ISLAND NATURALIST - · PDF fileISSUE # 190 JAN. - MAR. 2009 If you have not already done so, please renew your 2009 membership ISLAND NATURALIST

ISSUE # 190 JAN. - MAR. 2009

If you have not already done so, please renew your 2009 membership

ISLAND NATURALIST

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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDP.O. BOX 2346, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. C1A 8C1

Meetings are held of the first Tuesday of the month (except July, August, and September) at 7:30 p.m. at the FarmCentre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown. Each meeting commences with a brief business meeting followedby a nutrition break and a guest speaker. Members and non-members are welcome.

Membership is open to anyone interested in the natural history of Prince Edward Island. Membership is availableat any meeting or by contacting the Treasurer at P.O. Box 2346, Charlottetown C1A 8C1 (phone 569-1209). Annual membership is $20 and renewals are due in January. Membership expiry dates are shown in the top righthand corner of the mailing label.

The Society is directed by a volunteer Executive elected from its members.2009 Executive:

President................................................ Fred McCardle, Kinkora, 887-2338, mccardlebros@pei.aibn.comVice-President.......................................................................................................................................vacantPast President...............................Dwaine Oakley, Crossroads 569-1815 dwaine.oakley@pei.sympatico.caSecretary..................................................Beth Hoar, New Glasgow 621-0544 [email protected] .........................................................Rosemary Curley, Stratford 569-1209 [email protected] - Program.................................................................................................................................vacantDirector - Publicity.................................Anne Bergstrom, Charlottetown, 892-3129 [email protected]

NEWSLETTERS are normally published quarterly and are available in Acrobat Reader format via E-mail or inhard copy delivered by mail. Hard copies are printed on recycled paper. Articles, notes, reports, drawings, birdsightings, plant records, etc. are welcomed from members and non-members. If you have seen anything unusual,please share it with us. It is important to have your observations recorded so that others may learn from them. Allcontributions should be sent by mail to Dan McAskill, Newsletter Editor, NHSPEI, Charlottetown RR # 5,Donagh, P.E.I. C1A 7J8 or via E-mail to [email protected] (Please note: NHSPEI site will be restoredin March)

The next deadline for articles, sightings, or other newsletter information is April 15, 2008.

Illustrations/Pictures: The Society extends a special thanks to Dwaine Oakley for their photographs in this issue.

The Natural History Society gratefully acknowledges support from the Department of Education and EarlyChildhood Development which enables distribution of newsletters to schools and libraries desiring it. The NaturalHistory Society is an affiliate of Nature Canada and has representation on the board of the Island Nature Trust. The Society is a registered, non-profit organization (Part 2, Companies Act). Tax receipts are issued for donationsto the Society and these funds are used to further the work of the Society.

Reprinting: Editors of other newsletters and teachers wishing to copy classroom materials are welcome to reprintarticles from the Island Naturalist (except when copyrighted). Due acknowledgment must be provided to the IslandNaturalist, the author and illustrator. Web page: The Society’s Executive is currently working to reestablish its web page. This should be completed inApril. Cover Illustration:

The Cave Swallow, Prince Edward Island’s newest bird species, was found by Dwaine Oakley at EastPoint on November 14 , 2008 and seen by a group of Island birders the following day. th

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2008 PRESIDENTS' REPORT: by Dwaine Oakley & Fred McCardle

We offer our thanks to the Society’s members for their support for and participation in the Natural HistorySociety of Prince Edward Island during 2008. This year’s volunteer Board was led by Fred McCardle (Presidentstarting in October), Dwaine Oakley (President January to September & Past-President October to December), DanKennedy (Vice-president), Beth Hoar (Secretary), Rosemary Curley (Treasurer), Jennifer Roma (ProgramDirector), Anne Bergstom (Publicity Director), and David Seeler (Past-President January to September). Startingin March, Lynne Douglas became the Society’s representative on the General Council of the Island Nature Trusttaking over from Dan Kennedy.

The Society’s monthly education presentations featured: “The Society’s Annual General Meeting”; KateMacQuarrie’s “Invasive Species”; Colin MacKinnon’s “The Natural History of the Tantramar Marshes of NewBrunswick”; Jackie Waddell’s “Foxes and Coyotes: Wild Dogs of the Island”; Dwaine Oakley’s “Reptiles andAmphibians of P.E.I.”; David Keenlyside’s “Prince Edward Island’s First People in an Evolving Landscape”; DanMcAskill’s “Exploring the Hillsborough”; and Rosemary Curley’s “Birds at Risk on Prince Edward Island”. Dueto unforeseen circumstances, the June meeting was cancelled. These presentations were publicized in The Buzz,Guardian Community Notice columns, and on CBC radio. A special thanks goes out to Jean Blanchard for herservice as the lunch coordinator at our meetings and to Rosemary Curley for the periodic monthly prizes. DwaineOakley led a Society field trip on reptiles and amphibians on Jun. 1. Thanks to the records of sighting contributors,the Island’s 2008 bird list reached 251 species. Dwaine Oakley and Beth Hoar judged the natural history entriesfor the U.P.E.I. Science Fair and there were winners at the three school levels.

The popularity of the U.P.E.I. Birdlist Server continued and it again contributed to the documentation ofnew sightings. Rarities identified in the BirdList Server were included in the Island Naturalist bird column. TheSociety extends a special thanks to David Seeler for maintaining the BirdList server.

The Society maintained its participation in various provincial and North American bird count projects. Scott Sinclair coordinated the Montague Christmas Bird Count and Dan McAskill coordinated the P.E.I. NationalPark and Hillsborough Christmas Bird Counts as well as the Bain Bird Count. He reviewed the Island’s GreatBackyard Bird Count reports. Darla Saunders of PEI National Park stoked the stove and set up the DalvayInterpretive Centre for the P.E.I. National Park Christmas Bird Count potluck while Diane and Kevin Griffinhosted the potluck for the Hillsborough CBC. Rosemary Curley arranged training clinics and coordinated theIsland’s efforts on the Second Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Dwaine Oakley represented the Society onMaritime Noon’s birds radio call-in shows in the spring and autumn.

In addition to these efforts, the Society participated actively in the P.E.I. Museum and HeritageFoundation’s review of the Island’s heritage needs with Dan Kennedy being appointed as a member of the steeringcommittee on the study. In relation to this effort, members met with the Iris Group team, participated in publicconsultations, and prepared and released a Letter to the Editor in the Guardian supporting a provincial museumwith a strong natural history component. In addition, the Society’s members supported the Maritime BreedingBird Atlas II surveys. During the year, the Society committed to donate $1,000 to the Maritime Breeding BirdAtlas II to assist with point count surveys in 2009, a subscription to the North American Birds to the RobertsonLibrary at U.P.E.I. and made a contribution of $150 to the U.P.E.I. Science Fair natural history prizes. AnneBergstom coordinated the E-mail distribution of Society notices about upcoming Natural History Society events. Dan Kennedy continued as the Society’s web coordinator and added a members photos section. Dan McAskillcontinued to coordinate responses to the Society’s E-mail requests. In December, the Society’s web server and E-mail address was temporarily shut down while a new service provided was found and the web site was redesigned.

Thanks to the many Society members and others who contributed their wildlife observations and stories forthe Society's Island Naturalist with four issues being released. Dwaine Oakley, David Boyce, Nina Linton,Virginia MacSwain-Jackson, Shaun Donovan, and Bill Glen contributed photographs, illustrations and/or drawingsand Virginia MacSwain-Jackson, Fiep de Bie, Dwaine Oakley, Jean Watts, Beth Hoar, David Seeler, BeckyStewart, Ivy Austin, Jackie Waddell, Bill Glen, Scott Sinclair contributed articles or their content. Dan McAskillcontinued as the editor. Members were again afforded the opportunity to obtain electronic issues of the newsletterin Acrobat Reader format. Linda and Allen Thomas and their family sent the newsletter to schools.

Society members Ray Cooke, Fiep de Bie, and Dan McAskill, and Island Nature Trust staff combined their

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efforts to host the annual Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic. The donors contributing to this project provided$1,411 towards the Trust’s land conservation program.

Thanks to Rosemary Curley and donor’s generosity in contributing prizes, the Society’s financial positionagain remained healthy. Evelyn Martin and Bill Bowerbank contributed birding and related books, DutchThompson contributed tree swallow nest boxes, Nature Saskatchewan contributed copies of Prairie Phoenix, andother items were donated for the raffle prizes. Dwight Cargill, Sharon Neil, Ardeth Smith, Douglas Sobey, andAnn Wootton gave financial donations to the Society during the year. The Society’s revenues were $2,298.91while expenses were $1,239.94. The Society completed the year with assets of $7,483.57 in its various accountswith the majority of this in the book publishing and project accounts most of which are held in a three yearGuaranteed Investment Certificate valued at $4,578.96. $1,000 is committed to the 2009 MBBA point counts.

THANKS TO THE BOARD AND VOLUNTEERS!

