Annotated List of Breeding Birds
Greater Scaup
Breeding migrant, common in the pre- and post-breeding period, uncommon in summer, very uncommon in winter. A small number of Greater Scaup nest on islands, or less frequently shorelines, of the larger interior ponds in the southeast Avalon. The only known nesting site is Browsey Island Pond on the Chance Cove Barrens. Flocks of 20 or more birds in spring especially at Biscay Bay suggest that perhaps 10 or more pairs nest on the larger lakes on the barrens to the north. Unlike Mergansers, Greater Scaup are less inclined to feed on fish, preferring a diet of vegetable matter such as sedges and pond weeds and molluscs, which accounts for their preference for lakes. During the breeding season females are very hard to find, but irregularly single males and occasionally small groups of males can be found on selected ponds along Route 10 north of Portugal Cove South (PCS) on PCS Brook, on ponds between the Cove and Trepassey, and very rarely on ponds on the St. Shott’s Road. Greater Scaup normally nests above treeline in the Canadian Arctic, so that the small colony in the south Avalon is truly unique.
Common Merganser
Breeding migrant, uncommon in summer, common in local bays in fall, winter and spring. The Common Merganser nests away from the coast most probably in tree cavities near larger remote interior ponds. Up to late June pairs can occasionally be found at the mouth of river systems, which suggest they nest somewhere in the tributaries upstream. Females with young have only been recorded at the mouth of the Renews River and upstream on the Tucken Brush River, a tributary of the St. Shott’s River on the west Trepassey barrens. Given the Common Merganser’s preference for tree nesting near lakes, and the very limited availability of such habitat in the southeastern Avalon, there may only be two or three nesting pairs each year. Additional birds migrate into the Avalon in October and remain until April.
Red-breasted Merganser
Breeding resident, uncommon in summer, common in local bays in fall, winter and spring. The Red-breasted Merganser nests on the ground in dense vegetation on the border of freshwater ponds and rivers. Up to late June pairs can occasionally be found at the mouth of river systems, which suggest they nest somewhere in the tributaries upstream. Reports in late spring and early summer of small flocks of males or pairs at Northwest River (Trepassey), Biscay Bay River, Portugal Cove Brook and near Chance Cove River suggest they nest in these river systems and probably others. Given more frequent sightings during the breeding season, and the wider availability of suitable habitat, there may be a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers nesting in the area. As a result this merganser is more likely to be encountered during the breeding season than the Common Merganser. Additional birds migrate into the Avalon in October and remain until April.
Willow Ptarmigan
A permanent resident of the barrens. Pairs are best found in spring and family parties in late summer and fall along accessible gravel roads and ATV tracks on the barrens. Gravel roads are an attraction to ptarmigan as a place to obtain grit for their crops and to provide dust baths to assist cleaning feathers and removing parasites. The best places to look for ptarmigan are the Cape Race Road beyond Freshwater Cove, the extension of Church Road (the old road to Chance Cove) in Portugal Cove South, and the Cape Pine Road. The St. Shott’s Road passes through prime ptarmigan habitat and birds can sometimes be seen from this paved road especially the last few kilometres into St. Shott’s.
Least Sandpiper
Breeding migrant, uncommon in spring and summer, common in fall. Least Sandpipers prefer to nest near bog ponds on ocean headlands. They are thinly scattered along the coast in suitable habitat. Out of the breeding season they can be found on local beaches but are considerably less numerous than Semipalmated Sandpipers.
Greater Yellowlegs
Breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall from April 25 to October 15. They breed widely around ponds on the barrens. If one is prepared to venture along local roads and tracks on the barrens, it is relatively easy to find them during the breeding season. Long before you reach a pond where they nest, they will make their presence known with loud and aggressive alarm calls. After the breeding season this bird is widely recorded on all local harbours and beaches.
Willet
Breeding migrant. Uncommon in spring, summer and fall from May 15 to August 15. One pair of Willets is known to nest at Renews. Due to lack of suitable habitat and human disturbance they are unlikely to nest elsewhere on the southern shore. Despite their yearly presence at Renews they are often difficult to find.
Arctic Tern
Common breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall from May 10 to October 20. Arctic Terns breed with Common Terns on the island in the inner harbour at Renews and on an island accessible from the west side of Daniel’s Point near the mouth of Northwest Brook, Trepassey. They have also traditionally bred on the inner beach at Holyrood Pond at St. Vincent's. Due to human disturbance the Holyrood Pond colony’s existence varies from year to year. After the breeding season they can be found about the beaches and harbours where they nest.
