Site fondé en 1993

Weather was quite acceptable, by our standards. We have two new breeding records for anatids. It seems that few observers invested time in the observation of passerine birds.

Red-throated Loon : Two pair were in a usual nesting place in northern Miquelon on June 12 (BL). MD had two adults in the same area July 17. One brood of two young about adult size was reported from Langlade by BL on July 27.

Common Loon : This non-breeder is always uncommon in summer. There are three sightings of one bird in June 8, 12 and 25 (RE/DL/JCH). LJ had one July 8 off the west coast of Miquelon. ERRATUM : last yearÎs comment of « One singing in Mirande lake June 20 was rather usual » should have been « rather UNUSUAL ».

Northern Fulmar : JCH had 8 birds between Miquelon and St-Pierre June 6. Up to 8 birds were seen prospecting again on Colombier island between June 12 and July 13 (RE/LJ/DL). One in St-Pierre seemed to be incubating when seen by LJ July 4, it was not seen on a subsequent visit.

Greater Shearwater : No great concentration reported, only 10 reports between June 6 and July 28 (RE/JCH/LJ/MD). They were fairly numerous only June 22 off the S-W of St-Pierre, seen from the land (RE).

Sooty Shearwater : About the same as above (RE/JCH/LJ/DL/MD), LJ had about 50 birds between St-Pierre and Langlade July 25.

Manx Shearwater : Fairly common and well reported throughout the season for a maximum of about 150 between St-Pierre and Langlade July 13 (LJ/DL/RE). We (RE/DL) spent one night on Colombier island July 7 and once again noticed some activities : few birds singing but a few alighting on land. The next morning one bird was found seemingly incubating in a natural crevice, when checked July 28 the bird was still there. No definite nesting evidence although it seems quite likely that it does actually breed.

Leach's storm-Petrel : One night on Colombier July 7, abundant as usual (RE/DL).

Northern Gannet : 14 reports, most of them in June for a maximum of 30 birds flying and diving near the west coast of St-Pierre June 13 (PA).

Great Cormorant : Fairly common as usual around St-Pierre. The colonies of Langlade and St-Pierre have almost completely disappeared except for one nest only on the east coast of Langlade seen in May. A visit to Colombier (July 7) was important to confirm that indeed most of our birds were nesting there. In fact we (RE/DL) found about 50 nests as compared to 23 last year. This is now the only important nesting site for the Archipelago for the species.

Double-crested Cormorant : Fairly scarce this summer, I had a maximum of ten birds in flight June 7 in Miquelon harbour. Four other reports of very few birds at a time between June19 and July 29.

Great Blue Heron : One near the village of Miquelon July 29.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron : From the description of a non-birder a possible bird was in St-Pierre July 26 -fide MD- (see fall report).

Canada Goose : From several reports it seems that about 9 to 10 pairs bred in our islands this year (m.ob.). MD had between 55 and 60 birds, (probably molting) in a pond in Miquelon July 17. Last year I had about 40 birds in the same pond 10 days earlier. They (11) first reappeared on the Isthmus July 29 (RE).

Wood Duck : One male was on a pond of the Isthmus July 8 (LJ).

Green-winged Teal : Few reports, LJ had 22 birds in which 4 were identified as males on the Isthmus July 8. Seven birds plus a brood of 7 young at least 3 weeks old were seen on the Isthmus July 13 (LJ/RE/DL).

American Black duck : 3 reports only ! .... JPD had a brood of 4 to 5 young on the southern part of the Isthmus around July 23.

Northern Pintail : As last year the best marsh of the Isthmus was not very productive again, a farm has resumed some activities nearby and has dogs ! ... A total of 6 broods were located, all on the Isthmus, plus a few alarmed females (RE/DL/LJ). Fifteen birds adult size were on a pond of the Isthmus and 18 in Grand Barachois July 29 (RE).

Northern Shoveler : A NEW BREEDING SPECIES : A few birds were seen throughout the season so nesting was expected. One brood of 9 ducklings aged about two weeks was seen on a pond of the Isthmus July 18 while I was leading a tour of the NFLD chapter of the Canadian Wildflowers Society, among them were John Maunder, Ken Knowles and Howard Clase. (See fall report for details on a second brood).

American Wigeon : One female with young was seen July 18 on the Isthmus (see above). It was found with 6 ducklings on a subsequent visit (RE). This is the third known nesting for this species.

Ring-necked Duck : Seven observations, between June 3 and July 29, only males, for a maximum of 12 birds on the Isthmus July 13 (RE/DL). (see fall report for a new nesting species !).

Greater Scaup : One male only on the Isthmus July 13 (RE/DL).