On January 6 , 2009, the Natural History Society held its annual general meeting. The Board was unableth

to replace two vacancies and a search committee was struck. Fred McCardle (President), Beth Hoar (Secretary), and Rosemary Curley (Treasurer) re-offered their services to the Society and were re-elected. Dwaine Oakleymoved from the President’s position to Past President. Anne Bergstrom (Publicity Director) indicated that shewould be moving and thus resigning resigning as soon as replacements could be found. Dan Kennedy (Vice-President) and Jennifer Roma(Programs Director) resigned. In March, Lynne Douglas was designated as theSociety’s representative on the Island Nature Trust Board of Directors.

Our thanks goes out to Dan Kennedy for his support and service to the Society since 2005. Dan served asVice-President and was the Society’s representative for the Canadian Nature Network and Nature Canada affiliateteleconferences, the Society’s representative for the Island Nature Trust General Council, a host for winter birdfeeder tours, an active contributor of bird sightings and door prizes, a judge in the U.P.E.I. Science Fair, an activeparticipant in bird tours and counts, and the Society’s web master since 2005. He fought the development of windpower especially in important bird migration corridors and in 2007 and 2008 served on a Government steeringcommittee on the Island’s heritage needs in P.E.I. These are all in addition to his leadership and service to othercommunity organizations.

Our thanks also goes out to Jennifer Roma who diligently served as both the Society’s Program Directorand the Publicity Director in 2007 and as Program Director for 2008. We sincerely appreciate the quality of theprogram and wish her the best in her new volunteer endeavours.

SOCIETY NEWS:

Society’s Monthly Meeting: The Society has changed its meeting format to include the reading of its minutes sothat members are better informed of the work that is done by the Society’s Executive and to encourageparticipation and to allow those present to provide feedback.Meeting with PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation: Representatives of the Society met with Dr. DavidKeenlyside in early January to discuss the recommendations in the Heritage Study report from the Iris Group aswell as ways and means to improve the natural history content within the PEIM&HF.Society’s Web Site Being Replaced: The Society’s web site was taken off line on January 4 , 2009 with theth

closure of the ISN services to East Link. The Society is currently working on its new web site and hopes to have itlaunched in April. Norman Daoust has volunteered his services to establish the new site using free ware. TheSociety is registering a URL which will allow the easy transfer of the site from one server company to anothershould that be required again in the future. The URL will be nhspei.org. Thanks for your patience during thesechanges.

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HERITAGE REPORT:

The Government of PEI contracted a local company The IRIS Group to conduct a comprehensive IslandHeritage Study in the winter of 2007-8. The Group used public consultation meetings across the Island inFebruary, met with representatives of stakeholders organization including those with a special interest in naturalhistory, and opened a blog for public comment. Their report, “Charting a Course: The Study of Heritage on PEI”, was provided to government and the study was released on November 14 . There were 30 recommendations butth

only two directly impact the long sought after dream of the three natural history societies here on the Island tohave a museum of natural history on Prince Edward Island. The primary recommendations specific to naturalhistory are:

#14 - that the Government of PEI develop a human resources plan that gives priority to and sets out timelines for filling the need for additional capacity in the following areas: curatorial (natural history,archaeology, and architectural history, conservation (artifacts and archival) archives, and education.#21 that natural heritage be more fully integrated into the seven sites of the existing museum system, aswell as the proposed new central facility; the provincial natural heritage collection ne expanded; andnatural heritage curatorial expertise be added as a priority as noted tin the Human Resources section of thereport.#25 that a comprehensive interpretation plan be developed to identify the important natural and culturalthemes that together make up the “Island stories”, and that come together to create a collective ‘story’ thatis evolving; and that consultative processes are established to ensure the participation of multiple anddiverse voices and perspectives.

On November 14 , Minister Carolyn Bertram made an announcement that her government was “committed to theth

establishment of a centrally located provincial museum”. The saga for a museum of natural history for Prince Edward Island continues....

THE P.E.I. 2008 BIRD REPORT: David & Elaine Seeler

This year seemed to slip by quickly and yet birders on PEI managed to report observing 251 species. Previous year totals were: 2003 - 236; 2004 - 249; 2005 - 261, and in 2007 - 245. Again like the last 2 years, anumber of rarities were reported and two new species were added to the Provincial Checklist: Cave Swallow andRoss's Goose.

A late December storm complicated efforts on New Year's day but venture out we did and a total of 59species were reported for the day! Unlike the previous year, snowfall predominated the early days of the month.This drove many species to readily accessible feeders. Alma Currie reported a very unusual Slate-coloured Junco,which is a western sub-species, at her feeders on the 4th of January. Two days later, Dwaine Oakley and DavidSeeler managed to obtain a new Big Day record for January consisting of 45 species observed during one outing. Species of note for that day included Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Shrikes and a White-breasted Nuthatch. Onlyone of the Carolina Wrens returned to Bob Mulligan's feeders in Summerside. Presumably the other succumbed tothe bad weather. While traveling the PEI National Park, Trevor Wadman found a late Purple Sandpiper on therocks below the parking lot at East Cavendish. By mid-month a number of Northern Shrikes had been reported bythose out birding. White-winged Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks were also noted to be abundant by a number ofobservers. After the January thaw most species became harder to find as they quickly spread out across newlyopened habitat. By month's end 87 species had been reported.

Over the next three months, Island birders continued to comb the island for additional species and a further115 species were reported by the end of May. Reports of note included: 1) Short-eared Owl at Borden on February1st (John Read Jr.); 2) Cooper's Hawk at Rocky Point on February 4th (Lois Doan); 3) Northern Long-eared Owlin Goose River on the 24th of March (Ray Cooke); 4) Boreal Owl at St. Peter's on the 24th of March (Ray Cooke);5) a late Northern Hawk Owl at Borden on April 28; 6) A Turkey Vulture over the MacPhail Nursery on the 3rd ofMay (Gary Schneider); 7) Brown Thrasher at Elephant Head on the 6th of May (Brian Dalzell); 8) Five VesperSparrows in Blueberry Barrens in Anglo Tignish on May 8th (Brian Dalzell), and finally a Blue-winged Warbler atAnglo Tignish on the 26th of May (David Seeler) - a second PEI Record for that species.

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By early April, small numbers of Snow Geese and a Greater White-fronted Goose were reported in variouslocations. On the 5th of April , PEI was very lucky as it missed a significant storm and instead we woke up to asignificant influx of migrating juncos, sparrows and Common Redpolls. Similarly, a small number of HoaryRedpolls were reported over the next couple of days. Pileated Woodpecker reports seem to be increasing this yearwith a number of reports in the vicinity of the Tracadie / Dalvay area with at least one making its presence knownon a regular basis along the Dalvay Woodland Trail in the PEINP.

A cold and wet spring encompassed much of eastern North America and significantly impacted migration. On PEI, there appeared to be a significant decrease in the population numbers of each migratory species - oftenonly an individual or two being observed as opposed to the numbers being observed over the same time frame inprevious years. This trend was noted by birders throughout the northeast and as far west as Ottawa, Ontario.

The first of a number of Baltimore Orioles for the year was reported by Beth Hoar in New Glasgow on the18th of May. Indigo Buntings made an appearance in force this year with the first being reported two days lateralong the Barbara Weit Road by Myrna Stewart. On the same day, a Great Egret was found by Father Frank Jay atMacVane's Creek in Eastern PEI On the 21st Dan McAskill, heard an Eastern Screech-owl thus providing the 9thknown report of this species on PEI Sandhill Cranes (or perhaps just one) seemed to be making the Garden of theGulf a travel destination with the first of numerous sightings and reports being made by Ramsay Hart on the 27thof May. It is very likely that this individual remained on PEI until late in the year given the number of reports ofone individual being sighted in the eastern tip of the Island. Scarlet Tanagers also made PEI a stopover site thisspring with at least three reports being made from Afton Road east to Rte 303 and the Baltic Area. As May cameto a close Bruce Pigot reported a late Northern Shrike in the Mt. Stewart area and Randy Dibblee found a GreenHeron at East Lake on the 30th of May providing PEI with its 7th record of the species. Other late May reportsinclude a pair of Baltimore Orioles in Hyde Park sighted by Sharon Clark and Jean Blanchard, an Indigo Bunting atJim Sutton's feeders with another reported in western PEI, a Little Blue Heron at Little Harbour stumbled upon byDwaine Oakley and David Seeler and a Broad-winged Hawk which was located later in the day at Pisquid Pond bythe same two individuals.

The first of June brought yet another report of an Indigo Bunting at Gary Keigan's feeders. On the 2nd ofJune, Les Homans not only found a Ruddy Duck in the Lake of Shining Waters at Cavendish (PEINP) but imaginehis surprise as he was fortunate enough to also find a PAIR of Three-toed Woodpeckers excavating a nesting sitewithin the campground facility of the Cavendish NP. Unfortunately, they were later evicted from their nesting siteby a red squirrel. The second of four Cattle Egret reports came from Kevin Curley who reported that one hadmade the composting facility of the Wellington Island Waste Management compound its home. By month's end,212 species or 84% of the total number of birds reported for the year had already been sighted by June 26th.

