SOME HIGHLIGHTS

• President’s Report;• American Woodcock foundduring winter;• Tree Cricket discovered;• 234 Species of Birds Reportedon PEI in 2015;• New Water Shrew Records;• Eagle Pellets Found;• Spider Photos Needed;• Ravens circa 1938• Christmas Bird CountResults• Great sighting reports:Common Teal, Tufted Duck, American Coot, Sanderling (inwinter!), Northern Hawk Owl,Short-eared Owl, PileatedWoodpecker, Gyrfalcon,Summer Tanager, and Yellow-headed Blackbird• Nature PEI SpringPresentation Program

ISSUE # 218 JAN. - MAR., 2016

ISLAND NATURALIST

NATURE PEI - 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 from October to June at 7:30 p.m. at Beaconsfield’sCarriage House, corner of West and Kent Street in Charlottetown. Each meeting commences with abrief business meeting followed by a nutrition break and our guest speaker. Members and non-membersare welcome.

Membership is open to anyone interested in the natural history of Prince Edward Island. Membership isavailable at any meeting or by contacting the Treasurer at P.O. Box 2346, Charlottetown PE C1A 8C1. Annual membership is $20 and renewals are due in January. Multi-year renewals are $20 per year forwhich you wish to renew. Membership expiry dates are shown in the top right hand corner of the mailinglabel or by a notice provided to those receiving electronic newsletters.

The Society is directed by a volunteer Executive elected from its members.2016 Executive:

President ....................................................Rosemary Curley, Stratford 902-569-1209 rcurleypei@eastlink.ca Vice-President .........................Gerald MacDougall, Charlottetown 902-368-8092 eagle.dynasty@gmail.comPast President ............................... ...............Ian Scott, Charlottetown 902-892-5796 scotts@pei.sympatico.caSecretary ..........................................Robert Harding, Summerville 902-838-2699 rharding@pei.sympatico.caTreasurer ....................................................Don Jardine, Winsloe South 902-368-2549 dejardine@eastlink.caDirector- Program & Publicity .....................Diane Griffin, Stratford 902-569-2343 dianegriffin@eastlink.caDirector - Field Trips .....................................Julie Vasseur, Charlottetown 902-940-1310 jlvssr@gmail.comNewsletter Editor....................................Dan McAskill, Donagh 902-569-4351 jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca

NEWSLETTERS are normally published quarterly and are available in Acrobat Reader colour formatvia E-mail or in black & white hard copy delivered by mail. Hard copies are printed on recycled paper. Articles, notes, reports, drawings, bird sightings, plant records, pictures, etc. are welcomed from membersand non-members. If you have seen anything unusual, please share it with us. It is important to haveyour nature observations recorded so that others may learn from them. All contributions should be sentby mail to Dan McAskill, Newsletter Editor, Nature PEI (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 othernewsletter information is June 10, 2016.

Illustrations/Pictures: The Society extends its thanks to Judi Allen, Sara Deveau; Greg Feetham, GarryGregory, Don Jardine, Donna Martin, Lucas MacCormack, Dale Murchison, Nicole Murtagh, DwaineOakley, Chris Rice, Don Steeves, John te Raa, and Julie Vasseur for the use of their photographs in thisissue.

Reprinting: Editors of other newsletters and teachers wishing to copy classroom materials are welcometo reprint articles from the Island Naturalist (except when copyrighted). Due acknowledgment must beprovided to the Island Naturalist, the author and illustrator.

Web page: www.NaturePEI.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturePEI

Nature PEI gratefully acknowledges support from the Department of Education, Early Learning andCulture which enables distribution of newsletters to schools and libraries desiring it. The Society hasrepresentation on the board of the Island Nature Trust. The Society is a registered charity and a non-profit organization (Part 2, PEI Companies Act). Tax receipts are issued for donations to the Society andthese funds are used to further the work of the Society.

Cover Illustration:Lucas MacCormack captured this image of a Pine Grosbeak feeding on Mountain Ash berries at

Elmira during the East Point Christmas Bird Count. Good numbers were observed this year on PEI wherethere were sufficient berries on which they could feed.

2

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2015: By Rosemary Curley

I would like to thank the membership of the Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island forsupporting our society so well in 2015. You really showed up at our meetings, and there was excellentparticipation in our fund raising raffles; many of you donated items and took a chance on winning a prize,to our benefit. You also contributed to our newsletter with sightings, photos and stories and took part infield events and projects. Thank you. No organization can survive without members and our members aregenerally a loyal group. We thank Ardeth Smith for occasionally bringing us lunch.

In January 2015, one of our first orders of business was to undertake a membership drive, becausewe are suffering the same problem as many other organizations -- loss of members. Though we had 99members, we wanted to see if we could crack the 100, or perhaps return to our glory days of about 150. Acommittee of Ian Scott, Bonnie McOrmond, Lise Lafontaine and Diane Griffin strategized, identifiedlapsed members and potential new members, designed and printed a Nature PEI brochure (now on ourwebsite) and mailout, and made it possible for members to pay directly to our bank account via Pay Pal. In April, we mailed out 135 invitations to join, along with the brochures. In 2015, we ended up with 90members; yes, it is a bit discouraging.

We have a limited number of members in the Summerside area, and our committee is still lookingfor ways to attract and better serve our members in this population center and beyond.

One of my wishes as President is to have the Society become more active in conservation issues,because there are many serious issues facing wildlife and the environment today, including climatechange impacts on wildlife, and loss of species. But there are some impediments to doing goodconservation work, not the least of which is access to funding. A first issue we tackled was to see if wecould have more input to the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Conservation Fund.

In late 2014, we submitted a nomination to the board of the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund, butour nominee was not selected. Since the fund now included nearly $123,000 in monies from the sale ofconservation license plates, and the committee approving projects consisted primarily of hunters, anglersand trappers, we were hoping to generate members from groups such as ours that are generally concernedabout issues affecting a wide range of wildlife species, many of which are not hunted, fished or trapped.We enlisted the support of two UPEI students, Whitney Bryan and Katie Thistle to undertake a survey ofWildlife Conservation Plate owners. Nature PEI became their community sponsor for a credit course,Science 444. The students surveyed 286 people and quite by accident, equal numbers of males andfemales. The results of the survey showed that 2/3 of the respondents who have the conservation plate ontheir vehicles are not hunters, anglers or trappers. This survey influenced the committee to add anadditional biodiversity committee member. Our nominee, Diane Griffin, was accepted to the Committee.

Many conservation groups in Prince Edward Island receive base funding from the Provincialgovernment, but Nature PEI does not. In September 2015, Diane Griffin and I met with the AssistantDeputy Minister of Environment, Todd Dupuis, to raise the issue of the “can fund” and how we mightaccess these funds. On October 7th, we submitted a 3 page request for funding. To date we have not had aresponse from government.

In February, we submitted a proposal to the Wildlife Conservation Fund to conduct a citizenscience project to expand our understanding of Prince Edward Island spiders. We received $1,815.00.We also sponsored a Science 444 student, Caleb Harding, to work on the spider collection. Twenty-threepeople attended an August spider workshop and volunteers collected somewhere between 2000 and 3000spiders. About 80 % of collections are juveniles that cannot be identified, but from 200 adults that wereidentified, and with the work of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at University of Guelph, we havepushed the known number of spider species on PEI from 38 to 167! It is of some concern that close to 10% of our spider species are exotic species, because they can displace native spiders. Caleb Harding, ourspeaker for May, will introduce us to some of these spiders.

A second part of the citizen science project was to survey the common reed stands in the Provinceto see if they are native plants or the invasive European subspecies (Phragmites australis australis),which is said to be the most invasive plant in Canada. We found one ditch population of the invasivesubspecies. It has been transplanted to three additional sites on private lands.

There was some carryover from our 2014 co-sponsored lichen project. On Valentine’s Day, 2015there was a full page spread in the Guardian on the lichen work of Dr. Troy McMullin, with some homage

3

Dr. Elliot Urdang donating fossil tracks found on PEI toPEI Museum and Heritage Foundation at Dr. John

Calder’s October 2016 presentation to Nature PEI. L to RDr. John Calder, Dr. Elliot Urdang, Linda Berko,

Rosemary Curley, and David Keenlyside. Photo by Don Jardine

to Nature PEI. In 2015 Troy also published an article in “The Bryologist” indicating that he had found a“new to science” lichen species Chaenotheca balsamconensis which occurs on older Balsam Fir in PEIand several other jurisdictions.

In March, I attended the Annual General Meeting of Prince Edward Island Museum and HeritageFoundation for 2012 and 2013 in Miscouche, and brought up the issue of the lack of representation ofscience and natural history on their Board of Governors. May was busy. We wrote a letter to the Boardreiterating the need for a biologist on the Board and suggesting they support natural history programmingand collections. (We have not had a reply from the Board). We wrote to Education Minister Hal Perryrequesting that a science member be part of the Board. He did not reply, but we learned from thePremier’s Office that we should use an application process. (Diane Griffin has applied). Late in the monthwe held an introspective “future directions” special meeting dedicating some time on this topic. Wehoped to enlist support from other organizations at our Round Table on Wildlife and Environment onJune 3rd but very few people showed up.

In December, Dan McAskill, Diane Griffin and Ian Scott attended the 2014 Museum AGM atBeaconsfield and restated our position regarding board composition. Over the Christmas season, we wrotea letter to the Guardian in support of Peter Bevan Baker’s address in the Legislature requesting that socialinfrastructure money be used to build a Museum of Human and Natural History. We then accepted a CBCphone interview and were buoyed by a supportive editorial in the Guardian.

In 2014 we had raised the issue of access to birding in Prince Edward Island National Park, asparking is now limited and certain access roads have been closed. We wrote a letter to ParkSuperintendent Karen Jans in April and met with her on May 13th. We also gave some input on roadbuilding plans in the Park and were invited to a consultation on a draft Park Management Plan. Dan and Iattended and learned where birding access could occur.

A provincial election month took place in May, and we were pleased to assist in drafting questionsfor the party leaders about environmental issues. This was a well-attended event at Holland College witha good number of youth present.

Some other topics: Rosemary and Gerald MacDougall attended a land bird species-at-risk meetingin Sackville NB. The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada appeared to be generating supportto protect birds at risk. There may be more input solicited in future.

Gerald referred the issues of illegal plastic rings on cans (they can trap wildlife) to the ChiefConservation Officer for action. Several executive members reviewed a draft Climate Diary from theClimate Research Lab at UPEI , and many of you signed up to keep track of nature over a 20 year period. We received an invitation to join Vision PEI, but decided it was not a good fit for our society. We wroteletters of support to TD Bank and the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund for Bird Studies Canada’sproposals for marsh monitoring programs here. We made a presentation to the Environmental AdvisoryCouncil on the Water Act, noting pesticides in well water and in rivers after rainfall events. We now havean awards committee to nominate society membersfor awards from other organizations. GeraldMacDougall organizes this effort. The MaritimesButterfly Atlas was extended in to 2015.

