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ISSUE # 205 OCT. - DEC. 2012

ISLAND NATURALIST

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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDP.O. BOX 2346, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. C1A 8C1

Meetings are held of the first Tuesday of the month (except July, August, and September) at 7:30 p.m. at Beaconsfield’sCarriage House, 2 Kent Street in Charlottetown. Each meeting commences with a brief business meeting followed by anutrition break and a guest speaker. Members and non-members are welcome.

Membership is open to anyone interested in the natural history of Prince Edward Island. Membership is available atany meeting or by contacting the Treasurer at P.O. Box 2346, Charlottetown PE C1A 8C1. Annual membership is $20and renewals are due in January. Multi-year renewals are $20 per year for which you wish to renew. Membershipexpiry dates are shown in the top right hand corner of the mailing label or by a notice provided to those receivingelectronic newsletters.

The Society is directed by a volunteer Executive elected from its members.2012 Executive:

President ..........................................................Ian Scott, Charlottetown 892-5796 scotts@pei.sympatico.caVice-President ............................Barbara MacDonald, Charlottetown 368-3268 bajmacdonald@gmail.comPast President .................................. Dwaine Oakley, Charlottetown 393-6223 dwaine.oakley@gmail.comSecretary ................................................................. Heather Fenton, Sherwood 940-1192 hfenton@upei.caTreasurer ......................................................Don Jardine, Winsloe South, 368-2549 dejardine@eastlink.caDirector- Program & Publicity .......................... Christina Pater, Charlottetown 368-8193 cpater@upei.caDirector .............................................Ron Arvidson, South Melville 658-2566 arvidson@pei.sympatico.ca

NEWSLETTERS are normally published quarterly and are available in Acrobat Reader colour format via E-mail or inblack & white hard copy delivered by mail. Hard copies are printed on recycled paper. Articles, notes, reports,drawings, bird sightings, plant records, etc. are welcomed from members and non-members. If you have seen anythingunusual, please share it with us. It is important to have your observations recorded so that others may learn from them. All contributions should be sent by mail to Dan McAskill, Newsletter Editor, NHSPEI, 368 Brazel Road, Donagh, P.E.I.C1B 0T9 or via E-mail to jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca The next deadline for articles, sightings, or other newsletterinformation is March 15, 2013.

Illustrations/Pictures: The Society extends a special thanks to Greg and Sandra Feetham, Doug Murray, Emily Mutch,Jenn Roma for their photographs in this issue.

Reprinting: Editors of other newsletters and teachers wishing to copy classroom materials are welcome to reprintarticles from the Island Naturalist (except when copyrighted). Due acknowledgment must be provided to the IslandNaturalist, the author and illustrator. Web page: www.NaturePEI.ca

The Natural History Society gratefully acknowledges support from the Department of Education and Early ChildhoodDevelopment which enables distribution of newsletters to schools and libraries desiring it. The Natural History Societyis an affiliate of Nature Canada and has representation on the board of the Island Nature Trust. The Society is aregistered, non-profit organization (Part 2, Companies Act). Tax receipts are issued for donations to the Society andthese funds are used to further the work of the Society.

Cover Illustration:The beautiful crab spider image captured by Doug Murray at Clearview Estates in Stratford shows the widely

spread, lengthy front legs in its classic ambush hunting pose. They capture bees, butterflies, flies and other insects,injecting their venom to paralyze the prey. The immobilized prey is then sucked dry. These spiders can change colour tomatch the flower colour over time. They are also known as flower spiders or goldenrod crab spiders. Their colourpallette ranges from white to pink to yellow to green.

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SOCIETY NEWS AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

Since the first Tuesday falls on January 1 this year, the Society’s Annual Meeting has been moved to Jan. 8 ,st th

2013 (see Environmental Calendar). The Society’s Executive established Ian Scott, Diane Griffin and Barb MacDonaldas the Nominating Committee. If you would like to have your name stand for a position on the Executive Committeeor one of the subcommittees, please contact one of the committee members (see inner cover for phone numbers andemail addresses).

Various incarnations of the Natural History Society has been pushing for a natural history museum in theprovince since the 1800s. The Museum Act created the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and its purpose is tostudy, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural heritage of Prince EdwardIsland for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the people of the province. Besides pushing for the creation of a museum ofnatural history, the Society has been working with the PEIM&HF on a natural history publication, a bird photographicexhibition, and potential use of the Carriage House at Beaconsfield for the Society’s regular monthly meetings.

The Membership Subcommittee is completing work on a new brochure for the Society and its distribution.The Website Subcommittee recently established a FaceBook site for the Society. You can access it via the

Society’s www.NaturePEI.ca website.The Society posted the links for the Land Use Policy and the release of Planning for a Sustainable Future: A

Time for Questions engagement document for a new conservation strategy. A keen group of birders participated in a field trip on October 21st to East Point and Savage Harbour led by Ron

Arvidson. They picked up 39 species including an American Pipit, a Bufflehead, a Ring-necked Pheasant and a BlackGuillemot.

CANADIAN MAMMAL BOOK LAUNCHED:

The Natural History of Canadian Mammals by Donna Naughton was launched on October 25 at the Canadianth

Museum of Nature in Ottawa during the Ottawa International Writers Festival. The book features detailed descriptionsof each mammal’s appearance, habitat and behaviour. It has practical guides on tracking and identification. It ishighlighted with hundreds of photographs and drawings as well as distribution maps. (Adapted from a CanadianMuseum of Nature Email release).

MARITIME SHOREBIRD SURVEYS - YOU CAN HELP: By Shannon MacDonald

Islanders have a special connection to our shores. We value our shoreline, we are never far from it and it is apart of who we are. Sadly, some of the animals that we share our shorelines with are in drastic decline. With a bit oftime and learning, you can help these animals!

According to the 2012 Report on the State of Canada’s Birds,shorebirds are in need of urgent attention. As a group, shorebird species havedeclined by almost half. Shorebirds are not the terns and gulls that make theirpresence known with loud calls and scavenging behaviour. They are not theGreat Blue Heron whose grand silhouette would be hard to miss. Although thesebirds spend their time at the shore, they are not classified as “shorebirds”.Shorebirds are those quiet, unassuming little birds that we often do not take noteof as they run along in the surf while we walk the shore. They are the ploversand sandpipers that pass through in large numbers each spring and fall as theymake their way to and from their northern breeding grounds to their southernwinter refuges. Shorebirds are a diverse group. Some nest on our beaches andmarshes such as the Piping Plover, the Willet or Spotted Sandpiper while otherslike Killdeer and Upland Sandpiper breed at more inland locations. Others that we see on our shores like SemipalmatedPlover, Whimbrel (sometimes called turkey curlew on PEI), and Ruddy Turnstone are seen only during migration.

The Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey is an important source of data on shorebird populations in our region. This volunteer survey has been taking place since 1974 and has provided a wealth of information in that time.

Willet on shore. © Emily Mutch

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Unfortunately, few surveys have been conducted in PEI in the past decade. If you like walking on a beach or exploring,this survey can be a good excuse to go for a walk on a beach and to contribute your skills.

If you are interested in learning more about this important opportunity or learning to identify our shorebirds,please contact Island Nature Trust at projects@islandnaturetrust.ca or 892-7513.

