•

I.

•

NEWFOUNDLAND NATURAL IUSTORY SOCIETY QUARTERLY

THE

OSPREY Vol. 12 No . 2 June 1981

Contents

Carpenters . •• .• • •• • • •• ••• • • • • •• • • •• • • • •• • • • • • • • • •• 51 Two Easy Nosses • • • •• •• • • •• ••••••• • ••••• •••• • • • • • • • 58 How lr.any Birds are There ?.. ... ....... .... ....... 59 Kal ml a - A Pl ant of Doubtful Value? • •• •• • • •• • •• • • 62 Mar ine f\atural History Notes •••• •• ••.•• ••• •• • • •• • ~ 64 Sal monler Calender • ••• ••• •••• • ••• • • • ••••• •• • •• •• • • 65 Format ion of a Support Group f or the Salmonler ~'ature Park ••••••••••• • • ••• ••••••••••••••• ••• ••• •• 67 The B lrd Report

St John ' s and Avalon Area •• • ••••• • ••• 0 •• • •••• • 69 South and West Coasts ••• • • •••••••••• • •• ••••••• 71 L 'Ar.se - aux- foieadows Area •• ••••••• • • • •• • •• • ••• •• 73 Wi nter Highlights from Roger Burrows •• • • •• ••• • 75

DR. DON STEELE ~

M.U.N., BIOLOGY

TIlE NEWFOUNDLAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

P. O. BaJ!: 1013

Sf. JOHN'S. NEWFOUNDLAND Ale 5M3

The Osprey ;s a journal of natural history for Newfoundland and Labrador and adjacent regions. It is published quarterly by the Newfoundland Natural History Society.

Editorial Information: All items for publication should be addressed to the editor with the exception of bird record Hens which should be sent to the btrd edi tor.

As well as major articles. notes and annecdotal items on interesting observations will be accepted. letters to the editor are welcomed and will be publ ished as space allows.

Items. should be typed if possible. single spaced on Bl5: x 11" sheets leaving 1 inch margins on top. sides and bottom. Black and white line drawings are also acceptable but due to our reproduction process. photoqraphs a,d penc" drawings are not suitable.

Edi tor of the Osprey Margaret Larson. Box 606. R. R. /I 1 Portugal Cove, AOA 3KO 895-2657

8ird Editor John Maunder. Box 5849. St. John's, AlC 5X3 335-2462

Exe('utlve i'~el!.1:ers 1981 - 1982

'resldert, Todd Howell, 753-9803 V 1(' e ~reslder.t: DOll 3 teele, 579-9653 3ecretary: Jsoes Er1dgland, 753-0226 Tresurer: Cerry Yetmsr. 7J7-€S90 ?ast ?res1der.t: Derek Keats. 753-0226 r-:ec:bers at Large:

Guy rartel, 722-2667 Cheryl Gullason, 753-0226 Vlvlar. Clark, 753-2927

~ ~~~ t:~~~~r 57§~~5~~62 John Glbson, 726-249€ Clarence Burry I 722-8346

•

•

•

•

•

•

CARPENTERS

Carpenters are undoubtably the most familiar terrestrial arthroDods to Newfound' anders 1 i vi n9 in coas ta 1 or urban areas . In sui table habi ta ts • wh; ch include was te ground. pastures . gardens and even mOl 5 t basemen ts. these inoffensive animals populate all available hiding sites.

The dominance of carpenters on the island belies their origin . No species of carpenter is native to Newfoundland: all have been introduced from Europe. Only the name, carpenter, is unique to Newfoundland . The British call these animals woodlice , slaters or oillbuqs while the Ameri­cans know them as sowbugs. Scientifically they are arthropods of the cl ass Crustacea assigned to the suborder On;scoidea of the order lsopoda. An attempt has been made to trace the origin of the name carpenter but with no success . Their frequent association with wood suggests an obvious derivation. Dr. f~ . Laird has offered a plausable explanation. He noted that the name s later is used in both Britain and New Zealand where a connection i s made betl1een the animals and the orofession handling the building material. roofing slates. with which they are frequently asso­ciated. As s l ate i~ not used in Newfoundland construction. the associa­tion is with wood handled by carpenters. In certain areas of the province these arthropods are called boat bui l ders. presumably through the same connotations.

Carpenters are deviants of their class for most Crustacea are marine. Carpenters apparently evolved from marine ancestors and still bear a number of ances tra 1 fea tures whi ch pose certa in 1 imi ta ti ons on their terrestrial distribution. For example . they show a relatively poor ability to conserve water for terrestrial animals. Animals lose water with their feces, in excretion and respiration as we ll as across the body coveri ng or cuti c 1 e. The true ly success ful terres tri a 1 arthrooods. such as insects and arachnids (soiders, mites and their kin), overcome such water loss problems by possess i ng spec; a 1 organs all owi n9 them to produce dry feces. excrete nitrogenous \'/astes with little water loss. resoire through special organs reducing evaporative \1ater loss and have cut icles impervious to water . These systems work ;n concert to helo the animals retain body water and maintain relatively stable conditions of \~ater concentration in their bodies. Carpenters lack many of these adaptations. Dry feces may be oroduced but their nitrogenous excretion involves consid­erable water loss. Surprisingly, carpenters. like ma ny Crustacea. excrete ammonia as the ni trogenous waste product . Al11110nia resultin9 from protein metabolism is highly toxic to anima l tissue and must be detoxified.or eliminated from the body quickly. Carpenters have a remarkably high tolerance to ammonia in their blood but as well they can eliminate it rapidly by gi ving off alllllonia gas across the cuticle. The prob lem I-lith this solution is that a surface that will allow the passage of arrmonia wi 11 also permi t wa ter to pass therefore the anima 1 s des i ccate rapi dl yin dry air. Most carpenters respire cutaneously, that is oxygen diffuses into the body through the cuticle and carbon dioxide leaves in the same way, although a few species have specialized lung- like resoiratory organs (pseudotracheae) on the pleopods. Aqain. surfaces that permit gas diffu­sion are also permeable to water.

The net impact of these limitati ons i s that caroenters must remain in sites of high humidity or have access to \'later. The dl"y husks of carpenters on the floors of our dry centrally heated homes are a testament to this need. As at least partial compensation, carpenters can drink from both ends and middle: through their mouth and via the uropods as \,le11 as absorbing \'later through the cuticle . Out of doors, carnenters are nocturnal, avoiding the heatin g, drying effects of the sun, and occur in moist sites and under cover which reduce the rate of drying. Al most the entire behavioral repertoire of carpenters consists of behaviors that keep the animals in cond itions of darkness and dankness. Behavioral

~x~~~~~~~;~yr~~d~~!w~e~~~t~~;~e~~o( ~~~~o~:x~ ~ }h~~t h~~~i ~~~e d~{~~~! ~~~er di scrimi nat i on.

Selection in food is almost negligab l e: carpenters eat dead plant material. This may be augmented by animal remains . excreta and on occa­sion living plants but seldom are they of economic significance. Dead plant material oer se may not contain much of value to a caroenter but like many other decomposer organisms . their food source is the fungi and bacteria which grow on the cellulose and lignin of the plant debris. Thus carpenters can be seen as microbial grazers ingesting plant debris as a substrate from which the microflora is diqested. No doubt fresh plant rna teri a 1 ; s consumed for ; ts own va 1 ue.

Even courtship and mating are simple in carpenters . In fact one local species has dispensed with sex and reproduces oarthenogenically . ~1ales have the two anterior pairs of pleopods modi fied for sperm transfer and fert i 1 ; zat i on of the egg ; s i nterna 1 I'li th ; n the body of the fema le. The sex of adult specimens can be detennined by examining these oleopods; those of the male are elongate . A c'harming asoect of all caroenters is

;~~a ~ t~~~: ~ o~~o!e~!~ o~/~~~~~~d (;~~t!~~ t:iJs ~n ~~e b~~~~~~f d!i~~, t~~e body bet\'leen the ~/alking legs. These plates overlap and together produce a pouch which becomes fluid filled and into \'Ihich the eqgs are laid. Eggs complete development in the pouch and hatch there . The young simply crawl out of the pouch. look i ng 1; ke sl'la 11 pa 1 e ed iti ons of the adults but mi nus one pair of legs. These are added on the first maul t of the cuticle and from then on growth proceeds through a series of cuticular moults in which successive stages (instars) look l ike the preceeding stage but larger. Sexual maturity marks attainment of adulthood but unlike winged insects. adults cont inue to moult and grow and thus come in a range of sizes.

The distribution of carpenters is related to soil tyoe. Caroenters. unlike insects and arachnids, contain calcium carbonate in their cuticl e . This material is naturally abundant in sedimentary rocks but is lacking in acidic and peaty soi ls I'lhich characterize most of the island. The most abundant and ~lidespread species are those most tolerant of acidic soi l s but even these are only abundant along the coasts \'Ihere sea spray contrib­utes mineral enrichment . on disturbed and especially cultivated land which has been li med. and adjacent to human habitation where cement I'lOrk raises the soil pH and provides sources of lime. One species is knol'in on the island from along building foundations only . Caroenters are alJ'llost non existent in virgin forest. bog and the central regions of the island. It is not unconmon to see carpenters eating dead members of their kind or feeding on cast cuticle. This behavior is probably a way of recycling calcium.

•

•

•

5)

DORSAL VENTRAL •

antenna

wa l king leg ( .. pere i opod)

pe r eion ."",I-. - -f---ma r sup ium with eggs

• ~-A,J4.;>dt--- pI eopods

p l eon ---(;;/.:.....'~,L

Fi gure I . Oniscus ase l 1us female showing structura l features .

