Newfoundland Birds

GEESE, SWANS & DUCKS

Snow Goose A, RSu, RF, RW

Summer Records: 07.08.01 (1) SS Sod Farm; 12.08.24 (25) SS Beach
Fall Records: 04.10.18 (1) Renews; 05.12.14/24 (1) Trep/PCS;
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Greater White-fronted Goose A RS, RF

Spring Record: 13.04.16/29 (1) BB; 13.05.04 (1) PCS
Fall Records: 05.09.29-10.03 (1) SS Sod Farm; 1952.10.20 (2) SS

Brant A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 13.10.01/06 (1) Trep Harbour; 08.11.08 (1) LB; 24.10.30 (1) SS;
24.11.28-12.02 (1) WTrep;
Winter Record: 13.01.10 (1) Trep Harbour

Barnacle Goose A, RS

Spring Record: 22.04.14 (4) LB, then 22.04.15-05.01 (4) PCS

Cackling Goose A, RS

Spring Record: 06.04.28 to 05.05 (1) BB

Canada Goose* M, US, USu, UF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: March 15 to October 31
Small breeding populations Route 10 south of CCPP and WTrep Barrens
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC; one record 18.01.20 (1) Renews

Tundra Swan A, RS

Spring Record: 13.05.27-06.01 (1) PCS ponds

DUCKS AND MERGANSERS

Note: Many of the local breeding migrant ducks and mergansers are often recorded on their arrival but soon begin their breeding cycle. This results in the females sitting and the males wandering off, often to remote areas. As a result some relatively common species such as Green-winged Teal, Pintail, Ring-necked Duck and Greater Scaup are listed as “uncommon” because they can be hard to find for up to a month until the females emerge with their young.

Common Shelduck A, RS

Spring Record: 14.04.02 (1) Renews

Wood Duck A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 4 Records. Between Nov 1 and Dec 17
Locations: CR, BB, Trep.
Winter Records: 1 count week CR/CBC;
3 Records between Dec 30 and Jan 20, all Renews

Blue-winged Teal A, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records Between May 19 and June 12
Locations: Renews, CR, PCS
Summer Records: 5 Records. Between Aug 13 and Sept 18.
Locations: Renews, PCS, BB
Fall Record: 10.09.23 (3) LB
Winter Record: Never on the CR/CBC
one record: 11.01.15/17 (1) Cappa. Barrens

Northern Shoveler V, RS

Spring Records: 6 Records. Between Apr 8 and June 12
Locations: Renews, CRR, PCS, WTrep

Gadwall A, RS, RW

Spring Records: 4 Records (Between Apr 15 and June 5) Trep., PCS, Renews
Winter Record: 18.01.02 (1) PCS

Eurasian Wigeon A, RS, RF, RW

Spring Records: 4 Records. Between Apr 24 and May 30
Locations: Renews, PCS, BB
Fall Records: 4 Records. Between Oct 20 and Nov 10
Locations: Renews, CRR-Cripple, Trep
Winter Record: one record CR/ CBC;
Also 11.01.21 (4) Trep.

American Wigeon A, RS, RSu, RW

Spring Record: 18.04.08 (1) PR
Summer Records:19.07.11 (1) SV; 08.09.19 (1) LB
Fall Record: 24.11.27 (1) WTrep.
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC;
Two other records: Jan 12 to Jan 14.
Locations: LB and CRR-Cripple

Mallard V, VUS, RF, RW

Spring Records: 10 Records. Between Mar 5 and June 19.
Locations: Renews, CRR-Cripple, LB, MPt, PCS, BB, NWTrep, SS
Summer Records: 6 Records. June 29 to Sept 10)
Locations: PCS, Renews, CR, PR, SV
Note: Expanding range to the south coast expected to nest soon; seasonal status changing
Fall Records: 3 Records: 20.09.26 (12) LB; 09.11.16 (1) female Trep; 24.11.30 (1) NWTrep;
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC
Two other records: Dec 22 and Feb 2, Locations: CCPP and Trep

American Black Duck* PR, C

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: March 15 to October 31
Winter Records: Small numbers most winters CR/CBC, max (39)

Northern Pintail* M, US, USu, UF

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: April 1 to October 15 Never recorded on CR/CBC

Green-winged Teal* M, US, USu, UF, VUW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: April 1 to October 30
Of note: 30 in roadside ponds at PCS on 24.09.25
Winter Records: Occasional (11 of 41) in small numbers CR/CBC, max (4)

Ring-necked Duck* M, US, USu, UF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: April 1 to Sept 15
Winter Records: 3 records CR/CBC

Tufted Duck A, RS, RW

Spring Record: 13.04.13 (1) BB
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC
3 other records: 22.12.12 (1) Renews; 22.02.16/17 (1) Trep; 09.02.05 (1) Renews

Greater Scaup* M, US, USu, CF, CW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: April 1 to October 20
Winter Records: Most winters (28 of 41) in small numbers CR/CBC, max (60)
Note: A few flocks most falls and winters from Renews and southern shore
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Lesser Scaup A, RS, RF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records: 10.04.16 (1) BB; 23.05.10 (1) Renews; 10.05.29 (1) Renews
Fall Records: Rare: Sometimes in Nov and Dec with Greaters
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC;
4 other Records: Between Jan 1 and Feb 27
Location: BB with Greaters

King Eider M, VUS, VUF, VUW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Dec 15 to April 1; early Nov 6, late May 5
Location: Almost all southern shore locations; rare north to CCPP and BC
Winter Records: Fairly regular winterer in very small numbers on south coast; irregular (27 of 41 years) on CR/CBC (max. 13)

Common Eider* M, CS, USu, CF, CW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 1 to Apr 30
Note: In recent years small flocks in summer at SS, Trep and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve; Recently nested at SS; probably nested historically.
Regular winterer (40 of 41) in large numbers CR/CBC. max (4865)

Harlequin Duck M, US, RSu, UF, UW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 15 to Apr 30, early Nov 10; high counts: 19.03.22 (11) SS; 21.04.23 (21) SS
Occasional in summer
Winter Records: regular winterer most years (27 of 41) in small numbers CR/CBC. Max (21)
Locations: CCPP, and southern shore locations CR to SS

Surf Scoter M, U; White-winged Scoter M, C; Black Scoter M, U

For many years a large and highly scope-able non-breeding White-winged Scoter flock frequented Biscay Bay in summer; this flock usually contained single digit numbers of Black and Surf Scoters; in the last five+ years the bulk of the flock, which varies from a few hundred to occasionally more than 500, moved to the east side Mutton Bay, Trepassey where it has been hard to observe well even with a scope; the last couple of years most of the flock has moved west to the head of Mutton Bay sometimes close enough to be seen well from the lighthouse area of Powles Heard, Trepassey. It is assumed that they are feeding on mussel beds. All three scoter species also recorded occasionally in summer. WW in small numbers from CR to SV; Surf and Black in small numbers CR to SS

In spring and fall the WW flock is smaller but Surf and Black continue to be seen in small numbers.

Winter Records: WW regular (40 of 41) CR/CBC; max (434); Black (35 of 41) and Surf (27 of 41) most years in small numbers

Long-tailed Duck M, CS, USu, CF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: October 15 to May 10
A few in late summer each year
Winter Records: large flocks each winter CR/CBC, max (1295)

Bufflehead M, RS, RSu, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: 4 Records: 23.04.11 (2) Renews; 13.05.25 (2) Renews; 23.04.24 (1) Renews; 20.03.20 (1) SV;
Summer Record: 01.09.02 (2) BC
Fall Records: 6 Records. Between Nov 2 to Dec 21.
Locations: Renews, BB, NW Trep, SS
Winter Records: Occasional winterer 15 of 41) in very small numbers CR/CBC, max (8);
Occasional at NW Trep, PCS, BB, SV and especially Renews

Common Goldeneye M, RS, RSu, RF, UW

Spring Records: 3 Records. Between March 26 to Apr 12
Locations: Renews and BB
Summer Record: 12.06.24 (1) BB
Fall Dates: 3 Records: 11.11.07 (1) Trep; 22.11.29 (1) BB; 19.12.21 (1) PCS
Winter Records: Small numbers some winters (25 of 41) CR/CBC, max (25);
rare elsewhere, single records from PCS and BC

Hooded Merganser A, RS, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: 15.03.19/21 (1) NW Trep; 25.03.20 (11) Renews
Summer Records: 18.09.06 (1) female, CR 19.09.11/21 (1/2) females, Renews
Fall Records: 7 Records: between Nov 11 to Dec 16
Locations: Renews, BC, BB, Trepassey.
Winter Records: 2 Records CR/CBC;
5 other records: Dec 28 to Feb 2
Locations: mostly Renews, also NE Trep

Common Merganser* M, VUS, RSu, VUF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 1 to Oct 30
Spring Records: 15.04.03 (2) BB; 11.04.15 (2) WTrep;
Note: Most years perhaps 2 pairs breed on interior ponds (upriver tributaries SS River, NW Brook, Trep; seasonal status debatable
Fall Record: 18.11.30 (15) NWTrep
Winter Records: Very occasional (11 of 41) winterer in small numbers CR/CBC, max (6)
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Red-breasted Merganser* M, US, USu, CF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: November 1 to March 31
Note: Small breeding population swelled in fall by migrants who winter; 
Winter Records: regular winter (40 of 41) CR/CBC, max (142)
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Ruddy Duck A, RF

Fall Record: 21.09.26 (1) Trep

GROUSE & PARTRIDGES

Ruffed Grouse* PR, CS, USu, UF, UW

Common resident in appropriate habitats; Drumming May 15
Winter Records: with limited forest access only four records CR/CBC

Willow Ptarmigan* PR, U

Uncommon resident of the barrens
Winter Records: recorded (28 of 41) occasionally CR/CBC, max (45); in recent years small numbers
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

PIGEONS & DOVES

Rock Pigeon A, R

Spring Record: 21.05.29 (4) PCS
Summer Records: 3 Records: 19.07.13 (1) Renews; 08.08.01 (1) CR; 21.08.26 (1) Renews;
Fall Records: 4 Records: 21.11.03 (1) Renews; 96.09.28 (1) CR; 99.10.17 (1) BC; 10.12.19 (1) Renews
Winter Record: Never recorded on the CR/CBC;
one record 22.01.28 to 02.07 (1) BC-Cappa
Note: Accidental locally, probably under reported; nesting mostly confined to St. John’s area

White-winged Dove V, RSu, VUF, RW

Summer Records : 3 Records: 12.06.01 to 09.26 (1) Trep; 00.06.26 to7.07 (2) SS; 08.07.20/23 (1) SS
Fall Records: 9 Records: Prime Period: late Sept to early Nov; early Sept 24;
Locations: Renews, Cappa, CR and Trepassey
Winter Record: Sept 24 to Feb 11 (1) Renews

Mourning Dove M, VUS, VUSu, UF, UW

Occasional in Summer; occasional fall/winter/early spring at local feeders
Winter Records: a few records (9 of 41) CR/CBC, max (9)

CUCKOOS

Yellow-billed Cuckoo RV, VUSu, UF

Summer Records: Arrives in late summer, early Sept 14
Fall Records: Prime Period: Sept 20 to Oct 15; late Oct 29;
Locations: BCPtRd, SouthCappa, CRR-Thimble, LB, CRR, PHR, WTrep

Black-billed Cuckoo A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 3 records June 4 to 20, all Trep area
Summer Record: 17.06.30 (1) CRR
Fall Records: 5 Records. Between Sept 15 and Oct 29;
Locations: BCPtR, BC, South Cappa, Trep, PHR

Note: In recent falls the area between the Memorial Pit to south entrance to Freshwater Road, south of Cappahayden, has recorded a surprising number of both species of cuckoo.

