AtlanticProvinces &St. Pierre etMiquelon

,l•?11inekI. LABRADOR a respectable116 speciesfor the season.I Thebest counts of AmericanWigeon were 75 on the Halifax C.B.C. 19 Dec and about 75 [, .HebronLA!IRP, DOR thank Blake Maybank, lan McLaren,and Bruce Mactavish for their extensive assistance throughoutthe seasonat WentworthPark, in thepreparation of thisreport. Sydney,NS. EightEurasian Wigeons wintered at St.John's (BMt), 4 wereat GlaceBay, NS 27 Abbreviations:C.B.1. (Cape Breton1., NS); Dec (m.ob.), 4 at Grand Barachois,SPM into C.S.I. (Cape Sable I., NS); G.M.I. (Grand Dec (RE), 2 in se. New Brunswickin early Gand• NEWFOUNDLAND MananI., NB);H.R.M. (HalifaxRegional Mu- Dec (SII), and 2 at Sullivan'sPond, H.R.M. in nicipality,NS); NF (the islandof Newfound- Feb (m.ob.). Near-record numbers of Ameri- land, as opposedto the provinceof New- can Black Duck were found at St. Pierre et foundland& Labrador [NL]); SPM (St. Pierre Miquelon,with countsof up to 575at Grand • Bas•es• Saint-Pierre% Race et Miquelon,France). Barachois,which notably did not freezeover significantlythis winter (RE). Ien Blue- WATERFOWLTHROUGH VULTURES wingedIeal includeda pair at St.John, NB ' NOVASCOTIA •: Snow Geesewere notablealong the outer throughout(m.ob.), 2 on the Halifax-Dart- • I-• -• 0• • I B• coast of Nova Scotia and s. Newfoundland in mouth,NS C.B.C.18 Dec, 3 at Lunenburg

E D• mid- to late Dec: 13 were at Dean's Corner, Harbour,NS 11 Jan (EM), one at Brier I., NS Lunenburg,NS 16-17 Dec OH), 9 at Harflen's 13 Dec (EM), anda pair at C.S.I.throughout Brian Dalzell Pt., H.R.M., NS ll-18 Dec (IP), 4 at French- (MN). Ihe total of 15+ Northern Shovelers man'sCove, Burin Pen., NF 12 Dec+ (Allan was well above normal; notable were 6 in • • bnormal"is thenew normal Nolan), and 4 at Miquelon23 Dec (Guil- Antigonish,NS 16 Dec+(RL), 3 at St.John's •_• weatherinthe Atlantic Provinces, laume Desmalles). Ihis flightlikely brought (BMt; "a rare event"), 2 at Yarmouth,NS 14 J. .•.it would seem,and the winter of Newfoundland's first Ross's Goose to St. Jan (GS), a femaleat St. Pierre(a Wilmaevac- 2005-2006 was the warmest on record. Ihe John's,an ad. 16 Dec+ (m.ob.). A Barnacle uee;RE), and singles at Montague,PEI 14Jan traditional"January thaw" lasted all month, Gooseat Moncton,NB into earlyDec was of (Charlie Irainor) and Windsor, Dominion, with temperaturesalmost 5 ø C higherthan note (51I). CanadaGeese normally vacate Dartmouth, and Port Williams, NS. normal,but with precipitationdown a third PrinceEdward I. in winter, but this year, Ihree Canvasbackswere found at Cherry (snowfallby 40%).Heavy rains fell overmost thousandsremained, such as 5000+ at Vernon Hill Beach1 Jan (SF) and oneat Sackville,NB of the Regionin mid-January,when tempera- R. throughout.Fair numbersof Brantbegan 25 Jan+(Kathy Popma). Following last fall's turesof 10ø C causedWood Frogs and Spring returningto springstaging areas in mid-Jan, bigflight, many Redheads remained behind to Peepersto commencecalling, Ruffed Grouse to drum, and dandelionsto flower.On Grand Manan Island,New Brunswick,maple syrup productionbegan in mid-February,a full œ month ahead of normal. Northhumberland Strait did not freeze over for the first time in recentmereorB, forcing Gray Seals to pupon- shore,and greatclouds of red dustswirled overthe normallysnow-covered potato fidds of westernPrince Edward Island. As theglob- al climatecontinues to change,we expect more of the same. Ihe only regionsto experiencenormal snow cover were Labrador, western New- foundland, and northwestern New