•

In favorable sites carpenters reach very h; qh dens iti es. A lthouqh

~~~~e p~~a~~y 1 ~~:~h~~a~~~e~:~!~ ty C~?~~~:~a~e~~~~~a~~ ~~~~ v~~~!~:l D~~ass- e square meter that has been recorded elsewhere. In such habitat , these animals must olay an important role in soil formation and ~nrichment through breaking dOl'ln plant debris and reducing the rate of leaching of nutrients. It would be interesting to compare the effects of caroenters ~lith those of the provincial Deoartment of Agriculture in developing agricultural soils in the province: carpenters are probably the more effective.

The twelve species recorded from tle~/foundland (Palmen 1951) occur in southeas tern Eng1 and. The ci rcums tances surround; ng the; r in troduct ion into Nel<ifound1 and are unknown. but transport w; th sa i 1 i ng ba 11 as t as described by Lindroth (1957) is a plausable method. Several of these species were found onl y i n greenhouses prior to 1950 . As modern green­houses are fumigated frequently and carpenters are very susceptable to insecticides, it is l ikel y none of these restricted species exist on the island at present. However, a11 species previously recorded from the province are included in the following key.

fo'torphological characteristics and terms useful for identifying carpenters are indicated in Figure 1. Some species can be recognized on the bas i s of color, however, the mas t abundant spec ; es, Porce 11 i 0 scaber, comes in such a range of color forms that only structural featureseance used for its identification. Several soecies are very small and can be mistaken for inmatures of larger forms. Any small carpenter found at depth in the soil or in rich decidious litter should be examined carefully for they may represent these sma 11 er spec; es . There is a 1 ways the poss i-bility of new species being introduced. Sutton (1972) and Vandel (1960. e 1962) should be consulted for specimens that cannot be identified with the key. Also Sutton (1972) provides an excellent oopular account of carpenter biology including rearing and study techniques and a list of projects dealing with carpenters. many of l'ihich would make suitable class-room studies at a variety of levels.

KEY TO THE CARPENTERS OF NElIFOUNOLANO

1. Antenna with segments of flagellum indistinct, flaqel l um taperino to a fine brush of bristles (Fig . 4): uropod with endoDodite joined to basipodite at a level even \~ith tip of tel son (Fig. 5) .. ... ..... . ..••.•• . ...•..•..•.••.••....•• Family TRICHONISCIDAE 4

It . Antenna with flagellum composed of 2 or 3 distinct segments (Figs. 2 and 3): uropod with endopodlte fused to basipodite beneath . te lson when exami ned in dorsal view (Fi gs. 6 and 7) ... . . ...... 2

2(1). Flagellum of antenna with 3 segments (Fig. 2) . . Family QtHSCIDAE Oniscus asellus llnnaeus

This is a large cOITlOO~es. length to 16 llI11. Color usually grey with irregular paler patches, a sublateral row of pale spots on each s i de of body in dorsal view. Corrrnon, usually found with Porcellio scaber but appears to be more restricted to moist sites-. --- --- •

•

•

•

55

~.-----

v , , , '-- ,

8

~ f'------4,

9

II

10

Figures 2 to~, antenna: Oniscus asellus (2), Porcellio scaber (3), Tr ichoniscus sp. (II) . Figures 5 to7,teTson and uropods:TrTC'honiscus sp (5), Cy l isticus convexus (6). Porcellio scaber 0). Figures 8 and 9. transverse section of body: Cy l isticus conveXU5 (8), ~~ (9). Figure 10 , Trichoniscus sp. Figure II , Porcellio~ .

l

2' .

3(2) .

Flagellum with 2 segments (Fig . 3) ...

Uropod with exopodite tubular and elongate (Fig. 6): body rather convex in dorsal v;e\·/. in transverse section as in Fig. 8 ..... . •....•..••.... ........ ..... . .•..... . ...... .. Family CYLISTICIDAE

Cyl i s t i cus convexus DeGeer Length to 15 1TIl1. t~hen disturbed this species can roll into a tight ball although this behavior is infrequent . Found in inmediate vicinity of settlement and us ually near building foundations.

3 1• Uropod with exopodite flattened and spear shaped (F i g. 7): body

more flattened; in transverse section as in Fi g . 9 ..... . ••. ... • . .•••. .• .. .. . ...• . ...... . .•.....• Family PDRCELLIONIOAE

4(1). Outline of pereion and pleon continuous: dorsal surface of body with longitud i nal rows or ridges of tubercles.

Haolophthalmus danicus Budde-Lund Length to 4 rrrn. Color dirty-white to yellow. Ridges of dorsal surface of tergites of pere ion with 3 to 4 teeth. Restricted to vicinity of human settlement. Rare and no recent specimens have been coll ected .

4. Outline of pereion and pleon not continuous (Fig . 10): spines and tubercules. if present on dorsal surface of body, not arranged in ro\~s ..... •. . ... . . ....... . ...... . ... 5

5(4). Eye with 3 ocelli but these may be situated very close together or contiguous in the adult: body smooth and sl'tiny . . . .. . ...... ... .. ..... .... . ... genus Trichoniscus

S.

Trichoniscus ~ Sars - Very small. length to 2.5 mm . Co l or white or yellow , wlth little trace of pigment. Telson with rear margin straight or very slightly convex. Adult Trichoniscus (recognized by fused ocelli) less than 2.5 rnn. belong to th1 s species. COlrmon in moist humus soils.

Trichoniscus pusillus comolex - Length 2.5 to 4.0 mm. Color red­dish brown to purple, mottled with \~hite. Telson with rear margin slightly convex . Individuals less than 2.5 nvn immature and with ocelli distinctly separated . Two species are included here: T. pusillus Brandt and T. provisorius Racovitza. These species are very s1milar and best separated on the shape of the male pl eopods. However. I. pusillus is a parthenogenetic triploid species in which males are very rarel y found. T. rovisorius;s diploid and bisexual . T. pusillus occurs throughout the 1S and but provisorius is known only from the Avalon Peninsula.

Eye with 1 ocel l us ........ ... . . .. ........ . ... . ......... . . ..... .

6(5). Length to 3 nrn.: Color more or less white: male with rami of pleopod 1 drawn into l ong setose. filament-like projections

Trichoniscoides sarsi Patience Found in St . John's, unde r deeply "1iiibe'dded stones.

•

•

•

•

•

•

6.

57

Size larger: ma le pleopod 1 not as above. Two species key here, both found in greenhouses and probably not estab l ished .

Androniscus dentiqer Verhoeff - Color I'lhite to red in life. f ading 1 n preserved specimens. Dorsa 1 surface wi th we 11 developed tubercules . each bearing a central spine . f·1ale pleaDed 1 with a distall y dilated elongate projection.

Hyl oniscus riparius Koch - probably not on island at pr esent as it does not survive in corresponding cli matic zones of Europe .

7 (3) . Pseudotrachea present on a 11 fi ve pa; r s of p 1 eo pods (ev; den t on l ive specimens as distinct \'Ihite areas but not easily seen on preserved specimens).

7.

Trachel; ~us rathke; Brandt length to 15 rrm. Color mottled yellowi sh-grey with 3 distinct doubl e str i pes al ong pereion . Avalon Peninsula . Species has not been coll ected s i nce 1949.

Pseudotrachea present only on first 2 pairs of pleopods . .... 8

8(7) . Telson short. with a po i nted tip (Fig. 7): body conspicuous ly tuberculate on pereion and head: color highly varied. from slate grey to orange. mottled orange and grey. grey and white . etc.

Porcelli o scaber La treille Fig. 11. Length to 17 11111 . The most abundant and widespread species on the island .

8. Telson el ongate , with tip rounded: body l ess strongly tuberculate : color grey- brol-In I-lith I-Iell defined broad stripes on each side .

Parcell io dilatatu s Brandt Length to 15 mm. Very similar~aber . Probably not estab­l ished or if so. closely synanthropic-. --

References

Lindroth , C.H . 1957 . The fa unal connections between Europe and North America . John Wi l ey, New York . 344 pp .

Palmen , E. 1951. A survey of the Oniscoidea (Isopoda Terr.) of Newfoundland . Annales Zoologici Societatis .'Vanamon' 14(1) : 1-27 .