MARITIME BREEDING BIRD ATLAS 2006-10 PRE-ORDER SALE:

The second Maritimes Atlas is the most authoritative and up-to-date resource on breeding birds in NewBrunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and the largest citizen science project in the Maritime Provinces.With over 200 photographs and 300 maps, the Atlas is destined to be a standard on the bookshelves of birders,naturalists, educators and resource professionals for years to come. The Atlas covers the period from 2006 to 2010 andwill be released for sale in 2013. It is being offered at the pre-order special price of $45. This is 30% off the anticipatedretail price of $68. To order a copy for yourself or to have a special gift card arranged for a friend, please visit the Atlaswebsite http://www.mba-aom.ca/english/index.html and click on the link at the red text or go directly to the pre-saleweb page: http://www.mba-aom.ca/jsp/presale.jsp

Shipping costs are another $20 but, if you arrange to pick up your book(s) at one of the book launch events, youcan also save this added cost! The location and dates of the launch events are still to be announced but we expect atleast one near Moncton, one in Charlottetown, and one in Halifax.

If you do not want to attend a launch event, you can also order your book now with the shipping and handlingcharge included for the pre-sale price of $65 ($45 for the book & $20 for the shipping and handling). It will be shippedto your home when it is published. See the pre-sale web page for details.

By pre-ordering your copies now, you will help the Atlas in at least 2 ways1) We can better assess how many copies are needed, to avoid printing too many.2) Pre-sales help ease the financial burden related to book design and printing costs

If you do not order in advance, you will be able to purchase a book at a launch event at the full anticipated retailprice of $68. The post-publication purchase price plus shipping is anticipated to be $88.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT CHANGES:

This year, there will be no participant fees for the Christmas Bird Count for field counters. However, sincethere are considerable costs to coordinate the CBCs and analyze the data, donations are urgently needed. You can helpby sending a donation to Bird Studies Canada to support this critically important program. You can do so by sendingyour contribution to Bird Studies Canada, P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan ON N0E 1M0 or by contacting BSC at www.bsc-eoc.org

2012-3 WINTER BIRD LIST EXTRAVAGANZA NOW UNDERWAY: By David Seeler

Please report every species you observe (no matter how many times you have seen that chickadee visiting thefeeders this year) to the list so that we can compile PEI's List for this winter. I will regularly send out updates on theUPEI Bird Listserve so that you know how we are faring.

If you wish to peruse the WBL of other regions, our page which is kindly maintained by Blake Maybank is agood place to start:

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/other/peiwinter.htm

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS - JUNE 2013: Adapted from Bird Studies Canada Latest News

Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada will co-host the next BirdLife International World Congress in Ottawafrom June 19-22, 2013, The Congress will be one of the world’s greatest gatherings of conservation leaders withattendees from more than 120 countries. Participants will present and discuss solutions for biodiversity conservation andsustainability, and BirdLife will unveil its vision for 2020. To learn more visit the World Congress website or email

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kmakela@birdscanada.org.

NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by Dan McAskill

Congratulations go out to Rosemary Curley who was presented the 2012 Atlantic Society of Fish and WildlifeBiologists Award of Merit for her outstanding and long term contributions to the ASFWB, natural areas conservation,endangered species and many other projects.

In September, Doug Deacon received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his many years of workon nature preservation. He was also elected Chair of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Atlantic Region.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada held a fund raising dinner and roast titled “A Rare Species” on November15 to celebrate the achievements of Diane Griffin and to honour her long commitment to conservation of Naturalth

Areas on PEI including Greenwich, Governor’s Island and others. Also, in November, Diane was awarded a QueenElizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Diane will be retiring from the NCC but will be continuing to be a very activevolunteer for conservation and her community.

The 2012 Baillie Birdathon brought in over $226,000 in 2012 thanks to the generosity of the many donors andthe efforts of the birders involved. This money is critical to the implementation of bird conservation programs inCanada. (Adapted from Bird Studies Canada Latest News Sept. 22, 2012)

Thanks to the efforts of many conservation groups and the contribution of bird observations from Bird StudiesCanada’s BC Coastal Waterbird Survey that demonstrated that 16 bird species using the area met the Ramsarobservation data requirements, the Alaksen Ramsar Site designation as a Wetland of International Importance has beenvastly extended from 586 hectares to 20,682 hectares, becoming the Fraser River Delta Ramsar Site. It comprises sixcomponents: Boundary Bay, Sturgeon Bank, Burns Bog, South Arm Marshes, Serpentine, and the former “Alaksen”Ramsar Site. The entire area is an Important Bird Area, and parts are also designated a Western Hemisphere ShorebirdReserve Network site of Hemispheric Importance, a National Wildlife Area, and provincial Wildlife Management Areas.Roberts Bank is not included in the Ramsar Site, but most of Roberts Bank was recently designated a WildlifeManagement Area, and it is anticipated that this will be added to the Ramsar designation in the near future. CitizenScience data were among the most important bird data contributed to the submission for Sturgeon Bank and BoundaryBay. (Adapted from Bird Studies Canada Latest News Sept. 22, 2012)

The American Birding Association’s “Birding News” site is a hub for online birding listservs from acrossCanada, the U.S., and around the world. “Birding News” grew out of the site “Birdingonthe.Net” maintained by JackSiler since the early 1990s. The new site expands on Mr. Siler’s work. In August, the ABA assumed responsibility forthis resource and implemented a new site that includes enhanced searchability and features a “What’s Hot” Twitter feed.To learn more, visit the ABA website at http://aba.org/ (Adapted from Bird Studies Canada Latest News Nov. 23, 2012)

BirdLife International, the world’s oldest international conservation organization, celebrated its 90 anniversaryth

this year! It is made up of national, independent grassroots bird and nature protection organizations. Since 1994, BirdStudies Canada and Nature Canada have been BirdLife International’s Canadian co-partners. Today it has partners in116 countries on all continents. Thanks to collaboration with partners worldwide, the Canadian initiatives havesignificant impacts both within Canada and on a global scale. BirdLife partners are active in 12,000 Important BirdAreas around the world, and are working with more than 1 million school children annually for conservation. In 2013,this Canadian partnership will mark its 20 anniversary. (Adapted from Bird Studies Canada Latest News Nov. 9, 2012) th

THE 13 NEIL BENNETT AUTUMN BIRDING CLASSIC: by Dan McAskill, Ray Cooke, Dwaine Oakley,th

Ron Arvidson, Donna Martin, Ian Scott, IanManning, Jean Blanchard, Kelsey McGee,Kathleen MacAulay Jackie Waddell, LindaThomas, Sue Foster, Shannon Mader, ShirleyGallant, and Julie-Lynn Zahavich

Designed as a long-term fund raising partnership for the Trust’s land conservation program and as a birdmigration monitoring count for early autumn, the Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island and the Island NatureTrust commenced the Autumn Birding Classic in 1995. The Autumn Birding Classic was renamed the Neil Bennett

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Autumn Birding Classic in 1999 in memory of Neil’s significant contributions to the Trust. This year, the counts were held on September 29 and four birding teams participated. The Society’s lead teamth

of Ray, Dwaine, and Dan started at 3:00 AM amidst a full moon with partly cloudy skies. It was 6 degrees Celsius andduring the day the temperatures climbed to 18 degrees. There was almost no wind at first then a very gentle breeze thenagain calm for the owling portion of the day so owl listening acoustic conditions were perfect. In Watervale, thepredicted cloud slowly covered the moon but by the Dromore stop, the full moon and partly cloudy conditionsreappeared. However, by dawn the clouds dominated the sky. The southwest wind had increased to 20 to 30 km perhour by ~7:00 AM and stayed there for much of the day. By 4:00 PM, the rain was light but steady and became heavy attime around 7:00 pm.

