ISSUE # 212 JUL. - SEPT., 2014

ISLAND NATURALIST

Nature PEI

NATURE PEI - NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDP.O. BOX 2346, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. C1A 8C1

Meetings are held of the first Tuesday of the month from October to June at 7:30 p.m. at Beaconsfield’s CarriageHouse, corner of West and Kent Street in Charlottetown. Each meeting commences with a brief businessmeeting followed by a nutrition break and our guest speaker. Members and non-members are welcome.

Membership is open to anyone interested in the natural history of Prince Edward Island. Membership is availableat any meeting or by contacting the Treasurer at P.O. Box 2346, Charlottetown PE C1A 8C1. Annual membershipis $20 and renewals are due in January. Multi-year renewals are $20 per year for which you wish to renew. Membership expiry dates are shown in the top right hand corner of the mailing label or by a notice provided tothose receiving electronic newsletters.

The Society is directed by a volunteer Executive elected from its members.2014 Executive:

President ........................................................Rosemary Curley, Stratford 569-1209 rcurleypei@eastlink.ca Vice-President .......................................................................Vacant ...........................................................Past President ................................... ...............Ian Scott, Charlottetown 892-5796 scotts@pei.sympatico.caSecretary ........................................Bonnie McOrmond, Charlottetown 628-6994 bcmcormond@eastlink.caTreasurer ........................................................Don Jardine, Winsloe South 368-2549 dejardine@eastlink.caDirector- Program & Publicity .........................Diane Griffin, Stratford 569-2343 dianegriffin@eastlink.caDirector - Field Trips ........................Ron Arvidson, South Melville 658-2566 arvidson@pei.sympatico.caNewsletter Editor........................................Dan McAskill, Donagh 569-4351 jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca

NEWSLETTERS are normally published quarterly and are available in Acrobat Reader colour format via E-mailor in black & white hard copy delivered by mail. Hard copies are printed on recycled paper. Articles, notes,reports, drawings, bird sightings, plant records, pictures, etc. are welcomed from members and non-members. Ifyou have seen anything unusual, please share it with us. It is important to have your nature observations recordedso that others may learn from them. All contributions should be sent by mail to Dan McAskill, Newsletter Editor,Nature PEI (NHSPEI), 368 Brazel Road, Donagh, P.E.I. C1B 0T9 or via E-mail to jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca The next deadline for articles, sightings, or other newsletter information is December 2, 2014.

Illustrations/Pictures: The Society extends a special thanks to Ron Arvidson, Ray Cooke, Lois Doan, VictoriaDoan, Greg Feetham, Warren Foulkes, Evelyn Martin, Dwaine Oakley, PEI Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, Johnte Raa, Shaylyn Wallace, and Julie-Lynn Zahavich for their photographs and illustrations in this issue.

Reprinting: Editors of other newsletters and teachers wishing to copy classroom materials are welcome to reprintarticles from the Island Naturalist (except when copyrighted). Due acknowledgment must be provided to the IslandNaturalist, the author and illustrator. Web page: www.NaturePEI.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturePEI

Nature PEI gratefully acknowledges support from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Developmentwhich enables distribution of newsletters to schools and libraries desiring it. The Society has representation on theboard of the Island Nature Trust. The Society is a registered, non-profit organization (Part 2, Companies Act). Taxreceipts are issued for donations to the Society and these funds are used to further the work of the Society.

Cover Illustration:Evelyn Martin captured this beautiful Cecropia moth image shortly after it emerged from its cocoon on

June 15, 2014 at Pigot’s Trail during the 7th Annual Bald Eagle Festival in Mount Stewart. This is the largest mothspecies in North America and is a member of the giant silk worm moth family. Its larvae feed on maple, birch,cherry and apple reaching lengths of about 10 cm before spinning their cocoon on trees or other structures. Theadults do not have functional mouth parts and hence have a short live span. One generation is produced per year.

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Red Knot at Carleton CoveSept. 7, 2014

Photo by Ron Arvidson

Baltimore Oriole at Campbell’s PondJune 29, 2014

Photo by Ron Arvidson

NATURE PEI NEWS:

The last Island Naturalist identified forthcoming changes to the Society’s Executive. Thus, effective July4th, Ian Scott resigned as President and assumed the role of Past President, Rosemary Curley was appointedPresident, and Diane Griffin was appointed as the Program and Publicity Director. As one of her last duties asProgram Director and one of her first new duties as Nature PEI’s new President, Rosemary organized a specialpresentation titled “Tick Tock: Ticks and the Threat of Lyme Disease on PEI” (see the Environmental Calendar onthe back page of this issue). Nature PEI is covering the out-of-province travel costs for this talk while AVC iscovering the public ad costs for the evening presentation.

Nature PEI hosted the second Round Table on Wildlife and the Environment at Stratford Town Hall onJune 5th, 2014. Rosemary Curley and Barb MacDonald coordinated the event. The purpose of the meeting was toreview the actions from the last meeting and to identify a communications strategy. During the meeting, a varietyof communications strategies were identified.

As noted in the last issue of the Island Naturalist, Nature PEI received a grant of $1,200 from the PEIWildlife Conservation Fund to assist with rare lichen surveys on PEI. Dr. Scott McMullin of the University ofGuelph will be starting these surveys in late September, 2014. Nature PEI is contributing $500 from its funds, thePEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry is contributing $3,000 and the balance will be covered by theUniversity of Guelph.

Birding on PEI and Nature PEI held three birding field trips formembers during the late spring and summer. The first was held on May25th at Cavendish Grove. The weather not very cooperative with 5° Cand a cold north wind and some mist. Despite this, 11 peopleparticipated and they found 35 species, namely: 4 adult and 6 goslingCanada Geese, 2 Gadwall, 2 American Black Ducks, 2 Mallards, 2Blue-winged Teal, 4 Ring-necked Ducks, 10 Double-crested Cormorant,2 Osprey, 2 adult and 5 immature Bald Eagles in the vicinity of Clark'sPond, 40 Herring Gulls, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1Hairy Woodpecker, 2 Northern Flickers, 1 American Kestrel, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 2 Blue Jays, 10 American Crows, 1 Common Raven, 100Tree Swallows, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 American Robins, 12European Starlings, 4Common Yellowthroat, 1American Redstart, 2

Northern Parula, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2Black-throated Green Warblers, 5 Song Sparrows, 1 Swamp Sparrow,3 Dark-eyed Juncos, 6 Red-winged Blackbirds, 4 Common Gracklesand 2 American Goldfinch. On the second birding trip which washeld on June 29th at "The Gardens of Hope” in New Glasgow, 8people attended. Many of the summer birds were seen includingvarious warblers, a pair of nesting Red-eyed Vireos, an Eagle and aOsprey. Before the outing, there was an optional "Early Bird"Breakfast at the PEI Preserve Company. On the return from this trip,Ron discovered and photographed a male Baltimore Oriole atCampbell’s Pond near Park Corner. The third field trip celebrated thefirst annual World Shorebird Day. It commenced on September 27th

at Locke Shore Road and Legion Shore on Malpeque Bay andcontinued to the Summerside Wharf, Carleton Bay and Borden. Twelve people participated and they picked up 34 species including 11 species of shorebirds (Black-bellied Plover,Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper,White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher and a Red-necked Phalarope), 3 Wood Duck, a HoodedMerganser, 1 Northern Shoveler, a Common Loon, and Caspian Tern.

Two members of the Society led the Early Morning Bird tour for the 7th Annual Bald Eagle Festival inMount Stewart on June 15th, 2014. The weather and mosquitos were memorable with heavy rain showers and lots

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Leopard slug at Brighton RoadPhoto by Victoria Doan

of mosquitos. With no one present at the assembly point, the two trip leaders went out to check for Ruddy Ducksand other marsh birds at Pigot’s Trail. Shortly after heading back from the eagle viewing station, they were joinedby two participants, both members of the Society. Despite the conditions, 7 Wood Ducks, a male and femaleRuddy Duck, a Barn Swallow, 1 Eastern Kingbird, several Bobolinks, and a variety of more common species wereseen.

NATURE PEI 2015 NOMINATIONS:

It is again time to renew the Society’s Executive Committee for the AnnualGeneral Meeting on January 6th. If you would be willing to take on some of the work thatis required to keep Nature PEI (Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island)functioning well, we need your skills. Please contact one of the members of theNominations Committee (Ian Scott (Chair), Diane Griffin and Rosemary Curley). Theirphone numbers and emails are found on the inner cover of the newsletter.

NEW FIELD CHECKLIST OF BIRDS OF PEI RELEASED:

The PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry recently released the 8th edition ofthe Field Checklist of Birds of Prince Edward Island. This 2014 revision was completedby Dan McAskill, David Seeler, Dwaine Oakley and Ray Cooke. Copies are available atAgriculture and Forestry’s Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division offices, PEI Tourism andCulture, and the Island Nature Trust. Copies will be available at Nature PEI’s October 7th

public meeting at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House. This publication is also available inFrench.

LEOPARD SLUG FOUND AT VICTORIA PARK:

In the first week of September, 2014, Victoria Doandiscovered a leopard slug on Brighton Road near Victoria Park inCharlottetown. The leopard or gray slug is an exotic species whichcan grow up to 10 cm (4 in). General population status reports forslugs have not been prepared yet so little information on theoccurrence of this species on PEI is available.