The "Fall" or southerly migration of shorebirds was on time again this year with Greater and LesserYellowlegs appearing in late June. By the 1st of July, small numbers of Short-billed Dowitcher, Whimbrel andSemi-palmated Sandpiper had also landed. On the 4th of July while conducting a shorebird survey in the PEINP,David Seeler happened upon a female RUFF in the Covehead marshes less than 20 feet from the trail. Thissighting represented the 7th record of this species for PEI Only one Long-billed Dowitcher was reported this year -again during a PEINP shorebird survey at Covehead. Also noted at Covehead during the surveys was a westernrace Willet. On July 5th, Dan McAskill had a good find when he came across a Warbling Vireo roadside in FrenchVillage. The 3rd report of a Cattle Egret was made by Lanny MacDonald who observed it on the MacDonald'sfarm at East Point. Around the same time, Greg Feetham reported a pair of Eastern Bluebirds at his home inSummerside. Caspian Terns seemed to be everywhere this year and they were present in significant numbers -unusual for PEI. Perhaps colony failures at their breeding sights account for these observations which were madeover the summer months. In late July another Sandhill Crane was found by Carolyn and Jennifer Gallant close toSouris - perhaps the same individual who had been previously reported in the east. Another 4th record for PEI wasmade when Sean Blaney heard a singing Carolina Wren at the southern end of the Lake of Shining Waters in theNational Park on the 30th of July.

On the 6th of August, two Red-necked Phalaropes were reported to be in the Dalvay Lagoons by MonicaMacKinnon. The situation regarding Sandhill Cranes became more interesting when yet another was reportedalong Founder's Lane close to Jude's Point by Michael McInnis on the 9th and 10th. Is it one,two or three birds? Reports of new species slowed significantly until Dwaine Oakley and David Seeler located a

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Prairie Warbler at East Point on the 24th. Fortunately Dwaine was able to photograph the bird thus providingdocumentation for the 4th PEI record of this species.

Cliff Swallows seem to occur intermittently on PEI but, on the 6th of September, Dan McAskill, DwaineOakley and David Seeler were fortunate enough to observe at least six migrating over East Point from the directionof Cape Breton. During the Bennett's Bird Count which was held on the 27th of September Ray Cooke, Fiep deBie, and Dan McAskill reported Northern Fulmar, Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaegerand Long-tailed Jaeger at East Point. The Long-tailed Jaeger report represents the 3rd report of this species on PEIDavid Seeler added the 4th report after observing another adult Long-tailed Jaeger at East Point on the 1st ofOctober. Ray et al also reported a Sandhill Crane during the Bennett's Bird Count at North Lake making onewonder yet again if one bird or a number of birds summered on PEI Mid-October brought a report of yet anotherIndigo Bunting at Dwaine Oakley's place in Stratford. While it was being observed a female Baltimore Oriolejoined it at the feeder. Also around this time two Ross's Geese were shot by hunters in the Village Green area andwere taken to a local taxidermist. These two birds represent the first two known records of Ross's Goose on PEI. Similarly two Cackling Geese were shot in the Malpeque Bay area (Richardson's Sub-species) on the 10th ofOctober providing PEI with its 2nd and 3rd known records for that species. Walter Leard reported to the list onbehalf of Dwaine MacCauley that a Cattle Egret had been on Dwaine's farm for approximately two weeks. Thiswas the last report of this species on PEI for 2008.

By mid-November, there was a development of asignificant series of weather systems which set up asustained southerly to south-westerly air flow patternacross North America. This raised everyone's hopes forsignificant sightings as it was anticipated that moresoutherly species would be forced to the north-east. Andindeed this occurred, with many new reports springing upall around PEI. It was not until the 14th of November thatPEI finally benefitted from this weather pattern withDwaine Oakley finding PEI's first CAVE SWALLOWworking the beach wrack at East Point. This first for PEIwas well documented with photographs and videotape. Itis highly unlikely that the swallow survived the winterstorm that followed just a few days later. Meanwhile backin Summerside word came from Greg Feetham that aSummer Tanager - only the second record for PEI wastending his grape vines in the back yard and that a femaleHouse Finch also was present.

By December, Snowy Owls had made their presence felt not only on PEI but in the Atlantic Region aswell. Unfortunately, while it is a treat to see such a majestic bird, it is evident many will not make it back to theirregular territories! Clearly a time to give them space to find the food required to become re-nourished so that theycan make the trip back home. Scott Sinclair and Gary Schneider found a first year male Baltimore Oriole at afeeder in Kilmuir on the 1st of December for the last report of that species for the year.

It is possible that some birds make the same journey each year even when they are seriously off-course.Luck, genetics, memory or perhaps will power may be to blame. While off-course birds might be of intenseinterest to birders, the situation is often not good for the bird itself. On the 6th of December Bill Bowerbank andEvelyn Martin reported that once again a (could it be "the"?) Pine Warbler has rejoined them for the winter. It isinteresting to note that a Pine Warbler has been overwintering at their place for at least the last two winters. ScottSinclair also reported that the / a Lesser Black-backed Gull had returned to the Ferry Road area in Georgetown tooverwinter. Glad to hear both have made it through yet another year. So far we cannot say the same for theStratford Mew Gull which went missing last winter. On December 11th we had yet another report of a SandhillCrane. This time one was reported to Randy Dibblee as being in the Bridgetown area by Doug Clarey. I truly hope

Summer Tanager at SummersidePhoto by Dwaine Oakley

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it - or is it they? - made it off PEI prior to the storm on the 22nd. Linda Fry was no doubt questioning the identityof a strange new arrival on the 20th and she must of been elated when she identified the Island's second report of aVaried Thrush which seemed to enjoy feasting on apples in her yard. It did not take long for Jessica Fry tophotographically document the sighting and the information was subsequently passed along to the Natural HistorySociety. It is these reports that make all of our efforts most worthwhile! Thank you.

The Christmas Bird Counts seemed to produce fewer birds this year although a surprisingly late AmericanKestrel was found by Gerald MacDonald, Arlene, Paul & Janice McGuigan, and Jean Watts during theHillsborough CBC on the 27th. Imagine Pat Gauthier's surprise when, on the same day, he found a snow whitegull in North Rustico Harbour. It did not take the Gauthier's long to identify and document the adult Ivory Gull forPEI's 9th report (and 3 documented record) of that species for PEI Fortunately in this digital age it is becomingrd

easier to document such sightings and, as in this case others like Rebecca Wilson contribute with additionaldocumentation solidifying the record. The year with a significant snow storm ending 2008 and starting 2009. Ican only hope that each of us takes care as we pursue our interests so that we can again look back on yet anotheryear.

Finally, as the year winds down Elaine and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your efforts and reports. Without these, we would have no ongoing historical record of avifauna onPEI and we as a society would be the worse off for that.

2008-09 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS: Results compiled by Dan McAskill & Scott Sinclair

The P.E.I. National Park Christmas Bird Count on December 14 marked the 38 consecutive year theth th

Natural History Society conducted Audubon Christmas Bird Counts on Prince Edward Island and was the 109th

consecutive CBC. The standardized system of data collection utilizing information on distances and times walkedand driven, the number of observers in the field and at feeding stations, and weather and environmental factorsallows comparisons of the trends in bird populations over long periods of time.

This year, there was little ice on the bays or ponds so waterfowl were quite widely dispersed. During theP.E.I. National Park count, thermal currents off the water reduced visibility through telescopes but, otherwise,conditions were quite good. Visibility and weather conditions on the Hillsborough CBC on December 27 wereth

also quite good but freezing rain on the night of December 27 created poor driving conditions early on the 28 forth th

the Montague count. Snow conditions were variable with deeper snow on the lee side of hedgerows and inwoodlands but small amounts of snow in the center of fields.

Darla Saunders of the P.E.I. National Park stoked the wood stove and hosted the potluck for participants atthe Dalvay Interpretive Centre during which counters shared their birding highlights. Diane and Kevin Griffinhosted the Hillsborough pot-luck and the participants shared their sightings after the feast. This year there was noEast Point Christmas Bird Count. Scott Sinclair organized the Montague count while Dan McAskill coordinatedthe P.E.I. National Park and Hillsborough counts.

Field counters in all three counts noted how quiet the woodland birds were. Berry crops and conifer seedcrops were relatively poor this year although there were good pockets of wild rose, Canada holly, mountain ashand highbush cranberry. Some of the birding highlights included an American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal,Northern Harriers, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Snowy Owl. In addition, a large concentration of 25 BaldEagles as well as a number of Rough-legged Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks was seen at ranches in the P.E.I.National Park Count Circle. The most unusual sighting of the three counts was that of a melanistic red squirrel,i.e. a pure black coloured red squirrel at Blooming Point, located at Blooming Point.

The CBCs summaries are provided below.

