Cape Breton, Rare Bird Report Archive

Common Eider

Archived reports date back to December, 2003

All photos are © Allan or Cathy Murrant unless otherwise stated.

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Anyone interested in details of the sightings listed below can email us or call.

Gadwall- Beacon St. Dam
Red-tailed Hawk- Sand Lake
Snowy Owl- Schooner Pond Beach
Orange-crowned Warbler - 4 - Glace Bay
Dickcissel - Port Morien
Northern Shrike- Sand Lake
American Coot- 2- Schooner Pond in the upper pond Reported by Monique Vassallo
American Coot- 2- Beacon St. Dam
Ruddy Duck -4- Beacon St. Dam
Canada Goose -18- The Canada Goose not seen in parks around Cape Breton they are a new visitor to Beacon St. Dam.
Lark Sparrow-Donkin
Great Crested Flycatcher- October 16, 2008 Schooner Pond
Great Black-backed Gull- Glace Bay- Photographs by Angela Blackmore
White-throated Sparrow- Schooner Pond
White-crowned Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-5- Schooner Pond
Eastern Towhee- Schooner Pond
UPDATE: October 5, 2008 seen in the evening of the 26th and all day 27th, 28th AM, 29th AM, 30th AM, 1st at Noon, 2nd in the AM, 3rd in the morning to noon, 4th and 5th at the mine site, in the cow fields near the mine site. Seen again AM September 28, 2008 Juvenile Swainson's Hawk- Schooner Pond- Flying over the buildings at the Donkin Mine Site, landing in the grass in the parking area field, chasing insects. Saturday Sept. 20, 2008 still present at 5pm when we left it. Sunday September 21,2008 seen in the AM
Peregrine Falcon and Swainson's Hawk- Schooner Pond
Peregrine Falcon and Common Raven- Schooner Pond
Turkey Vulture-3-Morien Bay area
Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture and Common Raven
Indigo Bunting- Schooner Pond
Tennessee Warbler- Schooner Pond
Lark Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Orchard Oriole- Schooner Pond
Prairie Warbler- Schooner Pond
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- Morien Bar and Sydney Airport
Turkey Vulture- Fortress Louisbourg area Reported by Emily and Erin Murrant.
Stilt Sandpiper- Homeville Bridge Marsh.
Red-throated Loon- in the channel at Morien bar.
Caspian Tern - 2- Morien bar.
Franklin's Gull- adult breeding-on Morien Bar with a Laughing Gull adult. There is a second adult Laughing Gull on Glace Bay bar.
June 30, 2008 This is a late record that visiting birders might be interested in- A Glaucous Gull and an Iceland Gull are still present at Glace Bay Fishermen's Park. There was also a Lesser Black-backed Gull that was seen at Morien Wharf.
Great Horned Owl- Long Beach
Yellow-rumped Warbler- Sand Lake
Pileated Woodpecker at Round Island- Photo and Report by Rich Jerrott
Ruddy Duck - At the settling pond in Reserve- Reported by Jr. and Geraldine Metcalfe
Common Teal - Homeville Bridge Marsh
Black-bellied Plover - 9- Morien Bar
Red Knot-2- Morien Bar
Dunlin - 1- Morien Bar
Franklin's Gull- adult breeding-This bird came along side our boat to feed on some old lobster bait we were feeding to the gulls. It stayed with us for several minutes until we had to leave to to get back to work. Seen off the Southern Head of Morien Bay.
Northern Wheatear- Morien Bar
Tricolored Heron- Morien Bar, reported by Geraldine and Jr. Metcalfe
Snow Goose- Beacon St. Dam.
Spring Arrivals: American Kestrel, Purple Finch, Wood Duck, Snow Goose,All 3 species of Scoter large flocks in Morien Bay and off Schooner Pond, Red-tailed Hawk, Blue-winged Teal pair, Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl and Great Horned Owl all calling, Common Loon on the Sand Lake, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Flicker, Double-crested Cormorant, American Robin, Ring-necked Duck, Dark-eyed Junco, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Killdeer, Great Blue Heron, American Woodcock, and Northern Pintail. Some photos of the spring arrivals below.
White-breasted Nuthatch- Sand Lake
Ring-billed Gull- Spring arrivals in Glace Bay- The pinkish colour to the feathers is caused by preen oil and or diet.
Greater and Lesser Scaup have moved from Glace Bay Harbour into Beacon St. dam. This is a good comparison picture for anyone who is confused by them.