This species feeds on a wide variety of plants and has becomean agricultural pest in fields and gardens in some areas of NorthAmerica. Their predators include various insects, amphibians,reptiles, birds and mammals including American toad, AmericanRobin, Barred Owl, shrews, striped skunk, and Eastern chipmunk.

THE FUTURE OF CAVENDISH GROVE - YOUR SUGGESTIONS BEING SOUGHT:

Cavendish Grove was purchased in 2005 by Parks Canada and shortly thereafter became part of the PrinceEdward Island National Park. Since then, it has been managed under the national park legislation and policieswhich include the development of comprehensive management plans. While the Park’s general plan is to establishthe grove as “green space” i.e. an area composed primarily of natural things as opposed to buildings, Parks Canadais currently in the process of creating a comprehensive plan for this area which will decide its future. The Park isasking for your suggestions to contribute to the development of this plan via an online comment card process. Thiscard is available online at www.pc.gc.ca/cavendishgrove up to November 1, 2014. For more information, contactthe Project Coordinator, at 902-672-6350 or by e-mail at: pnipe.peinp@pc.gc.ca (Adapted from a PEI NationalPark Email message to Valued Stakeholders dated September 11, 2014)

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NEW ISLAND FOREST HISTORY BOOK PUBLISHED:

Thanks to the dedication, research and writing skills of Dr. Douglas Sobey and William Glen, a new bookon our forest history has just been published. It is titled Mapping the Pre-Settlement Forests of Prince EdwardIsland: An Analysis of the Forest and Tree Descriptions on Historic Manuscript Maps in the Prince Edward IslandPublic Archives. The release of the book occurred at a public lecture hosted by the Institute of Island Studies atUPEI on September 11th, 2014. The PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Forests Fish and WildlifeDivision published it. Print copies of the book have been placed at UPEI’s Robertson Library and the Governmentof PEI’s Public Library System. In the near future, electronic copies of the book will be available from the PEIForests, Fish and Wildlife Division.

FEEDING OUR BIRDS AWARD 2014: By Liz Townsend & Diane Griffin

The Feeding our Birds Award for Mt. Buchanan - Pt. Prim District will be offered for the 2nd year in 2014.Nature PEI (formerly the Natural History Society of PEI) and the Mt. Buchanan - Pt. Prim District of the PEIWomen’s Institute have a partnership to offer two Awards of $25 each plus a Certificate signed by Nature PEI andthe WI. The two Awards will go to the best feeders showing either or both of these features:

• The most innovative design to attract birds.• The most visible from the road to attract enthusiastic birders.

This year we invite interested persons to submit 2 photographs of their feeder(s) and their civic address inDecember to Liz Townsend: liztown2508@gmail.com. The judges will select the two best two feeders from thephotographs and deliver the Awards on Saturday, December 27th during the day of the Christmas Bird Count on MtBuchanan and Pt Prim, Route 209.

NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by Dan McAskill

Congratulations go out to Rosemary Curley on her recent retirement. A special thanks goes out to her forher many contributions as a government biologist working on natural areas conservation, species status, landmanagement, endangered species and many other taskings. Now she will have more time in the field to explorevarious wild places.

Thanks to the generosity of the owners, four privately owned properties owned by Lynne Douglas andBenjamin Wells in Hazel Grove were recently designated as Natural Areas through a restrictive covenantagreement which is monitored by the Island Nature Trust. This designation expands the area of mature toleranthardwood forest which is currently under-represented in the lands that have been designated as natural areas inPrince Edward Island. Lynne Douglas and her husband the late Andy Wells managed these forest lands for manyyears to improve their ecological value. Under this covenant, the land owners receive property tax forgivenesswhile retaining ownership of their land and the Islanders ensure the conservation of the land in perpetuity.

September 1st marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Martha, the world’s last Passenger Pigeon. ThePassenger Pigeon’s population was estimated to be five billion before market hunting and changes in the beechforest took their cumulative toll. Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s Director of National Programs, hasprepared a feature article for the Summer issue of BSC’s BirdWatch Canada titled “One Hundred Years afterMartha, the Last Passenger Pigeon” which is available on their web site. (Adapted from BSC’s Latest News July25, 2014)

The staff and volunteers of Bird Studies Canada Maritimes’ SwiftWatch program monitor their knownroost sites in the Maritimes. The chimneys of two schools in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick host 40% ofthe nesting Chimney Swifts in the Maritimes. This past spring, thanks to the generosity of many partners, BSCunveiled a “Meet the Chimney Swift” interpretive panel which was permanently installed outside Nova Scotia’sMiddleton Regional High School which hosts 250 Chimney Swifts. In addition to this undertaking, BSCresearchers partnered in the development of the publication “Tree Cavity Use by Chimney Swifts: Implications forForestry and Population Recovery” which was recently published in Avian Conservation and Ecology. This articlesummaries the characteristics of 59 tree roosting cavities used by Chimney Swifts and was authored by Bird Studies

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Leg banded Piping PloverPhoto by Julie-Lynn Zahavich

Canada staff Carolyn Zanchetta, Dr. Doug Tozer, Kristyn Richardson, and Debbie Badzinski with Trina Fitzgerald(Millbrook, ON). Studies of Chimney Swift nesting sites in trees enable the development of better forestmanagement measures for their conservation. (Adapted from BSC’s Latest News Aug. 27 and Jul. 2, 2014 issues)

A special thanks goes out to Dr. George Finney, Bird Studies Canada’s President, for his decade ofleadership at the helm of BSC that led it to become Canada’s leading national charity for bird research,conservation, Citizen Science, and education. Dr. Finney recently retired. On September 3rd, Mr. Stephen Price wasappointed as BSC’s new President. Amidst other duties, Stephen founded WWF-Canada’s Conservation Scienceand Practice team and served as that program’s Senior Director for the past eight years. (Adapted from BSC’sLatest News June 6 & August 5, 2014).

Parks Canada advised that it is closing the Brackley Day Use Area on September 15, 2014. This facility aswell as the adjacent Brackley Group Tenting Area will be closed for restoration purposes and will not be re-opening. This move is part of a larger Parks Canada Restoration Program which aims to improve the ecologicalintegrity within national parks and is a major priority for Parks Canada. Beginning in 2015, the buildings and otherinfrastructure will be removed from these areas and the site will be planted with native Acadian Forest tree andshrub species. Parks Canada indicated that it will do its best to accommodate visitors that once used these areas inother areas within PEI National Park. (Adapted from an Email message to Valued Stakeholders dated September11, 2014)

CANAVOY RED OAKS CAMPAIGN:

The Island Nature Trust is in the midst of a fund raising drive to raise the balance of the funds for theacquisition of the Canavoy Red Oaks, one of the Island’s original Candidate Natural Areas. This area has one ofthe most significant areas of Red Oak on the Island. It was listed in the 1982 Natural Areas Study. MountainEquipment Co-operative provided most of the purchase price but $20,000 still has to be raised. If you can helpwith this campaign, please contact the Trust at 902-892-7513, do an online donation to the Trust’s website atwww.islandnaturetrust.ca or send your donation to the Trust at P.O. Box 265, Charlottetown PE C1A 7K4.

FLAGGED PIPING PLOVER ALERT: By Julie-Lynn Zahavich, Island NatureTrust, Piping Plover Coordinator

In Canada, from mid-April through August, Piping Plovers (melodussubspecies) arrive to breed on the coastal beaches of the Magdalen Islands ofQuebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island andNewfoundland and Labrador. In the late summer, they start their migrationback to their wintering grounds along the Atlantic coast, from South Carolinato Florida, and in the Caribbean.

In Eastern Canada, the population of the Piping Plover is declining.In 2013, there were 184 pairs in Eastern Canada, a decline from over 250pairs five years ago. A recent Environment Canada scientific review of thePiping Plover recovery program determined threats outside of the country arelikely contributing to this decline. In response to this, Environment Canadahas begun a five-year research and banding program in partnership withCanadian, American and Caribbean partners to identify where Piping Ploversmigrate and spend the winter.

Piping Plovers will be banded with a black or grey flag on the upperleg (see photo http://www.science.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=F15D0091-1). Environment Canada is working with partners in the breeding, migration and wintering areas to look for andreport these marked birds.

We need your help! If you observe a Piping Plover with a flag on its leg, please report it to:Cheri Gratto-Trevor, Research Scientist, Environment CanadaEmail: Cheri.Gratto-Trevor@ec.gc.ca

Please include the following information:

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Barn Swallow nesting platformShaylyn Wallace, Island Nature Trust

1. Flag colour, alphanumeric code, and location of flag on bird (e.g. upper right leg) 2. Location of sighting 3. Date of sighting 4. If possible, please take a photo to include with your report

BOBOLINK AND BARN SWALLOW CONSERVATION ON PEI: by Shaylyn Wallace, Island Nature Trust

Island Nature Trust has been working with Species at Risk in PEI for decades. This summer the Trust tookon a new project to address threats and monitor two bird species that were recently listed as Threatened and nest inPEI - the Bobolink and the Barn Swallow. The project aimed to improve nesting habitat and increase nestingopportunities for both species and increase public awareness of these two farmland birds. Shaylyn Wallace, astudent from the Wildlife Conservation Technology Program at Holland College, coordinated the new project.