Brunswick;eastern Newfoundland got buried in snowlate in the period.Ihe mild weather allowedmany "Wilraa waifs" from late Octo- berto survivemuch longer than normal, and lingering/winteringspecies were legionthis year: AmericanBittern, Great and Snowy Egrets,Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Ieal, Long-billedDowitcher, ForstePs Iern, Iree andBarn Swallows, and Gray Catbird, among Atfast œhezzettook, Nova $totia, this 6teat [õret stayed at leastinto February 2006, the latest on record for the provinte (here25 lanuatyl. Photograph byitans loom. others. Waterfowl such as Brant, Canada Goose,and Long-tailed Duck took advantage principallyat G.M.I. and C.S.I.,a full month winter,e.g., 7 at Cap Bimet,Westmoreland, of mildconditions to returnearly or to remain ahead of normal. Iwo imm. Mute Swans at NB 1-4 Dec (SIT), 10 at Three Fathom Har- in larger-than-normal numbers. New Pembroke,Yarmouth, NS 11-18Dec may have bour, H.R.M. 19 Jan, and 5 at OysterBed Brunswickhad its highest-everwinter list comefrom the nearest established population Bridge,PEI 18 Feb (DO); and Newfound- (175species), Nova Scotia tied their best total in s. Maine (MN); they furnishedthe 2nd land'sfirst winterrecord was furnished by a (114), and even Prince Edward Island tallied provincialrecord of thespecies. drake throughoutat Spaniard'sBay (BMt).

198 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ATLANTICPROVINCES &ST. PIERRE ETMIQUELON q.

Thelargest wintering flock of Ring-necked pallyat St. Pierreet Miquelon,where 15 Ducksto cometo lightwas 10 at Salmon werefound on the Isthmus of Miquelon24 River,H.R.M. throughout(Joan Czapaly). Dec(RE), and C.S.I., where 11 was a high Winterflocks of GreaterScaup continue to count 14 Jan (MN). Four Semipalmated increasein Newfoundland;100 through and5 White-rumpedSandpipers were care- Febat MiquelonSalt Pond was a notable fullystudied at C.S.I.14Jan (MN), whilea numberthere (RE). KingEider is seldom LeastSandpiper near Cape Race, NF 3 Dec reportedfrom the Bayof Fundyshore of wasvery late (BMt). A Baird'sSandpiper re- NovaScotia, where 2 drakeswere present portedat RiverBennett, C'.B.I. 16 Decwas at Port George25 Jan+ (m.ob.). Long- mostunusual (SM, John McKay). tailedDuck wintered in greaternumbers PurpleSandpiper winters regularly at than normal around Prince Edward 1. due St. Pierreet Miquelon,but 217 on the St. to the lackof seaice in protectedbays-- Pierre C.B.C. 19 Dec set a record. A flock much to the consternation of mussel farm- of 45 Dunlinsat EvangelineBeach, Kings, ers,whose sites are normallyfrozen in. A Aspecies now annual in December inNewfoundland, thisDickcissel was NS 17 Dec wasaway from usualwinter good count of Barrow'sGoldeneye for photographed7 December 2006 at Lower Cove. Photograph byS. LeShane. haunts along the s. shore (PK, Barry NovaScotia was 12 at North Sydney15 Jan of oneat Mader'sCove, Lunenburg, NS 19 Dec Youll), where 68 were found at C.S.I. 14 Jan (Andrew MacDonald). was less certain OH). A Red-shouldered (MN). Notablylate, thanks to Wilma,was a Up to 6 Pied-billedGrebes wintered suc- Hawkat Pembroke,Yarmouth, NS in Janpro- StiltSandpiper through 3 Decat ThreeFath- cessfullyalong the coastof NovaScotia, w. of videdone of veryfew winterrecords for the om Harbour, NS (SM); the hurricanealso be- Halifax;one nearMiquelon Village, SPM 13 provinceON). An imm. GoldenEagle at the queathedsignificant numbers of Long-billed Decwas most unusual (RE). A SootyShear- St.John's landfill 26 Dec+was very rare for Dowitchers,many of which remainedwell water