Sutton. S. l. 1972 . Wood l ice. Ginn & Co. Ltd .• London. 143 pp.

Vandel, A. 1960. Isopodes Terrestres. Faune de France . Vo l. 64.

Vandel, A. 1962. Isopodes Terrestres. Faune de France. Vol . 66.

David J . larson

TWO EAS¥ MOSSES

Hhile mosses are often overlooked by naturalists because their identification can be difficult, many species or genera are very dis­tincti ve and can be recognised at sight by anyone . ilhile walking in the woods in the St. John ' s area. I have come across a mnnber of these 'easy' mosses and I will describe them in the Osprey as I have time. They are conunon enough in the right habitats throughout the island.

Habitat is in fact a large clue to identifying a number of types of moss. Streams for example harbour a number of genera not found else­.... here. The most distinctive of these is Fontinalis, the stream moss, which gro .... s submerged on rocks and branches, trailing long mats in the current. . Fontinalis dalecarlica is very com.:non in streams on the Avalon .

.ln be very pretty with slender b ranches of shiny dark olive green.

~ ~

- -'"-"-

The branches end in com­pressed cylindrical tips. ~. antipyretica, also common here is distinguished from the above by having strongly folded leaves , ... :-"ich are distinctly 3-ranked on the stem. It is also much larger.

As with other ~::.'oups the species epitJ"l'!ts o ! IXIsses are often des­criptive . Dalecarlia is a place in Sweden where

t.s namesake was first discovered. 'he O!!~ il:.hel:. antipyre tica Lefers to t he supposed fire-resistant qualities of ~:us moss which was sought by Swedish peasants for chinking chLmneys.

Some groups of mosses are just so distinctive you can recognise them anywhere. Fissidens is one such group. Fissidens are worth digging out a hand- lens ~ir leaves are split on one side so that they clasp the stem. Some people liken the arrangement of their leaves to that of Iris. They have al"lo been likened to Hnv ferns because their brll.!'1ches:-;:;r th leaves flattened in t.wo distinct rows look like small fronds. I don't know 1.: .. ~'" have ever been commonly called' fern mosses'

but several corrrm species have as their species names corruptions of generic names of ferns. Fissidens adianthoides (I would stop short of calling it maidenhair fern moss, because while it might look like a fern it does not look. like Adiantum) is found in damp woods on hur.lu;y-grou;;d, rocks or logs, usually near the spray of waterfalls.

- J . Bridgland.

•

•

•

• Peo ple h; VEl b e e n .:::; k ir,o l i ::- t :."" o f bir i!"; fo r t hollf' n ! .-: o f yp- ,~ r "" .

Roc k c [l rvin f;s :: r.i t ern?l c p;,in t in.;s - re c o r ' c ~_ fo r r e'-l ' o r. ~ o r ,,'Gt e,

: rl "! c , o r c :"; ,,) !1 r a ctlc -: l i nven t o r y - m~ly h Fi ve been the f ir - t l i - t , .

I'h e fir s t. lis ter · .. Ie k now by r, ,:; ::; e iI;:.F; t he f a ,nouF"Jr ee;~ rhi1ooo-opher

,'1.ri !J t o t le , bo rn i n 3c4 B. C., ~.ho c om pil erl t he ~ ~ I .

He 'l; C !,; follo wed by o the r s Ruch ;.5 jJl i ny t he r.: l rle r, bo r n i n 23 /\0 J . ,

who , r t er he r e tir o'i frO:J the 110'.(1,0 mi li t a ry , wr o te t he 37 vo lume

Hi.'3 t or i 1 ~2 . 1'h1 s continues tori. :J Y, when \'I e hnve milllon:o- o f

peop l e nl r kinc; liRt s ~ s s erious I~ ci c r. tific r el3 e r. rch, C'lmer j11;;yeoi

purely f o r pleasure , or ~\ ctivities ll oY'i.'he r e in t t e FreetrU I:! be t','leen

t he se two e xt r ern en .

Onl y in thi s c e ntury ha ve we be Gun to e F: t im:l t e t he to t 'll r.u ", ber

o f i nr! ivid u:;.lr; of :l. given 5 peci c6 or 5 ub opeci e :-- , on " ',',or lri - wirie o r

r ebi o n:": l b:>s1 s . J £lrn e :c; Fisher o f Engl:1 n r. o nc c e c:.timll t e n th ., t ··' u t he

con t inen t G together h C'n <' t lC Ms t 100 bil l i on indiv i,..lu :' l bi r 'i F: . Ro g e r

ro r y Pe t e r son hp t:> e l'; tin •. '. te n t ha t Lorth ,\.ne r ic (I (nort h of t··c >:ico) ·':." Y e ht' vc A I'; mr ny a s 20 b~11ion3 . J u ~ t ' how mnny hun-i r c'iG o f lilillion~ of

~e!1 bir :,!F; t he r e '1re ro.;.mi n6 the oc e ::. no , no one ~nowr, . Of I.o r th .... ner i c ·

l nnd bi r do , the :n os t po pulou5 o!l r c probnbly ~e"l - \'Iin g e rl Bl ~ c kbir rif' ,

:-lobi nl3 "' n rl St :;1 r l in gs, wit h hun rl r eris of mi l lion:r. o f e"ch . GOin g "l own t h e

~ c ll i c o f ~bund ,':m c c (1 re eX.<l.mples of r fe w Gp ecie~ t h"., t h:w e been pre­

ci t:>el y c ounte d . In 19'13 there wer e a bout 52 , 608 p:" ir :; o f Gnnne t :: i n o u r

6 ..... cn t At !t:ntic colonie s 4 • In 1980 the Kirtl lln ri ' f.l :.n r bl er r e 3 c hcrl it F

t>r e a t c "t nU:.,ber s in the 'je c .:? fi e with .? 4 ~ ma l es on territory !' .- o rCl Ol"" e "

to ~: 1 0 in 19795 . The tota l po pul ::l tion of thif.l s peci es is p r Ob; \bl~~bO ' lt 500 in fi ividua l s . In ~. ovember 1979 t her e w<, s 3. gr ,''l nd tot ,' l of 12 1

\\ ho Opin S c r ;m e .o:;6 i n r-:orth A:ne ric G (which 1 1'> t o 'P.1 Y, i n the wor l") . '3y

r-.o ve mbc r 1980 t he popul a tion h.:d incrc 3 1'; e ci t o 1245. SE' ril y , however ,

•

t he tot ;.l re:'ll na nt of !)U!,;K Y Se OF;1 'i.c Spnrro ','; 13 ( ::ill o f t he:n i n Flori ..! =! )

h ~ s lone rio':m fr or.l 15 in 19'19 t o 4 'Nil ri <' nrl 2 c rop tivc 1~:J l e '" in J uly

19d07 .

( . ) - A.n e a r l ier .anri £!Iu ch s horter ve r s i on o f t hi s nrt i c le :'p,e , re -i

in '''fuc lu : .. :!l.orc '' , Vol . 4 , 1\ 0 . 6 , AU'; . 1979 . " 'l'uc k"lmor e " i s the

inte r pr etive newsl etter of Gr as :·lo r n e i' ,,:, t ion ~ l ?<' r l, .

J

60

;';st1!llO tes of populations of b1 r is 1n ·1 n ;; r en h·we to be b?'""cA or.

:-:ever .! f " ctors; extent of br eerl i n& h .. bibt , !ensity of !1.:- ir~ i n

br eeilng h~bitAt , . be a t -;lh ich br eeding is initi1 t e'i , 11G8 - cl ."r ....

structur e wi t hi n t he t ot.?l population, '1no r.o on , .')o r:1e ~~cci er, \·;hich

r.eem to be very ilbuniant , &u11s for eX{l:nple , r eally only cp!",e~ r to be

co bec .:\u:=:e of their cons?icuousncsr; Hort their close '~lSoci <l t i on wi t h

hUkllans . The tobl loc,l po pulation of A ::;pec1e!'> Ru c h A ~ t h e Herr ine

'.iull i t. probrt bly s::1al l cOr:lp.o: r e'i to SOI!\e h.:: r r!- to-Rec I nnrl bi r i which

lives in rlen.-:; e fores t G'..nd s crub , :3uch "s the Bla c;";poll I:·' rb ler.

nuring the 6U(Jl!lle r S of 1974 il nrl 1975 , Hobe rt L:g'jhertnn c . rr ie "'

ou t c urveys of the br eerlin g popuhtlons of bir rls in Gr o!" /'i orne

tt! tion l' l Pe r kS , Us ing data from 10 of hi". 5ample plo t .~ , I c F.l lcul~ ted nn '1vcr(lge of 0 . 58 m ~{l e Black polllJ in an Bc r e of fo r es t. To get a n

e(1 rly August popul~ tion , I tr:Iultipliecl by I. to take into I) cc ount the

femlllel'i anri young . rha r esult ( 2 .52 8le ckpolle pe r a cre) c .;l. n be

multipl1ecl by t he numbe r of a cres of forest in the t'l!r k (144 , 000) to

~e t D conserv.3 t ive estimate . 'rhe reaul t is :. t lc ,<;s t 334 , 080 E13c l{poll

,, ~ rblers in Cr os l·:orne ~a tional P~ rk on a day in ear ly Aue;us t . Thi~

15 obviously ."1 conserva tive estima te because it rioer. not inclu-!e thot'e

;jL.c~polls br eeding in the coas t al Rn1 moun t a in k r ulI:tlho l z (tuck"more ) ,

for "hich I hnve no da t a .

I believe t hEtt the Blac~poll . .-ar bl er is the C\O:3t flb un rlent Fum!:!e r

bir':! , not only in Gr as Horne l~at1o n nl l:'ar k , but ..1 1so in t, ewfoun ri l Clnrl ,

'rhi s Island h3s tens o f thousands of square :niles of Bl a ckpoll

.. a rbler breedin g habi t a t . At the end of erch :mmmer , millions of

I3lack poll s 'ni gr ::l tc southwarcl from their l\ e wfounrll An d bi r t hplace t o

the Amazonia n r oin f o r ests of Br azil , Per u and Columbia . Ho wever, a~

ou r for es t s become 1ncre.9. singly cutover by logger o nnr{ incre3r"ingly