Peregrine Falcon-adult- Morien Bay, Drift ice along the coast has seaducks concentrated into small areas of open water. The Peregrine Falcon can be seen hunting these ducks.
White-winged Scoter- Morien Bay.
Purple Sandpipers Glace Bay and Port Morien.
Peregrine Falcon-immature- South Head, Port Morien
Eastern Meadowlark- This was first reported in December by Jr Metcalfe and is still present in the fields around the Miner's Museum.
Red-bellied Woodpecker- at Bill MacDonald's feeder Glace Bay, Photo by Aimee Rideout of Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland.
Northern Goshawk- 2 adult, 1 immature- Sand Lake.
Thick-billed Murre -3- Morien Bay, Morien Harbour and Mira Bay.
Common Redpoll - Glace Bay Sanctuary
Common Redpoll - Sand Lake.
Hoary Redpoll- Sand Lake
Hoary Redpoll- this Hoary Redpoll showed up later in the day we think it is a different bird. Sand Lake
Pine Grosbeak - 17- Sand Lake, We have been getting lots of reports of Pine Grosbeaks at feeders all fall and winter.
Sanderling - 2-, Glace Bay beach
Western Willet -still present, Glace Bay Sanctuary.
Red Knot - Morien Bar
Northern Goshawk- 3- Sand Lake
Eastern Meadowlark- Blackett St. Glace Bay- Report Jr. Metcalfe
Yellow-breasted Chat and 3 Baltimore Oriole - They are dining at a plate of grape jelly and pieces of suet at Malcome Greencorn's yard 17 Rigby, Sydney 539-8334.
Fieldfare on Monday, January 7, 2008 a Fieldfare was seen by Allan Wilson on Dominion Beach. It has not been sighted since Monday.
Short-eared Owl- 3 - Glace Bay Sanctuary and Morien Bar
Bohemian Waxwing- 10,000+- in the Donkin, Morien area
Blue-winged Teal- Dominion- Report Jr. Metcalfe
Pileated Woodpecker - Morrison Road- picture and report by Bucky Macleod
Dunlin -3- Glace Bay Sanctuary
American Wigeon- 230- Eurasian Wigeon -3- at Beacon St. Dam.
Ruddy Duck -2- at Beacon St. Dam reported by Jr. and Geraldine Metcalfe
Pine Grosbeak - Campbell's Pond, South Head - Picture and report by Bucky MacLeod
House Wren at JR and Geraldine Metcalfe's feeder in Glace Bay 849-5054 We think this is a first record for Cape Breton. Photo © Allan Murrant
White-breasted Nuthatch at JR and Geraldine Metcalfe's feeder in Glace Bay 849-5054 Photo © Allan Murrant
Red-bellied Woodpecker at Jr. and Geraldine Metcalfe's feeder
Harlequin Duck- Schooner Pond beach- JR and Geraldine Metcalfe
Western Kingbird -Sand Lake
Glaucous Gull - first of the fall, Glace Bay
Rusty Blackbird - Sand Lake
Sunday we went on a wild goose chase to Truro. We saw Snow Goose, Cackling Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose and Canada Goose. Below is the Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose with Canada Geese below
Pine Grosbeak- Sand Lake
American Coot- Beacon St. Dam
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 3- Kennington Cove Road
Gray Jay- Donkin Mine
White-winged Crossbill- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Bufflehead- Tower Raod Pond, and Beacon St. Dam
Fox Sparrows- Donkin Mine Parking area, and Sand Lake
Northern Shrike- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Gadwall- Tower Road Pond
Stilt Sandpiper- Homeville Bridge marsh
Indigo Bunting -5- Road to the Donkin Mine, Sand Lake Road and Back Pit Road
Horned Lark - Schooner Pond Beach
Snow Bunting - Schooner Pond Beach
Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler and Prairie Warbler- South Head, Port Morien
Whimbrel- Beacon St. dam
Pomarine Jaeger - off Flint Island
Fox Sparrow- Donkin Mine Site parking area & Sand Lake
Gray Catbird- Donkin Mine Site parking area
White-eyed vireo- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Tree Sparrow- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Blue Grosbeak - Long Beach
Peregrine Falcon- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Yellow-breasted Chat- Sand Lake
Lapland Longspur- Schooner Pond Beach
Blue-winged Warbler - Sand Lake
Lesser Black-backed Gull - Beacon St. Dam
Orange-crowned Warbler- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Donkin Mine Site parking area
American Wigeon and Eurasian Wigeon - at Beacon St. Dam
Eastern Kingbird- Sand Lake
Clay-colored Sparrow- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Lark Sparrow- Sand Lake
White-crowned Sparrow- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Red-throated Loon- Glace Bay Sanctuary at dusk
Pectoral Sandpiper- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Philadelphia Vireo- Donkin Mine Site parking area
Yellow-crowned Night Heron- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Sandhill Crane- Glace Bay Sanctuary, Donkin
Waves of Warblers around Morien Bay and Donkin Mine Site parking area- Here is a Prairie Warbler one of 2 at Schooner Pond
Gray Catbird-Morien
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- Sydney Airport
Lark Sparrow- Marconi Towers
Cormorants- Large flocks passing by Schooner Pond for the last 10 days.