The Society’s Lead Team started birding at the Hillsborough River bridge piers with hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants. Watervale brought out first bird heard with a distant Northern Saw Whet Owl. Dwaine used an I-Pod to play various combinations of the calls of Saw-whet Owl, Long Eared Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl. Some or all members of the Society’s Team were successful in obtaining Barred Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl inresponse to the tapes and were entertained by a coyote chorus at Riverton.

Around first light, we started picking up birds in earnest at Souris with a variety of gulls, waterfowl, andsparrows. The first wave of woodland birds was found at Little Harbour Road with Black-capped and BorealChickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Blackpoll Warblers, and both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. We arrived at East Point at 9:50 AM. The viewing conditions were quite good. There were hundreds of eider andscoter, mostly the former as well as a steady movement of cormorant and gannets. There were only small numbers ofmigrating Black-capped Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Savannah Sparrows moving and almost no raptors. We had a very good view of 42 Black-legged Kittiwakes and were fortunate to have a Pomarine Jaeger put on anincredible flight display chasing one of the juvenile kittiwakes for their food on two occasions. On the trip towards theBeaton Shore overlook, we picked up a Spotted Sandpiper and three Ruddy Turnstones. There was a large number ofCommon Ravens (100+) feeding amidst the wrack line at Beaton’s Shore and several immature Bald Eagles present. We picked up Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and more Ruddy Turnstones. The teamfinished its count watching Semipalmated Plover roosting on the Rustico Island Causeway in heavy rain after dark. TheSociety’s lead team traveled 358.2 km, walked about 1.5 km and observed or heard 79 species well below its 96 seen orheard last year but comparable to the 81 seen in 2010 and again well below the 108 observed in 2008.

Besides those listed above, the highlights of the NHS’s team for the day’s outing were a Great Egret at SavageHarbour, American Pipits at Souris and Little Harbour, 50 Pectoral Sandpipers swirling over a partially flooded potatofield, an American Kestrel at Kingsboro, a Merlin at Souris and Little Harbour, a Blackpoll Warbler and two Black-and-white Warblers at Campbell’s Cove Provincial Park, Dunlin at Campbell’s Cove and Rollo Bay WMA, Caspian Tern atEast Point, Rollo Bay, Savage Harbour, and Tracadie Harbour, and Covehead Harbour.

In addition to the birds seen below, the Society’s team also observed six foxes, two striped skunks, fourraccoons, dozens of grey seals, a muskrat and a few red squirrels. There were a few large dragonflies seen but nobutterflies this year. Chicory was in flower at Black Pond and at St. Peter’s, New York aster, bindweed, and toad flaxat several sites, and evening primrose at North Lake. There were few berries seen this year and a very small cone crop. However, there was a fair crop of wild apples.

Ron Arvidson’s team was composed of Ron, Donna Martin, Ian Scott, Ian Manning, Jean Blanchard, KelseyMcGee, and Kathleen MacAulay. They started at 7:00 AM when the weather was okay. It turned from dismal todrizzly and wet later. By ~4:00 PM, they were all soaked and uncomfortable. Visibility was good but limited due tooptics being wet or foggy. Equipment challenges increased when Ian Scott experienced a punctured sidewall at WharfRoad! Despite these conditions, they found 50 species during their day’s journey which covered approximately 2 to 3km of walking and 208 km by vehicle from Cornwall to Carleton to Dalvay and back. Their highlights were 7 GreatBlue Heron roosting in the trees and 2 Nelson’s Sparrow in the marsh at Wharf Road in Nine Mile Creek, 2 Red-throated Loons at Wharf Road in Canoe Cove, a merlin at Bonshaw and a “little grey ghost” (male) Merlin at Bordon, 1Northern Harrier - the real grey ghost which gave rise to hundreds of starlings lifting from Noonan’s Farm in Carleton, ahuge flock (1,000s) along Carleton Cove giving rise to “murmuration”, 20 Northern Shovelers in the Borden Lagoons, amoulting male Common Eider on the shore and a Long-tailed Duck at Borden/Carleton, and a Glaucous Gull at Victoria. As Ron summed it up, one of the best birding days lately.

The Trust’s Team Dodo consisted of Jackie Waddell, Linda Thomas and Sue Foster. They started their day atGreen Bay with a 5:45 AM start. They covered the area from Green Bay, Bolger Park Road, DeSable-Tryon, Augsitine

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Cove, Borden-Carleton, Reid’s Corner, Locke Shore, Indian River, North Granville, Dalvay, Oyster Bed Bridge,Tracadie Harbour and finished at their starting point at 5:45 PM. Thanks in part from Sue’s “what’s that” from the backseat, they observed 50 species during the day. Unfortunately, they also faced similar weather conditions to that of Ron’steam. Their high lights included a Barred Owl at Green Bay, an Osprey at DeSable-Tryon, a Willet at Augustine Cove,and Lesser Yellowlegs at Indian River.

Shannon Mader, Julie-Lynn Zahavich and Shirley Gallant made up Team Me and My Peeps. They started theirday at Hyde Park in Cornwall at 7:10 AM and finished at 4:30 PM. While at Hyde Park trail in Cornwall, Shannon,regaled in an owl costume, caused some trepidation for a dog walker as Shirley’s audio player locked on animal distresscalls. Once the dog walker cleared the scene, the mirth ensued. During their birding venture, they covered the areathrough to Summerside, Margate and Stanley Bridge travelling a distance of 149 km by road. By their day’s end, theyhad found 42 species. Besides the fun they had, their highlights included a Brown Creeper at at Hyde Park, a beautifulRed-tailed Hawk at DeSable that posed just long enough for Shirley to capture a great photo of it , a Black-headed Gullat Summerside wharf, a Solitary Sandpiper at Cavendish Farms lagoons, and an American Kestrel at Margate. Anotherhighlight of course, was any of the brief moments when it wasn’t raining!

While there was no shortage of food during the Autumn Birding Classics, for the first time Jackie Waddellhosted a pot luck with invitations to all the teams who participated this year. There were many sumptuous treats toentice the participants and, afterwards, the day’s birding highlights and stories were revealed.

During the 13 years since its creation, this Natural History Society and Island Nature Trust partnership hasraised more than $26,100. This year there was enhanced outreach with articles in the August issue of the Buzz, theIsland Nature Trust’s Update, and Island Naturalist #204 and more teams participating. Thanks to the generosity of thisyear’s many donors, the Trust’s pledge collectors and team members collected pledges of nearly $4,435. In addition,three Corporate Sponsors, Environment, Labour and Justice, PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry and Fitzpatrick& Company contributed $500 each and Father Charlie Cheverie contributed $500 for the 2012 Neil Bennett AutumnBirding Classic fund raiser.

In total, 96 species of birds were either seen or heard during the day. These are listed below.