Shaylyn had a busy summer, visiting landowners across PEI and discussing ways landowners can helpthese species. For Barn Swallows, landowners were asked to leave their barns/buildings open from May-August toallow birds access to their preferred nesting sites on rafters and eaves. Nesting ledges were also installed in manybuildings to increase nesting opportunities for Barn Swallows. For Bobolinks, farmers with dry hay crops wereasked to delay their harvest until July 7th, giving the birds time to fledge their young. Rural landowners with grassyfields not in production were asked to mow abandoned fields every two to three years so they may remain ingrassland, the Bobolink’s preferred nesting habitat.

The public responded very well to this project. Many ofthe project goals were met, and some were exceeded! Fiftynesting ledges were installed, 45 landowners agreed to keeptheir barns open for the duration of the Barn Swallow nestingseason, and 471 acres of grassland are now being managed forBobolinks and other grassland nesting birds. In addition, 46Farmland Bird Calendars were distributed, so that engagedvolunteers can easily monitor, record and submit theirobservations.

Island Nature Trust hopes landowners will continue toengage in stewardship activities to benefit these farmland birds,and that gradually their populations will increase on PEI. IslandNature Trust staff would like to extend their thanks to all of thelandowners who have (and continue to) participate in theproject! If you would like more information on the FarmlandBird Project, please contact Shaylyn Wallace at (902) 892-7513or email at islandbirds22@gmail.com

2014 BAIN BIRD COUNT: by Dan McAskill, David Seeler, Ray Cooke, Carolyn and ChrisMacDonald, Paul and Arlene McGuigan, and Jean Watts

The 2014 Bain Bird Count was held on May 31th with three teams participating. The weather forecast wasperfect - light winds to start the day, clear skies and temperatures of 10 to 17º C forecast. The day started off at 11ºC and dropped to 7º C by mid morning and eventually reaching a high of 13º C. There was no wind to start thebirding so it was perfect for owls and woodcock. Mid morning brought 10 and later 20 km/hr northeast winds. Somewhat snappy when in the open but there were certainly very few blackflies. Visibility offshore was perfect forusing a telescope although there was some shimmering for long distance viewing by evening.

The Central Team was made up of David Seeler, Ray Cooke, and Dan McAskill while the Eastern Teamwas composed of Gerald, Paul and Arlene McGuigan, and Jean Watts with Gene and Christopher MacDonaldjoining in the afternoon. The Central Team commenced birding at 1:30 AM and continued until 9:00 pm. Theycovered 363 km by road and about 0.5 km walking. The Eastern Team birded from 7:30 am to 5 pm walking 2 kmand driving 110 km. Kathleen MacAuley was the third group and she covered 220 km by vehicle and 3 km by foot.

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Alder flea beetlesPhoto by Ray Cooke

She commenced at 6:00 AM and finished 9 hrs and 25 minutes later.This was one of the best owling days in many years with Great Horned Owl. multiple Barred Owls,

multiple Northern Saw-whet Owls, a Long-eared Owl at Dromore, and a Short-eared Owl at Brackley Beach. Aswell, there was also great luck with night active marsh and upland birds with American Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe,American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Sora and Common Nighthawk being heard!

The birding highlights of the day for the Central Team were a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Souris Westbeach, 3 Harlequin Ducks off East Point, 1 Wilson’s Phalarope and a male Ruddy Duck at Pigot’s Trail, and thediversity of flycatchers and warblers. Besides having a great outing, the Eastern Team’s birding highlights were aBrant, a Northern Goshawk, Merlin, Barred and Northern Saw-whet Owls, and Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Kathleen picked up 90 species at Black Pond Sanctuary, Campbell’s Cove, East Point, East TarantumRoad, Johnston’s Road, MacVane’s Creek and North Lake. Her birding highlights were 3 American Pipit at EastPoint, a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks circling and calling surely near a nest site on the East Tarantum Road, aWilson’s Warbler with a group of warblers at East Point and an Evening Grosbeak and two Rusty Blackbirds foundalong the East Tarantum Road.

On the flowering side of life, marsh marigold, dandelion, wildstrawberry, service berry, white violet, and blue violet were in flower. Therewere very few butterflies present with only 2 spring azures, several mustardwhites and one morning cloak along Father James and the Glen Roads beingseen. On one alder bush, there were 100s of small iridescent violet colouredbeetles clustered on the leaves. Ray captured a cell phone image which JohnKlymko used to identified them as Alder Flea Beetles.

During the day’s outing 4 red fox, 3 raccoon, and ~6 snowshoe hare, amuskrat, a mink, red squirrels, and several house cats were seen. Springpeepers, American toad, northern leopard and green frogs were heard.

Together, this year’s participants observed and/or heard 139 species,compared to the 130 of 2007 and 2008, the 127 on the 2009, the 142 species onthe 2010, the 128 species on the 2011 and the 110 species on the 2013 BainBird Counts.

2014 Bain Bird Count List: With the exception of Northern Parula, Black-throated Green

Warblers, Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat, the numbers ofwarblers were relatively low but there was pretty good diversity.

The species bolded in the text marked highlights of the day.

BrantCanada GooseWood DuckGadwallAmerican WigeonAmerican Black DuckMallardBlue-winged TealGreen-winged TealRing-necked DuckCommon EiderHarlequin DuckSurf ScoterWhite-winged ScoterBlack ScoterRed-breasted MerganserRuddy DuckGray PartridgeRuffed GrouseRed-throated Loon

Common LoonPied-billed GrebeNorthern GannetDouble-crested CormorantGreat CormorantAmerican BitternGreat Blue HeronOspreyBald EagleNorthern HarrierNorthern GoshawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkVirginia RailSoraBlack-bellied PloverPiping PloverKilldeerSpotted SandpiperGreater Yellowlegs

WilletDunlinWilson’s SnipeAmerican WoodcockWilson’s Phalarope Black GuillemotBonaparte’s GullRing-billed GullHerring GullIceland GullLesser Black-backed GullGreat Black-backed GullCommon TernRock PigeonMourning DoveGreat Horned Owl (2)Barred Owl (3)Long-eared OwlShort-eared OwlNorthern Saw-whet Owl

Common NighthawkRuby-throatedHummingbirdBelted KingfisherYellow-bellied SapsuckerDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerAmerican KestrelMerlinOlive-sided FlycatcherEastern Wood PeeweeYellow-bellied FlycatcherAlder FlycatcherLeast FlycatcherEastern KingbirdBlue-headed VireoPhiladelphia VireoRed-eyed VireoBlue Jay

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Mayflower at Hardy’s PondPhoto by John te Raa

American CrowCommon RavenTree SwallowBank SwallowBarn SwallowBlack-capped ChickadeeRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperWinter WrenGolden-crowned KingletRuby-crowned KingletVeerySwainson's ThrushHermit ThrushAmerican RobinGray Catbird

European StarlingAmerican PipitCedar WaxwingOvenbirdNorthern WaterthrushBlack-and-White WarblerTennessee WarblerNashville WarblerMourning WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartCape May WarblerNorthern ParulaMagnolia WarblerBay-breasted WarblerBlackburnian Warbler

Yellow WarblerChestnut-sided WarblerBlackpoll WarblerBlack-throated BlueWarblerYellow-rumped WarblerBlack-throated GreenWarblerWilson’s WarblerCanada WarblerChipping SparrowSavannah SparrowSong SparrowNelson’s SparrowLincoln’s SparrowSwamp Sparrow

White-throated SparrowDark-eyed JuncoRose-breasted GrosbeakBobolinkRed-winged BlackbirdRusty BlackbirdCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdPurple FinchUID CrossbillPine SiskinAmerican GoldfinchEvening GrosbeakHouse Sparrow

WEATHER EVENTS:

Post tropical storm Arthur arrived on PEI on Jul. 5, 2014 bringing SSE winds with sustained wind of 76 km/hr andsoutherly winds gusting to 98 km/hr at Harrington. Most of the eastern end of province lost power as well ascertain other areas on the Island. The summer was quite dry and warm and, until Aug. 6th when there weretorrential short term rain cells moving in various parts of the Island. Mid-August brought more heavy cellularstorms in various parts of the Island and Aug. 31st brought another 48 mm of rain at Harrington.

ANIMAL AND PLANT SIGHTINGS: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill

PLANTS: Dutchman’s breeches (S1) and spring beauty (S1S2) in flower at Trout River - Coleman on May 28 (KEM). Service berry (Amelanchier) in flower in Hermanville, Clearspring and Donagh on May 29 (JDM). A single pin cherry inflower on Pigot’s Trail on May 31 (JDM) and good numbers in flower in various areas on Jun. 3 (JDM). Rhodora buds almostready to open at Hardy’s Pond on May 31 (JtR). Fly Honeysuckle in flower on the Glen Road on Jun. 2 (JDM, WFB). Redoak in flower at Donagh on Jun. 4 (JDM). Lilac and Hawthorn in flower on Jun. 5 (JDM) and bush honeysuckle in flower onJun. 7 (JDM) at Donagh. One mustard plant in flower at Mermaid on Jun. 7. First few lupin in flower along bypass highway

beside Charlottetown Airport and first few choke cherry and mountain ash, inflower at Donagh on Jun. 9 (JDM). Starflower in flower at Donagh on Jun. 12(JDM). Lots of stemless lady’s slippers as well as bunchberry and blue beadlily in flower at Pisquid East on June 15 (WFB, EM). Ox eye daisy in flower inthe field at Pigot’s Trail in Mt. Stewart on June 15 (JDM, FdB). Hawkweedand buttercup in flower at Donagh on Jun. 20 (JDM). Vine honeysuckle inflower at Donagh on June 21 (JDM). Dame’s rocket in flower at Brackley,bunchberry in flower at Brackley Beach, and at Stratford and white dutchclover in flower roadside in Johnston’s River on June 22 (JDM). Blue-eyedgrass, red-osier dogwood, purple vetch, blackberry, and a few orangehawkweed in flower at Baldwin Road and Perth Station Road and cow parsnipin flower at Maple Hill and Mount Stewart on Jun. 23 (JDM). Clematis inflower at Donagh and blue flag and Labrador tea in flower at Clearspring andat Community of East Point on Jun. 24 (JDM). First wild strawberry in fruit atBaldwin Road on Jun. 29 (JDM). Yarrow in flower at Bear River South onJun. 29 (JDM). First wild strawberries ripe at Baldwin Road on Jun. 29 (JDM). Pond lily in flower at Agriculture Research Station in Charlottetown in late Jun

