nl birding article - winter

8/3/2019 NL Birding Article - Winter

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Birding Newfoundland by the Seasons - WinterBy: Alvan Buckley

Newfoundland is affectionately known as "the rock" to many; however, desolate, as it

may seem the island offers some very diverse birding and scenery well worth a visit.

With one of the highestconcentrations of seabirds in the

world you don't need to be an

expert birder to appreciate the

birds on the island. While, if you're

a lister the island can offer several

European migrants that are often

easier to find than similar North

American species. This article will

detail the common and moreunusual birds that are seen on the

island throughout the year. Perhaps

it will help you plan a trip or

hopefully at the least tempt you!

Although this article was written with Ontario birders in mind, I think it will appeal to

any birder considering a visit to Newfoundland or someone curious about the birding in

Newfoundland!

This article focuses largely on the Avalon Peninsula. This does not indicate that a visit to

the west coast of the island would not be rewarding; it solely is an indicator that most of

Newfoundland’s birders live in St. John's and so that is where most records of birds are

from.

This series of articles will be broken into four parts by season. The first installment

covers the birding in the winter season, from December 1st to February 28th.

Supporting information including a map of the locations and a checklist with recent

additions can be found at the end of the article.

A view from Cape Spear – it may be understandable why some people call

this island “the rock” – despite the apparent inhospitality the island is homefor some impressive bird life, even in the winter



Birding Insular Newfoundland – the Winter Season:

Every year several European waterfowl that are otherwise rare throughout the rest of

North America over-winter in the St. John's region. Numbers of Tufted Ducks seem to

increase year after year with high counts in the mid-30 range in the last few years.They are usually guaranteed

at Quidi Vidi and Burton's

Pond on the University

campus. Another European

duck of interest is the

Eurasian Wigeon. Usually

they outnumber American

Wigeons in the winter when

they are oftentimes side-by-

side at the Health SciencesCentre pond allowing for an

easy comparison of the two

sister species. The third

waterfowl of interest is the

Eurasian Green-winged Teal (Common Teal). Although this species is not considered a

distinct species from the American Green-winged Teal many expect that the split will

occur soon (it has already been split in Europe). In February of 2011 a record 35 male

Common Teals were counted at Mundy Pond with 20 male Green-winged Teals.

Assuming an equal number of females that means an amazing 70 Common Teal in St.John’s, which doesn't even count the other usual locations where they can be found

(Kelly's Brook and Long Pond). Among the usual North American waterfowl, Greater

and Lesser Scaups can often be found

side-by-side allowing one to study the

distinctions between the two species.

Sea duck concentrations during the winter

can amaze onlookers from rocky cliffs as

they ride 8-meter swells on the openocean. Occasionally flocks of eiders

numbering over 5000 can be found in

tight groups creating the illusion of a

giant mat on the ocean. The uncommon

King Eider can be found within flocks of

Common Eider - hybrid King X Common

King Eider is an uncommon winter visitor usually found in largeflocks of Common Eider

Tufted Duck has been over-wintering in the St. John’s region in increasing numbers



Eider has also been recorded. Harlequin Ducks are uncommon but increasing and can

usually be found along the Southern Shore. In recent years up to 200 have been found

around Cape St. Mary’s during the CBC (Christmas Bird Count). All three species of

scoter can be found with some effort but overall numbers have decreased in the Atlantic

Provinces region over the last few decades perhaps deflected by Zebra Mussels in the

Great Lakes! However, winter scoter numbers have always been low with White-winged

Scoter the most reliable. Every year Barrow's Goldeneyes can be found on the west

coast of the island in low numbers as well as at Spaniard's Bay on the Avalon.

In Ontario Willow Ptarmigans are found near Nuclear Plants, whereas in Newfoundland

one can find them along the Cape Race road throughout the year. They are known to be

notoriously difficult to find during any season and their pure white winter plumage can

be perfect camouflage against the snow or an easy give away when the snow is late to

arrive or undergoes an unexpected melt. Look for them anywhere on the barren land in

SE Newfoundland.

Among the many Common Loons wintering off the coast of NL, Red-throated Loon,

Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe and the very rare Pacific Loon (only 2 records) can be

found. The best place to see the Red-throated Loon and grebes is in Biscay Bay where

they over-winter almost annually.

