.

AAD D’Entremont, Alix A.

AGH Horn, Andrew

ALD Doull, Ann

ALM Murrant, Allan

AND Dean, Andy

ASM MacLean, Stella

AVM Nagy-MacArthur, Avery

BEC Crowell, Beverly

BID Digout, Billy

BJS Smith, Betty June

BLF Forsythe, Bernard

BKW Woodworth, Brad K.

BLM Maybank, Blake

BUS Bussey, Bill

CAM Murrant, Cathy

CHK Kendell, Charlie

CHP Pepper, Chris

CSS Stevens, Clarence S.

CST Stoddard, Clyde

DAC Currie, David

DAM MacNeill, Don

DAW Walmark, David

DCO Codling, Don

DGA Garratt, Dennis

DMW Welch, Dottie M.K.

DOU Doull, Elizabeth

DPO Poole, Dorothy

eBird eBird Online Checklist

ELM Mills, Eric L.

GAM MacLean, Gayle

GEC Crowell, George

CLS Stevens, Clarence L.

GMU Murray, Gary

GRW Williams, Graham

HAT Toom, Hans

IAM McLaren, Ian

JAH Hirtle, James

JBO Ogden, Jeff

JCT Tufts, Judith C.

JCZ Czapalay, Joan

JOA Allen, Joyce

JOK Kearney, John

JON Nickerson, John

JOS Sollows, John

JSC Cohrs, Shirley

JSH Shermerhorn, Jeannie

JUO O’Brien, Judy

JVA Vandermuelen, Josh

JWW Wolford, Jim

KEL Lantz, Kevin

KFS Spicer, Kathleen

KJM McKenna, Ken J.

JKD d’Eon, Jermome K.

KST Steele, Kate

LOC Codling, Lois

LPP Payzant, Linda & Peter

LUB Berrigan, Lucas

MIK King, Michael

MMI Millard, Margaret

MZE Zelenietz, Marty

NAD Dowd, Nancy

PHE Paul Evans

PMC McKay, Pat

PMU Murray, Paul

RAS Smith, Rachel

RBS Stern, Richard

RDE d'Entremont, Ron

RIV Viau, Rita

RIW Whitman, Rick

ROH Hall, Ross

RSM McDonald, Robert S.

SAB Abbott, Sue

SAH Hiltz, Sandy

SAN Nickerson, Sandra

SEM Myers, Susann

SJF Fullerton, Sylvia

SIS Smith, Sid

SLH Hulford, Sheila

TEB Boswell, Terry

TUY Young, Tuma

WPN Neily, Wayne


Point Michaud Field Trip, August 17, 2013

By Billy Digout

On this Saturday morning, after a brief delay due to road construction, 15 enthusiastic birders set out along Pt. Michaud

Beach in Richmond Co. It was a beautiful sunny day, with just enough breeze on the beach to keep the abundant mosquitoes

at bay. For the first while, we saw only some SANDERLINGS and SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS, a few gulls, cormorants

(both species) and crows. A single NORTHERN GANNET was diving far off the beach. Things improved as we moved

farther along the beach, with WHIMBRELS, NORTHERN HARRIER, both regular species of tern, and more

shorebirds. We moved through the marsh grass and checked out some inland ponds, where we saw MALLARD,

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, some GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a GREAT BLUE HERON, a KINGFISHER, YELLOW

WARBLER, as well as SAVANNAH, NELSON'S and SONG SPARROWS. Both species of yellowlegs flew overhead, with

a possible PECTORAL SANDPIPER in tow. The aforementioned mosquitoes drove us back to the beach, and we observed

more shorebirds, including Pectorals as well as the highlight of the day, a single RED KNOT.

After looking at the far beach, we returned and checked out some ponds in L'Ardoise, where we had more ducks, four species

of swallow and an OSPREY. We had observed a total of 51 species then went, not reluctantly, for a luncheon hosted by Leah

Jeffrey and Sheila Digout.

Left: Most of the participants of the Pt.