Turkey Vulture-Morien Bar
Baltimore Oriole- Long Beach

WHIMBREL update October 2, 2007: Total seen for 2007 is 3369 in 155 flocks
Whimbrel- Donkin Mine Site

Whimbrel can be seen in flocks all over the CBRM feeding on berries. These were 2 of 19 at the Reserve Strip Mine.Photo September 12, 2007
Whimbrel photos taken August 5, 2007
We started counting Whimbrel July 22, 2007 from our lookout at Schooner Pond. We counted 241 Whimbrel in 8 flocks between 8:20pm and 8:50pm in the first 4 evenings. We think that the numbers of whimbrel passing through this area has not been documented so we intend on getting out every evening to our lookout spot to count numbers going by.
The first image is of the whimbrel gathering on Borden's Head north of our lookout at Schooner Pond. Photo taken July 24,2007
This second photo is the Whimbrel leaving Borden's Head and flying SSE over the Schooner Pond headland (over us)Photo taken July 25,2007
This third image is a silhouette of the birds as they pass us. Photo taken July 25,2007
This last image is the Whimbrel going out of sight in the SSE direction. This group is passing directly over the Donkin Mine site. Photo taken July 25,2007
South Polar Skua- off Flint Island -
Storm-Petrel species- off Flint Island
Greater, Sooty and Manx Shearwater- off Flint Island
Whimbrel- Morien Bar
Common Murre- off Flint Island
Atlantic Puffin-2 pair- off Flint Island
Sooty Shearwater-65- off Flint Island
Greater and Sooty Shearwater- off Flint Island
Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill- off Flint Island and North Head
Rose-breasted Grosbeak female- Sand Lake
leucistic Herring Gull- Glace Bay Fishermen's Park
Laughing Gull- Schooner Pond Reported by Rob Tymstra
Red Phalarope- 100+ off Flint Island
Eastern Meadowlark- Hiawatha Road
Indigo Bunting- male- Reported by Wayne Mauger- Tower Road
Rose-breasted Groabeak- male- Reported by Wayne Mauger- Tower Road
Laughing Gull- off Flint Island
Rose-breasted Grosbeak-South Head Reported by Rob Tymstra
Parula Warbler- Morien Bay Reported by Rob Tymstra
Caspian Tern- Morien Bay Reported by Rob Tymstra
Great Horned Owl- Long Beach
Wilson's Warbler- South Head
Common Tern- off Flint Island, Port Morien Sandbar reported by Jr and Geraldine Metcalfe
Long-tailed Jaeger- intermediate juvenile- off Flint Island
Northern Fulmar- off Flint Island
Lesser Black-backed Gull- off Flint Island
Purple Sandpiper- Port Morien Harbour
Gray Catbird- Sand Lake
White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow- Sand Lake
Ruby-throated Hummingbird- Sand Lake
Swamp Sparrow- South Head
Blue-headed Vireo- South Head
American Bittern- Schooner Pond
Pied-billed Grebe-Schooner Pond
Turkey Vulture-2- Port Morien
Pileated Woodpecker pair- Found and reported by Kevin Bray- Sand Lake
White-winged Crossbill- South Head
Greater Yellowlegs- Homeville
Wilson's Snipe- False Bay, Schooner Pond
White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow- Sand Lake
Broad-winged Hawk- Back Pit Road
Ipswich Sparrow- Long Beach
Tree Swallow, and Barn Swallow- Schooner Pond and Long Beach
Ipswich Sparrow- Long Beach
American Kestrel- Schooner Pond
Purple Sandpiper- Morien Harbour
Yellow-rumped Warbler- Schooner Pond and Long Beach
Ruby-crowned Kinglet- Long Beach
Palm Warbler- Long Beach
Osprey- South Head, Schooner Pond
Mourning Cloak Butterfly (not a bird)- Boulardrie
American Robin, Common Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird-widespread
Horned Lark-Morien Bar
Blue-winged Teal-Homeville
Wilson's Snipe- Boulardrie Island
Short-eared Owl- Morien Bar
Great Blue Heron- first of the spring finally arrived. Some other spring arrivals are Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, Common Grackle, American Robin,Green-winged Teal, Northern Harrier, Fox Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.