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OBSERVATIONS NUMBERS OBSERVED

National Park Hillsborough Montague Total

Dec. 14, 2008 Dec. 27, 2008 Dec. 28, 2008 Dec. 14 - Dec. 28

Great Cormorant 6 6

Double-crested Cormorant 1 1

Canada Geese 233 1,005 81 1,319

Gadwall 38 38

American Wigeon 1 1

American Black Duck 935 357 405 1,697

Mallard/American Black Duck Hybrid 1 1

Mallard 54 85 10 149

Northern Pintail 1 1

American Green-winged Teal 2 8 10

Greater Scaup 1,000 1,000

Common Eider 2 2

White-winged Scoter 1 1

Black Scoter 1 1

Long-tailed Duck 162 700 862

Bufflehead 1 1

Common Goldeneye 107 56 188 351

Barrow’s Goldeneye 2 15 17

Hooded Merganser 2 2

Common Merganser 29 404 818 1,251

Red-breasted Merganser 13 80 76 169

Bald Eagle 79 20 21 120

Northern Harrier 1 1 2

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1 2

Northern Goshawk 2 1 3

Red-tailed Hawk 8 5 13

Rough-legged Hawk 1 5 CW 6

American Kestrel 1 1

Merlin 3 3

UID hawk sp. 1 1

Ruffed Grouse 3 3 6

Ring-necked Pheasant* 2 2

Gray Partridge 23 10 3 36

Bonaparte's Gull 8 8

Ring-billed Gull 20 9 318 347

Herring Gull 342 135 1,171 1,648

Iceland Gull 4 38 2 44

Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 1

Great Black-backed Gull 115 25 91 231

Black Guillemot 4 4

Rock Pigeon (Dove) 162 196 116 474

Mourning Dove 100 189 106 395

Snowy Owl 1 1

Belted Kingfisher 1 2 3

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Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 1

Northern Flicker 3 8 4 15

Downy Woodpecker 11 12 11 34

Hairy Woodpecker 15 11 7 33

Northern Shrike 1 1

Blue Jay 265 349 248 862

American Crow 1,296 2,625 582 4,503

Common Raven 127 59 38 244

Horned Lark 69 69

Black-capped Chickadee 124 192 145 461

Boreal Chickadee 3 2 10 15

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 13 12 26

White-breasted Nuthatch 3 3

Brown Creeper 1 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet 27 15 25 67

American Robin 1 14 3 18

European Starling 1,436 8,483 1,417 11,336

Bohemian Waxwing 280 70 350

Cedar Waxwing 10 18 28

Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 3 6

American Tree Sparrow 5 5 6 16

Song Sparrow 1 3 4

White-throated Sparrow 6 6

Dark-eyed (Northern) Junco 40 72 122 234

Snow Bunting 51 20 10 81

Red-winged Blackbird CW CW

Rusty Blackbird 1 1 2

Common Grackle 1 2 3

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 3

Pine Grosbeak CW 5 5

White-winged Crossbill 8 56 35 99

Pine Siskin 8 8

American Goldfinch 77 119 130 326

Evening Grosbeak 6 46 52

House Sparrow 203 203

UID passerine 6 6

Total Birds 7,015 15,200 7,117 29,332

Total Species 49 49 54 77

Add Count Week Species 0 2 1 3

Participants: Field 21 15 17 53

Feeders 1 3 8 12

Mammals:

Red Squirrel 16 3 17 36

Flying Squirrel 1 1

Red Fox 12 2 14

Muskrat 2 2

Snowshoe Hare 6 6

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Harbour Seal 7 7

Seals (unidentified species) lots in area 2

Roaming House Cats 6 5 11

Walked: Km 13 5 18.5 34.25

Hours 5.5 6.58 7.5 23

Driven: Km 589.8 391.5 458.4 1375.60

Hours 25.33 26.61 26.5 73.36

Earliest Start 730 720 NA 655

Latest Ending 1530 1530 NA 1645

Total Party Hours 30.33 33.18 34 91.28

Owling Hours 0 0 0 0.00

Owling Kilometres 0 0 0 0.00

Number of Feeder Reports 1 3 7

Feeder Hours 2 3.5 7

Snow Cover - aver. cm. 5 0 to 30 15

Salt Water Bays - % frozen 5 80 10

Salt Water - % frozen 0 10 0

Fresh Water - % frozen 10 60 to 95 80

Weather:

Bright Sunshine (hrs) 3 0

Precipitation Flurries to clear snow showers rain

Cloud % 100 to 15 100 100

Temperature C. -9 to -7 -11 to -6 0 to 5

Wind Speed - aver km/hr 9 to 22 0 to 17 10 to calm+

Prevail. wind direction W to SW S to SE to S SW

Max. Wind Speed

where CW = species seen during the count week (three days before and after count day)

For registered counts, the entire data base is accessible on line through www.audubon.org and click your way tothe results under birds and science.

Thanks to the many participants, namely: Jim Aquilani; Ron Arvidson; Kerry-Lynn Atkinson; JeanBlanchard; Bill Bowerbank; Sharon Clark; Rosemary Curley; Wanda Curley; Fiep de Bie; Lois Doan; Chris &Blair Fraser; Cathleen Gallant; Diane Griffin; Gary Griffin; Don Harris; Ben Hoteling; Gordon Jackson; MaureenLarkin; Margie Loo; Gerald MacDonald; Margaret MacDonald; Matt MacKenzie; Virginia MacSwain-Jackson;Dan McAskill; Bonnie McOrmond; Arlene, Janice, & Paul McGuigan; Nancy Murphy; Dot Neilson; DwaineOakley; Roberta Palmer; Brenda Penak; Ann Perry; Ruth Richman; Harry Robertson; Maurice Roy; DarlaSaunders; Gary Schneider; David & Elaine Seeler; Scott Sinclair; Alma & Don Steeves; John Stewart; Jim Sutton;Linda Thomas; Elizabeth Townshend; Rosalind Waters; Jean Watts; and Glenda Wright. These counts would notbe possible without their participation.

NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by Dan McAskill

Up to February, 2008, 60 species of butterflies had been recorded on Prince Edward Island although onespecies is being reviewed further as it may have been blown here or arrived by vehicle or boat. Nova Scotia has65 species recorded but New Brunswick has recorded 85 species. (Adapted from a Nov. 13 , 2008 E-mail fromth

Denis Doucet of the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre)The City of Charlottetown has established a new arboretum of native trees and shrubs just east of Dead

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Man’s Pond in Victoria Park. For more information or to assist as a volunteer contact the Parks and RecreationDepartment at 368-1025 or 629-4024. (Adapted from “From the Park Bench” Spring 2008 Victoria ParkNewsletter).

Good news for youth in Nova Scotia looking for environmental information, the Halifax Public Libraryhas purchased over 300 children’s titles using funds from DT’s Friends of the Environment Fund. (Adapted fromthe Halifax Field Naturalist Issue #133 Dec./08 to Feb./09)

UNESCO designated 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), a global celebration of the 400th

anniversary of Galileo’s first use of a telescope to explore the skies. One of the IYA cornerstone initiatives is toincrease “Dark Skies Awareness”. (Adapted from the Halifax Field Naturalist Issue #133 Dec./08 to Feb./09)

In early February, Minister Richard Brown announced public consultations on 13 parcels of land proposedto become natural areas. If approved, these areas would add 341.2 ha to the 6,403.6 ha that have already beendesignated. The new proposals include 54.2 ha at Basin Head, 158.4 ha on Boughton Island, 20.7 ha at Larkin’sPond, 16 ha in the Morell River watershed, 91.5 ha in the Naufrage River, and 0.4 ha at Warren’s Pond in CherryHill. (Adapted from Government of PEI press release)

WEATHER EVENTS:The first snow storms of the winter came on Nov. 22 and 23 with 20.4 cm of snow at Harrington at Summerside(JDM). There was a major winter storm with storm surges in eastern PEI on December 21-2 with high winds (upto 100 km/hr) and 7.7 cm of snow. A thaw and rain reduced snow accumulations and again left some fields centrebare. Late on New Year’s eve, the next winter storm hit leaving deep drifts from winds gusting to 91 km/hr and20.3 cm of snow. The storm abated somewhat late on January 1 but high winds and drifting kept many secondaryst

roads closed until January 2 . A deep cold snap with -20 degrees Centigrade and colder temperatures (great fornd

knocking out some tree pests) followed by another snow storm that dropped 28 cm of snow with gusts up to 76 kmper hour winds creating white out conditions on Feb. 3-4.

ANIMAL AND PLANT SIGHTINGS: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill from reports up to Feb. 8, 2009

PLANTS: The last of the mature red oaks were finally changing colour in Donagh on Oct. 26 and most of the leaves had

dropped by Nov. 16 (JDM). Relatively light crop of conifer seed this winter. Also relatively light mountain ash berry crop

this winter with the exception of Northeastern PEI especially East Point to MacVane’s Creek. Good crop of wild apples.

Small pockets of holly and wild rose this year. Heavy bay berry crop at East Lake on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM). Heavy crop

of evening primrose seed in dredge spoil area at North Lake with 100+ Common Redpolls feeding on the seed.

MAMMALS: A melanistic red squirrel was seen at Blooming Point on Dec. 14 (JDM, WFB). Eastern chipmunk found

injured on road at Rocky Point on Jan. 13 (LD). Northern flying squirrel at Rocky Point feeders on Jan. 18 (LD). A bobcat

was reported at Crapaud on Feb. 3 (WCo). Last year there was a confirmed track at Westmoreland (RLD).