By and large pelagic birds,

such as petrels and

shearwaters, are not seen

during the winter. Northern

Fulmars are also rare during

the winter season in inshore

waters but more common

offshore. However, with a

strong onshore wind they can

be concentrated into bays.

For example, on December

18th, 1999 one observer

counted 1619 NorthernFulmars exiting Placentia

Bay during the first 2 hours

of daylight!

In general any raptor sighting in Newfoundland is notable as there are so few. In

With the advent of global warming a Sooty Shearwater was recorded for the first time inDecember of 2010. Possibly the furthest North one has ever been seen after November.



contrast, to the record numbers of Red-tailed Hawks that winter in Ontario there have

been less than 10 records for this species on the island in all seasons. In addition, Rough-

legged Hawks are much less common on the island versus on the mainland. The only

real raptor of interest to birders traveling to Newfoundland from Ontario in the winter is

the Gyrfalcon. They are seen almost annually on the Avalon Peninsula but are usually

only one-time sightings and can rarely reliably be re-found. A dark-morph Gyrfalcon did

live around Quidi Vidi

Lake during the winters of

2004 and 2005. The only

location where they can

somewhat reliably be

found is L'Anse Aux

Meadows at the tip of the

Northern Peninsula - a 14-

hour drive from St. John's!

Many birders in North

America visit the island

during the early winter in

pursuit of Northern

Lapwing. This species has

become almost annual in

recent years. The usual

places they are found are in Renews, Cape Race, Portugal Cove South and Trepassey.

Other regular shorebirds include Purple Sandpipers, which have a habit of approaching

dangerously close to monstrous waves on rocky shores - they are almost always found at

Cape Spear during the winter

months. Lingering Sanderlings

have been increasing on the

beaches throughout recent

winters especially between

Portugal Cove South and

Trepassey.

St. John's has often been called

the gull capital of the world. And

rightfully so! With several

thousand over-wintering in the

area every winter and often up to

12 species are seen in a single

A few Sanderlings regularly attempt to over-winter

Yellow-legged Gull can be found at Quidi Vidi lake annually



day (with a record of 14 in December 2010) there isn't any better place to study them in

North America. Yellow-legged Gull, Slaty-backed Gull and the Eurasian subspecies of

Mew Gull (Common Gull) are among the regular vagrant over-wintering species. No

other place in North America can guarantee Yellow-legged Gull, and to see it next to a

Common Gull from Europe and a Slaty-backed Gull from the Pacific is truly

astonishing. Add to that the highest population of Black-headed Gulls in North America

and the elusive Ivory Gull it is no wonder why people come from all over North

America just to see these birds! Quidi Vidi Lake, The Harbour (Pier 17), and the Dump

are the usual hotspots for gulls although with recent changes in garbage disposal policy

the gulls are not seen at the Dump as often as in previous years.

Ivory Gulls are much more difficult

to find as they rarely settle down in

one area. However, the best place

to see them is along the Northernshores of Newfoundland, and

especially at the tip of the Northern

Peninsula near L'anse Aux

Meadows (the Viking settlement

worthy of a visit on its own) where

sometimes hundreds can be seen at

a time with the right weather

conditions. The similarly elusive

Ross's Gull has been recorded in all

seasons in the Newfoundland

region; however, it will be very

difficult to connect with one, as

they are very rare and often don't remain in one location for long. Most Newfoundland

birders don’t have it on their provincial list.

Ontario birders might be surprised to learn that Sabine's Gull are much rarer along

Newfoundland coasts than along the Great Lakes of Ontario. And considering the

abundant Bonaparte's Gull in Ontario it is surprising that only a few are seen every year

in Newfoundland. Little Gull is also irregular. Black-tailed Gull has been recorded heretwice before, with one appearing last year that stayed the winter and became so tame

that one could feed it out of the hand; hopefully it will return!

Other common gulls include Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull - both are very

common year round residents. Lesser Black-backed Gull is a regular winter visitor with

a handful seen daily at the hotspots. Other species of gull that are in abundance are the

The much sought after Ivory Gull is difficult to find but is seen mostwinters



Iceland and Glaucous Gull - another record high concentration of the Kumliens

subspecies of Iceland Gull can be found in the capital city. Thayer's Gull is much more

rare - with none being confirmed some years.