Canada Geese

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler (20)

Green-winged Teal

Northern Pintail

Ring-necked Duck

Common Eider

Surf Scoter (2)

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck (1)

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser (2)

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-throated Loon

Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe

Northern Gannet

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Osprey (1)

Bald Eagle (5)

Northern Harrier (2)

Northern Goshawk (1)

Red-tailed Hawk (1)

American Kestrel (1)

Merlin (7)

Ruffed Grouse

Black-bellied Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Spotted Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

Willet

Lesser Yellowlegs

Solitary Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Sanderling

Semipalmated Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper (50)

Dunlin

Black-legged Kittiwake (42)

Bonaparte’s Gull

Black-headed Gull (1)

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Glaucous Gull (1)

Great Black-backed Gull

Caspian Tern (7+)

Common Tern (6)

Pomarine Jaeger (1)

Parasitic Jaeger (2)

Razorbill (1)

Black Guillemot (2)

Rock Pigeon (Dove)

Mourning Dove

Barred Owl (3)

Northern Saw-whet Owl (1)

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee (3)

Brown Creeper

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3)

American Robin

European Starling

American Pipit (3)

Black-and-White Warbler

(2)

Common Yellowthroat

Magnolia WarblerBlackpoll Warbler (2)

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Savannah Sparrow

Nelson’s Sparrow (2)

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Common Grackle

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow (1)

Note: Species in italics are rarely seen here at this time of year. Numbers in brackets denote the number of birdswhere it was unusual for this time of year.

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WEATHER EVENTS:

The 287 mm of rainfall in September set a new record that has not been seen since the late 1800s. Firstheavy frost at Donagh (JDM), Sherwood (DO) and Argyle Shore (LY) on Oct. 13. Hurricane Sandy strucknortheastern United States and some damage occurred in Toronto on Oct. 29 but there was nothing to speak off onPEI. By Oct. 29, most white birch and poplar leaves were down (JDM). Scattered snow flurries from Rollo Bay toEast Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM). Nov. 29 brought several centimetres of snow in Donagh through to theth

Bonshaw Hills (JDM). First ice formed on Fullerton’s Marsh estuary on Nov. 28 and ponds froze over at Bunbury,Argyle Shore, and Albany on Nov. 29 (JDM).

ANIMAL AND PLANT SIGHTINGS: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill

PLANTS: Chicory in flower at Black Pond near Souris and atSt. Peters, New York aster in flower at multiple sites fromCharlottetown to East Point, toadflax, multiflora rose and afew bindweed in flower at Souris on Sept. 29 (DO, JDM, RC). Lupins in flower at East Point and at a second area betweenEast Point and Charlottetown on Oct. 11 (DO, WCT) and onein flower at Norboro on Oct. 13 (DO). Few evening primroseflowers still in bloom at North Rustico on Oct. 17 (JDM). Peak autumn colours in the Bonshaw Hills and Cavendishoccurred the week of Oct 11 to 18 . Significant leaf dropth

commenced at Cavendish and Donagh on Oct. 18-9. Somebranches of Eastern Larch started becoming yellow at Donaghon Oct. 20 (JDM). Some Butter and Eggs, Daisy Fleabane,Ox-Eye Daisy, Red Clover, and Yarrow still in flower on Oct.30 at Donagh and North Rustico (JDM). Good crop ofwinterberry at Desable on Oct. 26 (JDM, LY) Single plantwith lupin in flower on Oct. 31 (DO, WCT). Ox-eye Daisyand yarrow were in flower at South Lake on Nov. 10 (JDM,WFB). Red oak leaves about 70 down on one large oak and50% on a second at Donagh on Nov. 12 (JDM). Marshmarigold in flower at Pisquid River on Nov. 14 (JeRo)

MUSHROOMS: Inky cap mushrooms flushing at Stanhope on Oct. 27 and at Covehead on Oct. 30 (JDM)

INSECTS: Bumblebees and clouded sulphur butterflies flying at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 8 (JDM). Some brownmoths, several bumblebees and mosquitos flying at North Rustico on Oct. 20 (JDM, HY). Mosquitos flying atBrookvale on Nov. 1 (KM).

MAMMALS: Coyotes in chorus at Donagh on Oct. 7 (JDM). 1 grey seal at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM). Ermine at Covehead Harbour on Nov. 1 (RT). Red squirrel with most of tail missing on Nov. 24 (SN). Easternchipmunks still foraging at Donagh in late Nov. (JDM). Mink at Donagh on Nov. 27 (JDM).

BIRDS: Pink-footed Goose - 1 at Guernsey Cove on Nov. 3 (JHS), 1 photographed at Guernsey Cove on Nov. 4(DO, RC, JDM) & seen on Nov. 5 (DCS) Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 reported shot at unidentified locationthis autumn (DCl); Snow Goose - 1 at Marshfield with 55 Canada Geese on Oct. 4 (LJD), 1 at Read’s Corner atWilmot on Oct. 5 (JM), 1 at St. Eleanor’s sewage lagoon on Oct. 25 (RGA), 1 at Pownal Bay on Nov. 25 (LFJ) and 6shot at an unidentified location in Nov. (LFJ), 1 immature at Ellen’s Creek in Charlottetown on Dec.1 (DCS, DO,FdB); Canada Geese - ~1,000 flying in Johnston’s River, Mermaid and Donagh areas on Oct. 1 (JDM, JC, LY),~500 at Wilmot River at Read’s Corner on Oct. 18 (JDM, LY), 250 in soyabean field near Belfast Consolidated