GOATSUCKERS

Common Nighthawk A, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Record: 17.06.08 (1) Trep
Summer Records: 6 Records. Between July 15 and Sep 7
Locations: BCPtRd, Renews, CR, NWTrep (Daniels Point), SS;
Fall Records: 5 Records. Between Sept 21 and Oct 21
Locations: Renews, BCPtRd, CR, PCS, PCS/CRR/Trep

SWIFTS

Chimney Swift A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Record: 13.06.02 (1) Renews
Summer Records: 23.09.03 (1) BCPtRd; 00.09.07 (2) MPt;
Fall Records: 3 Records: Oct 4 to Nov 7;
Locations: all PCS to CR; multiple sighting of 150 on Oct 27

Common Swift A, RSu

Summer Record: 16.07.12 (1) CR

HUMMINGBIRDS

Ruby-throated Hummingbird? V VUS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 8 Records:Between May 23 to June 9;
Locations: Renews-Dunne feeder, CCPP, Trep, NWTrep
Summer Records: 3 Records Renews: June 25 to July 26; Late Aug 11 Trep
Fall Record: 18.09.23 (1) Renews
Note: Increase in sightings in recent years; occasional breeding at Renews possible

Rufous Hummingbird A, RS

Summer Record: 20.06.18/30 (1) Renews-Dunne
Note: 21.08.07 (1) Male recorded at Mount Carmel

RAILS, GALLINULES & COOTS

King Rail, A, RF

Fall Record: 1996.10.12 CR

Clapper Rail, A, RF

Fall Records: 3 Records. Between Oct 12 and Oct 19;
Locations: BB, CR, BC

King/Clapper Rail A, RF

Fall Record: 14.10.26 (1) SS

Corncrake A, RF

Fall Records: 20.09.26 (1) CRR (Cripple to CR); 02.11.02 (1) CR
Old historical record: 1928.10.28 SS
Note: A dead bird recorded on 21.10.21 at Paradise N Avalon

Sora Rail A, RSu, RF, RW

Spring: No records
Summer Record: 86.07.05 (1) CCPP “heard from a tiny marsh at CCPP”
Fall Record: 15.11.28 (1) CR(dead); 19.12.19 (1) Renews
Winter Record 05.01.05 (1) Renews Town
Note: Spring calling begins with arrival in St. John’s area late May; possible suitable wetland habitat in lower Peter’s River valley (east side) and river mouth area of Chance Cove River in CCPP

American Coot V, RF

Fall Records: 6 Records: between Oct 17 and Dec 19;
Locations: Renews, LB, especially PCS, also Trep

CRANES

Sandhill Crane A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Record 02.05.14/17 (1) Renews
Summer Record: 19.07.27 (1) SS Sod Farm;
Fall Record: 95.09.30 (1) BCPt

STILTS & AVOCETS

Black-necked Stilt A, RS

Spring Record: 08.05.31 to 06.07 SS

American Avocet A, RSu

Summer Records: 3 records. Between Sept 1 and Sept 10;
Locations: LB, BB, SS

PLOVERS

Black-bellied Plover M, RS, CSu, CF, VUW

Spring Records: 3 records: 06.05.22 (15) CR ; 06.05.28 (7) LB; 20.03.30 (1) PCS
Average Arrival and Departure Dates: July 20 to Oct 20
Winter Records: three CR/CBC records;
Irregular winterer in recent years at Renews; also wintered at Trep 2023/24

Eurasian Golden-Plover RV, US, RF

Spring Records: Prime Period: Apr 15 to May 5, late 16.05.29 (1) BB
Locations: Renews, Cappa, CCPP, PCS, but primarily sites along the CRR from Watern Cove/MPt east to CR; also rarely west to BB and SS
Fall Record: 05.11.06 (1) SS Beach

American Golden-Plover M, RS, CSu, CF

Spring Record: 99.04.27 (1) Renews
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 15 to Oct 31; Latest: 22.11.30 PCS
high counts: 18.08.26 (700) LB-CR; 94.09.03 (725) LB-CR and (500) same day CPR and 20.08.31 (1100) CRR

Pacific Golden-Plover A, RS, RSu

Spring Record: 10.06.06 (1) CR; 22.04.14 (1) CRR-Cripple-CR
Summer Record: 07.06.27/07.01 (1) Trep
Note: 21.07.06 (1) at St Pierre

Killdeer M, US, VUSu, UF, UW

Spring: Records: Prime Period Mar 15 to May 15;
Locations: mostly Renews, also CRR, PCS, and Trep
Summer Records: Dispersal after breeding: Aug 13 to 28; no Sept records known
Locations: CRR, Trep and SS
Fall Arrival Date: Regular. most records Nov and Dec, early Oct 20 CR
Locations: CRR, Trep and SS
Winter Records: a few winter records (9 of 41) CR/CBC, more regular since 2000
Some records through winter esp at Renews, less frequently PCS, Trep, WTrep

Common Ringed Plover RV, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: Multiple records; Prime Time: mid-Aug to mid Sept; early July 29;
Adults from August into Sept; Juveniles from early Sept and more likely as Sept advances
Fall Records: Recorded to end of Sept; outlier: 22.11.30 (1) PCS
Locations: Largely southern shore beaches: SS, Trep, PCS,, LB but also very occasionally to the north at CCPP , BC and Renews

Semipalmated Plover* M, RS, CSu, CF, RW

Spring Records: 06.05.22 (5) CRR
Rare nesting at St. Vincent’s beach; attempted undated nest at PCS beach; known to nest Argentia
Summer-Fall: Arrival and Departure Dates: July15 to Oct 31; Late Date: 14.12.06 (1) PR; high count: 23.09.01 (100+) PCS Beach
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Piping Plover A, RS, RSu

Spring Records:3 Records May 15 to June 1;
Locations: PCS and BB
Summer Record: 08.07.12 (1) PCS

Northern Lapwing V RS, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: 10.04.25 (1) CR; 16.05.31 (1) Trep
Note: 23.04.29 (1) St John’s area
Fall Records: 6 Records. Earliest Nov 7;
Locations: CRR; PCS; BB; CP/SS Roads
Winter Records: One count week record on the CR/CBC;
6 winter records: latest January 21.
Locations: Mostly southern shore: LB, PCS, Trep but also Renews

SANDPIPERS & PHALAROPES

Upland Sandpiper A, RS, RF

Spring Record: 08.05.05 (1) CR; 10.05.10 (1) MistakenPt
Fall Records: 3 Records: Oct 7 to Dec 18;
Locations: CR, LB, Trep-Lower Coast

Whimbrel M, RS, CSu, CF

Spring Records: a few in May, possibly Eurasian Whimbrel
Summer Records: Prime Period: July 15 to Sept 20; early June 30;
Fall Records: To late Sept into early Oct; late Oct 21
Regular Migrant in large numbers, especially CRR, CPR and SSR

Eurasian Whimbrel A, RS

Spring Record: 08.05.18 (1) BC

Black-tailed Godwit V VUS

Spring Records: 6 records: Between Apr 7 to June 22
Locations: mostly Renews, single records for LB; max 4 at PCS 24.04.07

Hudsonian Godwit M, USu, UF

Fall Records: Prime Period: Sept 10 to Oct 10; early date July 27; late date Nov 5;
Locations: Primarily southern shore beaches: LB, BB, and WTrep;

American Woodcock A, RF

Fall Records: 12.12.02 (1) SS; 09.10.06 (1) CR

Common Snipe A RW

Winter Record: 23.01.14 (1) PCS

Wilson’s Snipe* M, CS, CSu, CF, VUW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 20 to Oct 31
Winter Records: very occasional (11 of 41) CR/CBC, max 2

Wilson’s Phalarope V, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 08.05.31/ 06.02 (2) BB; 06.01/2 (2) BB
Summer Records: Prime Period: Sept 1 to 10; early Aug 24,
Fall Records: a few late Sept into early Oct; late Oct 29
Locations: Renews, LB, PCS and Trep

Red Phalarope M/OS, RS, USu, UF

Spring Records: 16.06.11 (1) Daley's (adult female in Miner’s Lettuce); 17.06.18 (1) CR;
Spring Record Note: Holyrood Conception Bay Event: 500 recorded on 18.05.30
Summer Records: Prime Period: Aug 20 to Sept 25; early 18.06.26 (1) Trep (possibly non-breeding male); high counts: 08.08.23 (4,000) SS to LB; 18.09.09 (500) off CR; 19.09.08 (130) off Trep Beach; 20.09.12 (45) PCS Beach; 08.08.24 (31) CCPP
Note: 19.07.06 (4) Nain, Labrador migrating north or south??
Fall Records: recorded slightly later than Red-necked to late Sept; late date Oct 4;
high counts: 06.09.27 (15) LB; 23. 09.27 (5) PH
Locations: All Southern Shore: especially most CRR sites, PCS, occasionally to Trep and SS

Red-necked Phalarope M/OS, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: Prime Period: May 20 to May 25; early May 10, late June 4 (2) PH;
high count 19.05.22 (6) CR; Locations: Southern Shore PH east to CR
Note: 20.05.15 (600+) recorded at extreme north Avalon, Cape St. Francis; 20.05.17 (65) Ferryland Head
Summer Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 20 to Sept 2; early July 18, late Sept 26;
high count: 19.09.15 (15) SS; 11.08.30 (40) Drook.
Locations: Southern shore CRR: PCS, LB, CR,; also BCPt, Renews, BB, Trep and SS

Spotted Sandpiper* M, CS, CSu, CF

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 to Oct 10
No winter records

Solitary Sandpiper M, VUSu, RF

Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 20 to Sept 20; late date Oct 23
The area has a limited wooded wet spots for this species
Locations: BCPtRd, BC, Trep, SSR

Wood Sandpiper A, RF

Fall Record: 98.11.11 (1) Renews

Common Redshank A RS, RSu

Spring Record: 14.05.03 (1) Renews;
Summer Record: 19.0710 (1) SV

Lesser Yellowlegs M, VUS, USu, UF

Spring Records: Prime Period: May 15 to May 30; early date Apr 8, late June 6;
Locations: Renews, CCPP, PCS and BB
Fall Records: Prime Period: Mid-July to mid-Oct; early record June 29, late Nov 2
high count: 22.07.27 (88) NWTrep (tern island Daniels Point); flock of 77 at BB later same day
Locations: Renews, BC and southern shore

Willet* M, VUS, VUSu, VUF, RW

Average Arrival Date: May 15 at Renews; early Apr 11; rare elsewhere
Note: last breeding record at Renews 2019
Summer Records: Average Departure Date: Aug 15 from Renews to Sept 2 at BC
Notes: 97.07.13 (1) Renews (first area record?); high count 16.06.01 (4) CCPP;
Seasonal status in flux with hiatus in Renews breeding situation
Fall Record: 23.11.21 (1) Trep which wintered there to at least 24.04.01
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Greater Yellowlegs* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 25 to Oct 15; early 25.04.11 Renews
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Ruddy Turnstone M, RS, CSu, CF. VUW

Spring Records: mostly overwintering birds
Fall Records: Prime Period: Aug 1 to Oct 15; numerous Nov and Dec records
Winter Record: occasional (17 of 41) in small numbers (max. 15) CR/CBC

Red Knot M, RS, USu, UF, RW

Spring Records: Winter lingerers at Renews into Mar; late record: 01.06.08 (1) Renews
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 15 to Sept 10; early July 21; late Sept 23
high count: 22.08.29 (3) BC
Locations: Renews, BC, southern shore beaches esp PCS and Trep.
Winter Records: never recorded on CR/CBC;
occasional wintering at Renews (Ferryland CBC)

Ruff A, RS, RSu

Spring Records: Prime Period: Apr 20 to May 20; early Mar 16, late June 7;
Locations: mostly Renews, rarely BB and PCS
Summer Records: 4 Records: July 4 to Sept 4
Locations: Renews, PCS, SS (Sod Farm)

Curlew Sandpiper A, RS, RF

Spring Records: 04.06.14 (1) PCS; 23.06.11/12 (1) Renews
Fall Records: 3 Records: Oct 2 to Nov 13
Locations: SS (Sod Farm) and LB (twice)

Stilt Sandpiper M, VUSu, VUF

Spring Records: None
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 25 to Sept 15; early July 24, late Oct 22;
Locations: primarily Renews, rarely BC, LB and BB

Buff-breasted Sandpiper M, USu, VUF

Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Sept 1 to Sept 30; early Aug 28; late Oct 26;
high count 09.09.04 (21) SS (Sod Farm)
Locations: SS (Sod Farm), Trep, LB, PCS, BC, BB, MPt
Note: with SS Sod Farm closing, harder to find; now usually single birds on southern shore beaches or grassy fringes; rarely found in flocks of Golden-Plover

Sanderling M, RS, CSu, CF, VUW

Spring Records: Few, likely lingering over-winterers, eg 12.06.07 (1) Trep
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 10 to Oct 20; early July 19
Note: lingers in small numbers on southern shore beaches in Nov and Dec
Winter Records: occasional winterer (13 of 41) CR/ CBC

Dunlin M, RS, VUSu, CF, RW

Spring Records: Overwintering bird(s) at Renews
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Sept 20 to Oct 15; early, early Sept, lingers into Nov
Locations: Renews and southern shore beaches
Winter Records: two records CR/CBC; has overwintered at Renews

Purple Sandpiper M, US, CF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 20 to Apr 10; early Oct 27; late 24.05.04 (30) CR
and 25.05.17 (7) CR
Locations: Southern shore sites: Trep., CR CCPP, LB, WTrep, MistakenPt
Note: no known summer records for this species
Winter Records: Regular (41 of 41) each winter in flocks (max.414) CR/CBC
regular in winter along coasts of the southern shore

Baird’s Sandpiper M, VUSu, RF

Summer Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 30 to Sept 20; late Oct 20
Fall Records: 19.10.12 (1) CCPP
Note: almost always single birds, as in shorebirds, adults early, juveniles late

Little Stint A, RF

Fall Record: 15.09.13-15 (1) Juvenile, Renews

White-rumped Sandpiper M, RS, CSu, CF, VUW

Spring Records: A few overwintering birds on southern shore beaches
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 1 to Oct 31; early July 21
Winter Records: very occasionally recorded (7 of 41), max ((9) CR/CBC

Least Sandpiper* M, US, CSu, CF

Spring Records: Average arrival time: late May, early date May 21
Locations: Renews, PCS, BB and CRR
Summer Records: Potential nesting records: 08.06.28 (2) BB; 05.06.29 (1) and 19.07.10 (1) PCS; 12.07.17 (2) BB-Barachois.
Notes: 22.07.08 juveniles recorded SS Road between Junction and CPR; 22.07.14 (4) Adults, Renews-Boat Cove Road
Nesting Locations: MPt, Bristy Cove headlands, BB, (Barachois) CPR & SSR, behind East Head SS; possibly coastal bog ponds western St Stephens
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 10 to Sept 20; late Dec 4 (1) LB
See also Appendix F

Pectoral Sandpiper M, RS, USu, UF

Spring Record: 07.04.29 (1) PCS
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Sept 1 to Oct 20; early Aug 18; late Nov15 (1) LB

Western Sandpiper A, RSu

Summer Records: 07.09.05 (1) PCS; 00.09.08/13 (1) PCS

Semipalmated Sandpiper M, RS, CSu, CF, RW

Spring Record: 06.05.23 (1) BC
Average Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 10 to Sept 20; early July 27; late Dec 1, LB
Winter: one record CR/CBC
Note: Red-necked Stint Record 23.07.28 (1) Witless Bay

JAEGERS & SKUAS

Long-tailed Jaeger M/OS, RS, VUSu

Spring Dates: 12.0512-05.13 (1) Adult PCS; 13.05.25 (3) Adults, CRR- Daley’s; 13.05.29 (1) Mpt; adults late to June 10
Summer Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: July 15 to Sept 5; early July 12; late Sept 6;
Note: much less common than the other two species; most records, first summer difficult to ID birds
Prime Period: the capelin die-off time from the end of July to early August on southern shore
Locations: SV, SS, Trep and PCS but esp CRR east to CR
Interesting Summer Records with age records where known: 19.07.15 (1) adult, SV; 19.07.19 (2) sub-adults SV; 21.07.26 (4) CR; 22.07.17 (1) Sub-adult PCS Wharf; 22.08.03 (1) Sub-adult PCS-Daley's; 04.09.05 (1) Trep; 09.09.05 (1) SS; 09.09.03 (1) BCPtRd; 86.07.01 (3) SV; 98.08.07 (1) CRR-Drook; 99.09.02 (1) CRR-Drook (juvenile); 11.07.18 (1) CRR-Daley's .

