The fall migration (2000) in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon islands
Weather
was acceptable from August through October. November was very bad with easterlies
and rain almost everyday for more than three weeks. We have two new species, and
a few other interesting records.
Red-throated Loon : On adult feeding 1 young was found
on a new area, near the north-eastern corner of the Isthmus on August 19 (PA)
and Aug. 23 (RE). Last seen : 2 off the west coast of Miquelon October 18 (RE).
Common Loon : While the
first migrants, (5) were seen by MD off the west coast of the Isthmus on August
2, the next ones were seen only August 27, then regularly off the three islands.
Maximum numbers were about 12 off the east coast of the Isthmus on September 26
(RE), 8 in St. Pierre November 5 (FPA) and about 15 off the Cape of Miquelon November
26 (RE).
Pied-billed Grebe : One was reported by LJ in St. Pierre
October 10, while I had one near the village of Miquelon October 23.
Red-necked Grebe : One off the west coast of the Isthmus
was seen by LJ on September 9, 5 days later than last year, while the average
is Sept. 23. I spotted my first ones (3) off the east coast of the Isthmus September
26. A few others here and there; then, in St. Pierre FPA had 14 on November 19
and 44 Nov. 26 while LJ had 52 birds, same area on November 29. In Miquelon I
had 22 birds off the Cape on November 22, and 81, on Nov. 26. BL had about 100
birds off Mirande lake on November 29. This is quite a number of birds for the
month of November as compared with recent years.
Greater Shearwater : Few reports, mostly off St. Pierre
where numerous whales were also present (even blue ! ā) About 200 birds were reported
there by PB on August 27, while PA had numerous birds between St. Pierre and Langlade
Sept. 4. there were several hundreds birds near Colombier island September 7 (PB).
None reported after this date.
Sooty Shearwater : Just a few were this species among
the 200 reported above (PB). I had a few off the east coast of Miquelon on August
30. Numerous with the above reported by PA for Sept. 4. Several hundreds were
also present near Colombier island on September 7 (PB). None reported after this
date although I had a group at sea, too far and two briefly seen, on October 10
between Miquelon and St. Pierre.
§Manx Shearwater : None reported ! ā
Northern Gannet : Well reported
in August and September. They were particularly numerous between August 27 and
Sept. 10 around St. Pierre with up to several hundreds birds on August 28 (PB).
Last seen two off the Cape of Miquelon on October 24, eight days later than average.
Double-crested Cormorant : Fairly common around Miquelon island throughout
late summer, with none reported after October 17 (RE).
Great Cormorant : About 80
birds were on a rock near Grand Colombier on August 14 (PA). I had about 50 birds
around the Cape of Miquelon on November 26.
American Bittern : One was
reported by Julien De Lizarraga near the east coast of Miquelon on October 14.
Great blue Heron : 6 reports, involving at least 2 birds,
one in St. Pierre one in Miquelon, between October 21 and 25 (BL/FPA/RE/SA). Another
bird was in St. Pierre between November 11 and 30 (GZ/BL/LJ/PB/FPA). and at least
one in Miquelon between November 10 and 18. (RE/LJ/AE).
Great Egret : First reported
by AE on the south-western corner of the Isthmus on October 9 it was seen by other
observers until Oct. 24 (PH/RE/PB/MD). Is it the same bird seen, same area, by
JPA on November 10 ?
Snowy Egret : First seen by Denis Detcheverry near
the village of Miquelon, on October 10, it was present until October 16 (RE/JCH).
Little blue Heron
: One bird well seen near the east coast
of Miquelon by AE on November 1 is our FIRST fall report ! ā
Cattle Egret : After a
storm, one exhausted bird was brought to SA on October 22. She didnt succeed
in saving its life, it died 3 days later.
Canada Goose : It seems
that our local breeders, (more common every year) migrate south rather early and
do not frequent the salt lagoon of Grand Barachois; maximum birds seen there occasionally
were between 30 to 60 from August 21 to October 1 (JPD/RE/BL). Last seen : 17
at Grand Barachois October 9 and 18 (RE).
Eurasian Wigeon : One immature male was shot, in a
group of two in Miquelon by Philippe Detcheverry on October 18 (RE). One bird
in St. Pierre seen by PA on November 26 was thought to be this species.