Common Eider : 4 birds off the east coast of Miquelon June 19 and 20 (BL).

Harlequin duck : DD had one male and two females near the South-west coast of Miquelon around July 20.

OLDSQUAW : One female was on a pond of the Isthmus July 29 ! ... This is possibly the lone female mentioned in the spring report seen at Langlade May 10 and 14 (RE).

Black Scoter : One male off the west coast of Miquelon June 21 (LJ).

White-winged Scoter : LJ had about 15 birds off the east coast of the Isthmus July 26.

Red-breasted Merganser : A fairly good year for the species, numerous broods reported, « creches » were seen at times with one female and up to 20 ducklings. A careful screening of the reports suggests we had at least 135 chicks recorded, mostly for the Isthmus and Mirande lake (m.ob.).

Osprey : One in St-Pierre June 6 (PA); One on the Isthmus June 10 (LJ); One on South-west Langlade June 16 (JPD); One in St-Pierre June 22 (DG) and one at Langlade July 27 (MD).

Bald Eagle : FOUR pairs nested in the islands this year, the usual one in Cape Miquelon had one young aged about 2 weeks June 10 (LJ); The nest on eastern Langlade was also occupied and had two eaglets (JPD). The nest of St-Pierre, known to be unstable was found capsized by LJ, one egg was found to have an embryo. For years we suspected a 2nd nest at Langlade, it was found by JPA/JPD June 16 and had one eaglet.

Northern Harrier : One adult in Miquelon attacked by a Merlin June 6 near Mirande lake (JCH). One male on the Isthmus June 11 (LJ); One male at Langlade June 18 (JPD) and one female in Miquelon July 27. No nesting evidence.

Sharp-shinned Hawk : Rather unusual in summer, one was seen, not far from the village of Miquelon by DD around July 26.

Northern Goshawk : One only at Langlade June 13 (JPD).

Rough-legged Hawk : The pair (two dark phase) on Colombier island had three chicks fairly well feathered by July 8 (RE/DL).

American Kestrel : Also rather exceptional in summer, one bird seen near the village of Miquelon June 28 (JPD).

Merlin : One nest with 5 eggs was found on southern Langlade June 11 (LJ). From alarmed individuals we can estimate at least four other pairs on Langlade and Miquelon (RE/MD)

Sora : One bird (at least) was singing on a marsh of the Isthmus June 25 (RE).

Black-bellied Plover : Twenty or more were around Grand Barachois by July 29 (RE).

Semipalmated Plover : Two pairs were seen with a brood of 2 to 3 chicks aged a few days, on the Isthmus June 30; about 10 near the village of Miquelon July 28 and 17 on the west coast of Grand Barachois the next day were probably migrants (RE).

Piping Plover : None were seen earlier in the season, so one pair near Grand Barachois June 20 was somewhat of a surprise, even more surprising was a nesting behaviour, when one chick aged a few days was located I had spent enough time in the area and investigation was stopped (RE) on July 13 FPA found 4 adults in the area but no young. Another pair was found in the usual site on the southern part of the Isthmus with two chicks aged a few days on July 13, this is probably the same pair that FPA found the same day with one chick; One alarmed adult was seen in the same area on July 24 (PB).

Killdeer : One June 2 (RE). Two in flight July 13 (RE/DL) and one July 8 (LJ) were around the village of Miquelon. No nesting evidence.

Greater Yellowlegs : The first migrants (11) were spotted by LJ on the isthmus July 8 (as last year !). Seen regularly since, on the Isthmus and near the village of Miquelon (RE/DL/PB)/LJ).

Lesser Yellowlegs: The first one was seen near the cape of Miquelon and a second one the next day on the Isthmus, with the Wildflower group July 19 and 20. A few others were seen with the greaters between July 29 and 21 (RE).

Willet : One seen May 25 near the village of Miquelon was last seen June 2 (RE/DL).

Spotted Sandpiper : Common and well reported throughout the season. One adult had four young aged a few days in St-Pierre July 5 (LJ); PA had one alarmed bird in St-Pierre July 11. Several birds at Langlade July 24 had one young among them; at least 3 young were on Colombier island July 27 (PB). Several adults were on the North-east coast of Miquelon with 3 flying young on July 28 (RE).

Whimbrel : The first ones (a few birds) were spotted by Thierry Gautier on the Isthmus June 27 (average is July 3 and earliest is June 26). About 40 birds were on the Isthmus June 30 (RE) and July 13 (RE/DL). BL had about 30 birds in St-Pierre July 16. About 50 birds were in Cape Miquelon July 19 (RE et al) and 21 (PB). MD had about 50 birds at Île aux Marins (near St-Pierre) July 28. About 40 were also in St-Pierre July 31 (PB).

