Sable Island Birds:

Selected Sightings

Systematic bird counts were not carried out. These notes are comprised of observations collected by ZL, as time permitted, while engaged in other programs. 

• Winter 2008

• Fall 2007

• Summer 2007

• Spring 2007

• December 2006 to March 2007

• September-November 2006

• June, July, and August 2006

• March to May, 2006

• December 1, 2005 to February 2, 2006

• August 1 to November 15, 2005

• April 1 to May 13, and May 30 to July 31, 2005

• December 17, 2004 to January 19, 2005, and March 3-31, 2005

• August 01 to September 22, October 21 to November 08, 2004

• April 29 to July 31, 2004

• December 20, 2003 to March 30, 2004

• August 1 to November 1, 2003

• April 4 to July 31, 2003

• December 23 2002 to March 15 2003

• August 1 to November 5, 2002

A Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia resting in a pile of whale bones, in early August. Amongst the bones - mostly ribs and vertebrae - are the lower jaws of a sperm whale which beached on Sable Island many years ago. The teeth are long gone, leaving only large empty sockets each of which is several times the size of a warbler. Yellow Warblers occur on the island during May through October, being most numerous during spring and fall migration periods. In spring they usually arrive during the latter half of May, and in autumn they are commonly seen as late as the last week of September, with occasional sightings in October. During spring and autumn, small numbers of Yellow Warblers have been found on platforms and vessels associated with the offshore energy industry near the island. More than 30 warbler species have been seen on Sable Island, but none breed on the island.

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