Parasitic Jaeger M/OS, VUS, USu, UF

See Pomarine Comments:
Spring-Summer-Fall Records: Arrival and departure Dates: May 15 to Oct 30;
non-breeders remain offshore from spring into fall;
Prime Period: recorded inshore especially during capelin die-off in late July and early Aug
Locations: vantage points all along the southern shore
Interesting Seasonal Records: 19.07.15 (1+) SV 19.07.19 (1) SV; 20.06.03 (1) PCS; 20.06.07 (1) SV; 20.06.11 (2) SV with 7 other jaegers not identified; 21.07.02 (2) SV; 21.07.26 (5) CR; 23.08.03 (6) PCS-Daley's; 23.08.03 (10) Ian Jones in boat mostly off CR; 17.08.19 (2) BC

Pomarine Jaeger M/OS, VUS, USu, UF, RW

Spring-Summer-Fall Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: Prime jaeger period: May 15 to Oct 30
Spring Records: Prime Period: Apr 25 to May 10; early April 22
Interesting spring records: 93.05.23 (8) PR; 12.04.25 (25+) PCS; 15.04.25 (1) BC; 18.04.27 (25) all adults PR; 19.04.27 (1) PCS
**Note: Spring Pomarine migration sometimes inshore with strong variable southern winds; **
non-breeders remain offshore from spring into fall; Pomarines are probably more common than Parasitic but many of the jaegers encountered are immatures which are difficult to identify with certainty without considerable experience and good viewing conditions
Summer and Fall Records: Prime Period: Recorded inshore especially during capelin season mid-July into vary early Aug;
Locations: Southern shore SV to CR
Interesting Records: Seabird bonanza (possibly tied to early capelin run at Point Le Haye) 20.06.13: Pom (8); Parasitic (3); Long-tail (1) plus Leach’s (25) while at SV only 4 unidentified jaegers;
A few seasonal records: 19.07.10 (2) Drook; 19.07.15 (1+) SV; 19.0719 (1) SV; 20.06.07 (1) SV; 21.07.02 (6) SV; 21.07.26 (9) CR; 23.08.03 (10) PCS-Daley's; 23.08.03 (12) mostly off CR; 23.07.02 (1) SV; 23.07.20 (2) BC; 00.07.14 (7) SS; 86.07.01 (8) SV; 11.07.27 (5) CRR-Daley's;
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Great Skua A/OS RSu, RF

Summer Records: 4 records: 05.07.19 (1) CR; 14.08.08 (1) CR; 93.08.27 (20) 32 kms SE CR; 12.09.12 (2) BB
Fall Records: 09.09.26 (1) CR; 16.10.06 (1) CR; 24.10.02 (1) CR;
Locations: Southern shore primarily CR

South Polar Skua RV/OS, VUSu, RF

Arrival and Departure Dates: Early July to Sept 6, early 07.06.24 (1) DC
Prime Period: July 31 to Aug 10 (most records)
Some Summer Records: 09.07.10 (1) Drook; 21.07.26 (1) CR; 23.07.14 (2) CR; 23.08.07 (1) PCS; 15.08.08 (1) LB; 14.07.27 (1) SV; 98.08.10 (1) DC; 24.07.05 (1) DC
Note: A July 14th record of 12 Polar Skuas on the Grand Banks, combined with the heavy preponderance of south coast records late July-early August period, strongly indicates that this species is almost exclusively a summer visitor
Fall Record: 24.09.24/28 (1) SS

ALCIDS

Atlantic Puffin* PR, CS, CSu, CF, VUW

Spring and Fall Departure Dates: early May to early Oct
Present in all seasons but almost all migrate offshore after the breeding season
Winter Records: recorded in small numbers some years (16 of 41) CR/CBC (max. 620)

Black Guillemot* PR, C

Present in all seasons but some non-breeding migration
Winter Records: recorded in large numbers every year but one CR/CBC, (max. 678)

Razorbill* PR, CS, CSu, CF, UW

Spring and Fall Departure Dates: early May to early Oct
Present in all seasons but almost all migrate offshore after the breeding season
Notes: 21.08.20 (950) Trep harbour for annual mid-August bait fish event
Winter Records: recorded most years (24 of 41) CR/CBC (max.16)

Dovekie M, CS, RSu, CF, CW

Summer records: 04.07.25 (1) BB; 24.08.09 (1) CR;
Fall Arrival and Spring Departure Dates: Oct 25 to Mar 15; late 15.06.12 (1) CR;
Selected Records: 23.11..07 (1) LB; 24.10.18 (1) BCPtRd; 23.10.30 (1) CCPP;
Winter Records: all years on the CR/CBC (max. (990)

Thick-billed Murre M, US, CF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 10 to May 15
Seen mostly in fall and spring migrations of Nov and Apr-May (likely Arctic birds)
Winter Record: recorded almost every year (38 of 41) CR/CBC (max. 397)
Nesting: a very small number nest at Cape St. Mary’s and Witless Bay Islands

Common Murre* PR, CS, CSu, CF UW

Spring and Fall Departure Dates: early May to early Oct
Present in all seasons but almost all migrate offshore after the breeding season
Winter Records: recorded most years (27 of 41) CR/CBC (max.11)

GULLS, SKIMMERS & TERNS

Little Gull RV, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 2 Records: June 10 and June 18
Locations: PCS and SS
Summer Records: 7 Records: Prime Period: July 3 to 20; late records 08.08.24 (2) DC (adult & 1 summer); 08.09.09 (1) LB (2nd winter)
Locations: PCS, SV, DC, LB, Trep
Old Fall Record: 55.11.29 (2) BC

Ross’s Gull A, RS

Spring Record: 85.05.11 (1) PH

Black-legged Kittiwake* M, CS, CSu, CF, UW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Mar 15 to early Oct
Present in all seasons but most migrate offshore after the breeding season
Winter Records: Regular most winters (38 of 41) CR/ CBC (max.2389)

Ivory Gull A, RF, VUW

Fall Record: 90.12.15 (1) CR
Winter Records: Recorded once on the CR/CBC
other records: 6 Records: 02.01.06/08 LB/CR (Adult) and 02.02.10 (1) BC; 07.03.02 (1) PCS;
09.01.19 (1) Trep and 09.01.31 (1) NWTrep (Adult) 09.01.31 (1) Renews and 09.02.01 (1) NETrep; 10.01.25/26 (1) SS; 13.03.04/05 (1winter) (1) BB; 18.12.21 (1) CR

Sabine's Gull A, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Record: 20.06.11 (1) CR
Summer Records: 4 Records: Between July 29 and Sept 16
Locations: CR/DC, DC, Renews, SV
Fall Record: 04.11.12 (1) CR
Never recorded on the CR/CBC
Winter Records: 2 Records: 16.01.31 (1) SV; 16.02.03/07 (1) SV and 16.03.07 (1) CR

Bonaparte's Gull M, RS, VUSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records: 99.03.21 (1) Trep; 14.04.26/05.05 (1) BB; 03.05.22 (1) Renews
Summer Records: 12 Records Prime Period: late July to early Sept; early July 10
Locations: CCPP, LB, Renews, CR, PCS, BC, Trep, Drook and BB
Fall Records: 19.09.22 (1) BC; 22.10.25 (1) Trep
Winter Record: One record CR/CBC; 4 records single birds (Jan 13 to Feb 20)
Locations: BC, Trep and LB

Black-headed Gull RV, VUS, USu, UF, VUW

Spring Records: 6 Records: April 5 to June 11
Locations: BB, Trep and SV
Summer Records: 13 Records; Prime Period: July 10 to July 31; early July 2, late Sept 11
Locations: PCS, Trep, BC, Renews, SV, SS,
Fall Records: 18 Records; Prime Period: Oct 15 to Nov 30; early Sept 25, late Dec 9
Locations: Primarily Trep, BB and PCS, a few records from DC, LB CR and Renews
Winter Records: Occasionally recorded (11 of 41) in small numbers (max. 3) on the CR/CBC;
8 other winter records (max 5),
Locations: BC, Renews and Trep
Note: Sightings increasing in recent years

Laughing Gull RV, VUS, USu, VUF

Spring Records: 7 Records: Prime Period: mid-May to mid-June; early May 1, late June 19
Locations: Cappa, Renews, BB, SS (Sod Farm), PCS, NWTrep, Trep
Summer Records: Many records; Prime Period: primarily month of July, occasional in Aug and early Sept; 19.09.12 max 5, CRR-Drook (hurricane-related)
Locations: Esp. SV, also LB, Drook, Renews, BC, PCS, and SS
Fall Records: 11 Records: Prime Period: late Sept and Oct, early Sept 25, late Nov 19
Locations: PCS, BB, CCPP, LB, CR
Never recorded on CR/CBC or in winter

Franklin's Gull A, RS, VUSu

Spring Record: 18.06.02 /09 (1) Adult Trep
Summer Records: 7 Records: Prime Period: late July to early Aug; early July 3, late Sept 12
Locations: Primarily SV, occasional LB, PCS and PR Common Gull A, RS, RSu, RF, RW Spring Record: 2 Records: 18.05.26 (1) NW Trep; 19.05.11/06.20 (1) 1st Su BB;
Summer Records: 2 Records: 17.06.22 (1) imm Trep; 2021.07.26 (1) Adult LB-Cape Race;
Fall Records: 2 Records: 07.09.27 (1) PCS; 07.11.16 (1) imm PCS;
Never recorded on the CR/CBC
Winter Record: 05.01.30 to 02.25 (1) Imm Trepassey; 17.01.28 (1) SV
Locations: all records on southern shore

Common Gull A, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Record: 2 Records: 18.05.26 (1) NW Trep; 19.05.11/06.20 (1) 1 st su BB;
Summer Records: 2 Records: 17.06.22 (1) imm Trep; 2021.07.26 (1) Adult LB-Cape Race;
Fall Records: 2 Records: 07.09.27 (1) PCS; 07.11.16 (1) imm PCS;
Never recorded on the CR/CBC
Winter Record: 05.01.30 to 02.25 (1) Imm Trepassey; 17.01.28 (1) SV
Locations: all records on southern shore

Ring-billed Gull* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: April 15 to Nov 30
Winter Records: one record of single bird on CR/CBC

American Herring Gull* PR, C

Permanent resident, common
Winter Records: Recorded every year CR/CBC (max. 398)

Yellow-legged Gull A, RSu

Summer Record: 06.08.06 (1) PCS

Great Black-backed Gull* PR, C

Permanent resident, common
Winter Records: Recorded every year CR/CBC (max.776)

Glaucous Gull CS, RSu, CF, CW

Spring Records: lingers into mid-April
Summer Records: Rarely in summer at Trep (may be a single bird returning)
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov. 10 to Apr 15
Winter Records: regular every year but two CR/CBC (max.65)

Lesser Black-backed Gull M, VUS, VUSu, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: 11 Records: Prime Period: late Apr to early May, records to early June
Locations: Primarily southern shore: CR, Drook PCS, BB, Trep and SS, also Renews
Summer Records: 9 Records: early July to early Sept, usually juveniles
Locations: Renews, Drook, Trep, and especially SV
Fall Records: 7 Records: late Oct and early Dec
Locations: CR, LB, Drook PCS and BB,
Winter Records: Five records on CR/CBC;
3 winter records (Dec 27 to Mar 19)
Locations SS, Renews and BC
Note: This species has become more common in recent years especially immature birds

Iceland Gull M, CS, VUSu, CF, CW

Spring Records: regular until mid-April
Summer: Occasional in summer
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov. 1 to April 1
Winter Records: regular every year CR/CBC (max. 654)

Black Skimmer, A, RF

Old Fall Record: 1958.09.30 Trep

Sooty Tern A, RF

Accidental: 05.10.18 (1) MPt (Dead)

Least Tern A, RSu

Summer Records: 4 Records: Two records mid-Sept; also June 19 and July 15-17
Locations: BC, DC, BB and SS

Gull-billed Tern A, RSu, RW

Summer Record: 03.07.09 (1) Renews
Fall Record: 05.11.01 (1) SV

Caspian Tern M, VUS, RSu

Spring Records: 7 Records: late Apr to mid-May, early Apr 24, late June 17
Locations: Especially NWTrep (tern colony) and SV, also SS, BB and PR
Summer Records : 5 Records between July 1 to 24
Locations: PCS, Trep. Renews, PR and especially SV
No known records after July 24

Black Tern RV, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Record: 21.06.10 (1) Renews
Summer Records: 14 Records; Prime Period: mid-July and mid-Sept, early July 5, late Sept 16
Locations: NETrep, Trep, NW Trep, WTrep, BC, CCPP, Renews, Drook, BB, SV
Fall Record: 19.09. 21 (1) BB

Forster's Tern A, RS, VUF, RW

Spring Record: 10.06.12 (1) Renews
Fall Records: 8 Records: Nov to mid-Dec; early Oct 31, late Dec 16
Locations: Renews, LB, BB, NWTrep, and Trep
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Arctic Tern* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 to Oct 20; early April 23, late: late Oct
See also Appendix F