Ruddy Turnstone: One with the Yellowlegs on the Isthmus July 8 (LJ). Few birds up to July 29 when about 40 birds were near Grand Barachois (RE).

Red Knot : About 40 on the banks of Grand Barachois July 29 (RE) were early, as the average date is August 25. Only twice were they recorded earlier : July 17, 1986 and July 23, 1994.

Semipalmated Sandpiper: A few at Grand Barachois July 29 (RE).

Least Sandpiper : A few here and there as usual. LJ had one young aged a few days on the Isthmus July 5. We (the wildflower group) had a brood of two young aged a few days near Grand Barachois July 18.

White-Rumped Sandpiper : A few at Grand Barachois July 29 (RE).

Common Snipe : One nest with 4 eggs in Miquelon June 3 (RE). The nest discovered at Langlade with 3 eggs May 21 and 24 had only two eggs by June 7 (RE). One nest had four eggs on western Langlade June 13 (RE/DL). Five together seemed to be young with one parent July 30 near the village of Miquelon (DD).

Red-necked Phalarope : Two at sea between Miquelon and St-Pierre June 6 (JCH) and one between St-Pierre and Langlade July 25 (LJ).

Pomarine Jaeger : One between St-Pierre and Langlade July 13 (RE/DL/LJ).

Great Skua : One off the east coast of Miquelon seemed well described by Denis Detchverry June 19 (fide RE).

Laughing Gull : One adult in St-Pierre July 27 (MD).

Little Gull : One catching insects in the air was first spotted near Mirande lake by RE June 26 and was photographed later the same day by JCH. It was molting to its first summer plumage. It was still there June 28. This is the second occurrence of the species that occurred as an adult in June 23 (almost the same date !) in 1989.

Common Black-headed Gull : One adult was on the Isthmus June 3 (RE), and one was seen regularly in the same pond near the village of Miquelon from June 12 to the end of the period (RE/JCH/DL).

Ring-billed Gull : Due to disturbance by free-roaming dogs the nesting colony found May 25 was destroyed as well as a few nests located near a marsh. They apparently didnÎt attempt to nest elsewhere.

Black-legged Kittiwake : Although not studied carefully, the breeding success appeared rather low this year.

Common/Arctic Terns : A colony near the village of Miquelon was vandalized by people ! .... (LJ). The colony on the islands in Mirande lake benefited low water level and did fairly well, one adult Common was seen feeding a flying young there July 29, numerous adults were seen carrying Sand-Lance (Ammodytes americanus). The colonies on the Isthmus apparently suffered the same fate as the Ring-billed Gull, see above.

Black Tern : One bird only near Mirande lake was seen 4 times between June 26 and July 14 (RE/JCH/LJ/DL).

Dovekie : 1 seen between Miquelon and St-Pierre June 6 (JCH) and 1 near Miquelon harbour July 20 (DD).

Common Murre : JCH had 31 birds at sea between Miquelon and St-Pierre on June 6 while 150 were around Colombier island. Several other sightings around that island of up to 30 individuals between June 8 and July 13 (RE/DL/LJ). Are they looking for a new nesting site ?

Razorbill : There were 28 adults in a little colony in St-Pierre, two young seen, one about 1 1/2 week old the other only a few days (LJ). The colony in Colombier island is now, and for the last few years, the best nesting spot. I counted 115 birds on the southern coast of that island July 7, unfortunately the northern side was foggy ! It is reasonable to think that there are at least 100 breeding pairs on that island now.

Black Guillemot : Common as usual. LJ had one nest with two young in St-Pierre, aged a few days July 4. A few were seen carrying food on Colombier island July 7 (RE).

Atlantic Puffin : The colony seems to be doing very well on Colombier island. Adults were carrying food on July 7 (RE/DL).

Mourning Dove : One spent a day in a garden of North-western Langlade July 3 (Thierry Gautier). Rather rare in July, since 1986 it has been noted only in 1987 and 1993.

Belted Kingfisher : The pair present in St-Pierre all spring was last seen June 13 (RE/DL/PB/PA). An inspection of the moraines nearby on June 26 seems to indicate that they have not been successful in digging a proper burrow (RE). One pair was seen at Langlade July 30 (BL).

Red-headed Woodpecker : The male seen at Langlade on May 28 was also seen by Rodrigue Girardin on June 6 and photographed by LJ on June 11.

Northern Flicker : On nest was found on Eastern Langlade June 7 (RE/DL/JCH). One brood of three with the parents was seen on Western Langlade by FPA July 13 and possibly the same ones in the same general area July 31 (MD).

