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THE

OSPREY Volume 27 NurnMr .. - D«cmber 1996

CONTENTS

Lftth - T he Ferocious Worm ("'hembden. drsorJ) Rob;" DDy 17

Breeding Harlequin Ducks at Doc:tor's Brook )011" Gibbons 89

Dftpw.ttrCbim.crJ rrom Labrador Walcn JOff JO)' lI"d Fmd Boothro),d 90

Coyote Interactions with Arcti(' Hare and WoodlandC.ribou in Gros MomS' N.1KlD.1 rark ChristiSIf FtHtin, Marilyn Anwm tuUJ C1uis McCiu1hy 93

Plum Point Bird Report 101111 Gibbons

Tbe Fall Migration (1996) in 5t. Pirm .nd Miqudon blands RognEtcheberrJ'

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NEWFOUNDLAND NATURAL mSTORY SOCIETY QUARTERLY

The Natural HiSlOI)' Society

of Newfoundland and Labrador, Inc. PO Box 1013, 51. John 's, Newfoundland Ale 5M3

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Osprey"

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The Natural HiSlory Society of Newfoundland and Labrador,

clo John Pratt,

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"The Osprey" does noc pnnt Idvertlsing or ~Iicitation without express consent of the Executive

NNHS Society Qnjecn 1996-1997

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Members at Large Wendy Zdebiak Don Barton

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The Osprey Volume 27 Issue 4 December 1996

Editor's note: Due to the lateness of this edition of The Osprey, I can't even remember what was going on in December, when it should have reached you, let alone write cogently about it. So Plljust apologise for the delay, and go straight to the articles, which cover a wide variety of topics.

Leech .... The Ferocious Worm, CMacrobdeUa ~

Robin Day 52 Cornwall Crescent

St. John's, NOd., AlE lZ5

Leeches are segmented worms, related to the common earth worm, and only a few species feed by sucking blood from animals. Many feed OD frog or salamander eggs, snails, other worms, insects and their larvae. People encounter them in ponds and ditches, especially where animals (ducks, catUe, deer) wade into and drink from the pond edge. This past summer, near Merrickville Ontario, my bare leg was lunch for an 8 em long species, the American Medicinal Leech <MBmbsldla ~. This animal can be found in ponds and ditcltes 8Cl"088 Canada from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island but not Newfoundland (other species are present in Newfoundland). This leech can be used in medicine to remove clots of red blood cells in bruised tissues (e.g. a black eye) and to increase blood flow through reattached fingers and toes. Without leeches bleeding the tips of fingers and toes many of these organs are starved of nutrient and oxygen, they fail to connect and then die. The Eurasian Medical Leech WiI:w12 ~ is more commonly used in medicine (Magner 1992) and cultured by supply houses for that purpose. In 1996 live leeches were offered by a biological supply house for $20 each! Traditionally, medical leeches were and still are collected in the wild.

Macrobdella Bebavioura

Appearance: The last name ~ means decorous or attractive and this refers to the dark green back with black

and orange speckles, orange margins and an orange (bright rust colour) ventral region or belly. The mouth is at the centre of the oral sucker and is equipped with three saw-like teeth and thus when leeches bite they usually make a cut shaped like a Y.

Feeding: This species is reported to feed on humans, cattle, turtles, frogs, toads, fish, wading birds, eggs of

amphibians, earthworms and snails. It is also reported to be cannibalistic (Sawyer 1980), however, I have not observed this among four individuals kept in an aquarium for four months. I have also noted they did not feed on earthworms added to their jar although they were starved for three weeks prior to the trial. I have observed vigorous feeding on live captive Bull, Leopard and Green Frogs and on thawed raw chicken meat added to the jar. I have failed to observe feeding on large living aquatic snails although many trials were made. Apparently better information is needed about the feed web of this species .

Movement: This species is a strong swimmer. It makes a ''tail" by spreading its posterior sucker flat and using up

and down undulating motions like a whale. not like a fish . This summer while wading in a pond my movements attracted these leeches and they would come straight for me across the surface of the pond. This is why I call them the "ferocious wonnw.

Reproduction: Sawyer (1980) reports that a month or two after feeding this leech produces chitinous cocoons

containing young and these are attached at the water's edge under logs and rocks.

Culturing Them: I have kept my leeches in large jars, plastic or glass, with the lid loosely screwed on. The loose lid allows

for oxygen diffusion which the animals need. Leeches should not be kept in an open aquarium as they will ttawl out, will not find their way back, and will eventually dehydrate and die. Leeches do not need an aerator, as do most aquarium fish, as they can climb up the sides of the jar if they need more oxygen. I have also noticed that they commonly make stationary undulatory movements at the bottom of the jar and I interpret this as their attempt to circulate more oxygenated water over their body, much like a fish passing water over its gilla. It is best to use rain or pond water with leeches and not chlorinated tap water. Most aquatic life is sensitive to pH so if you know your water is acidic then neutralize it with a piece of chalk or egg shell overnight.

Eliminating Them: How to rid leeches from your pond? Sawyer (1980) says that repeated liming can be effective. 1

presume this is caustic lime. J would suggest adding coarse salt to a pond but this will kill much of the other aquatic life such as plankton, frogs, fish and maybe some surrounding trees. Technically speaking this it probably not allowed in natural water bodies (Depts. of the Environment) but may be permitted in artificial ponds, especially ponds with a lining where contamination of wells and ground water is not likely. For the same

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reasons it it illegal to add chlorine to a pond. Word of mouth says catfish will clean leeches from a pond as they I an! voracioUJ bottom feeders and true enough, leeches an! rarely encountered in open water where fish are

Leeches. Dueb & Botulism ... Strange Ecology: Readen may have heard of numerous ducks, near Winnipeg, being killed by botulism bacteria which

grow in anaerobic swamp muds. The true story is rather gruesome. Ducks which are affected by botulism develop weakened neck muscles and cannot keep their bills out of water. Leeches (perhaps ~ exploit the situation by ttawling up the ducka' nasal passages and cause suffocation.

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MagMr £Dis N. 1992. A History of Medicine. Marcel Dekker Inc, NY Sawyer Roy T. 1980. North American Freshwater Leeches Exclusive of the Piscicolidae with a Key to all Species. Illinois Biological Monographs No. 46, U. ofIllinola Press, Chicago.

Figure 1. The American Medical Leech, ~ ~ (dorsal view. partially contracted), two to three times nonnalsiu). From: Sawyer 1980.

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BREEDING HARLEQUIN DUCKS AT DOCTORS BROOK

John Gibbons

The following is a record of my observations of a family of Harlequin Ducks at Doctors Brook (near Harr 'd Harbour) on the Great Northern Peninsula in 1991. I have also included excerpts of correspondence from Ian Goudie of cws. While these observations are more than 5 years old, they are signijicaflt because of the rarity of this species in the island portion of the province and J believe they represent the last known breeding record/or Doctors Brook.

From 1991-1995 I commuted to work from Plum Point to Port Saunders. almost on a daily basis. I was aware that Ian Goudie of CWS and others were interested in sightings of Harlequin Ducks and I began a twice-daily ritual of stopping to look from the bridge that crosses Doctors Brook.