We made regular donations: $ 180.00 to theScience Fair at UPEI, to go to $200 in 2016; $225to the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation for useof the Carriage House (and a big thanks to LynanneLove who comes in the bargain); and a donation of$100.00 to Island Nature Trust for the Neil BennettAutumn Birding Classic where our partnership isimportant. A funding proposal for a book “TheMammals of Prince Edward Island “was approvedin principle for $3,500 but will not be payable until2018. We voted to provide a free subscription toIsland Naturalist to Robertson Library as they havedigitized all older copies of this newsletter, and willcontinue to do so.

Thanks to a number of people who’vehelped out. Our speakers are first on the list; Dr.

4

American Woodcock found inSummerside on Jan. 13, 2016

Photo by Donna Martin

Richard Elliot, Dr. David Cairns, Don Jardine, Derek Ellis, Julie Vasseur, Dr. John Calder, Chris Vessey,and Diane Griffin and her sidekick. Special thanks to Kyle Knysh for leading a spider workshop. RandyDibblee is our representative to the Island Nature Trust Board and has recently begun a second 3-yearterm. Our former executive member, Bonnie McOrmond has contributed greatly to the society over anumber of years. Thanks also to outgoing Director Ron Arvidson for all the field trips he has planned,hosted and advertised, and for co-hosting our Facebook site with Ian Scott. Our website,www.NaturePEI.ca, is cared for by Ian. It is so useful to have our archives accessible and online!

Our Newsletter, the Island Naturalist is like glue holding us together. Thanks to Editor DanMcAskill for faithfully publishing all the Christmas Bird Counts, special birding events, stories andsightings, and responding to suggestions for change; it’s a very appealing product with many photosincluded. Recently we received a suggestion from a member of the public to modify the newsletter. Nowyou’ll see a “What’s inside” section on the front page.

I look forward to working with all of you: birders and botanists, nature lovers and naturephotographers, citizen scientists, and the new Executive in 2016. We’ll have lots of fun.

AN AMERICAN WOODCOCK . . . . AN INTERESTING WINTER REPORT: by Donna Martin

On January 20, 2016, I was out visiting a friend when an interesting bird story was shared withme. As an avid birder, and someone quite interested in the conservation and well being of all our birdspecies, this story certainly peaked my interest, especially as awinter record on PEI.

Candy Gallant was called on the evening of January 13,2016. Apparently a couple found an American Woodcock sitting intheir driveway at 82 Central St, in Summerside, PEI. The coupletook the bird in alive and put it in a box in a quiet area with waterand seed. The home owners did not know what kind of bird it was.After calling a few people, and getting Candy Gallant's number,Candy Gallant, a Wildlife Rehabilitator, was called and asked tocome in and pick up this bird. Unfortunately, when Candy Gallantarrived on Jan 14, 2016, the bird had died overnight. Candy hadplaced the dead woodcock in her compost. I retrieved the frozendead bird from the compost on January 20, 2016. I did a quickexamination and found this bird to be in good body condition. Ithen decided to photograph it and send the specimen to the AtlanticVeterinary College, Wildlife Pathology for a necropsy on January25, 2016, to try and determine the cause of death.

A necropsy was preformed by Dr. Maria Forzan, a wildlife pathologist with the Canadian WildlifeHealth Cooperative at the Atlantic Veterinary College. Dr. Forzan confirmed the birds a a male AmericanWoodcock. This bird showed prominent fat (adipose tissue) reserves indicating good body condition.Although cause of death was not readily identifiable, Dr. Forzan suspected trauma from a possiblewindow strike. A final report will follow at a later date.

American Woodcocks are migratory birds that normally migrate from their northern breedingareas to their southern wintering areas in late October and November. This certainly raises somequestions as to why this bird was found here this time of year.

FIRST OCCURRENCE OF TREE CRICKET FROM PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: by Robert W. Harding

Tree Crickets, (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) are related to grasshoppers, field crickets and katydids.While grasshoppers are often seen jumping about fields, and the familiar black and brown field cricketsare usually encountered along the ground, tree crickets spend most of their time hidden in trees andshrubbery. Although they are perfectly camouflaged and are often not seen, last September a male andfemale were attracted to our porch light in Summerville, in central Kings County.

5

First Record for Tree Cricket on PEI

Photo by Robert W. Harding

On the night of September 19, 2015, a male was found and stayed for about an hour while photoswere taken. The following morning, a female was found under the same light and a series of photos were

taken as well. I did not collect these specimens, which would be advisablebecause identification to species is apparently inconclusive from photos.This species is very likely the Black-horned Tree Cricket (Oecanthusnigricornis), the only Tree Cricket recorded so far from the Maritimes. Ithas been found across the southern half of New Brunswick and in centralNova Scotia. While there are other similar species of Oecanthus that maybe found in the region, this is the first time this genus has been recordedon PEI.

These insects are fairly small, with a body length of about 15 mm.The black antennae of both male and female are very long – much longerthan their body length. The male is dorsally compressed and paddle-shaped, while the female appears more slender, with her wings held closeto the sides of her abdomen. They are omnivorous, and feed on aphids andother soft-bodied bugs as well as soft plant tissues. The female has aprominent black ovipositor which she uses to pierce woody stems and tolay eggs inside these holes. Males rub their wings together and ‘sing’ toattract females late in the day and into the night.

The Black-horned Tree Cricket prefers lower shrubs than otherspecies of tree crickets. It has been found in patches of goldenrod(Solidago), brambles (Rubus) and other tall weeds. Nature PEI membersare encouraged to collect any tree cricket specimens that may beencountered in late summer, so that identification can be confirmed. It has

been suggested that tree crickets and some related insects are relative newcomers to the Maritimes and arespreading across the region due to climate change. Tracking where they are found across the Island isimportant in helping determine distribution patterns of this interesting insect, and in adding to the generalknowledge of the natural history of PEI.

Thanks to Dr. Don McAlpine, New Brunswick Museum and John Klymko, Atlantic CanadaConservation Data Centre for their assistance in confirming identifications and providing information onthis family in the region.

2015 PEI BIRD REPORT: By David Seeler

Well, 2015 closed its doors quickly and we are on to new challenges for 2016. In 2015 2 newspecies were added to the PEI List - do you remember which two & where? It was also a year where morethan one person in the region asked the same question: Where are the passerines, etc. More than oneperson noted that in good habitat and at the right time of year far fewer birds (if any) were found in someareas. Bad luck or a trend - who knows but we may appreciate which this will be in the upcoming year.

I trust each of you have had a great holiday season with your family(ies) and I wish each of youall the best for 2016.

Good birding in 2016!David Seeler

SPECIES Reported: 234

DUCKS, GEESE, ANDWATERFOWLPink-footed GooseGreater White-fronted GooseSnow GooseBrantCackling GooseCanada GooseWood DuckGadwall

Eurasian WigeonAmerican WigeonAmerican Black DuckMallardBlue-winged TealNorthern ShovelerNorthern PintailGreen-winged TealRedheadRing-necked Duck

Greater ScaupLesser ScaupCommon EiderHarlequin DuckSurf ScoterWhite-winged ScoterBlack ScoterLong-tailed DuckBuffleheadCommon Goldeneye

6

Barrow's GoldeneyeHooded MerganserCommon MerganserRed-breasted MerganserRuddy DuckPHEASANTS, GROUSE, ANDALLIESGray PartridgeRing-necked PheasantRuffed GrouseSharp-tailed GrouseLOONSRed-throated LoonCommon LoonGREBESPied-billed GrebeHorned GrebeRed-necked GrebeSHEARWATERS ANDPETRELSGreat ShearwaterSooty ShearwaterBOOBIES AND GANNETSNorthern GannetCORMORANTS AND SHAGSDouble-crested CormorantGreat CormorantHERONS, EGRETS, ANDBITTERNSAmerican BitternGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretLittle Blue HeronTricolored HeronGreen HeronIBISES AND SPOONBILLSGlossy IbisNEW WORLD VULTURESBlack VultureTurkey VultureOSPREYOspreyHAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITESNorthern HarrierSharp-shinned HawkNorthern GoshawkBald EagleRed-tailed HawkRough-legged HawkRAILS, GALLINULES, ANDCOOTSVirginia RailSoraAmerican CootCRANESSandhill CranePLOVERS AND LAPWINGSBlack-bellied PloverAmerican Golden-PloverSemipalmated PloverPiping PloverKilldeerSANDPIPERS AND ALLIESSpotted SandpiperSolitary SandpiperGreater YellowlegsWilletLesser Yellowlegs

WhimbrelHudsonian GodwitRuddy TurnstoneRed KnotStilt SandpiperSanderlingDunlinBaird's SandpiperLeast SandpiperWhite-rumped SandpiperPectoral SandpiperSemipalmated SandpiperShort-billed DowitcherWilson's SnipeAmerican WoodcockRed-necked PhalaropeSKUAS AND JAEGERSGreat SkuaParasitic JaegerAUKS, MURRES, ANDPUFFINSDovekieThick-billed MurreRazorbillBlack GuillemotAtlantic PuffinGULLS, TERNS, ANDSKIMMERSBlack-legged KittiwakeBonaparte's GullBlack-headed GullRing-billed GullHerring GullIceland GullLesser Black-backed GullGlaucous GullGreat Black-backed GullCaspian TernCommon TernPIGEONS AND DOVESRock PigeonMourning DoveOWLSEastern Screech-OwlGreat Horned OwlSnowy OwlBarred OwlLong-eared OwlShort-eared OwlBoreal OwlNorthern Saw-whet OwlNIGHTJARS AND ALLIESCommon NighthawkSWIFTSChimney SwiftHUMMINGBIRDRuby-throated HummingbirdKINGFISHERSBelted KingfisherWOODPECKERSRed-bellied WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerPileated Woodpecker

FALCONS AND CARACARASAmerican KestrelMerlinPeregrine FalconTYRANT FLYCATCHERSOlive-sided FlycatcherEastern Wood-PeweeYellow-bellied FlycatcherAlder FlycatcherLeast FlycatcherEastern PhoebeSay's PhoebeEastern KingbirdSHRIKESNorthern ShrikeVIREOS, SHRIKE-BABBLERS,ERPORNISBlue-headed VireoWarbling VireoRed-eyed VireoCROWS, JAYS, AND MAGPIESGray JayBlue JayAmerican CrowCommon RavenLARKSHorned LarkSWALLOWSTree SwallowBank SwallowBarn SwallowCliff SwallowTITS, CHICKADEES, ANDTITMICEBlack-capped ChickadeeBoreal ChickadeeNUTHATCHESRed-breasted NuthatchWhite-breasted NuthatchTREECREEPERSBrown CreeperWRENSWinter WrenKINGLETSGolden-crowned KingletRuby-crowned KingletTHRUSHES AND ALLIESTownsend's SolitaireSwainson's ThrushHermit ThrushAmerican RobinMOCKINGBIRDS ANDTHRASHERSGray CatbirdNorthern MockingbirdSTARLINGSEuropean StarlingWAGTAILS AND PIPITSAmerican PipitWAXWINGSBohemian WaxwingCedar WaxwingLONGSPURS AND SNOWBUNTINGSLapland LongspurSnow BuntingNEW WORLD WARBLERSOvenbird

7

A dead water shrew found at West Point, PEI on Dec. 1, 2015. Its white beard shows up well.

