2008 In Review
© David 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, a number of rarities were reported and two new species were added to the Provincial Checklist: Cave Swallow and Ross's Goose. A late December storm complicated efforts on New Year's day but venture out we did and a total of 59 species 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 David Seeler 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. Only one of the Carolina Wrens returned to Bob Mulligan's feeders in Summerside. Presumably the other succumbed to the bad weather. While traveling the PEINP Trevor Wadman found a late Purple Sandpiper on the rocks below the parking lot at East Cavendish. By mid-month a number of Northern Shrikes had been reported by those out birding. White-winged Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks were also noted to be abundant by a number of observers. After the January thaw most species became harder to find as they quickly spread out across newly opened 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 further 115 species were reported by the end of May. Reports of note included: 1) Short-eared Owl at Borden on February 1st (John Read Jr.); 2) Cooper's Hawk at Rocky Point on February 4th (Lois Doan); 3) Northern Long-eared Owl in 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 of May (Gary Schneider); 7) Brown Thrasher at Elephant Head on the 6th of May (Brian Dalzell); 8) Five Vesper Sparrows in Blueberry Barrens in Anglo Tignish on May 8th (Brian Dalzell), and finally a Blue-winged Warbler at Anglo Tignish on the 26th of May (David Seeler) - a second PEI Record for that species.

By early April small numbers of Snow Geese and a Greater White-fronted Goose were reported in various locations. On the 5th of April PEI was very lucky as it missed a significant storm and instead we woke up to a significant influx of migrating Juncos, Sparrows and Common Redpolls. Similarly a small number of Hoary Redpolls were reported over the next couple of days. Pileated Woodpecker reports seem to be increasing this year with a number of reports in the vicinity of the Tracadie / Dalvay area with at least one making its presence known on 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 - often only an individual or two being observed as opposed to the numbers being observed over the same time frame in previous 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 the 18th of May. Indigo Buntings made an appearance in force this year with the first being reported two days later along the Barbara Weit Road by Myrna Stewart. On the same day a Great Egret was found by Father Frank Jay at MacVane's Creek in Eastern PEI. On the 21st Dan McAskill heard an Eastern Screech-owl thus providing the 9th known report of this species on PEI. Sandhill Cranes (or perhaps just one) seemed to be making the Garden of the Gulf a travel destination with the first of numerous sightings and reports being made by Ramsay Hart on the 27th of May. It is very likely that this individual remained on PEI until late in the year given the number of reports of one individual being sighted in the eastern tip of the Island. Scarlet Tanagers also made PEI a stopover site this spring with at least 3 reports being made from Afton Road east to Rte 303 and the Baltic Area. As May came to a close Bruce Pigot reported a late Northern Shrike in the Mt. Stewart area and Randy Dibblee found a Green Heron at East Lake on the 30th of May providing PEI with its 7th record of the species. Other late May reports include a pair of Baltimore Orioles in Hyde Park sighted by Sharon Clark and Jean Blanchard, an Indigo Bunting at Jim Sutton's feeders with another reported in western PEI, a Little Blue
Heron at Little Harbour stumbled upon by Dwaine Oakley and David Seeler and a Broad-winged Hawk which was located later in the day at Pisquid Pond by the same two individuals.

The first of June brought yet another report of an Indigo Bunting at Gary Keigan's feeders. On the 2nd of June, Les Holmans not only found a Ruddy Duck in the Lake of Shinning Waters at Cavendish (PEINP) but imagine his surprise as he was fortunate enough to also find a PAIR of Three-toed Woodpeckers excavating a nesting site within the campground facility of the Cavendish NP. Unfortunately they were later evicted from their nesting site by a Red Squirrel. The second of 4 Cattle Egret reports came from Kevin Curley who reported that one had made the composting facility of the Wellington IWM 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, Lesser Yellowlegs appearing in late June. By the 1st of July small numbers of Short-billed Dowitcher, Whimbrel and Semi-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. This sighting represented the 7th record of this species for PEI. Only 1 Long-billed Dowitcher was reported this year - again during a PEINP shorebird survey at Covehead. Also noted at Covehead during the surveys was a western race Willet. On July 5th Dan McAskill had a good find when he came across a Warbling Vireo roadside in French Village. The 3rd report of a Cattle Egret was made by Lanny MacDonald who observed on at the MacDonald's farm at East Point. Around the same time Greg Feetham reported a pair of Eastern Bluebirds at his home in Summerside. 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 made over the summer months. In late July another Sandhill Crane was found by Carolyn and Jennifer Gallant close to Souris - perhaps the same individual who had been previously reported in the east. Another 4th record for PEI was made when Sean Blaney heard a singing Carolina Wren at the southern end of the Lake of Shinning Waters in the National Park on the 30th of July.