Great Egret- 2 individuals- we found and photographed this bird at Catalone this afternoon Sunday, April 15.
Great Egret - reported to us by Anne Nader of North Sydney we photographed it this evening at Main-a-Dieu, Sunday, April 15
Northern Gannet- Glace Bay
Greater Yellowlegs- Homeville
Racing Pigeon- pink bands, CU 2006 21597, this bird appears to be from Fall River NS- reported by the Maugers in Port Morien
Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl- Sand Lake
Common Redpoll - Sand Lake
Northern Harrier- Morien Bar

The sightings below are old sightings I am leaving them on here because its nice to look at them.
Peregrine Falcon- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Red-breasted Merganser-not rare but a very nice picture
Herring X Great Black-backed Gull- North St., Glace Bay
Common Gull- Glace Bay
Bobcat (not a bird), photographed near Homeville February 18
Sanderling - February 18, Morien Bar
American Pipit- Lingan Beach
American Bittern- Long Beach - Found Saturday by Angus MacDonald also seen by us Sunday
Iceland Gull- large numbers, widespread
Dovekie- Morien, Catalone
Redhead- Glace Bay harbour reported by Bev Sarty and George Crowell
Long-billed Dowitcher- 3- were found at Glace Bay Sanctuary during the count period of the Glace Bay CBC but only one remained on the day of the count. Found and photographed by Allan Murrant
Dickcissel- Port Morien
Barrow's Goldeneye- Eskasoni
Horned Grebe- Mira Gut
Red-necked Grebe- Catalone Gut
Merlin- Glace Bay
Common Grackle- Sand Lake
Razorbill - off North St. Glace Bay
Pine Warbler- Sand Lake
American Wigeon 150+ and 1 Eurasian Wigeon- Allan and Cathy Murrant, Bev Sarty, George Crowell
American Coot-4 - Beacon St.
Dickcissel- Glace Bay- Bev Sarty, George Crowell
Red-throated Loon-Long Beach- Bev Sarty, George Crowell
Ruddy Duck-4- Beacon St.- Bev Sarty, George Crowell
Dickcissel- Sand Lake
Greater Yellowlegs- Beacon St.
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Beacon St.
American Coot-Beacon St.
Yellow-breasted Chat-Port Morien
Swallow-Port Morien
Lark Sparrow- Sand Lake
Northern Oriole- Sand Lake
Great Egret- Renwick Brook on the Island, Glace Bay
Red-headed Woodpecker- Sand Lake
Tuna and Northern Gannet-off Flint Island- Birds flocked around schools of tuna that were chasing bait fish off Flint Island. If we got too close the tuna moved off and continued to feed. The gannet in the photo will give some idea of size.
American Coot- Schooner Pond- George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon and Lesser Scaup at Beacon St. Dam
Yellow-breasted Chat- Port Morien
Northern Gannet- flying over Brookside St. Glace Bay (very strange sighting)
Ring-necked Pheasant- several locations
White-crowned Sparrow- Sand Lake
Rose-breasted Grosbeak- Sand Lake
Western Kingbird- Donkin
Greater Shearwater- off Flint Island also seen Manx Shearwater, Pomarine Jaeger, Leach's Storm-petrel and Northern Gannet
Philadelphia Vireo- George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Baltimore Oriole- George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Lark Sparrow- Schooner Pond (road to the mine)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-2- Schooner Pond (road to the mine)
Broad-winged Hawk- Sydney Landfill
Whimbrel- can be seen or heard just about anywhere in the CBRM
Sanderling- 500- Schooner Pond beach with Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sndpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- 15- at Sydney Airport
Whimbrel- 11- Sydney Airport
American Golden Plover- 20- at Sydney Airport
Killdeer-21- at Sydney Airport
Solitary Sandpiper -2- Long Beach
Baird's Sandpiper- 1- Schooner Pond
Northern Gannet-many- off Flint Island
American Redstart-1- Off Flint Island this redstart came aboard and stayed with us until we entered the harbour. We were 7 miles from the harbour when it landed on the boat and it spent about an hour flitting about the boat searching for insects. It spent sometime on passenger heads, arms and shoulders.