Michaud field trip were too focused on the

birds to pose formally. [Photo Eric Mills]

Beginners Field Trip, Lawrencetown, HRM, August 25, 2013

By Chris Pepper & Kate Steele, Group Leaders

Twelve people attended and we were very fortunate to have a beautiful, sunny, calm (but chilly) Sunday morning for our four

km walk. As is typical in birding, the first two km took us over two hours and then we quickly back-tracked to our original

meeting spot. The birds cooperated throughout our trip with a variety of shorebirds present, as well as gulls, sparrows, and

warblers. We unexpectedly startled a SORA from a ditch and into some alders where everyone was able to get a look at it

peeking through the leaves at us! Another surprise was a male WILSON’S WARBLER right at the beginning of the walk.

Great company and great birds made for a wonderful morning! We tallied 49 species in all, including the expected water and

shorebirds, and seven species of warbler.


Bon Portage Island Field Trip, Labour Day Weekend, 2013

By Claire Diggins

On Friday, Aug 30, five participants, Burkhard and Ingrid Plache, Pat McKay, Jeff White, and Claire Diggins, left Prospect

Point Wharf for the annual Labour Day Weekend NSBS field trip to Bon Portage Island. The weather was ideal and the

evening sky magnificent as we explored the road to the lighthouse.

Next day we woke to thick fog and light showers but we persisted in checking out the entire coastline of the island for

migrating and resident birds. Our search revealed the following warblers: COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACK-

THROATED GREEN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, AMERICAN REDSTART, YELLOW-RUMPED, and PRAIRIE. We

also saw SWAINSON’S AND HERMIT THRUSH, BOBOLINK, BOREAL CHICKADEE, GOLDEN-CROWNED

KINGLET, CEDAR WAXWING, NORTHERN HARRIER, PEREGRINE FALCON, MERLIN, and many shorebirds. Early

each morning we heard the calls of Great-horned Owls outside our cabin and twice we spotted a GREAT-HORNED OWL at

the north end. LEACH’S STORM-PETREL was being monitored during the weekend and it was reported that this species is

having a particularly robust season. Our group was introduced to parent petrels as well as a young chick.

Because of the ambience and special experiences of this small island and the companionship of birders, banders, and

scientists we felt our weekend was a good success.

McNabs Island Field Trip, October 12, 2013

By Cheryl Davis, Group Leader

After several failed attempts during the last couple of years, 20 of us met at Fishermans Cove in Eastern Passage at 8:00 a.m.

on a Saturday to take us to McNabs Island for a field trip. Armed with binoculars and cameras we boarded boats to take us

the island for a day of exploring and birding. The day held promise with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Our ages

ranged from three up to seniors, with group members from all parts of Nova Scotia ready to discover the island’s treasures.

Once ashore, our Captain gave us a quick overview and, after he gave us a pamphlet on McNabs Island, we went on our

merry way. We hadn't hiked very long before we heard what became our day’s nemesis; parts of the island were alive with

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, but only the most patient of us were able to catch more than a glimpse.

Our first stop was Fort McNab, built as part of the harbour defense during World War II. From here we had an eagle’s eye

view of the Halifax Harbour and were entertained by a few NORTHERN GANNETS diving off shore. As can happen on

"too nice" days, the woods were relatively quiet of birds, but there were several new birders in the group and they were able

to add several 'lifers'. So, even though we didn't have huge quantities of birds, there was variety. From Fort McNab, our hike

took us along a woodland trail to a large inland pond that gave us some good looks at GREATER YELLOWLEGS and

several duck species, including three HOODED MERGANSERS. We continued on and eventually settled for an early lunch

in a sheltered area on the shore, not far from Hangmans Marsh. There we watched a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK doing some

aerial acrobatics. With a plan to rendezvous back at the beach around 2:00 p.m., we still had much ground to cover and more

birds to find.

After lunch we hiked up to an area where our Captain had mentioned seeing an unidentified owl prior to our visit.

Unfortunately, no owl was located, but we did hear some amazing stories from Bernard Forsythe, a member of our group

who bands owls at and near his home. As our group listened to Bernard, we stood at the end of a narrow woodland path

overlooking a strange-looking, square and shallow artificial pond, with a plastic lawn chair at its far end; most odd, but we

did add a woodpecker species there. Continuing on, we explored the area of ‘The Gardens’ near the Teahouse, where

upwards of several hundred plant species had been introduced in the 1880's. The pamphlet also mentioned that “many of the

original trees and shrubs are still standing”. There was a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER flitting in one of the trees, a

PURPLE FINCH singing nearby, and several BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES captured everyone’s attention. From there

we ventured to Hugonin Point, which has been recently opened up to visitors. That short trek off the main trail gave us

another view of Halifax Harbour and McNabs Cove, before we headed to our last stop at Fort Ives. Surrounded by a high

wrought iron fence, Fort Ives is most impressive with its stone walls and grassy lawns. Construction started in 1864 and it

was in use up to World War 1. As picturesque as the fort was, birds mostly eluded us at this location.