Marsh marigold bloom at Pisquid on November 14,2012

© Jenn Roma

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School & 500+ in corn field at Earnscliffe on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), 600 amongst the ice at Dunk River on Nov. 29(JDM, LY), 1,500 at Freetown on Nov. 30 (DFG), 300 at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 1 (DCS); Cackling Goose -photographed on Oct. 7 at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 6 (JDM, LY), 1 reported shot and mounted at unidentifiedlocation this autumn (DCl); Wood Duck - 1 at Selkirk Pond on Oct. 1 (HY); Gadwall - at PEI National Park inNov.; Eurasian Wigeon - 2 males at undisclosed location Nov. 26 (GW via DO); American Wigeon - 10 atBrackley Beach pond on Oct. 7 (JDM), 2 at Black Pond on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 2 at Hyde Park Pond on Nov. 1(FdB, MK) & 1 on Dec. 1 (DCS), 4+ at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 1 (JDM); American Black Duck - 200+ at Long Pondon Oct. 31 (DO, WCT), 50 at Wood Island saltmarsh on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), 100 circling above causeway onNov. 10 (JDM, WFB), apparent black with downy young at Morell Pond on Nov. 27 (DMacA via LJD), 150 at Souris& 75 at Gowan Brae on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Mallard - at Moore’s Pond in Stratford on Nov. 8 (RA), ~30 atCharlottetown research station soya bean field on early Nov. (WFB, EM), 20 + at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 1 (DO,JDM); Northern Shoveler - 2 at Borden on Nov. 13 (KMacA), 8 at Borden on Nov. 18 (RA), pair in lagoons at HydePark on Nov. 25 (SGC) & 3 on Dec. 1 (DCS); Northern Pintail - 20 at Rolling’s Pond on Nov. 10 (RA), 6 at Ellen’sCreek on Dec. 1 (JDM), 2 pair at St. Peter’s on Dec. 2 (JDM, DCS, DO); Green-winged Teal - 40 at Hyde ParkPond on Nov. 1 (FdB, MK), few at Borden on Nov. 13 (KMacA), 5 at Borden on Nov. 18 (RA); Common Teal -male at undisclosed site on Island in late Nov. (GW via DO); Greater Scaup - 6 at Borden on Nov. 13 (KMacA), 1first winter at Borden Lagoons on Nov. 18 (RA), ~1,000 at St. Peter’s in late Nov. (DO, WCT), 300 at St. Peters onDec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Lesser Scaup - 1 at St. Peters on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Common Eider - 5 at NorthCape on Nov. 3 (G&SF), 1,000 at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM) & 500 on Nov. 11 (JDM), 500+ in a raft atEast Point on Dec. 2 (JDM, DO, DCS); Harlequin Duck - 6 females & 2 males at East Point on Nov. 2 (RC), 7 atNorth Cape on Nov. 3 (G&SF), 2 females at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 8 on Nov. 11 (SCS), 2 males and 1female on Dec. 2 (JDM, DCS, DO); Surf Scoter - small number at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM); White-winged Scoter - 6 off Brackley Beach on Oct. 21 (FdB), 15 at North Cape on Nov. 3 (G&SF), small number at EastPoint on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 2 at East Point on Dec. 2 (JDM, DO); American (Black) Scoter - 300+ at EastPoint on Oct. 21 (FdB), 1,000 on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM) & ~400 on Nov. 11 (JDM), 500+ at East Point on Dec. 2(JDM, DO, DCS); Long-tailed Duck - 12 offshore at Monticello on Oct. 31 (JGM), 10 small number at East Point onNov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Borden on Nov. 13 (KMacA) few at East Point on Nov. 19 (KMacA), 3 at HillsboroughRiver in Charlottetown on Nov. 27 (JDM), small number at East Point on Dec. 2 (JDM, DO, DCS); Bufflehead - atLong Pond on Oct. 31 (DO, WCT), 1 at Long Pond on Nov. 14 (DCS), 1 at Black Pond on Nov. 18 (DCS, DO), 1 atBorden Lagoons on Nov. 18 (RA); Common Goldeneye - 5 at East Lake, 30 at South Lake & 40 at Basin Head onNov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 300 at Black Pond on Nov. 11 (JDM), 30 at Basin Head on Dec. 2 (DCS, DO, JDM);Barrow’s Goldeneye - 5 at Hyde Park Pond on Nov. 1 (FdB, MK) & 10 males on Nov. 25 and for last three weeks(SGC), 1 male at St. Peter’s and 2 at Basin Head on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Hooded Merganser - 4 at Campbell’sPond in New Glasgow on Oct. 14 (RA), 6 (males & females) at Dalvay Lake on Oct. 21 (DCS), many at Long Pondon Oct. 31 with large number of waterfowl (DO, WCT),17 at Moore’s Pond in Stratford on Nov. 8 & 10 (RA, FdB)& on Nov. 11 (DFG), 18 at Black Pond on Nov. 9 (DCS, DO) & Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM); Common Merganser - 20 atDiligent Pond, 30 at Basin Head, & ~300 at Black Pond on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 2 males at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 1(JDM); Red-breasted Merganser - 5 at East Point on Dec. 2 (DCS, DO, JDM); Gray Partridge - 12 at Traveller’sRest on Oct. 6 (JDM), 15 at in New Glasgow on Oct. 14 (RA), 12 at Inkerman Road in Crapaud on Oct. 13-4 (DD),16 at Village Green/Lake Verde on Nov. 10 (FdB), 9 at Summerside on Dec. 1 (G&SF); Ring-necked Pheasant - 1male at Donagh on Sept. 30 (JDM) & 3 on Oct. 2 (LY, JDM), and male at Donagh on Oct. 21 & 28 (JDM), male atMt. Herbert on Nov. 21 (JDM), female at Bethel on Nov. 26 (JDM); Ruffed Grouse - 1 at Watervale on Nov. 10(JDM), 1 at East Point on Nov. 19 (KMacA); Wild Turkey - 3 were captured at Lady Fane by PEI Fish and WildlifeSection staff and ~15 were seen in Maple Plains Road area in Oct (BDP), 6 or more were reported on a field edge inNewton by farm workers in late Oct. (FMcC); Red-throated Loon - 2 at East Point on Nov. 2 (RC), 7 at Traveller’sRest on Nov. 9 (JDM, DFG, LY), 2 at East Point on Nov. 19 (KMacA), 1 at East Point on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Common Loon - 1 at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 12 (JDM, LY), 1 at Victoria on Nov. 29 (RA); Horned Grebe - 1 atEast Point on Nov. 11 (SCS); Red-necked Grebe - 1 at East Point on Oct. 7 (SCS), on Oct. 11 (WCT, DO), 4 onNov. 18 (DCS); Northern Gannet - 300 almost with 95% adults at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 100+ offCovehead Harbour on Nov. 3 (DCS), 50 at East Point on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Double-crested Cormorant -200 flying at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 13 (JDM, LY, DO), 1 at Cavendish on Oct. 20 (JDM), 20 at Travellers Rest on

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Nov. 9 (DFG, LY, JDM), 60 on rocks on Hillsborough River in Charlottetown on Nov. 5 (DCS), 10 on HillsboroughBridge piers on Nov. 10 (JDM), 10 at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 3 to 4 at Hillsborough Bridge piers onNov. 15 (DMo) & 4 on Nov. 27 (JDM), 1 immature at East Point and 1 flying over Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 2(JDM); Great Cormorant - see Bennett report, 9 immatures and adults at East Point on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); American White Pelican - 1 at Diligent Pond on Nov. 8 (FCh), on Nov. 9 (DCS, DO, CGM), at South Lake on Nov.10 (G&SF, SCS), at Diligent Pond on Nov. 11 (JDM) on Nov. 12 (FdB, MK), & on Nov. 13 (DEJ); Great BlueHeron - 11 at Covehead, 5 at Covehead Bay East, 7 at Stanhope Marsh & 2 at Brackley North Marsh on Oct. 20(DCS), 2 to 4 at Covehead Harbour-Brackley on Nov. 1 to 14 (DCS), 8 at Argyle Shore on Nov. 8 (LY), 1 at MidgellRiver on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Covehead Harbour on Nov. 13 (DMo), 1 at Little Harbour Beach on Nov. 14(SCS), 1 at Clyde River on Nov. 16 (RA), 1 at Gowan Brae, North Lake, & St. Peter’s on Dec. 2 (DCS, DO, JDM); Great Egret - 1 at Savage Harbour on Sept. 28 (WCT) and 29 (DO, RC, JDM), 1 at Diligent Pond with Great Blueth