My first sighting was on May 16. 1991 . A pair of Harlequins were sitting on a rock just downstream of the bridge (the ice had gone out of 51. John Bay on May II or 12). On May 18 the male was on the same rock but I did not see the female. Again on May 27 the male was alone.

t next saw the female on July 23. this time accompanied by 7 young. At the time I estimated the ducklings to be at least several days old. They were good-sized with lots of down but no feathers . Though J had looked practically every day, this was the flrst time I had seen them. J saw them again on July 29 and almost every day thereafter until August 19. They swam and fed in the deep pool near the bridge and basked on the flat rocks farther downstream.

On August 19 there was only one young Harlequin. There was no sign of the female or the other 6 ducklings. On August 20 two men were wading down the brook, fishing for trout. 1 did not see the ducks after August 19.

J have a number of photographs on file. taken at extreme range.

Ian Goudie's correspondence to me on the same matter reads. in part ... " it wasn' t until 30 July 91 that I finally saw Harlequin Ducks on Doctors Brook - a female with 7 duckJings (around 4 weeks old) about 100m below the bridge roosting on a rock. On 1 August 91 I found the intact group about 100m north of the estuary in the intertidal zone .....

I have nOI sighted any Harlequin al that site since 1991. 1 was able to maintain close observation for 1992-94. In 1995 my worked moved to Plum Point. Still we have managed to check Doctors Brook approximately weekJy during the spring and early summer of 1995 and 1996. Unfortunately we have had no success .

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AbstrBct

Deepwater chimaera from Labrador Waters. Jonathan Joy and Frank Boothroyd

Natural Resources Technician Program

Eastern College Bonavista, NF AOC IBO

Seven specimens of Hydrolagus affinus were obtained from Labrador waters during September 1995. Three of the specimens were larger than any previously documented. In addition the location of capture extends the northern range and depth of this species in the northwest Atlantic. The paper provides some basic biological data on the specimens examined.

Introduction

According to Scott and Scott (1988), deepwater chimaera ~.i!ffi.n.i£ Capello 1868) are bottom­dwelling fish found on both sides of the North Atlantic in moderately deep water. In the western Atlantic they are said to occur along the continental slope to depths of about 640 m and range from the southeastern Grand Bank south to Cape Cod. Recently several fresh specimens of H. ~ were obtained by the authors and examined. This paper is intended to provide further infonnation on the species and a stimulus for future research.

Methods On 15 September, 1995 seven H.. affinis were obtained by the fishing vessel Sea Voyager as by-catch to the Greenland halibut fishery off Labrador. The vessel was fishing gill nets at 1150 m depth in the area of 53° 12' N; 51° 57' W (Figure I). The fish were stored on ice for three days and presented to the authors upon arrival of the Sea Voyager to her home port of Bonavista, Newfoundland. The specimens were taken to the Eastern College in Bonavista for examination. The sex, total length (TL), total weight (TW) and liver weight (LW) were obtained for each fish. The hepatosomatic index (HSn was calculated by dividing each liver weight by the total weight. Examinations of stomach contents, ovary development and parasites were also made.

Results and Discussion

The position of capture (Figure 1) is much further north than previously recorded for this species. Scott and Scott (1988) place the northern limit as the south eastern Grand Banks. In the northeastern Atlantic data on 63 specimens place H. affinis from 40° - 60° N and from 03° - 15° W in depths ranging from 1180-2410 melle, (Hardy and S •• hmann, 1990).

The specimens included four males and three females. The males ranged in length from 109 cm to 125 em and the females from 134 cm to 138 cm (Table 1).

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The largest chimaera documented prior to lhi~ ' \5 a 125 em female (SCOIt and SCOlt, 1988). In the northeastern Atlantic the largest fish documen were a 109 em female and a 98 em male (Hardy and Stehmann. 1990).

The stomachs of all individua1s were empty. However. regurgitation of food items commonly occurs in stressed fi sh, particularly those caught at great depths (Bowen. 1983). It was also noted that the imestine was prolapsed through the anus in all fish. No parasites were observed. Although measurements were not made on gonads of either sex, it was noted that in females the ovaries contained ova in a wide range of development - the largest were estimated at 3 em in diameter.

According to the crew of the Sea Voyager. these fish are common as a by-catch to the Greenland halibut fishery off Newfoundland and Labrador and can reach up 10 2 metres in length. They were at one time marketed in small quantities for human consumption and for their liver oil (Scott and Scott. 1988). The authors sampled the meat at the dinner table and found it to be quile palatable.

The Greenland halibut fishery is normally prosecuted using gill nets from June to November. The availability of Ihis species as a by·catch provides an excellent opportunity for further research into the biology of ghost sharks.

Table I. Total length (TL). total weight (TW). liver weight (LW) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of Hydrolagus affinis.

Sex TL (cm) 1W (g) LW (gJ HSI

Male 109 7439 1588 0.213

Male 114 9639 1928 0.200

Male 115 8437 1814 0.215

Ma le 125 9752 2223 0.228

Female 134 14197 2835 0.200

Female 135 15468 3062 0.198

Female 138 18824 3969 0.211

Acknowledgments We thank the crew of the fishing vessel Sea Voyager, in particular Mr. Dale Phillips for providing samples and supplementary information.

References Bowen, S.H. 1983. Quantitative Description of the Diet. Pages 325·336 in L.A. Nielsen and D.L. Johnson. editors. Fisheries Techniques. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda. Maryland.

Hardy. O.S. and M. Stehmann 1990. A new deep-water ghost shark. Hydrolagus pallidus n. sp. (Holocephali. Chimaeridae), from the eastern north Atlantic, and redescription of Hydrolagus affinis (Brino Capello. 1867). Arch. Fischereiwiss 40. pp 229-248 .

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Scou, W.B. and M.G. Scott 1988. Atlantic Fishes of Canada. Can. Bull. Fish. Aquat. Sci . 219: 73 1p . •

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Figure I. Map showing the position of capture of deepwater chimaera.

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COYOTE INTERACTIONS WITH ARCTIC HARE AND WOODLAND CARIBOU IN GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK

by Christian Fortin, Marilyn Anions and Chris McCarthy

The distribution of the coyote (Canis latrans ) in North America. prior 10 the arri val of Europeans and subsequent landscape change, was mostly confined to the grasslands and prairies of the central and southwestern portion of the continem (Nowak 1978). In the middle of the nineteenth century, the caYOIe has spread northward to Alaska. southward to Mexico. westward to the Pacific, and eastward to Newfoundland. It was first observed in Quebec in 1944 (Young and Jackson 195 1), in New Brunswick in 1966 (Cartwright 1975). in Nova Scotia in 1977 (Moore and Millar 1986), and on Prince Edward Island in 1983 (Thomas and Dibblee 1986). There are reports of coyotes reaching Newfoundland by 1985 although the first specimen was not confirmed until 1987 (Parker 1995). Coyotes very likely established here by crossing on sea ice in the Cabot Strait from Nova Scotia and reports suggested that they are now present throughout most of Newfoundland (Parker 1995).