off C.S.I. 10 Feb was probablyat- Newfoundland•BMt). Six imm. BaldEagles into winter,such as 13 in Antigonish,NS 18 temptingto winter(GS); there are fewer than togetheron the Isthmusof Miquelon4 Jan Dec (RL), 19 at Rainbow Haven, H.R.M. 31 10 recordsof the speciesin the w. North At- wasa highcount locally (Christine Hebert). Dec (TP), 19 at Melbourne, Yarmouth, NS hntic in midwinter. One American Bittern Reportsof winteringPeregrine Falcon contin- through31Jan (PG), 5 at C.S.I.20 Feb(MN), perwinter is normal,so 4 in NovaScotia rep- ue to increase: C.B.C. birds included 2 at and singlesat Cymbria,PEI 4 Dec (D&ES) resentssomewhat of an invasion:singles on Miquelon3 Jan, 3 at Memramcook,NB 26 and G.M.I. 21 Dec (BED). An American theHalifax C.B.C. 19 Dec,at Lockeport19 & Dec,3 at Halifax-Dartmouth,NS 18Dec, plus Woodcock at C.S.I. 19 Feb (MN) was in a 30 Dec (DC), at SmeltCove, Lunenburg 7-9 singlesin at leastsix otherNova Scotia and s. knownwintering area, but one at Wolfville Jan OH), and verylate nearDingwall, Victo- New Brunswicklocales. A dark-morphGyr- Ridge,Kings, NS 20 Jan (BernardForsythe) ria at the n. tip of CapeBreton 18 Feb (Fritz falconfound at Brier I., NS 14 Dec was the definitelywas not. It was flushedfrom a McEvoy). Great Egretsset winter survival onlyreport of thespecies (EM). stream with moss-covered banks in woods records,with birdslasting until 23 Decat St. A moribundVirginia Rail found in a Christ- with manytangled, fallen trees. Five Wilson's Johns,NF, 1Jan at TrinityBay, NF (fideBMt), mas tree lot at Canso,NS 21-22 Dec (SB) was Snipetogether at St.Pierre 19 Dec was quite a 28 Jan at East Chezzetcook,H.R.M. (Tim later taken into rehabilitation.A Purple sightbut upstagedby onethat landedon the Wershler),and 20 Janat SealRiver, PEI (Wal- Gallinulepicked up ona streetin St.John's, NF streetin frontof Etcheberryin Miquelon18 ter Conohan).A CattleEgret remained until 30 Dec followingstrong southerly winds was Feb!A few RedPhalaropes are sometimes re- 1 Dec near Grand Tracadie,PEI (Roy Mc- laterreleased in a city marsh(BMt). A few portedin theouter Bay of Fundyin earlywin- Nab).Single Snowy Egrets pushing the enve- American Coots wintered in Nova Scotia as ter,but oneinland at the headof the Bayon lopewere at St.Pierre Harbour, SPM 1-6 Dec usual, but one at St. Pierre 5-29 Dec was no- 13 Dec in a sewagelagoon at Windsor,NS (m.ob.) and at St.John's late Oct-23 Jan, the tablyfar east(m. ob.). Furtherevidence of a wascertainly unexpected (PK). latter founddead 25 Jan (fideBMt). Tardy warm winter, 19 speciesof shorebirdwere Black-crownedNight-Herons were foundat found in Nova Scotia this season. The rarest 61JttSTHROIJ6H SKIMMERS C.S.I.in mid-Dec(fide MN) and St.John's 9 shorebirdby far was a NorthernLapwing at St. The lastof a dozenWilma Laughing Gulls in Dec (Dave Brown, KK), the latter found dead Lawrence,Burin Pen., NF 30 Nov-4 Dec (Gall St. John's,NF was seen 15 Dec (m.ob.); an- a few dayslater. The centerof abundancefor & Norman Wilson). The highestcount of other that had arrived in late Oct at St. Pierre winteringTurkey Vulture in the Regionis in Black-belliedPlovers was 17 at C.S.I. 14 Jan was found dead 9 Dec (RE). At least 200 Digbyand Yarmouth,Nova Scotia;10 were (MN). Five Killdeer at St. Pierre 6 Dec were Black-headedGulls in St.John's harbor in ear- found on the C.B.C. at Brier I. 14 Dec, 20 at likelyWilma birds (PB); one lasted there until ly Decwas the "highest ever" (BMt). The only a Chebogueoffal feeder10 Feb (Jennifer 17 Janat GrandBarachois. Two AmericanAv- LittleGull