Photo by Julie Vasseur

Water shrew young at Whitlocks Pond on June 4, 2009

Photo by Garry Gregory

Northern WaterthrushBlack-and-white WarblerTennessee WarblerNashville WarblerMourning WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartCape May WarblerNorthern ParulaMagnolia WarblerBay-breasted WarblerBlackburnian WarblerYellow WarblerChestnut-sided WarblerBlackpoll WarblerBlack-throated Blue WarblerPalm WarblerPine WarblerYellow-rumped WarblerBlack-throated Green WarblerCanada WarblerWilson's Warbler

BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLDSPARROWSAmerican Tree SparrowChipping SparrowClay-colored SparrowField SparrowVesper SparrowLark SparrowSavannah SparrowNelson's SparrowFox SparrowSong SparrowLincoln's SparrowSwamp SparrowWhite-throated SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowDark-eyed JuncoCARDINALS AND ALLIESSummer TanagerNorthern CardinalRose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo BuntingTROUPIALS AND ALLIESBobolinkRed-winged BlackbirdRusty BlackbirdCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdBaltimore OrioleFINCHES, EUPHONIAS, ANDALLIESPine GrosbeakPurple FinchWhite-winged CrossbillCommon RedpollHoary RedpollPine SiskinAmerican GoldfinchEvening GrosbeakOLD WORLD SPARROWSHouse Sparrow

THE FRAMING OF THE SHREW: New Records for Water Shrew in Prince Edward Island By Judi Allen, Garry Gregory, Mitchell MacMillan and Julie Vasseur

A swimming shrew, no less. A swimmingshrew so adapted to watery environments that its furtraps air while it swims under water, not only reducingheat loss, but increasing buoyancy. As their namesuggests, the water shrew (Sorex palustris) prefershabitats close to water, and with plenty of hiding spots– vegetation, logs, swampy tree roots, and rocks makesurvival that much easier.

Shrews look similar to mice and voles, but theyare in fact very different – they are not evenconsidered rodents! Shrews are insectivores andthough they may branch out a bit to include plantmatter and lichens, they typically stick to a diet ofinsects, augmented by a few small fish and tadpoles.

Water shrews are considered common in NovaScotia and New Brunswick but extremely rare inPrince Edward Island – biologists don’t yet have agreat handle on the species’ presence on PEI.Although it can be tricky to identify different species

of shrews, the dark back and light belly of the watershrew is a sure giveaway, as are feet fringed withhairs, adapted for swimming. The tail is dark aboveand light below.

Water shrews were first reported for PrinceEdward Island in 1980 in a paper written for theCanadian Field Naturalist, submitted by HowardThomas, Gwilym Jones, and Randy Dibblee. Threespecimens were reported: two (a male and a female)close to Sturgeon in Kings County PEI, and one (amale) at Whitlock’s Pond in King’s County. All threewere located in watery habitats typical of the species. Not too long afterward, three males and a female werereported from the outlet of Long Pond in Prince

8

Eagle pelletPhoto by Judi Allen

Edward Island National Park, the first records in Queens County. Thirty odd years later, 3 new PEIrecords have surfaced:

C On June 4, 2009, a litter of three well-furred brown water shrew pups at Whitlock’s

Pond was photographed by Garry Gregory, accompanied by Randy Dibblee. Thenest was located on a push-up of mud along the margin of the pond where therewas a break in the sweet gale.

C On April 20, 2014, a water shrew was seen swimming in a fresh water pond inLaunching by Judi Allen and David McBurney. The pond was mainly ice-coveredbut a pipe (known as a beaver leveller) near the outlet created an area of openwater. There were many of what seemed to be mouse tunnels along the top of thedam near the pipe, but several tunnels led directly to the water. As Dave and Judiwere inspecting the tunnels, they suddenly noticed a tiny dark mammal swimmingunderwater surrounded by a sheen of air bubbles. The view was momentary, andthen the water shrew disappeared under the overhanging bank. Swimming in icycold water is typical behaviour for a water shrew, and its fur releases bubbles as itswims.

C On December 1, 2015, a dead water shrew was discovered in a swamp in WestPoint by Mitchell MacMillan, accompanied by Julie Vasseur. Red maple andalders were typical of the swamp - knee deep, non-flowing water except in areas"dry" enough for cinnamon ferns, alders and red maple to take root. These formedislands of semi-stable terrain between winding paths of water.

The shrew carcass was suspended on an alder branch and it had died of a traumatic injury to theface as evidenced by blood on the snout. How it got in an alder or what killed it remain unknowns. This isthe first record of a water shrew in Prince County.

Even though water shrews are secretive and shy, hopefully in future more records of the specieswill be reported, so that we can better establish the status of the population in the province.

By the way, there is new evidence that water shrews in Eastern Canada are different from those inthe rest of the country. It has been recommended based on genetic testing that our shrew be renamedSorex albibarbis, the white-bearded water shrew.

References:Bateman, Myrtle C. and William H. Prescott. 1984. The mammals of Prince Edward Island National Park

Volume II (Annotated List). Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville, NB.Hope, Andrew G., Nicholas Panter, Joseph A. Cook, Sandra l. Talbot, and David W. Nagorsen. 2014.

Multilocus phylogeography and systematic revision of North American water shrews (genus:Sorex). Journal of Mammalogy, 95(4):722–738 DOI: 10.1644/13-MAMM-A-196

Mycroft, Erin B., Aaron B.A.Shafer and Donald T. Stewart. 2011. Cytochrome-b sequence variation inwater shrews (Sorex palustris) from Eastern and Western North America. Northeastern Naturalist18(4): 497-508

Thomas, Howard H., Gwilym S. Jones and Randall L. Dibblee. 1980. Sorex palustris on Prince EdwardIsland. Canadian Field-Naturalist 94(3): 329-331

EAGLE PELLETS: By Judi Allen

Many people know that owls regurgitate of pelletsundigested fur, feathers and bone. Judi Allen and Dave McBurneyhad an interesting find below a white pine tree in which a Bald Eagleroosts on their property in eastern PEI. There were a number ofeagle pellets which the eagle had regurgitated. Eagle pelletsnormally consist of undigested fur and feathers. Their strongstomach acids can break down many bones. (Adapted from anarticle by Peter Nye, NY Department of EnvironmentalConservation).

9

Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) at Kensington, PEI

Photo by Chris Rice

SPIDER PICTURES NEEDED: By Robert W. Harding

Due to the enthusiastic response of PEI Spider Project participants, approximately 3,000additional spider specimens were collected last summer and fall. Nature PEI has taken steps to have thesespecimens sorted and identified to species. In support of this project, funding has been provided by thePEI Wildlife Conservation Fund, PEI Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division, the PEI Invasive SpeciesCouncil and Nature PEI. UPEI continues as an important partner, providing both guidance and resources.

While we are not collecting morespecimens at this time, we are interested inreceiving photos of PEI spiders for futureuse by the Society. Photographers areasked to send their pictures of PEI spidersto myself (rharding@pei.sympatico.ca) orto other members of the Executive. Pleaseinclude a note providing your permissionto use the picture for use in the Society’seducation programs as well as the date andplace where the spider was photographed. The photographers will be credited whenthe photograph is used.

A reminder, Caleb Harding will beproviding an illustrated presentation on lastyear's PEI Spider Project at the Society'smeeting on May 3rd (See theEnvironmental Calendar on the last page).

Spider Trivia - How many eyesdoes a spider have? Answer on last page.(Adapted from Toronto Field NaturalistNo. 617 February 2016)

NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by Dan McAskill

Our heartiest congratulations go to several Nature PEI members and supporters who won awardsat the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation Heritage Awards on February 18th, 2016. Robert (Bob)Harding was presented the Natural Heritage Award for his contributions in natural heritage, Reg “Dutch”Thompson won the Award of Honour for outstanding contributions in heritage on P.E.I., Karen Mair ofCBC Radio’s Main Street won the Wendell Boyle Award for promoting and supporting PEI’s heritageand Dr. Doug Sobey and Earle Lockerby won the Publication of the Year Award for their book SamuelHolland: His Work and Legacy on Prince Edward Island.

Last year, the Halifax Regional Municipality tasked an expert team from Calgary to create a“Greenbelting and Public Open Space Priorities Plan” and discussed this concept with interested partiesincluding the Halifax Field Naturalists. The first phase of this work “State of the Landscape, Phase 1”was released. (Adapted from “Halifax Green Network Plan State of the Landscape Report” by WendyMacDonald in The Halifax Field Naturalist, Winter 2015, #161 P. 6-7).

Because on increasing pressures from climate change, population growth and urban development,the City of Toronto has commenced the development of new guidelines and plans to manage, enhanceand protect its ravines. Toronto established a Ravine Strategy Advisory Group which includes a numberof conservation organizations including the Toronto Field Naturalists, David Suzuki Foundation,universities and other organization. (Adapted from Toronto Field Naturalist No. 616 December 2015)

Congratulations go to the Halifax Field Naturalists who celebrated their 40th anniversary lastOctober 1st.

In response to David Suzuki Foundation’s Blue Dot Movement, the City of Toronto declared itscitizen’s right to a healthy environment (see www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-85952.pdf ) on December 1st, 2015. (adapted from Toronto Field Naturalists Number 618, March 2016)

10

The term biomimicry was coined in 1982 to refer to technologies inspired by nature’ s patternsand strategies. A prime example was the modification of the 500-series Japanese bullet trains to remodelthe front end of the train to resemble a kingfisher’s beak. The modification allowed trains to go 10%faster, reduced sonic booms on exiting tunnels, and were more energy efficient reducing electricity use by15% (adapted from Richard Aaron’s “Biomimicry: Learning from Nature’s Designs” in Toronto FieldNaturalist No. 617 February 2016).

How does Canada fare in respect to environmental performance criteria? The Global Metrics forthe Environment report scored Canada as 25th out of the 180 countries evaluated. (Seeissuu.com/2016yaleepi/docs/epi2016_final/1?e=23270481/32968129) (Adapted from Toronto FieldNaturalist No. 617 February 2016).

In 2014, an excellent butterfly resource was released, The ROM Field Guide to Butterflies ofOntario. Amidst the 167 species it features, it includes the 90 species that have been recorded in theMaritimes and represents the most concise field guide to local butterflies. It features all but severalcoastal specialists (Short-tailed Swallowtail, Maritime Ringlet, and Salt Marsh Copper) and costs about$30. (Adapted from an Email by John Klymko to butterfly atlasers dated April 27, 2015)

RAVEN ABUNDANCE IN 1938: Excerpt from Guardian, Nov. 12, 1938 p. 12 “Shoots Raven”

Mr. Austin Brooks of Linkletter Road while on a duck shooting trip at Lot 11 last week not onlyreturned with a good bag of ducks, but also included in his bag a large raven which measured 58 inchesfrom tip to tip of its wings. This is the first time Mr. Brooks has had such an experience and in fact doesnot know of anyone in that part of the country who has ever shot a raven before. Editor’s Note: Thanks to UPEI’s Robertson Library and the Guardian’s initiative, the issues of theGuardian from its origin in 1880 to the 1960s have been digitized and are both available and searchableon line. There is a wealth of information on Island wildlife scattered amongst the thousands of pagespublished in the various versions of the Guardian. (See www.islandnewspapers.ca )

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS 2015-16: Results compiled by Scott Sinclair, Dwaine Oakley & DanMcAskill

Audubon Christmas Bird Counts have been conducted for 116th consecutive years in NorthAmerica. Bird Studies Canada has been the Canadian partner in the CBCs since the 101st count (2000-1).This year the weather forecasts were good for two of the four counts and the gently falling snow on theHillsborough CBC beat white-outs on part of the following day despite the good forecast on the 26th. Thus, for the 45th consecutive year, the Natural History Society of PEI AKA Nature PEI conducted theHillsborough Christmas Bird Count while the PEI National Park CBC celebrated its 44rd as storms causedits cancellation in 1975. The Montague CBC had the best weather of the four counts with excellentlistening conditions for woodland birds. The Montague Christmas count celebrated its 32nd anniversarythis year and was held on January 2nd. The East Point count which was held on December 14th markedits 13th anniversary with one year missed for severe weather.

