Caspian Tern on Sable Island, October 30th. This species is considered a “rare transient” in Nova Scotia. McLaren (1981) reports three sight records (four birds) for Sable Island, in June, July and November, and there was one on September 18th, 1997. Along the east coast of North America, Caspian Terns breed from Virginia south to the Gulf of Mexico. There is a small population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but it has been declining since the 20th century and today consists of no more than 250 pairs.