to cometo lightwas an ad. 9 Dec LeBlanc),and an outlier at Shelburne28 Feb ocets (leftover from Wilma) remained at at CansoCauseway, C.B.I. (AngusMacLean). (Roland Chiasson). MorienBar, C.B.I. through i Dec (DM) The A Thayer'sGull at Stratford,PEI 16 Jan was odd GreaterYellowlegs attempts to winterin returningfor a 2nd winter(Dwight Cargill). H/IWK$THROU(iH SHOREBIRDS sw.Nova Scotia, but one at AppleRiver, Cum- At least 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls win- Cooper'sHawk is nowa rare-but-regularwin- berland,NS 1Jan+ (Kathleen Spicer) was most teredin St.John's, with onlyscattered singles ter residentthroughout its breedingrange in unusual.A LesserYellowlegs was found at foundelsewhere in the Region.At least3 NewBrunswick, where they appear to subsist Cole Harbour,H.1LM. 15 Dec (Ian McLaren). Mew Gullsof the nominatesubspecies win- principallyon RockPigeons. An imm.Broad- A MarbledGodwit, also from Wilma, lingered teredin St.John's; one at Stratford,PE126 Dec wingedHawk was carefully studied at Antigo- until 6 Dec at Ogden'sPond, Antigonish, NS wasan excellentfind for the province(DO). nish, NS 18 Dec (RE), while the identification (RL). In the Region,Red Knots winter princi- Two ad. Yellow-leggedGulls were regularly

VOLUME 60 (2006) ß NUMBER 2 199 I^TL^NTIC PROVINCES &ST. PIERRE ETMIQUELON

seen and well photographedin St. at CapeRace, NF 3 Dec(BMt), oneat John's mid-Dec-mid-Feb (BMt, C.S.I.2 Dec (MN, JN), 2 at CapeTor- m.ob.). An ad. Slaty-backedGull at mentine,NB 5 Dec(fide SIT), and12 the St. John• landfill 28 Jan-12 Feb at Soldier's Cove, Lunenburg,NS (DaveBrown, BMt et al.) wasa firstfor through6 Dec(Helen MacDonald). Newfoundland(but followedclosely by a third-winterbird there19 Mar!). NUTHATCHESTHROUGH A lateCaspian Tern was at Ogden• WAXWINGS Pond,Antigonish, NS 6 Dec (BMy), Red-breasted Nuthatch numbers were certainlya Wilmabird, as were 2 Com- verylow in the Marltimesbut amaz- mon Ternsat Canso,NS 14 Dec (TK) ingly high at the extremen. edgeof and singleForsteFs Terns through 1 • theirrange in w. Labrador.For exam- Jan at Florence,C.B.I. (DM), 6 Feb at , ple,40+ perday cou)d easily be found Conrad'sBeach, H.R.M. (m.ob.), 19 in suitablehabitat throughout the pe- Feb in normallyfrozen Northumber- riod at SmokeyMt., LabradorCity landStrait, at thePictou Causeway, NS Yellow-leggedGullis now annual at St.John's, Newfoundland inwinter. (GP). The only CarolinaWren was (KenMcKenna), and throughthe pe- Anadult returning for its fourth consecutive winter and this new individual oneat SaintJohn, NB throughout(fide riod in s. coastalLunenburg (m.ob.). (here8 January2006) were seen regularly from December into February. JW). A HouseWren wasat Ferryland, PhotographbyBruce Macravish. Only slightlymore unusual, and an- NF until 18 Dec, while a Marsh Wren otherWilma refugee, was a BlackSkimmer 6 Dec at Oakland,Lunenburg, NS (fideJH), foundnearby 17 Dec(BMt et al.)was only the & 16 Dec at Cansoharbor, NS (TK). whilean EasternKingbird lasted until 16 Dec 7th for Newfoundland& Labrador.Only at at Canso,NS (SB). The Bell'sVireo found in St. Pierreet Miquelondid AmericanRobin DOVESTHROUGH SWALLOWS Nov in Halifax survived until at least 4 Dec elicitcomment: where there are usually none, SingleWhite-winged Doves were found at (m.ob.). It appearssome of the swallowsde- 102 wereon the MiquelonC.B.C. 3 Jan,200 Alma, NB 4-16 Dec (Doreen Rossiter) and positedin the Regionby Wilmatried to make were near Mirande L. 5 Feb, and 100 were in Canso,NS through21 Dee (TK). "Barelya their way