(EM, WFB) and at New Harmony on Jul. 1 (JDM). Turtlehead starting to flower on Jul. 4 along Confederation Trail onHarmony Junction (JDM). Cinquefoil in flower at Rollo Bay on Jun. 30 (JDM). Buttercup in flower at New Harmony on Jul.1 (JDM). Beach pea in flower at South Pinette on Jul. 2 (JDM). Sweet clover, daisy fleabane and brown-eyed Susan inflower at Fort Augustus and lamb’s kill at Baldwin Road on Jul. 3 (JDM). Peony started flowering in Donagh on Jul. 4 (JDM). Wild rose in flower in Fort Augustus on Jul. 7 (JDM). First few blossoms of evening primrose and rough-fruited cinquefoilflowering at Cable Head West on Jul. 9 (JDM). Low hop clover in flower at South Melville and hosta in flower at Donagh onJul. 11 (JDM). Common St. Johnswort in flower at Clearspring and cranberry and wild carrot in flower at Bull Creek Roadcliff on Jul. 19 (JDM). Extensive browning of horse chestnut, maples and birch for kilometres inland from the salt spray

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Skate at Argyle Shore, PEPhoto by Lois Doan

from Tropical Storm Arthur (D&MS, JDM). Potatoes and wild carrot in flower and first few raspberries ripe at Baldwin Roadon Jul. 20 (JDM). Spotted touch-me-not, American mountain ash and water hemlock in flower at Connolly Woods Road inMaple Plains on Jul. 21 (JDM). Joe pye weed in flower at Clearspring on Jul. 26 (JDM). Rabbit’s foot clover in flower atLocke Road on Jul. 27 (JDM). Chicory in flower at Charlottetown on Jul. 29, at Dromore and Fort Augustus (Five Houses) onAug. 5, and at Victoria on Aug. 6 and some still in flower at Souris on Sept. 5 (JDM). Goldenrod starting to flower at FortAugustus on Jul. 27 (JDM). First flowering of common mullen and pearly everlasting at Harmony Junction on Jul. 30 (JDM). Canada thistle in flower at Summerville on Jul. 31 (JDM). Wild thyme in flower at Nail Pond on Aug. 1 (MA, JDM). Indianpipe at Strathgartney on Aug. 3 and Brookvale on Aug. 4 (DD). Sow thistle in flower at Borden on Aug. 6 (JDM). Wildcucumber in flower at Spring Valley on Aug. 12 (JDM). A few fall dandelion in flower at Blockhouse Lighthouse and deadlynightshade in flower and bearing berries at Rice Point wharf on Aug. 14 (JDM). There were several fresh and a few oldermeadow mushrooms present at Rice Point on Aug. 14 (JDM). Dozens of Wild apples on the ground on Aug. 14 in Donagh(JDM). Seaside lavender in flower at Cameron Island and chanterelle mushrooms were flushed at Flat River on Aug. 16(JDM). Tall wood aster in flower at Feehan’s Shore and Savage Harbour on Aug. 25 (JDM). The first leaf colour changeswere noted on Aug. 27 in Donagh with some leaves of cherry and dogwoods flagging red. On Aug. 29, about a dozen trees andshrubs around the head of Bovyer Pond in Bunbury were completely red and poplars in Johnston’s River and Donagh werestarting to change colour (JDM). Seaside goldenrod in flower at Canavoy on Sept. 4 (JDM). Bumper blueberry crop thisyear (DMacN). Good crop of red oak acorns in Donagh this autumn (JDM).

INSECTS: 1 spring azure butterfly flying at Clearspring on May 29 (JDM). First June bug recorded at Bethel and AlderFlea Beetle on May 31 at Father James Road (JDM). 1 morning cloak and 2 spring azure butterflies seen on the FatherJames Road on May 31 (JDM, RC, DCS). Canadian tiger swallowtail at Belle River on June 2 (MA). Cecropia moth justemerged from its cocoon and with wings just starting to expand at Pigot’s Trail in Mount Stewart on Jun. 15 (FdB, JDM, MA,WFB, EM). First few skipper butterflies out at Baldwin Road on Jun. 23 (JDM). Viceroy at Glenfinnan South on Jun. 29(JDM). Harris’s checkerspot at Baldwin Road old field and Arctic Skipper at Perth Station Road on Jun. 29 (JDM). 2bronze copper butterflies on lawn at Savage Harbour on Jun. 27 (JDM). 4 dreamy duskywing butterflies at Clearspring onJun 28 and several at Baldwin Road on Jul. 2 (JDM). White admiral butterfly at Donagh on Jul. 2 (JDM). 1 little wood satyrbutterfly at Flat River on Jul. 2 (JDM). Great spangled fritillary and red admiral at Launching on Jul. 3 (JDM). Eyed brownbutterflies seen at Fort Augustus on Jul. 7 (JDM). Bog copper at Foxley River on Jul, 10 (JDM). Northern pearly eyebutterfly at Desable on Jul. 11 (JDM). Tens of thousands of European skippers in red and white clover field at Hampton onJul. 12 (JDM). Fireflies displaying at Donagh on Jul. 12 (JDM). 2 Striped hairstreak at Glenfinnan South on Jul. 19 (JDM). 6 northern blue butterflies at Bull Creek Road cliff on Jul. 19 (JDM). Clouded sulphur butterfly at Glenfinnan South on Jul.22 (JDM). 30+ common wood nymph butterflies at North Tryon on Jul. 25 and a very pale brown one at Cameron Islanddunes on Aug. 8 (JDM) with hundreds along trail at Port-la-Joye Fort Amherst in mid-Aug. (BH). 3 black swallowtail at NailPond and 1 at Skinner’s Pond on Aug. 1 (JDM, MA), 1 flying at Cherry Valley on Aug. 8 (JDM), and 1 photographed atBorden on ~Aug. 16 (LR). Painted lady butterfly at Pinette Raceway on Aug. 3 (JDM). 6 common branded skipper at Port-la-Joye Fort Amherst on Aug. 14 (JDM), American copper at Glenfinnan South on Aug. 26 and 1 at Iona on Aug. 27 (JDM). Crane flies in grass and sides of buildings in mid to late Aug. in Donagh and Savage Harbour (JDM). Small ants swarming atGlenfinnan on Sept. 3 (JDM).

AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES: American toad crossing Pigot’s Trail in Mount Stewart on Jun. 15 (JDM). Garter snake ingrass at Donagh on Jun. 20 and up to three sunning in yard in July and August (JDM). Leopard frogs in grass at Donagh inmid to late August (JDM).

FISH: A skate was found at the beach at Argyle Shore in Jul. (LD). First fish kill(over 1,200 trout) reported this year on the North River watershed at Springvale onAug. 9 (CBC radio interview)

MAMMALS: 1 mink at Hermanville on May 29 (JDM). Litter of 8 red fox kitsunder a barn at Hartsville on May 30 (JWa). Litter of 3 fox kits (2 red and 1 silver)on Sydney Street in Charlottetown on Jun 3 (EC). Melanistic (black) red squirrelseen at Brackley Beach in PEI National Park on Jun. 17 (F&JC). Easternchipmunk carry wounds of warble flies at Cornwall (SN, SMcB). 55+ grey sealsat North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH). Harbour seal at Wood Islands on Aug. 24(FdB). Some bats returned to the Belfry at Cherry Valley Church this summer(AW).