Bald Eagle
Permanent resident uncommon in all seasons. Records over the years suggest that the area may have five breeding pairs scattered in territories along the east and south coasts. Bald Eagles prefer to nest in trees in sheltered valleys at or in close proximity to the ocean. They nest at Renews, near Chance Cove Provincial Park, near The Rookery, in the Trepassey area and between St Shott’s and St. Vincent’s. As a consequence, they have been recorded perched on the rocks in the inner harbour at Renews, aerial displaying over Chance Cove Provincial Park, raiding kittiwake colonies at The Rookery, hunting seabirds over the ocean in Mutton Bay Trepassey, feeding on dead marine mammals on beaches near
Below, Clifford Doran has taken a remarkable photo of an immature Bald Eagle successfully hunting a Long-tailed Duck.
Rough-legged Hawk
Breeding migrant, uncommon in spring, summer and fall. Most years there may only be one breeding pair on the southern shore. Some years there are none. The usual breeding territory is the west Trepassey Barrens centred along the south side of Route 10 especially along the St. Shott’s and Cape Pine Roads. Limited nesting may be related to the prevalence of fog, which would impair the birds hunting ability. The status of vole populations may also be a factor. Each fall from mid-September into late October birders have noted a southern shore hawk migration best observed from the Cape Race Road. Rough-legged Hawks are most likely to be seen in our area at the latter end of this migration.
Short-eared Owl
Breeding migrant. Uncommon in all seasons. Populations vary from year to year depending on the vole population cycle. In vole years, Short-eared Owls can be quite common but in other years hard to find. This owl is best seen in the early morning, at dusk, or on overcast days flying over the barrens or perched on an elevated rock or gravel mound. The best places to look are on the Cape Race Road beyond Watern Cove River, on Route 10 between the Chance Cove turnoff and the Bell Aliant Tower north of Portugal Cove South, and on the west Trepassey Barrens especially along Route 10 and the Cape Pine or St. Shott’s Roads.
Black-backed Woodpecker
Permanent resident uncommon. Usually quiet during most of the year. Listen for persistent tapping or its distinctive “chink” call in larger patches of mature or over-mature coniferous woods. This bird is probably not uncommon but many areas close to settlement have been cut over for firewood leaving the mature forest they prefer more distant and harder to access. The best places to look are along the few access roads into mature forest: Bear Cove Point Road Renews and near the ocean end of the Chance Cove Provincial Park access road and south from the access road along the old East Coast Trail.
Merlin
Breeding migrant, most years usually common in spring, summer and fall between April 15 and October 15. Rare in winter. Merlins and Harriers nest widely on the southern shore.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Breeding migrant. Very common in spring, summer and fall. Found widely especially in mixed forest areas created by cutting for firewood. Listen for their distinctive “dew wheat” call very different from the call usually heard in central Canada.
Gray Jay
Permanent resident. Uncommon. Widely dispersed in coniferous forest throughout. Most often found in sheltered valleys such as at Peter’s River, in the vicinity of Northwest Circle and the old Tent and Trailer Park in Northwest Trepassey, at the parking lot in Chance Cove Provincial Park and on Bear Cove Point Road, Renews. Occasionally seen flying over Route 10 in forested areas. Note their distinctive “fluttering” flight.
Boreal Chickadee
Resident breeder. Common. Found widely in coniferous forest areas throughout. Listen for its distinctive call.
American Pipit
Breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall. This bird is generally found in the breeding season only on the outer tips of headlands. Look for it near the old fog horn station at Cape Race, at Mistaken Point, in the Freshwater Cove area, at The Rookery, Cape Pine and at the fog horn station at East Head, St. Shott’s.
White-winged Crossbill
Breeding resident. Uncommon. Irruptive and hard to find. To be looked for in good cone crop years. Most often heard in flight. Listen for the “jip” “jip” “jip” call and look for the distinctive white in the wing. Often silent while quietly feeding on cones high up in spruce and firs. To be looked for in sheltered valleys, in Chance Cove Provincial Park, and especially in north Cappahayden and Bear Cove Point Road Renews. Red Crossbills are often associated with pines, which are absent from the south coast area. They have been recorded in recent years in the Renews and Cappahayden area where they are likely feeding on the cones of larch, fir and spruce. Red Crossbills have also been found at bird feeders dispensing sunflower seeds in the Renews area.
Pine Grosbeak
Breeding resident. Common. While this bird prefers coniferous forests it can often be found nesting close to or in towns. In late summer they can be found in open areas around houses and in fields such as about the old fish plant at west Trepassey feeding on the seeds of Dandelion. Often detected by their distinctive call reminiscent of Greater Yellowlegs.
Blackpoll Warbler
Breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall from late May to September 30. Blackpolls are widely dispersed in coniferous forest and in tuckamore on the barrens.
Wilson's Warbler
Breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall from late May to September 30. Wilson’s prefer thick mixed habitat including regeneration areas after firewood cutting.
Fox Sparrow
Breeding migrant. Common in spring, summer and fall from April 5 to October 30. Widely dispersed in coniferous forests throughout. The beautiful call of the Fox Sparrow is a feature of the birding landscape from spring until well into August.