By now our time had run out and we needed to make

haste back to the beach at the other end of the island so

that we could meet up with our Captain and be ferried

back to the mainland. By day’s end the group had totalled

36 species of birds. Highlights included HOODED

MERGANSER, a BLACKPOLL WARBLER and a

possible WINTER WREN, along with some deer and

snake sightings. In one grassy area we discovered several

dormant bees that appeared to be frozen in time on a few

plants growing close to the ground.

The day’s award for "Keenest Birder" went to Aidan Ramsey, a very young man who was ‘spot on’ with his birding skills,

and usually found at the head of the pack, making sure we didn't miss anything. This was a first visit by many to McNabs and

for some, the first of many visits. All in all, we saw 36 bird species. Thank you to all who came. It was a great day!

Spread the Bird Word

By Andy de Champlain

Maybe the same thing happened to you as to me: saw a bird and become curious; learned the name for this bird; bought a

field guide. Began to watch birds: first the neighbourhood and later, little birding quests. Questions arose, and answers were

needed. What’s this one? What’s that one? Bought more books, a better camera, took some pictures, and sought out Those

Who May Know.

This, for me, was the point at which I joined the NSBS, and started reading this journal. More than a year passed and,

although I was learning a lot from Nova Scotia Birds, I still wasn’t interacting with other birders, mainly because I hadn’t yet

started going to NSBS field trips or meetings.

Time passed, and I snapped a picture of yet another bird I couldn’t ID from my books. It finally dawned on me to find the

NSBS website and get the e-mail address of someone I could send the picture to. David Currie, President. He’ll do. Dave

told me two things: that my pic was of a Red-eyed Vireo, and that the NSBS had a group on Facebook. I hadn’t touched

Facebook in a few years, but I went back, and I joined the NSBS group. I’m glad I did. This little article is a

recommendation: if you’re not already there, check out the NSBS Facebook group!

Birdwatching can be a bit of a solitary pursuit, whether you’re studying the literature and comparing pictures at home, or

trampling through some thorny forest. Being alone with nature is a major appeal of birding, but humans are social creatures

and eventually we succumb to the compulsion to share. But not everyone in one’s inner circle shares the same enthusiasm

for that mystery sparrow you saw this morning. Thus, perhaps birders of a feather should flock together.

Clearly the digital age offers a lot to birdwatchers. Not only can you find out what bird you took a picture of, but you can see

the birds others are seeing in the province. Many of the photographs on the NSBS Facebook site are breathtaking. And for


those of us with personal birding goals – I’m trying to see as many species as possible in NS this year, for example – the site

is decidedly useful. Because of this site, I got to see and photograph a Bald Eagle without leaving Halifax. I even twitched a

White-fronted Goose and a Ross’s Goose. (‘twitch’ v.: to seek out a specific bird based on accounts by another birder.)

In 2013, I birded seven islands of the province. I’ve been on a few NSBS field trips, and through the Facebook site I’ve

made a couple ‘birder dates’. I’ve seen 140 species and counting and, most importantly, I’ve made some new friends who

share my interest in birding. Birders are already explorers and scholars, but active participation in the NSBS Facebook site

can motivate you toward enhanced tech skills and at the same time add to your social well-being. I’ve found the members of

the group to be supremely kind and helpful, and all their input since my joining has inspired me to write this, and to bird on.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Raising a Starling (Continued from the last issue)

By Joan Czapalay

Soon our yard was full of tiny potholes and the worms were getting scarce. No worries – the neighbours all helped, and were

daily handing worms over the fence! I tried feeding bits of pet food, but by then Chirpy had come to love worms, especially

when Rachel shoved them with her tiny fingers right down into his throat. Although the sex was indeterminable, we agreed to

call our starling “he” and took him for frequent walks around north-end Halifax in a small basket (see photo). Soon Chirpy's

feathers started coming in, and our baby bird became an adolescent.