BIRDS: Brant - 1 at Little Harbour Marsh on May 31 (JGM, A&PM, JWa); Canada Geese - 2 adults with 3 goslings atLarkin’s Pond on Jun. 20 (JGM), 35 flying at Flat River on Aug. 24 (JDM), 12 at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 40+ atGuernsey Cove beach and 50+ at Sturgeon on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 25 in grain stubble at Guernsey Cove on Aug. 31 (JDM),

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Harlequin Duck at East PointPhoto by Dwaine Oakley

75 at Pisquid River on Sept. 10 (JDM); Wood Duck - 7 in Mt. Stewart lagoons on Jun. 15 (JDM, FdB, JBl, BCM), at BordenLagoons on Jul. 6 (G&SF) & 4 on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 3 at Alberton lagoon on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 16 at Borden Lagoons onAug. 6 (JDM), 7 on Aug. 19 (NM), & 3 on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Gadwall - 2 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); EurasianWigeon - 1 at Brackley North Marsh on Jun. 7 (JtR) and Jun. 9 (DCS); American Wigeon - 2 pair at Donagh (JDM);American Black Duck - female with 10 young at Mt. Stewart lagoons on May 31 (JDM), female with 11 ducklings at Larkin’sPond on Jun. 20 (JGM), 15 at Cornwall lagoons on Aug. 14 (JDM), 50+ at Murray River and 20+ at Harvey Moore Sanctuaryon Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB); Mallard - 25+ at Cornwall lagoons on Aug. 14 (JDM); Blue-winged Teal - 3 at Borden lagoons onJul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM); Northern Shoveler - hen at Miscouche lagoon on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), hen at Borden lagoon on Aug. 6(JDM) & 1 on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Northern Pintail - male and 2 females at Mt. Stewart lagoons on Jun. 12 (JDM); Green-winged Teal - 6 at Borden lagoon on Aug. 6 (JDM), 7 at Harvey Moore’s Sanctuary on Aug. 24 (FdB), 25 at CarletonCove on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Ring-necked Duck - 12 at Borden Carleton on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM); Greater Scaup - 27in bay off Robinson Island causeway on Jun. 13 (JtR); Common Eider - 10 at East Point on Jun. 24 & ~30 on Jul. 26 (JDM),22 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), 1 at Wood Islands on Aug. 27 (FdB,MLB); Harlequin Duck - female on rocks west of the East Point with eiderand cormorant on Jul. 27 (DO), 2 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); SurfScoter - 3 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); White-winged Scoter - 5 atEast Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), 1 off Point Prim on Aug. 16 (JDM), 7 at EastPoint on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 1 at Summerside Wharf on Sept. 7 (RA onWSD); Black Scoter - 37 at East Point on Jun. 24 & ~75 on Jul. 26 (JDM),65 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), 150+ at North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH),2 off Point Prim on Aug. 16 (JDM), 40 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Hooded Merganser - 2 at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Red-breasted Merganser - female at East Point on Jul. 26 (JDM); RuddyDuck - pair at Allisary Creek Impoundment on Jun. 12 (JDM) & 2 males onJun. 15 (JDM, FdB); Gray Partridge - 1 at Rustico on Aug. 19 (JtR); Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 at Marshfield feeders throughout the winter(JRo), hen with 9 ~25 cm high chicks at Donagh on Jul. 13 (JDM), 6 chicksroadside at Johnston’s River on Aug. 29 (JDM); Ruffed Grouse - brood of8 young with adult in Hermitage on Jul. 30 (JDM), 3 young at Launching onAug. 4 (JDM), family at St. Georges on Aug. 5 (JDS) adult with at least 1 small chick at Earnscliffe on Aug. 23 (JDM); Common Loon - 1 calling at Point Deroche Pond on Jun. 1 (SG), 1 at Dock’s Marsh on Jun. 1 (JDS), 1 at Locke Road Shoreon Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Pied-billed Grebe - pair on nest at Whitlock’s Pond on Jun. 8 (D&GM), at Allisary CreekImpoundment on Jun. 15 (JDM, FdB), at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 6 (G&SF), 2 on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 1 atNoonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA); Great Shearwater - 2 offshore of East Point on Aug. 14 (GeC); NorthernGannet - ~50 at East Point on Jun. 24 & Jul. 26 (JDM), 100+ at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), 1 at Campbellton on Jul. 10(JDM), 20+ at East Point on Jul. 27 (DO), 50+ at Murray Head on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB) 3 off Cape Bear Lighthouse and 2 offMurray Head on Aug. 30 (JDM), 60 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Double-crested Cormorant - about 200 at BlackPond at Little Harbour with several on nests and 1 carrying nesting material on May 31 (JDM, RC, DCS), 25 at East Point onJun. 24 (JDM), 20 to 25 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), at East Point on Jul. 26 (JDM), 15 off Point Prim on Aug. 16 (JDM),many mature and immature at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 10 off Murray Head on Aug. 31 (JDM), 125 at East Point onSept. 7 (SCS, GS); Great Cormorant - 50 to 60 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS), at East Point on Jul. 26 (JDM), 3 at MurrayHead on Aug. 31 (JDM), 25 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); American Bittern - 2 in wetter area of recently cut hayfield atSt. Peter’s on Jun. 28 (JDM); Great Blue Heron - reported regularly across the Island this summer (JDM); Glossy Ibis - 1juvenile photographed at Priest Pond on Sept. 9 (LK via GG, REM) and still present on Sept. 13 (JDM); Osprey - 1 callingvociferously on a nest on topped hardwood tree at Glen Road on Jul. 1 (JDM), seen carrying fish off shore of Savage Harbourin July and August (JDM), 1 carrying fish at Miminegash on Aug. 13 (JDM), 1 carrying fish at Rice Point saltmarsh on Aug. 14(JDM), on nesting platform at Flat River on Aug. 16 & 24 (JDM), 2 at Wood Islands on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 1 at East Pointon Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Bald Eagle - adults feeding at least one chick at Hardy’s Pond on May 31 (JtR), 12 at Cavendish neardune lands trail on Jun. 4 (D&GM), at least 13 on marsh edge and in trees during 7th Annual Eagle Festival at the viewingstation at Pigot’s Trail on Jun. 15 (JDM, FdB), young Bald Eagle on Hardy’s Pond nest started sitting on branches somewherebetween Jul. 6 and Jul. 11 (JtR), 1 adult flying at Iona on Aug. 29 (JDM), 1 adult at Cape Bear and 1 at Murray Head on Aug.24 (FdB), 1 perched in tree at Murray Head on Aug. 31 (JDM); Northern Harrier - at St. Georges on May 25 (JDS), male at

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Juvenile and adult Sandhill CranesPhoto by Greg Feetham

Bayfield, Community of East Point and Father’s James Road on Jun. 28 (JDM), 1 at Canoe Cove on during Jun. 27 - Jul. 2period (NS), being seen regularly at Rock Point and Cumberland this summer (LD), 1 male hunting at Rice Point salt marsh onAug. 14 (JDM), 1 at Murray Head on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 2 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 atChurchill on Jun. 2 (FdB); Northern Goshawk - 1 at Monticello on May 31 (JGM, P&AM, JWa), 1 at Johnston’s River onAug. 30 (JDM), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Red-tailed Hawk - 1 at Traveller’s Rest on Jun. 3 (JDS), 1 at ClydeRiver on during Jun. 27 - Jul. 2 period (NS), 1 soaring at Clearspring on Jul. 9 (JDM), 1 at Alexandra in Jun.-Jul. (D&AS), 1 atCornwall on Jul. 21 (FdB), 1 at Maple Plains on Jul. 21 (JDM), 1 at New Annan on Aug. 1 (JDM, MA), 1 at Borden on Sept. 7(RA on WSD); Virginia Rail - 1 at China Point on Jul. 21 (JH via BHa), 1 at Moore’s Pond in Stratford on Jul. 27 (MMcC);

American Coot - at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 6 (G&SF); Sandhill Crane - 1 at East Point field ~May 28 (FCh), 1 at Cavendishon Jun. 5 (D&GM), 1 at Wood Islands on Jun. 9 (JA&DM), 1 atCommunity of East Point on Jun. 22 (D&GM), 2 at Darnley Bridge onSept. 9 (D&GM) and 2 adults and a juvenile on Sept. 10 & 14 (G&SF,LH), 6 at a field in Darnley on Sept. 15 (D&GM); Black-bellied Plover- 10 at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 20+ at Covehead Bay on Aug. 1(FdB), 40+ at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 13 in hay field at Seal River(Vernon Bridge) on Aug. 16 (JDM), 1 at Beach Point and 1 at PanmureIsland on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 8 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5(INT), 2 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 40 at Carleton Cove & 4 atLocke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); American Golden Plover- 1 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5 (INT); Semipalmated Plover - 24at Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 5 in Borden Carleton area beaches on Jul. 21(RA, SGC), 1 at West Point Route 14 bridge on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 100+at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 50+ at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 4 atDaley’s Beach and 10+ at Poverty Beach on Aug. 24 (FdB), 10 at