A heavy frost the night before the PEI National Park meant the mud roads were firm and thetravelling was good. There was essentially no ice cover on salt water bays and only partially frozen freshstill water areas. This year agian, it was mud that prevented access to many of the back roads on the EastPoint CBC but the intrepid Dwaine Oakley forayed down these roads. There was only a few centimetresof snow present on the PEI National Park but there was 25 cm of snow in most areas of the MontagueCBC. By 7:50 AM, the snow started on the Hillsborough CBC on the 27th and long distance viewingbecame tenuous.

Dwaine Oakley coordinated the East Point Christmas Bird Count set for December 19th. The EastPoint Lighthouse deck was covered with birders by 7:20 am. Seventeen birders participated and birdedthe Point itself amidst a stiff northwest wind that created heavy surf along the north shore. Afterwards,four teams formed up and took to their zones.

The PEI National Park CBC was held on Sunday, December 20th. There was a strong west tonorthwest wind with heavy surf along the north shore. There was a fairly good turn out of participantsand the food was great as usual. Barb MacDonald of Parks Canada hosted the potluck in the Dalvay

11

American Coots at Murray RiverPhoto by Donna Martin

Administration Headquarters Lunch Room. Parks Canada provided a Parks Canada thermos which one ofthe counters took home as a special commemorative prize.

The Hillsborough CBC was held on December 27th. Viewing conditions were perfect at dawn butquickly deteriorated with a steady, fluffy snowfall running all day. This made distance viewing verychallenging with scopes and binoculars but road conditions were surprisingly good. However, by day’send, the snow had built up enough that conditions in the evening were relatively poor. Three teams madeit out for the potluck which was hosted by Diane and Kevin Griffin and was sumptuous. Thanks to thetechnology of mobile devices, the lists of all but two groups were shared around the table. The onlychallenge noted by several was the printing quality of the coordinator!

The Montague CBC was held on January 2nd in near perfect conditions. Eighteen field countersand four feeder watchers participated. The snow was packed on the dirt roads and many of them werepassable for the first time in several years. Dwaine Oakley coordinated the East Point CBC, ScottSinclair organized the Montague count and Dan McAskill coordinated the P.E.I. National Park andHillsborough CBCs.

The white spruce cone crop this year was good onscattered trees. The berry crop was poor on Mountain Ashand Winterberry on the Hillsborough and PEI National Parkcounts but good on some areas of the East Point andMontague counts. As was the case the last four years, fieldcounters again reported low numbers of woodland birds andsparrows. Finch diversity and numbers were both lowalthough there were good numbers of American Goldfinch. The most unusual sightings were: 9 Harlequins at East Point,10 Bufflehead at Black Pond and Basin Head, 6 Red-throated Loon, 4 red-necked Grebe, a Northern Gannet, 4Razorbill and 3 Black Guillemot at East Point, HoodedMerganser at Montague River just below Knox’s Dam, aGreat Blue Heron and 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers at NorthLake, 2 American Coots at Murray River, 6 Glaucous Gullsat Rocky Point, two Red-bellied Woodpeckers (1 at HollyMacEachern’s feeders in Harrington and 1 at Marshfield), Pine Grosbeaks at Elmira and at GeorgetownRoyalty and Heatherdale, and Evening Grosbeaks at Harrington and also during the Montague CBC.

As usual, the standardized system of bird numbers, birders, travel, and weather data was collectedso that the data was comparable to that from other CBCs in North America and the other count zones. This year’s Island CBC summaries are provided below.

OBSERVATIONS NUMBERS OBSERVED

Species East Point National Park Hillsborough Montague Total

Dec. 19, 2015 Dec. 20, 2015 Dec. 27, 2015 Jan. 2, 2016 Four Counts Canada Geese 85 275 2.208 324 2892Gadwall 12 12American Black Duck 115 133 292 305 845Mallard 4 6 78 58 146Northern Pintail 4 4Green-winged Teal 4 10 15 29Scaup spp. 2000 2000Common Eider 3008 3 3008Harlequin Duck 9 9White-winged Scoter 250 250Black Scoter 100 100Long-tailed Duck 366 7 2 25 400Bufflehead 10 10Common Goldeneye 110 87 120 136 453Barrow’s Goldeneye 3 5 8Hooded Merganser 1 1Common Merganser 170 2 39 133 344Red-breasted Merganser 12 49 64 127Ring-necked Pheasant 2 4 2 6Ruffed Grouse 1 1 2Common Loon CW CWRed-throated Loon 6 6

12

Red-necked Grebe 4 4Northern Gannet 1 1Double-crested Cormorant 1 1 3 5Great Cormorant 3 3Great Blue Heron 1 1Turkey Vulture CW CWBald Eagle 8 55 6 30 99

Adults 35 6 16 57Immature 19 10 29Unknown 1 4 13

Northern Harrier 4 4 1 5Sharp-shinned Hawk 1Northern Goshawk 3 3Red-tailed Hawk 1 8 2 13Rough-legged Hawk 1 1Hawk spp 1 1American Coot 2 2Razorbill 4Black Guillemot 3 4Black-legged Kittiwake 3Bonaparte’s Gull 1 9 1 10 21Ring-billed Gull 76 8 85 11 180Herring Gull 91 260 213 495 1059Iceland Gull 45 6 14 9 74Glaucous Gull 6 6Great Black-backed Gull 24 10 29 79 142Gull spp. 2 1 3Rock Pigeon (Dove) 13 49 203 79 344Mourning Dove 1 60 47 86 194Belted Kingfisher 1 1 4 7Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 2Downy Woodpecker 1 12 11 11 35Hairy Woodpecker 2 7 7 16

Northern Flicker 2 3 2 2 9Merlin 1 1Peregrine Falcon 1 1 2Blue Jay 36 189 167 204 596American Crow 157 1064 385 279 1885Common Raven 9 63 23 35 130Horned Lark 11 11Black-capped Chickadee 32 204 181 210 627Boreal Chickadee 9 1 10Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 6 12 23 43Brown Creeper 1 2 3Golden-crowned Kinglet 6 25 5 34 70Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 1American Robin 59 CW 137 196European Starling 241 792 10385 1341 12739Bohemian Waxwing 23 5 28Cedar Waxwing 152 68 CW 120 340Lapland Longspur CWSnow Bunting 15 54 46 115Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 3American Tree Sparrow 3 1 4Song Sparrow 1 9 10White-throated Sparrow 1 1 2Dark-eyed Junco 7 51 31 90 179Common Grackle 1 1 6 8Brown-headed Cowbird 3 41 44Pine Grosbeak 24 19 43Purple Finch 1 1White-winged Crossbill 50 50Common Redpoll 25 11 36Pine Siskin 3 12 15American Goldfinch 1 88 30 214 600Evening Grosbeak 11 8 19Passerine spp. 13 13House Sparrow 3 3 6Total Birds 5368 5595 15025 4735 30723Total Species 57 41 50 49 80Add Count Week Species 0 0 4 1 3Participants: Field 19 16 17 18 70 Count Parties 1 to 4 5 to 6 6 to 7 5 16 to 22 Feeders 0 5 7 4 16Mammals:

13

Red Squirrel 1 23 24 1 49Flying Squirrel 1 1Red Fox 1 8 9Snowshoe Hare 1 1Mink 1 1 1Harbour Seal 1 2Roaming House Cats 5 1 6Walked: Km 11.5 3.5 105 24.9 50.4 Hours 5 1.5 3.83 10 20.33Driven: Km 226 439.7 315.4 354.8 1335.9 Hours 11.5 25.5 27.25 22.5 83.5Earliest Start 7:15 AM 7:00 AM 7:20 AM 7:30 AMLatest Ending 5:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PMTotal Party Hours 16.5 27 31.05 32.5 107.05Owling Hours 0 0Owling Kilometres 0 0Number of Feeder Reports 0 5 7 4 16Feeder Hours 0 14 24 6 44Snow Cover - aver. cm. 0 TO 2 0 to 2 0 to 15 20Salt Water Bays - %frozen 0 0 0 0Fresh Water - % frozen 0 40 50 30Weather: snowing steady Bright Sunshine (hrs) 0 2 0 Precipitation light rain/snow 0 15 cm nil

Cloud % 100 50 to 100 100Partly cloudy

PM Temperature C. 1.9 TO -4 -3.5 to -6.7 1 to -4 -1 to 1 Aver. Wind Speed km/hr 24.7 4Wind speed range km/hr 35 TO 46 19 to 29 1 to 7 0 to 15 Prevail. wind direction W TO NNW W to NW S WSW to SSW

where CW = species seen during the count week (three days before and after count day)

For registered counts, the entire data base is accessible on line through www.audubon.org and click yourway to the results under birds and science.

Thanks to the many participants, namely: Jim Aquilani; Ron Arvidson; Jean Blanchard; JessicaJudy Bouwers, Bouwers; Bill Bowerbank; Sharon Clark; Ray Cooke; Matthew Costain; RosemaryCurley; Wanda Curley; Fiep de Bie; Lois Doan; Chris & Blair Fraser; Diane Griffin; Gary Griffin; Doyle& Sharon Hachey; Kent Hardy; Eileen Higginbottom; Danielle, Michael & Margaret Horne; BenHoteling; Janice Hume; Vicki Johnson; Derek Lowe; Lucas MacCormack; Gerald MacDonald; BenMacNeill, Donna Martin; Kathy Martin, Dan McAskill; Arlene & Paul McGuigan; Bonnie McOrmand;John Miller; Nicole Murtagh; Audrey Oakley, Dwaine Oakley; Tyler Power, Emily Pringle-Shepard;Joshua Pringle-Shepard; Leonce Richard; Ruth Richman; Harry Robertson; Gary Schneider; ScottSinclair; Ella Stewart; Liz Townsend; Rosalind Waters; Jeff Watts; and Julie-Lynn Zahavich. Thesecounts would not be possible without their participation.