kill e d- be c k by the Spruc e Surlwor m, tbe BIR ckpoll •• a r bler ropulntior. will

dec r ease Dn1 other s pecies such as the Blac k- throot ecl Gr een .. B. r ble r

a nri the }!ourning .. a rbler will incr ea::;e 1n number s .

?'1fty- t hree species of birds ~re coemon summer r esid en t s in Gr o,.

:·!orn e I;a tional Par k . Rowever, or.ly flbout 10 to 15 of these a re

really "super-common II . 'rhese "tops in po ps" s pecieR a re all 60ng bi r d".

of forest .:l nri s crub . Sooe of t he m , notably the Yellow- bel t ie r!

•

•

•

•

•

•

61

Flyc;) tc her, , re difficult to obser ve beC;JUfie of thei r ;ull colo r :c::

... nd shyne(;s j ho .... ever , to bec a;:;.c r~r.lili a.r with its c "ll is to r C'1 1t )',e

th.:-. t the bi r .i is truly ~bundant. Our Gr os i-.o r ne " to :,! ten " in

nppr oxi::.::.. te de c endi ng or ri.e r of ."lbund;:: nce a re : Bl;) c r:~oll Iln r bl er,

Lartner n ,I~ te r thru::;h , Yellow- bellied t'lyca tc her, Ruby- cr o',,'nec! rinelet ,

BL'lc t:.- thro o. t ed Gr e en "arbler , ;·;ourning .• C'l r bler, .:hite- th r on t e"

.jparrol'! , Yello',:.'- r u.I!l!led ( ~-: yr tle ).~arbler I 3V1a1nson I s 1'hru l'>h , :;'ox

.'>pn..rrow . l'hese sp ecies together probably Ii.b~ e u n l'bout 1 . 5 :'"lillia n

bi r ds 1n the PDr k on ",n ,:.ugust day . The t o t a l popul 'l tion fo r .,, 11

" pe c ic s 'lQuIr.! be clo se to 2 1':I11110n bi r :"! ::; by my r oush c.'l lcul"1t1ont' .

Ge ttinf; b<'l ck to the mv tte r of numbe r s of s !Jecics r ."l ther th c:.n

nun:be r s of indi vid.uels , he r e e r e my t ,:'lilier; up to the enr! of 1988

fo r Or os l.orne },a tionE'.1 Park and e lsewhere .

Ur OG ~~o rne i',p ti ona l }il:.I'i;

IsI.md of he;': f oundIBnd

Ca. n"r!!1

l. orth ,\.::.c r ic i'l. (nort h

of he Aieo)

.,'o rl ri

BI Rl S?r;CI~3 ;':i:O .. ;: TC HAV:::: OCC URlbD

. I Til It; rII s'fCIn C 'fniBS

195

"3 10'"

555

826

9009

ar:n ~:' ':;Cr:.:S YJ.O .. l, 'fC HAV,~ SR;::f) .rfHIJ. HISTORIC Te·:'SS

82

"150 11

41 8

660

9009

( - ) _ 1\ 198 1 che c klist fo r the Il5l a n ri is in Itl i d - pr oduction; nu~ber ~

gi ven a bo ve !'1 re pur pos ely l".p,r ox imot e bec uune the r:: t .? tu s of

sover:l l spec i es is sti ll unde r r.1seussion .

All of the totnls e:iven , in f «ct , 3r o beinG re vi r;od pnnu"l Ly

riue to the .3 ctivities of bi r de r s , both pr ofession;! l ;'I n r \ "l::'J" teur .

'fhe possibili ties fo r the futur e a r e ,"nyone ' s gu erF' .

i~ efer e l'!ce!'i cited :

(1) "'fhe l.C" tur a lists : Pioneer s of r.:atu r nl Hi stor y" by Alan J enkin:"" j·;n.yflower Books , 1\ . Y. , 1978 (paGes 8- 11)

( 2) "Down of Zool o6Y;' by . .'illy Le y , Pr en tic e - Ha l l , i::ngleYloo'" Cliff"" , t . . J . , 1968 (p~ges 25- 59)

62

(5) '''rho Blr1s " by Roser Tor y ?eter~:;on , Tl::1e- Life , Alexa r.l'i r 1 " , V~ ., e (Znri ed . ) , 1978 (page 82)

(4) "'L'he G:>nnet " by Brya n I,elGon , Bu teo Books , Ver:!lillion , .5. ') ., 1978 (j)::I50 299)

(5) ttal r ~j ,;a tcher ' s )lgest" , VoL 3 , 1,0 . 4, :; 'l rch/Apr1l 198 1 ( !'t'ge 4)

(6) "Bird ,;o. tche r's DiGest", VoL 2 , 1. 0 . 6 J uly/Aug . 1980 (pClg-e 5)

(7) ":.l!lericon Blr1s" , Vol. 34 , t.;o . 5 , Se ptember 1980,("lJe Clinc r'n" diso.ppe:1 r ance of the Dusky 3eClsi de 5ilDrrow froo I" erritt Isl"'n>1, rlo r idnll) , jl:-_5es 728- 737

(6) "t,n ,\vifcunal Survey of Gras r;orne LatioMl P"l r k , t;fll'i . " by ~~obert La,~berton , VoL 2 , Hnrch 1976 , ( p,1ges 12 1 to 196) .

Ro b ,'I,<llke r Rocky lIc.r bour , I fIt! .

Kalmia - A Plant of Doubtful Value?

by

Bernard S. Jackson

Newfoundlanders call it "Lamb Kill, Sheep Lau r el or Gold- withy" . Biologists and Botonis ts refer to it as Kalmia angustifolia . It i s a plant of doubtful value, exceedingly abundant in most ar eas of Newfoundland.

In suggesting this plant to be one of doubtful value , I hasten to add that I say t h is purely from the point of view of wildlife utilisa t ion, not easthetics.

Consideration of the provinces history will help you to appreciate the fact that in Newfoundland , greater emphasis was , and s till is , placed on an1llla i s and birds presenting a potent i al source of food, rather than on those that do not. My suggestion then , has been governed by the beneficial or non-beneficial qual ities of kalmia in regards to the Moose , Woodland Caribou , Willow Ptarmi gan and the Snowshoe Hare .

Of the four species mentioned, the only one that seems to derive some benefit f r om this pl ant. is the "Rabbit" or Snowshoe hare ~ americanus), This hare is not indigenous to Newfoundland . As fa r as it ~ermined , it was in troduced into the pr ovince during the 1870's by the president of the Newfoundland Agricultu r e Society. Since t hen. as we all know , it has become a firmly established resident,

•

•

•

•

•

"In a study made by Doctor D.G . Dodds (recorded 1n his paper, "Food Competition and Range Relationships of Hoose and Sno .... shoe Hare in Newfoundland") in which 3,238 stems embracing ten plant species were examined from a specific area, it was found that the availability of kalmia was 24 . 9 percent, and utilisation 16.5 percent. The palatability fac~ 1n this csse was only 0.66 percent.

Kalmia appears to be of little value to moose . In his paper, Dr. Doddsha'Sthis to say. " The only important hare foods not taken or taken only occasionally by moose were lambkill and spruce".

In considering the relationship of Ptarmigan and kalmia, Dr . Stuart S. Peters once told the 22nd Federal- Provincial Wildlife Conference, "No part of kalmia is utilised for food by willow ptarmigan. In fact. it has been impossible to "trick" our captive birds when either young or adult in so much as taking a bite from this plant . It has. however. been used as nesting cover but because the birds exhibit little if any prefer­ence for nest site cover . this species of plant is not important".

Caribou do not seem to utilise this plant except possibly as a starvation food during the winter months. In feeding experiments where eight different plant species were freshly gathered and presented to captive animals s:imultaneously, I once found that calves would only take an adventuresome t r ial nibble on the first presentation. Yearlings completely ignored it, as did the calves after their first encounter. It may be of interest to mention. that though the captive caribou would not eat ~ ansustifolia, they w.ould nevertheless quickly devour any Kalmia polifol1a (Bog Laurel) that was presented to them.

Yhilst on this subject there is another important aspect to consider; the ability of kalmia to smother and eventually destroy, blueberries (Vacc1nium. ansust"if'OIium). The blueberry plant is of vital importance to the welfare and distribution of the willow ptarmigan in Newfoundland. In his paper "Food Habits of the Newfoundland Willow Ptarmigan" Dr. Stuart S. Peters stated "From ~ angustifolium , the fruit. leaves, buds, blossoms, and small stems are eaten. The year-round and extensive utili­sation of this plan t makes it by far the most important food source for these birds" . Dr . Peters went on to say, "Kalmia angustifolia, a plant not used as food, is apparently increasing , and in some areas frequented by ptarmigan , it is suppressing the desirable Vaccincium. spp". These statements were made a good many years ago , but are, as far as I know , still valid.

Yhat . if anything . should be done? Should efforts be made to eradi­cate kalmia, and if so, how? Fire has been found to benefit the growth of blueberries, and to retard, for at least a few years, the growth of Kalmia ansustifolia . In Britain fire is used to manage heather for sheep and Red Grouse. In a province so dependant on its forest resources, one is somewhat wary of recommending deliberate burning as a game manage­ment tool .

64

HARHIE NATURAL HISTORY NOTES

Hutlpbacl:. Uhales feeding in Conception flay

Derek Keats/Biology Depart"enl/Henorlal Uni'lerslty