BIRDS: Red-throated Loon - 4 at North Cape on Nov. 14 (FRC), 5 at Canoe Cove on Nov. 15 (FdB), 7 at East Point on

Nov. 30 & Dec. 26 (DCS, JDM, DO), 1 at North Lake Harbour on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 2 flying at Sherbrooke on Dec.

5 (JDM, DO, LY), 1 at Cavendish on Dec. 6 (DCS); Red-necked Grebe - 1 at East Point on Nov. 15 (DCS), 1 at Basin Head

on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM); Double-crested Cormorant - 1 at Stanley Bridge on Jan. 3 (TW, SG, SCS), 2 at Oyster Bed

Bridge on Jan. 3 (FdB), 5 Rustico Causeway on Jan. 3 (RP), 1 at Oyster Bed Bridge & 2 juveniles at Stanley Bridge on Jan. 4

(DCS); Great Cormorant - 2 at Stanley Bridge on Jan. 4 (DCS); Cormorant - immature at Floating Bridge Road on Dec.

22 (JHS); Northern Gannet - 1 at North Cape on Nov. 14 (FRC), 15+ at East Point on Nov. 15 (DCS); Great Blue Heron -

1 at PEI National Park on Dec. 1 (RH), 1 at Brackley West Marsh and 1 at Cymbria Loop on Dec. 3 (DCS), 1 at Margate on

Dec. 7 (TW), 1 at Harding Creek in Clinton on Dec. 27 (TW), 1 at Argyle Shore on Dec. 28 (LY), 1 at Pownal Creek on Jan. 3

(DCS), 1 at Gaspereau on Feb. 3 (VMJ, GJ); Greater White-fronted Geese -1 shot at New Annan in autumn (MP via JKC);

Snow Geese - 2 at Fullerton’s Marsh in autumn (WJM); Canada Geese - 250 at Hunter River mill pond on Oct. 30 (JDM),

25 at Ellen’s Creek on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 1,000 at Rollo Bay on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), numerous at

Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 24 (SGC), 106 at Basin Head and 300 at Midgell on Dec. 26 (DCS), 1,000+ at Vernon Bridge on Jan.

15 (DK), 39 at West River on Jan. 17 (DCS); Gadwall - 58 at Cymbria on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), at Clinton on

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Dec. 7 (TW), 6 at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 24 (SGC), 50+ at Cymbria on Jan. 3 (FdB), 80 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 18

(DCS), 30 to 100 at Chapel Creek in Jan. (DCS), at Ellen’s Creek on Feb. 1 (SGC); American Black Duck - 30 at Ellen’s

Creek & 87 at Cymbria on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 200 to 300 at Mink River on Dec. 22 (JHS), ~200 at Vernon

Bridge on Jan. 3 (DCS), 40 at Stratford Lagoons on Jan. 24 (DCS); Mallard - ~40 at Wright’s Creek in East Royalty on Nov.

30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 3 at Ellen’s Creek & 8 at Cymbria on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), at Clinton on Dec. 7 (TW),

20 at Mink River on Dec. 22 (JHS), 4 at Cymbria on Jan. 3 (FdB), 24 at Pownal on Jan. 3 & 25+ at Chapel’s Creek on Jan. 25

(DCS), at Ellen’s Creek on Feb. 1 (SGC); American Wigeon - 1 at Wright’s Creek on Dec. 14 (JDM, WFB), 2 males at

Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 24 & several on Jan. 18 & Feb. 1 (SGC); Northern Shoveler - 2 male & 1 female at Ellen’s Creek on

Dec. 22 (DO, MM), 1 at North Lake & 1 at Hermatage on Dec. 26 (DCS); Northern Pintail - 13 at Brackley West Marsh on

Nov. 20 (DCS), 1 at Leslie’s Pond on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), at Clinton on Dec. 7 (TW), 20 at North Rustico on Dec. 3 &

20 at Harding Creek on Dec. 6 (DCS), 4 at Wilmot River on Jan. 17, 2 male & 2 female at Rustico on Jan. 3 (FdB), male at

Ellen’s Creek on Jan. 18 to Feb. 1 (SGC); Green-winged Teal - ~16 at Clinton on Nov. 23 & in good numbers on Dec. 7

(TW), 6 at Ellen’s Creek on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 5 at Point Prim on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS), 12+ at Ellen’s Creek

on Jan. 18 (SGC), at Ellen’s Creek on Feb. 1 (SGC); Greater Scaup - 100+ at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 3 (FdB), 1 to 100 at

Oyster Bed Bridge in Jan. (DCS); Lesser Scaup - 1 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 10 (DCS); Common Eider - on North Side

on Dec. 26 (DCS), 3 at North Shore Parkway on Jan. 3 (RP); White-winged Scoter - 7 at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS); Black

Scoter - 3 at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS); Long-tailed Duck - 40 at Dalvay on Dec. 1 (FdB, SGC), 6 off shore at Cavendish

on Jan. 2 & 6 at Covehead (DCS), 4 at Georgetown on Jan. 12 (FdB); Bufflehead - pair at Covehead Harbour entrance on Jan.

15, 25, & 31 (DCS); Common Goldeneye - 20 at Dalvay on Dec. 1 (FdB, SGC), at Oyster Bed Bridge on Dec. 21 (DCS),

~12 at Bradshaw River on Dec. 30 (GMcC), 120 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 3 (FdB), 20 to 200 at Oyster Bed Bridge in Jan.

(DCS); Barrow’s Goldeneye - at Oyster Bed Bridge on Dec. 21 (DCS) & on Jan. 2 (DCS, DO), 1 at Rustico on Jan. 3 (FdB),

10 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 3 (FdB), 2 at Cardigan on Jan. 12 (FdB), 5+ at Vernon Bridge on Jan. 3 (DCS), 1 at

Rusticoville Causeway on Jan. 31 (DCS), 3 to 20 at Oyster Bed Bridge in Jan. (DCS), at Montague on Jan. 31 (RP); Hooded

Merganser - 4 at Round Pond on Nov. 14 (FRC), male at Campbellton Road on Nov. 25 (TW), pair at Black Pond on Dec.

14 (SCS), pair at Montague River on Dec. 28 (DCS, DO, JDM); Common Merganser - 50 at Little Tignish Run on Nov. 14

(FRC), 200 to 300 at North Cape on Nov. 14 (FRC), at Oyster Bed Bridge on Dec. 21 (DCS), 4 male at Ellen’s Creek on Dec.

24 (SGC), 100+ at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 3 (FdB), 25 at Basin Head on Dec. 26 (DCS), 20 at Vernon Bridge on Jan. 3

(DCS), 10 at Wilmot River on Jan. 17 (DCS), 1 to 10 at Oyster Bed Bridge in Jan. (DCS), 4 to 10 at Chapel’s Creek in Jan.

(DCS), at Rusticoville Causeway on Jan. 31 (DCS), at Montague on Jan. 31 (RP); Red-breasted Merganser - 6 at Canoe

Cove on Nov. 15 (FdB), 20+ at Cardigan River estuary on Dec. 31 (DCS), 120 at Georgetown on Jan. 12 (FdB), 1 at Point

Prim on Jan. 3 (DCS), 12 at Montague on Jan. 31 (RP), 1 at Ellen’s Creek on Feb. 1 (SGC); Bald Eagle -good numbers

reported this winter + see CBC report, 3 immature at Red Point Road on Dec. 4 (DMacN), 2 mature and 1 immature on ice on

Hillsborough River off Bunbury in early Jan. (AW); Northern Harrier - female at Jude’s Point on Nov. 14 (FRC), 1 at

Cherry Valley on Nov. 20 (RT), female at Campbellton Rod on Nov. 23 (TW), female at Rustico Island on Dec. 1 (FdB,

SGC), male daily at Maximeville Dec. 7 (G&FMa), 1 at Earnscliffe on Dec. 28 (SGC), 1 at PEINP on Jan. 31 (DC&ES), 1 at

Victoria Park on Feb. 1 (FdB), 1 at Hampshire on Feb. 5 (DO); Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 at South Lake on Nov. 30 (DCS,

DO, JDM), 1 at Charlottetown on Jan. 4 (SGC, FdB); Northern Goshawk - being mobbed by crows but then attached a

Mourning Dove several times at Crossroads on Nov. 18 (DO); injured bird being attached by crows and having its wing pulled

when rescued by landowner and being subsequently taken by a Conservation Officer to AVC where it unfortunately died from

its injuries (TW, FdB), 1 at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 22 (DO), 1 pursuing at Mourning Dove at Summerside on Dec. 23

(G&SF); Red-tailed Hawk - 1 at Clinton on Nov. 23 (TW), 6 between New London and Kensington along Rte. 6 on Nov. 25

(TW), at Margate on Dec. 1 (TW), 1 at Point Prim on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS), immature at Winsloe on Dec. 30 (JDM), at

Cavendish, Cherry Valley, Little Sands, UPEI, Rice Point, Toronto Road area, and Charlottetown in Jan. (DCS); Rough-

legged Hawk - 1 at New London on Nov. 25 (TW), 1 at China Point on Jan. 3 (DCS), 2 at Barbara Weit Road on Jan. 17