Common Tern* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 20 to Oct 30

Roseate Tern A, RS, RS

Spring Record: 06.06.11 (1) Trep-Tern Rocks
Summer Records: 4 Records: 08.07.07 (1) Renews; 18.07.09 (1) BC, 18.07.17/20 (1) Trep and
NWTrep; 19.09.03/05 (1) Trep; 20.08.23/28 (2) Trep

Sandwich Tern A, RSu, RF, RW

Summer Records: 2 Records: 13.06.30 to 07.02 (1) Renews and 13.07.14 (1) SV; 16.07.27 (1) Renews and 16.07.28/29(1) SV
Fall Record: 05.11.02 (1) SV
Winter Record: 05.02.11 SV

Royal Tern A, RSu

Summer Records: 12.07.09 (2) SV; 16.07.22 (1) CR and 16.07.27 (1) Renews

GREBES

Pied-billed Grebe RV, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: 15.04.22 near CR; 15.04.25 (1) PR; winter lingering at Renews
Summer Record: 14.08.18/23 (1) PCS-Meadow Pond
Fall Records: 10+ Records: late Oct to early Dec, first Oct 2, late Dec 5
Locations: Renews, BB, Trep and PR
Winter Records: never recorded on CR/CBC;
Numerous records from Renews, rarely BB and Trep,

Horned Grebe M, US, RS, UF, UW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Oct 15 to Apr 15, early 23.09.13 (1) WTrep;
Winter Records: Occasional (9 of 41) in small numbers on the CR/CBC (max 6)
Irregular in winter, found mostly at Drook and BB, rarely Trep

Red-necked Grebe M, US, RSu, UF, UW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 15 to Apr 15
Summer Record: 17.09.15 Trep-Mutton Bay
Fall Record: Regular in fall at Drook and DC; high counts 18.11.10 (46) Drook, 14.12.14 (20) DC
Winter Records: Often present (30 of 41) on CR/CBC,

Eared Grebe A RF

Fall Record: 17.12.01/06 PR

LOONS

Red-throated Loon M, US, USu, CF, UW 

Average arrival and departure dates: Oct 15 to Apr 15
Spring Records: 3 Records: May 21 to June 2
Locations: BB and esp Trep.
Summer Records: small numbers throughout summer esp. Mutton Bay, Trepassey
Fall Records: regular in fall at Trep and other south shore bays, sometimes CCPP
Winter Records: Often winters (24 of 41) in very small numbers CR/CBCs (max. 13);
Other records in Jan and Feb at BB and Trep

Pacific Loon A, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: Single birds each winter at SV to PR, occasionally lingers to spring, latest 17.06.26 (1) SV
Fall Records: Single birds each winter 2014/15 to 2019/20 at SV and occasionally to PR, earliest area record 15.11.21 at nearby Point La Haye, earliest in area 16.12.03 (1) SV
Winter Records: Between 2014/15 to 2019/20 irregularly at SV
Never recorded on CR/CBC
Note: Exceptional new winter record: 25.02.16 (1) DC

Common Loon* PR, C

Year around resident
Regular in winter (max 60) CR/CBC

Yellow-billed Loon A, RS

Spring Record: Trepassey Harbour (1) 17.04.11/13
Note: In the spring of 2017massive slob ice offshore forced Common Loons (estimated at 500+) which normally feed in inshore winters about the south coast, to seek feeding opportunities in the large ice-free harbour of Trepassey

Special Note on Loons: Multiple year records of Pacific Loon in winter and the exceptional record of a Yellow-billed Loon in spring, combined with the regular presence of Common Loons and Red-throated Loons in most seasons adds to the exceptional nature of birding opportunities in all seasons

STORM-PETRELS

Wilson's Storm-Petrel M/OS, RS, RSu, RF 

Spring Record: 05.06.09 (1) DC
Summer Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: mid-July to early-Sept, late Sept 18 CR
Recording of this species follows a similar pattern to the shearwater migration
Locations: Cappa, DC, CR, PCS, BB, Trep and SS
**Note: This offshore species is rarely recorded inshore except during or after storm periods **

Leach’s Storm-Petrel* M/OS, RS, VUSu, VUF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 20 to Oct 20; early Apr 30, late Nov10;
Summer: Irregular in summer; this offshore species is rarely recorded inshore during the day except in small flocks during storm periods or periods of fog; high counts: 18.07.07 (37) SV, 12.09.12 (187) BB
Locations: South coast ponds, bays and barachois: CR, PCS, BB, Trep and SV

SHEARWATERS

Northern Fulmar M, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 13.04.24 off CR; 07.06.04 (7) offshore PCS,
Summer Records: Between early July and early Aug, late Aug 9;
Locations: coastal viewing sites from CR west to SS
Fall Records: 4 Records: Between Sept 28 and Nov 11; high count 05.10.25 (20) CR
All Fall records from CR
Never recorded on CR/CBC

Cory's Shearwater M, VUSu, VUF

Summer Records: 6 Records, all in recent years mostly from late July, early July 5; high count: 09.17 (40) PH; numbers tend to build as summer passes into fall
Locations: CR, DC, PH, SS
Fall Records: increasingly regular since 2022; Prime Period: mid-Sept to mid-Oct, late Oct 21, high count: 22.10,18 (150) SS
Locations: CR, LB, Drook, DC, SS and SV
Note: With climate change-related, warmer sea surface temperatures, this species is now regularly recorded along the south coast

Great Shearwater M, RS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Date: June 15 to Oct 15; Prime Period: late July to early Aug
Locations: BC, Cappa, CCPP and all south coast coastal viewing sites
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Sooty Shearwater M, RS, CSu, CF

Average Arrival and Departure Date: June 15 to Oct 15; Prime Period: late July to early Aug
Locations: BC, Cappa, CCPP and all south coast coastal viewing sites

Manx Shearwater M, CS, CSu, CF

Average Arrival and Departure Date: June 1 to Sept 30, early 21.05.09 (1) SS; high counts 98.07.06 (150) Drook and 08.08.24 (200) DC, late: to mid-Oct
Locations: southern shore coastal viewing sites: CR, Drook, DC, PH, SS and SV

BOOBIES & GANNETS

Northern Gannet M, CS, CS, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 1 to Sept 30
Winter Records: 3 records CR/CBC

Brown Booby A, RSu

Summer Records: 15.08.04 (1) LB; 23.07.08 (1) SV;
Note: Recently many more records from the whole south coast of Newfoundland including:
18.09.14 (1) ship off St John’s; 19.07.04 (1) North Sydney NS; 19.07.28 (1) Cape St. Marys (CSM); 19.08.12 (1) Offshore SE of CSM; 19.09.07 (1) St John’s Harbour; 20.09.13 (1) Burgeo; 22.06.12 (1) Burin Peninsula. The increasing recording of Brown Boobies may represent an attraction of increasing warm waters as opposed to tropical storm records in recent years from Atlantic Canada set out below

Notes: September is the key storm season that brings rare tropical seabirds to Atlantic Canada:

1). Hurricane in mid-Sept, 2019, brought a huge assortment of seabirds to Nova Scotia including: Black Skimmer, Bridled and Sooty Terns and a White-faced Storm-Petrel
2). 21.08.08 (1) Frigatebird recorded at Logy Bay, north Avalon
3). 21.09.13 Black-browed Albatross recorded off Labrador
4). 22.09.25 Nova Scotia rarities: W.T. Tropicbird (5); WF Storm-Petrel; Sooty Tern; Bridled Tern; Trinidad Petrel (3);Band-rumped Storm-Petrel; Frigatebird in Gulf of St Lawrence

CORMORANTS

Great Cormorant? M, US, VUSu, CF, CW

Spring Records: Lingers into Apr and May, high count 22.06.18 (4) MPt (in flight)
Locations: Renews, BC and southern shore coastal sites MPt, SV
Summer Records: Occasional in summer; see Ian Jones posting in note in bold italics below
20.06.04 Ian Jones noted both Cormorants nesting on sea stack at 3 Tier Waterfall, SE Peters River
Fall Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: Oct 1 to Mar 31
Winter Records: Since 2000 recorded most years on CR/CBC (max.15)
Closest confirmed nesting colony at Cape St Mary’s after which birds disperse into our area

Double-crested Cormorant* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 15 to Oct 31
Winter Records: 3 records CR/CBC (max 2)

IBISES, BITTERNS & HERONS

Glossy Ibis A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 04.04.29/05.03 (1) BB; 07.05.24/25 (1) PCS Pond; 
Summer Records: 12.07.16 (1) PCS Pond; 17.09.10 (1) CR
Fall Record: 20.10.16/18 (1) CR

American Bittern* M, US, USu, VUF

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 20 to Sept 20, Late : 20.10.12 (1) PCS
Locations: Probably nesting at wetlands at CCPP and PCS ponds, also possibly at difficult-to-access wetlands: CRR, Bar River (East Trep) and PR
This species appears to be in decline

Least Bittern A RS

Spring Record: 16.04.12 (1) PHR

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron A, VUSu

Summer Records: 7 Records: month of Aug to early Sept, early July 28, late Sept 11
Locations: primarily Renews, also recorded CRR-Cripple Cove, CRR, BB and SS

Black-crowned Night-Heron A, RSu, RF

Summer Record: 10.08.13 (1) SS, a probable record
Fall Record: 2 Records: dead birds in Trep 05.11.15 and 05.10.28 (1) PCS

Little Blue Heron A, RS

Spring Record: 2 Records: 16.06.10 (1) Renews; 21.06.08/09 (1) NWTrep/NWTrep (Daniels Pt)

Tri-coloured Heron A, RS

Spring Record: 13.06.17 (1) Renews

Snowy Egret A, VUS, RSu

Spring Records: 6 Records: Apr and May, early Mar 27, early June
Locations: CCPP, PCS, BB, Stadium Pond and Fannys Pond, Trep.
Summer Records: 3 Records: 99.06.30 (1) Trep Stadium Pond; 06.08.04 (1) Renews; 20.06.26 (1) PCS
Fall Records: None

Little Egret A, RS

Spring records: 15.05.23/24 (1) Renews; 00.05.26 to 00.06.12 (1) Trep Stadium Pond

Green Heron A, RSu, RF

Summer Records: 2 Records: 02.07.07 (1) SE River; 98.09.18/22 (1) Renews;
Fall Records: 2 Records: 00.10.08 (1) BC; 98.09.19/26 Renews

Western Cattle Egret A, RS, VUF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 10.04.30 (1) PCS; 10.05.02 (1) Renews & 10.05.03/15 (1) PCS; 18.05.18 (1) Trep Stadium Pond
Summer Records: None
Fall Records: 8 Records: month of Oct to early Nov, early 23.09.25 to 10.07 (1) Trep, late Nov 11;
Locations: Renews, LB, BB, Trep, SS and PR

Great Egret RV, VUS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring records: 10 Records: Month of April, early Mar 26, late May 6
Locations: Renews, BCPtR, LB, PCS, BB, Trep, SS
Summer records: 2 Records: 06.08.04 (1) Renews; 21.08.27 (1) Renews
Fall records: most records early Oct to early Nov; early Oct 4, late Dec 14
Locations: mostly southern shore sites
Winter Record: one record (two birds) CR/CBC

Grey Heron A, RF

Fall Record: 18.11.02/13 (1) Renews

Great Blue Heron A, VUS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 6 Records: month of Apr, early Mar 19, late May 6
Locations: LB, PCS, BB, Trep, SS
Summer Records: 2 Records: 12.08.24 to 09.07 (1) Renews; 03.07.09 (1) Renews
Fall Records: 3 Records: 06.11.05 (1) Trep Stadium Pond; 11.11.07 (1) LB; 18.09.23 (1) Route 10 south CCPP;
Winter Record: Never recorded on CR/CBC;
One winter record 22.02.23 (1) BB

PELICANS

American White Pelican A, RS, RSu

Spring Record: 12.05.30/31 (1) BB
Summer Record: 04.08.01 (1) CRR (in flight Bristol Cove area)

VULTURES

Turkey Vulture A, RW

Winter Record: 20.01.16 (1) BC

OSPREY

Osprey* M, CS, CSu, CF

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 20 to Sept 20

HAWKS & EAGLES

Golden Eagle A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 3 Records: 07.10.08 CRR east of LB; 22.11.08 (1) CR; 98.12.19 (1) CCPP
One record CR/CBC

Sharp-shinned Hawk* M, RS, USu, CF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records: 05.04.23 (1) BC; 11.05.01 (1) BB; 15.05.15 (1) Renews
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 15 to Oct 1
Locations: Noted mostly in migration on southern shore from CRR to WTrep Barrens and PR
Note: Likely nested at Renews south side
Winter Records: 5 records CR/CBC (max 7)

Northern Goshawk* M, RS, VUSu, UF, RW

Average Spring Arrival Date: Few records, month of Apr
Summer Records: occasional in summer; rough estimate of 3 breeding pairs:
Locations: South Cappa-CCPP, BB River Valley and Dorans Lane, WTrep
Fall Migration Arrival and Departure Dates: Aug 20 to mid Nov; Prime Period: Oct 5 to 20
Winter Records: 5 records of single birds CR/CBC
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Northern Harrier* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Date: Apr 20 to Oct 15; Prime Migration Period: mid-Sept
Along with the Merlin, the most common raptor in the area
Winter Records: 2 records CR/CBC

Bald Eagle* PR, U

Resident Status: Resident, some likely migrate
Breeding Pairs: rough estimate 5
Winter Records: Regular most years (34 of 41) in small numbers CR/CBC (max.18)
See also Annotated List of Breeding Birds