On Sunday, April 26, 1981 L1hile on the HV Elsie G heading for lance Cove, Bell Island, III! spotted a hUMpback .. hall! (~ ~) about 1/4 kll to our south. l1y thoughts lIeT'! "Dh , the hu"pbacks are back in Conception Bay," and we continued prepCiratiolls tor IIhal turned out to be an interesting ilnd enjoyable dive. At that point WI! had no idea of the hour of fascination and exciteMent which would eclipse anything WI! sail on our dive, and top orr iI very beauti­tul Sunday afternoon on Conception Bay.

As III! were prepClri ng to return to Long Pond loll! noticed Cl lal''31! concentration or gulls in the areil where the whale had been reeding . Ue suspected that there tlust have been sOlie kind of fish or densl>, concentrilhd plankton in t he lI ater, so we went to investigate. Ue soon noticed that there were ho hutlpbacks feeding in the arHI , rl nd that they were MOving in larg! circles. Ue IIoved the boat into ci po­sHion to intercept one of the whahs so that we could get a close-up look at its feedlRg activities , and also take so"r phot.ograpt.s .

\lr followed the" around for perhaps 1/2 hour, photogrClphin3 anr.1 watChIng. Th e whales lIouid co"e -nose-first. 6 out of the lIater , with their Muths lIide open , and their t.hroal sacs dishndeJj lIith lIaler. Thry lIould thin quickly cl;;lse their ·nouths,and lie there squeezing the lIilter out , strilining lheir food organislls. Then they lIould blou , and repeat. the procedure . SOM!tille s they lIould do a deep dive, and disap­pear for as !tuch as five !tinutes before surfacing to blow and/or feed . Often, afhr feeding , they lIould lie t.here with one flipper out of the water, prrsu"ably straining and slla110lling their prey.

\Ie noticed that the lIater in areas in which the whales lJere feed­ing. in contrast to ajacent areas, lias tee/dng WIth slli""lng creature s ilbout 2 to 3 CII in length. fortunately lie had a plankton net on board, and lie lIere able to capture a sllal 1 sanple. They turned out t o be euphausiid5 (~ r.li.ili - identified by Dr. C. Davis)' Dr. Davis found I!ggs in the sallple and suggested that the euph'ausiids were in nating swarM . However, they are not norl'lally at the surface during daylight. It is possible that they were being herded toward the surface by the circ ular slli""ing behavior of the whales . If so, the gulls !,Iere hUng advantage of the wh ales ~ herding behavior, and feeding opportunistically on this unusually concentrated food re­source. It is also possible the euphausiids were concentrating so nuch effort int.o their !'Iating behavior that they were unayare of t. he fact that it was day. It seellS lit-ely that t.he surface sllar!'lin'3 ",as il

co!tbination of !taling behavior ilnd whale ilciivity.

One highlight of the day lias seeing tllO whales feedin'3 within .. fey l'Ielers of rach other , and within 30 neters of us. But Most iM­pressive was having a ilhale su rface, lIouth wide open, about S to 10

•

•

•

•

I-

-

fleti'r s 1n front of tt,1! boat , and then pass in si9ht directly UllderM­atll us, obvious ly allClre of but unconct'rned by our presence.

A total of tou r whales lIerl! observed , and feed ing in these palchn , they Itusl eftect consi de r abl e IIO rtality on nil! euph"usiid po­pulaton. Ue k.no w tll .. l la rgl! pl anktonic organisM and 511 .. 11 f ish have been tactors in the evolution of H,I! feedin g apparatus ilnd tli!chaniSI1 of baleen wh a les. Conversely, it IIhale s are illportant sources or lI or ­hlily in euphausiids, it is possible that they hav e exerted .. selec­ti ve influence on I!uphausi id evolution? For inshnce, have euphausi­ids evol ved behaviors wh iet. reduce the abi l ity 01 wh d i es t o [ .. plur e the,. ?

. .3almcnl_er Ca lender for Jar.uary t o April . 19E1.

The !!lor th of January was a quiet or.e at the (lark. The !!'ore co~mo!" winter birds came and ;.,'e l'1 t arour.d the office, !tore o fter. than r.ot gravi t ating to our feeder, though the !!li l dl""ess Cl a de it easy for jUl""COS , jays , chickadees al""d klr,glets to f1rd food elsewhere .

February 2: A l:lerl1n flel\" up ard sat or a branch outside Del'n 1s ' offiC"e .

F'ep:ruary 1]. : follow1ng a lo!"!g ar.d !'r ogressivel y worsen 1!"'F bout of laminitis er.d leg proble[!ls . Charl1e the !!loose ;.,'as put dowYl . h is death marks t he er.d of a highly successfu l atte:I!!)t at r ais1ng or ? hal""en t'lcose calves i n cantiv1ty . i,' F ere hav i r.g tests dor.e to deterrr:. ine 1f futuI'e captive moose \'r111 requ1re, sper iel care to avoid the foot prcble!!ls that Ke r e Charl1es downfall.

66

Fet!'"'..tar~' 13 ; kar P ltcher rcuTd a dead :Coreal C .... ·1 or the caribou loop. Its tail was broker . .

i'arc-h 7: All our sr.c\oTshoe hares are eone. and we thlrk a Great norned. Cwl :r.lght 't:e tr.e C'ulprlt .

r eTch If: Two black ducks visited the park briefly this L"lorrll'1g . (J . ?) .

Aorll e: The robins "'.ave retuTl'led to the park. Oi . ?) . :.Je also saw the first fox s!Jarrcw5 for the year. (J . ?) .

A?rll 17 : After waltlr>g a while. the fox sparro\o:s are roti sire-iYl€, madly. There seems to be a lot of variation froI!! bl!'d to bird.

April 20: A rrouse is drummlne on a 10E up on Elrdwatcher ' s lin l (J. :.) . ). ',,' e also saw two GreeJ'"l-~·lr.g teal today . (J. P. and E . ~.) . ere of our geese has dec Ided to jU!I:O the fer,ce ar.d ('an ' t see!!! to eet back I n .

April 21 : The flickers are back (K.f . ). ~: ar four.d three eggs in one of the Car.aaa Goose nest boxes . l,o/ e hope the !tale and feoale lynx have n:ated. because we war.t to have lyr.x kittens raised over the summer . Today . we reo:.oved the female to try and tell if · she is .?regrant . If she i s

.... ·e will take the ma l e out as a prerautior: . ~:ale lynx ~lght JUSt kill newborr kittens.

A.,rll 24 : ~.ac caught a r:e"" sno"'·sr.oe haTe ar.d released it into the er.closure • .He says there 1s a male hairy woodpecker building a nest in the moose enclosure .

A9ril 29: The snipe have returned . iJe heard twc wi rmo",· l r.£ this morring (J. ? ard K. rol.) .There are two of our geese bu1ldinp- a nest or. an ls1ar.d in the streaI:!. ever. thougr. we did prov1de r.est boxes. ? erhaps the pond 1s T!ot big enouat. for two r.est i ng pairs.

J . P . - John Pratt N. ? - r-:ar P 1 tche::o ? ark.3 taft R. r·:. - Kevin i~oore D. w. - Bob Wh i tten 1.' ildl1fe (fficer

The Salmon1er Calendar was prepared by John Prat t.

•

•

•

•

•

•

67

FORMATION OF A SUPPORT GROUP FOR THE SALMONIER NATURE PARK

Introduction

As a member of the Salmonier Support Group conunittee I of the Wilderness Society, I thought I would inform the readership of The Osprey on the recent formation of our Support Group and 1.0 so dOJ.ng hopeful l y recruit some Salmonier enthusiasts to our next meeting . The following is from a Rationale for the Formation of a Support Group prepared for our comruttee by Ian Emerson and Pamela Hodgson.

What is Sal monier Nature Park?

Sa l monier Nature Park is a place where the public can enjoy , appreciate and gain a greater understanding of nature. It is not a provincial park but is operated and funded by the Wildlife Division of the Provincial Department of Culture , Recreation and Youth.

A variety of mammals and birds native to Newfoundland and Labrador are exhibited in natural or near- natural enclosures . Other undisturbed plant and animal communit i es may be observed throughout the park .

Salmonier Nature Park opened to -the public in 1978. It is located about 65 kilometers from St . John ' s and adjoins and provides access to the Avalon Wilderness Area. The park covers approximate l y 1200 hectares (3000 acres) of which 40 hectares ( 100 acres) are open for general public use from June first to Labour Day . Schools and organized groups may arrange to visit the park throughout the year .