Red-necked Phalarope-4- off Flint Island
Wilson's Stormpetrel-4- off Flint Island
Greater Shearwater-2- off Flint Island
Manx Shearwater-1- off Flint Island
Common Nighthawk- 50+ seen over the Sydney Glace Bay highway reported by Sharon Cameron
White-winged Crossbill -a few flocks-August 12, 06 Kennington Cove- Reported by visiting birders.
Baird's Sandpiper-2-August 12, 06 On the beach at Big Glace Bay- Reported by visiting birders.
Ipswich Sparrow-1-August 12, 06 On the beach at Schooner Pond- Reported by visiting birders.
Common Nighthawk-August 12, 06-6- at Mira Gut at 1pm- reported by Liz and Julie MacDonald
Whimbrel-August 11, 06- 26- at Glace Bay Sanctuary at dusk flying for Schooner Pond- reported by Liz and Julie MacDonald
Solitary Sandpiper- 2- Mabou River
Whimbrel- Every year Allan and I visit the Glace Bay Sanctuary and Schooner Pond at dusk to view the flocks of migrating whimbrel. In the day whimbrel can be seen on the salt marshes feeding with other shorebirds and on the headlands feeding on berries but come dusk they call and form flocks that pass over Glace Bay Sanctuary and Schooner Pond. Tonight we sat at Schooner Pond watching the Reef Heron and listening to the flocks of Whimbrel pass overhead. The thick fog made it impossible to count the number of birds or the number of flocks but one flock happened to pass by close to us with 50+ whimbrel. The largest flocks we have seen can have 120+. It is a treat for us that we enjoy every year.
WHITE PELICAN August 1, 06 this bird was not seen today but we hope to relocate this bird. I have a report that a White Pelican was seen at Catalone Gut last eveing July 31, 06 at 6:00 pm and was observed by Jerry Sponagle for 20 munites, he discribed the bird to be a breeding adult with the plate on the upper mandible. He watched it feeding at the mouth of the gut "dipping with its bill". Jerry checked for the bird this morning but didn't find it. We checked along the coast and were unable to find the bird.
Black-headed Gull- 3- Chris Elphick at Glace Bay Sanctuary
Common Nighthawk- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone- Reported at Morien Bar by Monique Vassallo
Black Vulture- Reported at Schooner Pond by Monique Vassallo
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow- Anyone coming to see the Reef Heron should have a look for Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow in the same area. They will also be seen at Morien bar
WESTERN REEF HERON (photos below) LATEST UPDATE: Tuesday, August 7, 06 the Reef Heron has not been seen for a week. Sunday August 6, 06 Reef Heron not seen by us and no reports have come in. Saturday August 5, 06 Reef Heron not seen by us and no reports have come in. Friday, August 4, 2006 Reef Heron not seen by us and no reports have come in. Thursday, August 3, 2006 Reef Heron not seen by us and no reports have come in. Wednesday, August 2, 2006 Allan and I were over to Glace Bay by the hospital 2:00pm and the Reef Heron was feeding in the same area on the marsh. It flew up into the spruce but returned to feed before we left. Tuesday, August 1, 2006 the Heron is back at Glace Bay Sanctuary by the hospital as of this morning. It remained at Glace Bay all day and at dusk it flew off in the direction of Schoooner Pond. Lois and Don Codling watched the bird with us this eveing until it went out of sight. Monday, July 31, 06 the Reef Heron was seen at Glace Bay Sanctuary by the hospital today and this evening it was seen by Heather and Gordon Gillis. We met the Gillis' as they were leaving and we joined Chris Elphick of Connecticut to watch the bird until dark when a group of three children scared the bird. It flew off in the direction of Schooner Pond. We took a drive to Schooner Pond but we did not see the bird.