Swainson’s Hawk A, RSu, RF, RW

Summer Record: 11.09.19 (1) BCPtRd and 11.09.19 (1) CRR (assumed to be same bird)
Fall Records: 03.10.11 (1) CRR; 98.10.05 (1) CR
Winter Record: 19.01.18 (1) CRR

Red-tailed Hawk A, RS, RF, RW

Spring Records: 23.05.28 (1) Cappa; 21.05.28 (1) CRR-Drook
Fall Records: 07.10.23 (1) The Drook; 03.12.14 (1) MistakenPt;
Winter Records: Two records on CR/CBCs max (2)

Rough-legged Hawk* M, US, VUSu, UF, VUW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 15 to Nov 15
Summer Records: no longer breeding in area; spring birds migrate through the area
Recent Summer Record: 23.07.11 (1) West Trep Barrens (no evidence of nesting)
Fall Records: Prime Period: Oct and Nov; some records 23.12.10 (1) Route 10 near Bell Aliant Tower north of PCS; 89.09.04 (1) CRR; 07.10.23 (1) Drook;
Winter Records: Four records of single birds on CR/CBC; 
Occasional at Renews, PCS, BB and SV
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

OWLS

Snowy Owl I, US, RSu, UF, UW

Spring Records: Lingers and/or migrants on south shore barrens into Apr; late: rarely June
Summer Records: Occasionally lingers into very early summer, in one extreme case to late July
Locations: CRR, West Trep Barrens & SSR, PR
Winter Records: Irregular in small numbers some winters (20 or 41) CR/CBC, max. 39; major irruption in December 2013 brought about 300 to the southern shore

Great Horned Owl* PR, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: 2 Records: 14.05.06 (1) NWTrep (Daniel’s Point), 22.06.05 (1) hunting at dusk over marshes south of Cappa.
Summer Records: 3 Records: 23.08.01 (1) Renews; 13.09.20 (1) CCPP; 23.09.09 (1) CCPP
Fall Records: 10 Records: Prime Period: mid-Oct and Nov, early Oct 10, late Dec 8
Locations: primarily NWTrep (Daniel’s Point), also PH, WTrep, PCS, CCPP, in flight daytime over Route 10 S of Cappa, and Renews
Winter Records: 3 records CR/CBC, likely all CCPP max (3)
One record: 13.01.31 (1) BB
Note: Likely nesting at Daniel’s Pt, CCPP and Renews; calling period April-May

Northern Hawk Owl A, RF

Fall Record: 02.10.12 (1) CRR, 2 kms east of The Drook

Long-eared Owl A, RW

Winter Record: 13.02.23 (1) PCS

Short-eared Owl* M, US, USu, RF, RW

Spring: a few migrants pass through in Apr, very few stay to breed
Locations: CRR, CPR, SSR, WTrep Barrens
Summer: One-three migrant pairs remain to breed depending on vole population
Prime Breeding Locations: CRR Watern Cove River to CR and West Trepassey Barrens esp. CPR and SSR; in good vole years other territories appear to be: Route 10 (CCPP turnoff to PCS) and barrens between old SS Sod Farm area to Route 10 south of Sam's River
Fall Records: rarely noted in fall
Winter Records: occasional (5 of 41 years) CR/CBC, including one CW bird
Very occasional in winter on south coast barrens
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Boreal Owl A, RW

No Spring, Summer or Fall Records
Nesting status unknown; may have formerly bred; species in decline on Avalon replaced by NSW Owl
Winter Records: No records CR/CBC
3 other records: 05.01.10 (1) PCS; 11.02.03/05 (1) CR; 20.01.19 (1) NW Trep (Daniel’s Pt)
Note 1: recorded calling at Bauline, north Avalon, March 1st; used to be recorded at night on the Salmonier Line in spring; noted calling (2024) on June 9th in Clarenville area; sight observation mid-November at Lamanche Provincial Park
Note 2: Kevin Moore, Salmonier (Line) Nature Park, commentary: May 23, 1979
“This [Boreal Owl] was an uncommon bird in the park but still heard relatively often compared to anywhere else I've ever been. Since I worked and lived in the park 24/7 then I was there almost every night which likely made hearing the species seem more common than others would have.”

Northern Saw-whet Owl? V, RW

Spring Record: 22.04.04 (1) a dead bird just north PCS
Summer and Fall Records: None
Winter Records: Never recorded on the CR/CBC
9 other records: 7 records, most between Feb 17 and 26, early Jan 2
Locations: Cappa, Renews, BCPtRd, CR, PCS, BB, Trep, NWTrep
Note: Breeds on the Avalon south to at least LaManche PP; while very uncommon, the population is expanding

KINGFISHERS

Belted Kingfisher* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 20 to Oct 31
Winter Records: 4 records on CR/CBC

WOOOPECKERS

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker V, RS, VUF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 11.04.21 to 05.01 (2) NWTrep; 18.04.25 (1) Trep; 15.04.07 (1) NWTrep;
Fall Records: 7 Records: mostly between Oct 10 and 14, early Sept 25, late Oct 14
Locations: Renews, Cappa but mostly Trep area: Trep, PHR and WTrep

Red-bellied Woodpecker A, RF

Spring Record: 25.05.24 (1) WTrep
Fall Record: 21.11.05 (1) Renews-Dunne

Black-backed Woodpecker* PR, U

Spring, Summer, Fall: Resident best found BCPtR and CCPP
Winter Records: four records CR/CBC, max 2, likely CCPP
Key Locations: BCPtRd; BC, Cappa, Burnt Pit (S.Cappa), CCPP, rarely on southern shore
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Downy Woodpecker? A, RS, RS, RF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records: 12.06.14 (1) PH; 21.06.02 (2) Renews; 15.05.12 (1) Renews; 16.06.03 (1) CCPP
Summer Records: 4 Records: 12.09.03 (1) Trep; 14.08.30 (2) BCPtRd; ; 16.07.27 (1) WTrep; 21.09.13 (1) RenewsSS;
Note: If it does breed, mostly likely found BCPtRd-Renews area
Fall Records: 3 Records: 18.10.23 (1) CR; 22.10.15 (1) BC; 22.10.14 (2) Renews
Winter Records: one record on CR/CBC; also 18.01.20 (1) CCPP

Hairy Woodpecker* PR, RS, VUSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 05.05.25 (1) CCPP; 22.05.28 (1) CCPP
Summer Records: 6 Records: 08.07.01 (3) CCPP; 19.08.25 (1) NWTrep; 18.06.24 (1); 15.09.04 (1) BC; 16.06.09 (1) WTrep; 24.06.26 (1) NWTrep;
Note: has bred at CCPP; may sometimes breed at NW or WTrep.
Fall Records: 4 Records: 09.09.28 (1) BC; 11.11.01 (1) Cappa; 14.12.06 (1) Renews; 23.11.02 (1) Drook;
Winter Records: five records (max. 2) on CR/CBC, also 16.02.16 (1) West Trep; Northern Flicker * M, CS, CSu, CF, VUW Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 15 and Oct 10 Winter Records: 9 records (max. 5) CR/CBC 
Note: the most common woodpecker in the area

FALCONS

American Kestrel M, US, VUSu, UF, UW

Spring Records: Lots: Mar 22 to May 27; Prime Period: mid-Apr to early May
Summer to Fall Records: Lots: Sept 15 to Nov 30
Locations: largely southern shore SS to CR
Winter Records: 13 records (max. 3) CR/CBC; also 21.01.11 (2) SS

Merlin* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 15 to Oct 15
Note: 89.09.04 (17) CRR suggests time of major migratory movement
Breeding Pairs: widespread, nests in most wooded valleys
Winter Records: 3 records of single birds CR/CBC
See also Appendix F

Gyrfalcon RV, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring records: Occasional on northern migration: Prime Period: mid-Mar to mid-April;
Locations: southern shore especially CRR
Summer Record: 19.06.28/30 (1) Brown phase SSR
Note: 19.02.17 (1) Brown morph, LB, and 19.04.27 (1) Brown morph CP, combined with the summer record suggests this may be a single bird which overwintered
Fall Records: Occasional in fall migration: Oct 15 to Dec 1
Winter Records: two records of single birds on CR/CBC; wide-ranging and probably present some winters; other records: 18.03.17 (1) SS; 21.01.13 (1) Gray phase Sam's River;
Locations: southern shore: SS to CR

Peregrine Falcon? M, VUS, VUSu, UF, VUW

Spring Records: 9 Records: Prime Migratory Period: mid-Apr to early May; early Apr 4
All southern shore SS to CR, esp CP and CRR;
Summer Records: 6 Records: Occasional in late June through Aug
Breeding Status: Uncertain, likely occasional nester at remote coastal locations on southern shore;
based on records: CRR/CR, north of CR (Cliff Doran); most likely, Arnold’s Cove (Cape Pine)
Fall Records: Migration Dates: Aug 30 to Dec 1; Prime Period: mid-Oct; noteworthy 00.10.21 (2) LB
Locations: southern shore esp CRR
Winter Records: 9 records (max. 2) CR/CBC; also 19.03.04 (1) SS; 09.03.06 (1) CR; 06.03.16 (1) CR;

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS

Olive-sided Flycatcher A, RS, RSu

Spring Records: 3 Records: all between June 10 to 18
Locations: CCR, CR, BCPtRd
Summer Record: 16.08.09 (1) BB
Fall Records: None

Eastern Wood-Pewee A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 19.05.31 (1) BB; 20.06.05/06 (1) PHR; 15.06.01 (1) Renews
Summer Records: 3 Records: 15.08.17 (1) CTR-Thimble Cove; 08.09.14 (1) BCPtRd; 22.09.09 (1) CTR-Thimble Cove
Fall Record: 23.10.22 (1) PHR

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher* M, CS, CSu, UF

Arrival and Departure Dates: June 5 to mid-Sept; Early May 29, late Sept 30
Note: Major migratory movement in late August

Alder Flycatcher? M, RS VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 11.06.17 (1) CR; 20.05.31 (1) PHR; 24.05.12 (1) CTR-Thimble Cove
Summer Records: 12 Records: 9 in late summer likely migrants: Prime Period: Aug 27 to Sept 14, early Aug 12
Locations: BCPtRd, Renews, BC, Cappa, PHR, NWTrep
Breeding Status: 3 possible records 05.06.23 (1) PHR; 12.06.29 (1) BB; 22.07.12 (1) Trep-Fannys Pond alders suggesting rare nesting in alders at BB, Trep and PHR
Rare breeder since unlikely to be missed, as not calls in early breeding period
Fall Record: 17.10.05 (1) CRR
Notes: Likely under-recorded in spring and fall migrations when not vocal; known to breed south to Lamanche PP

Least Flycatcher A, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 08.05.31 (1) CR; 14.06.13 (1) CR
Summer Records: 8 Records: Prime Migratory Period: early to mid-Sept, early Sept 2
Locations: BCPtRd, BC, CRR, CTR-Thimble Cove
Note: an outlier record: 22.07.04 (1) CCPP
Fall Records: 5 Records: Prime Period: Sept 25 to Oct 7; late Nov 12
Locations: Renews, BC, BCPit; BCPtRd and CRR

Eastern Phoebe A, RS, RF

Spring Records: 10.05.05 (1) Renews; 20.05.30 (1) CTR-Thimble
Fall Record: 20.11.10 (1) BC

Great Crested Flycatcher A, VUF

Spring Record: None
Fall Records: 7 Records: Prime Time: Oct 4 to 25, early Sept 20, late Oct 30
Locations: All records BC and Cappa, except one, Trep

Western Kingbird V, RS, VUF

Spring Record: 15.04.02 (1) Trep
Fall Records: Prime Period: Oct 20 to Nov 7, early Oct 12, late Nov 19
Locations: Renews, BC, Cappa, CCPP, BB, Trep, WTrep and, esp NWTrep

Eastern Kingbird RV, VUS, VUSu, VUF 

Spring Records: 11 Records: Prime Period: May 20 to early June, early May 13, late June 12
Locations: Renews, esp BC, Cappa, CCPP, Drook, LB, BB, NETrep, NWTrep
Summer and Fall records: Numerous. Prime Period: Month of September, early July 5, late Oct 22 Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC, Trep, NWTrep
Note: This species has a particular affinity to BC

Fork-tailed Flycatcher A, RSu, RF

Summer Record: 06.07.08/9 (1) MPt
Fall Records: 11.10.11/25 (1) Renews; 22.10.01 (1) BB east side gravel pit)

Note: Dave Brown says early October good for Fork and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers; Ash-throated Flycatcher recorded at Ferryland on 09.11.04, also Codroy, western NF on 21.08.30

VIREOS

White-eyed Vireo RV, RS, RS, VUF

Spring Record: 20.05.29 (1) PHR
Summer Record: 93.09.18 (1) BCPit;
Fall Records: Prime Period: Mid to late Oct; early Sept 24, late Dec 4
Locations: BCPtR, BC, Capp, Thimble Cove, CRR, CR, PH, PHR, WTrep

Yellow-throated Vireo A, RSu, VUF

Fall Records: 7 Records: Prime Period: Sept 20 to Oct 15, early Sept 14, late Nov 4
Locations: all records confined to BCPtR, Renews, BC and Cappa

Blue-headed Vireo M, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: 4 Records: all between May 23 and 29
Locations: Cappa, Trep and PHR
Summer Record: 12.08.30 (1) BCPtRd
Fall Records: Prime Period: Sept 25 to Oct 15, early Sept 19, late Nov 13
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, SS, esp BC and Cappa, CRR, PHR and WTrep
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC; other records: 18.01.20 (1) WTrep
Note: On the Avalon breeds south to at least Cape Broyle, probably further