Savage Harbour beach feeding in algae windrows on Aug. 25 (JDM), 10 at Beach Point, 2 at Panmure Island, 4+ at WoodIslands, 6 at Poverty Beach, 10 at Lower Montague on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 148 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5 (INT), 35 atEast Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 200 at Carleton Cove & 22 at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Piping Plover -one banded as a chick on PEI on Jul. 10 at Old Ferry Spit at Launching was reported at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina inSept. (INT); Killdeer - on roof at Sobey’s in Stratford week May 24 (FdB), 1 in field at Tea Hill on Jun. 1 (FdB), 1 at Noonan’sMarsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 2 at Riverdale New Haven on Jun. 20 (FdB), 3 at Beaton’s Beach at East Point on Jul. 27(DO); Spotted Sandpiper - 2 at East Point on Jul. 27 (DO), 1 at Borden Lagoon on Aug. 6 (JDM), 2 at Murray Head on Aug.24 (FdB); Solitary Sandpiper - 1 in the creek at Alberton on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 1 feeding at mouth of small stream at MontCarmel on Aug. 13 (RAr), 2 at stream on Blooming Point Road on Aug. 27 (SCS), 1 at Sturgeon on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB); Yellowlegs - 10 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS); Greater Yellowlegs - at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 6 (G&SF), 26 atNoonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 1 in Borden Carleton area beaches on Jul. 21 (RA, SGC), 1 at West Point Route 14bridge on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), at Belmont Park on Jul. 26 (G&SF), 30+ at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 4 at Borden Carleton onJul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 6 at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 3 at Rice Point saltmarsh & 2 at Canoe Cove park on Aug. 14 (JDM),2 at Flat River on Aug. 24 (JDM), 3 at Wood Islands and 3 at Poverty Beach on Aug. 24 (FdB), 2 at Wood Islands, 2 at PovertyBeach and 1 at Lower Montague on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 10 at Carleton Cove & 15 atLocke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Willet - 6 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 14 in Borden Carletonarea beaches on Jul. 21 (RA, SGC), at Belmont Park on Jul. 26 (G&SF), 3 at Little Harbour Beach & 1 at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27(DO), 3 at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 4 at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 1 at Savage Harbour beach feeding in sand coveredalgae windrow on Aug. 25 (JDM), 2 at Wood Islands on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB); Lesser Yellowlegs - 10 at Noonan’s Marsh inBorden on Jul. 13 (RA), 25 in Borden Carleton area beaches on Jul. 21 (RA, SGC), 1 at West Point Route 14 bridge on Jul. 25(DO, LH), 200+ at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 20 at Borden Carleton on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 1 at Tea Hill on Aug. 13(FdB), 8 at Rice Point salt marsh on Aug. 14 (JDM), 1 at Wood Islands and 3 at Lower Montague on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 11at Carleton Cove & 13 at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Whimbrel - few on the plover beaches in mid-Jul.(NM), in a field at Brooklyn near Fox Island on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 2 at Beaton’s Beach at East Point on Jul. 27 (DO), 3 in hayfield at Seal River (Vernon Bridge) on Aug. 16 (JDM), 1 flying past East Point and 1 at Beaton’s Shore on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Hudsonian Godwit - 1 at Borden-Carleton on Jul. 6 (KMacA); Ruddy Turnstone - 3 at Beaton’s Beach at East Point and 20+at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 20 at Borden Carleton on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 1 at Covehead Bay on Aug. 1 (FdB), 5 onsandbar at Mont Carmel on Aug. 13 (RAr), 2 at Murray Head and 1 at Daley’s Beach & 1 at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 2at Beach Point on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 12 at Savage Harbour beach feeding in algae windrows on Aug. 25 (JDM), 15 atCarleton Cove, 2 at Summerside Wharf & 2 at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Red Knot - 1 at Rollo Bay on Jul.27 (DO), 20 one of which had only one leg at Carleton Cove on Sept. 7 (RA, DO on WSD); Sanderling - 25+ at Rollo Bay onJul. 27 (DO), 25 at Savage Harbour beach feeding in algae windrows on Aug. 25 (JDM), 4 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5(INT), 9 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 2 at Carleton Cove on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Least Sandpiper - 1 at Tea Hill

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Laughing Gull at Little Harbour Beachphoto by Dwaine Oakley

Park on May 29 (FdB), 12+ at West Point Route 14 bridge on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 4 at East Point and 6 at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27(DO), 5 at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 5 at Mont Carmel on Aug. 13 (RAr), 4 at Wood Islands and 3 at Poverty Beach on Aug.24 (FdB), 3 at Savage Harbour beach feeding in algae windrows on Aug. 25 (JDM), 3 at Beach Point and 2 at Lower Montagueon Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 8 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5 (INT), 10 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 5 at Carleton Coveon Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); White-rumped Sandpiper - 1 at East Point and 10 at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 2 at SavageHarbour beach feeding in algae windrows on Aug. 25 (JDM), 2 at St. Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5 (INT), 8 at Carleton Cove, 2 atLocke Road Shore & 2 at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Buff-breasted Sandpiper - 1 reported to Birding onPEI Facebook page at Tracadie Harbour on Aug. 24 by NB birder (RA); Pectoral Sandpiper - 8 at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO); Semipalmated Sandpiper - 50 in Borden Carleton area beaches on Jul. 21 (RA, SGC), 6+ at West Point Route 14 bridge onJul. 25 (DO, LH), ~30 at East Point and 500+ at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 10+ at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 1 at MontCarmel on Aug. 13 (RAr), 1 at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 50+ at Savage Harbour beach feeding in algae windrows onAug. 25 (JDM), 1 at Beach Point on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB), 4 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 300 at Carleton Cove & 30 atLocke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Short-billed Dowitcher - 10 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 6 (G&SF), 40at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 3 at North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 15+ at West Point Route 14 bridge on Jul.25 (DO, LH), 200+at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), 8 at Borden Carleton on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM), 40+ at Covehead Bay onAug. 1 (FdB), 3 at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 2 at Wood Islands on Aug. 24 (FdB), 24 at Carleton Cove on Sept. 7 (RA onWSD); Wilson’s Snipe - heard at various locations this spring and summer (JDM); American Woodcock - 1 at Clearspring onMay 29 (JDM), 1 at Baldwin Road in late Jul. (JDM); Red-necked Phalarope - 2 at Borden sewage lagoon on Aug. 19(G&SF, NM), 1 on Aug. 24 (RA), & 1 on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Jaeger spp. - 1 light morph chasing terns far out off EastPoint on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 1 found injured at Brackley and brought to AVC the week of Sept. 8th (KMacA); Black-leggedKittiwake - 2 at North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 2 at East Point on Jul. 26 (JDM), roosting at Beaton’s Beach at East Point onJul. 27 (DO); Bonaparte's Gull - 300+ at Rollo Bay on Jul. 27 (DO), at Rollo Bay on Jun. 30 (JDM), few at St. Margaret’s onAug. 5 (JDM), ~100 in various molt stages at Borden lagoon on Aug. 6 (JDM), 150 at Canoe Cove park and ~120 at Cornwalllagoons on Aug. 14 (JDM), 30+ at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB), 50+ feeding heavily on young alewife or blue-backed herringat Little Harbour Beach run on Jul. 27 (DO), 3 off Murray Head on Aug. 30 (JDM); Black-headed Gull - 1 immature atDaley’s Beach on Aug. 24 (FdB), 1 at Tracadie Harbour on Aug. 29 (JtR); Laughing Gull - 1 at Little Harbour Beach on Jul. 26 (SCS, FdB), Jul. 27(DO) & Aug. 26 (SCS); Ring-billed Gull - 20+ at Canoe Cove park and~120 at Cornwall lagoons on Aug. 14 (JDM), 500 in hay field at Seal River(Vernon Bridge) on Aug. 16 (JDM), 40+ feeding heavily on young alewifeor blue-backed herring at Little Harbour Beach run on Jul. 27 (DO); Herring Gull - 50 off Murray Head on Aug. 30 (JDM); Iceland Gull - alingering juvenile at Wood Islands on Jun. 9 (KMacA); Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 at Black Pond sanctuary on Jul. 6 (KMacA), 1 at LittleHarbour Beach on Jul. 26 (SS, FdB) & 2 there on Jul. 27 (DO), 1 atCampbell’s Cove on Sept. 13 (JDM); Great Black-backed Gull - 10+ atLittle Harbour Beach on Jul. 27 (DO), 3 off Murray Head on Aug. 31(JDM); Caspian Tern - 1 at South Lake beach on Jul 18 (NM), 1 at St.Peter’s Harbour on Sept. 5 (INT), 8 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), 5 atLocke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Common Tern - 2 atCovehead Harbour sandbar Marsh on Jun. 7 (JtR), one on nest at AllisaryCreek Impoundment and a second tending the area on Jun. 12 (JDM), 300+with only 1 in non-breeding plumage at North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 20+ at Tea Hill on Aug. 13 (FdB), 2 adults flyingwith 2 immature at Rice Point saltmarsh on Aug. 14 (JDM), 1 at Little Harbour Beach run on Jul. 27 (DO) 5 at Charlottetownoff government wharf on Aug. 29 (JDM), at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB), at Murray Head and Wood Islands on Aug. 27 (FdB,MLB), 2 off Murray Head on Aug. 30 (JDM), 60 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS), at Locke Road Shore on Sept. 7 (RA onWSD); Black Guillemot - 2 at East Point on Jul. 6 (SS, GS) & 2 on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Mourning Dove - 1 on nest atHeritage Creek Trail in Charlottetown on May 28 (SGC); Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 killed by striking window inCharlottetown on Sept. 7 (AVC via DO); Black-billed Cuckoo - heard at Rocky Point on Jun. 16 (LD); Barred Owl - 1reported several times this summer at Brackley (VB), 1 calling to another nearby at Brookvale Nordic Ski Park on Aug. 25(DD), 1 calling at New Harmony on Sept. 5 (JDM); Long-eared Owl - 1 calling at Caledonia on Sept. 5 (JHS); Short-earedOwl - 5 flying and 1 on post seen at Brackley Beach dunes in PEI National Park on Jun. 17 (F&JC); Common Nighthawk - 2at St. Georges on Jul. 31 then 4 for nearly 4 weeks (JDS); Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3 at Horne Cross Road on Jun. 8(VB), 1 at West Tarantum Road on Jul. 1 (JDM), 1 taking nectar from red clover along Confederation Trail at Hermitage onAug. 4 (JDM), 1 at Hardy’s Pond on Sept. 6 (JtR), 2 at Horne Cross Road on Sept. 8 (VB); Belted Kingfisher - 1 at CanoeCove on during Jun. 27 - Jul. 2 period (NS), 3 found dead with one missing its head at Rocky Point on Jul. 11 (WD via BCM),3 on wires at Miminegash on Aug. 13 (JDM), 1 at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB), 1 at Beach Point, 1 at Fox River, and 1 atHarvey Moore Sanctuary on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - drinking sap at the Jenkins Complex NaturalArea on May 28 (DO) and at Whitlock’s Pond on Jun. 4 (D&GM), pair at St. Georges on Aug. 6 (JDS); Downy Woodpecker -