The primar y purpose of the park, which was originally known as Salmonier Wildlife Park , is to increase understanding of and respect of natural communities. The park also aims to provide an aesthetically p l easing and enrich ing environment where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors; to promote awareness of conservation principles ; to provide opportonities for research in the earth , life and social sciences.

Why does the Park need a Support Group?

Since the opening of the park , several areas of concern have emerged, such as mistaken public expectation, insufficient funding for expansion, lack of proper animal care facilities, insufficient manpower for educational and research programmes and lack of a vehicle for public input into park policy.

The prime difficulty appears to be the disparity between the public ' s conception of the park and its true intention . Visitors often expect to find a zoo with caged animals rather than a nature park where native plants and animals can be observed in their natural habitat .

6S

Large, ill-prepared schoolgroups often overload the staff e-at the park, especially during the offseason when finances do not allow the hiring of part-time interpreters to conduct tours or to visit schools to prepare the children prior to their visit.

Although initially well funded, the park is now on a limited budget which just covers salaries and maintenance. If the park is to remain healthy and continue to expand, increased funds will be necessary for new capital expenditures such as new display areas and proper animal care facilities.

Although the park is not intended as a playground , outdoor activities in keeping with the aims of the park could be greatly expanded. In fact the full potential of the park as a whole has not yet been realized . A support group could help by addressing itself to these concerns.

Goals of the Support Group

1. To p romote a public perception of the true purposes of the park as a nature park where visitors can view wildli fe in its natural habitat.

2 . To encourage a greater variety of public utilization of the park.

3. To encourage a greater awareness and appreciation of natural habitats . including their plan t and animal communities.

4. To establish a voluntary workforce to assist park personnel with their educational and research programmes.

5. To p rovide an opportunity for public input into park pOlicy.

6. To investigate the possibility of fundraising for specific projects.

In conclusion we are concerned with an invaluable faci l ity that was created with wide and far-reaching goals and aspirations. It has been forced to a standstill in a time of economic constraint with its potential hardly tapped.

If you are interes ted in Salmonier Nature Park and its continued viability perhaps there is some way you could help the Park or our Coromi ttee.

Our next meeting is : Thursday. "une 11, 1981, 7 p.m . 95 Monkstown Road

For more information you can call me

Marg Anderson 753-8346 home 737-2429 work

•

•

•

•

•

Sorin ,; Bird Highlights fro ~1 the .') t . John ' s DOrl Avoion Ar e;::.

Rod- necked Gr ebe - 1 3 t r;orth Har bour Oll Feb . 17 (n: , JP) .

C.:"1nr:01o. Goose - 6 on the S"blOnie r River a t S t . C:1 t he r ines on ;::u-c h 16

( JPr ) •

~ - 12 courting 6. t J.orthe r n Bay on Feb . 1 (E;j) .

Ha rlequin 9uck - 11 a t Le:\r I s Cove , Cape s t. lif ry' s on Feb. 24 ( J-',) .

COl!ll!lo n F~ider - hiGh count of 2478 a t C;;tpe ~.; t . 1.."1 r Y' F; on rob . 26 (J:,) ;

;\ flo c:t of about 2500 still pr esent tt t .3hoc Cove on l:[!y 3 (Ji;) .

131~l c k .Scater - 2 l'. t Cape SpeCl r on f eb . 14 OK , J?) .

COml'IO " f..e r gnnoer - 2m and 3 f on a pon d in tho Copp!lh", y den b:; rrens on

A.pr . 18 ( t·;P) .

~ - 1 1m.ll . a t Cape St . ll<:< ry' F; Feb . 20- 26 (J ':;) .

Shsrp- shinneri Hnwk - 1 ir.li.l . ne 1.lr St . Joh n ' s a i r port on !·!l1 r. 14 (JP) ;

1 n C:lr Fla trock on Apr. 23 (J i:) .

3";l ld 2~file - 1 .::Id <lnd 11m::! near Cape S t . i'ICl ry ' :s on Feb . 17 (II' , JP) ;

2 ::ld and 2 i :n!!l n t C""pe St . Bur y ' s on Feb . 25 (J,~) ; 1 i!!lm li t LA

'·ianche (ne .:> r Tors Cove) on i,j~r . 16 (IK, J?) j 2' at Lon!;, ?onri ,

St. Joh n ' s on Apr il 19 (Ca) .

Osnr ey - 1 l" t .. insor Lake on Hny 3 (J:. , B;;) .

Commo n Sni ne - up to 5 pr esent in a s tream i n t he :.Elt or forr! Vnlley ,

s t . Joh n ' c , during J a n .; a t leas t 2 still pr esent in !Di~ - I·i" r . j

(on J~n . 29 , PL , CBr and J':I closely exnr.:inecl a bi r d pr ese nt

with the other sni pej it was obViously II /Snipe of sooe sort , but

it hnd Q s trikingly buffy plumnge and ;:1 bill '!lhich W:H, pin}, on

t he b:;o,s a l 2/3 ; de t a iled not e s wer e t nlt en but wer e inconclu!'>iv e in

rle t e r mining t he bi r d ' s i dentity •••• it might pe r hLlps h:J.v e been

.::. Eur :1si .. n Gr eat Snipe 'f~ '! ) ; t he first !'>pr ing vrrlval re!,ort eri

''' .:i s 1 :; t Lo ne; Po n d , S t . John ' s on April 25 (cn) .

Levs t $Ilndni pe r - a bir d seen 2 oiles 1'1 of t he 'r . C. H. on t he Sal::lOnie r

Line o n har . 15 (JPr ) seems t o ha ve b een this spe cies , thou t:h it

is ,~ very e arly recor rl .

Sf1. nrle r ling - 2 a t Golde n Bvy on reb . 2 1 (J I'I) .

Ring- biller! Gull - 1 a t Cape Spear on feb . 14 (U: , JP) j 40- 50 v t

Cla r k e ' s Benc h , Spaniar d ' s Ba y <:I nd H:lr bour Gr a c e .'tp r il 11 (J::) •

BI Ac k - he Dded Gull - 28 at C{uid i Vidi on feb . 14 , 35+ a t .... uid1 Virli on

t'cb . 17 , 59 a t Q.uidi Vio1i on :·:o.r . 14 (high count for y ea r ) (F , JP) ;

70

5+ 1t Sou t h River a n-i 1 ~ t IIClr bour Gr~ ce on }o~eb . 1 (3h) j 15+

'It ClDr kcs Eeach and .spaniard ' s Bay on A?r il 11 (J::) .

IH':'I c :{ - le6Ee-t Kittiwa~e - 1000 ' s ~t Cape s t . Ila r y ' s (ledges of c olony

full on [!lost dnys with indivirlunls in r afts on 1'01ter ) Feb 20-26 (J .. ) .

CO.':l ... lOn ;:urre - 1000 ' s a t Cape s t . l-.ary's Fob . 17 (JP ,IK) j 20 visiting

lerlgcs 1n th1c~ fog on Feb . 23 seemert r a ther cc r ly des pi te mil" weather ( J ,i) .

:.ournini'j Do ve - the species wintered 1n ';,n terfor rl V.'lUey , ,s t . John'!' ;

first found on Dec . 26 j 3 still present " t feede r on Jlln . 31 j 2

still present a t same fee de r on Apr , 5 (J:1) •

.'inol'lY 0\'11 - 1 pd . tl nd 1 i mm . a t Cape .3 t . Lary' s on Fe b . 24 ( J':: ) .

Bc lten i:1n!Jfisher - 1 on 381monier Rive r ;'nd one -t Holyroo '! .:lll

win t e r (J Pr ) j 1 a t Ounvill e on Feb . 17 (IK , JiJ) ; 1 c t Point Ve r -ie

on rtpr i l 11 (L?) .

IHue Jw - 3+ at Bvy Bulls on : ·cr. 16 (H.,JP) .

;;o c~in 2bird - 1 a t feede r nea r Pine Burt Ave ., s t . John ' R on Aor il 2,

•

w:\s fi rst r e cord s inc e Jan . (t)H) . e 'cer icen .--lohin - a s!,ring r obin IIo'.:lS seen .,t Flp- trock on ED r ch 30 (Jl') j

COMcon t he r e" fter.

Go l den- crownen. Kinfjle t - 3 he;; r d singing n t I.a,i:onc he (nen. r Tor s Co ve)

on h.1 r . 16 OK , JP) .

Ruby-crowned Y..in gle t - hea r d sin ging a t S;~' Pln centi n on Apr il 1\ OiP} .

lorthcrn uriole - 1 u t feeder near Pin e Bu rl Ave " Gt . John t 6 on !\r r il

30 (DB) .

Br own-h enri cd CO'I/birrl - 2m with St -'l r lin gs a t S t . Bri des on feb . 70 (J.~') ;

jill noar Pine Bud i; ve . , St. Johnts on Apr il 16 (06) .

r ine Siskin - 30 in Bowr inc Park , St. John ' s on ' Feb . 14 (IK , JP) : 6:J Cl t

Clarkes Beach on Apr il 1 t (J :,t) .

Americ '\n Gold finch - 3 a t Rennies River , S t . Joh n ' s on Apr. 1 (J H) •

.3nv.,nnllh Spa rrow - 1 in .~a terford Val l ey , St. John 's on Jan . 28 (Jid;

::;prlng bird Rt Long Pond , St. John's on J.:o y 3 (ce) .

•

•

· •

•

71

)," r lt - c ye-i J unco - 20+ sinGino in St . John ' s nrea on :'I," r . 16 (I r ,J P) .

"hite- th r O.::l tect Stl::lrrOVl - 1 ~ll winte r 'I t ilolyr ood ( JPr ) .

Fo x Sptl r ro\1{ - 1 a t Oxen Pond , S t . John ' s on Fe b . 23 ( DJ ); 2 sinbing in

3o\'lrin;; Pfl r k , 3 t . John ' s on Apr . 5 ; pr esent <.' t Flc> t r ock Apr .