Directions to the Reef Heron To get to the location at Glace Bay Sanctuary at the Hospital. Go to the town of Glace Bay and get on South St. you can use the green "H" Hospital signs to find it. South St. dead ends on the beach just passed Glace Bay Hospital the heron is in the grassy area to your right behind the Hospital. Here is a map showing the 2 locations where the reef Heron is seen. To check the Schooner Pond location follow these directions. To get to Schooner Pond drive the Marconi Trail east from Glace Bay to Donkin. Just past the village of Donkin there is a sharp curve in the road and a gravel road behind a beach. This is the gravel road to the Donkin Mine Site. Follow the gravel road until you reach the iron gate the bird is in the pond to your right. If you want more information on Schooner Pond and a map, here is the link. Map of Schooner Pond

Sunday, July 30, 2006 at Glace Bay by the hospital 6:30 am reported by Wayne Neilly and Florida birders. Allan and I also saw it this morning at 11:00 am same place and again at 8:00 pm. Friday, July 28, 06 Bill Lindley of London, Ontario reported seeing the reef heron at the Glace Bay side of the sanctuary from 8:00 am to 9:30 am with George Crowell. Thursday July 27, 06 the reef heron was reported flying over Schooner Pond about 9:30 am by Monique Vassallo and reported this afternoon by George Crowell at the Glace Bay Sanctuary beside the Glace Bay Hospital and the bird was still present on the beach at 6:10 pm when I am typing this update. Thursday July 27, 06 the Reef Heron was back at Schooner Pond this evening at dusk. Wednesday, July 26, 06 Allan and I went to Schooner Pond this morning 6:40 am and the Western Reef Heron is in the "Upper Pond" at Schooner Pond. We made a second trip this afternoon about 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm and the heron was in the same part of the marsh with 3 GB Heron and it was seen again at 6:30 pm. Sat. July 22, 06 The Reef Heron was spotted on the Donkin side of the Sanctuary by George Crowell, then he saw it fly to the Hosptial side where it was seen by many most of the day. Friday, July 21, 2006 the reef heron was reported by George Crowell and a birder from Arizona at around 5 pm. Wednesday July 19, 06 The Reef Heron was seen for about 45 min. this morning from 11:05 to 11:50 am and in the evening reported by Jane Hooper. Tuesday July 18, 06 I got a report from 3 Ontario birders, they saw the Reef Heron this morning at 9:20 am and were still watching the bird when they called me on the cell phone at 10:30 am at the time I am typing this report. Monday July 17, 06 I got a report from George Crowell that the bird was seen this morning around 11:00 am and it was seen 4:55 pm and was still present at 6:10 pm when I am updating this message this report came from Kayo Roy. Allan and I were out taking pictures of the Reef Heron until dark Monday July 17, 06. Sunday, July 16, 06 Allan and I were out this evening and saw the reef heron in the same place by the hospital at 7:15 pm.

Sat., July 15, 06 I just got a report from Mike Hamilton of Buffalo, New York he called me at 9:30 am to tell me the bird was seen this morning. It flew in from the Donkin side of the Sanctuary and stayed for 45 minutes to the delight of about 10 birders from many places. It flew away in the direction of the Seaview Manor. Friday July 14, 06 I got a second hand report that the Reef Heron was seen this evening by a birder from Delaware. Now that we have finished lobster fishing we can get out in the morning and look for the bird for an update. Tuesday July 11, 2006 the bird was reported today and seems to be a bit more settled feeding in the marsh and roosting in the near by spruce trees. Sunday July 9, 06 6:10 am as I am typing this update Barrett Pierce, Texas and birders from Pennsylvania are enjoying the Reef Heron and more birders are arriving. At 4:00 pm the bird was still being seen by birders and was seen in the area all day either in the grass or in the spruce trees. A good tip for finding the Glace Bay Hospital is to follow the big blue H hospital sign.

Sat. July 8 the bird was also seen 10:30-11:00 am. Friday July 7, 06 Dwayne Oakley and Dave Seeler from PEI found the Reef Heron this moring shortly after 7:00 am in the same place behind the Glace Bay Hospital and the bird flew out to the Donkin side of the Sanctuary. Dave Oakley emailed me this eveing with this advice for searching birders. "Of course anyone expecting to find the bird will have to search the marsh grasses closely and it seems a high tide is the best bet for it coming out into the open." July 6, 06 we met birders in Glace Bay this evening from PEI and they looked for the bird all day today without luck. They will be checking tomorrow and will contact me if they have any luck. July 5, 06 We checked for the bird today at 7 pm to 7:45 pm with no luck. I met some birders from California and they were looking for the bird thoughout today with no luck. I asked them to call me and let me know if they see it. I will post any reports when I get them. I myself still have hope the bird is around. Anyone making a trip to see this bird should try and give themselves a few days to look. It is possible the bird is resting on the old breakwater posts behind Seaview Manor at times. (Seaview Manor is across the street from Glace Bay Hospital). I would also think it would be good if Dominion Beach could be checked. My husband and I are fishing lobster right now until July13 and have no time to look our selves.