Olive-sided Flycatcher: One in St-Pierre June 1 (FPA).

Eastern Wood-Pewee : One June 8, then one singing male June 11 both in St-Pierre (RE).

Yellow-bellied flycatcher : Fairly common and well reported throughout the season in the 3 islands; more discrete in July (RE/PA/MD). No nesting data

Eastern Kingbird : Seen regularly up to June 16, (RE/DL/PA/FPA/PB/BL/LJ) mostly in St-Pierre for a maximum of 7 birds at a time June 7.

Horned Lark : Certainly underreported as it seems rather common, more or less as usual. Several adults singing and one flying young on the Isthmus June 30 (RE).

Tree Swallow : Two on the Isthmus June 3 (RE) is the only report ! ...

Bank Swallow : One only with a few barns in Miquelon June 2 (RE).

Barn Swallow : very rare, just somewhat less that the two preceding ones : A few near the village of Miquelon June 2, one on the Isthmus the next day and two near Mirande lake June 5 (RE). One only in St-Pierre June 7, 9 and 13 (PA). Last seen 5 on North-western Langlade June 14 (PA).

Blue Jay : One in Miquelon, first spotted by Gilles Detcheverry in the village June 3, we (RE/JCH) saw it two days later.

American Crow : I had one nest on Southern Miquelon with 3 young aged about 2 weeks June 28.

Common Raven : On June 3, I saw one adult or a pair getting 3 or 4 Ring-billed Gull eggs near a marsh of the Isthmus. Nine, either nests or broods, were found on the three islands. One adult was feeding four young out of the nest near the east coast of Miquelon June 28 (RE/DL).

Black-capped Chickadee : Seems very scarce these years : One male was heard and/or seen in the same site in St-Pierre June 11, 24 and July 31(RE/PA). One male only was singing in Miquelon June 26 (RE).

Boreal Chickadee : One adult was carrying food at Langlade June 7 (RE/DL/JCH). Some in flocks again from July 20 on at Langlade and St-Pierre (PA/RE).

Red-breasted Nuthatch : None ! ...

House Wren : One well seen and well described at Langlade by MD at the strange date of July 27. Marc also saw the usual species the same day.

Winter Wren : A few males singing here and there, mostly in June in Miquelon and Langlade (RE/DL/JCH). MD had 2 or 3 birds together at Langlade July 27.

Golden-crowned Kinglet : 5 reports only between June 3 and July 12 (JCH/RE/FPA). in Miquelon and Langlade. No nesting data

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 6 reports only between June 3 and July 14, few birds at a time (RE/DL/JCH). One was alarmed in the woods of Miquelon July 14.

Grey-cheeked Thrush : 13 reports, all by RE/DL ! .... few individuals at a time, between June 3 and July 14, no nesting data.

Hermit Thrush : One pair in Miquelon June 5 (RE). 5 other males heard singing in the 3 islands between June 7 and July 11 (RE/DL/JCH/PA).

American Robin : Common as usual, several nesting reports between June 2 and July 11 (PA/DL/RE/DL).

Northern Mockingbird : Rather rare in spring, one was in St-Pierre June 5 (DG).

American Pipit : Quite scarce in spring and summer for several years now. A few were heard and seen on Colombier island July 7 where they probably still nest (RE/DL). A few also heard there July 28 (RE).

Cedar Waxwing : Except for 5 birds at Langlade June 7 (JCH/RE/DL), A few birds were seen (or reported) only in St-Pierre between June 1 and 16 (PA/PB/JCH/DL/RE).

Solitary Vireo : One on Eastern Langlade June 7 and 20 (RE/DL/JCH). One male was singing endlessly on Western Langlade July 3; it was almost certainly without a mate (RE).

Philadelphia Vireo: One in St-Pierre June 12 (MD).

Tennessee Warbler: Becoming very rare ! At least three were singing on Western Langlade June 13 (RE/DL) while none were heard during a lenghty visit of the same area July 3 (RE).

Northern Parula: One male heard singing in St-Pierre June 1 (RE).

Yellow Warbler : Fairly common and well reported (27 reports) between June 1 and July 25 in the 3 islands. One pair was collecting food in St-Pierre July 11 (PA).

Magnolia Warbler : 8 reports of one or two birds at a time between June 1 and 7 seems to indicate it was only a transient (RE/JCH/PA/DL).

Yellowrumped Warbler : A fairly rare nester here, one female showed a nesting behaviour in Miquelon June 3 (JCH). One male was carrying food in St-Pierre June 25 (LJ) while PA had two autonomous juveniles in the same area by July 16.