backsouthward. Nine TreeSwal- St. Pierre 15-16 Feb (RE). After last winterk handful"of SnowyOwls was found in New- lowswere still at Chebogue,Yarmouth, NS 20 unprecedented flight, only a single foundland(BMt), while "morereports than Dec(PG), while 2 at MelmerbyBeach, Pictou, Townsend's Solitaire was found, near usual" (10+) camefrom PrinceEdward I., Lameque,NB 18 Dec(Marianna Duguay). up to 5 werefound on G.M.I., NB in late A VariedThrush at a feederin Penobsquis, Dec (BED), and 2 were at C.S.I. in late Feb NB 14-18Dec died after hitting a window (MN). GreatHorned Owls were apparent- (Bob Secord;*New BrunswickMuseum), ly starvingin w. Labrador,with at least while one at a feederin Renews,NF was threereports of birdscarrying off small presentlate Dec-late Feb (Joe Hynes), the dogs(at leasttwo on leashes!)in andnear provincek5th. A Fieldfareat Cymbria, LabradorCity At leastone attack was suc- PEI 11 Jan+ (D&SE) was a first for the cessful,with anotherresulting in the provinceand spentmost of its time in deathof the owl afterthe dog's owner be- plowedfields with starlings. headedit with a huntingknife (fideGP). Gray Catbirdwas foundin unprece- Up to 8 Short-earedOwls were present on dented numbers, probably thanks to theGrand Pre dykelands, Kings, NS in late Wilma, with 20+ in Nova Scotia, 5+ in Dec (m. ob.). A dead Boreal Owl was New Brunswick, and even 2 on the St. foundat Coleman,PE1 in late Feb (fide PierreC.B.C. 19 Dec. Groups of 2-3birds DO), whilea liveone responded to a taped werefound in partsof NovaScotia, where mostlikely winteredsuccessfully Brown NS 26 Feb (RL). The last of Wilma'sChim- Thrashers are not unusual at feeders in neycallSwiftssomewhere bravely insurvivedthe wildsuntilof Antigonish,early Dec Nova Scotia and s. New Brunswick, but in NovaScotia, with singlesnoted at Hal- outlyingsingles were at MiscouI., NB 7 ifax 2 Dec (JeanHartley) and River Bour- Jan (Frank Branch),Huntley, PE1 6 Jan geois,C.B.I. 6-7 Dec (GD). (TheresaD'Armour), and Lumsden,NF Very few Red-belliedWoodpeckers (near Gander) through the period showedup in the Regionfollowing last Representinga first record for Newfoundland andsecond for the At- (m.ob.). Bohemian Waxwings were said to winter'srecord flight, with about12 re- lanticProvinces region, this adult Slaty-backed Gullwas found 29 Janu- be uncommonand late in Newfoundland, portsin NovaScotia, 8 in New Brunswick, ary2006 (here) and rernained through 12 February atthe city landfill at with a few flocks in the hundreds(BMt). and one in Prince Edward I. Three Yellow- St.John's; another Slaty-backed wasfound there on 19 March. The so- In s. New Brunswick and e. Prince Edward bellledSapsuckers came to light in Nova called"string of pearls" pattern of the prirnaries isvisible on both sides I., fair flocks (250-500) were found in late ofthe wing. Photograph byBruce Maaavish. Scotia,including one returning for a 2nd Dec,with the largestcounts in NovaSco- winter to a feeder in Hantsport,NS. An NS 10-20Jan(Harry &Jean Brennan) and one tia, suchas 2000 at Canning18 Feb (Merrit unidentifiedEmpidonax flycatcher at St.John• at Point Michaud, Richmond,C.B.I. 8 Feb Gibson),1800 at GranvilleFerry 1Jan (BMy), 4 Decwas "probably a goodone" (John Wells (GD) were obviouslyintent on wintering. 1500+on the SpringvaleC.B.C. 17 Dec,and et al.). A WesternKingbird survived until 26 BarnSwallows lasted until earlyDec, with one manyflocks of 500+in theAnnapolis Valley

200 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ATLANTICPROVINCES &ST. PIERRE ETMIOUELONi