Some coyote carcasses and scats have been collected in Newfoundland and examined for food items. Common foods included: Beaver (Castor canadensis caecator ). Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ), Moose (Alces alces). Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), and Common shrew (Sorex cinereus) (in Parker 1995). However, to our knowledge there are no published observations of interactions between coyote and Arctic hare (Lepus arcricus bangsii ) or coyote and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Newfoundland.

The Arctic hare, an uncommon species in Newfoundland, is extant in three distinct regions on the island (Mercer et aI. 1981). These populations are the most southerly in the species' range and currently occupy mountain tundra and treeless coastal barrens. In addition to low reproductive rates, predation appears to be the main determining factor in population numbers (Hearn et aI. 1987, Marcstrom et aI. 1989, Mercer et aI. 198 1, Small and Keith 1992). On the other hand, the woodland caribou. the only indigenous ungulate in insular Newfoundland, is considered abundant on the island. High predation rate of coyotes on radio-tagged caribou calves has been observed in the centre of Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec (Crete et Desrosiers 1995). A single coyote chasing a group of female caribou and their calves in late May was also reported during this study.

We report on two interactions involving coyotes, one with an Arctic hare and the other with a caribou, observed respectively during telemetry studies on Black bear (Ursus americanus hamiltoni) and Caribou.

On August 17. 1996 at 9:30 am, while tracking a black bear sow without cubs. field biologists M. Anions. C. Fortin and D. Thomas observed a single adult coyote for approximately 3 minutes with binoculars on Big Level Plateau near Big Island Pond in Gros Morne NationaJ Park (Lat: 49°39'54", Long: 57°40'03"). The heath-lichen tundra vegetation type covers most of this area which is situated at high altitude (- 720 meters above sea level). The coyote trotted up out of a vaJley onto a ridge at approximately 150 meters away from the observers. The ridge ran parallel to the observers who were e standing on a small knoll of rock. As the coyote trotted along the north side of the ridge, an Arctic hare

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bounded out in front of the coyote's path of traveL The coyote did not appear to see the hare at this time • but upon coming to its fresh scent, increased its speed of trotting as well as keeping its nose to the ground. After many bounds, the Arctic hare stopped. turned - 90. and bounded up hill and over the peak of the ridge where it disappeared from view. The coyote trotted past this point. still with its nose to the ground until it came to a small rocky point. Here it stood and looked north towards the observers. It viewed us for about a minute then looked east at a caribou feeding in a valley below. The coyote then turned and trotted away to the southeast. The adult coyote was a mixture of tan and gray and appeared healthy. At the time there were many caribou in the area as well as the black bear sow feeding on crowberries (Empetrum nigrum ) and Oval-leaved Bilberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium ) in the valley from which the coyote first appeared. This is the first summer sighting of a coyote reported within Gros Marne National Park and to our knowledge may also be the first highland (tundra) sighting for the island of Newfoundland.

The first sight ing of a coyote in the Gros Marne National Park area was in 1988 (Deichmann (994). Several visual coyote sightings have since occurred over the years (two in 1989, one in 1992. two in 1993, and five in 1994) and an adult coyote was killed by a vehicle near the boundary of Gros Morne National Park at Wiltondale in late October 1994. The visual sightings have all been during the winter season; none so far have been observed in summer in the park nor in a feeding situation. During the summer and fall of 1996, 56 coyote scats were collected in the park. These will be analysed to help understand some of the food habits of coyote in this area.

On December 16, 1996, while downloading caribou GPS collars on the east boundary of the highJand plateau of Gras Marne National Park, park wardens C. McCarthy and J. Feltham, along with GJ.S. Technologist S. Taylor and Universal Helicopters pilot D. Bursey, observed a single adult coyote leaving a caribou carcass. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea ) forest and tuckamore (dense wind-shaped thickets of balsam fir and black spruce, Picea mariana) are the predominant vegetation types in this area. At approximately 1:40 pm, while flying at an altitude of about 200m, the observers were approaching Baker's Brook Inner Pond when the bright crimson colour of a fresh kill site was noticed (Lat: 49°37'56", Long: S'f39'03"). Upon approach, a coyote was clearly visible leaving a caribou carcass and headed northeast in full stride. It did not head to the closest woods (- ISO m away) for cover but continued on its course in a full gallop. The animal was visible for about 15-20 seconds. Its bushy tail was fully extended horizontally and from above the animal appeared to be large. It had typical colouration with a mixture of brown, and beige tipped with black.

Due to a lowering cloud cover a quick site assessment was completed including photographs, scat collections (n=5) and rough measurements. The carcass, a young-of-the-year caribou (sex undetennined due to hind quarter damage) was located about 40m from the possible attack location on the only patch of clear ice (the slipperiest part) of the 2.3 hectare pond. On the exposed ice, a large amount of bright red blood was present. covering an area of about 30 mI. Evidence of a struggle was present which strongly suggests that the caribou was killed by one or more coyotes. The rest of the pond was snow covered and had a myriad of coyote tracks entering the pond from various access points on the eastern end. The carcass was not frozen but was starting to fum up. The ambient air temperature at this time was about -SoC, with light winds from the southwest. The right shoulder and neck were opened and the chest cavity. entered from behind the ribs, had the thoracic organs absent. The rumen and intestines were mostly intact and the head was not disturbed. None of the legs were broken and the animal appeared to

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be of normal size for its age and in good condition. The caribou could nOI be backlracked to lhe west due to unsafe ice conditions and the impending poor weather. No caribou tracks CQuid be detected on the eastern, no rthern, and southern limits of the pond.

Literature Cited

CARTWRIGHT, D. J. 1975. The appearance of the eastern coyote (Canis latrans), Can. Wild. Ad. 1:34-35.

CRETE, M. and A. DESROSIERS. 1995. Range expansion of Coyotes. Canis farrans. threatens a remnant herd of Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, in Southeastern Quebec. Can. Field-Nat. 109(2): 227-235.

DEICHMANN, K.H. 1994. Recent additions to and status changes to the nora and fauna ofGros Marne National Park in western Newfoundland. Internal report. Gras Marne National Park. 6 pp.

HEARN. B. J .t L. B. KEITH and O. J. RONGSTAD. 1987. Demography and ecology of the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) in southwestern Newfoundland. Can. J. Zoo!. 65: 852-861.

MARCSTROM. Y .• L. B. KEITH. E. ENGREN. J. R . CARY. 1989. Demographic responses of AI<,ic hares (Lepus timidus) to experimentru reductions of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and martens (Martes martes). Can. J. Zoo!. 67: 658-668.

MERCER. W. E .• B. J. HEARN and C. FINLAY. 1981. Arctic hare populations in insular Newfoundland. In K. Myers and C. D. Macinnes (Eds.). Proceedings of the World Lagomorph Conference. Guelph. Ontario. August 12-16. 1979. University of Guelph . pp. 450-468.

MOORE. G. C. and J . S . MILLAR. 1986. Food habits and average weights of a frul -winter sample of eastern coyotes. Canis latrans. Can. Field Nat. 100: 105-I(>6.