WEATHER EVENTS:It was a largely green Christmas on PEI this winter. Approximately 15 cm of snow fell during theHillsborough CBC on Dec. 27 and the winds the following day caused considerable drifting. Hillsborough River mainstream at Charlottetown-Stratford was 100% open but ~50% of water wasfrozen at Fullerton’s Marsh on Jan. 4 (JDM). Fields had 20 to 30 cm of snow except in exposed stubblefields on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM). Heavy rains (12 mm) and warm temperatures (9º C) eliminated muchof the snow on Jan. 10-1 but the landscape was quickly transformed back to snow covered fields by astorm on Jan. 13 which dropped 16 cm of snow before temperatures rose above freezing (JDM). Highwinds pushed much of the light snow to field edges and temperatures dropped on January 15th so that icecover near the Hillsborough Bridge was covering ~80% of the river and open water at Fullerton’s Creekbridge raceway was restricted to a small opening where goldeneye and mergansers concentrated (JDM). Another 16 cm of snow on the 29th melted between Jan. 31st to Feb. 4th. A nor-easter arrived on Feb. 5-6bringing 51 cm of wet snow. A significant thaw occurred on Feb. 16-7 with temperatures reaching 7 to10º C in various areas of the Island with rain and high southerly winds before temperatures againdropped. Another significant thaw from Feb. 24-6 reduced snow level in woods to 40% bare ground inDonagh. The ice on the Hillsborough below the Hillsborough Bridge broke up and the channel above the

14

Female Bufflehead at MiminegashJan. 9, 2016

Photo by Dwaine Oakley

bridge at Fullerton’s Creek in was open on Mar. 3. By the 15th of March, the Hillsborough River waslargely clear of ice (JDM). A light snowfall of ~8 cm on Mar. 16th whitened fields again.

ANIMAL AND PLANT SIGHTINGS: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill

PLANTS: In Eastern PEI, there were scattered white spruce with heavy cone crops, a good crop of GrayBirch and Yellow Birch catkins, and a moderate crop of Mountain Ash and Winterberry in some areas(JDM).

INSECTS: 1 wasp (Vespidea) was seen at Summerville on Dec. 11 (RWH). A wooly bear caterpillarwas crawling at Clearview Estates in Stratford on Mar. 16 (DMu).

SPIDERS & HARVESTMAN: 2 Araneidea at Summerville & 1 Opiliones (Harvestman - Daddy LongLegs) seen on Dec. 11 (RWH); spiders present in the snow in late Dec. (JA&JM). 1 Opiliones(Harvestman - Daddy Long Legs) and another small narrow spider (5 mm long) were seen droppingdown a web line at Donagh on outer cement wall on Jan. 28 (JDM). 2 spiders crossing an icy path inCharlottetown in Jan. (EC).

MAMMALS: a Water Shrew was found dead and photographed in a fork an alder at a West Cape alder swamp in Dec.2015 (see article in this issue)(JV). A Snowshoe Hare at Campbell’s Cove on Dec. 19 was in its white winter coat (WFB),high density of hare tracks at Stanhope woodland trails in Jan. (BH). Flying Squirrel being seen at a Rocky Point feeder inJan. (LD). Eastern Chipmunk at Corran Ban feeders on Dec. 25 (DO, NM) and 1 at Morell in mid-Jan. and on Feb. 28 (BS). Red squirrels in pursuit chase at Donagh the week of Feb. 22 (JDM). Red Fox mating in Charlottetown Jan. 30 (IS). A deadraccoon on the road at Johnston’s River on Feb. 2 and another on Feb. 4 and bird feeders in Donagh pulled down by raccoonson Feb. 4 (JDM). Muskrat swimming at Cavendish on Feb. 28 (FdB, RA, SGC, BCM).

BIRDS: Canada Geese - 40 along the bank of the Hillsborough between QEH and Belvedere Pond exit on Dec. 27 (JDM),630 at Summerside & 22 at Darnley Basin Malpeque on Dec. 26 (DMa), 400 at Earnscliffe- China Point on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM,JDM), 1,500 in hay field at Vernon Bridge (Seal River) and 1,000 in corn field at Wood Islands on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM), 33 atEllen’s Creek on Jan. 23 (DMa) & 115 on Feb. 15 (JDM), ~1,000 heading inland from Northumberland Strait at Cherry Valleyon Mar. 4 (RWH) 75 at Bridgetown & 400 at Leslie’s Pond on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 700 flying at Earnscliffe and 200 atPisquid River on Mar. 12 (JtR), calling at Donagh on Mar. 15 (JDM); Gadwall - at Chapel’s Creek in South Rustico on Dec.20 (RA, BCM, SGC, JBl, FdB), 12 at Crooked Creek Road in Wheatley River on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 1 at Ellen’sCreek on Jan. 23 (DMa), at Souris Causeway on Mar. 13 (JtR); American Wigeon - 1 at Wilmot River on Jan. 3 (JDM), 2 atHyde Creek upper pond on Jan. 16 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Crooked Creek Road in Wheatley River on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF),9 at Ellen’s Creek on Jan. 23 (DMa), 8 at Ellen’s Creek on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM) & 5 males & 2 females on Feb. 15 (JDM), atSouris Causeway on Mar. 13 (JtR); American Black Duck - 110 at Summerside & 7 at Darnley Basin on Dec. 26 (DMa), 80at Grand River bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa), 90 at Ellen’s Creek, 130 at Chapels Creek, 40 at Rte 6 pont Oyster Bed, 150 atVernon Bridge, 21 at Murray River, 20 at Dover on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 25 at Wilmot River, 19 at Cape Traverse, & 130 atDesable River on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 40 at Bridgetown on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Mallard - at Summerside on Dec. 26(DMa), 2 Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 30 (JDM), 100+ at Cymbria on Jan. 1 (G&SF), 75 at Ellen’s Creek on Jan. 3 (JDM), 67at Grand River bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa), 13 at Ellen’s Creek, 75 at Chapels Creek, 14 at Flat River & 64 at Dover on Feb. 7

(DMa, JDM), 3 at Cape Traverse & 15 at Desable River on Feb. 20(WFB, JDM), 60+ at Alberton on Mar. 8 (DO, NM); Black XMallard Hybrid - 1 male at Alberton on Mar. 8 (DO, NM); Northern Shoveler - 1 at Cymbria on Jan. 1 (G&SF); NorthernPintail - 6 at Summerside on Dec. 26 (DMa) & Jan. 1 (G&SF), 6+ atNorth Rustico on Jan. 3 (RP via Birding on PEI post), 1 at WheatleyRiver on Jan. 17 (SCS), 21 at Chapel’s Creek on Feb. 7 (DMa,JDM), 13 at North Rustico & 15 at Cymbria on Mar. 8 (DO, NM), 34between Oyster Bed Bridge and Cavendish on Mar. 15 (RA); Green-winged Teal - 6 at Ellen’s Creek on Jan. 10 (G&SF) & 3 onJan. 23 (DMa) & 6 on Feb. 6 (DEJ), 11 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan.17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 5 at Britain Shore Road on Jan. 23 (DMa), 1at Ellen’s Creek, 12 at Rte 6 pond at Oyster Bed, 5 at StratfordLagoons on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 1 at East lake on Feb. 28 (SCS); Common Teal - 1 in mid Dec. at Watervale pond (BAM), 1 atOrwell on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM); Tufted Duck - 1 seen and videorecorded at ~800 metres through scope at Oyster Bed Bridge on Mar.8 (DO, NM); Greater Scaup - few at West Point on Jan. 1 (DMa),350 at Oyster Bed Bridge and 20 Rustico on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS,TF), ~700 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM) & 975 onMar. 8 (NM, DO) & 500+ on Mar. 9 & ~300 on Mar. 10 (DO), and

15

Purple Sandpiper at North Cape Jan. 30, 2016Photo by Donna Martin

~300 still along the edge of the ice on Mar. 19 (JtR); Common Eider - small number at West Point on Jan. 1 (DMa), ~500 atEast Point on Jan. 9 & 5 on Jan. 23 (DMa) & 50 on Jan. 24 (SCS) & 60 on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 1 at Cavendish on Jan. 17(SCS, FdB, GS, TF); Harlequin Duck - 4 female, first winter at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa) & 2 on Jan. 10 (G&SF) & 35 onJan. 23 (DMa), & 5 on Jan. 24 (SCS) & 11 on Feb. 28 (SCS); White-winged Scoter - few at East Point on Jan. 9 & 7 on 23(DMa), 2 at Cavendish on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF); Black Scoter - 1 at West Point on Jan. 1 (DMa), 2 at East Point onJan. 9 & 16 on Jan. 23 (DMa) & 3 on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 8 off Cavendish on Mar. 15 (RA); Long-tailed Duck - at EastPoint on Jan. 9 (DMa) & ~50 on Jan. 10 (G&SF) & 11 on Jan. 23 (DMa) & ~300 on Jan. 24 (SCS) & 120 on Mar. 6 (SCS,FdB, GS), 39 off Cavendish and North Rustico (Rollings Pond) on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 20 off Cavendish on Feb. 28(FdB, RA, BCM, SGC); Bufflehead - 12 at Souris causeway on Jan. 23 (DMa), 1 at Miminegash on Jan. 9 (DO, NM), 11 atLeslie’s Pond on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Common Goldeneye - 3 at Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 30 (JDM), 20 at ChinaPoint on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), few at West Point on Jan. 1 (DMa), 97 at Grand River bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa) & 28 on Feb. 20(WFB, JDM), 109 at Oyster Bed Bridge and North Rustico on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 9 at Fullerton’s Marsh on Jan. 28(JDM), 110 at Oyster Bed Bridge, 20 at Vernon Bridge, 10 at Beach Point, & 22 at Murray River on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 50 atNebraska Creek bridge, 44 at Wilmot River, 4 at Dunk River, & 55 at West River Causeway on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 2 atBridgetown & 1 in Souris estuary on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 2 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Mar. 8 (DO, NM); Barrow’sGoldeneye - 12 at Rusticoville on Jan. 1 (G&SF), 26 at Grand River bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa) & 4 on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM),62 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 1 at Georgetown Royalty on Jan. 26 (SCS), 30 at Oyster Bed Bridge& 7 at Vernon Bridge with males doing head displays on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 2 at Bridgetown on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 2males at Oyster Bed Bridge on Mar. 9 (DO, NM) 1 at East Point & 6 in Souris estuary on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); HoodedMerganser - 1 at Knox’s Dam on Jan. 1 (SCS); Common Merganser - 7 at Wilmot River Red Bridge on Dec. 30 (DMa), 30at Tryon River & Oyster Bed Bridge on Jan. 1 (G&SF), 6 at Fullerton’s Creek bridge raceway on Jan. 16 (JDM), 7 at GrandRiver bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa), 6 at Fullerton’s Marsh on Jan. 28 (JDM), 32 at Wilmot River Red Bridge & 15 at Dunk Riveron Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM); Red-breasted Merganser - 5 at Souris breakwater on Jan. 24 (SCS), 2 at Oyster Bed Bridge onMar. 8 (DO, NM); Gray Partridge - 10 near Bridgetown on Dec. 31 (DO, NM), 16 at Summerville from Dec. 11 to at leastJan. 4 , 14 on Jan. 22 & male & female at Summerville on Mar. 5 (RWH), covey of 9 at China Point on Jan. 3 (SGC viaBirding on PEI Facebook site), 4 at St. Peters on Jan. 10 (G&SF), 12 at Britain’s Shore Road on Jan. 23 (DMa), 12 at St.Margarets on Jan. 26 (JD), 8 at South Melville on Feb. 1 (RA), 7 at Appin Road on Feb. 2 & Feb. 8 (MRG); Ring-neckedPheasant - 1 male at Mermaid on Dec. 19 (RWH), 1 male at Mermaid on Dec. 31 (JDM), 1 at Souris Line Road on Jan. 24(SCS), 1 male at Canoe Cove on Mar. 15 (LY), male at Donagh on Mar. 15 (WFB); Ruffed Grouse - 1 at Hyde Park on Jan.7 (JWa), at Stanhope in Jan. (BH), 1 at Georgetown Royalty on Jan. 29 (SCS), 1 roadside at Maple Hill on Feb. 1 (JDM), 1 atSt. Mary’s Rd. New Glasgow on Feb. 15 (BeHo); Red-throated Loon - 2 at East Point on Feb. 7 (SCS) & 1 on Feb. 28(SCS); Common Loon - 1 at Souris on Jan. 23 (DMa); Northern Gannet - 1 at East Point on Jan. 24 (SCS); Double-crested Cormorant - 5 at Hillsborough Bridge pier on Dec. 29 (JDM) & 4 on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM) & 1 on Jan. 16 (JDM), 4 atOrby Head on Jan. 1 (G&SF); Great Cormorant - 1 immature at Norway on Jan. 9 (DO, NM), 1 at East Point on Jan. 23(DMa), 1 immature at Gaspereaux on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 3 at Orby Head on Feb. 28 (FdB, RA, BCM, SGC), 1 at OrbyHead on Mar. 4 (JtR); Great Blue Heron - 1 at Hyde Park on Jan. 2 (JWa), 1 at Rollings Pond on Jan. 28 (BJ); TurkeyVulture - 1 at Stratford on Dec. 26 (FRC); Bald Eagle - 1 immature feeding on large bone at Cherry Valley on Jan. 1 (WFB,EM, JDM), 1 at Stratford on Jan. 4 (JDM), 1 adult & 1 immature at Anglo Tignish on Jan. 9 (NM, DO), 1 overlooking GrandRiver bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa), pair on Hillsborough River ice off Mason Road in Jan. (AW), pair mating above next of powerpole at Borden-Carleton on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Georgetown Royalty on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 3 at Milburn Road onMar. 6 (JGM) 2 at Earnscliffe on Mar. 12 (JtR), 2 adults at Summerville on Feb. 20 & 1 being harassed by crows on Mar. 13(RWH), 1 harassing ducks at Oyster Bed Bridge on Mar. 8 & adult present on Mar. 9(DO, NM), adult pursuing a raven with alarge item in its bill at Canoe Cove on Mar. 15 (LY); Northern Harrier - 1 at Earnscliffe on Dec. 26 (DO, NM), immature atEarnscliffe on Jan. 2 (DMa, FRC, LR), 1 at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa), 1 at North Lake on Feb. 7 (SCS), 1 at East Lake onMar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 took a Blue Jay at Stratford feeders in Dec. (D&AS), 1 pursuing chickadee