On the 6th of August two Red-necked Phalaropes were reported to be in the Dalvay Lagoons by Monica MacKinnon. The situation regarding Sandhill Cranes became more interesting when yet another was reported along 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 Prairie Warbler at East Point on the 24th. Fortunately Dwaine was able to photograph the bird thus providing documentation for the 4th PEI record of this species.

Cliff Swallows seem to occur intermittently on PEI but on the 6th of September Dan McAskill, Dwaine Oakley and David Seeler were fortunate enough to observe at least 6 migrating over East Point from the direction of Cape Breton. During the Bennett's Bird Count which was held on the 27th of September Ray Cooke, Fiep de Bie, and Dan McAskill reported Northern Fulmar, Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger and Long-tailed Jaeger at East Point. The Long-tailed Jaeger report represents the 3rd report of this species on PEI. David Seeler added the 4th report after observing another adult Long-tailed Jaeger at East Point on the 1st of October. Ray et al also reported a Sandhill Crane during the Bennett's Bird Count at North Lake making one wonder yet again if one bird or a number of birds summered on PEI.

Mid-October brought a report of yet another Indigo Bunting at Dwaine Oakley's place in Stratford. While it was being observed a female Baltimore Oriole joined it at the feeder. Also around this time two Ross's Geese were shot by hunters in the Village Green area and were 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 of October providing PEI with its 2nd and 3rd known records for that species. Walter Leard reported to the list on behalf of Dwaine MacCauley that a Cattle Egret had been on Dwaine's farm for approximately 2 weeks. This was the last report of this species on PEI for 2008. Finally Dan Kennedy brought the month to a close by reporting a sighting of a Brewer's Blackbird at his feeders in Vernon River. This sighting provided PEI with its 5th such report of Brewer's Blackbird.

By mid-November there was a development of a significant series of weather systems which set up a sustained southerly to south-westerly air flow pattern across North America. This raised everyone's hopes for significant sightings as it was anticipated that more southerly species would be forced to the north-east. And indeed this occurred, with many new reports springing up all around PEI. It was not until the 14th of November that PEI finally benefited from this weather pattern with Dwaine Oakley finding PEI's first CAVE SWALLOW working the beach wrack at East Point. This first for PEI was well documented with photographs and videotape. It is highly unlikely that the swallow survived the winter storm that followed just a few days later. Meanwhile back in Summerside word came from Greg Feetham that a Summer Tanager - only the second record for PEI was tending his grape vines in the back yard and that a female House Finch also was present.