NOWAK. R. M. 1978. Evolution and taxonomy of coyotes and related Canis. Pages 3- 16 in M . Bekoff (Eds.). Coyotes: biology. behavior. and management. Academic Press. New York. N. Y. 384 pp.

PARKER. G. 1995. Eastern Coyote. the story of its success. Nimbus Publishing Limited. Hruifax. 254 pp.

SMALL, R. J . and L. B. KEITH. 1992. An experimentru study of red fox on Arctic and snowshoe hares. Can. J. Zoo!. 70: 1614-1621.

THOMAS, H. H. and R. L. DffiBLEE. 1986. A coyote. Canis latrans, on Prince Edward Island. Can. Field Na!. 100: 565-567.

YOUNG. S. P. and H. H. T . JACKSON. 1951. The clever coyote. Stackpole. Pennsylvania. 411 pp .

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Harrisburg.

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The winter of 1996 will long be remembered as the winter that ~~~>~~.<d~~~~:e;·~~<~~01 wasn't. It was marked by very little snow, several extended

thaws and few stonns. In an area that is used to real winters. it was by far the softest winter I have experienced and an unexpected surprise. Winter was followed by an early spring that quickly turned cool and wet. Wet conditions continued with only minor breaks until late July. Autumn was pleasant as

~fiiiiji~iiii~..;;;i~iilii;~3 has been the nonn in recent years. Weather remained unseasonably mild right to year-end.

First bird reports of note for 1996 were 2 Bald Eagles at 51. John Bay on February 9 and another near Bellbums on February 13. Evening Grosbeaks arrived at our feeders on February 24 and stayed until June, well past their usual departure date.

The highlight of the winter was the many flocks of White-winged Crossbllls which probably peaked in late March. Redpolls and Siskins were also present in quantity. Pine Grosbeaks were more plentiful than usual. On March 17 we saw > 50 along a 2-km stretch of highway in flocks of up to 12. There were several reports of Bobemian Waxwings and on March 24. there were 50 at Ferolle Point.

The first sign of spring was a pair of Mallards at Gilmore's Pond on March 29. A pair later nested at Blue Cove and fledged 6 young. There were a number of Mallard pairs seen in 1995 but just those in 1996.

A Black-headed Gull at Bird Cove on April 13 and May 19 appeared to be alone. Last year there were 3 at the same location (2 in 1994). We suspect they now nest in the area but have not worked to confmn it.

Owls were in abundance all along the Northern Peninsula. Short-eared Owls were seen almost every day, hunting along the roadside and often in the fields within communities. Northern Hawk Owls were unusually common in the Lanse Aux Meadows, Plum Point and Roddickton areas. On August I we saw a young sitting in a birch snag at Mount 51. Margaret. There was also a report that a logger had felled a tree at Squid Cove that held a nest of young Hawk Owls.

Well Pond was its usual productive self. It featured two broods of Pintalls and for the first time, a brood of Ring-necked Ducks with 6 young (Next door Jacks Pond also had its first brood with II young). AJthough this was the first time they had nested right in the community they quickly adjusted to the attention of their many human admirers and were as tame as the pintails. A pair of Northern Shovellers were also there from May 19-27 but again, we could find no evidence of their nesting. A male Blue. winged Teal apparently did not have a mate and left after a few days. For a couple of years they were regular breeders at Well Pond but have not re-established since falling victim to hunters 3 or 4 years ago .

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e Our best waterfowl of 1995 (Garganey, American Coot and \Vt'od Ducks) did nOl make an appearance in 1996. Generally though, all of the common ducks wen; around in good numbers. Common Goldeneye have taken eagerly to nest boxes that have been put out and they are re-establishing in the local ponds.

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We also had the regular "unusual" birds that have begun to make brief visits in recent springs, such as American Goldfinches, Mourning Dove. etc. A Barn Swallow on June 9 was the second for the area in two years. It appears likely that a pair of Caspian Terns bred at Kerry (Carey?) Island and there are reports that in 1995, they may have bred on nearby Darby 's Island. Finally, for the first time ever, House Sparrows (- 30) arrived at our feeders on November 4 and apparently have dec ided to stay.

Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

P.O.BoI 1013 St. John's, Newfou ndland

AIC5M3

I enclose my cheque or money order for S20.00, in payment of one year's membersbip in the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. I understand that I will receive four

issues of "The Osprey", the Society'S official Newsletter, and that I will a lso receive information on walks, talks, and otber programs hosted by the Society on a regula r basis.

~:;r~-'-:---------------------------------------

Phone and FBI Num bers : _____ _ - -----------e-mail address: __________________________________ _

I am a NEW_ CURRENT_ member.

I am accessible via M UN campus ma il at __________________ _

I would be interested in pa rticipa ting in the Society as a program coordinato., executive member, or in some other organiza tional capacity _ ___ _

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THE FALL MIGRATION (1996) IN ST·PIERRE & MIQUELON ISUNDS

H', ath, r WAf Oboll/ ""'''ag', _II~ biOI<" blttv Gil/limns I .... 111 "bstnl flY III", " 'Irks from /rI', ~pum,," 10 "" d.(krobrr f'O'I''' lI8t "'us nOl good Jor sh""rbuds. W, IItN' G /1'" spet;"S 1'0,.,1) ,.rrord,d ht,., RlJdd, dud . GoId,n £. 11. Ba,rd's SQndpipo... .

Rrd-throatcd boon : We know of only on, brood I pall in Mlqutlon WIth two yOllng about Yo adult UU' Au­&1111 1 (PH) leen by U 6 days late,. Only 6 oIher obstrvatl0n5 and only one bnd at a time. Last setn one In M1quelon November 2 (lJ) and one in St·PIerre Novtmber 7 (RE)

~: The fim bird5 (4) appeared 011 the IIoHleoastoflhe Isthmus AU&IIS120(R.E), a ""ftk eviler than last year Seen regularly then, in rather small numbers, u~ 36 leen on September 9 off the We$! «WI ofMlquelon and boIh coasts of the Isthmus (REIDL)

Pird·billed Gnbe : On, in Mirande lake November 20(U). None ~I' setn in Call sincr 1993

Rrd-uskrd Grtbr : Three off the west coa5t of M1qurlon September 9 were 3 days later than 1asl year (beSt da'r rver ) and 11 days earlie, than ave/Ii' (REIDL) There w;as only a mwmum of 5 birds. same ana Sep­tember 23 (REJAE) We (REIDL) had 4 birds In St·Plene November 7 and one November II.

Nonhern FUlmlr: One only. between St·Plene and Mlquelon September 20 (REJAE).

Gre'ter Sburw.ter : Only t\\O reporu ror the penod One or t\\O between St·Plene and Lang.l~ AUiU11 11 and juS! a rew WIth numerous Manx near Colombler "land August 16 ( RE)

SgcUt Shnrw!!l!r ' One between St·Pierre and Miquelon AugU114 (RE), a few. wne area AugU11 I. One only between MJquelon and Pass illand Sepl:ember 7 (REIDW CH).