at Clearview Estates feeder on Dec. 31 (WFB, EM), 1 at Monticelloon Jan. 4 (JGM), 1 took a starling at Harrington feeders on Jan. 4(HM), juvenile took a starling at Montague feeders on Jan. 18(DMur), 1 at Mount Vernon on Jan. 31 (JB), 1 at Grandview onFeb. 6 (DS); Northern Goshawk - 1 at South Melville on Jan. 7(RA), 1 at Crossroads feeder area on Jan. 13 (DO), 1 at St. Charleson Jan. 18 (JGM), 1 took pigeon midair after chasing it back out ofwoods on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 1 at Anglo-Tignish on Feb. 14(DG), 1 at St. Georges on Feb. 28 (JDS), 1 at Souris Line Road onFeb. 28 (SCS); Red-tailed Hawk - 1 on wires at Millview on Dec.23 (FRC), 1 at Stratford on Dec. 24 (FRC), 1 at Lower Malpequeon Dec. 26 (DMa), 1 at Millview, 1 at Cherry Valley and 1 atEarnscliffe on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM), 1 at North Cape on Jan. 1(DMa), 1 at Darlington and 1 at Augustine Cove on Jan. 1 (G&SF),1 at Sherwood on Jan. 16 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Alberry Plains on Jan.18 & 1 at East Royalty on Feb. 2 (RWH), 2 at Orwell on Jan. 23(DO, NM, BAM), 1 at Millview on Feb. 3 & Mar. 10 (RWH), 1 atOyster Bed and 1 dark morph at Cape Bear on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM),1 at Vernon River on Feb. 18 (RWH), 1 at Hunter River, 1 at NewGlasgow & 1 at Poplar Point on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 1 at St.Nicholas on Mar. 8 (DO, NM), 1 at West Royalty on Mar. 20 (RA);

Rough-legged Hawk - 3 at China Point on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), 1 at Earnscliffe on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM), 2 on Jan. 2 at ChinaPoint (DMur) & a dark and a light phase on Jan. 15 (DMur), 1 at Orwell on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 1 at Canavoy on Mar. 6

16

Northern Hawk Owl at West Point on Jan. 9, 2016Photo by Nicole Murtagh

Sanderling at Basin Head in WinterPhoto by Sara Deveau

(JGM); American Coot - 2 photographed at Murray River on Jan. 3(DMur)(see 2015-6 CBC report in this Island Naturalist issue), 1 at St.Felix on Mar. 8 (NM, DO); Sanderling - 5 feeding along shore’s edge atBasin Head - Mossey’s Beach on Jan. 17 & 3 on Feb. 20 & 23 & Mar. #& 14 (SD); Purple Sandpiper - 2 photographed at North Cape on Jan. 30(DMa); American Woodcock - 1 found alive on a Summerside drivewayon Jan. 13 but later died at Summerside (DMa); Pomarine Jaeger - 1 atEast Point on Jan. 2 (RC); Black-legged Kittiwake - 7 at East Point onJan. 24 (SCS); Bonaparte's Gull - 1 at Cymbria on Jan. 1 (G&SF); Black-headed Gull - 1 at Souris Beach on Feb. 28 (SCS); Ring-billedGull - at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa), few at Charlottetown WasteTreatment plant and Hillsborough River bridge on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM), 1at Charlottetown by Indigo & 1 at Stratford Lagoons on Feb. 7 (DMa,JDM), 1 at Anglo Rustico on Mar. 8 (NM, DO); Herring Gull - 20 fewat Hillsborough River and at Earnscliffe on Jan. 8 (JDM), at Grand Riverbridge on Jan. 17 (DMa) & 150 on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 13 at East Point& Souris on Jan. 24 (SCS), 1 at East Point & 21 in Souris estuary on Mar.6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Iceland Gull - 120 at North Cape on Jan. 1 (DMa),few at Charlottetown Waste Treatment plant and Hillsborough Bridge onJan. 8 (WFB, JDM), ~200 at North Cape on Jan. 9 (DO, NM), at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa), few at Grand River bridge onJan. 17 (DMa) & 35 on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 3 at East Point, 21 at Souris & 15 at Ellen’s Creek on Jan. 23 (DMa), 34 at EastPoint & 7 at Souris on Jan. 24 (SCS), 26 at east Point estuary on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 208 at Anglo Tignish on Mar. 8(NM, DO); Glaucous Gull - 4 first cycle and 1 2nd cycle photographed along Route 12 at North Cape on Jan. 1 (DMa), 1immature at East Point on Jan. 24 (SCS), 1 1st cycle flying at Wellington Waste Management Site & 1 1st cycle at Summersidewharf on Jan. 20 (DMa), 1 2nd cycle at Summerside on Feb. 1 (DMa), 1 at Anglo Tignish on Jan. 9 (NM, DO); Great Black-backed Gull - 37 along Route 12 at North Cape on Jan. 1 (DMa), at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa), at Grand River bridge on Jan.17 (DMa), 6 at East Point & 1 at Souris on Jan. 24 (SCS), 23 at Ellen’s Creek, 4 at Chapel’s Creek , & 6 at Stratford Lagoonson Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 228 at Grand River bridge & 50 at Nebraska Creek bridge on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM), 1 on HillsboroughBridge pier on Mar. 15 (JDM), & 8 at East Point & 2 in Souris estuary on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Razorbill - 1 at East Pointon Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Black Guillemot - 5 at East Point on Jan. 23 (DMa) & 1 on Jan. 24 (SCS) & 1 on Feb. 7 (SCS) &12 on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Rock Pigeon - 1 in Charlottetown on Dec. 29 (JDM), few hanging around the ice at GrandRiver bridge on Jan. 17 (DMa), 11 at Britain’s Shore Road & 37 at Souris on Jan. 23 (DMa), 25 at O’Leary, 25 at West Point,& 70 at Dunk River bridge on Feb. 20 (WFB, JDM); Mourning Dove - 2 at Lower Malpeque & 11 at Summerside on Dec.26 (DMa), 3 at Clearview Estates feeder on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM), 3 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), daily at Orwell feeders onJan. 3 (SL), 14+ at Crapaud feeders on Jan. 6 (DD), 12 at White Sands on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM), 9 at Souris on Jan. 23 (DMa), 8at Oyster Bed & 11 at Earnscliffe on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 3 at Brackley on Feb. 12 (SMacA), 24 at Brackley Beach feeders onFeb. 27 (WFB, JDM); Great Horned Owl - calling at Stanhope on Jan. 19 (BH), 1 at South Melville on Feb. 1 (RA), 1calling at Avondale on Mar. 19 (RC); Snowy Owl - female at Borden on Dec. 25 & 3 in early Jan. & at least one still presenton Mar. 7 (JR), 1 at Lot 16 on Dec. 31 (SG via Birding on PEI post), 1 at Belmont on Jan. 9 (DO, NM, BAM, BMacN), 1 atBayview on Jan. 10 (G&SF), 1 for several days at Grant’s Road ski trails 1st week of Jan. (FCh, AWI), three owl pellets

collected by John Reid Jr. at Borden were analyzed by WCTstudents and there were 12 Meadow Voles and 2 EuropeanStarlings in the pellets (JR, DO, WCT); Northern HawkOwl - 1 photographed at West Point on Jan. 1 & Jan. 30(DMa) & Jan. 9 (DO, NM, BAM, BMacN); Barred Owl - 1at Horne’s Cross Road on Jan. 12 & Jan. 28 (VB), 1 atGeorgetown Royalty on Mar. 17 (SCS); Short-eared Owl -1 photographed and posted on Birding on PEI at Grand PerePoint Road on Mar. 6 (DB), 1 at Borden on Mar. 6 (JR); Northern Saw-whet Owl - 1 calling at Stanhope on Jan. 19(BH), 1 at South Melville on Mar. 12 (RA); BeltedKingfisher - 1 at Lower Malpeque (Cabot Park) and 1 atSummerside on Dec. 26 (DMa), 1 near Montague by oldturnaround on Confederation Trail on Jan. 2 (DMacN), 1 atCymbria on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 2 at MacLure’sPond in Murray River on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 1 at St.Peter’s on Jan. 29 (SS), 1 at Rollings Pond on Mar. 15 (RA); Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 at Rocky Point on Nov. 17 &Jan. 2 (LD), still present at Harrington feeders on Jan. 5(HM), 1 at Alliston in Jan. (J&RB via SW); DownyWoodpecker - female at Donagh suet feeder on Dec. 28(JDM), 1 at Clearview Estates feeder on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM),2 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), daily at Orwell feeders onJan. 3 (SL); Hairy Woodpecker - first (a female) of season

at suet feeder in Donagh on Dec. 28 (JDM), 1 at Clearview Estates feeder on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM), 2 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1 (GS,FdB), daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL), 1 female daily at Summerside feeders (DMa); Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 atWoodlands Trail at Dalvay on Dec. 14 & Jan. 7 (BH); Northern Flicker - 1 at Clearview Estates feeder on Jan. 1 (WFB,EM), 1 at China Point & 1 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), 1 at Bull Creek Road on Jan. 24 (SCS), 1 at Grandview on Feb. 6