Philadelphia Vireo RV, RSu, VUF

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: 5 Records: earliest Sept 14, but numbers revealing 11.09.18 (3) BCPtRd/BC and 11.09.19 (5) BCPtRd/BC; this suggests strong early connection with that area
Fall Records: 20+ Records: Prime Period: strong late summer carry over from Sept 21 to Oct 15, late Oct 26
Locations: BCPtR, BC, Cappa, CRR tuc, PCS, Trep, PHR, WTrep

Warbling Vireo RV, VUSu, UF

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: Average arrival: Sept 10 to 15, early Sept 5
Locations: BCPtR, BC, CCPP
Fall Records: Many. Prime Period: late Sept to mid-Oct, latest Nov 5
Locations: Primarily BCPtR, BC, and Cappa, also Renews, PHR and WTrep

Red-eyed Vireo M, RS, USu, CF

Spring Record: 19.06.18 (1) NWTrep
Fall Arrival and Departure Dates: Prime Period: Sept 5 to Oct 20, early Aug 20, late Nov 10
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC, Cappa, MPt, PHR, WTrep

SHRIKES

Northern Shrike I, VUS, VUF, UW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 15 to Mar 15, early Oct 20, late: early Apr
Locations: Renews and southern shore esp BB, NWTrep and WTrep
Winter Records: 11 records (max. 5) CR/CBC

JAYS & CROWS

Canada Jay* PR, U

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: uncommon but regular in appropriate habitat
Winter Records: recorded some winters (18 of 41) on CR/CBC, no record if CCPP not covered
Locations: Primarily BCPtR, CCPP and NWTrep
See also Appendix F

Blue Jay* PR and M; CS, CSu, CF, VUW

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: common resident
Notable fall migration records: 22.10.21 (14) CRR-Cripple and 24.09.30 (25) PCS
Winter Records: 10 records on CR/CBC; (max. 2) not recorded prior to 2000
Likely to be more regular with presence of bird feeders

American Crow* PR C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: common resident
Winter Records: recorded every year (max. 66) on CR/CBC

Common Raven* PR C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: common resident
Winter Records: recorded every year (max.38) on CR/CBC
Note: numbers have declined since the closure of most local dumps

CHICKADEES

Black-capped Chickadee* PR, C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: common resident
Winter Records: Fairly regularly recorded (27 of 41) CR/CBCs; max. (22)

Boreal Chickadee* PR, C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: common resident
Winter Records: recorded on all but one CR/CBCs; max (70)
See also Appendix F

LARKS

Horned Lark* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Mar 15 to Nov 15
Winter Records: 10 records on CR/CBC; less frequently recorded since 1994, once since 2006
Note: Present in small numbers in suitable habitats such as CRR and CPR, but in decline in recent years.

MARTINS & SWALLOWS

Bank Swallow M, VUS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 11 Records: Prime Period: early May to early June, early May 5, late June 12
Locations: Renews, but primarily southern shore: SV, SS, Trep, BB, PCS, CRR and CR
Summer Records: 6 Records: Prime Period: mid-Aug to mid-Sept, early Aug 15;
high count: 10.08.15 (20) SS
Locations: CR, CRR, Trep and SS
Fall Records: 3 late single migrants in Oct
Locations: BC, CRR and PCS

Tree Swallow* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 7 to Oct 15
Note: The only regularly nesting swallow in our area; single pairs nest each year in local bird houses at PR, SS, Trep, PCS and Renews

Purple Martin V, VUS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 7 Records: Early May to early June, early Apr 11, late June 21
Locations: CRR, CR, PCS and SS
Summer Records: 4 Records: Prime Period: Sept 10 to 20, early Aug 7
Locations: Renews, Trep and SV
Fall Records: 05.09.26 (2) CR; 13.10.14 (1) CR

Northern Rough-winged Swallow A, RF

Fall Record: 05.10.27/8 (1) LB

Barn Swallow* M, US, VUSu, UF

Spring Records: Lots: Prime Period: May to early June; early Apr 21 Renews
Locations: Renews but mostly southern shore: CRR, PCS, BB
Summer Records: very irregular nester; SS and Trep; Max:19.09.14 (25) Trep
Fall: Many records: Prime Period: Oct 1 to Nov 10, late Dec 4

Cliff Swallow M, RS, VUSu, UF

Spring Records: 5 Records: May 20 to very early June, early May 14, late June 4
Locations: CR, CRR, PCS and BB
Summer Records: 6 Records: migratory period from late Aug, early Aug 17, max 23.09.20 (10) SSR
Locations: Renews, BC, CR, CRR, Trep, SS and SV
Fall Records: Many records: Prime Period: Sept 21 to mid-Oct, late: late Oct; high counts 15.09.26 (16) SS and 24.10.26 (14) Cappa.
Locations: Renews and southern shore locations CR, CRR, PCS, Trep, WTrep and SS

Cave Swallow A, RF

Accidental: 08.11.13 (1) LB

KINGLETS

Ruby-crowned Kinglet* PR, US, USu, UF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 25 to Oct 15; early Apr 22, late Nov 27
Breeding Status: very uncommon breeder
Fall Records: Prime Period: migration in the month of Oct
Locations: BCPtR, Renews
Winter Record: one record on the CR/CBC

Golden-crowned Kinglet* PR, C

Spring, Summer and Fall: regular in suitable habitat
Winter: recorded almost every year but three CR/CBC max (41)

NUTHATCHES

Red-breasted Nuthatch M, RS, VUSu, UF, VUW

Spring Records: Rarely recorded in spring
Summer Records: Late summer migrant; max: 22.08.29 (10) BCPtRd
Breeding Status: Breeding north Avalon south to Lamanche PP
Fall Records: Scattered records from Sept to Nov
Winter Records: 7 records CR/CBC max (10)

CREEPERS

Brown Creeper M, RSu, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: 16.09.14 (1) Cappa; 15.09.20 (1) Renews
Note: Breeds off Avalon
Fall Records: 7 records; between Oct 14 and Dec 20
Locations: Renews, BCPtRd, CCPP, and NWTrep
Winter Records: 8 records CR/CBC max (3); records likely CCPP

GNATCATCHERS

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher V, RSu. RF

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: most records between Sept 7 and Sept 20
Fall Records: a few records to Oct 24
Locations: most migratory records BCPtRd and BC, a few CRR and WTrep

WRENS

Northern House Wren A, RF

Spring and Summer Records: None
Fall Records: 3 Records: between Oct 5 and 9
Locations: BCPtR, Renews and CTR-Thimble Cove

Winter Wren M, RS, RF

Spring Records: 2 Records: 05.05.09 (1) north of PCS; 05.06.06 (1) CCPP
Summer Records: None
Note: Nests occasionally on lower Salmonier Line, but not widespread on the north Avalon
Fall Records: 5 Records: between Sept 23 and Oct 18
Locations: BCPtR, BC, PHR and NETrep (Miller’s Pond)
Winter Records: one record on the CR/CBC

Marsh Wren A, VUF

Fall Records: 6 Records: Prime Period: Oct 8 to 24, early Sept 29, late Nov 26
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, Cappa and LB

STARLINGS

European Starling* PR, C

Spring, Summer, Fall Records: common resident
Winter Records: recorded mostly in flocks every year since 1996 CR/CBC, max (479);
previous to 1996 not recorded every year

MOCKINGBIRDS & THRASHERS

Gray Catbird*M, US, USu, VUF

Spring Records: 13 Records: Prime Period: late Apr to late May
Locations: BCPtR, CR, CRR, PHR, NWTrep, WTrep, SS, PR
Summer Records: more likely to be recorded in late June and late Aug-Sept
Breeding Status; nesting Cappa and NWTrep; probably nesting BCPtR, PHR and WTrep;
movement into the area and nesting is a recent development over last 20 years; as a result seasonal status is changing
Locations: BCPtR, Cappa, LB, NWTrep, PR
Fall Records: 11 Records: between Sept 24 and Nov 8
Locations: BC, Cappa, CRR, BB, PHR, NWTrep,
Winter Records; Never recorded on CR/CBC

Brown Thrasher A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 4 Records: between Oct 10 and Nov 11
Locations: CR, CRR, PHR and NWTrep
Winter Record: 00.01.02 (1) Renews

Northern Mockingbird? PR, VUS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring records: 6 Records: all between May 24 and June 14
Locations: Renews, BC, CR, CRR
Summer Records: 17.09.15 (1) Trep; 00.09.20 (1) BC
Fall Records: 5 Records: all Renews townsite between Oct 10 and Dec 7
Winter: 4 Records: all Renews between Dec 30 and Feb 27
Note: Records suggest occasional migrants, but the attraction to Renews is obvious, and it is possible this species may nest there

THRUSHES

Varied Thrush A, RS, RW

Spring Record: 10.05.01 (1) CR
Summer and Fall Records: None
Winter Records: Never recorded on the CR/CBC;
other records 06.01.04 /29(1) Renews; 17.01.23 (1) Renews

Veery V, VUS, RF

Spring Records: 7 Records: 6 between Apr 29 and May 8; out lyer 05.06.06 (1) CCPP
Other Locations: CR, SS and esp PHR; high count 10.04.29 (3) PHR
Fall Record: 23.10.18 (1) PHR
Note: Surprising connection between Veery (and other thrushes) and PHR in migration

Gray-cheeked Thrush M, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Records: 5 Records: 4 between Apr 30 and May 11; outlier 99.06.18 (1) CCPP
Other Locations: CR, CRR, PCS, PHR
Summer Records: 5 Records: 4 between Aug 17 and Sept 19; out lyer 93.07.18 (1) CCPP
Other Locations: BCPtR, Renews, CR, BB
Fall Records: 10.10.20 (1) CR; 24.09.19 (1) CR;
Note: older records suggest that GC Thrush may have nested in the past at CCPP; today they nest on the Avalon south to the Brigus South area

Swainson's Thrush V, RS, RSu, VUF

Spring Records: 5 Records: 4 between May 25 and 28; early May 8 PHR
Locations: BC (singing), CCPP (singing), PHR and WTrep
Summer Record: 90.07.08 (1) CCPP
Breeding: This species appears to nest on the Salmonier Line
Fall Records: 6 Records: 4 between Sept 24 and Oct 4; 2 outliers Oct 21 and Oct 30
Locations: BCPtR, CRR, PHR, WTrep

Hermit Thrush* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 to October 24
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

Redwing A, RSu, RF, RW

Summer Record: 12,08.24 (1) NWTrep (Daniel’s Point)
Fall Record: 09.10.02 (1) CR
Winter Records: Never recorded on the CR/CBC;
4 records between Jan 13 and Feb 7; the Feb 7th bird remained until March 3
Locations: Renews, CRR-Cripple Cove , PCS (2), WTrep-Dorans Lane
**Note: Single birds very occasionally found in Robin flocks from mid to late December in St John’s **

American Robin* M, CS, CSu, CF, UW

Arrival and Departure Dates: April 15 to December 1
Winter Records: recorded some years (20 of 41) CR/CBC max (155)
Note: Influx of males in late Jan and Feb at PCS, then re-appearing in spring

OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS

Northern Wheatear * RV, VUS, RSu, VUF

Spring Records: 7 Records: all between May 5 and 26; high count 01.05.26 (4) LB
Locations: BC, esp CRR, also PCS, BB and PHR
Summer Records: Cape Pine successful nesting with 6 young to July 28; also late summer record 94.09.03 (1) LB
Fall Records: many records Prime Period: Sept 20 to Oct 15; early Sept 9, late to mid-Nov
Locations: Renews, esp. CRR, also Trep, PHR and SS

WAXWINGS

Bohemian Waxwing M, I, VUS, RSu, VUF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 15 to mid Mar; early: late Oct; late: mid-Apr;
extreme outlier 99.08.19 (2) BC
Locations: Renews, Cappa, CRR, WTrep
Winter Records: 4 records CR/CBC, none since 2006; max (190)

Cedar Waxwing? I, US, USu, UF

Arrival and Departure Dates: mid-May to mid-Sept
Likely occasionally nests but breeding status unknown
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC

OLD WORLD SPARROWS

House Sparrow* PR, C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: Resident in Renews, PCS, BB and Trep
Winter Records: regular since 2009 (13 of 41 years) CR/CBC; spreading from the Trep area

WAGTAILS & PIPITS

White Wagtail A, RS

Summer Record: 98.09.14 /15 (1) Renews

American Pipit* PR, CS, CSu, CF, UW

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 10 to Oct 20;
max migration period at southern shore coastal sites in late Aug and early Sept
Winter Records: more consistently recorded since 1999, recorded (32 of 41 years) CR/CBC; max (70)
**Note: most commonly found on rocky coastal headlands **

FINCHES

Note on the Finches:

With the exception of the American Goldfinch, whose population has expanded over the last 20+ years, most finch species on the southern Avalon have undergone population declines as evidenced from records from nf.birds, eBird and the CR Christmas Bird Counts. This phenomenon, discussed for each species below, is more apparent in all seasons on the southern shore than in the Renews-Cappahayden area.

Larger patches of Boreal habitat in the northern parts of the SE Avalon may account for the presence of seed-eating Boreal finches there over the extensive barrens on the southern shore. It is also possible that the warmer year-around temperatures recorded on the southern shore, influenced by the creeping presence of Gulf Stream waters, might have less impact on temperatures in east coast areas more influenced by the Labrador current.