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M.ns Sbnrwllcr F&lrly common between Mlquelon and St·Plern benwen August 4 and Seplember 9 for a nwumum ofllbclU 50 birds near Colombler Island Augu.st 16 (REIDUJCH) Last seen one Of t\\O aIlU nur the Islands Sepl:ember 20 About 15 birds seen 011' chstance and after JUnK! October 22 _ re prc:mbl) thl llpt- I C1H (elttnmt dale 11 Oct. 29) .

Nonhcrn CIn"el : 4 repms only betv.ftn AuguJt 25 and October 16 (REIU) fOf a rrwtimum of 10 bmls at a lime Las! Ken 7. bound Nonhv.at, October 21 (REIDL), the but date belni Nov. 12. 1993

DoublH[fflfCI Cormorant: Rather uncommon. almost rare earlier, it \\'IS more common th.is season. narhng AugU11 J I WIth J I In flight near Wtst coast of M1queJon. then none reponed until M saw }3 buds near the vdlaae of MJquelon Sep!ember I (REIDL). Seventy one birch Mrt counted Dtar the vi llage of Mlquelon by 00 around mid-September. We had about 50 birds on the East toaSt of Miquelon September 21. Last repon 17 seen on both coastS ofM.tquelon Sept. 23 (REJAE).

AmericaD Binup : One near the village af Miquelon September 11 (JPA fide U). One: in St·Pierre October 5 (PH)

Crt.t blue HeroD: One in SI·Piern between November It and 23 (llEIDl.). Dtu.ill about 'lUpposed Gray Heron seen on the Inhmw; last July Mrf aenllO ian McLaren in Halifax. Jan do not think there " enough eVl' clence toconsicler It 10 be this species.

~ : .. 2 Of 3 white birds, E&ret-like. near hoTu'. in October in SI·Pie"e .. reponed by non-blrdtn and.. of course, ICXI& after the birds had left., stron&Jy I\I&&tS1I WI IptCles.

~: The rrwtimum number letn at Grand BarKhoj, Mtt 37, AugU11 31 and 35. September 26 (U) II II far from over 150 seen there reiularly in [all before 1915 (Ihe year vmert poaclungoccuneod. see pre­VlOUI [all reportS). Last seen : 16 at Grand BarxhOil October 9(1.1).

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Grnn-wiogtd Tu! : fllTly common, mostly on the Irlrunus throoghoullhe u.ason, mostly In August before the opening of the hunlLng season U had 48 birds together near Grand Barachol5 August 31 Last Tcpon. S bmh ,hoi near the village ofMlqueion November 3, of whIch onc male .... '35 almost In breedlng plumage (LJ )

American Black duck: Fairly common In Grnnd Barachois from the second (onrug.hl of August on. Numbm increased steadily from about 60 August 26 (RE). to 170, September 9 (RE/DL). \0 271, October 9 (1.1) to a maximum of 366 November 7 (PH). The laner is possibly the IugheS! number ever recorded there.

M!!!.!!t. One male al Langlade November 8 (pH/NF)

Northern Pintail : A common breeder and also a rather early migrant Fauty common In August (55 In Grand Barachois August 9 and 58 a fewdayl later (REIDL). there IS only 2 Tepans for September : about 20 In Grand Barachois Sept 2 (U) and about 12 WIth the blaclu, WTle ,ile, September 16 (lJ) JPh had a female wllh 7 young aged about 2 weeks August 13 as Langladt.

~ : The species is beconung a regular breeder on the ISlhmus ".,ilere 3 broods WIth respectively 9, j Md 10 young were 5etn in the first fonnig.ht of AuguSi (RE/Dl.IL.J) few birds reponed III the fall (none III Sept.): j in Mirande lake October 21 (Rf). T~ al LangJade November 6 (PH). 3. then 2 birds In 51-Pierre betwten November 7 and 23 (REIDLILJ)

Common Eider : About 3j birds In St·P,ern October 12 (e1..) is the fim fall repon, numbers there '"t"reased l1eadJly 10 about 200, November 23 {REIDl./LJ) JCH had about jjO bird!; on the East coast of Mlquelon No­vember22.

~ : One female on the ......est coast of Miquelon reponed by Cyril Detcheveny August 6 .s rather unsea­sonable. Jurprising.ly. one early bird seen by John Maunder Md the author In 1987 III Mlqueloll .... "35 abo Au­gUll 6 ! .. The firl1 nugranu about 1j bird!; ......ere seen off the West coast of Mlquelon October 21 (Rf). 6 days later than aver2ge, but same date as last year. There _re about 200 off Mlqutlon' eaSI November 9 (DO) and about 400. YlIIe area, November 23 ( U).

Black Scoter : Quite rare, hopefully juSl unreponed , five in St-Pierre October 29 (W) and two females also in St·PIerre November 7 (RE)

~: One nnmature at Langlade November 26{U).

Whitt-winged Scotu : Hopefully the Karciry of Scoters reflects poor coverage' One in SI-Pierre October 10 (81..) : 6 in flight crossing the iSlhmus &om East to West October 21 (RE)

Common Goldenen : T~ at LangJade November 6 Md about)O in Grand 8aracholS the next day (PHI _re 10 day, later than average. About 30 were also at Grand BarachOls November 9 (Rf).

Red.brtasted Merz-n,u : Several broods were Ren on the Il1hmw; and Grand Barxhois betwten August 4 and 21 (REJJlJDL). And 3 broods were on the salt lagoon near the village of Miquelon August 16 (RE,IJl.R) One brood of 8 young adult liu with the remale Yn5 Aill ~e as such as late as September 16 (Rf) Mu.imum COUllted al Grand Batachois "''as j), October 22 (RE). None "''as reponed at 5U

~ : ) bird!; were seen at l.angJadt dose to the end of September (8mwd Boratra fide MJB) Ap­parently. none hactbeen rtpotted Slnce )980 I

.2.I.t!:u. : One al LangJacIe October 6 and one in St-Pierre I ~k later were letn by BL These Me the fims and only reports for 1996 lOW

~ : Several reports except for the month of October r ... Apparently only !he usuaJ local populallon One adult in iu breeding terrilory in Cape Miquelon "''as rliI! concerned by my presc:nce AugUSl 2j, no JUve· nilesletll .

Nonhero Harrier: It seemed rather uncommon this fall, incited., there "''as only 10 rrpoRS for the season as compared to 34, 21, 24, 19, 11 for 1991 to 199j respectlwly It looks like a Aeady dechne, although or courU:

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Shlm-sbinned H.,,'k : Low numbers also. to be upecttd WIth the rather low number of passenne birds 6 reporu only. In the duet ISlands, belWef:n September 9 and October 16 (REIDUAEIlJIBL).

N0rlbem Coshlwk : One Seplember 25 (lJ), one male Novtmber 22 (JCH) and 24 (lJ) all In ~'lIquelon

~ One immature _II seen al Langladt September 21 by MJB IS only the SKoDd si&btiD& for our ulands The fir" one \IIIS seen by MD In late May 1994

American KtUrel : Four records, one bird al a lime. belWef:n September 22 and Novtmber 23 (REIAElJCH/MD)

l!l!r!!.!!.: Faltly cornmon throughout the season, 22 repone. up to November 26 (m.ab.)