Black-throated green Warbler : One male in St-Pierre June 1 (PA), One male singing in Miquelon June 5 (RE). One male singing at Langlade June 7 (JCH/DL/RE).

Bay-breasted Warbler : One in St-Pierre June 1 (PA).

Blackpoll Warbler : Fairly common and well reported throughout the season, there are 8 nesting reports between June 29 and July 25 (PA/RE).

Black & White Warbler : Seemed rather scarce : 5 reports only, between June 1 and July 12 of very few birds at a time, in Miquelon and Langlade (JCH/RE/PA/FPA).

American Redstart : 14 reports between June 1 and 26 in the three island is fairly well (PA/LJ/PB/RE/DL); no nesting data.

Ovenbird : Three males singing in Miquelon in the same general area June 3 was almost an event after the scarcity (or total absence) in recent years. One male was also singing at Langlade June 13 (RE/DL) and possibly two, same area, July 3 (RE).

Northern Waterthrush : Fairly common and well reported. There were 8 reports of birds carrying food and/or juveniles in the three islands (RE/DL/PA). I saw the first flying young at Langlade July 3.

Mourning Warbler : 5 reports only. It seems rare except in a wooded hill of western Langlade where several males were singing regularly from mid-June to early July (RE).

Common Yellowthroat : Fairly common and fairly well reported. A banded male dead for several days was found in the town of St-Pierre by Mrs Andrée Hamel June 6. There are five breeding reports between July 5 and 31 (PA/RE/MD).

Wilson's Warbler : 13 reports between June 1 and July 5, few birds at a time in the three islands (JCH/RE-PA/DL/PB).

Savannah Sparrow : Common as usual. LJ had a nest with 4 eggs in Miquelon June 8. One adult was carrying food in St-Pierre June 22 (RE). One adult carrying food at Langlade July 3 (RE). One juvenile in St-Pierre July 3 and one adult carrying food, same area, the next day (PA). 1 adult carrying food in St-Pierre July 25 (PA).

Fox Sparrow : Common but almost unreported. One flying young was seen in Miquelon June 29. A few flying young with watchful parents were spotted at Langlade July 3 (RE).

Song Sparrow : No breeding evidence, except a possible juvenile in St-Pierre June 23 where a male was singing regularly earlier in the season (RE). One male singing near Mirande lake June 3. One male singing near the village of Miquelon June 26 was possibly the same, that was heard, same spot, July 31 (RE/DL).

Lincoln's Sparrow : One in St-Pierre June 11 (RE).

Swamp Sparrow : Common as usual, One pair was carrying food in Miquelon June 26 (RE). One pair was seen with at least 3 juveniles in St-Pierre July 31 (PA).

White-throated Sparrow : A few males heard here and there throughout the season. On pair was feeding flying young at Langlade July 3; one female and one juvenile was seen on Eastern Langlade the next day (RE).

Dark-eyed Junco : Two in St-Pierre June 1 (PA). One in St-Pierre, same date (FPA); One also in St-Pierre June 10 (PA).

Rusty Blackbird : One only in St-Pierre June 23 (RE).

Common Grackle : Last year they nested in the 3 islands; this year they were reported for St-Pierre only with a maximum of 6 birds June 9 (PA). All the nesting data is for the same area : two barely flying young were found June 18 (LJ) and possibly the same ones July 22 (PA); One adult was seen capturing sticklebacks in a pond and carrying them to a probable nest June 23 (RE).

Baltimore Oriole : One at JCHÎs feeder in Miquelon June 3 is a rather rare spring occurrence.

Pine Grosbeak : A few here and there, and singing, as usual.

White-winged Crossbill : One found dead in the village of Miquelon around July 2 (fide JCH). Five or 6 were at Langlade July 27 (MD).

Common Redpoll : One at PAÎs feeder in St-Pierre for the first time June 5 (PA).

Pine Siskin : In St-Pierre at PAÎs feeder there were 3 birds June 1 and one only June 6, 8, 10 and 11. In Miquelon at JCHÎs feeder there were 6 birds June 1 and 2, and 3 only June 3 and 2 June 8.

American Goldfinch : One only at JCHÎs feeder in Miquelon June 1. PA had no more than a pair at his feeder in the first fortnight of June. A few heard here in there throughout the period.

Contributors : Fréderic & Patricia Allen-Mahé (FPA); Jean-Paul Apesteguy (JPA); Pascal Asselin (PA); Patrick Boez (PB); Marc Dérible (MD); Jean-Pierre Descontes-Desgranges (JPD); Dominique Gouverne (DG); Jackie and Christine Hébert (JCH); Laurent Jackman (LJ); Danielle Lebollocq (DL); Bruno Letournel (BL)