Western Reef Heron- Monique Vassallo -reported a Western Reef Heron at Glace Bay Sanctuary today June 26, 06 in the area behind the Hospital. Various birders observed the Western Reef Heron today June 27, 06 in the same area of Glace Bay Sanctuary that it was first reported.
Western Reef Heron- We checked for the Heron at 7:45 pm June 28, 06 within minutes we spotted it not far from where we took the pictures. Thursday, June 29, 06 We checked for the Reef Heron at 7:00pm until almost dark with no luck. Birders from Ontario, New Brunswick and mainland NS were in the area all day and never had any luck finding the bird. We will get out again tomorrow evening and we asked the other birders to report to us if they find it. June 30, 06 E. Pike reported the Reef Heron in the pond on the Donkin side of Glace Bay Sanctuary at 7:00 am. It was also reported by Monique Vassello at 12:30pm today. Seen July 1, 06 behind the Glace Bay Hospital Many birders searched all day without luck when birders returning to see the Gull-billed Tern spotted the Western Reef Heron 2:40 pm July 2, 06. It came from the direction of Glace Bay Harbour. July 3 and 4, 06 I only talked to a few birders today and no one I talked to found the heron. We checked for it between 7 and 8 pm without luck. Directions: In the town of Glace Bay follow South St. until it dead ends at the beach, the Heron is in the grassy part of the salt water marsh behind the Glace Bay Hospital. To get to the Donkin end of the Sanctuary take the highway to Donkin but at the fork in the road to Morien and Donkin there is a dirt road on the left that appears to be the driveway to the white house beside the Xtra garage. This dirt road will take you into the sanctuary. We were able to get these photos between 6:00 and 7:00pm June 27, 06
Broad-winged Hawk-adult- Sand Lake Road
Black-headed Gull and Bonaparte's Gull-Port Morien Sand Bar, also shorebirds seen on the bar were Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpiper, Willets
Ruff- Juvenile -Allan and I found a Ruff this evening July 18, 06 in the upper pond at Schooner Pond it was seen with a Lesser Yellowlegs. We have a bad picture we will try again for pictures. Also seen the morning of the 19th by George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Gull-billed Tern- adult- while looking for the Western Reef Heron on the Donkin side of Glace Bay Sanctuary, Allan and I spotted a Gull-billed Tern the tern was heading back in the direction of where the Western Reef Heron was found behind the hospital. It was located sitting on a sand-flat with gulls not far from the Western Reef Heron. UPDATE: I got a report that this bird was located in Morien at the Sand Bar July 8, 06 Johnny Nickerson and Terry Crowell.
Whimbrel- 5- by Larry Neilly at Glace Bay Sanctuary
Laughing Gull- reported by Monique Vassello at Glace Bay Sanctuary (seen in the picture with the Western Reef Heron above)
Common Moorhen- reported by Monique Vassello at Schooner Pond
Hudsonian Godwit-2- very early arrival June 25, 06
Atlantic Puffin-Flint Island
Laughing Gull- 2 adult, 1 first summer- Port Morien Harbour
Razorbills- Cape Perce
Greater Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater- off Flint Island
Long-tailed Jaeger- off Flint Island
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Port Morien, Glace Bay
Red-necked Phalarope- off Flint Island
Laughing Gull- Port Morien
Oregon Junco - Sand Lake
Merlin - Sand Lake
Ipswich Sparrow-Morien Bar
Tree Swallow- Sand Lake
Greater Yellowlegs - Homeville
Wood Duck - 1 male 2 female reported by Jr. Metcalfe
Eastern Bluebird- Schooner Pond
Ipswich Sparrow - Morien Bar
Fox Sparrow- Sand Lake
Gray Catbird - Sand Lake
Eastern Towhee - Sand Lake
Short-eared Owl - Morien Bar
Turkey Vulture - Glace Bay
Field Sparrow- Blackett St., George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Little Gull - Mira Gut
White-eyed Vireo - Blockhouse Point ( Old French Mine in Port Morien) Follow the ATV trail keeping to the left and a yellow flannel cloth tie on the tree mark the area.