Pemnne falcon : One al Langladt September 21 (MJB): one also at Langlade October 6 (BL), one on the Isthmus the neJC1 day (Ll), one in St-Pierre October 1l (BL) pouibly involve the same bird.

Willow Punninn . There IS but one repon of the 57 birds relused here llus JpTIng one at Langlade Septen,­ber21{MJB)

Common Moorften : One on the I"hmus Oct. 13 (U) is only our 4th record and the tir" since Sept 19. 1914

BlICk-Hili" Plover : The tim rwo_re wen on the I"hmus Augu" 4 (REIDL) jllSl on avtra&e Ralher rare up 10 nud-AUIust. common thereafter (REIDUAElJCHIlJ) Amon& 210 bmb ne.ar the village of Mlquelon August 27_lhe majOrity was tlus ~tS (RE). last wen ; '4 near the villaae ofMlquelon November 2 (JCH )

LtsKr Golden Plover : 15 buds .. re near the village of Mlquelon AU&USI 19 (RE) 6 days earlier than ave­~e More than 200 _re presenl near the VllIa&e of Mlquelon September 20 (REIA£). U had rwo counu of Plovtr sP In the same vea IS follO"WS 5epI 23 260. October 10 215 Last seen about 50 on the iSlhmus October 21 (RE). 2 near the village of Mlquelon Nov 2 (JCH)

Xatipalmatee Plover: One pair 'Nith I non-flyin& young on the lSl.hmus on the rather late date of AugllSl 15 (RE). First nugranu (about 50) nOlioed only August 25 (RE). fauly common thereafter (REIDLlPAlNBfJCH). last Sten . one II Grand Bvachois Novtmber 9 (RE). There w.u no good QOVera&e of shortblTds tlu , fall

~: One only on the Isthmus AugllSl 27 (RE)

Crtller V,ttowIU' : Fim!all migrants appeared as ullll.l around mid-July. Two birds .. re sported b)' PA In St-PleTTe August 3, followed by one near tht village of Miquelon, 5 or 6 ne.ar MUinde Lake and aboul 30 near Grand BaracholS the nexl day (REIDL). Seen re&ulvly then up 10 the end of September. Last seen 2 near Grand Bvachois October 4 and 9 (U).

kmr V,lIowlU', . One with a wealer AugllSl II COOt One in eight Au&1lSI 20 and a few 'Nith some greaters AugllSl 21 (RE), 2, August 30 (U) all at Grand Barachois.

Sponed S.odpiRtr : A ftwflyirlJ, young ne.ar the village of Miquelon AugllSl II, a few same general Vta Au­gust 2' (RE); rwo In SI-PieTTe Augu" 2' (PA) and none unlil September 16 while NB found a few at ile aUli Manns (near SI-Plerre). 2 days laler than ave~e.

Whimbrtl : About 70 in flighl on lbe Isthmu.s AIJIIlSI 9 (RfJDL): about 35 near the village August 19 and IIbout 30 on the llIhmus August 21 (RE). Only a few birds were heard or wen up 10 the tim days of September (REINB). Last leen : One in MJquelon (}lE)and two In SI-PleTTe (U) Seplember 16.

"yelOpi.n Godwit One wen twice wnh the Plovtn near the VIllage of MlqueJon September 23 IJ'ld October 10(lJ)

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Ruddy Turnstone About 15 on the Isthmus August 13 (;average is July )0) A few bIrd then regularly up to the end of Sepcember, only 2 Tepons In Oc!ober (REIDLlPAlAElJCH) for a maxJrnum count of)O August 27 (Rf). Lasl setn : 4 on the East coast of Mlquelon NO\II!mber 2 (lJ).

Red Knot : About 30 ne:u Grand Barachoi$ August 27 were only tom days laTer than average S~n regularly up to November 9 (REIDUAE/LJ). maxImum count was about 80 a\ Grand BarachoLs Sepccmber 16 (RE)

Sanderting . About 15 on the Isthmus August J3 (REIDL) were a week earher than average Fairly common throu&houl the 5eaSOTl Last setn : (so far) 14 near the \lIltage NoYember 10 (RE)

Semip.lmJled Sudpiper : The first migranu appeared In July. Few Tepans, and only one menllon them as numerous at Grand Barachols August 21 Last Ken one Of ~ nw Grand Barachols Oc!ober 21 (RE). set

above forCO\lerage-

Whitt-Bumped Sandpiper ; There was iii minimum or 90 at Grand Barxhois Augun 4 (REIDL) (average 15 August II) Fairly common throughOUt the season. mostly at Grand Barachois 312 bIrds counted there and near the village of Miquelon August 9 (RfIDL). Last ~n : 8. NDV1!mber 20 (NB) and one 3 days laler (REIDL) m SI-Plene

Baird ', Sandpiper : One \M!II ittn by LJ near the village of Mlquelon November 27 15 only our 5tCOnd Slgh­ling

Purple SandpiPer . Three, November 15 (U) (average Nov 21) and about 20, November 21 (RE) all In 51-PIerre

Dunlin : Tv.o near the village of Miquelon September 16 (RE) \M!Te 6 day, earher tlwl average 6 OIher SIg.h· ting.s for I mnimum ofabout 12 birds (Octobtr 28 -RE-) Last ittn : 3 near the Village November 2 (JCH)

Burr.brusted Sandpiper : Two well ~n al close ranie on the coast of Grand Barachois September 16 (RE) None had been seen SLnte 1993.

Shan-billed J)owhcher : None reponed around mid-July as usual . The finl 10 \M!re spotted II Grand Ban­choll AUiU" 4 (R£/DL). 5 other Ilghungs only ofvery few birds at a tune up to September 16 (REIDL/MD)

~ : Eleven reporuoffewbirdsal a lime between August I and October 21 (pHJRE.II\.IDJ1..JJPAl tlIttp! 24 blf(iI flushed In a very rea.ncted area, near Grand Barachou August 26 (RE)

Common BllCk-huded Gull : One in SI·PLerre Iwbour seen only November 21 (R£/DL)

Ring-bi lled Gull : Few reportS. of relatively few birds, last seen : one immature In St-Pierre harbour NO" 10 (RE)

.H.ur:inI...&!i : Three young still fed by IhelT parenti and several non-f1ym, youna al ile aWL Marms AUiU$1 12 (NB). One young was begging food in Mlquelon Auau" 16 (RE).

Iceland Gull : One immature Nov. 7 \\"25 5 days larer tlwl average. The neKt l ighllng il of 3 or 4 aduhs NO\' 21 and a few adulu Nov. 23. all in St-PIerre harbour (REIDL).

Black-1tt,c4 Kiniwake : Several obcervations In October and November; hundreds were f1YLn& off the NorthWest coast ofMlquelon November 9( RE ).

CommaniArttis: Terns: Nesting failed this year. (twer birds tlwl usuaJ were Ittn in August/September (REJ1.JfJCH). Last sighting : about 10 bi rds of! the East coast of Miquelon October 2] (RE) (average depanure dale is October 7).