Heron on Nov. 23 (DCla), 1 flushed at North Lake with Great Blue Heron from a tiny patch of open water in cattailswhere it was chased in the air over the gulf, apparently unsuccessfully, by an adult Bald Eagle on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS,JDM); Cattle Egret - 4 at Park Corner on Oct. 26 (EP) & 2 at Seaview on Oct. 31 (RG), 1 at Breadalbane on Nov. 10(G&SF), 3 at Marshfield cattle pasture for part of a day on Nov. 24 (GFK, DO, DCS); Turkey Vulture - 1 adultphotographed at Borden Carleton in mid to late Aug (DG via FRC); Osprey - see Bennett report; Bald Eagle - adultat Donagh and at Norboro on Oct. 2 (JDM, LY), adult flying at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 13 (JDM, LY, DO), 2 atMayfield on Oct. 20 (JDM, HY), 2 immatures at Diligent Pond on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM); Northern Harrier - maleand immature at Donagh on Oct 1 & 2 on Oct. 2 (JDM, JC, LY), male at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 8 (JDM, LY, JC), 1male at Malpeque on Oct. 8 (JDM), 1 flying at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 13 & 18 (LY, JDM), 1 immature huntingfields at Cavendish on Oct. 20 (JDM, HY), 1 at Travellers Rest on Oct. 22 (DFG, JDM, LY), 1 at North Rustico onOct. 24 (HY, JDM), male & immature flying at Desable on Oct. 26 (JDM, LY), 1 at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 27(DFG, LY, JDM), 1 at Wood Island’s East on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), 1 at South Lake on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 1 atEast Point on Nov. 11 (SCS), 1 at Dalvay on Nov. 23 (DCS); Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 giving a spectacular butunsuccessful chase of a sparrow at Donagh on Oct. 3 (JDM), 1 flying at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 13 (JDM, LY, DO),1 juvenile at Vernon River on Oct. 14 (DK), 1 flying at Ebenezer on Oct. 20 (JDM), 1 flying at North Rustico on Oct.29 (JDM, DFG, HY, LY), 1 at Diligent Pond on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 3 at East Point on Nov. 11 (SCS), 1 at RockyPoint on Nov. 17 (LD), 1 at East Point on Nov. 18 (DCS); Northern Goshawk - immature found dead in Tignish inearly Oct. (RG), 1 at Selkirk on Oct. 31 (JGM), 1 at Rocky Point on Nov. 16 (LD); Red-tailed Hawk - 1 light phaseand 1 dark phase at Donagh on Oct. 1 (JDM, LY, JC), 1 at Norboro on Oct. 2 (JDM), 1 hunting and 7 flying north tosouth line at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 13 (JDM, LY, DO), 1 at Norboro on wires and 1 in tree at Hampton on Nov. 8(RT), 1 at Cavendish on Oct. 20 (JDM), at North Rustico on Oct. 29 (JDM, DFG, LY, HY) 1 at Travellers Rest onNov. 9 (DFG, JDM), 1 immature at Community of East Point on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM), 1 at Orwell on Dec. 2(A&PM); Rough-legged Hawk - 1 at Kingston on Nov. 10 (FdB), 1 at junction Coleville and Kingston Roads onNov. 11 (RA), 1 at Bunbury on Nov. 12 (RT); American Kestrel - 1 at Argyle Shore on Oct. 5 & 6(JDM, LY), 1 at North Rustico on Oct. 30 (JDM), 1 atBrackley on Nov. 1 (RT), 1 at Vernon River on Nov. 21(DO, WCT); Merlin - 1 photographed at Mermaid onOct. 1 (via WJM), 4 hunting along road at East Point onOct. 7 (SCS), 1 chasing a Blue Jay in tree tops and theBlue Jay harassing the Blue Jay several times back and asecond Merlin chasing the first at Traveller’s Rest onOct. 8 (JDM), 1 at Cavendish on Oct. 20 (JDM), 1immature flying at Desable on Oct. 26 (JDM, LY), 1 atNorth Rustico on Oct. 29 & 30 (JDM), 1 at BrackleyNorth Marsh on Nov. 10 (DCS); Peregrine Falcon - 1at East Point on Oct. 7 (SCS), 1 interacting with aMerlin near Diligent Pond on Oct. 11 (WCT, DO), 1 atNorth Rustico on Oct. 20 (JDM), 1 at Brackley on Nov.7 (DCS); Sandhill Crane - 2 at Malpeque on Oct. 5(WJM), 4 at Malpeque on Oct. 7 (G&SF); Black-

Sandhill Cranes at Malpeque on Oct. 7Photo by Greg Feetham ©

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bellied Plover - 9 at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 14 (DO, JDM, LY); American Golden Plover - 3 at Covehead on Oct.2 & Oct. 8 (DCS); Spotted Sandpiper - see Bennett report; Greater Yellowlegs - 1 flying at Traveller’s Rest onOct. 8 (JDM), 1 at Basin Head on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM); Willet - see Bennett report; Lesser Yellowlegs - seeBennett report; Whimbrel - 2 at Brackley North Marsh on Sept. 23 (DCS); Ruddy Turnstone - see Bennett report;Red Knot - 14 at Covehead on Nov. 4 & 4 at Tracadie Harbour on Nov. 19 (DCS); Sanderling - 60 to 70 atCampbell’s Pond Provincial Park beach on Oct. 7 (SCS), 4 at East Point on Nov. 18 (DCS), 25 at East Point on Nov.19 (KMacA); Semipalmated Sandpiper - see Bennett report; Least Sandpiper - see Bennett report; White-rumpedSandpiper - 6 at North Cape on Nov. 3 (G&SF), 18 adults and juveniles at East Point on Nov. 13 (FdB, MK); Pectoral Sandpiper - see Bennett report, 2 at St. Eleanor’s in pond near Compton’s Pond at the wind mill site onOct. 5 (DMa); Purple Sandpiper - 4 at North Cape on Nov. 3 (G&SF); Dunlin - 1 at St. Eleanor’s in pond nearCompton’s Pond at the wind mill site on Oct. 5 (DMa), 1 at Campbell’s Pond Provincial Park beach on Oct. 7 (SCS),14 at Noonan’s Marsh on Nov. 18 (RA), 70 at Tracadie Harbour on Nov. 19 (DCS); Stilt Sandpiper - 2 juvenilephotographed at St. Eleanor’s in pond near Compton’s Pond at the wind mill site on Oct. 5 (DMa); Short-billedDowitcher - at Compton’s Pond in St. Eleanors on Oct. 5 (DMa); Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 at Brackley NorthMarsh on Jul. 2 (DCS), photographed at St. Eleanors Oct. 5 (DMa); Wilson’s Snipe - 1 at East Lake on Sept. 2(DCS, DO); Black-legged Kittiwake - 50+ at East Point on Nov. 18 (DCS) & ~50 feeding aggressively on Dec. 2(DO, DCS, JDM); Bonaparte's Gull - 2 at Oyster bed Bridge on Oct. 30 (JDM), 10 at Wood Island saltmarsh onNov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), 50 feeding at Diligent Pond on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 125 at Covehead Bay & 19 atCovehead on Nov. 14 (DCS), 1 at St. Peters on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Black-headed Gull - see Bennett report; Ring-billed Gull - 150 at Guernsey Cove fields & 300 at Earnscliffe on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), ~50 with 200Herring Gulls in field at Red Point on Nov. 10 (JDM, WFB); Herring Gull - 75 at Wood Island saltmarsh on Nov. 4(DO, RC, JDM), 250 at South Lake field on Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM); Iceland Gull - 1 at East Point on Nov. 10 (WFB,JDM), 2 juveniles at Diligent Pond on Nov. 19 (KMacA), at Ellen’s Creek on Dec. 1 (DCS, DO, JDM), 1 at BasinHead on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3 adults at South Lake on Nov. 9 (DCS, DO), &Nov. 10 (WFB, JDM), 2 on Nov. 18 (DCS), & 5 in late Nov. (DO, WCT), 1 at East Point on Nov. 11 (SCS); Glaucous Gull - 1 at Victoria Park on Sept. 28 (JBl, RA), see Bennett report; Greater Black-backed Gull - 10 atWood Islands Park on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM); Caspian Tern - 3 at East Point on Oct. 7 (SCS); Common Tern -100+ at Covehead Bay on Jul. 31 & Oct. 2 (DCS); Jaeger spp - 1 small groups flying overhead at East Point on Oct.7 (SCS); Razorbill - 20+ at East Point on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Black Guillemot - few at East Point on Nov. 11(SCS), 1 on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS); Rock Pigeon - 12 at Travellers Rest on Oct. 22 (DFG, JDM, LY); Mourning Dove- 25 to 30 at Hunter River on Nov. 18 (JtR), 2 to 8 at Donagh feeders in Nov. (JDM); Barred Owl - see Bennettreport; Short-eared Owl - 1 at East Point on Nov. 11 (SCS); Northern Saw-whet Owl - see Bennett report; Belted Kingfisher - 2 squabbling at Bovyer Creek in Bunbury on Nov. 8 (RT), 1 at Basin Head on Nov. 10 (WFB,JDM), 1 at Basin Head on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS); Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 at Cape Egmont on Oct. 6 (WGH);Downy Woodpecker - 1 at South Winsloe on Nov. 18 (DEJ), 1 at Stratford on Nov. 22 (A&PM); HairyWoodpecker - 1 at South Winsloe on Nov. 18 (DEJ),1 at Stratford on Nov. 22 (A&PM), 1 at Crapaud on Dec. 1(DD); Northern Flicker - see Bennett report, 1 at Riverview Estates in Charlottetown on Nov. 21 and sporadicallyst