American Wigeon : One female
in St. Pierre (where one spend last winter) was seen between September 10 and
November 29 (PA/BL/LJ/PB).
American Black duck : Numbers
started to build up at Grand Barachois with between 225 and 250 birds on September
8, then 355 on Sept. 26, and 445 on Oct. 9, 537 a week later and about the same
number until November 20. Unprecedented were 616 counted there on November 26.
(RE/LJ).
Mallard : One female
in flight on the Isthmus on August 14 (RE). One male was seen with the blacks
at Grand Barachois on October 26 (RE). AE shot one female in Miquelon in September.
Northern Pintail : A few broods
were seen up to August 13 (MD/RE). No concentration was noted at Grand Barachois
this fall, but several groups of birds were scattered in Mirande lake, and the
salt pond near the village of Miquelon for a maximum of 37 birds on August 30
(RE). A few birds seen here and there up to November 26 (m. ob.).
Green-winged Teal : Fairly well
reported throughout the season, they were 35 in Mirande lake by August 22 (RE);
17 in a pond of St. Pierre August 27 (PB); 85 on the Isthmus August 30 (LJ/JPA)
more widespread and less numerous after the opening of the hunting season in early
September : 20 birds were near the town of St. Pierre on October 13 and 17 on
a pond of the Isthmus the next day (BL/RE/PB). About 15 birds were with the blacks
at Grand Barachois on October 13. Last seen : one male in St. Pierre November
27 and 29 (LJ).
Greater Scaup : The two
individuals in Mirande lake in July were still present up to August 19 (RE). One
male and one female were in Grand Barachois September 16 (RE, Eric & Brooke
Tull from Alberta, hereafter for this date : RE & al.) There was a variable
number of birds in Mirande lake between Sept. 22 and Nov. 1 for a maximum of 8
birds (RE/BL).
Common Eider : There were
about 15 birds near the rocks off the east coast of Miquelon August 30 (RE/Denis
Detcheverry). The first concentration, about 350 birds was noted for St. Pierre
by BL on November 16 while they were about 900 on Nov. 29 (LJ). BL reported about
300 birds off the east coast of Miquelon on Nov. 30.
Surf Scoter : The first
birds were two immature on a pond of the Isthmus September 24 (RE). Reported fairly
regularly between October 1 and the end of the period for a maximum of about 30
birds off the Isthmus on November 30 (BL).
White-winged Scoter : About 300
birds were present off the east coast of the Isthmus on September 26 and October
1 (RE). BL had 150 birds or more, same area on October 24; a maximum of about
15 birds was seen near Mirande lake on November 22 (RE).
Black Scoter : The first birds (2) were spotted
by BL off the Isthmus on September 25. Few others reports, of very few birds,
there was a maximum of about 30 birds off Mirande lake on November 29 (BL). On
October 3, LJ had at least 500 Scoter sp. ēflushedë by a boat off the Isthmus,
too far for identification to species.
Oldsquaw : Thirteen
days later than average, the first 8 birds were seen on October 17, off Mirande
lake where they were about 25 two days later, (RE). On October 22 BL had about
100 birds and I had about 250 by October 26, all off Mirande lake. Regularly seen
then in good numbers.
Common Goldeneye : 16 birds
at Grand Barachois on November 16 were about 3 weeks later than average (but,
see description of our November weather above ! ā). LJ had 32 birds on the salt
lagoon on November 20 while I had 57, 6 days later.
Red-breasted Merganser : We had a few broods still visible here an there
up to the end of August, then fairly common as usual. There was a maximum of 70
birds at Grand Barachois on November 26 (RE).
Osprey : Two birds
were in St. Pierre on September 10 (PA), 6 other reports, one bird at a time,
between Sept. 24 and October 15 (RE/BL/PA/LJ). Last seen one at Langlade on October
21 (RE), this is a record late, the previous one was Oct. 19, 1990.
Bald Eagle : Only four
reports, one bird in St. Pierre, August 2 (PB). One or two adults in the Cape
of Miquelon September 30, one sub adult, also in the Cape October 24 (RE). One
immature was seen on southern Langlade November 26 (LJ).
Northern Harrier : Although
I felt it was rather uncommon this fall, there are more reports than in the two
previous years ! ā 23 altogether between August 5 and October 10 (m. ob.), mostly
one bird at a time, except two August 13 and Sept. 28 in Cape Miquelon, two on
the Isthmus Sept. 24 (RE). and two immature and one adult in St. Pierre August
30 (PA).
