CONTINENTAL SURVEY The Autumn Migration August 1--November 30, 1983 NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION /Richard A. Forster In general,the weatherin August,September, and October was very warm and dry with few pronouncedcold fronts producinglandbird waves. The second and fourth weeks of November were mild but other- wise the monthwas nearnormal. November was very rainy partlyas a resultof easterlystorms. These storms were responsiblefor excellent waterbird numbersat coastalvantages, at least in southernNew Eng- land. Most observersRegionwide termed the fall migrationfair at best. A betterperspective of migrationis providedby bird observatoriesand bandingstations that allow for yearlycomparisons. Although the band- mg data supportsthe generalconsensus of field observers,clearly some speciesappeared in aboveaverage numbers. This wasespecially true of residentor commonspecies, which tend to be ignoredor unreportedby .a• T LANTI C mostfield observers.However, these negatives aside. there were some phenomenalrarities including a new North Americanrecord, and ob- OCEAN serversin Newfoundlandwere treatedto a reversemigration in mid- November that producedno fewer than sevenprovincial records. LOONS, GREBES -- There were very few reportsof this groupof birds but thosereceived were noteworthy.Storm-driven Red-throated Loonsnumbered 125 at SandyNeck, Barnstable,Mass., Oct. 25 (fide RPE) and 225 during a stormat Rockport,Mass., Nov. 5 when 340 Com. Loonswere alsonoted (RSH). The only otherremarkable count of regularlyin Augustand September. Leach's Storm-Petrels were report- Red-throatedswas of 87 at Pt. Judith, R.I., Nov. 11 (fide DLE). The ed in normal numbersbut 30 seenduring a stormat SandyNeck, Pied-billedGrebe, a specieswhich several regional observers expressed Barnstable,Mass., Aug. 13 (fide BN) was a high numberfor suchan concernabout in recentyears, seems to be on a rebound(or are being earlydate. NorthernGannet is a regularfeature along the coast In fall, better reported). The highestcount was of 60 at Amherst Pt. Bird especiallyduring storms. This year, countsof 12,000 were notedin 2 Sanctuary(hereafter, A.P.B.S.) while they were said to be in good hoursat First EncounterBeach Oct. 25 (BN), and 2800 were seenat Pt. numbersthroughout the period in Massachusettsand Connecticut. Judith, R.I., Nov. 25 (DLE), where such numbers are unusual. There was not muchmention of Red-neckedGrebes. They wereconsid- ered early in NewfoundlandSept. 11 with a high countof 53 at Saint HERONS,IBISES -- LeastBitterns are now scarcely reported in the Pierre/MiquelonI., in earlyNovember (RE). The reliableW. Grebewas Region,perhaps indicating a localdecline. There were only six reported observedat Wells, Me., Nov. 22 (SH). in Augustand September,all from Massachusettsand RhodeIsland. The fall period is one of post-breedingdispersal and concentrationat TUBENOSES THROUGH GANNET -- It would seem that the nightroosts. This yearcounts of 39 GreatEgrets and 706 SnowyEgrets Manx Shearwaterwas the mostprevalent species in offshorewaters this weremade at PlumI., Mass., Sept.26 (GWG). Noteworthyreports of season.Numbers of all other specieswere considerablylower than in sevenGreat Egretsin interiorMassachusetts during August (fide SK), previousyears. The usualN. Fulmarswere presentwith the 30 seenat andtwo in Novemberin NovaScotia were exceptional. The Little Blue StellwagenBank, Mass., Sept. 25 beingthe bestcount. Cory's Shear- Heroncontinued its propensityfor lingeringlate in the season.Three waterswere particularlyscarce despite warm watertemperatures. Only were presentin Massachusettsduring November, eight were in Nova a few were notedon the "Bluenose" ferry crossingsand a maximum Scotia,mostly in September,and one was presentin Newfoundlandat count of 20 was noted at Cox's Ledge, R.I., Aug. 31 (fide DLE). WitlessBay Nov. 13 (MP,fide BM). Wanderingimm. CattleEgrets are Somewhatsurprising in an off-yearwas a Cory'sseen at FirstEncounter routineduring this seasonin Octoberand November.One at Trinity Beach,Eastham, Mass., Nov. 30 (BN). The only appreciablenumbers Bay, Nfld., Oct. l0 wasunusual, while 61 in Ipswich,Mass., Aug. 28 of Greater Shearwaterswere 2000 at Seal I., N.S., Sept. 4 (fide RBr), possiblyrepresented a regionalhigh count(fide RPE). The maximum and2400 at Rockport,Mass., Nov. 5 (RSH) duringa storm.Perhaps not numberof Yellow-crownedNight-Herons was six in Eastham,Mass., so surprising,given the amountof attentionpelagic birding is receiving Sept. 2 (RAF), while one at GrandManan I., N.B., Sept. 2, andtwo now, were reportsof Audubon's Shearwater. One was seenat Cox's individualsin Newfoundlandin August(fide BM) were rare. Glossy Ledge, R.I., Sept. 4 and threewere seenat HydrographerCanyon, 75 Ibises,unlike the herons, depart