In January of 2000 another Quidi Vidi legend took place. An injured Great Skua

appeared on the ice - it survived for some time off of gulls (even killing a Great Black-

backed Gull!) and donated beef liver and chicken. Eventually it was caught and nurtured

back to health at the Salmonier Nature Reserve. Skuas are very difficult to find during

their peak season (Autumn) making this an astonishing record let alone the fact that it

was 'in land'! This was the second record for a Skua in the winter.

In the winter month’s alcids

usually move further away from

shore than during the breeding

season. Thus they are much moredifficult to see. Nevertheless,

Common Murres, Thick-billed

Murres and Razorbill can be

found with some effort - usually

Cape Spear and PCS to Cape

Race are the best places of

finding them. Black Guillemots

are common in the winter and

should be found in every bay.

Atlantic Puffin is rare in the winter and usually goes undetected during the season.

Dovekie (aka Little Auk) draws many North American birders to Newfoundland. Some

winters only few can be found; while in other winters they can be in abundance (for

example, in 1994 a mythical flight of >100'000 per hour was recorded from Cape Spear)

- the best place to see them is between PCS and Cape Race - but they can be found in

almost any cove or rocky shore. They return to their breeding grounds further North by

early March.

As in every other city in North America Rock Dove can be found in the downtown coreyear round. Mourning Dove on the other hand is much less common than in Ontario -

usually some can be found loyal to feeders on the Avalon Peninsula with effort. White-

winged Dove is much more rare but some have over-wintered around St. John's.

Considering Newfoundland’s extensive Boreal forest it is surprising that so few owls are

seen or heard. Great Horned Owl, Northern Hawk Owl and Boreal Owl should be

Black Guillemot is a common breeding resident



present every winter but are usually not seen or heard. In some years Snowy Owls irrupt

into the region. Cape Race road is the usual place to see them where they are recorded

every year. However, some years there are only a handful of sightings while in others

one can see up to 20 in a few hours.

Hummingbirds are generally rare in Newfoundland and were never recorded during the

winter until 2011. Newfoundland’s first record of Anna's Hummingbird came in early

February where it had apparently been loyal to a feeder for several months. The news

got around just in time, as the bird was never seen again the next week.

The five breeding species of Woodpeckers can be found during the winter months

(Downy, Hairy, Three-toed, Black-backed and Northern Flicker). Black-backed

Woodpecker is sometimes seen around Long Pond in St. John's. Your best chance at

finding this species is

asking a local where thelatest sightings have been.

Northern Shrike is an

uncommon visitor to

Newfoundland. It has been

recorded in all seasons but

during winter is the best

time to see them - although

they are never in high

abundance.

From the Corvid family one

can find American Crow,

Common Raven and Blue

Jay regularly. Gray Jays are

widespread over the island but they shun populated areas so unless you go into the

woods it will be difficult to find them. They are generally more common on the west

coast of the island where they can usually be very tame in Gros Morne National Park. A

Eurasian Jackdaw (presumably the same individual) sporadically wintered in the St.John's region between 1994 through to 1999.

Both species of chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatch can be located relatively easily

during the winter months. Boreal Chickadees are often seen in the White Hills area of

St. John's and in Pippy Park, although they can be found in almost any area of boreal

forest. Brown Creeper is much less regular but is usually seen around Long Pond.

Northern Shrike is an uncommon winter visitor



White-breasted Nuthatch has

only been recorded once on the

island (November, 2011)!

European thrushes are found

almost annually in

Newfoundland. The best places

to find them are anywhere along

the coastline of the Avalon

Peninsula. Most sightings are

from the St. John's region or

between Portugal Cove South

and Trepassey. If you come

across a flock of American

Robins in the winter it is worthchecking them for Redwing and

Fieldfare both of which are almost annual to the island. Newfoundland’s only record of

Eurasian Blackbird (another species of thrush from Europe) was found deceased on a

doorstep in Bonavista.

Just as in Ontario, most records of Varied Thrush in Newfoundland are from birds

visiting feeders. However, this species is much more irregular than in Ontario and most

years go undetected.

Bohemian Waxwings often irrupt into the cities and towns of Newfoundland during the

winter when there is a good berry crop. As in Ontario, some years they can be hard to

come by while other years flocks of hundreds can be found feeding on Mountain Ash

berries (aka dog berries) - in 1996, for example, an amazing >20'000 were seen in less

than a 20km radius in St. John's on one day!