Then came a long-weekend holiday in May. By

then Chirpy was jumping around a lot, until it got

dark and became bedtime. He always slept in his

shoebox, and by now nearly filled it. I was

planning to go to Barrington to visit a friend, and

to go birding with the So’west Nova

Birdwatchers, so Chirpy had a road trip. He rode

shotgun, and with lots of newspapers spread on

the back seat, frequent stops for fresh air, and my

worm can filled with snacks, we reached our

destination. My birding buddies gave me some

teasing. Murray reminded me that I used to call

Starlings “sky rats”!

Chirpy happily slept in the car as soon as it was dark, and I made sure I got to him as soon as the sun was up. A lot of

flapping was going on, so I decided it was time for a “launch”. My friend Louise Smith’s yard backed onto a nice shrubby

area, and I expected it would make a nice home for a young starling. I would run with Chirpy on my hand, and then fling him

into the wind – over and over. And he would land on the clothes pole or line, and cry for me to do it again; and again and

again. I wonder what passers-by thought was happening? No way was my city bird staying in the country. Chirpy went to the

car seat's backrest perch, and returned to the city with me. He acted quite excited to see the Halifax family again, and took

short flights around the house. Newspapers were always available, and well used by now. Ava started hiding the worms

under leaves in the yard, and teaching Chirpy to scratch to find them. Chirpy was flying quite well, but didn’t show any

interest in leaving home. On his “graduation” day the children and I took our Chirpy to the Halifax Public Gardens. There

was a flock of more than 30 starlings in the trees and on the ground near the duck pond. We launched Chirpy in their

direction, and he landed on a low branch near another starling. They stared at each other, and tentatively moved closer and

apart and then closer again. We kept backing away, and when the flock flew off, Chirpy went with them – one of the many

starlings.


My emotions were very mixed. I would not want to do it again, but I was glad for me and Ava and the children to know a

bird so intimately. The next day after saying “Farewell!” to Chirpy, it rained, and we wondered how our sheltered Chirpy

fared in the great out-of-doors. We went back to the point of his departure in the Public Gardens as soon as the sun came out

on the third day. There was a large flock of starlings near the pond. We stared and stared at them, but they all looked alike.

After a minute or two, Rachel confidently said, “There’s Chirpy!” She walked right towards the flock of starlings which

immediately flew off into the trees as she approached them – all except one. A single starling stayed on the ground and let the

little girl come up quite closely. Rachel stopped, and child and bird looked at each other for a minute, then “Chirpy”, if it

really was Chirpy, flew away to join his genetic relatives in the trees.

Our family to this day have a special spot in our hearts for Starlings!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shorebird Excitement

By Rick Whitman

Over the past four years or so, I have developed a very strong interest in shorebirds. In this brief article I will present the

three most exciting birds I found this year, all of which were between Hortonville and East Point (North Grand Pré) in Kings.

On August 21, I spotted a very pale juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. The bird was not an albino but clearly lacked

pigments. I think it’s beautiful.

The very next day, August 22, I noted a very dark individual among the juvenile Short-billed Dowitchers, later identified by a

number of experts as a juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. This bird apparently had an injury on its right side but was

always able to fly normally with the other shorebirds. It was present, apparently recovering, to September 3 and my best

guess is that it successfully left about that time. The photo below was taken August 23.

The image of the juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on the next page shows essential field marks of this very

uncommon migrant. Note that the black bars on the tail are wider than the white ones (although there is overlap with

Short-billed in this feature), and especially the more readily observed lack of pale internal markings on the scapulars

and, diagnostically, on the long tertials. This gives it an overall darker- backed appearance than the Short-billed.


The image of the juvenile LONG-BILLED

DOWITCHER at right shows diagnostic features: its

overall dark-backed appearance, tertials without

internal pale barring, and conveniently in this pose,

the broader black than white bars on the tail.