By December Snowy Owls had made their presence felt not only on PEI but in the Atlantic Region as well. Unfortunately, while it is a treat to see such a majestic bird, it is evident many will not make it back to their regular territories! Clearly a time to give them space to find the food required to become re-nourished so that they can make the trip back home. Scott Sinclair and Gary Schneider found a first year male Baltimore Oriole at a feeder 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 intense interest to birders, the situation is often not good for the bird itself. On the 6th of December Bill Bowerbank and Evelyn Martin reported that once again a (could it be "the"?) Pine Warbler has rejoined them for the winter. It is interesting to note that a Pine Warbler has been overwintering at their place for at least the last 2 winters. Scott Sinclair also reported that the / a Lesser Black-backed Gull has returned to the Ferry Road area in Georgetown to overwinter. Glad to hear both have made it through yet another year. So far we cannot say the same for the Stratford Mew Gull which went missing last winter. On December 11th we had yet another report of a Sandhill Crane. This time one was reported to Randy Dibblee as being in the Bridgetown area by Doug Clarey. I truly hope it - or is it they? - made it off PEI prior to the storm on the 22nd. Linda Fry was no doubt questioning the identity of a strange new arrival on the 20th and she must of been elated when she identified the Island's second report of a Varied Thrush which seemed to enjoy feasting on apples in her yard. It did not take long for Jessica Fry to photographically document the sighting and the information was subsequently passed along to the Natural History Society. 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 American Kestrel was found by Gerald MacDonald, Arlene, Paul & Janice McGuigan, and John Watts during the Hillsborough CBC on the 27th. Imagine Pat Gauthier's surprise when on the same day he found a snow white gull in North Rustico Harbour. It did not take the Gauthier's long to identify and document the adult Ivory Gull for PEI's 9th report (and 3rd documented record) of that species for PEI. Fortunately in this digital age it is becoming easier to document such sightings and, as in this, case others like Rebecca Wilson contribute with additional documentation solidifying the record. The year ended without a storm, but a significant storm is called for on the 1st of January. Only a few hours to go before we will know if our new year's day efforts will be thwarted. I can only hope that each of us takes care as we pursue our interests so that we can again look back on yet another year.

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

Sightings for 2008 are listed below. As always, let me know if I missed a
report.

Happy New Year to each of you and your families and all the best for 2009!

Good Birding

David & Elaine Seeler

________________________________________________________
SPECIES Reported: 251

LOONS
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon

GREBES
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe

SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS
Northern Fulmar

STORM-PETRELS
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Leach's Storm-Petrel

GANNETS AND BOOBIES
Northern Gannet

CORMORANTS
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant

HERONS EGRETS AND BITTERNS
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
American Bittern

DUCKS GEESE AND SWANS
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Wigeon
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
King Eider
Harlequin Duck
Long-tailed Duck
Black Scoter
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck

NEW WORLD VULTURES
Turkey Vulture

OSPREY
Osprey

HAWKS EAGLES AND KITES
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk

FALCONS AND CARACARAS
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon

GROUSE PTARMIGANS AND PRAIRIE-CHICKE
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse

PHEASANTS AND PARTRIDGES
Gray Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant

CRANES
Sandhill Crane

RAILS GALLINULES AND COOTS
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot

PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
American Golden-Plover
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Piping Plover

SANDPIPERS
American Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Hudsonian Godwit
Whimbrel
Upland Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Lesser Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper
Ruff
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope

GULLS
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
American Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Little Gull
Ivory Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake

TERNS
Caspian Tern
Common Tern

JAEGERS AND SKUAS
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Long-tailed Jaeger

AUKS MURRES AND PUFFINS
Dovekie
Common Murre
Thick-billed Murre
Razorbill
Black Guillemot

PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove

OWLS
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Boreal Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl

HUMMINGBIRDS
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

KINGFISHERS
Belted Kingfisher

WOODPECKERS
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Great Crested Flycatcher

LARKS
Horned Lark

SWALLOWS
Bank Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cave Swallow

KINGLETS
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

WAXWINGS
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

WRENS
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren

MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher

THRUSHES
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush

GNATCATCHERS
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

CHICKADEES AND TITS
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee

NUTHATCHES
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch

CREEPERS
Brown Creeper

SHRIKES
Northern Shrike

CROWS JAYS AND MAGPIES
Gray Jay
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven

STARLINGS
European Starling

OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow

VIREOS AND ALLIES
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo

SISKINS CROSSBILLS AND ALLIES
Pine Grosbeak
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

NEW WORLD WARBLERS
Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler

TANAGERS AND ALLIES
Scarlet Tanager
Summer Tanager

BUNTINGS SPARROWS SEEDEATERS ALLIES
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting

SALTATORS CARDINALS AND ALLIES
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

TROUPIALS AND ALLIES
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole

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