~ : One only betvroftn St-Pierre and Miquelon October 22 (RE) was 4 days later than lverage Very few ittn (or reponed) .ow for October (MOOCH), and one only, Nov. 13 ID St·PIerre harbour (PA)

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Blick Guillemot : Common as usual around the ISlands, _ counted 6) buch IS a small area of the NonhWest coast of SI·Pierre October 2) (REIDl).

Atllntic Pumn Few birds _re present althe breeding colony of Colombler Island AugUSl 21 Last SI&.hung about 20 between M.Jquelon and SI·Piern Augul1 27 (RE)

~ : One in M.Jquelon September 2 (U) was 2 days earlLer than average, few other repons of one to 3 bmu In Mlquelon (BlJJCH), lOTTlewhat more numerous In St·PIerre . II , Nov. 1 (MO), 6, Nov 7 (NB) nur the nonheastem comer or the 10"41'1

~ The first one of the season .... '35 Ken in St·Pierre November 10(NF), possibly the ume bIrd was teen by U a week later in the same area. PH had one 11 LangJade November )0

Belted Kinrfi!her ' One female near the east coasc ofMlquelon Srptember 21 is the only repon (U)

Northern Flicker: 14 reporu between September & and Nov &, one or 2 tmds at a lime In the tl\Jee Lslands. (REIDlJU/AE/Bl) suggestS 11 .... 'aS relatIvely common.

~ First migrants (about SO birds) Ken by JCH on the IlI.hmusOctober 16,1 had about lOObLrch also on the JsthmUl October 22. They were numefOUl near the village of M.Jquelon and on the IsthmU5 October 2& for a tcul of about 100 birds (RE) Last Ken In St·Piern : 3. Nov 11 (REIDl) and Nov 23 (MO) In M.JquelonlLanglade, theyof'tenoverwtnter

~: We (REIDL) had) birds near the village of Miquelon August 9. U counted 19 on the Il1hmU5 AugUlt31

~: NIne hoies, counted from a dlltance (acroSlthe gully of Grand Barachois) August 27 sug' gHted nesul\& on this pan of the IsthmUJ (ILR)

~ : 4 neal the vililie of Mlque\on AugUJI 7. One pair nested.. as last year. In one Ibandoned housenearby(U).

I!..I!t.1!I . One was beard by M1B at Langl.ade Augul1 7

Common RIYED : There were 25 at the Garbage dump In Miquelon October 28 (RE)

Bllck-C:lpesd QickJid" : Two reporu only. in SI·Ptern Sep.. 14 (PA) numben nOi &lven 2 biri1lln MJque­Ion 3 days later (RE).

Bortll Qlcyd" : IS reportS thou&houl the islands lUi&el1 il is common as usual (m.ab.).

Red·brelstfd Nuthatch : After haYing been 1Nilh us for aboul 1 Y.. years. they seems 10 have nur.nted some­wlLere elK. few birds have been reported.. between August & and October 22 (REIDlJUlNBfJCH)

Winter Wttn : One in Miquelon St-ptember 17 and one possible in SI·Pierre Nov. 2 (RE).

Goldrn$roWQfd Kinel,t . Very _11 reponed.. and apparently quite common between Sept 9 and the end of tbe season (PAlREJDUALMBiJCHlPH).

RybHrownfd Kiprlft : Well reported. few birds at a time. in September and October. U found them mort common In SI·Piene Sept. 21 and Oct. 2. probably indicating a nuJTIuon. Last seen. fairly lale, a few In 51-Piern Nov. 7 (NB) the averag.e depanin& clate IS Nov 2 bul the record late is december) (1989).

North,", Whntnf : One in the cape afMlquelon September 9~m)

$WlillSon'. Tbnasb : One in St·Piern Sep.ember 21 (U).

H.t!:mi1...Il!. : One in St·Pierre October 2 and one in Mlquelon the QUI day (U).

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American Robin : Numerous in 51-Plene September 12 (PA) 1 had 3 nock of 200- In ~iJquelon Oct 21 Fanly numerous In 51-Pierre In thefirn _k of November (UINB/PA). Last 5eCII , very fewbLrds In MlqueJon and St·Plerre November 2J and 25.

North,", Mockingbird : One In the village of fI.'hquelon from Oct 4 \0 Nov ) 0 , firn depleted the inllls of one mountain-ash and 15 now !lansmg Mound Gtus]aln DelcheV1!rry ', feede r Only one v.~ Itt" III 51'Plcrre Oct~ berI2(pA)

~: S observations in September (or a nwumum ofabout 15 b1fds al LangJade Sept 22 (REIAf) One bird only October 22 also al Langlade (RE) and about IS bHlu In SI·Plerre November 7 (NB)

Bohemian Wnwlng . ) in Miquelon November 23 and 4 the next day (LJ)

CedlT Wnwi"g : 11 reports between August 12 and Nov. 2, most oflhem by W, fewbmis al a time except S (mlmanm:s) in St'PH~rre Oct. 16, and 21 the neut day We (REIAE) had about 25 bmu In Miquelon Septem. ber::!!.

Nonhern Shrike: One immature in St·Pierre Nov. 18 (Rf.IDLlLJ), One in MiqueJon Nov. 2J (U) Dl1e near Pl. " feeder In SI-Pierre setn eating a House Sparrow Noy, 3D,

Euruian SUrling ' Seems more numerous than usual Usually rare in Miquelon, JCH had II birds in MJque­Ion September 18 whi le we (REIDt) had a Dock of about 150 Nov, II in SI-Plerre,

SaHun' Vir.o : Dl1e adult seen feedlng one yoong adult size AugUJt 8 (REIDt) Tlus 15 the first bretdmg eYl­dence for the islandofMJquelon.

Red=fved Vir.o : One seen thret times in 51-PIerre between Sepcember 22 and 27 (pl. ) One in Miquelon Oc­tober21 ( RE)

OangNrowned W,rbler : One foond dead In the lown of 51-Pierre Sept 20 and one. same area. up 10 Oct<>­ber J4(NB) We(REIDL) had~tnrds abom S,-PieTTeOctober 20

~: One at Langlade September 2 (MO) and oneju~nile In SI-PleTTt October 6 (pl.).

Yellow Warbler: Few observations. few birds at .. time between August 13 and September 10 (NBIRElDUJLRlPA). A~rage depanmgdate IS September 16,

pestnut-sid£d Wlrbler : One female or immature In St-Pierre well5ftn and described by PI. September 22

MIRnolia Wlrbl£r: A few in St-Pierre September 22 and one also in St-Pierre October 12 (pl.),

Bllck-throlltd blut Warbler : Thret males, 2 togelher and one nearby in St-PIerre September 28 (LJ ) ",as ratherunw;ua1.

Ytllawnlmped Wlrbler : There was a noIiceable migrant arrival Sepcember 17 (RE) (none reponed earher): It was termed rather common by RYerai observers up to October 20 (REIAEIPAlLJ/JCHfNB). Last seen : one in St-Pierre Nov. 24(lJ).

