Selected Bird Sightings at Sable Island

Winter – December 22, 2008 to March 20, 2009

(March 2009).

The number in brackets indicates the minimum number of individuals seen during the period.

Mallard (10) – December 29, 10 (including 6 males) at a pond several kilometers east of the Station.

Green-winged Teal (1) – December 29, 1 male with Mallards.

Dunlin (1) – December 29, 1 on the south beach of west spit.

Purple Sandpiper (1) – January 24, 1 on the north beach near No3.

Peregrine (1) – January 30, 1 several kilometers east of the Station.

Snowy Owl (1) – February 3, 1 on an inland dune several kilometers east of the Station (and seen 2 hours later on a dune near the Station.

Boreal Owl (1) – January 15, 1 resting under steps near a building at the Station—died the following day.

European Starling (4) – December 28, 1 adult at the Station; January 7, 4 adults at the Station.

Bohemian Waxwing (>20) – between December 23 and January 7, >20 adults at the Station; on January 15, 6 adults eating rose hips west of West Light.

Cedar Waxwing (3) – January 5, 3 adults in heath vegetation several kilometers east of the Station.

American Robin (11) – January 15 to February 5, 11 near the Station.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (>10) – January 15 to February 15, >10 near the Station.

Snow Bunting (>40) – December 31, one flock of >30 birds at the west ponds; January 7, one flock of >40 on the west spit; February 14, 10 near East Light; and February 16, 1 at the Station.

Savannah Sparrow (not Ipswich) (3) – January 7, 1 on the west spit; January 13, 3 west of West Light; and February 16, 1 at the Station.

White-winged Crossbill (1) – January 13, 1 female west of West Light.

Common Redpoll (10) – January 15, 9 in one flock west of West Light; February 16, 1 at the Station.

Purple Finch (1) between December 28 and February 16, numerous sightings of a single female at the Station.