Every year at least 1 or 2 warblers attempt to over-winter in the region. Yellow-throated

Warblers, which are seen almost every winter, often rely on feeders whereas the few

winter records of Yellow-rumped Warblers are usually in city parks without any feeders.

Amazingly, Townsend's Warbler has been recorded on more than one occasion duringthe winter. They are usually found in the late autumn near the Waterford Bridge Road

near downtown St. John's and attempt to over-winter - 12 out of 14 records of this

species are from this location! Other wintering warblers (or at least attempting to)

include Orange-crowned, Cape May, Black-throated Green, Pine, Prairie, Palm,

Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-breasted

Chat. Usually after the first big storm of the season most warblers either move on or

Black-capped Chickadees are common residents on the island



succumb to the weather.

Many sparrows over-winter in Newfoundland every year - the regulars include Swamp,

White-throated, Song, Savannah

and Fox Sparrows. However, it is

worthwhile to double-check any

sparrow you find for notables

including Clay-coloured Sparrow,

Chipping Sparrow, Field

Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and

Eastern Towhee. As in Ontario

Snow Buntings are relatively

common during the winter

months - the Portugal Cove South

area is a good location for thisspecies - and Lapland Longspur

can be found as well with some

effort.

Other interesting winter rarities include Dickcissel, which is almost annual, one record

of Bullock's Oriole in downtown St. John's, two records of Chaffinch and Northern

Cardinal (believe it or not there are only a handful of records for this species on the

island!)

Similar to Ontario finch populations are difficult to predict. In some winters they can be

nearly absent on the Avalon

Peninsula whereas in other years

they irrupt into the region.

Newfoundland has many of the same

finch species as Ontario - however,

House Finch is not recorded on the

island! If you come across a flock of

Redpolls check for Hoary Redpolls,

especially the Hornemann'ssubspecies! Hoary Redpolls are

more frequently seen at feeders on

the west coast of the island than on

the Avalon Peninsula.

Snow Buntings often visit feeders in Portugal Cove South – where these hardyindividuals were photographed

Hoary Redpoll is rarely seen in Newfoundland



General Information:

Maps:

All of the locations mentioned in this article can be seen on a map made using the

Google Maps website. It is open to the public at this link:

<http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=203197700672017465067.0004b1dfa156866546

9c0&msa=0>

If you click on a flag you will see a short comment about the area and what you might

expect there. There are additional hotspots that haven’t been mentioned in the article. It

will continue to be improved, if you have any suggestions please let me know.

Checklist:

A checklist of the birds in Newfoundland can be found at this link

[http://play.psych.mun.ca/~mont/pdfs/bird_checklist.pdf]. It was last updated in 2003 – since then the following additional species have been seen; however, a few of them were

seen by one observer and photos were not taken so they are unlikely to be accepted:

Graylag Goose, Ross’s Goose, Common Shelduck (origin debatable), Arctic Loon (one

observer, no photos), Black-browed Albatross, Western Reef-Heron, Eurasian Hobby

(one observer + one observed offshore), Pacific Golden-Plover, Black-necked Stilt,

Long-billed Dowitcher, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Slaty-backed Gull, Glaucous-

winged Gull, Roseate Tern, Sooty Tern (found deceased), Violet-Green Swallow,

Anna’s Hummingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cave Swallow, White-breasted

Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Blue-headed Grosbeak, Painted Bunting and Bullock’s Oriole.

These additions bring the list to a maximum of 403, although the Shelduck, Arctic Loon

and Eurasian Hobby may not be accepted when the list is officially updated.

Acknowledgements:

Although I have not seen the majority of the species on the Newfoundland bird checklist

I feel as though I am familiar enough with their movements throughout the year to write

this article as I have been obsessively following the bird sightings forum

[https://groups.google.com/group/nf.birds/topics?hl=en] for a few years and have spent

considerable time researching records that occurred prior to when I became interested in

birds. Nevertheless, the quality of this article was largely enhanced with the help of thefollowing individuals. I thank them for providing me with information or proof reading

the article for me:

Dave Brown (www.birdingnewfoundland.blogspot.com) Mira Furgoch

Jared Clarke Bruce MacTavish

Mark Field

nl birding article - winter

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