Sharp-shinned Hawk : Fairly common and well reported
between Sept. 9 and Nov. 20 in the 3 islands (m.ob.). At least 4 but possibly
six birds were in Cape Miquelon on September 30 (RE)
Northern Goshawk : 8 reports between October 22 and
Nov. 29 (LJ/BL//RE), one bird at a time (LJ/BL/RE).
Rough-legged Hawk : Two in St. Pierre August 13 (BL); one above Colombier island the
next day (PA). One on the western coast of St. Pierre on Sept. 10 (PA) and one,
same area, Nov. 19 (JPA)
American Kestrel : 1 male in
Cape Miquelon Sept. 3 (RE). One in St. Pierre Nov. 11 (GZ) and Nov. 18 (BL).
Merlin : Well reported
throughout the season, more or less as usual (m.ob.) up to Oct. 11 (RE). Average
departing date is Nov. 4 !
Peregrine Falcon : 1 near the
village of Miquelon October 1, one on the west coast of Miquelon Oct. 9 (RE);
one in St. Pierre Oct. 10 (LJ) One on the Isthmus October 13 (RE/PB); One seen
twice at Grand Barachois October 14 (RE). One in St. Pierre October 15 (BL) and
November 4 (LJ).
Black-bellied Plover : The first migrants arrived in July. Regularly seen then, the highest numbers
were see only in August where I had about 300 at Grand Barachois on the 14th.
About 100 birds were present on Sept. 26. Some birds were present near the village
and at Grand Barachois for a maximum of about 50 birds up to November 5, fewer
then up to November 29 (m. ob.).
American Golden Plover : The first 5 or 6 birds were at Grand Barachois on August 18, 5 days earlier
than average. They were about 30 near the village on August 22 and about 35 at
Grand Barachois on August 27. We (RE & al) had about 85 birds also at the
salt lagoon on Sept. 16. and I had about 60 birds there on September 28. In October
there were only a few birds on the Isthmus and from 15 to 20 near the village,
last seen a few on the Isthmus October 26 (RE).
Semipalmated Plover : About 150
migrants were near Grand Barachois on August 5 (RE). Common throughout the season
up to Oct. 5 where PB had about 50 birds in St. Pierre. A few then, up to Oct.
23 (PA).
Piping Plover : The brood of three flying young seen
in July were last observed near Grand Barachois on August 5 (RE).
Greater Yellowlegs : Fairly common
and well reported between August 1 and September 28 (m.ob.) They left rather early
as the average departing date is October 15 ! ā
Lesser Yellowlegs : A few birds
were reported between August 5 and 27 (RE).
Solitary Sandpiper : One on the
south-western corner of the Isthmus August 6 (MD), One in St. Pierre was seen
by LJ and photographed by PA on August 18.
Spotted Sandpiper : Few reports,
few birds at a time between August 12 and September 12 (MD/PA/PB/LJ/RE). Later
than average were one near Grand Barachois on Sept. 24 (RE) and one at Langlade
on Sept. 30 (LJ).
Whimbrel : Probably
underreported. There was a maximum of 45 birds seen in St. Pierre by BL on August
13 (BL) and about 65 at Grand Barachois August 18 (RE). Last seen two in Miquelon
September 24 (LJ) 12 days later than average.
Hudsonian Godwit : Two were
near Grand Barachois on September 20 (PB).
Ruddy Turnstone: The first
migrants arrived in July. Fairly common and regular throughout the season for
a maximum of 46 birds at Grand Barachois on August 18 (RE). Pa had 36 birds ēcounted
simultaneously, but probably moreë) on August 19 and SA had about 30 birds, same
area, on August 29. Fewer then, up to the end of the period (m. ob.).
Red Knot : The first migrants arrived in July. Regularly seen at Grand Barachois
throughout the season for a maximum of about 200 birds on September 16 (RE &
al). They were about 75 on October 18 and about 80, October 26 (RE). About 20
birds were near the village on Nov. 30 (RE).
Sanderling : 7 on the Isthmus on August 2 (MD) were more than two weeks earlier
than average. Fairly common throughout the season, near the village and at Grand
Barachois, where BL had about 200 birds on November 3. None were reported between
August 6 and 16.
