Selected Bird Sightings at Sable Island

August 1 to November 15, 2005

(January 2006).

The number in brackets indicates the minimum total number of individuals seen during the period. For additional details about birds seen in late October to mid-November, refer to the “Wilma Birds” page

Sooty Shearwater (>5) – August 18, >5 feeding just off the north side of the east tip.

Greater Shearwater (>50) – between August 18 and October 19, several sightings of birds feeding off the north sides of the west and east tips. On September 24, >50 amongst large group of birds (gannets, skuas, jaegers, terns and gulls) feeding at the southwest side of the west tip.

American Bittern (1) – October 31, 1 at the West Ponds.

Little Blue Heron (1) – August 6, 1 at the West Ponds.

Great Blue Heron (6) – between August 15 and November 14, numerous sightings of at least 6 individuals, the later birds probably associated with Hurricane Wilma.

Glossy Ibis (1) – October 28-31, 1 at the West Ponds (winter adult or first fall).

Northern Gannet (>1000) – October 19, >200 (adults, and second and first year birds) feeding at the north side of the west tip; October 29, >1000 (adults, and second and first year birds) feeding in large groups along the north side, mostly within 100-500 m of the beach.

Great Cormorant (4) – between August 28 and November 14, 4 immature birds at various locations on the north and south beaches.

Double-crested Cormorant (6) – between August 12 and November 11, sightings of at least 6 birds (mostly first year) at the West Ponds, and at various locations on the beaches.

Canada Goose (8) – August 12 to September 9, 1 at Galli Pond; and September 28 to October 12, 7 at the West Ponds.

Wood Duck (1) – October 21-28, 1 female at the West Ponds.

Blue-winged Teal (4) – September 10 to November 1, at least 4 seen at the West Ponds.

Green-winged Teal (15) – on August 6, 1 female at the West Ponds; September 13, 15 at the West Ponds; and November 1, 5 at Galli Pond.

American Wigeon (6) – October 26 to November 13, numerous sightings of 1 male at the West Ponds.

Northern Shoveler (6) – October 31, 6 females at the West Ponds.

Ring-necked Duck (4) – October 12-31, at least 4 birds (2 males and 2 females) sighted at various ponds on the island.

Greater Scaup (3) – October 31, 3 females at the West Ponds.

Bufflehead (3) – on October 31, 3 females at the West Ponds; and on November 6, 1 female at the West Ponds.

Sora (1) – August 24, 1 in south side vegetation near No.3.

American Coot (2) – October 26-31, 2 at the West Ponds.

Semipalmated Plover (>50) – between July 16 and November 13, >50 sighted at various beach locations, including one group of >35 birds on the south beach, October 1. (Probably more numerous.)

Black-bellied Plover (>55) – between July 31 and November 13, >55 sighted at various beach locations. (Probably more numerous.)

Killdeer (>10) – October 22 to November 14, >10 sighted between the Station and Steeple Dune.

Whimbrel (>30) – July 3, 8 on Steeple Dune; and between July 8 and September 25, at least 20 seen at various locations on dunes and beaches. (Probably more numerous.)

Hudsonian Godwit (1) – September 9-10, 1 at the West Ponds.

Ruddy Turnstone (>25) – July 23, 1 on the east spit; and between July 24 and November 14, at least 25 seen at various locations on the beach.

Red Knot (3) – August 16, 1 at the West Ponds; and September 10, 2 on the north beach.

Sanderling (>500) – July 22, >60 on the south beach near Wallace Lake; and between September 9 to November 13, >500 in groups of 20-250 birds, on the north and south beaches.

Dunlin (23) – October 1, 4 with feeding with Sanderlings on the south beach near Wallace Lake; several sightings of 1-15 birds during October; and November 13, 23 with Sanderlings along the south beach.

Short-billed Dowitcher (25) – July 3, 1 at the West Ponds; July 30, 25 at the West Ponds; several sightings of 2-10 birds during August; and September 9, 6 at the West Ponds.

Baird’s Sandpiper (1) – November 9, 1 on the south beach east of No3.

Pectoral Sandpiper (>10) – July 27, 1 at the West Ponds; sightings of 1-4 birds at various ponds during August at various ponds; and October 21, 1 at the West Ponds.

Upland Sandpiper (1) – September 25, 1 in vegetation on Steeple dune.

Stilt Sandpiper (1) – November 6, 1 near inland floodwater just west of West Light.

Red-necked Phalarope (1) – September 13, 1 at West Ponds.