(DCS); Merlin - 1 at Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 24 (DO), 1 at Stanhope on Jan. 1 (F&JC); Gray Partridge - 16 at Lower

Malpeque Rd. on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 3 at Kelvin Grove on Dec. 23 (G&SF), 2 at Cymbria on Jan. 2, 6 at

Covehead on Jan. 4, 9 at China Point on Jan. 3, 6 at Mount Buchanan on Jan. 3, 5 at Cymbria & 4 at Rusticoville on Jan. 10

(DCS), 4 at West Royalty (Upton Road) on Feb. 3 & 3 on Donagh Road in Johnston’s River on Feb. 4 (JDM), 18 at Iona on

Feb. 7 (GK); Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 banded bird killed by car at Argyle Shore on Jan. 23 (LY); Ruffed Grouse - 1 at

Murray Harbour feeders on Dec. 3 (GSa), 2 at Elmira on Dec. 3 (WHL), 1 at Maximeville on Dec. 7 (G&FMa); Sharp-tailed

Grouse - 1 at Hermitage on Oct. 20 and 5 a few days later (W&SF), 1 at Naufrage on Jan. 3 (CGa), 3 eating birch buds at

South Melville on Jan. 28 (RA); American Coot - 1 at Midgell River Rte 2 junction on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM); Sandhill

Crane - 1 in large cornfield at Bridgetown on Dec. 11 (DC via RLD); Greater Yellowlegs - 1 at Belvedere Pond on Nov. 8 &

1 at Brackley West Marsh on Nov. 9 (DCS); Hudsonian Godwit - 2 to 4 at Covehead Bay on Nov. 8 & 9 (DCS);

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Sanderling - 5 at Dalvay on Nov. 10 (FdB) Purple Sandpiper - 1 at East Point on Nov. 30 (DO, JDM, DCS), 1 at Point Prim

on Dec. 7 (DCS); Black-headed Gull - small number at Cymbria on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 1 at Grand

Tracadie on Dec. 2 (DK), 1 at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS); Bonaparte's Gull - 20 at Jude’s Point & 150+ at Round Pond

on Nov. 14 (FRC), 20 at Cymbria on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), several at Pinette on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS); Iceland

Gull - 14 at East Point & 3 at Basin Head on Dec. 26 (DCS), 25+ in Charlottetown & Stratford this winter (JDM); Lesser

Black-backed Gull - 1 at Georgetown Royalty on Dec. 14 (SCS) & 1 on Jan. 3 (DCS), 1 at Montague on Jan. 31 (RP);

Glaucous Gull - 1 at North Rustico on Dec. 2, 4, & 25 (DCS), 1

at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS), 1 at North Rustico on Jan. 2

(DCS, DO), 2 on North side on Jan. 3 (DCS, DO); Black-legged

Kittiwake - 1 at Covehead on Nov. 19 (DCS); Ivory Gull -

adult at North Rustico Harbour on Dec. 29 through to Jan. 6 (PG,

DCS, R&SW, JDM, LH, DO, SG, WFB, EM, TW ); Dovekie -

at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS), 1 dead Dovekie found under tree

on Dromore hiking trail on Jan. 3 after major winter storm on Jan

1 (BEM); Razorbill - 1 at East Point on Nov. 30 (DCS, JDM,st

DO); Black Guillemot - at East Point on Dec. 26 (DCS), 1 at

Georgetown on Jan. 12 (FdB); Mourning Dove - 24 at

Summerside feeder on Dec. 1 (G&SF), 6 at St. Catherine’s (east)

on Dec. 1 & 23 on Dec. 3 (WHL, FCh), 40+ at Crossroad’s

feeders on Dec. 22 (DO), 2 to 16 at West Royalty feeders in Dec.

(DC&ES), ~30 at Rice Point on Jan. 6 (ASm), 12 at St. Charles

on Feb. 1 (W&SF); Snowy Owl - 1 at Victoria Park on Nov. 7

(GG), 1 at Hillsborough Bridge on Nov. 7 to Dec. 2 (DO, SGC,

JDM, FdB, WCT, SCS), 2 at the Hillsborough Bridge on Nov. 15

(TW) & 2 on Dec. 3 (SCS), male at PEI National Park between

Brackley and Covehead Bays on Nov. 15 (JtR), 1 injured owl

found at Souris West on Nov. 23 and taken to AVC (WHL), 1 at

New Harmony Demo Woodlot on Nov. 26 (WRC), 1 at Orby Head on Dec. 2 (RH), 1 at Burnt Point Road in Georgetown on

Dec. 3 (SCS),, 1 delivered from O’Leary to AVC on Dec. 3 (DGM), 1 at Covehead Bridge on Dec. 5 (PMcC), 1 at Sherbrooke

on Dec. 5 (JDM, DO, LY, TW), 1 at Earnscliffe on Dec. 3 (DGM), 1 at Maximeville on Nov. 29 & Dec. 7 (G&FMa), 1at

South Freetown in early Dec. (C&WH), 3 at Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 13 (DK), 1 at Mac Kay Road Murray River North

on Dec. 22 (John Barker VIA JHS), 1 at Brackley Beach on Dec. 24 (PMcC), 1 at Kinkora in early Jan. (FMcC), 1 at Rustico

Harbour on Jan. 2 (DCS, DO), 1 at New London between Christmas and mid Jan. (GD via JW), 2 dead owls reported from

western P.E.I. in late Jan. (SK, EMcE); Great Horned Owl - 1 came at dog and the observer at Elmira on Dec. 3 (WHL);

Barred Owl - being mobbed by crows at Mooney Road (Bangor) on Nov. 12 (BH, DO, WCT), 1 at Dalvay trails on Feb. 1

(SMcB via FdB); Boreal Owl - 1 found dead at Brackley in late Jan. and sent to AVC for autopsy (DGM); Northern Saw-

whet Owl - 1 found dead at Morell in early Feb, (PS) 1 killed and ate a Mourning Dove at Summerside (SE); Belted

Kingfisher - 1 at Clinton on Nov. 25 & Dec. 27 & 1 at Margate on Nov. 28 (TW), 1 at Pownal Creek on Dec. 29 (FdB), 1 at

Knox’s Pond on Jan. 3 (DCS); Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 female at Summerside feeder on Nov. 21 (LH, BMi), 1 at

Bedeque on Jan. 1 (WG), 1 at Dunstaffnage on Jan. 1 (JMacK), 1 at York Point Road on Feb. 5 (L&EB via DO); Downy

Woodpecker - 1 at Summerside feeder on Dec. 1 (G&SF), 3 at Dromore feeders on Jan. 1 (AC), at Rocky Point, West

Royalty, Donagh, Charlottetown, & Stratford feeders in Jan. (DCS, DO, SGC, P&AM); Hairy Woodpecker - 2 at

Summerside feeder on Dec. 1 (G&SF), 1 at Fernwood on Dec. 30 (GMcC), 1 at Dromore, Rocky Point, West Royalty,

Rustico, & Stratford feeders in Jan. (DCS, DO, AC); Northern Flicker -1 at Cornwall feeders on Nov. 27 (SN), 6 in

cornfield at Stewart’s Cove on Dec. 27 (DO, BH, DCS), 1 at Pleasant Grove feeders on Dec. 27 (SG), 1 at Stratford on Jan. 1

(EF), 1 at Bunbury feeders on Jan. 3 (FRC), 1 at Rocky Point feeders on Jan. 13 (LD); Northern Shrike - 1 at Deroche Pond

on Nov. 2 (DCS), 1 at Campbellton Road on Nov. 23 (TW), 1 at Diligent Pond on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 1 at Dromore on

Dec. 21 (AC), 1 took junco at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 22 (DO), 2 on North Side on Dec. 26 (DCS), 1 at Rice Point on

Jan. 3 (DCS), 1 at New Glascow on Jan. 4 (BeHo), 1 at Vernon River feeder area on Jan. 13 (DK), 1 at Charlottetown feeder

on Jan. 21 (DCS); Horned Lark - some at Margate with Snow Bunting on Nov. 23 (TW), flock of 10 and another flock of 20

near Margate, 1 flying at Sherbrooke on Dec. 5 (JDM, DO, LY); Cave Swallow - first Island record at East Point on Nov.

14 (DO) and photographed on Nov. 15 (DO, DCS, LH, RC, R&JT); Gray Jay - 1 at Mt. Vernon on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS), 1 at

Naufrage on Dec. 16 (CGa); Blue Jay - 15 at St. Catherine’s (east) on Dec. 1 (WHL, FrC), 12 at Maximeville on Dec. 7

(G&FMa), 25+ at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 20 (DO), 30+ on Cymbria Loop on Jan. 25 (DCS), 6 to 16 at Donagh feeders in

Ivory Gull at North RusticoPhoto by Dwaine Oakley

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Jan. (JDM); Horned Lark - 13 at China Point on Jan. 3 & 5 at Slemon Park on Jan. 17 (DCS) Boreal Chickadee - see CBC

reports; Red-breasted Nuthatch - small numbers being reported this winter, 4 at Murray Harbour feeders on Dec. 3 (GSa), 2

at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 20 (DO), 2 at Fernwood on Dec. 30 (GMcC), 1 at Dromore feeders on Jan. 1 (AC), 1 to 2 at

Donagh feeders in Dec. & Jan. (JDM); White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 at Caledonia on Dec. 29 (JHS), 1 at Stanhope on Jan.