Semipalmated Sandpiper : The first migrants arrived in July. There was
a maximum of about 50 birds at Grand Barachois on August 5 (RE). A few birds here
and there, in Miquelon and in St. Pierre up to October 23 (PA/RE).
Least Sandpiper : 6 reports only, few birds at a time, last seen : 2 in St. Pierre
on August 30 (PA).
White-Rumped Sandpiper : About 100 birds were at Grand Barachois on August
5 (5 days earlier than average). Well reported throughout the season (m. ob.),
at Grand Barachois, but also near the village where there were about 100 birds
on August 14 (RE). Last seen one at Grand Barachois Nov. 24 (RE).
Bairds Sandpiper : One possible individual was seen
much too briefly at Grand Barachois on September 16 (RE & al.).
Pectoral Sandpiper : 5 reports,
one bird at a time between Aug. 10 and Sept. 16, on the 3 islands (PA/PB/RE).
Purple Sandpiper : The first one was seen near the Isthmus by MD on October 24. I had
a good 50 birds in Cape Miquelon on October 30 and a few others in Miquelon later
on. The maximum was between 110 and 115 in Cape Miquelon on November 26 (RE).
Dunlin : Always late,
one bird was seen at Grand Barachois September 16 (RE & al), 6 days earlier
than average, several other sightings, few birds at a time, except about 30, October
18 and about 40, Oct. 26 all at Grand Barachois (RE).
Stilt Sandpiper : A long-awaited addition to
our avifauna ! One bird was photographed by PA in St. Pierre on August 30.
Short-billed Dowitcher : The first migrants arrived in July. 16 reports
between August 13 and September 28 for a maximum of about 30 birds at Grand Barachois
on August 27 (RE).
Common Snipe : Largely
unreported ! 4 sightings between August 11 and October 18 (BL/PA/BL/RE).
Red-Necked Phalarope : One in Miquelon October 16 (PH).
Red Phalarope : BL had 21
birds near the coast of the Isthmus on September 25.
Pomarine Jaeger : One near
a Tern colony on Mirande lake on August 13 (RE/MD).
Parasitic Jaeger : One in St.
Pierre on August 11 (BL).
Long-tailed Jaeger : One seen
by Denis Detcheverry and then very briefly by me, at sea between St. Pierre and
Miquelon on October 10.
Black-headed Gull : The first
one was seen in Miquelon on October 11, while in St. Pierre PA had the first one
(adult) on October 23. A few birds were present throughout the month of November
in St. Pierre harbour for a maximum reported of 7 (LJ). In Miquelon there were
9 with an adult Bonaparte on October 24 and only 6 two days later (RE).
Bonapartes Gull : One adult
with the Black-headed in Miquelon on October 24 and 26 (RE).
Ring-billed Gull : There were
still a few adults at Grand Barachois on October 26 (RE) and one immature in St.
Pierre harbour the same day (PA).
Iceland Gull : One immature
was in St. Pierre harbour by November 3 (PA). One adult was off the Isthmus on
November 24 and one immature near the village on Nov. 26.
Great Black-backed
Gull : There was a concentration of about 100 birds near the village of Miquelon
by November 22 (RE).
Common Tern : A few birds
were seen in St. Pierre in August, for a maximum of about ten on August 6 and
15 (PA). About 20 young were still fed by the adults on Mirande lake on August
19.
Common/Arctic Terns : Last seen,
1 immature at Grand Barachois on Oct. 18 and one adult on Oct. 26 (RE).
Black Tern : One in winter
plumage was with the other species at Mirande lake, August 22 to 28 (RE).
Dovekie : Rather scarce so far, 7 birds were
spotted by LJ off St. Pierre on October 19 and I had one freshly killed on a road
near the sea at Mirande on October 23.
Black Guillemot : Seems quite
common, possibly more than usual, at least off Mirande lake where I had about
50, then 75 there on October 17 and 18. PA had more than 30 birds off the east
coast of St. Pierre on October 1.
Atlantic Puffin : One bird
was still around Colombier island by September 7 (PB).
White-winged Dove : One bird first reported by Guy Cormier
on September 28 was photographed the next day. The bird was seen at his feeder
for a few days regularly, so, the individual seen by LJ about 1 km to the south
on September 29 was possibly another individual. This is the 4th mention
for the islands.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo : One bird that probably struck a window was rescued
by DL, the bird quickly recovered and went its way, this was on September 26 in
St. Pierre.