Black-headed Gull (2) – July 9 & 23, 1 first summer bird at the West ponds; August 17, 1 winter adult at the West Ponds.

Laughing Gull (>60) – during October 29 to November 14, at least 60 counted on the island (estimated >100 ), and all most likely associated with Hurricane Wilma.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (1) – November 9, 1 adult on the south beach.

Black-legged Kittiwake (>70) – August 18, 20 adults on the east tip; September 3, >50 adults on the west tip.

Common Tern (>80) – October 29 to November 14, >80 in one flock on the west tip. (Most of the tern species seen in October-November were probably associated with Hurricane Wilma).

Sandwich Tern (4) – October 29 to November 14, at least 4 birds standing and feeding with flocks of Common Terns on the west spit.

Royal Tern (1) – October 29, 1 on the west spit with Common Terns.

Caspian Tern (3) – October 29, 1 seen flying east along the north beach near West Light, and one on the east tip; and October 31, 1 (different bird) found alive but dying on the south beach.

Forster’s Tern (1) – October 29 and November 14, 1 (winter adult) with Common Terns on the west tip.

Black Tern (2) – during July 8-29, numerous sightings of 1 at the West Ponds; October 29, 1 winter adult on the west tip.

Osprey (1) – September 26, 1 near East Light.

Northern Harrier (5) – between August 18 and November 13, sightings of probably 5 different individuals (mostly juveniles) near the West Ponds and on the west spit.

American Kestrel (2) – between September 24 and October 19, 2 (male and female) seen in the West Ponds area.

Merlin (1) – on September 13, 1 female in the West Ponds area; on November 3, 1 near No.4; and on November 14, 1 west of West Light.

Peregrine (4) – between August 17 and November 13, numerous sightings of at least 4 birds at various locations from west end to east end (on October 7, 3 juveniles were on the east spit).

Mourning Dove (15) – August 27 to November 8, >15 seen between West Light and the Station.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (13) – between September 24 and October 26, 13 birds seen at various locations, some associated with Hurricane Wilma.

Common Nighthawk (2) – on August 31, 1 female feeding over Iris Pond; and on October 26, 1 near the Station.

Chimney Swift (3) – November 6, 3 feeding over north beach dune near the Station.

Belted Kingfisher (1) – September 30, 1 female on the north beach near West Light.

Northern Flicker (4) – between September 13 and October 29, 4 sighted at various locations from West Light to East Light.

Eastern Wood-pewee (2) – September 6, 1 near West Light; and October 26-28, 1 near the Station.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) – August 29-31, 1 along the ponds road. (Also 12 Empidonax Flycatchers seen during September 6-26 between West Light and the Station.)

Eastern Phoebe (4) – between October 18 and November 1, numerous sightings of at least 4 individuals (most noted in fresh fall plumage) at various locations between the Station and No.2.

Western Kingbird (1) – September 13, 1 near the Station.

Eastern Kingbird (1) – September 14, 1 at the Station.

Northern Shrike (1) – October 22, 1 at West Light.

Blue-headed Vireo (2) – between October 19 and 28, 2 along the ponds road and near West Light.

Horned Lark (1) – October 19, 1 on the north beach of the west spit.

Bank Swallow (1) – October 26, 1 at the Station.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1) – October 26, 1 near the Station.

Tree Swallow (>55) – August 18 to September 9, groups of 2 to 40 birds sighted between West Light and the Station; October 21-22, 1 near West Light; and during October 26 to November 14, 3 to >15 birds seen near the West Ponds (the latter probably associated with Hurricane Wilma).

Barn Swallow (>35) – October 26 to November 17, 1 to >35 birds seen near the West Ponds and the Station.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (4) – between August 15 and October 18, 4 different birds (including 2 males) seen at various locations from West Light to East Light.

Golden-crowned Kinglet (2) – October 4, 2 near West Light.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3) – between September 25 and October 28, 3 individuals from West Light to East Light.

Wood Thrush (1) – October 19-20, 1 near the Station’s garage, and seen again on October 29 (and found dead the next day).

Grey-cheeked Thrush (1) – October 28 and November 5, 1 seen in the Station and West Ponds area.

Swainson’s Thrush (1) – October 21, 1 near the Station.

Hermit Thrush (2) – between October 16 and 28, at least 2 birds at West Light and the Station.

American Robin (14) – October 4 to November 8, 14 birds (including 10 together at the Station on October 23) between West Light and the Station.

Varied Thrush (1) – October 21, 1 male near the Station.