the Region early. No exceptionalnum- miles s. of NantucketI., Mass., Aug. 22 (WRP et al.). Wilson's Storm- bers were reported,but one at MiquelonI., Nfld., Aug. 22-23 was Petrelswere concentratedin the lower Bay of Fundywith estimatesof considerablyn. of its usualrange. up to 100,000 in early August(NF). More typicalof maximumcounts were 2500 at StellwagenBank, Mass., Aug. I (RSH). For the 2nd WATERFOWL -- This groupperforms the bulk of its migration consecutiveyear White-facedStorm-Petrels were observed on a 2-day duringthe latter part of thisreporting period but reports were scarce and pelagictrip to GeorgesBank, Mass. Two were seenin the vicinity of manyobservers commented on eitherthe scarcity of birdsor the lateness HydrographerCanyon Aug. 22 (WRP et al.) where it may appear of arrival.Two FulvousWhistling-Ducks were present at MonomoyI., Volume 38, Number 2 175 Mass , Aug 7 (ph , RE) Novembersaw a rashof reportsof Tundra RAILS, GALLINULES, CRANES -- A possiblereport of a Black Swans.Seven were seenat Yarmouth,N.S., Nov. 20 qTdeIAM) while Rail wasnoted at Milford, Conn.,Oct. 3, by a rail hunter(fide DR). The possiblyas manyas 22 wereobserved at 3 coastalMassachusetts loca- few ClapperRail reports were from coastal s. NewEngland and no King tions Nov. 27. A Greater White-fronted Goosegraced a Rochester, Railswere reported. Reports of otherrails were exceedingly sparse An Mass., cornfield Oct. 31-Nov. 30+. The Snow Goose migration ad. PurpleGallinule was presentin Concord,Mass. Great Meadows, throughthe Regiondefies classification. Flocks totalling 2903 birds (hereafter,G.M.N.W.R.) whereone has appeared for thelast 4 yearsA were noted in interior MassachusettsOct. 9, 16, 19 & Nov. 13 (fide Com. Moorhenwas unusual at SealI., N.S., Sept. I (fideIAM) aswas SK). The only otherreport that coincideswith thesedates was of 3 oneat MonheganI., Me., duringSeptember (v.o.). Up to 11 moorhens flocks totalling 75 birds in Chatham, Mass., Oct. 16 (BN). "Big were noted in Longmeadow,Mass., at least to Oct. 11 (fide SK) fi•ghts" of SnowGeese were notedin Connecticutabout Oct. 9 (fide Reflectinga trendin recentautumns, Am. Coot numberswere down, DR). Fifty-oneBrant inland at QuabbinRes., Mass., Oct. 20 was an causingnegative comments froin someRegional observers. Two Sand- unusuallyhigh count(fide SK). CanadaGoose migration goes largely hill Craneswere foundat Middle Musquodoboit,N.S., Oct. 9 (ftde uncommentedon due to the now-highresident populations. Thus, 20 IAM). The speciesis now almost annual in Nova Scotiaand other flocks totalling 1000+ birds in New HampshireOct. 9 (TR) were sectionsof the Region. notworthy.Wood Ducks seldom assemble in appreciablenumbers in the Regionand 250 in Longmeadow,Mass., Sept. 18was a goodcount. An SHOREBIRDS -- Shorebirdcounts were belowaverage during the echpse-plumageCinnamon Teal was carefullyobserved at Seal I., seasonbut this groupalways provides interesting reports. No sizable N S., Sept. 2-4 (ELM, SIT). The usual scatteredEur. Wigeons were flocksor notablefall-outs of LesserGolden-Plovers were reported, presentfrom Newfoundlandto RhodeIsland with oneat E. Providence, probablyas a resultof a lack of coastalstorms. A lateindividual was R I., Sept. 20 perhapsa bit on the early side (fide DLE). The only seenin Portland,Me., Nov. 11 (fideWT). The Region'sonly Wilson's s•zablecount of Canvasbackswas of 1200 at E. Providence,R.I., Nov. Plover wasseen at NinigretPd., R.I., Aug. 6 (RoC). Mostreports for 19 (fide DLE) at a now traditional location. An impressivecount of this speciesare in spring.The first breedingrecord, and only recent R•ng-neckedDucks was of 1075 at Lakeville, Mass., Nov. 5 (WRP). provincialrecord, of the Piping Plover occurredat Deadman'sBay, The Tufted Duck first discoveredat MonomoyI., Mass., in May was Nfld., Aug. 13, when two fledglingswere seen(BM). Post-breeding presentthroughout the reportingperiod. countsof Am. Oystercatchersreflect their strong foothold in theRegion There was very little commentregarding sea ducks but the general A maximumcount of 40 was at MonomoyI., Mass., Aug. 7, andtwo consensuswas that they arrivedlate andin lowerthan normal numbers. lingeredat Chatham,Mass., to Nov. 6 (BN). Reportsof an Am. Avocet However,there are alwaysexceptions. A high of 25,000 Com. Eiders in S. Thomaston,Me., Aug. 6-7, Rye, N.H., Aug. I0, andPlum I , was notedat Plymouth,Mass., Nov. 19 (fide RPE). A NE stormat Mass., Aug. 10-18may all haverepresented the sameindividual Rockport, Mass., Nov. 5 produced6000 Oldsquaws,12,000 Surf Threeupland Sandpipers in NovaScotia Aug. 14-Sept.3 wereunusu- Scoters,and 8500 Red-breastedMergansers (RSH), while6000 + Red- al while one on the ratherlate dateof Sept. 28, at BurinPen., Nfld , breastedMergansers were at Provincetown,Mass., Nov. 20 (BN). Sept.28