The third bird is a more complicated story. I have had a dream to find a WESTERN SANDPIPER and have probably

examined a few thousand SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS in an effort to find that definitive bill. On September 14, on the

beach right at East Point (The Guzzle), I was sure I had “my bird”. To me, this sandpiper stuck out like a sore thumb and was

easily re-found among the others following two or three quick moves. I also had the feeling that it didn’t truly interact with

the Semipalmateds. I had solid support for an ID as Western Sandpiper but in the end several of the top shorebird specialists

in North America declared it to be a female Semipalmated Sandpiper, probably from Ungava region in Quebec. This bird is

so close to the extreme range for bill length that shorebird expert Kevin Karlson plans to use one of my photos in a new

Shorebirds eBook. Aside from juveniles in full juvenile plumage, or adults in full non-breeding plumage, I will not likely ID

any “Western Sandpipers” in future. There are five more photos of this bird here: <http://tinyurl.com/ndxq8f3>

The very long bill of this individual certainly

suggests Western Sandpiper, but it is

diagnosable (with greater difficulty) as an adult

female SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER,

almost certainly from an eastern breeding

population. Useful are its shape (Western

would be more ‘bull-headed’, with a thicker

neck and fuller chest) and its retained black

(alternate breeding) scapulars and coverts; a

Western at this season would have completed

its moult into uniformly grey (basic) plumage.

http://tinyurl.com/ndxq8f3


A “Lonely” Bank Swallow

By Rick Whitman

I think we would all agree that swallows are relatively

social birds. No doubt some of this is just because

numerous birds may use the same good foraging location,

such as a body of water. But those who have observed a

large colony of Bank Swallows will agree that this species

is obviously social. Aside from their colonial nesting

behaviour, they can be seen foraging and migrating in

groups. There continues to be one large nesting colony at

Avonport Beach, Kings. While walking the dyke between

Hortonville and East Point, I often see a flock of 10-30

Bank Swallows foraging over the dykelands or

saltmarshes. These birds stay together as a loose flock

several kilometres from the Avonport colony. Their

distribution over the entire area at any given moment is

never uniform or seemingly random. After leaving the

nesting site in preparation for migration, Bank Swallows

stay together.

The above flock above was roosting on

the dykelands at 6:50 a.m, July 28, 2013.

I saw the last group of ten Bank Swallows at the dykelands this year on Aug 8. On eBird it can be seen that Bank Swallows

are largely gone from Nova Scotia by the first week of September. Then on Aug 20 I saw something that was quite unusual. I

was on the dyke at Horton Landing, watching the shorebirds. The high tide was just over 14 m that day, so the shorebirds

were forced right up against the main dyke on a limited number of rock areas. Eventually there was only a single uncovered

rock apron. The interaction I describe below started well before that occurred, and lasted for almost an hour. There was a

single young Bank Swallow along the dyke that day. This bird was very attracted to, or very curious about, the concentration

of shorebirds (see photos below). During roughly an hour, it landed right among them eight or ten times. In between these

landings it made apparent foraging flights along the dyke and back, in either direction from the shorebird roost. It flew

normally. The shorebirds always cleared a bit of space for it, as its fluttering flight seemed to make them a bit nervous. I

couldn’t help wondering whether this one swallow had somehow become separated from a flock and was attracted to a

gathering of somewhat similar-sized birds. I'm not sure I've ever seen such extended social interaction between species of

birds that are so unrelated.

.

The image at left shows the BANK SWALLOW perched and seemingly at ease among the LEAST and SEMIPALMATED

SANDPIPERS. The above shows its greyish underparts and yellow gape indicating it is not long out of its nest burrow.


First Documentation of California Gull in Nova Scotia

By David Bell

280 McGregor Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3W9

The gull was observed off Bon Portage I. shortly before 9 a.m. Oct 1. Stormy weather meant no banding that morning, so I

was able to help carry out our standard census. At “Kelp Cove” there were many more gulls than usual (estimated 500-700,

mostly Herring and Great-black-backed; there had usually been fewer than 100 gulls there). I quickly picked out an adult and

then a 1st-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull amongst the crowd on the water. After getting David Lumpkin (DCL) onto these

birds, I picked out a first-winter Ring-billed Gull (fairly uncommon on the island) sitting fairly close to us on the water. After

a bit more scanning I found what appeared to be a CALIFORNIA GULL sitting on the water about 100 m to the n.w. (we