Long-eared Owl : One bird
described by Jean JÄzÄquel was probably this species, seen in St. Pierre on November
25 (LJ).
Shor-eared Owl : On in flight
at dusk in Miquelon September 21 (RE). AE had one the previous day on the Isthmus.
Common Nighthawk : One well seen by PB in St. Pierre September 21. The species had
not been seen here for a number of years.
Belted Kingfisher : One bird
at a time was seen between August 2 and September 28 in the three islands (PA/LJ/BL/SA/MD/FPA/RE).
Last sighting : two birds at St. Pierre by PA October 1
Northern Flicker : Probably
a 4th breeding record in Miquelon was obtained by MD when he saw an
adult with barely flying young in southern Miquelon on August 13. Fairly common
and well reported in the three islands throughout the season (m.ob.).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
: On flycatcher sp. in the Cape of Miquelon
on September 26 seemed to be this species (RE).
Alder Flycatcher : One was
still present and calling near Mirande lake on August 6 (RE/DL). Another male
( heard earlier in the season and quite recognizable) was heard singing in the
same area on August 13 (RE).
Northern Shrike : The first
migrant was in St. Pierre on September 15 (BL) The next one was also in St. Pierre
on October 12 and 16 (PA/PB respectively). One, but probably two immature were
in Miquelon October 18 (RE). Five other reports (4 in St. Pierre, 1 in Miquelon)
between October 22 and November 21, all but one were adults (LJ/FPA).
Philadelphia Vireo : One in Cape
Miquelon September 18, one near the village two days later (RE).
Red-eyed Vireo : One male
was singing near Mirande lake on August 13; on briefly seen, same area on October
17 (RE).
Blue Jay : Four birds
were at SAs feeder on August 25. The same day FPA had two at their feeder, ēone
looked like a youngë, Too bad there is no certainty, the bird is not a known breeder
here ! Several other observations all for St. Pierre, maximum 5 birds between
August 27 and November 17 (FPA/PH/MD/SA).
Horned Lark : Very quiet
in the early part of the season, local breeding birds probably migrated south
while our usual winterers arrived later and were seen from October 9 on and in
rather low numbers. I had a maximum of about 50 birds on the Isthmus by October
26 (RE)..
Purple Martin : One at Langlade
on October 24 (MD) seems to be our first fall report for the species ! ā
Tree Swallow : There were
4 or 5 birds in Miquelon, seen several times in August and September. One bird
was seen three times in St. Pierre on October 16 and 21 (MD) and Oct. 26 (PA).
Bank Swallow : Two or three
birds were present in Miquelon near the village on August 19 (RE). Two were on
the Isthmus on August 23.
Barn Swallow : About 20
birds were in Miquelon between Aug. 9 and 13 and only 3 or 4 on Aug. 19 (RE).
Black-capped Chickadee : None reported, while the Boreal was well reported
and appeared fairly common (m.ob.).
Red-breasted Nuthatch
: One was heard in St. Pierre by PB on September 12; There were 2 birds near Mirande
lake on October 25 (RE) and two in St. Pierre on November 26 (FPA).
House Wren : One wren much too briefly seen in
Miquelon on October 17 was possibly this species (RE).
Winter Wren : Seven reports, one bird at a time between Sept.
19 and Nov. 25 in the three islands (RE/FPA).
Golden-crowned Kinglet : One bird was carrying food in St. Pierre on September 3 (PA). Well reported,
apparently more or less as usual.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet : Well reported, apparently fairly common up to
September 16 in St. Pierre (PB). Then a few here and there regularly up to October
28 (m.ob.). Last seen one in St. Pierre on November 12 (FPA).
Gray-cheeked Thrush : One calling
in the woods of Miquelon on September 1; one or two, same area, September 6 and
one September 8 (RE).
Hermit Thrush : Three records
only, August 24 near Mirande lake (RE); one at Langlade October 1 and one in St.
Pierre October 14 (LJ).
American Robin : Common as
usual, but concentrations of some hundred birds were noted only between October
16 and 27 and about 40 to 50 birds in St. Pierre November 4 and 6 (LJ). Last seen
three in St. Pierre November 26 (FPA).