Brambling A, RS

Spring Record: 22.04.18/28 (1) Renews-Dunne and Brazils Lane

Evening Grosbeak I, RF, RW

Spring and Summer Records: No known records
Fall Record: 18.10.27 (6) Trep
Winter Records: Recorded 8 of 41 years CR/CBC; max (135); only once since 2002
The CBC records indicate that since the late 1980s this irruptive species is now an infrequent visitor to the southern shore but recorded in the Renews area between mid-Oct and late Jan

Pine Grosbeak* PR U

Spring, Summer and Fall: Resident but population appears in decline on southern shore; more likely found Renews area in all seasons
Winter Records: recorded almost every year (33 of 41) CR/CBC; max (32); since 1997 regular double-digit numbers wintering in the count area have dropped to single digits except for one year
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Purple Finch* I, U

Spring, Summer and Fall: Resident, more common in Renews-Cappa area in all seasons than on southern shore
Winter Records: Recorded infrequently (7 of 41 years) CR/CBC, max (7)

Common Redpoll M, I, US, UF, UW

Spring Records: may linger occasionally to early May
Summer Records: Pre 2000 Burrows suggests Common Redpoll may have nested at CCPP
Arrival and Departure Dates: Nov 10 to April 10
Winter Records: recorded some winters (19 of 41) CR/CBCs, max (350)

Hoary Redpoll A, I, RS, RF, RW

Spring Record: 08.04.04 (1) PCS
Fall Record: 10.10.27 (1) PCS
Winter Records: 3 records CR/CBC; 4 other records between Jan 17 and Mar 10
Locations: PCS, CRR and BB

Red Crossbill* I, VU

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: Irruptive resident which occasionally nests; more frequently recorded in all seasons from BCPtR, Renews and CCPP than from the southern shore
Note: While not normally a patron of bird feeders both adult and juvenile Red Crossbills have been reported at the Dunne feeder in Renews. Larger patches of boreal habitat in the northern parts of the SE Avalon may account for their presence over the extensive barrens on the southern shore.
Winter Records: Recorded 7 of 41 years CR/CBC; max (26)
Call notes sometimes identical to White-wing so look for wing pattern to be sure

White-winged Crossbill? I, U

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: Irruptive resident which likely occasionally nests; more frequently recorded in all seasons from BCPtR, Renews and CCPP than from the southern shore. Larger patches of boreal habitat in the northern parts of the SE Avalon may account for their presence over the extensive barrens on the southern shore.
Winter Records: Recorded 16 of 41 years CR/CBC, max (221)
See Annotated Breeding Land Bird Checklist

Pine Siskin* I, VU

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: Irruptive resident which occasionally nests; more frequently recorded in all seasons from BCPtR, Renews and CCPP than from the southern shore
Winter Records: Recorded 5 or 41 years CR/CBC; max (111); not recorded since 2004

American Goldfinch* PR, C

Winter Records: not recorded prior to 1996; recorded most years since 1996 (max. 102)
Note: The CBC records support evidence that the permanent spread of Goldfinches into the south Avalon is a recent development. It seems unlikely that the spread of this bird would have any impact on the decline of other finches. The year-around warming temperatures in the south Avalon likely benefits this species.

LONGSPURS & BUNTINGS

Lapland Longspur M, I, RS, VUF, VUW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Oct 15 to Feb 15; early Sept 13, late Feb 28 ; high count 21.11.18 (60) CRR-LB area
Winter Records: 8 records CR/CBC, max (3)
Locations: Mostly recorded on the CRR often with Snow Buntings

Snow Bunting M, CS, RSu, CF, CW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Oct 15 to Mar 30; early Aug 25, late Apr 14
Winter Records: recorded in flocks every year but one CR/CBC, max (25)
Locations: Mostly recorded on the southern shore barrens such as on the CRR and Wtrep Barrens

NEW WORLD SPARROWS

Grasshopper Sparrow RV, VUF, RW

Spring and Summer Records: None
Fall Records: Many records: Prime Period: late Oct to early Dec; early Oct 4
Locations: Renews, CR, CRR, CTR-Thimble Cove, LB, SS
Winter Records: Recorded 2 of 41 years CR/CBC;
3 other records between Dec 29 to March 2
Locations: Renews, CR and BB

Chipping Sparrow RV, RS, RSu, UF

Spring Records: 4 Records: 3 between May 30 and June 2; late June 18
Locations: Renews, Cappa and CR
Summer Records: 4 Records: between Aug 24 and Sept 9
Locations: BCPtR, BC and CR
Fall Records: Numerous: Prime Period: late Sept to mid Nov; latest Nov 30;
Locations: BCPtR, CR, esp CTR-Thimble Cove, LB, also PH, PHR; also feeders
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC

Clay-colored Sparrow V, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: 2 Records: 18.04.08 (1) Trep over- winter; 11.05.14 (1) WTrep
Summer Record: 14.09.06 SS
Fall Records: Many Records: Prime Period: late Sept to early Nov;
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC, CR, CTR-Thimble & Cripple Tuc, PCS, Trep, PHR, SS
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC
Two records between early Jan to Mar 19
Locations: Feeders at Renews and Trep

Field Sparrow A, RF

Fall Records: 2 Records: 05.10.10 (1) CRR-Northern Radar; 09.11.02 (1) BCPtRd

Lark Sparrow RV, USu, UF, RW

Summer Records: Most years from early Sept; early Aug 20
Fall Records: Many Records: Prime Period: Month of Sept; occasional into early Nov
Locations: widespread in open areas about Renews-Cappa and along south coast
Winter Records: one record on the CR/CBC
Other records: recorded at Renews on at least one Ferryland CBC

American Tree Sparrow M, RS, RSu, VUF, VUW

Spring Record: 20.05.29 (1) PHR
Summer Record: 01.09.20 (1) BCPtRd
Fall Records: Many records: Prime Period: Oct 31 to Dec 20
Locations: CR, PCS, BB, PHR and NWTrep
Winter Records: 5 records on the CR/CBC;
Other winter record: 25.02.17 (2) PCS
Average departure date: mid-Feb

Fox Sparrow* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Late Mar to Oct 30
Winter Records: 5 records CR/CBC. Max (2)
See also Appendix F

Dark-eyed Junco* PR, C

Spring, Summer and Fall: Common resident and partial migrant
Winter Records: recorded most years (38 of 41) CR/CBC; max (326)
Increasing numbers since the late 1990s

White-crowned Sparrow M, VUS, VUF, RW

Spring Records: A few records between May 9 and June 7
Locations: Renews, BC, CR and SS
Fall Records: Prime Period: Oct to mid-Nov; early Sept 20
Locations: BCPtRd, CTR-Thimble & Cripple Tuc, PHR
Winter Records: one record: on the CR/CBC

Golden-crowned Sparrow A, RF

Fall Records: 3 Records: between Oct 30 to Dec 13; all Renews including Cutler

Harris’s Sparrow A, RF

Fall Record: 16.10.08 (1) Renews

White-throated Sparrow* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 30 to Nov 30
Winter Records: 9 records CR/CBC, max (8);
Despite moderating winter temperatures, no CBC records since 2008
One recent winter record: 23.01.25 (1) PCS

Vesper Sparrow A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 3 Records: Between Sept 3 and Nov 12
Locations: Renews and esp CR
Winter Record: Never recorded on CR/CBC
One record at Renews between Dec 29 and Jan 8

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow V, RSu, VUF

Summer Record: 07.09.15 (1) Renews
Fall Records: 10 Records: Prime Period: Month of Oct, late 21.11.03 (1) Trepassey Beach-west end
Other locations: primarily LB, also Renews (Boat Cove Rd), CR, PCS, BB and SS

Savannah Sparrow* M, CS, CSu, CF, UW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 10 and Oct 31
Winter Records: Fairly regular (22 of 41) in small numbers CR/CBC, max (10)

Ipswich (Savannah) Sparrow V, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 3 Records: Between Apr 3 and 18
Locations: CR (overwintering), LB and Drook;
Summer Record: 12.07.22 (1) CP
Fall Records: 5 Records: 4 between Oct 15 and Nov 3; one 10.12.05 to 11.01.15 (1) LB
Other Locations: Renews, CR, CRR and BB
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC
Other records: 16.01.26 to 16.04.03 CR; 02.02.10 to 02.03.02 (1) BB

Song Sparrow* PR C

Spring, Summer and Fall Records: Permanent resident
Winter Records: Recorded 16 of 41 years on CR/CBC; max (9);
Recorded every year since 2006; this population has expanded significantly from one or two pioneering nesting pairs in Trepassey from at least 2003

Lincoln's Sparrow M, RS, RSu, VUF, VUW

Spring Records: 5 Records: 4 between May 25 and 30; early May 7
Locations: mostly CR, also BCPtR and Drook
**Note: This species nests rarely on the Avalon **
Summer Records: 4 Records: 3 early migrants between Aug 28 and Sept 7; one Sept 20
Locations: BCPtR, BC, PHR
Fall Records: Many Records: Prime Period: mid-Oct to late Nov
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC, Cappa, CR, CTR-Thimble Cove,, PHR, WTrep, SS
Winter Records: six records CR/CBC, max (4);
3 other records between Dec 23 to Jan 24
Locations: BB and Trep

Swamp Sparrow* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: Apr 30 to Nov 15
Winter Records: 5 records CR/CBC, max (2)

Eastern Towhee A, RF, RW

Fall Records: 3 Records: 16.11.26 (1) Cappa; 18.12.08 to 19.01.08 (1) Renews-Cutler; 95.11.25 (1) Renews
Winter Records: one record CR/CBC;
One other record Renews and BB, possibly the same bird

Yellow-breasted Chat RV, VUSu, VUF, RW

Arrival and Departure: Almost every year: Prime Period: Sept 15 to Oct 15; early Sept 1, late Dec 14
Locations: Widespread: BCPtR, Renews, BC, Cappa, CCPP, CR, CTR-Thimble, Cripple & LB, PCS, PHR, WTrep
Winter Record: one record CR/CBC

NEW WORLD BLACKBIRDS

Yellow-headed Blackbird A, VUSu; RF

Summer Records: 6 Records: Between Aug 30 and Sept 19
Locations: Renews, Cappa, CR, LB, PCS and Trep
Fall Records: 3 Records: 14.09.29 (1) CRR; 12.10.10/12 (2) PCS; 98.10.21/22 (1) Renews
Winter Records: None

Bobolink RV, VUS, VUSu, UF

Spring Records: 6 Records: Between May 22 and June 11
Locations: Renews, Cappa, CR, PCS, Trep and SS
Summer Records: Numerous Records: From early Sept on; early 07.07.12
Locations: BCPt, Renews and southern shore
Fall Records: Recorded most years: Sept and Oct , latest Nov 5
Locations: Renews, Cappa and southern shore

Western Meadowlark, A, RS

Spring Records: 17.05.31 CR’ 25.05.16 (1) CR

Eastern Meadowlark A, RS, RSu, RF

Spring Record: 17.05.3/06.01 (1) CR
Summer Record: 11.09.11 (1) Cripple & CR;
Fall Records: 2 Records: 06.10.03 (1) MPt, 06.10.06 (1) PCS and 06.10.22/28 (1) CR; 18.11.11 (1) LB; 2006 records likely a single bird
Winter Records: one record on the CR/CBC

Orchard Oriole A, RSu

Summer Records: 3 Records: Between Aug 25 and Sept 26
Locations: Renews, BC and Cappa

Baltimore Oriole RV RS, VUSu, UF

Spring Records: 2 Records: 10.05.05 (1) Renews; 12.05.31 (1) Trep
Fall Records: Average Arrival and Departure Dates: Prime Period: mid-Sept, Oct to early Nov;
early Sept 6, late Dec 4; high count: 21.10.03 (7) Cappa
Locations: Renews, Cappa and PHR
Winter: a single bird at Dunne feeder in Renews to 25.01.04

Red-winged Blackbird VUV, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: 8 Records: 7 between May 17 and June 8, one June 20
Locations: Renews, CR, PCS, BB, Trep and NETrep
Summer Records: 5 Records: All between Aug 12 and 23
Locations: all southern shore: CR, CRR and esp LB
Fall Records: Many: Prime Period: late Oct to early Dec
Locations: Renews, Cappa and southern shore
Winter Records No records CR/CBC
Rare in winter at feeders in Renews, PCS and Trepassey

Brown-headed Cowbird RV, RS, VUSu, VUF

Spring Records: 5 Records: 4 between Apr 18 and May 14; one May 23
Locations: Renews, Cappa, PCS, Trep, NWTrep
Summer Records: 7 Records: 6 between Aug 30 and Sept 17; outlier 06.07.10 (1) CR
Locations: CR, LB, PCS and Trep
Fall Records: 8 Records: Late Sept, Oct to mid-Nov; late Dec 6
Locations: mostly Renews, also PCS and Trep
Winter Records: None

Rusty Blackbird V, RS, RSu, RF, RW

Spring Records: 2 Records: 10.04.26/27 (1) CTR-Thimble,; 14.05.03 (1) Cappa
Summer Record: 3 Records: all between July 5 and 28
Locations: CCPP, Trep and SS
Fall Records: 3 Records: Between Sept 22 and Oct 21
Locations: Renews and esp Trep
Winter Record: Never recorded on CR/CBC
one record 86.02.02 (1) Renews
Note: may occasionally breed in north Avalon but declining; largely by-passes this area during spring and fall migrations

Brewer’s Blackbird A, RS

Spring Record: 01.06.02/08 (1) LB/CR

Common Grackle* M CS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 and Oct 30, early Apr 22
In recent years a few pairs nesting at Trep
Winter Record: one record on CR/CBC
occasionally recorded in winter

NEW WORLD WARBLERS

Note of Fall Warbler Migration:

Up until September 20 most migrants tend to be local and regional Newfoundland nesting birds. As the records below show, very uncommon to rare non-breeding Newfoundland warblers occasionally turn up from the second week in September.