(X) ; present a t Shoe Cove on Apr . a ( J ~.t) .

Lr,n l "l nct Lon gs pur - 1 ~t C.:lpe .st . :',ar y ' s on bar r ens Feb . 2 1 ( J:.) .

Snow Buntin,;:: - 15 still n t Henewl:; on Apr il 18 (j.:? ) .

Olll;, e r ver ::; : Don BlI r ton (DB) , Chr is Br own (C Br ) , CI C' renc e Burry (CS ) ,

Jeff lI.:!rrison (JE) , Bernflr r\ J a c kson ([.J) , 111 " Ki r k hc m (I l~ ) .

P:l ul Lineg~r (PL) , John H~ undc r (JI·:) , Bill :':ontevec c hi ( 131', ) , _

Eike Pnrr.lente r ( liP ) , J a y Fitoccholli ( JP ) , John l~ r [! tt ( JPr) ,

John .Iells (J.n .

J ohn I!nunder

"';0 ';:0 L!l st ,iinute 3i r d Racor"R fro m the J outhern Aval on

ned- throe- t er! Loon - 1 at Br a nch on Apr . 8 .

~ - .:-bout am; of Gannets on bi r d r ock a t Cape St . ;,:1 r y' ::: on Anr. 8 .

CoclIeon j·;ide r - 'l bout 6000 in CCip e St. lia r y ' s Il re.;o ~' nd off::- hore froci

the Cl'\pe on Apr . 8 ; 1000 at Cape Ra ce on Apr . 14 .

i u r ple Sendl}incr - tot o.l of about 40 in the Capc 3 t . Lnry ' r, - Rr "nch

" r c D. on Apr il 8 .

Observ i! r: I an Goudie

' "l rinj; Bir!'! Hif'jhli oh t s f r o.n the South .:"1 nd ,lest CO :> l;te: of the lFl<'n"

C? n " nQ Goose - 5 ... <' t :;t cphenville Cr os!:in g on (. pr . Z4 , ')r.d 360 in

the Codroy VGlle y on Apr . 25 (IG, 'rL , HE ) .

~ _ 3 (I !::. , \ f , 1 white/ buff color od) in Cor'lroy V~ lley or. /\p r .

25 (IG , TL, m, ) . .. .. (far t!. duc k s ': ?"? - cd . )

~ - 2 ~ t St ephenville Cr ossing on April 24 , .'l.n -l 4 ;I t Caoe

Ho y {l noi 3 :: in t he Cl.ldroy Va lley on Apr . 25 ( I G, 'rL , BH) .

? int .,il - :-: ( :'m , If) in Codroy V<J lley on Apr . 25 (I G, TL , R:) .

AJ!ierica n \.i6eon - 2 ( 0. pCl i r ) in Codr oy Volley on Apr. 25 (IG, rL , R:") .

Sca up ~p . - 30 a t s tephenville crossing on Ap r . 24 ( IG , TL , Br) .

Com::: on Goldeneye - 11 8 <? t .s tephenville Cr ossin g on Apr . 24 , DDt! 100

i n t he Codroy V<:l.lley on Apr. 25 (I G, TL , H: ) .

72 lite- :!nr"e'! :icoter - 30 ", t Cheeoe, .. ,'ln PrQvinc1 L'1 :'~ r~; (Carlro:: ~re~

on Apr . 25 (IG , TL , SL) .

Alrc.~ ";co ter - I::~ a t Cheese:.icn pa r k on .":.rr . 25 (IG,!'L,B;':) '

CO".:lon .:er g;;>nser - 25 :! t Stephenville CrolS~1ng on .~pr. 24 , cn~ 6 ,...t

CheeSel:lbn P('.I'k , Dnd 25 in the Cor.lroy Valley on .~pr. 2 5 (IG , TL , B;) .

Re1-bre~sted Cerf;,;nser - 7 ~ t ~te phenv111e CroF.iF1nS on .i.pr . 24 , flr.-l

2 fi t Cheese:l;;tn Par k , and 4:: in the Codr oy '1alley on Apr. 25

(IG , TL , B1I) •

. ::hld ";~'11e - 4 at Hc.rbour Br eton on 1'-eb . 6 (TO , IO , Bi:) ; I - t G.::ultior ,

1 1Ci.~l . near ;:cCallu:::: , 1 arl . (lntl 11m::! . :I t Fr "\n coi-:; , .5 ~(1. <mr.

110m. ;'It Grey River on !':;lr . 28 (TG , K,) ; 11m:., . nee r HDrbour

Breton , 1 11:1:1 . a t English Harbour ,lest , I !'I t t\r ~enti,:l on Anr . 27

(IG , TL , BI-.) •

!orthern H;:rrier O:arsh naw};) - 1m in Codr oy Vallcy on >\pr. 25 (lG,T!.,

[tl) •

n.oeric"ln Kestrel - 3 (2m , If) f1 t C<tre Roy , fi nd. 1::1 1n Codr oy V"'Uey on

A!)r . 25 (IG,TL , a:i) .

Gre :>tcr Yell or/less - 1 in Codroy Valley on ,\:)r . 25 (IG , TI"BJ.") .

Gl UCOUE; Gull - 2 in Corlr oy Valley nre., on "'pr. 25 (IG , TL , 3:').

i'?inli- bill e ri J ull - 10 a t Stephenville Cr ol';-ing on Apr. 2lj I :-:n" ~een at

Ca,;:·e Ray and in the Codr oy Vi"lley on Apr . 25 (IG , TL,~-:);

saen ot Gaultois, Her ;'!lit"'ge ;;.nri SL Pie r r e on Arr 27 (lG, :-:",:3: ) . ~ - 1 .,riult app.ol rently present at Ro cky H: rbour sev;:>ge outlet

on Feb . 17 and 19 ; Vlell seen by R.I nnd BE no it .-:in gled with

Herring , Iceland , Gl.tucous anri Gr ea t Bl l1 c k -b~cked Gulls -luring

the period of ma.xicuc pack ice .

D13. c i':-headcd Gull - 5 (4 Ad . in breeding pl ulll age , 1 imm . ) ~ t

Stephenville Cr ossing on ,\pr. 24 (1G, '1'L ,81 I) .

Ivory Gul l - 1 uri . sean with He r ring Gulls a t the Por t -aux-B~ac:ues

f erry terminal on ~;a r. 20 (ES).

Rus ty Bl.:o.e ... birri - 1 singing male in Codroy Valley on Apr . 25 (IG,

'1'L,B:-I) •

Bro,'in- he'lded Cowbird - flocks of 33 nnd 10 in the Cot'l r oy VCilley on

Apr . 25 (IG,'rL , B1·i) .

t.r:Ierican Goldfinch - 1 wi th flock of Evening Gr osbenks i n Corne r Broo~

area. ; visiting feeder thr ouohout Jan . (L B) .

•

•

Gbservers: lois Bntem:-!n (LB) , Bruce Bradbur y (BB) , Ian Goudie (IG) , e T. Gaston ( ·rG) , Tony Locke (TL) , Bill i:ontevecchi (Q;:) ,

i';dgu SpaldinG ( ES) , Rob .:~l};ar ( R .. ). 'J ohn .·.·,u:vlar

•

•

••

73

C-nv<1", Goose - 2 on Ap r il 10 ; f ird spri r.ti ', rrlv ."l (e .... r ly) .

011sgu(J\'i - l.s.ximum counts : .350 on J:m . 15 . 175 on J on . 22. , 80 on

Jun . 21i . The unusut~ l l:lc:~ of ice thlr, "Iinte r r e cul t ert in thir-

specief: re~.:~ inino lon~er . or{ ir. f ~ r gr c;:o ter nu :,ber:; t h:>n r hc ve

seen here in the l .:l s t 5 .,'inter n .

CO.1man ~idc r - 1000- 2 50\)+ per r..n y throu ghout '.':lnteI' , \"ith 'j-x i ,nu',

count!'; of 5000+ on Jl1n . 4 <-' c 'l ;'i'-: I'c h 9 . 2i-lc r ~ UGu ·· l ly r el:)r in

he r e only until fre eze- u p ( ... cou t :-:1 /!- J3n . ) , but thic ye~ r t he r e

'113", open unter a ll winter.

!-" lr.( l'.:i 'ie r - t·b.xLlU:':l counts ( nIl dr ni<:es): 10 on i·jl1 r ch 9 , 7 on • - reh

10 , 2 or. l·!urch l B; pro b-9bly spring ml g r "' nt:: (1) . 'l irt u:'l1y

.:!bsen t du ri;' 6 t his p's t [ ,:11 1 Cl nl'l eo r l:! winter .

tiy rfa lcon - l~ bout 0 different bi r r\:> T)c c. - Fob . "l'he r"ll ri r.g flight

sb.rt e::l -\urinz !.E win'ts t he first wee~ of !·;" rc h when 7- 10

-l iffe r c nt birds wer e seen . l'he re W?~ only ono !n "l ivi"lu '"ll r-een

\urinc; the l;:·s t ~ of ;'l, rch , which is nor :-;;:;l ly 11 pe~~ oerio rl .

,It l C':ls t 6 :liffercnt birrls war e seen April 6- 12 (with three

of thene neen ';'pril 12 ••• the 1:1 t e of t his \'Iri tin e;) . 't'he tot"l

nU"l ber of rliffe r C!n t birrls :=:c en eince the beginnin t; of 1;."'! rch

come n to ... t IS 31'; t 14 . tii e;r ,:1 tion contlnu e f': until the en "" of ,cpr i!.

Cnly one vlhite- ph ., se bi r d ...... s" noten this spri r.g , in contr~s t to

last yea.r \'Ihen a bou t -l were white .

Glaucous Gull - 3een every day this winter ; most 'lJinter s they a r e

a bsent for a t leaf; t a l!lonth :turin g the heiBct of f r ee 7, e - UT\ .

Over 500 Ive re s een on !!Iany dilYs in ;'ia rc h Cl nol Apr il thi s yep r ,

I'oi th nn oll - tio e high day-c ount for me he r e of 1200+ durtng e

1.8 stor m on H2rch 6 (mostly a rlults ) . 'rhe ,linter bull here.

Icela nd Gull - !·'c.;,ximur.l counts: 120 on .'\ pr il 3 , 200+ on "pr ll 7 ,

250+ on April 11 . Jl fe.: pres ent a ll winter. Firs t mi gr 1'1 ting

floc ks of a::iult s were noted in Ap r il .

Gr e:l t Bloc k- bt'1cked Cull - Present in 5::1('111 number s th r oughout Win ter;

CO ID 410n _, fter f>~l'lrch 6 •

___ -.J

l.c rrintj Gull - ; nprecedented r e cords of single hir-!s throughout

winter; they <1 re normally absent af te r Christ::lllf" . F'i r st "Dring

fli ght W·"1G of 25 bi r ois on April 3 .

lvorv liull - 3 on Jt'n . 1(j :mri ao on :;arch 6, both during NE s tor llr:: .

Anoth er 4 were repor ted fee oii nl on seal r e::tc>ins ", t Griquet

,;pril 11 by JeleDa Anderson. 1 e .::l r ly nI l bi r ds were iJ,1ul ts ,

usual •

.,inowy ewl - ,ibout 8 indivi f'lu·'ll~ !)e c - lo~eb . I,on e ~ e en in E.:l rc h or Apr il;

thi~ is the second year in a r ow that ther,e bi r d F; were pc "rce .

ho rne 1 I..:" r k - 1 on Apri l 4 v;as first spring reco r d; only n f e w -aore

h.::ld nppanred by April 12 .

Common Cr ow - 8 on !-larch 27 v/er e the first to mol.e it out to L t ,~nf:e ­

<, ux- l.eadows this spring , but.;:. pci r were c nllin~ !' t Gr l quet, 15 :liles aw~y , in e .nrly i;p. r ch •

. ' .. :;,.cric ;"n Robi n - 1 on .;pril 11 wns abou t 10 rtnyr. e~ rly .

i"OX ';f.',:" rro\~ - 1 on \;lril 7 'II'<1S about 2 week::; e"1rly .