1 to 2 up to Dec. 2 (WFB, EM), 1 at Summerside on Dec. 1 (G&SF) & 1 at Sherwood (JCo); Northern Shrike -immature singing vocally at North Rustico on Oct. 29 (HY, LY, JDM), 1 at Selkirk on Oct. 31 (JGM), 1 at Palmer’sRoad on Nov.7 (RG), 1 at Wood Islands on Dec. 1 (GS); Gray Jay - 1 at Auburn on Nov. 15 (CR); Blue Jay -several at Donagh on Sept. 30 & 6 on Oct. 5-8 (JDM), 100s at East Point on Oct. 11 (WCT, DO); Horned Lark - 2 atDonagh on Oct. 1 (JDM), 4 at Travellers Rest on Oct. 22 & 3 on Oct. 27 (DFG, JDM, LY), 3 at Desable on Oct. 28(JDM), several at North Rustico on Oct. 29 (JDM, DFG); Black-capped Chickadee - good numbers this autumn; Boreal Chickadee - see Bennett report; Red-breasted Nuthatch - small group flying overhead at East Point on Oct.7 (SCS), 1 at Donagh feeders in Oct. (JDM), 1 in Stratford on Nov. 8 & 22 (A&PM); White-breasted Nuthatch - 1in Stratford on Nov. 8 (A&PM), 1 at Tea Hill on Nov. 12 (FdB); Brown Creeper - 1 in Stratford on Nov. 8 (A&PM),1 in apple tree at Rocky Point on Nov. 23 (LD); American Robin - 15 at Desable feeding on winterberry on Oct. 28(JDM, LY), 5 at Wood Islands on Dec. 1 (GS); Northern Mockingbird - 1 at Souris on Nov. 11 (FCh); EuropeanStarling - 2000+ at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 8 (JDM, LY, JC), 1,000+ at Park Corner on Oct. 27 (DFG, JDM),roosting under the Hillsborough Bridge in Charlottetown in Oct. and 5,000+ swirling around the bridge in late Nov.at dusk (JDM, DO); American Pipit - 1 at Donagh on Oct. 1 (JDM), 1 at East Point on Oct. 11 (DO), 5 at Harmony

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Line Road on Oct. 24 (G&SF); Bohemian Waxwing - banded at Cameron’s Island Banding Station in early Oct.(WCT, DO), 45 at East Point & 46 at Little Sands on Nov. 18 (DCS), 50 at Fairfield on Dec. 2 (DCS); CedarWaxwing - 25 at Desable feeding on winterberry on Oct. 26 (JDM, LY); Snow Bunting - 1 at Traveller’s Rest onNov. (JDM, DFG), 100 at Tryon on Nov. 10 (KMacA), 1 at East Point on Nov. 13 (FdB), 60 to 80 at harvested cornfield in Freetown on Nov. 12 (DFG), 1 at Charlottetown Boardwalk on Nov. 15 (FdB), 100 at Palmer’s Road on Nov.15 (RG), 40 at Naufrage on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Yellow-rumped Warbler - dozens in red pines at Campbell’sCove Provincial Park on Oct. 7 (SCS); Eastern Towhee - 1 photographed at Charlottetown feeders on Nov.(DMacL); Savannah Sparrow - 1 at Covehead on Oct. 13 (DCS); Nelson’s Sparrow - 1 at Brackley North Marshon Aug. 5 (DCS), see Bennett report; American Tree Sparrow - 1 at Rocky Point feeders on Nov. 15 (LD), 1 atWood Islands on Dec. 1 (GS), 1 of winter at Donagh feeders on Dec. 1 (JDM); Fox Sparrow - 1 at Donagh on Oct.st

7, 15 & 21 (JDM); Song Sparrow - 1 at West Royalty feeders on Dec. 1 (DCS); Lincoln’s Sparrow - 2 at EastPoint on Oct. 7 (SCS); Swamp Sparrow - 2 at Monticello on Oct. 31 (JGM); White-throated Sparrow - 3 atDonagh feeders on Oct. 7 to 9 (JDM), larger numbers at East Point on Oct. 7 (SCS), 3 at North Rustico on Oct. 24(JDM), 1 at West Royalty feeders on Dec. 1 (DCS); Dark-eyed Junco - small groups flying overhead at East Pointon Oct. 7 (SCS); Northern Cardinal - 1 male at Palmer’s Road on Nov.7 (RG), male at Rocky Point on Nov. 12 &15 (LD); Indigo Bunting - female at Harmony Line Road on Oct. 24 (G&SF); Dickcissel - 1 at North Rustico onOct. 29 (JDM); Red-winged Blackbird - 25 at Donagh on Oct. 15 & 1 on Oct. 22 (JDM), 200 flying with ~100 grackles at Desable on Oct. 26 (JDM, LY); Common Grackle - 1 at Traveller’s Rest on Oct. 12 & 18 (JDM), 1 atCovehead ramp on Oct. 13 (DCS), 1 at Monticello feeders on Oct. 31 (JGM), 2 at Auburn on Nov. 11 (JDM), 1 atSouth Winsloe on Nov. 18 (DEJ); Pine Grosbeak - at Clark’s Creek in Fort Augustus in Oct. (BH), 2 at East Pointon Nov. 13 (FdB), 1 male taking roadside grit at Lakeville on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM), female at South Winsloe onDec. 3 (DEJ); Purple Finch - 1 at Baltic Road on Sept. 2 (DCS, DO); Red Crossbill - 30 at East Point on Nov. 2(RC); White-winged Crossbill - at East Point on Sept. 2 (DCS, DO), ~12 at Dromore trail on Nov. 1 (FdB, MK),~125 at East Point on Nov. 11 (SCS), small flocks flying at East Point with other winter finches on Nov. 19(KMacA), female at Central Lot 16 on Nov. 29 & Dec. 2 (G&SF); Common Redpoll - 50 feeding on grey birchcatkins at Earnscliffe on Nov. 4 (DO, RC, JDM), 60+ in birches at Tea Hill on Nov. 12 (FdB), 30+ at East Point onNov. 18 (DCS), 50 at Monticello on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM); Hoary Redpoll - 1 at Monticello on Dec. 2 (JDM); Pine Siskin - small groups flying overhead at East Point on Oct. 7 (SCS), 15 to 20 at Travelers Rest on Oct. 13 (DO,JDM, LY), 25 at Crossroads on Oct. (DMu), 50 at Summerside on Oct. 15 (G&SF); American Goldfinch - ~125 atEast Point on Nov. 11 (SCS), 12 at Donagh feeders in first time in several weeks (JDM), 2 to 4 at Riverview Estatesfeeders on Nov. 24 to Dec. 2 (WFB, EM); Evening Grosbeak - at Crossroad’s feeders on Nov. 4 & 14 on Nov. 12(AO, DCS), 6 males & 6 females at South Melville on Nov. 7 (JT via RA), small flock at Alberton on Nov. 7 (viaRG), first pair seen in ~20 years at East Royalty feeders (HC), 15 at South Winsloe on Nov. 18 (DEJ), male atInkerman Road on Nov. 20 (DD); House Sparrow - 3 at Traveller’s Rest feeders on Oct. 2 (JDM), 8+ at Souris LineRoad cattle farm & 20 at Souris on Dec. 2 (DO, DCS, JDM).