were at the s. end of the cove) with a flock of about 40 Herring Gulls of various age classes. There was a strong n.e. wind,

about 20-25 knots. The lighting on the bird was excellent, with sun peeking through clouds at our back, illuminating the bird

against a dark, stormy background; I was using Vortex Viper, HD, 10X42 binoculars. It took flight about a minute after I had

spotted it and I was able to get DCL onto the bird as it flew parallel to us along the shore about 100-150 m out, then landed

about 400 m south of us on the water with another small flock of gulls. Unfortunately we were unable to go look for it again

due to the time constraints on the census. The following details were noted and written up about 3½ hours after our

observations. The Sibley Field Guide was referenced later. (Note: apparently the same bird was seen at about 10 a.m. Nov 2,

2013 at Saltwater Pond, BPI, in cloudy, drizzly weather from <100 m away and same field marks noted.)

Size and shape. It was smaller than surrounding Herring and Great Black-backeds, somewhat more delicate-

looking, and noticeably larger than the Ring-billed on the water at the time of observation. It was similar in size to

the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Its wings looked narrower in flight than those of the surrounding Herring Gulls,

contributing to the slender, more delicate overall impression.

Plumage. Its head and underside were heavily mottled with light brown, and its back primarily grey when it sat on

the water. In flight, the overall light-brown mottling on head and underside was again noted, along with it black (or

very dark brown) tail, contrasting markedly with a pure-white rump. The wings showed some contrast between

very dark outer primaries and slightly paler inner primaries. The underwing appeared contrastingly paler than the

upperwing, which like the back was mainly greyish, contrasting somewhat with the darker primaries.

Bare Parts. Its legs and feet were neither seen as it was sitting on the water, nor when it was in flight. Its bill was

slender and appeared to be mostly paler than the bills of similarly-aged Herring Gulls around it, but I could not be

sure of its exact colour. It was, however, distinctly bicoloured with a black band near the tip. Its eye colour was not

noted due to distance and lack of a scope.

Behaviour Its flight style was slightly different from that of the many accompanying Herring Gulls, likely due to

differences in weight and wing shape.

I have seen most of the North American larids and spent many hours gull-watching on Lakes Erie, Ontario and Superior, and

at Niagara Falls. My immediate general impression was that this was a California Gull. Its intermediate size between Ring-

billed and Herring Gulls; slim appearance, slender, bicoloured bill; black tail; white rump, overall white, mottled brown body

plumage with a greyish back on a 2nd

-cycle large gull, eliminate all other species. I have seen many thousands of this species

in my travels (BC, CA, MB, WA, ON, NY) – mainly in BC and CA – and I found a 2nd

-cycle bird in August 2012 at Long

Point, ON, which was the first summer record of this species for Ontario.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Nova Scotia’s First Hammond’s Flycatcher

By David Bell

280 McGregor Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3W9

We caught the flycatcher at the Atlantic Bird Observatory on Bon Portage Island on Sept 14, 2013. It was a hatch-year bird

and was banded and measured by myself as the bander-in-charge. The white (as opposed to buff-coloured) wingbars pointed

to an adult bird but the combination of moult limits and orange lower mandible indicates that it was actually a hatch-year bird

with some adult plumage features.


The bird did not vocalize while in the hand, however its plumage features and overall structure were a good match for this

species. The combination of a proportionately large head, small bill and long primary projection with a slightly ovoid eye

ring, grey head contrasting with an olive back and whitish-grey underside with a yellow wash point to a Hammond’s over

any other species of Empidonax flycatcher.

The following in-hand features all supported the identification as Hammond’s Flycatcher (see Table 3 in Pyle’s [1997]

Identification Guide to North American Birds: Part 1).

Primary 6 was emarginated (eliminating Acadian and the “Traill’s” complex)

Unflattened wing chord = 66 mm

Tail length = 53 mm (eliminating Dusky and Gray)

Wing – tail = 13 mm (at the low end for Yellow-bellied and upper end for Least)Bill length from

nares to tip = 6.4 mm (eliminating all empids but Least and Hammond’s; at the low end for Least)

Bill width at nares = 4.5 mm (low end for Least and eliminating all other eastern empids)

Primary 9 – Primary 5 = 7.8 mm (very upper limit for Least)

Primary 6 – Primary 10 = 7.2 mm (above upper limit for Least)

In my excitement I neglected to measure length of longest primary minus longest secondary, but the photos clearly show a

very long primary projection, unlike Least Flycatcher. The photos below further illustrate the points made here.