Ovenbird M, VUSu, VUF

Summer Record: 2 Records: 88.07.05 Trep; 21.06.24 (1) WTrep;
Fall Records: Arrival and Departure Dates: Recorded most years: Sept 6 to Oct 5; early Aug 20, late Nov. 13
Locations: Esp BCPtR, Renews-Cutlers, BC and Cappa, also CRR tuc, NWTrep and Wtrep

Worm-eating Warbler A, RSu, RF

Summer Records: 2 Records: Sept 12 and 15
Location: Only BCPtRd
Fall Records: 2 Records: 96.09.22 (1) Cappa; 10.10.08/09 (1) NWTrep

Northern Waterthrush* M, CS. CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 10 to Sept 30, early: early May, late: mid-Oct
Locations: common and widespread throughout in suitable habitat

Golden-winged Warbler A, RSu, RF

Summer Records: 3 Records: All between Sept 7 and 13
Locations: BCPtRd and esp BC and BCPit
Fall Records: 2 Records: 12.0922/26 (1) and 24.10.11 (1)
Location: only BCPtRd

Blue-winged Warbler V, VUSu, VUF

Summer Records: 10 Records: all between Sept 3 and 19
Locations: almost all BCPtR, also BC, Cappa, PHR and WTrep-Dorans
Fall Records: 9 Records: all between Sept 20 and Oct 18
Locations: mostly BCPtR, Renews, BC and Cappa, also Trep and PHR

Black and White Warbler* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 10 to Oct 5; early: early May; late: late Oct
Never recorded on CR/CBC

Prothonotary Warbler RV, VUSu, RF

Summer Records: 11 Records: 10 between Aug 29 and Sept 21, early 15.08.14 (1) CRR
Locations: mostly BCPtR, BC and Cappa, also PHR and NWTrep
Fall Records 4 Records: 3 between Sept 25 and Oct 15, late Oct 25
Locations: 3 at BC and one Cappa

Tennessee Warbler M, RS, VUSu, VUF

Spring Records: 2 Records: 07.06.12 (1) BB; 20.05.30 (1) Renews-Murphys
Summer Records: Many Records: Prime Period: late Aug to Sept 21, early Aug 23; high count: Aug 29 (4)
Locations: BCPtRd, BC, Cappa, PHR
Fall Records: Many Records: Between Sept 23 and Oct 5, late Oct 11
Locations: Virtually all records BC, Cappa and PHR

Orange-crowned Warbler M, RS, RSu, UF, RW

Spring Record: 05.04.25 (1) Renews
Summer Records: 2 Records: Between Sept 6 and 20
Locations: BCPtR and CR
Fall Records: numerous every year; Prime Period: mid-Oct to late Nov, late Dec 22
Winter Records: Two records CR/CBC;
Two other records: Feb 7 and Feb 18
Locations: BCPtR and NWTrep

Nashville Warbler M, RS, VUSu, VUF

One spring record: 11.06.14 (1) CR
Summer records: Numerous Records: Pime Period: Sept 7 to 20, early Aug 30
Locations: BCPtR, BC, Capp and key migrant spots on southern shore
Fall Records: Numerous Records: late Sept, Oct into Nov; late Dec 12
Locations: BCPtR, BC, Capp and key migrant spots on southern shore
Note: Usually single birds

Connecticut Warbler A, RSu, RF

Summer Record: 03.09.13 (1) BCPtRd
Fall Records: 2 Records: 96.09.28 (1) and 11.10.04 (1)
Location: Both at CR

Mourning Warbler* M, US, USu, UF

Arrival and Departure Dates: June 1 to Sept 15, early May 29, late Sept 30
Breeding Locations: BCPtR, NWTrep, WTrep
Note: Irregular breeder
Migrant Locations: BCPtR, CTR-Thimble Cove, CRR and PHR

Kentucky Warbler RV, VUSu, RF

Summer Records: 14 Records: 11 Records in Prime Period Sept 7 to Sept 20, early Aug 21
Locations: BCPtR, BC, Cappa, CCPP, CRR tuc, BB, PHR, NWTrep
Fall Records: 4 Records: 3 between Oct 1 and 16, one Sept 23
Locations: BCPtR, CTR-Thimble & Cripple Cove tuc, and WTrep

Common Yellowthroat* M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 to Oct 15; early May 8, late: late Oct
Locations: widespread limited breeder found in suitable habitat throughout
found in migrant trap areas in Sept and Oct
Winter Records: two records of single birds CR/CBC

Hooded Warbler RV, RS, VUSu, VUF

Spring Record: 10.05.06 (1) CRR tuc
Summer Records: 9 Records: 8 between Sept 7 and 21; early Sept 3
Locations: esp BCPtR, also Renews, Cappa, CTR-Thimble & Cripple Tuc, WTrep-Dorans
Fall Records: 10 Records: Prime Period: Sept 22 to Oct 14, late Oct 22
Locations: esp BCPtR, also Renews, Cappa, CTR-Thimble & Cripple Cove tuc, PHR

American Redstart* M, US, USu, UF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 20 to Sept 30, into mid-Oct, late Dec 6
Limited breeder found at BCPtR, Renews, BC, Cappa, NWTrep and WTrep
Winter: Never recorded on CR/CBC

Cape May Warbler M, USu, VUF

No Spring Records
Summer Records: Many Records: Prime Period: late Aug to Sept 17, early Aug 22; high count 22.08.29 (4) BCPtRd
Fall Records: Fewer Records: carry over into late Sept and early Oct, late Oct 23
Locations: Almost all records from BCPtRd, BC-Cappa, PHR and NWTrep

Cerulean Warbler A, RSu, RF

No Spring Records
Summer Records: Scarce: Prime Period: Sept 8 to 15, early Sept 2
Locations: BCPtRd, Renews, BC-Cappa
Fall Record: 23.09.30/10.04 (1) Cappa-Freshwater Pond Rd; 24.09.15 (1) BC

Northern Parula RV, VUSu, UF

No Spring Records:
Summer Records: Scarce: between Sept 8 and 19, early Sept 3
Locations: BCPtRd, Renews, BC-Cappa
Many Fall Records: Prime Time: Sept 30 to Oct 20; latest Nov 1
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR tuc, PHR Magnolia Warbler* M, US, USu, UF Arrival and Departure Dates: May 25 to Sept 20, late to mid-Oct Breeds in north Avalon south to the Renews area and likely BCPtR; irregular occasional breeder at NW Trep
Locations: Migrants mostly recorded at migrant traps from late Aug to late Sept

Bay-breasted Warbler V, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Records: 4 Records: 21.06.29 (1) PHR; 21.05.30 (1) RenewsSS; 21.05.31 (1) Renews; 21.06.30 (2) Renews-Cutlers
Summer Records: Many Records: Month of Sept; early: Aug 25
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, PHR, WTrep
Fall Records: 3 Records: Sept 29, Oct10 and 11
Locations at BCPtRd, BC-Cappa, PHR and WTrep

Blackburnian Warbler M, RS, VUSu, RF

Spring Record: 20.05.31 (1) BCPit
Note: 21.06.15 (1) recorded at Lamanche Park
Summer Records: Many Records: Month of Sept, early Sept 3
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa
Fall Records: Few Records: late Sept to early Oct, then late Oct to early Nov, late Nov 6
Locations: mostly southern shore, PHR, NWTrep and WTrep

Yellow Warbler* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates:: May 20 to Sept 30, late Oct 11
Locations: Local breeder, widespread
Location: in migration BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, PHR, WTrep

Chestnut-sided Warbler V, VUSu, RF

No Spring Records
Note: 21.06.15 (1) recorded at Lamanche Park
Summer Records: Many Records: Sept 2 to 21
Fall Records: A few records: into late Sept, late Oct 3
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR

Blackpoll Warbler* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 25 to Sept 30, early mid-May, late mid-Oct
Locations: Local breeder, widespread
See also Appendix F

Black-throated Blue Warbler V, RSu, VUF

No Spring Records
Summer Records: Late migrant, few records between Sept 18 to 21
Fall Records: Many Records: late Sept, month of Oct, late Nov 4
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR tuc, PHR, NWTrep, WTrep

Palm Warbler M, RS, VUSu, CF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 2 between May 9 and 14; outlier 24.06.16 (1) Renews (singing)
Locations: Renews, CRR and PCS
Summer Records: Many Records: earliest Aug 14
Fall Records: Many Records: Prime Period: late Sept and Oct, late Nov 13;
high count 08.10.11 (25+) PHR
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR, PHR
Winter Records: two records of single birds CR/CBC

Pine Warbler V, RS, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Record: 21.05.31 (1) BC
Summer Records: Late Migrant, few records: early Sept 17 LB
Fall Records: Many Records: mostly month of Oct to mid-Nov, late Dec 2, Renews
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR tuc, PHR, esp NWTrep and WTrep
Winter Records: two records of single birds CR/CBC;
one other record (Feb 24) NWTrep

Yellow-rumped Warbler * M, CS, CSu, CF, RW

Average Arrival and Departure Dates: late May to Oct 20, early: mid-May, late: late Oct
Locations: Local breeder, widespread
Winter Records: three records of single birds CR/CBC

Yellow-throated Warbler A, RSu, VUF, RW

Spring Records: None
Summer Records: 4 Records: Between Sept 5 and 16
Locations: mostly BCPtR, also CTR-Thimble & Cripple tuc
Fall Records: 7 Records: 5 between Sept 28 and Oct 11; 2 late records: 15.11.11 (1) WTrep and 21.11.13/23 (1) Renews-Dunne
Other Locations: Renews, CRR tuc, PCS and PHR
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC
Other records: 3 Records: 05.01.05/25 (2) Renews; 19.10.05 (1) PHR; 21.11.12 (1) Renews-Boat Cove
Prairie Warbler RV, USu, UF
Spring Records: None
Summer Records: A late migrant, late Aug to Sept 21, most records from Sept 15, early: Aug 20
Locations: BB and PHR
Fall records: Many: Prime Period: Sept 15 to Oct 20, late Dec 3 BB
Location Note: This species is regularly reported each year from a wide assortment of locations
throughout the area from BCPtR, Renews-Cutlers, BC-Cappa, CRR Tuc, PHR, NWTrep and WTrep

Townsend's Warbler A, RF

Spring and Summer Records: None
Fall Records: 6 Records: 19.10.24 (1) BCPtRd; 98.11.15/18 (1) Renews; 12.10.20 (1) BC; 15.10.12 (1) WTrep; 17.12.01/02 (1) WTrep; 14.12.05/06 (1/2) NWTrep;
Winter Records: Never recorded on the CR/CBC
One record: 15.12.23 (1) NWTrep (This may be the Oct 12th bird)
**Note: This species has been recorded as early as the end of September in the St. John’s area; **
more usually in November; there appears to be an attraction to Northwest and West Trepassey into December (an area rarely visited at this time)

Black-throated Green Warbler? M, VUS, VUSu, VUF

Arrival and Departure Dates: May 15 to Oct 15, late: late Oct; high count: 21.09.10 (5) PHR
Breeds on the Avalon south to at least LaManche PP
Winter Records: Never recorded on the CR/CBC

Canada Warbler RV, VUSu, RF

No Spring Records:
Summer Records: Many Records: Prime Period: late Aug to Sept 20, early Aug 20
Locations: BCPtRd, Renews- Cutler, PHR, SS
Fall Records: 4 Records: 3 between Sept 21 and 27, late Oct 5
Locations: BC, BCPit, CTR-Thimble

Wilson's Warbler* M, CS, CSu, CF

Arrival and Departure Dates: June 1 to Sept 30, late Nov 14 WTrep
Locations: widespread breeder in suitable habitat throughout
Locations in fall migration: BCPtR, Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR tuc, PHR, NW Trep, WTrep
See also Appendix F

TANAGERS & GROSBEAKS

Summer Tanager V, RS, VUF

Spring Records: 3 Records: 09.04.13 (1) SV; 15.05.30 to 06.10 (1) PCS; 14.05.31 (1) Cappa
Fall Records: 8 Records: 7 month of Oct, early Oct 2; one (late) Nov 25 Trep
Locations: BCPtR, BC, CR, CRR tuc, Trep, PHR, NWTrep

Scarlet Tanager V, RS, VUF

Spring Records: 2 Records: 10.05.01/16 (1) CRR-Drook; 21.06.13 (1) SS
Fall records: 11 Records: All in month of Oct, early Oct 1, late Oct 26
Locations: BCPtR, Renews, Cappa, CR, CRR Tuc, PHR

Rose-breasted Grosbeak V, VUS, VUF

Spring Records: A few records, mostly at feeders:
Prime Period: Apr 20 to mid-May, early: Apr 11, late: May 31
Locations: Renews, PCS, Trep and SV
Fall Records: Numerous Records: almost all Sept and Oct, early Sept 15, late Nov 1
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, PCS, Trep

Blue Grosbeak V, RS, VUF

Spring Record: 00.04.29 (1) Drook
Fall Records: Many. Prime Period: late Sept and month of Oct, early: Sept 12, late: Nov 12
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, CR, CRR Tuc, LB, PCS, Trep, PHR
Note: Usually females or immature birds

Indigo Bunting RV, VUS, UF, RW

Spring Records: 7 Records: May 3 to June 2
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, PCS, NWTrep, and SV
Fall Records: Many Records: From late Sept, Oct into Nov; early: Sept 14, late: late Nov;
high count: 22.10.21 (3) CRR-Thimble
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, CRR Tuc, PCS, Trep, WTrep
Winter Records: Never recorded on CR/CBC
Has wintered at Renews

Dickcissel RV, USu, UF, RW

Spring Records: No spring records
Summer Records: Many Records: Average Arrival Date: Sept 15, early July 26 (1) PCS
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, CR, CRR, PCS, Trep, SS
Fall Records: regular in small numbers throughout fall; max 5 at PCS feeder in 2023
Locations: Renews, BC-Cappa, CR, CRR, PCS, Trep
Winter Records: 2 records CR/CBC;
Occasional at feeders in Renews and PCS into early winter

Total Number of Species: 330