21 (via SGC); Brown Creeper - 1 at Georgetown Royalty on Dec. 14 (SCS); Golden-crowned Kinglet - at Caledonia on

Dec. 29 (JHS); Varied Thrush - 1 confirmed via photograph at North Cardigan on Dec. 30 (L&JF via SCS&DCS);

American Robin - 1 at Crossroads on Nov. 22 (DO), 1 at Rice Point on Jan. 17 (DCS), 1 at Stratford on Jan. 25 (A&PM), 1 at

Buntain Road on Jan. 24 (RP), 1 feeding on holly berries in Charlottetown on Feb. 1 (SGC); Northern Mockingbird - 1 at

Bellevue Cove in Stratford on Jan. 20 (CS); Bohemian Waxwing - 20 at Mooney Road (Bangor) on Nov. 12 (BH, DO,

WCT), ~35 at St. Charles wild rose bushes on Nov. 15 (W&SF), ~60 at North Lake on Dec. 14 (SCS), 60 in Charlottetown on

Jan. 3 (SGC), 5 at Mount Buchanan & 25 at Point Prim on Jan. 3 (DCS), 1 at Rocky Point on Jan. 13 (LD), 17 at UPEI on Jan.

16 (DCS), 1 at Rocky Point on Jan. 17 (LD, DCS), 14 at Fort Amherst on Jan. 17 (DCS), 25 to 80 in West Royalty feeder area

in Jan. (DCS), 22 at Marshfield on Feb. 7 (GK); Cedar Waxwing - 3 at East Point on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 10 at

Bunbury feeders on Dec. 27 (RT); Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3 at East Lake & 2 at North Lake on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO,

JDM), 3 at Robinson’s Island on Dec. 22 (DO, MM), see CBC reports; Pine Warbler - 1 at Riverveiw Estates on Dec. 6

(WFB, EM), 1 at Stratford feeder on Jan. 21 (A&PM); Summer Tanager - female type at Summerside feeder on Nov. 14

supported with photos (DO, BH), gone since bad weather in Dec. (LH); American Tree Sparrow - 1 at North Cape on Nov.

14 (FRC), 1 at Rustico Road & 1 at North Rustico on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), 7 at Bunbury feeders on Nov. 25

(R&JT), 4 at Maximeville on Dec. 7 (G&FMa), 1 at Valley on Dec. 8 (GS), 1 at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 19 (DO), at

Dromore on Dec. 21 (AC), 1 at Bunbury feeders on Jan. 3 (FRC), 1 at Mt. Albion on Jan. 3 (DCS), 4 at Rocky Point feeders

on Jan. 17 (DCS), 3 to 12 at Donagh feeders in late Dec.-Jan. (JDM); Fox Sparrow - 1 at Murray Harbour North on Nov. 30

(VMJ); Song Sparrow - 1 at Stratford on Jan. 1 (EF), 2 on Cymbria Loop on Jan. 4 (DCS), 1 to 2 at West Royalty feeders in

Jan. (DC&ES); White-throated Sparrow -1 at Bunbury feeders on Nov. 25 (R&JT), 2 at Summerside feeder on Dec. 1

(G&SF), 1 to 2 at West Royalty feeders in Jan. (DC&ES); Dark-eyed Junco - 20 at Crossroad’s feeders on Dec. 22 (DO), 15

at Dromore feeders on Jan. 1 (AC), 5 at Bunbury feeders on Jan. 3 (FRC), 1 to 12 at West Royalty feeders in Jan. (DC&ES);

Lapland Longspur - 1 at New London on Jan. 17 (TW), 1 at Covehead Marsh & 15 at Cymbria on Jan. 31 (DCS); Snow

Bunting - 4 at Riverton on Nov. 12 (BH, DO, WCT), 5 at North Cape on Nov. 14 (FRC), 100 at Argyle Shore on Nov. 15

(JDM, LY), small flock at Crossroads feeders on Nov. 22 (DO), ~200 at China Point on Nov. 23 (DK), 12 to 14 at New

London on Nov. 25 (TW), flock at Rustico Island on Dec. 1 (FdB, SGC), ~10 at Sherbrooke on Dec. 5 (JDM, DO, LY), 24 at

Maximeville on Dec. 7 (G&FMa), 50 at Wood Island’s on Jan. 3 (DCS), 12 at Crapaud on Jan. 4 (BeHo), small flock at Lower

Newton on Jan. 6 & 150 at Kinkora in early Jan. (FMcC), 5 at UPEI, 2 at Bedeque, & 100 at Locke Shore Road on Jan. 17

(DCS), 60 at Brackley Beach on Jan. 18 (DCS), 100+ at Tracadie Harbour on Jan. 25 (DCS), 350 at South Granville on Jan.

24 (RP), 100+ at North Rustico & 15 at Brackley North Marsh on Jan. 31 (DCS), 10 at Kingston, 10+ at Riverdale, & 5 at

Fairview on Jan. 31 (LD), 100 at Donagh on Feb. 4 (JDM), 300

at Kingston on Feb. 6 (JW); Red-winged Blackbird - ~50 at

Donagh on Nov. 2 (JDM), 2 at Crossroads feeders on Nov. 22

(DO), 2 male at Vernon River feeders on Nov. 23 (DK), 6 at

West Royalty feeders on Nov. 23 & juvenile on Nov. 24

(DC&ES), 6 to 8 at New London on Nov. 4 & present on Nov.

28 (TW), 1 at Stratford feeder in late Dec. (DO), 1 at New

Glascow on Dec. 27 (BeHo); Rusty Blackbird - 6 at Avondale

cornfield on Dec. 27 (KMcK via DO), 1 at Murray River on

Feb. 4 (FRC, KMacN); Common Grackle - ~50 at Donagh on

Nov. 2 (JDM), 6 at Crossroads feeders on Nov. 22 & 1 on Dec.

20 (DO), 1 at Caledonia on Dec. 22 (JHS), 1 at Stratford feeders

on Jan. 3 & Feb. 5 (DO, DCS), 2 first year males at Rocky Point

in mid-Jan. (DO, DCS, LD); Brown-headed Cowbird - pair at

Vernon River feeders on Nov. 20 (DK), pair at Crossroads

feeders on Nov. 22 & 3 on Dec. 20 (DO), 2 males & female on

Feb. 5 , 2 male at Caledonia on Dec. 22 (JHS), 1 or 2 at West

Royalty feeders in Jan. (DC&ES), ~12 at Alliston in Jan.-early

Feb. (PC via FRC); Baltimore Oriole - 1 year male at Kilmuirst

on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS); Pine Grosbeak - male at Tyne Valley on

Nov. 7 (SG), male at St. Charles on Nov. 3 (W&SF), 50 at East

House Finch in SummersidePhoto by Dwaine Oakley

16

Point & 3 at MacVane’s Creek on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 10 at Point Prim on Dec. 1 (GS, SCS), 9 at East Lake on Dec. 26

(DCS), 10 at Bunbury on Dec. 30 & Jan 1 (RT); Purple Finch - 1 at West Royalty feeders on Jan. 19 (DC&ES); House

Finch - 1 female at Summerside feeder on Nov. 14 supported with photos (DO, BH), Dec.1, Jan 3 (G&SF), Jan. 17 (DO,

DCS); White-winged Crossbill - 10 at Mooney Road (Bangor) on Nov. 12 (BH, DO, WCT), 15 at East Point on Nov. 30

(DCS, DO, JDM), 8 at Point Prim on Jan. 3 (DCS), 2 at Rice Point on Jan. 17 (DCS); Common Redpoll - 100 at Mooney

Road (Bangor) & 100 at Lorne Valley on Nov. 12 (BH, DO, WCT), 150 at Argyle Shore on Nov. 15 (JDM, LY), quite scarce

this winter since mid-Nov., 3 at Donagh feeders on Nov. 25 (JDM), at Pleasant Grove on Nov. 26 (SG), 1 at East Point and 3

at North Lake on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 2 at PEINP on Dec. 6 (RH), 1 at West Royalty feeders on Jan. 2 (DC&ES), 3 at

Georgetown Royalty on Jan. 3 (DCS), 5 at West Royalty feeders on Jan.11 (DC&ES), 10 at Brackley North Marsh on Jan. 18

(DCS), 20 at St. Charles on Feb. 1 (W&SF), 20 at Stratford feeders on Feb. 5 (DO); Pine Siskin - 1 at Pleasant Grove on

Nov. 26 (SG), 1 at Bunbury feeders on Jan. 3 (FRC), 1 at West Royalty feeders in Jan. (DC&ES), 5 at Charlottetown feeder

last week on Jan. & 10 on Feb. 1 (SGC); American Goldfinch - 6 at St. Charles on Nov. 16 (W&SF), 1 at Crossroads feeders

on Nov. 22 (DO) 2 at Rustico Rd. on Nov. 24 (FdB, JBl, SGC, BCM, ST), several at Donagh feeders on Nov. 25 (JDM), at

Pleasant Grove on Nov. 26 (SG), 100+ at East Point on Nov. 30 (DCS, DO, JDM), 8 at Murray Harbour feeders on Dec. 3

(GSa), 6 at West Royalty feeders on Dec. 6. (DC&ES), 12 at Donagh niger feeder on Jan. 2 & 3 on Jan. 10 (JDM), 8 to 11

at West Royalty feeders from Jan. 1 to 11 (DC&ES), ~12 at St. Charles on Feb. 1 (W&SF); Evening Grosbeak - 5 or 6 at St.