Older Reports: HY reported a Brown Pelican at the wharf in North Rustico in mid-summer about 4 to 5 years ago;PG reported an American White Pelican at the wharf in North Rustico in mid-summer 12 to 14 years ago; Sharp-tailed Grouse - at Sturgeon for at least several years (DCl); Eastern Phoebe - 1 at Green Gables in Cavendish onJun. 26 (MAr); Tennessee Warbler - 1 at Campbell’s Pond on Jun. 1 (PGi); Bobolink - 1 at Darnley on Jun. 19(EMu).

Thanks to the following contributors who provided records for this listing, namely:

Thanks to the following contributors who provided records for this listing, namely: AA - Anne Arvidson; MAr -Mark Arvin; RA - Ron Arvidson; RGA - Ron Arsenault; JBl - Jean Blanchard; WFB - Bill Bowerbank; BCo - BrendaCobb; DCl - Doug Clarey; DCla - Danny Clark; EC- Elwood Coakes; FCh - Fred Cheverie; FRC - Rosemary Curley;HC - Helen Cottreau; JC - Jordan Condon; JCo - Jim Coady; RC- Ray Cooke; SGC - Sharon Clark; FdB - Fiep deBie; DD - Daphne Davies; LD - Lois Doan; LJD (formerly LDa) - Lou Daley; G&SF - Greg & Sandra Feethan; CEG- Chuck Gallison; DG - Dawna Gillis; DFG _ Diane Griffin; PG - Peter Gauthier; PGi - Paul Giroux; RG - RosemaryGallinger; BH - Ben Hoteling; WGH (formerly BHa) - Bill Hartford; DEJ - Don Jardine; LFJ - Locke Jones; DK -

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Dan Kennedy; GFK - Glen Kelly; MK - Meika Keunecke; ADM - Allie McLennan; A&PM - Arlene & PaulMcGuigan; BCM - Bonnie McOrmond; BMo - Ben Moore; CGM - Cathleen (Gallant) MacCormack; DMa - DonnaMartin; DMacL - Dorothy MacLeod; DMacA - David MacAdam; DMo - Denise Motard; DMu - Doug Murray; EM -Evelyn Martin; EMu - Emily Mutch; FMcC -Fred McCardle; JM - James Mallett; JDM - Dan McAskill; JGM -Gerald MacDonald (formerly listed as GM); KM - Ken Mayhew; KMacA - Kathleen MacAulay; WJM - WadeMacKinnon; SN - Sharon Neill; AO -Audrey Oakley; DO - Dwaine Oakley; BDP - Brad Potter; EP - Erik Paynter;CR - Clarence Ryan; JeRo - Jennifer Roma; JtR - John te Raa; DC&ES - David & Elaine Seeler; GS - GarySchneider; IS - Ian Scott; SS - Serge Serviant; SCS - Scott Sinclair; JHS - Jim Sutton; JT - Jane Thomas; RT - Reg(Dutch) Thompson; AW - Anne Wootton; GW - Geoff Wood; JW - Jackie Waddell; WCT - Wildlife ConservationTechnology Class; HY - Harry Yeo; LY - Lorne Yeo.

ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR:Note: All Society presentations and field trips are open to the public.

Society meetings start at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, 2 Kent Street, Charlottetown.YN = young naturalists encouraged to attend or participate

Dec. 15 (Saturday) - The East Point Christmas Bird Count. Please contact Dwaine Oakley at 393-6223 ordwaine.oakley@gmail.com for details and to register. The date may change in the advent of severe weatherso please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 16 (Sunday) - The Prince Edward Island National Park Christmas Bird Count - This count features a lunchtime pot-luck at the PEI National Park Administration Building in Dalvay. Please contact Dan McAskill at569-4351 or E-mail at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change inthe advent of severe weather so please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 26 (Wednesday) - The Hillsborough Christmas Bird Count. There will be a pot-luck after the event forparticipants at 6 p.m. at Diane and Kevin Griffin’s in Stratford. Please contact Dan McAskill at 569-4351 orE-mail at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change in the advent ofsevere weather so please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 30 (Sunday) - The Montague Christmas Bird Count. Please contact Scott Sinclair via E-mail atscsinclair@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change in the advent of severeweather so please contact your coordinator.

Jan. 8 - Wildlife and its management in Tanzania. Diane Griffin will be featuring images of her journey inTanzania featuring the various birds and other species at the Natural History Society’s Annual Generalmeeting which starts at 7:30 pm at the Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, 2 Kent Street, Charlottetown. YN

Feb. 5 - Only bad people plant non-native species in their garden. Karen Samis will be the guest speaker for theSociety’s regular monthly meeting. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at the Beaconsfield’s Carriage House,2 Kent Street, Charlottetown. YN

Feb. 15-18 - Great Backyard Bird Count - is a joint partnership between Audubon and the Cornell Lab ofOrnithology, with Bird Studies Canada as the official Canadian partner. Participation is free and web-based. You can count from feeders or the field. Please contact www.birdsource.org/GBBC/

Mar. 5 - The guest speaker for the Society’s regular monthly meeting is being finalized and will be announced onthe NaturePEI website. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at the Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, 2 KentStreet, Charlottetown. YN.

Apr. 2 - The guest speaker for the Society’s regular monthly meeting is being finalized and will be announced on theNaturePEI website. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at the Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, 2 Kent Street,Charlottetown. YN.

Jun. 16 to 19 - The 2013 Canadian Rivers Heritage Conference which will be held at the Delta Prince Edward. Thisprestigious international river heritage conference focuses on the theme Rivers: Building Nations . . .Sustaining Peoples and will bring together a wide spectrum of individuals interested in various facets ofrivers from their aesthetic qualities and sense of place to science, watershed governance, culture andeconomy. For more information, please contact or contact Don Jardine, the Conference Coordinator, byphone at 902-368-5092 or via e-mail at contact@riversconference.ca

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SHOREBIRD SURVEYS ARTICLE By David Seeler

Note: 4 Sanderling and 1 Dunlin were observed at Stanhope Cape beach the week after the surveys were completed.