Northern Mockingbird : One at DGs feeder in the town of St. Pierre
on October 21 and 22. Two, same general area, October 27 (SA). One near the village
of Miquelon November 20 (JCH). One at MJBs feeder since November 18.
American Pipit : One adult was carrying food in St. Pierre August 2 (PB). Migrating
birds began to appear on the Isthmus, about 50 birds there on September 24 (RE).
There were 44 birds in the Cape of Miquelon September 30 (RE) and about 50 on
the Isthmus October 13 (PB/RE). One report only for St. Pierre, 3 birds on October
18 (PA). None since the 5 or 6 birds seen near the village of Miquelon on October
30 (RE).
Cedar Waxwing : 22 reports
(m.ob.) between August 19 and October 27 involving at most about 30 birds in Miquelon
on September 13 and at least 20, mostly juveniles, in St. Pierre October 14 (PB).
Northern Parula : One was
photographed in St. Pierre by PB on September 7; one seen three times, on September
12 in the same general area, suggest there were probably more than one individual
present (PB).
Yellow Warbler : One or two
birds were heard singing in the woods of Miquelon on September 1 (RE). Fairly
common in the early part of the season (PA/FPA/PB/RE), last seen : one or two
in Miquelon on September 19 (RE) -average dep. date is Sept. 16-.
Magnolia Warbler : One only,
immature or female seen by PA on August 30 in St. Pierre.
Black-throated Blue
Warbler : One female, well seen in the woods of eastern Miquelon on Sept. 15 (RE).
Yellowrumped Warbler
: One bird was seen right in the middle
of the Isthmus on August 2 (MD). The first migrants appeared simultaneously in
St. Pierre (PB) and in Miquelon (RE) on September 7. Fairly common in rather low
numbers then. Seemed more numerous on September 29 in the village of Miquelon
(RE/LJ) and in St. Pierre October 14 and 15 (PA/LJ). Then just a few, last seen
November 19 in St. Pierre (PA).
Blackburnian Warbler : One immature was photographed in St. Pierre by PA on September 15.
Palm Warbler : Fall migrants
appeared first in St. Pierre : 2 birds on Sept. 15 (PA) then in Miquelon, 1 or
2 birds in the Cape on Sept. 25 (RE). A few other reports (PB/RE/LJ) of just a
few birds up to October 15 (PA).
Blackpoll Warbler : Fairly common
and well reported throughout the season (PA/PB/RE). Last seen one in St. Pierre
October 14 (PB). (Average dep. date in Oct. 5).
Black and White Warbler : 12 reports, (one only for Langlade), between August 2 and September 15,
few birds at a time (RE/PA/PB). Last seen one in St. Pierre Sept. 23 (PA) while
average departing date is Sept. 27).
American Redstart : One only
in Miquelon September 7 (RE).
Northern Waterthrush : A few were still singing in the woods of Miquelon
by August 24 and 27 (RE). Seemed to be present in rather low number in August
and early September. Last seen one in St. Pierre Sept. 15 (PA), 5 days later than
average.
Kentucky Warbler : This is a New
species for us : one male was captured by a cat and brought to LJ for identification
in St. Pierre on September 26.
Mourning Warbler : One male at Langlade on August 6
(MD).
Common Yellowthroat : Reported
fairly regularly, mostly in Miquelon and St. Pierre up to September 20 (RE/PA/PB).
Two records in October : one near Mirande lake on October 5 and 18 (RE).
Wilsons Warbler : 9 reports
only between August 13 and Sept. 10, few birds at a time (RE/PA/PB). Last seen
: one in St. Pierre on September 23 (PA), 5 days later than average.
Chipping Sparrow : One immature was in the Cape of
Miquelon on September 15 and another bird near the village of Miquelon on October
23 (RE).
Savannah Sparrow : One bird
was carrying food in St. Pierre on August 3 (PB). One nest had 3 young aged a
few days on the Isthmus August 6 (LJ). Regularly seen up to September 29, then
just a few on the Isthmus on October 13 (PB/RE) one in St. Pierre October 14 (PA),
last seen, one in St. Pierre November 19 (PA).
Fox Sparrow : Do we realize
that this is our best singer ? This is not entirely due to the quality of its
song but rather to the length of its singing season. One of the first bird to
arrive in spring, it usually sings well into the autumn, at this time the young
learning to sing are not very musical ! ā This year it was recorded singing up
to October 18. Fairly common as usual, it was seen regularly up to October 18,
then rather rare, last seen one at Langlade November 26 (LJ).