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reported at various feeders this summer; Hairy Woodpecker - nesting high up in aspen at Dalvay on May 30 (KMacA); Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 at Ashton on Jun. 20 (RC), pair at Whitlock’s Pond on Aug. 21 (JDS); Northern Flicker - 1found using a large tree cavity at Hardy’s Pond on May 29 (JtR), many being seen in late Aug. and early Sept. In central andnortheastern PEI (JDM); Pileated Woodpecker - 2 at Caledonia along County Line Road on May 16 (JHS); AmericanKestrel - 2 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA), 1 at Tea Hill on Jul. 24 (FdB), nesting in nest box at Alexandra inJul. (D&AS), 1 at Knutsford on Jul. 27 (JDM), 1 each at Donagh, Johnston’s River and Savage Harbour regularly in Jul. &Aug. (JDM), 1 at Greenvale on Jul. 30 (JDM), 2 at Watervale and 1 at Cable Head on Aug. 5 (JDM), 1 at Earnscliffe on Aug.23 (JDM), 1 at Maple Hill and 1 at Guernsey Cove on Aug. 30 (JDM), 1 at Glencorradale on Sept. 5 (JDM); Merlin - pair atMonticello on May 29 (JGM), 1 hunting Bank Swallows at East Point on Jul. 27 (DO), pair vocalizing at nest site at Hermitageon Jun. 28 (JDM), 1 at West Tarantum Road on Jul. 1 (JDM), 1 swooped over shorebirds at Rice Point salt marsh on Aug. 14(JDM), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Peregrine Falcon - 3 reported at Stanhope on hay bale on Aug. 7 (KM), 1 atCentral Lot 16 on Jul. 26 (G&SF), 1 beside Confederation Bridge over Strait in mid-Jul. (D&AS), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7(SCS, GS); Eastern Wood Peewee - at Bonshaw Hills Park on May 30 (FdB), 1 at Pleasant Grove on Jun. 10 and used to hearlots of them out here years ago but not so much any more (SG), 1 at Stratford on Jun. 10 (JeRo), 1 singing at Tea Hill on Aug. 7& 2 calling on Aug. 18 (FdB), 1 calling at Pleasant Grove on Aug. 18 (SG), 1 at Hardy’s Pond on Aug. 18 (JtR); Olive-sidedFlycatcher - 1 at Alberton on Jun. 8 (FdB, FRC); Alder Flycatcher - 1 at Dalvay on May 30 (KMacA), 2 at Pigot’s Trail onJun. 15 (FdB, JDM), at Harmony Junction on Jul. 30 (JDM); Eastern Kingbird - 1 at Campbell’s Pond near Park Corner onJun. 29 (RA), on Jul. 1 (MMcC), 2 at Cornwall Sewage Lagoons week of Jul. 20 (NS), 1 at Fort Augustus on Sept. 4 and 2 onSept. 5 (JDM); Blue-headed Vireo - 4 at Murray Head on Aug. 24 (FdB); Philadelphia Vireo - 1 at Dalvay on May 30(KMacA); Red-eyed Vireo - at Upton Farm on May 30 (JeRo); Gray Jay - 2 adults and 1 juvenile at St. Georges on Jun. 4(JDS), 3 at Selkirk on Jul. 11 (JGM), pair on Jul. 18 and 3 at St. Georges on Jul. 30 (JDS), 3 at Woodville Mills on Aug. 28(JDS); Blue Jay - good numbers reported this summer; American Crow - good numbers reported this summer; CommonRaven - good numbers reported this summer; Tree Swallow - 20 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA); BankSwallow - 6 at Tea Hill but not establishing holes yet on May 30 (FdB), entering burrows at Wood Island’s and Cameron Islandon Jun. 9 (KMacA), ~50 at East Point on Jun. 24 (JDM), 5 at Canoe Cove during Jun. 27 - Jul. 2 period (NS), 20+ atCampbellton on Jul. 10 (JDM), 40 at Cornwall Sewage Lagoons week of Jul. 20 (NS), 100+ with many juveniles roosting onthe dirt roads at North Cape on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), ~50 at East Point on Jul. 27 (DO), ~15 at MacCallum’s Point in LowerBedeque on Aug. 1 (FdB), 75 on the Josie Shang Road (clay), 25 in the air, and some entering nesting holes at Skinner’s Pondon Aug. 1 (JDM, MA), 8 at MacMillan Point on Aug. 9 (JDM); Barn Swallow - Island Nature Trust commenced nestingplatform installation program this summer, 2 building a best in old barn at Churchill on May 30 (FdB), 1 on wires at Mt.Stewart lagoons on Jun. 15 (JDM, FdB, JBl, BCM), 3 at Canoe Cove on during Jun. 27 - Jul. 2 period (NS), 4 at Miminegashon Aug. 13 (JDM), 4 or 5 at Fortune barn on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Black-capped Chickadee - at Breadalbane Trail on Jul. 11(D&GM); Boreal Chickadee - at Breadalbane Trail on Jul. 11 (D&GM); Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 calling at Clearspring onJun. 28 (JDM); Brown Creeper - 1 at Churchill on Jun. 2 & Jun. 19 (FdB), 2 at Whitlock’s Pond on Jul. 30 (JDS); WinterWren - 1 singing at Selkirk on Jul. 11 (JGM), 2 at St. Georges on Aug. 8 (JDS); House Wren - 1 at Cavendish on Jul. 18(D&MS); Golden-crowned Kinglet - good numbers heard this summer (JDM, FdB), 2 at Green Hill on Aug. 17 (JDS); Eastern Bluebird - breeding pair in nest box with three young at Eldon on Jul. 19 (SCS), pair at Mt. Buchanan on Jul. 27(RA); Veery - 1 singing at Churchill on Jun. 2 (FdB), 1 at Anglo Tignish on Jun. 8 (FdB, FRC), 1 at Dunedin week of Jul. 20(NS); Hermit Thrush - singing at Clearspring on Jun. 28 (JDM), 1 at St. Georges on Jul. 7 (JDS); Swainson’s Thrush - 1 atRiverdale New Haven on Jun. 20 (FdB), 1 at St. Georges on Jun. 4 (JDS); American Robin - 1 young trying its wings atWatervale on May 29 (AC); Northern Mockingbird - 1 at North River in early Jun. (CMacR Via Birding on PEI Facebook), 1at East Suffolk on Jun. 1 (NM), 1 at Carr’s Corner just west of Miscouche on Jul. 26 (G&SF); Gray Catbird - 2 at Montaguenear the river on May 28 (DMur), 1 at Alberton lagoon and another by hospital on Jul. 25 (DO, LH); European Starling - 7fledglings at Horne Cross Road on Jun. 8 (VB); Cedar Waxwing - 1 at Borden on May 28 (JDM), few at Tea Hill on Jun. 7(FdB), 25 in black spruce tops at Point Prim bog on Aug. 16 (JDM), 2 at Route 315 on Aug. 27 (FdB, MLB); Ovenbird -heard regularly this summer across the Island; Northern Waterthrush - 1 at Larkin’s Pond on Jun. 20 (JGM); Black-and-white Warbler - singing at Donagh on May 29 (JDM), 2 at St. George’s on May 25 (JDS); Tennessee Warbler - 1 alongConfederation Trail at McKenna’s Pond on Jun. 1 (KMcK); Orange-crowned Warbler - pair reported at St. George’s onMay 20 (JDS); Nashville Warbler - 2 at Kildare Capes on Jun. 8 (FdB, FRC), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Mourning Warbler - 1 at Riverdale Road woodlands on Jun. 20 (FdB, SGC), 1 at Selkirk on Jul. 11 (JGM), 1 at BreadalbaneTrail on Jul. 11 (D&GM); Common Yellowthroat - 3 at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB), heard and seen across the Island thissummer; American Redstart - 3 at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB), seen at several locations this summer (JDM); NorthernParula - 1 gathering spider webs at Dalvay on May 30 (KMacA); Magnolia Warbler - seen at several locations this summer(JDM); Blackburnian Warbler - 1 at Monticello on May 29 (JGM); Yellow Warbler - 1 at Cape Bear on Aug. 24 (FdB); Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 at Breadalbane Trail on Jul. 11 (D&GM), 1 at St. Georges on Jul. 7 (JDS); Blackpoll Warbler -1 at Hyde Park on May 27 (KMacA), 1 at Riverdale off MacKinnon Road on May 29 (FdB), 1 at Stanhope on May 30(KMacA), 1 at Tea Hill on Jun. 1 (FdB), 1 at Anglo Tignish on Jun. 8 (FdB, FRC); Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 atRiverdale Road woodlands on Jun. 20 (FdB, SGC); Palm Warbler - 1 at Gairlock Hiking Trail on Jun. 9 & 1 at Wisener’sPond on Jun. 14 (KMacA); Yellow-rumped Warbler - heard and seen regularly across the Island this summer; Black-