in Feb.Cedar Waxwing was outnumbered by Pierreand at Ferryland,NF werethe first con- moreOrioles survived much longer than nor- Bohemians about 25:1. A flock of 20 was at firreedreports of thesubspecies in those ju- mal,all at feeders,but many more likely per- Miqueion4 Jan (LaurentJackman), and the risdictions.A few Lincoln'sSparrows some- ished. Notable outside Nova Scotia were one largestflock reported was 55+ at Charlotte- times turn up in Nova Scotia and at Monctonin the lastweek of Feb (BED) and town, PEI 14 Jan (Ian Scott). Newfoundland in winter, but one at Mem- anotherat Mayfield,PEI 26Jan (Bill Evans). ramcook,NB 18-28 Feb (YL) and another in PineGrosbeak had a goodwinter, with the WARBLERSTHROUGH SPARROWS LabradorCity in lateDec (GP) wereof note. best count being 160 on the Wabush- A male Black-throated Blue Warbler at St. New Brunswickg4th Golden-crownedSpar- LabradorCity C.B.C. 19 Dec. The species' Pierrethrough at least4Jan was unique in the row waspresent at a Memramcook,NB feed- numbers were called "normal" in Newfound- Region(PB). Four Yellow-throatedWarblers er 26 Dec+ (YL), while the 8th for Nova Sco- land but drew commentsin sw. Nova Scotia, turnedup in New Brunswick,with singlesin tia wasat a Barringtonfeeder 2Jan+ (MN). A whereit hadnot been reported for at leastfive Dec at Richibucto,at Taymouth(subspecies Fox Sparrow successfully wintered at a feeder years.Examples of flock sizeswere 16 at dominica),and at Moncton; another lasted27 in LabradorCity (GP). A total of 68 Dark- RoundHill, Queens13 Dec(Peter Hope) and Nov-31 Jan at Fredericton(Ron Wilson), one eyedJuncos on the St. PierreC.B.C. 19 Dec 12 at Eel Lake, Yarmouth18 Dec (MN). Pur- at MiddleMusquodobbit, NS 13 Janwas ob- was said to be a record for the islands(RE). ple Finchwas common only in w.Newfound- servedfeeding on flies(fide BMt), and anoth- land and sw.Nova Scotia.At C.S.I.,heavy er at St. Pierre22 Jan (fideRE) waslocally CARDINALIDSTHROUGH FINCHES snow 16 Jan brought60 to a feeder(GS), veryrare. Pine Warbler continues to increase Northern Cardinal is resident in sw. Nova wherethey eventually built up to 87 birdsby eachwinter, with manyreports of singlebirds Scotia;50+ were found in a dayof birdingin 20 Feb.Red Crossbill was uncommon at best, at feedersthroughout the Region.The only Yarmouthand Shelburne 13 Dec (MN), with as mostlyat feeders,e.g., 5 at PortBlandford, NF PrairieWarbler of theperiod was at Biscay 18 Feb(fide BMt), 6 nearBuctouche, NB in Bay,NF 3 Dec (PL). A Black-and-white late Dec (RogerLeBlanc), 9 at Barrington, Warblerlasted until 26 Dec at St.John's. NS 14 Jan (MN), and a "number"the same An Ovenbirdwas found at Sullivan'sPond, dayin Lunenburg,NS (SF).White-winged Dartmouth,NS 7 Jan (JH).An imm. Cape Crossbillwas common in Labrador,abun- MayWarbler in Halifax1 Dec(Andy Horn, dant in w. Newfoundland,and uncommon BMy), and a maleat a feederin Kentville, in e. Newfoundland and the rest of the Re- NS 13-20 Dec (DavidWebster) provided gion.Common Redpoll had a peakwinter, the firstwinter records from the province asit doesevery other year, although really in about 15 years.New Brunswick's2nd AccompanyingtheWestern Reef-Heron (left) at StephenvilleCrossing, large flocks did not reachas far s. (to sw. Townsend'sWarbler was eventually killed Newfoundlandthrough most of the summer and early autumn was a NovaScotia, for example) as during winter by a Sharp-shinnedHawk at GondolaPt. 