Charles in Oct. (W&SF), 1 at Pleasant Grove on Dec. 7 (SG); House Sparrow - 16 at St. Catherine’s (east) on Dec. 1, 12 on

Dec. 3 (WHL, FCh), 10 to 40 at West Royalty feeders in Jan. (DC&ES);

Older Reports: 2 Snowy Owls seen at Sherbrooke in 1949 with one being shot for fear of loss of free range chickens and the

one being shot being subsequently mounted by Caldwell (John and Lulu Thomson via RT). 1 Northern Gannet found dead in

ice between Ram Island and Malpeque in early 1960s and people had trouble identifying it was because it was a very unusual

sighting during this period (Lulu Thomsen via RT); Gray Gnatcatcher - 1 at Broderick Road & 1 at Norway Road on Sept.

7/08 (CGa); Pine Warbler - male at Norway Road on Aug. 30/08 (CGa); Vesper Sparrow - on Broderick Road on Aug. 21,

25 & 30/08 (CGa).

Thanks to the following contributors who provided records for this listing, namely: RA - Ron Arvidson; AB - Anne

Bergstrom; L&EB - Lew & Elaine Black; JBl - Jean Blanchard; WFB - Bill Bowerbank; AC - Alma Currie; EC- Elwood

Coakes; F&JC - Fred & Janet Connolly; FCh - Fred Cheverie; FRC - Rosemary Curley; PC - Philip Curley; RC- Ray Cooke;

WRC - Reg Conohan; WCo - Wayne Connick; SGC - Sharon Clark; JKC - John Clements; FdB - Fiep de Bie; GD - George

Dowdle; LD - Lois Doan; RLD - Randy Dibblee; SE - Susanne Essensa; G&SF - Greg & Sandra Feethan; EF - Eileen Fulford;

L&JF - Linda & Jessica Frey; W&SF - Warren & Sherron Foulkes; CGa - Cathleen Gallant; GG - Gary Griffin; PG - Pat

Gauthier; SG - Shirley Gallant; WG - Willian Glen; RH - Rick Hawkins; B&RH - Ben & Rosalie Hoteling; BeHo - Beth

Hoar; G&WH - Gary & Waldron Heffel; L&JH - Les & Joan Homans; SK - Sandra Keough; DGM - Gerald MacDougall; GJ -

Gordon Jackson; VMJ - Virginia MacSwain Jackson; GK - Glen Kelly; DK - Dan Kennedy; WHL - Waldrom Leard; BM -

Barry Martin; DMacN - Don MacNeil; EM - Evelyn Martin; G&FMa - Gisele & Fred Martin; GM - Gerald MacDonald;

JMacK - Joanne MacKinnon; WJM - Wade MacKinnon (formerly WMacK); KMacN - Kathleen MacNearney; MM - Matt

MacKenzie; FMcC - Fred McCardle; GMcC - Gail McCourt;; JDM - Dan McAskill; SMcB - Scott McBurney; EMcE - Erin

McEvoy; A&PM - Arlene & Paul McGuigan; KMcK - Ken McKenna; PMcC - Phil McCabe; BCM - Bonnie McOrmond;

BMi - Bob Milligan; EMu - Elaine Murley; SN - Sharon Neill; DO - Dwaine Oakley; MP - Melvin Paynter; SP - Shirley

Prouse; RP - Roberta Palmer; JR - John Read; JtR - John te Raa; JHR - Jennifer Roma; ASm - Ardeth Smith; A&DS - Alma &

Don Steeves; DC&ES - David & Elaine Seeler; GS - Gary Schneider; GSa - Glenn Saunders; PS - Peter Sheppard; SCS -

Scott Sinclair; JHS - Jim Sutton; RT - Reg Dutch Thompson; ST - Steve Taylor; AW - Anne Wootton; JW - Jackie Waddell;

JWa - Jean Watts; TW - Trevor Wadman; WCT - Wildlife Conservation Technology Class; R&SW - Rebecca & Shane

Wilson; LY - Lorne Yeo.

17

ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR:

Note: All Society presentations and field trips are open to the public. Society meetings start at 7:30 PM at the Farm Centre at 420 University Avenue in Charlottetown.

YN = young naturalists encouraged to attend or participate

Feb. 13 to 16 - Great Backyard Bird Count hosted by the Cornell Labatory of Ornithology. Participation is freeand web-based. You can count from feeders or the field. Please contact www.birdsource.org/GBBC/

Feb. 14 to 28 - The Phillips Feed Bird Service Seed Sale contributes a portion of their sales to the Island NatureTrust’s programs. During this sale, there will be two bird feeding information sessions in which JackieWaddell, Executive Director of the Trust, will answer questions of bird feeding. These are slated for 12noon to 5 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 14 and from 9 am to noon on Saturday Feb. 21 . th st

Mar. 3 - Native Trees and Shrubs and Their Management - David Carmichael will be the guest speaker for theNatural History Society’s meeting which starts at 7:30 pm at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave.Charlottetown. YN

Apr. 7 - The Protected Area of the Island Nature Trust - Jackie Waddell will be the guest speaker for theNatural History Society’s meeting which starts at 7:30 pm at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave.Charlottetown. YN

Apr. 17 - the 25 Annual Island Nature Trust Fund Raising Dinner - For more information or to purchaseth

tickets contact the Trust at 892-7513.May 5 - Island Dragonflies and Damsels - A Closer Look at PEIs Dragonflies and Damselflies - Bob Harding

will be the guest speaker for the Natural History Society’s meeting which starts at 7:30 pm at the FarmCentre, 420 University Ave. Charlottetown. YN

May 29 - Bain Bird Count - The Society has conducted this spring bird count on the last Saturday in May forapproximately thirty years. Individual a small groups of birders count all species seen or heard duringthis 24 hour period and the results are recorded in the Island Naturalist. For more information or tosubmit count results, please contact Dan McAskill at 569-4351 or E-mail at [email protected]

Spring-Summer - Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas’s 4 field season! To participate on P.E.I. please contactth

Rosemary Curley at 569-1209 or via E-mail at [email protected]. For more information contacthttp://www.mba-aom.ca/

For more information, comments and suggestions for future programs or field trips, please contact a member of the Society’s Executive

SHARE YOUR LOVE OF NATURE WITH OTHERS: The Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island isrequesting donations of nature equipment, books orresources to allow others to enjoy the wonders of nature. Ifyou have binoculars, field guides, butterfly nets etc., thatyou would like to donate, please bring your donation to themonthly meeting of the Natural History Society, the firstTuesday of each month from October to June, at the FarmCentre on University.

Common - Barrow’s Goldeneye Hybrid atCardigan. Photo by Dwaine Oakley

18

Weekly Peak Shorebird Number Observations for the PEINP During 2008

180 Excursions from the 12 April to the 28 of Novemberth th

© David Seeler 2008

Month April May June July August September October November

Species 14 21 28

5 12 19 26

2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24

AMGP 1 10 1 3

BBPL 6 21 56 74 67 1 1 3 10 77 146 134 32 51 42 97 120 70 147 48 29 15 12 2 3

SEPL 41 8 22 96 108 178 132 54 64 88 149 59 6 3

KILL 1

WISN

SBDO 1 1 11 140 170 159 154 179 80 44 12 27 18 3 6 2 1

LBDO 1

HUGO 3 3 1 1 1 8 5 9 11 13 10 4

WHIM 1 2 1 10 2 4

GRYE 16 46 20 21 5 9 4 1 8 17 43 84 65 88 130 54 93 71 83 72 46 17 5 12 7 4 2 2

WILL 5 8 11 5 7 10 15 17 34 27 53 47 27 4 10 5 8 4 4

LEYE 7 4 4 4 4 1 3 16 18 47 111 69 110 110 106 32 15 3

RUTU 2 3 2 4 18 16 17 32 8 4 2

REKN 3 4 18 2 3 1 2 10 17 7

SAND 4 7 89 44 31 1 3 7 13 20

SESA 2 1 1 2 14 4 52 114 167 616 768 439 72 237 193 158 32 10 33 6 42

LESA 12 13 13 3 34 49 3 26 53 62 112 35 63 33 3

WRSA 7 1 1 1 13 7 7 1 2

BASA 2

PESA 1 75 77 8 1

DUNL 1 1 1 200 146 295 291 168 217 150 255 138 4

WIPH 1

RUFF 1