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Eastern Meadowlark at St. MargaretsPhoto by Warren Foulkes

throated Green Warbler - at Breadalbane Trail on Jul. 11 (D&GM); Canada Warbler - 1 at Riverdale Road woodlands onJun. 20 (FdB, SGC), 1 at Foxley River on Jul. 25 (DO, LH), 1 at St. Georges on Jul. 7 (JDS); Wilson’s Warbler - 2 at HydePark on May 27 (KMacA), 1 at Heritage Creek Trail in Charlottetown on May 28 (SGC), 1 at Wright’s Creek on May 29(KMacA), 1 at East Point on Sept. 7 (SCS, GS); Chipping Sparrow - 1 at Dunedin Bridge on Jun. 29 (NS); SavannahSparrow - heard and seen regularly across the Island this summer; Nelson’s Sparrow - 3 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul.13 (RA), 2 at Locke Road Shore with 1 being a fresh juvenile still begging on Sept. 7 (RA on WSD); Song Sparrow - 2 nestswith 4 eggs each found near field edge at Hardy’s Pond on May 29 (JtR), 8 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA); Lincoln’s Sparrow - 1 at St. Georges on Jul. 12 (JDS); Swamp Sparrow - 2 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul. 13 (RA) &3 on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM); White-throated Sparrow - at Dunedin Bridge on Jun. 29 (NS); White-crowned Sparrow - 1at Annandale in early Jun. (MMcD); Dark-eyed Junco - heard and seen regularly across the Island this summer; Rose-breasted Grosbeak - at Whitlock’s Pond on May 21 (JDS), female joined two males at Watervale on May 29 (AC), male atMonticello on May 29 (JGM), building a nest at Pleasant Grove on Jun. 1 (SG), 1 at Bonshaw Park on Jun. 19 (FdB), female atTea Hill on Jun. 20 (FdB), 1 at Crapaud on Jun. 28 (DD), 2 males at Breadalbane Trail on Jul. 11 (D&GM); Indigo Bunting -1 at Caledonia feeders on May 27-8 (JHS); Bobolink - on territory at Winsloe on Jun. 1 (JtR), multiple males on territory atFrenchfort and Allisary Creek on Jun. 2 (JDM, WFB), 1 male singing at Donagh on Jun. 4 (JDM), 2 at West Royalty on Jun. 9(FdB, DFG), 2 at Riverdale New Haven on Jun. 20 (FdB), 2 at DunedinBridge on Jun. 29 & 4 in two fields along Clyde River Road during Jun.27 - Jul. 2 period (NS); Eastern Meadowlark - 1 photographed at St.Margaret’s on Jun. 14 (W&SF, JGM); Red-winged Blackbird - 1 atDunedin Bridge on Jun. 29 (NS), 8 at Noonan’s Marsh in Borden on Jul.13 (RA), mixed flock of 100 with grackles at Farmington on Sept. 5(JDM); Common Grackle - heard and seen regularly across the Islandthis summer; Brown-headed Cowbird - male at Annandale feeders inearly Jun. (MMcD); Baltimore Oriole - male at Campbell’s Pond nearPark Corner on Jun. 29 (RA), on Jun. 30 (D&GM), and male and femaleon Jul. 1 (MMcC), 1 at Rustico on Jul. 4 (JtR); Purple Finch - pair onterritory at Donagh in Jun. (JDM), 4 at Horne Cross Road on Jun. 8 & 3on Aug. 30 (VB), lots coming to Tea Hill feeder on Jul. 24 (FdB), 1 atBorden Carleton on Jul. 28 (RA, JBl, BCM); American Goldfinch -heard and seen regularly across the Island this summer; EveningGrosbeak - male at Vernon River on Jul. 12 (DK), 1 at West Cable Headon Sept. 8 (PE via Ebird); House Sparrow - seen at several locations thissummer (JDM).

Thanks to the following contributors who provided records for this listing, namely: JA&DM - Judi Allen & DaveMcBurney; MA - Mark Arsenault; RA - Ron Arvidson; RAr - Ron Arsenault; JBl - Jean Blanchard; VB - VanessaBonnyman; WFB - Bill Bowerbank; AC - Alma Currie; EC- Elwood Coakes; F&JC - Fred & Janet Connolly; FRC- Rosemary Curley; FCh - Fred Cheverie; GeC - Gérard Cyr; RC- Ray Cooke; SGC - Sharon Clark; FdB - Fiep deBie; DD - Daphne Davey; ISD - International Shorebird Day; LD - Lois Doan; WD - Wendy Druet; PE - PeterEppig; G&SF - Greg & Sandra Feethan; W&SF - Warren & Sherron Foulkes; GG - Garry Gregory; SG - ShirleyGallant; BH - Ben Hoteling; BHa - Bonnie Hayden; JH - John Hayden; L&JH - Les & Joan Homans; DK - DanKennedy; JK - John Klymko; LK - Lois Kilburn; MLB - Maurice LeBlanc; ADM - Allie McLennan; A&PM -Arlene & Paul McGuigan; BCM - Bonnie McOrmond; CMacR - Cindy MacRae; D&GM - Don & GlendaMcLelland; DMacN - David MacNearney; DMo - Denise Motard; DMu - Doug Murray; EM - Evelyn Martin;GMcC - Gail McCourt; JDM - Dan McAskill; JGM - Gerald MacDonald (formerly listed as GM); KM - KathyMartin; KMacA - Kathleen MacAulay; KMcK - Ken McKenna; KEM - Kate MacQuarrie; MMc - Matt McIver;MMcC - Melanie McCarthy; MMcD - Mary McDougall; NM - Nicole Murtagh; REM - Rosanne MacFarlane;SMcB - Scott McBurney; SN - Sharon Neill; DO - Dwaine Oakley; JR - John Read Jr.; JRsr - John Reid Sr.; JRo -Joost Roggeveen; JeRo - Jennifer Roma; JtR - John te Raa; LR - Leonce Richard; DC&ES - David & ElaineSeeler; D&AS - Don and Alma Steeves; D&MS - Dwayne and Mary Sabine; GS - Gary Schneider; GSa - GlennSaunders; IS - Ian Scott; JDS - John D. Somers; NS - Nathan Staples; SCS - Scott Sinclair; JHS - Jim Sutton; INT -Island Nature Trust; AW - Anne Wootton; JW - Jackie Waddell; JWa - Jean Watts; WCT - Wildlife ConservationTechnology Class; LY - Lorne Yeo.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR:Note: All Society presentations and field trips are open to the public.

Society meetings start at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West and Kent Street,Charlottetown. YN = young naturalists encouraged to attend or participate

Sept. 25th - Tick Talk: Ticks and the Threat of Lyme Disease on PEI. Dr Vett Lloyd of Mt A and Dr. BarbHorney of AVC will offer this co-sponsored presentation by AVC, Nature PEI and PEI Department ofAgriculture and Forestry. Their talk will be commence at 7:00 pm at the AVC Lecture Theatre.

Sept. 25th - Island Nature Trust Annual Meeting at 7:00 pm at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West andKent, Charlottetown. Gary Schneider of Macphail Woods will be the guest speaker with his presentation“Bringing Back Our Native Forests”. In addition, the Hon. J. Angus MacLean Natural Areas Award will bepresented to this year’s winner. All are welcome to attend. YN

Sept. 27th - The Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic - This fun birding event collects valuable information onbird migration movements and raises funds for the Island Nature Trust’s land protection and acquisitionprograms. For more information, check the Trust’s website at www.islandnaturetrust.ca Donations can besent to the Island Nature Trust at P.O. Box 265, Charlottetown PE C1A 7K4 or via telephone to 902-892-7513.

October 7th - Spot the Invasives: A Scavenger Hunt with a Twist. Beth Hoar and Jackie Waddell will be NaturePEI’s (Natural History Society) feature speakers. The Society’s meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’sCarriage House, corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown. YN

Oct. 24th - Night out for Nature. Alan Buchanan will MC this Island Nature Trust fund raiser which will includesnacks and hors-d’oeuvres, door prizes, raffles, silent auction and other activities. Tickets are $ 25available at the Trust at 902-892-7513 or admin@islandnaturetrust.ca or $30 at the door.

November 4th - Best Conservation Officer Stories Ever. Gerald MacDougall will be Nature PEI’s (NaturalHistory Society) feature speaker. The Society’s meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield, the CarriageHouse, corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown. YN

December 2nd - Whales in the Waters of PEI - Chuck Gallison will be Nature PEI’s feature speaker. TheSociety’s meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West and Kent,Charlottetown. YN

December 14th to January 5th - The Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. These are held annually across Canada,United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Nature PEI hosts four of these 24 km diameter countcircles, namely: PEI National Park, Hillsborough, Montague and East Point. The date and countcoordinators are as follow:Dec. 14th (Sunday) - The East Point Christmas Bird Count. Please contact Dwaine Oakley at 393-6223

or dwayne.oakley@gmail.com for details and to register. The date may change in the advent ofsevere weather so please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 20th (Saturday) - The Prince Edward Island National Park Christmas Bird Count - Please contactDan McAskill at 569-4351 or E-mail at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change in the advent of severe weather so please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 27th (Saturday) - The Hillsborough Christmas Bird Count. There will be a pot-luck after theevent for participants at 6 PM. Please contact Dan McAskill at 569-4351 or E-mail atjdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change in the advent ofsevere weather so please contact your coordinator.

Dec. 28th (Sunday) - The Montague Christmas Bird Count. Please contact Scott Sinclair via E-mail atscsinclair@pei.sympatico.ca for information or to register. The date may change in the advent ofsevere weather so please contact your coordinator.

January 6th - Bird Mortality - Dr. Richard Elliot, Director of Wildlife Research with the Canadian WildlifeService will be Nature PEI’s feature speaker for the Nature PEI’s Annual Meeting. The Society’s meetingstarts at 7:30 PM at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House, corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown. YN

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