Catbird (19) – between October 18 and November 9, at least 19 individuals sighted from West Light to East Light.

Northern Mockingbird (1) – October 19-26, several sightings at West Light and the Station.

Water Pipit (>25) – September 25, 10 on Steeple dune; September 29, >25 near West Light (flying behind the Kestrels, back and forth between the West Light towers); and November 3, 1 on Steeple dune.

Bohemian Waxwing (>30) – November 9, >30 adults near the Station.

Cedar Waxwing (22) – between August 27 and October 22, at least 22 adults and juveniles at West Light and the Station.

Prothonotary Warbler (3) – August 13 to September 28, 3 birds (all females) between West Light and the Station.

Tennessee Warbler (1) – September 25, 1 near the Station.

Nashville Warbler (1) – September 28, 1 near the Station.

Northern Parula (1) – October 22, 1 (female/immature) near the Station.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (>10) – September 13 to November 5, at least 10 between West Light and the Station.

Black-&-White Warbler (3) – August 23 to September 25, 3 (females/immatures) near West Light and the Station.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (2) – September 28, 1 female along the ponds road; and October 20, 1 male along the ponds road.

Black-throated Green Warbler (3) – September 25, 1 male at the Station, 1 (female/immature) on Steeple dune; and October 23-31, several sightings of 1 (female/immature) in West Light area.

Prairie Warbler (4) – August 15 to September 25, numerous sightings of at least 4 individuals between West Light and East Light.

Blackpoll Warbler (12) – September 13 to November 5, at least 12 individuals between West Light and East Light.

Pine Warbler (1) – October 4, 1 male at East Light.

Palm Warbler (>10) – September 25 to November 7, >10 seen at various locations between Old Main and Steeple Dune (including 1 in western fall plumage on October 18).

Yellow Warbler (9) – July 26 to September 29, at least 9 between West Light and the Station.

American Redstart (4) – August 3 to September 29, 4 sightings (including 1 adult male) between West Light and the Station.

Wilson’s Warbler (4) – August 25 to October 22, 4 sightings of males and females near West Light.

Hooded Warbler (3) – August 22 to September 1, 3 sightings (2 males and a female) at West Light and the Station.

Worm-eating Warbler (2) – September 6, 1 at West Ponds; September 25, 1 on Steeple dune.

Northern Waterthrush (3) – between August 15 and September 25, at least 3 sighted from West Light to the Station.

Ovenbird (2) – August 24, 1 at West Light; September 25, 1 on dunes near No.4.

Western Tanager (1) – September 25, 1 (female or first fall male) near the Station.

Scarlet Tanager (1) – October 18-21, 1 first fall male at the Station.

Chipping Sparrow (8) – September 25 to November 4, at least 8 individuals seen between West Light and the Station.

Lark Sparrow (1) – September 28-29, 1 near the Station.

Fox Sparrow (1) – October 28, 1 near the Station.

Song Sparrow (2) – October 18 to November 13, several sightings of 2 near the Station.

Savannah Sparrow (2) – September 25, 2 on Steeple dune.

Lincoln’s Sparrow (1) – October 23-24, 1 west of West Light.

Swamp Sparrow (1) – September 25, 1 on Steeple dune.

Junco (8) – September 26 to November 1, at least 8 individuals sighted between West Light and East Light.

White-throated Sparrow (6) – September 25 to November 1, at least 6 birds seen between West Light and East Light.

White-crowned Sparrow (17) – October 4-28, at least 17 birds seen between West Light and East Light.

Snow Bunting (>130) – between October 3 and November 13, >130 seen in flocks of 10-100 birds from the west spit to East Light.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3) – September 10 to October 29, at least 3 first fall males seen near West Light and the Station.

Dickcissel (1) – September 25, 1 on Steeple dune.

Common Grackle (2) – November 3-10, 2 (bronze) sighted between the Station and East Light.

Red-winged Blackbird (1) – November 14, 1 female west of West Light.

Brown-headed Cowbird (2) – September 25-26, 1 male at the Station and 1 male near No4.

Baltimore Oriole (>9) – between August 19 and October 30, numerous sightings, probably >9 individuals, from West Light to East Light

Purple Finch (4) – October 21-31, numerous sightings of at least 4 (females, and one male) between West Light and the Station.

Pine Siskin (1) – November 1, 1 west of West Light.

American Goldfinch (1) – November 12, 1 female near the Station.

Common Redpoll (1) – October 22-26, 1 (probably more numerous) in the West Light area.