17

Peregrine Falcon at Wood Islands, PEIPhoto by Nicole Murtagh

Bohemian Waxwing at Summerside Mar. 20, 2016

Photo by Greg Feetham

(DS), 1 at St. Mary’s Rd. New Glasgow on Feb. 15 (BeHo), 2 at BrackleyBeach on Feb. 27 (WFB, JDM), 1 at Clearview Estates on Mar. 2 (DMu); Pileated Woodpecker - 1 at Avondale Provincial Forest on Dec. 12 (LP), 1 atSt. Charles on Jan. 17 & 24 (JGM); American Kestrel - 1 at Vernon Bridgeon Jan. 10 (LM); Merlin - 1 at Cherry Valley on Jan. 10 DO), female atCrossroads feeder area on Jan. 16 (DO), 1 at Brackley on Feb. 12 (SMacA), 1at Georgetown Royalty on Mar. 17 (SCS); Gyrfalcon - 1 at Clermont On Jan.1 (G&SF); Peregrine Falcon - 1 at Charlottetown near Hillsborough Bridgeon Jan. 30 (FdB), 1 immature at Wood Islands on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM); Northern Shrike - 1 at Lake Verde on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM), 1 at OysterBed Bridge on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 1 at Campbellton on Jan. 9 (DO,NM), 1 at Eldon on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 1 at West Point on Feb. 20(JDM), 1 at North Lake on Jan. 24 (SCS), 1 at China Point on Feb. 3 (DMur),1 at North Wiltshire on Feb. 14 (AM), 1 at Eldon on Mar. 8 (NM, DO), 1singing at St. Charles on Mar. 17 (JGM); Gray Jay - 3 at St. Charles on Jan.6 (JGM), 2 at St. Georges on Jan. 12 (JDS); Blue Jay - 5 at Lake Verde onJan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM), daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL), 12 atMonticello on Jan. 4 (JGM), 5 daily at Summerside feeders (DMa); American Crow - 30+ flying southwest from Glenroy on Feb. 1 (JDM); Common Raven - a leucistic individual with a white triangle of feathers on itsupper chest at St. Catherines (Souris area) (JD), 22 at East Point on Jan. 24(SCS), 20 at Norway on Mar. 8 (DO, NM); Horned Lark - 6 at China Pointon Dec. 31 (DO, NM) & 53 on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB) & 2 on Jan. 2 (DMa, FRC,LR) & 10 on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 8 taking grit on road at Johnston’s River onJan. 4 (JDM), 9 at North Cape on Jan. 9 (DO, NM), 15 at Seven Mile Road onFeb. 7 (SCS); Black-capped Chickadee - at North Tryon feeders in late Dec.(BCl), daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL), 7 daily at Summerside feeders(DMa), 12 at East Lake on Jan. 24 (SCS), 12 at Mount Vernon on Jan. 31 (JB),

8 at East Lake on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Boreal Chickadee - 2 at Roseville in early Dec. (JV), 3 at East Lake on Feb. 7(SCS), 3 at Oyster Bed Bridge on Mar. 8 (DO, NM), 1 at Cavendish on Mar. 15 (RA); Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 atRiverview Estates on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM), 2 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), 1 daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL), 1 to 2daily at Donagh feeders in Jan. (JDM), 2 at Summerside on Jan. 24 (DMa), 4 at Mount Vernon on Jan. 31 (JB), first on Feb. 1at Crapaud feeders since 2010 (DD), 3 at Georgetown feeders on Feb. 1 (ST), 2 at East Lake on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS);White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 at Monticello on Dec. 20 (JGM), 1 off Route 13 between Brookvale and Hartsville on Jan. 1(G&SF); Brown Creeper - 1 every few days at Stratford feeders in Dec. & Jan. (A&PM), 1 at Cornwall on Jan. 14 (SN),singing at Tea Hill on Mar. 8 (FdB), 1 at Monticello on Mar. 17 (JGM); Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 at Orwell on Jan. 8(WFB, JDM), 1 at East lake on Feb. 7 (SCS), 1 at East Lake on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS); Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 at St.Georges on Jan. 28 (JDS); American Robin - 1 at Mount Buchanan on Dec. 26 (ET), 1 at Little Sands on Jan. 8 (WFB,JDM), 9 near St. Peters on Jan. 10 (G&SF), 2 at Johnston’s River (JDM) and 1 at West Royalty on Jan. 16 (WFB, JDM), 6 atSummerside on Jan. 24 (DMa), 9 feeding on Mountain Ash at Donaghon Jan. 29 & foraging roadside at Donagh during thaw on Feb. 16(JDM), 3 at Wheatley River on Feb. 14 (AG), ~25 at Summerville onFeb. 25 (RWH), 25 at Bridgetown & 3 at East Lake on Mar. 6 (SCS,FdB, GS), ~20 at Victoria feeding on orange berries on Mar. 20 (LY), 3feeding on crab apples at Summerside on Mar. 20 (G&SF); 1 at SouthMelville on Mar. 21 (RA), 12 at Stratford on Mar. 22 (DO); EuropeanStarling - 300 at Earnscliffe on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM); BohemianWaxwing - 60 at Monticello on Jan. 4 (JGM), 30 at Greenwich on Jan.4 (BPa), ~7 at Monticello on Jan. 10 (G&SF), 90 at GeorgetownRoyalty on Jan. 26 (SCS), 500 in poplar trees at Georgetown on Jan. 31(DMur), 2 at South Melville on Feb. 14 (RA), 21 at Christopher Crosson Mar. 8 (NM, DO), 50 on Crapaud loop on Mar. 17 (RA), 40 at inGlenwilliam on Mar. 17 (JB), 8 feeding on crab apples at Summersideon Mar. 20 (G&SF), 6 at Stratford on Mar. 22 (DO); Cedar Waxwing -15 at China Point-Earnscliffe on Dec. 30 (A&PM, LM), ~20 at BeachPoint on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 9 at Summerside on Jan. 24 (DMa),4 at Georgetown Royalty on Jan. 26 (SCS), 100 at North Carleton onFeb. 21 (WFB, JDM), 15 at Tea Hill on Feb. 23 (FdB), ~40 near UPEIon Mar. 7 (JSe), 15 feeding on crab apples at Summerside on Mar. 20(G&SF); Waxwing spp - 300 at Greenwich on Jan. 3 (BPa); SnowBunting - 9 at Malpeque on Dec. 26 (DMa), 300 at China Point-Earnscliffe on Dec. 30 (A&PM, LM), 15 on Dec. 31 (DO,

18

1st year male Baltimore Oriole at Orwell, PEIPhoto by Dale Murchison

NM), 100+ at China Point on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), 277 in two flocks at North Cape on Jan. 1 (DMa), 800+ at Earnscliffe on Jan.2 (DMa, FRC, LR), 20 at Summerville on Jan. 1 (RWH), ~5,000 at Norway on Jan. 9 (DO, NM), 30 at Borden on Jan. 18(JDM), 39 at East Point & 13 at PEI National Park on Jan. 23 (DMa), at many locations in NE PEI with 57 at Elmira & Sourison Jan. 23 (SCS), 1 at Bridgetown on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 2,000 at Tryon Cross Road on Mar. 6 (RA), 1 at North Cape onMar. 8 (NM, DO); Lapland Longspur - 25 at China Point-Earnscliffe on Dec. 30 (A&PM, LM) & 14 on Dec. 31 (DO, NM)& 35 on Jan. 2 (DMa, FRC, LR), 10 at Marshfield on Jan. 6 (JDM), 1 at East Point on Jan. 23 (DMa); Pine Warbler - 1 inSouris area on Jan. 30 (WB); American Tree Sparrow - 5 at Linkletter Road in Sherbrooke on Dec. 23 (DMa), 2 at Donaghfeeders (first of season there) on Dec. 28 and increased to up to 10 by late Jan., 6 most days in Feb., and 6 on Mar. 21 onesnow again covered the ground (JDM), several at North Tryon feeders in late Dec. (BCl), 3 at White Sands on Jan. 8 (WFB,JDM), 4 at PEI National Park on Jan. 23 (DMa), 3 at Souris & 1 at East Lake on Jan. 24 (SCS), 1 at Monticello on Jan. 21(JGM); Chipping Sparrow - 1 at Montague on Dec. 24 (DMur); Song Sparrow - 1 at Summerside feeders on Jan. 1 to 6(G&FMa), 2 at Cymbria on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 1 at Monticello on Jan. 16 & 21 (JGM), 1 at East Lake on Jan. 24(SCS), 1 at Grandview on Feb. 6 (DS), 1 at Brackley on Feb. 12 (SMacA), 1 at Stratford on Feb. 20 (NS), singing atConfederation Trail in Charlottetown on Mar. 7 (JSe) and at Tea Hill on Mar. 8 (FdB), 2 singing for first time this year atSummerville on Mar. 13 (RWH), singing at Stratford on Mar. 14 (LM), singing at Monticello on Mar. 17 (JGM); White-throated Sparrow - 1 at Montague feeders on Dec. 24 (DMur), 1 at Crossroads feeders in late Dec. (AO, DO) & early Jan. toMar. 21 (DO), 2 at Cymbria on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 1 at Grandview on Feb. 6 & Feb. 15 & Mar. 5 (DS); Dark-eyedJunco - at North Tryon feeders in late Dec. (BCl), 2 at Donagh feeders on Dec. 31 through to Jan. 21, 3 to 4 most days in Feb.,and 4 on Mar. 18 to 21 when snow returned to cover ground (JDM), at Crapaud feeders on Jan 1. (DD), 1 at Tea Hill on Jan. 1(GS, FdB), daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL), 4 at Cymbria on Jan. 17 (SCS, FdB, GS, TF), 20 at Mount Vernon on Jan.31 (JB), 3 at Grandview on Feb. 6 (DS), 16 on ploughed ground roadside at Orwell on Feb. 7 (WFB, JDM), 11 at St. Mary’sRd. New Glasgow on Feb. 15 (BeHo), singing at Tea Hill on Mar. 8 (FdB); Summer Tanager - still present at Traveller’sRest feeders on Dec. 17 (DMa) & on Dec. 27 (DMacG); Northern Cardinal - male at Alberton on Dec. 31 (JWe via Birdingon PEI post), 1 at Hunter River on Feb. 4 (RT), 1 at Lower Bedeque on Feb. 13 (RES); Red-winged Blackbird - 1 daily atOrwell feeders in late Dec. and early Jan. 3 (SL), 15 at Wood Islands on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM), at High Bank feeders in Dec. &Jan. (CMP), 75 in cornfield on Feb. 7 (DMa, JDM), 2 at Grandview on Feb. 15 (DS); Yellow-headed Blackbird - 1 reportedat Belle River on Jan. 10 (R&JD) and photographed and posted in Eastern Graphic on Jan. 14 (JS), male at High Bank feederswith at least 10 red-wings for 6 weeks Jan. 30 & with starlings on Mar. 18 (CMP), 3 at Stratford on Mar. 7 (DO, NM), 1 atPoint Prim on Feb. 3 (RMu); Common Grackle - 2 at Lake Verde on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM, JDM), 1 at Charlottetown on Feb. 4(JLZ), 1 at North Rustico (first of spring for us) on Mar. 8 (DO, NM), flock flying over Stratford on Mar. 14 (LM), 1displaying and singing at Riverview Estates in Charlottetown on Mar. 16 (WFB, EM), male & female first of season atCrapaud on Mar. 16 (DD), gleaking in tree tops at Monticello on Mar. 17 (JGM), 10 in tree tops at Johnston’s River on Mar.