1." l"1nd Lonfj sr,ur - 1 on ,·J.r ch 4 ; ver y ou t - of- aellr.o.n . ThouC;h CO::lIi.on

spr i ng' "nrl f nll , I have no other recor dc betl.;een l ~ te Oct . rn"

h.t~ ,\pril.

:;r,o'll auntinrj - ,1 fe~': present on and off during winter. The fi r st

t:ipring flocl': ~:<:!13 25 on j·iarc h 28 ; ri gh t o n fi c herlu l c . CO.c!!~on

·"lfte r this dc te , an d to be ex pect ed deily until well into ;;."1 y.

Cne bird seen j·1{l.rch 28- 29 WEtS ~ Dnd hn,] oinL1. ri ye on t h e

\'1hite (' re DS of the ',',rings .

Bruc e l:jA ct .. vish

(editerl f r o:::! A letter)

•

- I

•

· •

••

75

h'lrter 3 1rd El €" !':l le:h t s ? r of'l F.oFer [urrcws .

Records ore mostly for lNNP (Terra Novo NotLonoL Park) , although there are a few records from the west coast and Novo ScotLa . The observer was Roger Burrows (RB) unless otherwLse stated .

CANADA GOOSE

1.1f.LlARO

SLACK DUCK

PINTA I L

COMMON GOLDENEYE

BARROt'! ' 5 GOLDENEYE

Aport frO m the fLock ot ShooL Horbour - CLorevLLle , the only recor d s were of 8 bLrds Ln Gras Morne NatLonoL Park on De cember 28 - 30 (RB et ol) ond 2 new arrLvoLs at Inner Newman Sound , TNNP , on March 16 (RB) .

A maLe ond female wLth returnLng Bl.ock Ollcks on Inner Newman Sound, TNNP, represented the fLr-st sprLng records f or the pork (RB) .

A few bLrds wLntered Ln TNNP ond the fLrst obvi..ous movement was on February 25 , when 122 were at Inner Newman Sound, TNNP , (RB) .

The fLrst arrLvols at Inner Newman Sound , TNNP , 2 femaLes on March 27 for 0 fLrst pork spri..ng record (RB) .

The usuoL numbers wi..ntered Ln the TNNP area but a new maxLmum of 230 Ln I nner Newman Sound on March 16 LndLcated sprLng-;;LgrotLon aoout 2 weeks ahead of s chedule. (I~B) .

At leost 2 moles ond 3 f emoles were oresent Ln the TNNP - T raytown area from December 2 to February 25 (RB) bvt a female on March 25 wos most lLkely a

mi..gran t (RB) .

BUFFLEHEAD The Troy town flock re a ched a maxLmum of 25 on December 18 (RB) , whLLe 2 pai..rs Ln I nner Newman

*1 maLe ,1 fem a le were Sound , TNNP , on De cember 2 (R8) were unvsuaL for oresent at INS on Ma r 30 . thi..s sLte . Q bi..rds were stLlL present on I~arch 29 . *

HARLEQU:c.;

COMMO:, : OER

WHI TEW1 NGED seOT ER

SURF SCO TER

BLACK SCOTER

A femaLe/ i..mmature was present on Inner Newman Sound , TNNP , on December 8 - 16 (RB) and a mole was at Cull ' s Harbour on Februa ry 7- 21 (R8) . The some, or new, bi..rd appeared Ln I nner Newman Sound on Morch 27 (RB)

A sLngLe female at SaLnt Pauls on December 28 (RB) and a total of 28 moLes , 1 female between Musgrove Harbour and Lumsden on February 14 (RB) were the onLy wLnter records .

A f emale at Sai..nt PauL's on December 28 (RB) was the only wLnter record .

Two bi..rds i..n I nner Newman Sound , TNNP , on March 16 (RB) were probably early spri..ng mLgronts.

3 bi..rds o f f Ma rtLn ' s PoLnt, SALnt Pauls area , Dec ember 28 (RB) were the onLy wLnter record .

GOSHAWK

SHARDSH I NNED HAWK

BALD EAGLE

GYRFALCON/PEREGR I NE

MERLIN

GLAUCOUS GULL

ICelAND GULL

RINGBILLEO GUll

I VORY GULL

eLACKHEADED GULL

SLJ'(,V'..!:GGED KITTIWAKE

A total of 17 records Ln TNNP over the wLnter represented ot least 4 adulLs and 6 Lmmatures (m . ob . ) maki..ng thLs the commonest wlnter blrd of prey.

SLngLe bLrds at Ti..dewaters on January 14 (Roger Bolrd) and neor DLne HLlL Pond on January 20 (RB) were the anll,! Tf.mt:' records.

A total of 26 sLghti..ngs In TNNP (m.ob . ) represented a maxLmum of 13 adults and 8 l.mmatures durl.ng the wLnter . An Unmoture wos also seen at Glenburnl.e, Bonne Boy , on December 30 (RB & Bruce Roberts).

A la~ge dark falcon seen flyLng over the Eastport Causeway on February 24 (Golleen Marsh) could not be posltl.vely Ldentl.fl.ed . 80th specl.es are possl.ble In Late wlnter or early sprLng .

A bLrd at Hoppy Adventure on Jonuory 11 (GoLLeen Marsh) wos the only defLnl.te wLnter record .

The fLrst wLnterlng bLrds orrLved In Inner Newman Sound, TNNP, on December 22 (Ra & Rob Wolker) but numbers were Low through the wlnter. On the west coast there were 8 bi..rds In the gull movement on the December 28 SoLnt Pauls cac ond 6 ot Waody PoLnt on December 30 (R8) .

The fLrst wi..nter bi..rds were at Inner Newman Sound, TNNP , on December 1Q (R8) ond namber-s were gener-oLLy low on the eost coost. 78 bLr-ds passed SoLnt Paul I s on December 28 and 1Q7 wer-e around Woody Poi..nt on December 30 (Ra).

An odult ot GLavertown on Februory 13 ond 0 subadult ot Troy town on Februor-y 25 (RB) were the only defi..nLte wi..nter recor-ds, aport from ane wLnterLng bLrd from mld December at Hoppy Adventure (Galleen Morsh) •

A sLngle adult was observed In good condltLons between strong wLnds and dr-LvLng snow ot Broom PoLnt, SoLnt PaUl ' s ar-ea, on December 28 (RB) . The sLze was slLghtly smaller- than on I celond GuLL wLth 0

more ter-nLLke flLght, oll whLte plumoge and block bLll wlth a whLte ti..p .

No records for Newfoundland but an adult at Northwest Arm, HalLfox, "IS, on December 10 (Ra) .

SurprLsLngly rare thLs wLnter Lnshore wLth sLngle bLrds at Outer Newlllan Sound, TNNP, on Oecember 22 (ROb Walker), 2 at Rocky Harbour on December 31 (Ra) and 2 at Happy Adventure Ln February (GoLleen Uarsh) the only Newfoundland reports . An adult was present Ln Hali..fax Harbour, NS, on December 10 (Ra) .

:':i:r EI: lE.:l Cc: r-:t: .·L~F.E A sLngle bLrd off HO Wharf, TNNP, on December 2 (Ra)

DOVEK I E

wos the only wLnter record.

Hundr-eds ~-er-e present offshore In the Long and FLat I slands area af Bonavlsta Bay durlng the wLnte. (m.ob.) but few ventured lnshore .

•

. •

.-

•

· •

-.

COMMON PUFFIN

SNOWY on

BELTED KINGFISHER

NORTHERN THREETOED WOODPECKER

BROWN CREEPER

AMER I CAN ROB I N

EVEN I NG GROSBEAK

COW'JON REDPOLL

HOARY REDPOLL

RED CRossa I Ll

PINE 5 I 5K IN

OAR KEYED JUNCO

WHITE1HR OA TE D SPARROW

f OX SPARROW

SNOW aUNT I NG

77

,. few we('e reported just outsi..de TNNP durLng Febt"'uor\J (GoLLeen g Brent Morsh) for rare wLnter sLghti..ngs Ln the area .

A bLrd on the Ochre HLLL Rood, TNNP, on January 23 (Roger BaLrd) was the only wi.nter record .

2 bLrds at GLenburnLe , Bonne Bay. on December 30 (RB & Bruce Roberts) were rore for the area i.n wLnter .

A sLngLe blrd at Troy town on December 22 (Mel Parsons & RoLph Genge) equalled the number of wLnter si.ghtLng for BLACKBACKED THREETOEO WOODPECKER!

2 on the Sandy Poi...nt Troi...l , TNNP, on December 1 (RB) ond 1 olong Bi...g Broolo:, TNNP, on December 22 (John Prott) were the only wi...nter records .

A sLngle bi...rd at HQ, TNNP, on December 1 (Bob Thexton) ond another fly Lng across the rood just north of TNNP on December 22 (RB) were the only wi...nter records .

The only large floclo: recorded wos of 43 i...n Glovertown on December 6 (RB), but there were bLrds ot Hoppy Adventure and Gonder (RB & GoLleen Morsh) _

Extreml!ly cammon thi...s wLnter wi...th ot least eLght f Loclo:s of 25 · 75 reported untLl March 23 (m . ob.) .

At leost 1 bLrd was present Ln Common Redpoll floclo:s Ln Glovertown North Shore on Jonuory 17 (RoLph Genge) ond 2 more were noted wLth 0 floclo: of 75 Common Redpclls ot Gonder on Februory 14 (RB) .

At Leost fLve portLes of 2· 10 bLrds were noted Ln the TNNP areo durLng the wLnter and the speci...es wos mUCh more relLoble than the WHITEWINGED CROSSBILL, for whLch there were two eost coost and one west coost record Ln December (Ra) .

,. sLngLe bi...rd Ln the Inner Newman Sound oreo, TNNP, December 1Q·22 ond Jonuory 6 (RB) wos the onLy wLnter record .

SLngLe bLrds LLngered at Glovertown and Inner Newman Sound, TNNP, to ot least Oecember 22 (RB) .

A sLngle bi...rd stayed at Inner Newmon Sound, TNNP, untLl December 16 (RB) for a rare wLnter record .

A sLngLe bLrd wLntered at a South Glovertown feeder from January 17 (!.IeL Parsons) .

A flock of 150 at TLdewoters t TNNP, durLng the wLnter (Bob Thexton) was the onLy sLzeabLe fLoclo: .

Roger Burrows March 31 1Q81