9 LittleEgret; first noted 30 May 2006, it becameinseparable from the 2003-2004.Hoary Redpolls were few and Dec(fide JW). Twomore made it into Dec reef-heronand was even observed ina mixedcolony of Black-headedfar between, with the southernmost being 2 in St.Johng, one throughi Dec and an- andRing-billed Gulls, passing sticks with the reef-heron, asif nesting (nonest was observed). The Little Egret was last seen 20 September. at Mader'sCove, Lunenburg, NS 22 Feb other4 Dec (BMt), the latterbeing about Remarkably,another Little Egret had been seen in Newfoundland in (JH). PineSiskin was common only in w. the 13th for Newfoundland & Labrador. A lateMay, at CapeFreeIs. Photograph byPaulLinegar. Newfoundland and sw. Nova Scotia. CommonYellowthroat was at Mundy EveningGrosbeak had its best winter in Pond,St. John's 12Jan (BMt). Therewere sev- manyas l0 at somefeeders. In Lunenburg,years but stillnot closeto historicalhighs in eralreports of Yellow-breastedChat surviving smallroaming flocks of 3-6 birdswere en- the 1970s and 1980s;a flock of 33 at Mon- into Feb in Nova Scotia,such as one 10 Feb at counteredin late Jan (JH). Rose-breasted tague, PEI 30 Dec (Gary Schneider)was Lockeport(DC) andone at Suilivan'sPond 19 Grosbeakswere foundat Jeddore,NS 8 Dec calledthe "largest in a longtime," while 20 at Feb (Ann Morrison). (LucasBerrigan), at Shediac,NB I Dec(fide Windsor,NS 18 Dec werelabeled the "mostin The femaleWestern Tanager attending a SIT), andat a feederin Wabush,Labrador ear- manyyears" (Angela Slaunwhite); some feed- feederin PortHawkesbury, NS waslast re- ly Oct-19 Dec and apparentlylater (Sandy ersin se.New Brunswickhad up to 65 birds. ported3 Jan (WeldonMacPhaii). As usual, Slaney).A Black-headedGrosbeak at Clifton therewere several reports (10+) of Eastern Royal,NB 28 Dec-9 Jan (JeanMacDonald) Contributors(subregional editors in bold- Towheeat feedersin theMaritimes. Clay-col- wasabout the 4th for theprovince. The only face): Patrick Boez, Steve Bushell, Donna oredSparrows at feedersincluded one at Can- BlueGrosbeak reported was at Fredericton, Crosby,Brian Dalzell, RogerD'Etcheberry, so, NS 21 Dec-9 Feb (TK) and another at St. NB 10 Dec (Peter Pearce).One Indigo GeorgeDigout, Sylvia Fullerton, Paul Gould, John's,NF through10 Feb (PL). The only Buntingreport per winter seemsto be the JamesHirtle, TomKavanaugh, Patrick Kelly, LarkSparrow wintered at a MurrayRiver, PEI norm, with this season'sbird presentat a Ken Knowles,Randy Lauff, Paul Linegar, feeder(fide DO). A GrasshopperSparrow was Yarmouth,NS feeder 18-25 Feb (Eric Ruff). YolandeLeBlanc, Blake Maybank (BMy), a goodfind at CapeRace, NF 3 Dec (BMt, An ad. femalePainted Buntingfound at BruceMactavish (BMt), Dave McCorquodale, JohnWells, KK), and2 Nelson'sSharp-tailed Bridgewater,Lunenburg, NS 8-10 Feb (fideJH) lan McLaren,Eric Mills, Susann Myers, Mur- Sparrowsat SaintgRest Marsh, Saint John, NB providedonly about the 13th provincial rayNewell, Johnny Nickerson, Dwaine Oak- 13 Dec probablyattempted to winter (SIT). record. Eastern Meadowlarkswere very ley, TerryPacquet, Gordon Parsons, David & Carefulexamination in recentyears has indi- scarce,at both Sackville(Nev Gerrity)and ElaineSeeler, Garvin Swim, Stuart Tingley, catedthat most White-crownedSparrows MarysPoint, NB (DavidChristie) in the last JimWilson. • foundin thee. partof theRegion in winter weekof Feb.There were 6 Dickcisselsreport- are of the gambellisubspecies. Four were edfrom Nova Scotia, including up to 3 at one BrianDalzeil, 120 Mitchell Swan Branch, Tatamagouche, foundin Nova Scotia,while singlesat St. Canso feeder,and 2 in Newfoundland.Balti- NovaScotia BOK 1VO, ([email protected])

VOLUME 60 (2006) NUMBER 2 201