Song Sparrow : Seen in
St. Pierre only, one at a time, on Sept. 15 (PA), Oct. 27 (LJ) Nov. 19 and 21
(PA).
Lincolns Sparrow : Two were
in the Cape of Miquelon September 2 (RE).
Swamp Sparrow : PA had 3
juveniles in St. Pierre August 2. One was carrying food in St. Pierre August 12
(PA) and August 13 (PB), same area (same bird ?). Last heard singing on September
15 in Miquelon. Common throughout the season, last seen in St. Pierre October
12 (PA) and October 26 in Miquelon (RE).
White-throated Sparrow : Common and well reported throughout the season. Good numbers were noted
between September 7 and 15 (RE/PB) and between October 3 and 14 (RE/PB/PA), mostly
in Miquelon and St. Pierre. A few here and there until October 28 (RE/LJ/PA/PB).
At least six were at Langlade November 26 (LJ). One is coming to SAs feeder since
November 27.
White-crowned Sparrow : One immature on the Isthmus October 13 (RE/PB).
Dark-eyed Junco : A few here
and there up to October 25 (PA/RE/FPA/PB). More numerous from October to the end
of the period with peaks October 29 in Miquelon (JCH) and November 4 (LJ)
Lapland Longspur : One only near the village of Miquelon
October 23 and on or two briefly seen on the Isthmus 3 days later (RE).
Snow Bunting : The first
two were seen in St. Pierre October 19 by LJ, 2 days later than average. Fairly
common and well reported from October 26 on. (PA/BL).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak : One male at the feeder between September 20 and 22 (SA). A young male
in the town of St. Pierre September 30 (PA). One male also in the town, October
17 (LJ).
Indigo Bunting : One female
or immature in St. Pierre October 28 (PA). One bird was with a few Juncos near
Mirande lake between November 1 and 3 (RE).
Dickcissel : One female
was seen in the Cape of Miquelon October 23 (RE).
Bobolink : Rather rare
these days, these 6 birds near Mirande lake on Sept. 28 were quite interesting
(RE).
Yellow-headed Blackbird : A bird reported by Thierry Gautier seen coming
in and out his sheeps shed in Miquelon between September 20 to 22 was an immature
male (RE).
Rusty Blackbird : One only
in the village of Miquelon October 25 ! (RE).
Common Grackle : About 15 in St. Pierre October 14
(LJ) and one only October 16 (PB). One was in the village of Miquelon October
23 (RE).
Baltimore Oriole : Much less impressive than last year, only a few birds were seen
this fall : 2 in the Cape September 18, one in the village September 26 (RE) and
three in St. Pierre September 27 (LJ).
Pine Grosbeak : One young
was calling endlessly in the Cape of Miquelon and was seen subsequently with one
adult on September 2. Quite scarce this fall or unreported : Three near Mirande
lake October 18 and a few heard in the centre of Miquelon November 29 (RE).
Purple Finch : Very few,
4 reports only, one or two birds at a time between October 6 and 25 (RE).
White-winged Crossbill
: About ten reported at Langlade by MD on August 6. A few crossbills sp. were
heard in Miquelon November 29
Pine Siskin : A few in
the Cape of Miquelon October 13 is the only report (RE).
American Goldfinch : Reported for St. Pierre only where
it is now resident. Maximum about 20 birds seen November 19 (PA) and about 12
November 13 (FPA).
Evening Grosbeak : One heard
in St. Pierre on November 29 (LJ).
Contributors : FrÄderic & Patricia Allen-MahÄ
(FPA); Sylvie Allen-MahÄ (SA); Jean-Paul Apesteguy (JPA); Pascal Asselin (PA);
Michel Borotra (MJB); Jean-Pierre De Contes (JPD); Marc DÄrible (MD); AngÄlique
Etcheberry (AE); Dominique Gouverne DG); Philippe Hacala (PH); Jackie and Christine
HÄbert (JCH); Laurent Jackman (LJ); Danielle Lebollocq (DL); Bruno Letournel (BL) ;
GrÄgory ZIEBACZ
Miquelon, December 7, 2000
Roger Etcheberry
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