17 (JDM); Brown-headed Cowbird - 10 at Dover on Jan. 3(SCS) & 12 on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM) & 1 on Feb. 7 (JDM); Baltimore Oriole - 4 daily at Orwell feeders on Jan. 3 (SL) & 1on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM) & on Jan. 17 (DMur); Pine Grosbeak - 2males pecking at rose hips in Monticello on Dec. 30 & female onJan. 16 & ~12 on Mar. 17 (JGM), in eastern Kings in early Jan.(SD), 5 at Beach Point on Jan. 23 (DO, NM, BAM), 12 atCampbell’s Cove on Feb. 7 (SCS), 3 at Georgetown Royalty onMar. 17 (SCS); Purple Finch - 1 at Summerside feeder on Feb. 1(DMa), 2 at Brackley on Feb. 12 (SMacA), 1 at Riverview Estatesin Charlottetown on Feb. 15 (WFB, EM), 1 at GeorgetownRoyalty on Mar. 14 (SCS), 1 at South Melville on Mar. 21 (RA); White-winged Crossbill - 6 at St. Charles on Jan. 19 (JGM), 1 atEast Lake on Jan. 23 (SCS), pair at St. Georges on Feb. 23 (JDS),24 at Bridgetown on Mar. 6 (SCS, FdB, GS), 12 at St. Charles onMar. 17 (JGM); Common Redpoll - relatively few about theIsland this winter (JDM), 25 at St. Charles on Jan. 5 (JGM), 2Mount Vernon on Jan. 31 (JB), 1 at Winsloe South on Fen. 19(DEJ), 30 at Donagh on Feb. 24 (JDM), 1 at South Melville onMar. 21 (RA); Pine Siskin - several at Summerside in early Jan.(TF), 1 at East Lake on Feb. 7 (SCS), 1 to 2 at Riverview Estatesfeeders on Feb. 13-15 (WFB, EM), 4 at St. Mary’s Rd. New

Glasgow on Feb. 15 (BeHo), 2 at Winsloe South on Feb. 20 (DEJ), 2 at Tryon Cross Road on Mar. 6 (RA), 2 the first of thewinter at Clearview Estates in Mar. 7 (DMu); American Goldfinch - 15 at feeders in Crapaud on Dec. 23 (first in months atmy feeders) (DD), at North Tryon feeders in late Dec. (BCl), 12 at Riverview Estates feeder on Jan. 1 (WFB, EM), 25 at TeaHill on Jan. 1 (GS, FdB), 25 at Monticello on Jan. 4 (JGM), ~12 daily Dec. 11 to Jan. 4 (RWH), 50+ at Stratford feeders inearly Jan. (DMu), at East Point on Jan. 9 (DMa), 35 daily at Summerside feeders (DMa), 40 at Mount Vernon on Jan. 31 (JB),~40 at Summerville on Mar. 13 (RWH), 75 at Reeve’s Estates in Mar. (DO), 36 at Summerside on Mar. 20 (G&SF); EveningGrosbeak - 4 at Hartsville in Spring 2015 (JWa); House Sparrow - 2 at Wendy’s by Hillsborough Bridge on Dec. 29 (JDM),~25 at Summerside feeders on Jan. 1 where multiple broods are raised in each of last 4 years and another 25 split betweenBorden, North Rustico and Crapaud (G&SF), 35 at Earnscliffe on Jan. 8 (WFB, JDM), 9 at Summerside on Feb. 3 (DMa), 7at Charlottetown on Feb. 7 (DEJ), 2 at Summerside feeders on Mar. 20 (G&SF).

19

Sharp-shinned Hawk capturing Blue Jay at Alexandra, PE November, 2015

Photo by Don Steeves

Older Reports: Sandhill Crane photographed at South Lake on May 31st, 2014 (SS). A Stilt Sandpiper photographed atAbram’s Village on Aug. 1, 2015 (RGA). A Great Skua and 2 Pomarine Jaegers were reported about 1/3 of the waybetween Souris and Port Hood Cape Breton on Sept 27, 2015 by Norbert Fratt.

Thanks to the following contributors who provided records for this listing, namely: AA - Anne Arvidson; JA&DM- Judi Allen & Dave McBurney; RA - Ron Arvidson; RGA - Ronald Arsenault; JB - Jennifer Bernard: JBl - JeanBlanchard; VB - Vanessa Bonnyman; WB - Wanda Bailey; WFB - Bill Bowerbank; BCl - Barbara Clement; BCo -Brenda Cobb; EC- Elwood Coakes; FRC - Rosemary Curley; RC- Ray Cooke; SGC - Sharon Clark; FdB - Fiep deBie; DD - Daphne Davey; JD - JoAnne Dunphy; LD - Lois Doan; LJD - Lou Daley; R&JD - Richard and JudyDavies; SD - Sara Deveau; RES - Rasha El Sicci; G&SF - Greg & Sandra Feetham; TF - Tiber Falzett; W&SF -Warren & Sherron Foulkes; AG - Anne Galle; GG - Gary Griffin; DG - Donna Gaudet; MRG - Marlene Guignion;BH - Ben Hoteling; BeHo - Beth Hoar; RWH - Robert Harding; BJ - Bill Jamieson; DEJ - Don Jardine; SL - SteveLeath; AM - Anne Muckle; A&PM - Arlene & Paul McGuigan; BCM - Bonnie McOrmond; BAM - BrettMacKinnon (formerly listed as BMacK); DMa - Donna Martin; DMacG - Dean MacGougan; DMur - DaleMurchison; DMu - Doug Murray; EM - Evelyn Martin; HM - Holly MacEachern; JDM - Dan McAskill; JGM -Gerald MacDonald; LM - Lucas MacCormack; NM - Nicole Murtagh; RMu - Robyn Murchison; SMacA - SusanMacArthur; SN - Sharon Neill; DO - Dwaine Oakley; BPa - Bruce Patterson; CMP - Caroline Marie Palmer; LP -Luke Peters; SP - Shirley Prowse; JR - John Read Jr.; JeRo - Jennifer Roma; JtR - John te Raa; LR - LeonceRichard; ASm - Ardeth Smith; BS - Bruce Smith; DS - Deb Sioen; D&AS - Dona & Alma Steeves; DC&ES -David & Elaine Seeler; GS - Gary Schneider; IS - Ian Scott; JDS - John D. Somers; JS - John Steward; JSe - JordiSegers; NS - Nathan Staples; RT - Rianna Teeeuwissen; SCS - Scott Sinclair; SS - Sarah Stewart; ET - ElizabethTownsend; ST - Sylvia Teasdale; JV - Julie Vasseur; AW - Anne Wootton; JWa - Jean Watts; WCT - WildlifeConservation Technology Class; LY - Lorne Yeo; JLZ - Julie-Lynn Zahavich.

20

Funnel spider at KensingtonPhoto by Chris Rice

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

Society meetings start at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House, corner of West and KentStreet, Charlottetown. YN = young naturalists encouraged to attend or participate

April 5th - Maritimes Butterfly Atlas - Final Field Season Report. John Klymko will be the guestspeaker for the Society’s meeting which starts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House,corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown. YN

Apr. 19th - Hillsborough River Association Annual Meeting at Stratford Town Hall at 7:00 PM. Dutch Thompson, recipient of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation’s 2016 PEI HeritageAward of Honour, will be our guest speaker. His Powerpoint presentation, "The Best of theBygone Days", will feature unusual and humourous photos and stories from PEI's past, fromblack bears and white-tailed deer to the Hindenburg and the Titanic.

April 22nd - Island Nature Trust Annual Dinner & Auction - is set for Top of the Park at Red Shoresin Charlottetown with reception starting at 6 PM and meal at 7 PM. A beautiful buffet meal,raffles and auction will help to raise funds for the Trust’s ongoing land conservation andacquisition program. Tickets are $50. To arrange tickets, please contact the Trust at 902-892-7513.

Apr. 29th to May 1st - The Messenger: Imagine a World without Bird Song. This new documentaryby Su Rynard tells a compelling story on songbird decline. It is being featured at City Cinema inCharlottetown (see the April issue of The Buzz for show times). For more information, check outthis Cornel lab of Ornithology’s reviewhttps://www.allaboutbirds.org/the-messenger-our-movie-review/

May 3rd - The PEI Spider Project. Caleb Harding will be the guest speaker for the Society’s meetingwhich starts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West and Kent,Charlottetown. YN

May 11 to 14 - Atlantic Canada Coastal & Estuarine Science Society (ACCESS) 2016 conference. It will be held at UPEI. This annual conference is being co-hosted with Coastal OceanInformation Network Atlantic and the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition. There will bespecial symposiums on Modelling Estuarine Ecosystems, Eutrophication, Remote Sensing andSeagrass Monitoring.

May 14 - Allisary Creek Impoundment Birding Field Trip. Nature PEI and Birding on PEI bird fieldtrip to fresh water marsh, saltmarsh, and field habitats in the Mount Stewart WildlifeManagement Area. Participants can meet at the Indigo Parking area in Charlottetown at 8:00 AMand car pool from there to Mount Stewart or meet at Hillsborough River Eco-Centre in MountStewart at 8:30 AM. Please register with Dan McAskill at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca or at902-393-4385. Please bring your binoculars!

May 28th - Nature PEI’s Bain Bird Count - This is the Society’s spring bird count which documentsthe movement of migrating birds to PEI. The counts can take place anywhere on the Islandbetween midnight and midnight during this day. Birders are encouraged to form teams andparticipate in this event. For more information, please contact Dan McAskill at 902-569-4351 orby email at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca

June 2nd - My Best Bird Photos. Don Jardine will be the guest speaker for the Society’s meeting whichstarts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown. YN

June 12th - Canadian Rivers Day - a great opportunity to plant a tree or shrub or to enjoy an excursionon a river.

Environmental Trivia Answer: Most spiders have eight eyes. The two maineyes are for discerning details within a small field of vision and the sixsecondary eyes detect patterns of light and dark. (From Toronto FieldNaturalist No. 617 February 2016).

21

Adult Bald Eagles at Earnscliffe on March12, 2016Photo by John te Raa

American Coot on March 8, 2016 at St. Felix, PEI Photo by Dwaine Oakley

22