The image at left shows the long primary projection, relatively large head and tiny bill, ovoid eyering (expanded behind

the eye), and grey nape and face, contrasting with the olive back, all characteristic of HAMMOND’S

FLYCATCHER, as is the dull orange of the narrow, relatively straight-sided lower mandible (at right), more yellow-

orange, broader and more convex in Least Flycatcher). [Photos David Bell]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nova Scotia’s First Western Warbling Vireo Confirmed In-hand

David Bell

280 McGregor Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 3W9

The WARBLING VIREO we caught at the Atlantic Bird Observatory on Bon Portage Island on Oct 24, 2013, was a hatch-

year bird and was banded by a volunteer and measured by myself as bander-in-charge. The age of this bird was determined

by a combination of features including a residual juvenile gape, a fault bar on the tail, and general moult patterns. The dull

plumage and general ‘odd’ look to this bird prompted a look in Pyle on how to differentiate the subspecies of Warbling

Vireo. The crown and back were a dull olive-grey, contrasting with the olive rump, and the flanks had very little yellow on

them. The bill was also darker than expected for an eastern bird.


Measurements taken:

Unflattened wing chord = 66 mm (extreme low end for Eastern)

Tail length = 48 mm (extreme low end for Eastern)

Bill length from nares to tip = 6.6 mm (well below limit for Eastern)

Bill width at nares = 3.5 mm (just below limit for Eastern)

These measurements are all a good match for a Western Warbling Vireo (see p. 286 of Pyle’s [1997] Identification Guide to

North American Birds: Part 1), which has a much smaller bill than the eastern subspecies gilvus. The combination of

plumage, bill structure and wing and tail lengths indicate that this bird is of the subspecies swainsoni breeding from

California to s.e. Alaska and the s. NWT through the Rockies and to the coast rather than subspecies brewsteri, breeding from

Idaho and Montana to n. Mexico The photos below further illustrate the points made here. Note that both subspecies of the

Western Warbling Vireo differ in plumages, measurements, and songs from the Eastern subspecies gilvus and many

authorities believe it is a different species. There is one previous photo record for Nova Scotia (pp. 165-166, and plate 79 in

McLaren, 2010, All the Birds of Nova Scotia. Gaspereau Press, Kentville, NS), but the present one offers more concrete

evidence that this species, among some other western birds, wanders here in autumn.

This image shows the small, dark bill (not swollen anterior to the nares), and retained, pale-tipped and

the retained, raggedly worn juvenile greater coverts typical of Western WARBLING VIREO, and the

similar olive-tinged grey of crown and back typical of subspecies swainsoni. [Photo David Bell]

Two photos of the Western Warbling Vireo further illustrate its small, dark bill,

pale flanks and dull olive-grey of both crown and back. [Photos David Bell]


Birds In Our Past

We are again grateful to Eric Ruff for searching archived newspapers for notes on our birds. Our atttude toward eagles has

greatly changed, and it seems unlikely that a large grey (?) eagle would be judged a nighttime raider. The much more recent

account might strike one as a disputable stand-your-ground case; who was the aggressor here? Another threat to our birds is

also largely gone; some of us can remember from fall exursions to our southern islands, finding scores of dead migrants at the

bases of lighthouses after foggy nights. But, of course, new threats have more than replaced lighthouse collisions.

Yarmouth Herald, Nov 21, 1888

Yarmouth Herald, July 6, 1887

Yarmouth Herald-Telegram, Oct 24, 1944


Caps and Shirts from the Nova Scotia Bird

Society

Caps: Work-wear quality, 100% cotton, Full

fit, velco adjustable and embroidered logo. Rust

in colour, glare absorbing black under visor.

Price: $18.00 CAD plus shipping.

T-Shirts: Gildan 100% pre-shrunk T-shirt.

Light green colour only. Unisex sizes: Medium,

Large and Extra-large. Embroidered logo.

Price $15:00 CAD plus shipping.

Nova Scotia Birds 56, number...Volume 56, Issue 1 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS 3 Annual General Meeting,...

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