Bllck-Ibrolted em" Wlrbltr : One in ~ Miquelon SeplI and one ~ days later near the East coast of MJquelon (REIDt); One in 51-Pierre Sept. 21 (U) and 29 (pl.). Lasl leen : one In St-PIerre October 2 (W)

~ : First fall migruu were 10 to 15 birds near the US! coast of MJquelon Sept. 29 (REIAE). se­veral other observatioM. few birds .. a time and all in SI-Plerre between Sept. 21 and October 10 (WIPA). Lasl leen : I few in 51-Pierre {PA) and tv.o at LangJade Oct 6(U).

Blackpoll W lrbler : Few birds .. a time lten between September 1 and October 2 (REJDlAJ)

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Black & Whitt WarblH : One adull feeding young. adull size, in Miquelon August 8 (RE/OL) Four fall ob­sef\'aBOnS only, vtry few birds al a lime be~n September 17 and October 2 (REIPAlLl)

Ameritan Redstan : One adult feeding several flying young In Miquelon August 8 (RE/OL) Three fall re- e pom only. one bird al a ume, September iO (RE). October 2 (LJ) and 12 (PA)

Nortbern W,urthrush : Fairly common in St·Pierre August 2 (PA). A few were still singlng in the ~ of Mlquelon August 16 and 2S (RE). Last seen one in Miquelon September 10. nght on avtrage (RE)

Mourning Wnbler : One in the Cape of Mlquelon October 20 (JCH) is a record late, avtrage depanlng dalt 1$ Sept 13 and latesl Oct. 8.

Common Yellowthroal : Fivt observations. I bird at a time. between September 8 and October 28 (REIDUAE)

Wilson's Wnbler Same as above. be~n August 24 and October 2 (PAlPHIREIl..J)

~: One female in SI·Pierre October 6 (PA). One. leen (and photographed) al PA's feeder alm051 evtryday be~n October 28 and Nov. 4.

Dickcissel : Several birds seen again this year, and. like 1994 and 1995 mostly or only at feeders Tlus poulbly suggest that the bud nugtihave been a more regular VIsitor in the past and. not being very obvious. wenl on unnotIced In the absenct of feeders l1tis fal l obsef\'3tIOPS as follow : PA had one female October 14. then 2. two days later (one possible male) and a third one October 26. The three birds were seen up to No ... II . then 2, up to November 23 then only one to the end of the period. In Miquelon. JCH had one between Nov. 24 and 30

Lint SPlrfOW ; One. photographed in the village ofMiquelon November 2 OCH). The species havt been !leen here 7 years out or23 inauwmn.

SI ... lnuh SDlrroW : One adult was carrying food in Miquelon August I (RE). Flocks were notIced on the lllhmus October 21 and Sept. 8 (REIDL). Last seen, one allO on the IlIhmus November 2S (U).

~ : One aduh was carrying food in St-Pierre August 1 (RE). Fairly common up to October 17 I (REIDLIPAlLJINB) Last seen one only In Mlquelon October 21 (RE).

~: One at PA's feeder November 9iltheonlysighting.

Lincoln's SPlrrow : One in St·Pierre October 2 and 23 (U). The species has been reponed 13 yun In fall and 18 years In 5pnng OUI of 23 years of data.

SWlmp Sparrow: Last heard singing in Miquelon Sept. 17 (RE) Several observal1ons throughOUI the season (m.ab.). wl!leen : two in St·Pierre Oct. II (PA) and Oct. 19 (U)

White--thrOited Sparrow : Numerous reporu of relatively few birds between August 8 and October 28 (RE/OUAElPAlNB/JCHIU).

Dlrk:fYf4 Junco: The species, is of course nO( ran here, but usually in very low numbers. The numbers !leen this tall are pouibly unprecedented as far as we know . Aecorcljn& to reporu. a good amval probably took place close to October 19. They are still quite numerous in the three islands (m. ab.).

Laplnd Longlpur : One sighting only : S birds in St·Pierre October 23 (REIDL).

Sno,,' Bunting : About IS in St-Pierre, October 20 were the first migranl5 noti~ (REIDL). Fatrly common ~n October 2& and November 20, and rather few for the remaining 10 days (REIDl../LJ/MD/JCHINB )

Red.winged Blackbird : One immature male at PA', feeder between Nowmber 18 and )0.

Rusty Blackbird : Fairly rare the5e ye.an!... 3 In 51-Pierre Sept. 29 and one at Langlade October 13 (LJ)

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Common Gntkle 5 at a feeder in St-Pierre October 19 and one in the field Oc!ober 22 (NB) One In the 10 .... 11 or St-P,erre October 23 (U). one al. PA's feeder October)O and) the nc)C\ day One al LangJade Nov I (U)

Brown-hudd CO,,",'bi rd: One immature al JCH feeder mtennittently be~n Sept 15 and October 10 One male al PA', feeder be~n October 5 and November )0, observed almost everyday

~; 7 observations. I blrdatal imebe~n Sept. 22 and Octcber 28 in Langladeand St-Pierre (REIAVPAlLJ/GF)

Pipe Crotbnk: 6 reports only. fewblUis 31 a lime, August 8 (3 birds In Mlquelon RElDL) and belVoftn Oc· tober 21 and Nov. ) 0 At the laner date PH had about 10 tnrdi al Langlade

~ : 7 rtporu. mostly at feeders, few birds al a lime, belVoftn Sept 9 and Nov ) 0 (RfJDLlUIPA) Al PA', feeder there _ up \0 7 birds between Oct 6 and)O

Wbitf'-w; nccd Cronblll : They have apparently move 10 ather pans oflhe Tepon .. ,

Red Crossbill : PA uwoneblTd only near il fteder October 31 .

Pine Siskin : A ft .... · small flcxlts were reponed in the) islands between AUiUlI 3 and November 15 (pAIREIJCH).

American Goldfi ncb : As menlioned In prevloui reporu. the species. quite me In the past Ii becoming rel'­dentin St-PIerre We have the fir51 confirmed breecbng evidence : one adult seen feedlng young In 1M town of SI-Plerre August II (DO). The nwumum reported waJ; aboul "0 bi rds in St·PIerre Nov 20 (NB) I bad 7 buds in the cape of Mlquelon November 9.

Eyening Grosbuk : 6 reporu. for a maximum of" birds al a time. at Langlade SI·Plerre and Mlquelon between Stplember 28 and November 13 (UIPAlJCHIRE)

eenlribulors : Jean·Paul Ape5leguy (JPA): Pascal Asselin (PA): Nicole Berthier (NB). Michel Borotra (MJB) Marc Dtrible (MO) Ro&er Etcheberry (RE), Alain Eudot (AE): N.coIas Flon (NF). Guy Fouchard (GF). Domiruque Gouveme (00): Philippe Hacala (PH): JackJe and Chn5llne Hebert OeH). Laurent Jackman (U) Bruno Leloumtl (BL). Jean·Louii JUbonin (JLR)

Samt'Plerre ~mber 8, 1996

Roger ETCHEBERRY

Osprey lOS