Eastern Meadowlark- 2- At the end of Blackett St. and in the fields behind the Miners Museum- Bev Sarty
Eastern Towhee -female- Blackett St., George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Yellow-breasted Chat- Blackett St., George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Baltimore Oriole-2- Blackett St., George Crowell and Bev Sarty
Common Redpoll- Sand Lake
American Robin- Sand Lake
White-throated Sparrow- Sand Lake
Red-winged Blackbird-2- Sand Lake
Orange-crowned Warbler - Blockhouse Point
Gray Catbird- Blockhouse Point
Tree Sparrow - Donkin
Ring-necked Pheasant - Morien Bar, Donkin
Dickcissel - New Waterford
Common Grackle - New Waterford
Common Yellowthroat - Lingan Community Park
Hooded Merganser - Glace Bay Sanctuary
Swamp Sparrow - Schooner Pond
Greater Yellowlegs - Glace Bay Sanctuary
Lark Sparrow - Donkin
American Coot - Beacon St. Dam, Schooner Pond
Bonaparte's Gull - Catalone
Red-necked Grebe - Catalone Gut
Common Tern - Catalone
Horned Grebe - Mira Gut
Common Loon - Morien, Mira Gut, Catalone
Purple Sandpiper - Morien
Green-winged Teal - Homeville, Glace Bay Sanctuary
Kingfisher- Homeville
Snow Bunting- Morien Bar
Gray Catbird- Schooner Pond, Sand Lake, Lingan Community Park
Eastern Towhee - Sand Lake
Hurricane Wilma birds are still being seen here in Cape Breton. Chimney Swifts were seen in downtown Sydney, and Swallows are being reported in many places. Common Tern and Caspian Tern are also being seen at Glace Bay Sanctuary, Lingan, and many places along the coast have small flocks of Common Tern gathered feeding.
Barn Swallow- Schooner Pond, Morien
Turkey Vulture- Sydney
Gray Catbird- Sand Lake
Palm Warbler-western-Sand Lake
Snowy Egret- Dominion- Allan Wilson
Magnificent Frigatebird- Centerville
Redhead- 13- Centerville Road sewage lagoon
Northern Shoveler -7- Centerville Road sewage lagoon
Laughing Gull - Glace Bay Fishermen's Park and Beacon St. Dam
Franklin's Gull - Schooner Pond
Turkey Vulture - Donkin
Dickcissel-2- Blackett St. - Bev Sarty and George Crowell
Western Sandpiper- Schooner Pond- Bev Sarty and George Crowell
Barn Swallow- 20- Long Beach - sitting in the kelp on the beach
Bohemian Waxwing - Sand Lake 40- Schooner Pond 30
Eastern Towhee- 1 male- Sand Lake
Black Tern - 1- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Snowy Egret - 2 - Glace Bay Sanctuary
Common Tern - 60+- seen along the coast most seen at Catalone Gut.
Bonaparte's Gull- Morien, Mira Gut and Catalone Gut
American Coot - Beacon St. Dam
Turkey Vulture- 1 - Mira Gut
Horned Grebe-1- Catalone Gut
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Mira Gut
Forster's Tern -2- seen in a flock of Common Terns at Mira Gut

the second at Catalone Gut
Caspian Tern-12- Before Hurricane Wilma we had never seen a Caspian Tern in Cape Breton. We heard the odd report of them but we had never been lucky enough to see one. By the end of today (Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005) we had seen 12 in the following areas- 3 Dominion Beach, 1 Glace Bay Sanctuary, 1 Schooner Pond, 1 Port Morien, 1 Mira Gut, 4 Catalone Gut, and 1 Gabarus.
Barn and Tree Swallows - We saw more Barn and Tree Swallows today than any other day but the numbers of Chimney Swifts have dropped. We saw Chimney Swifts - 10 in Gabarus, 1 Schooner Pond
Laughing Gull - 2- Dominion Beach
Spruce Grouse - Gabarus
Gray Jay- several sightings
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Gabarus
Northern Goshawk -1 - Lingan
Northern Shrike- 1- Bev and George Crowell - Schooner Pond
Long-billed Dowitcher- 5- The flock of 5 birds were found at Glace Bay Sanctuary.
Common Tern- Everywhere we stopped along the coast today Common Terns were seen. We saw 100+ altogether. A sighting of Common Terns flying among a flock of 40 Snow Buntings is a testament to how unusual these past few days have been for us. Snow Buntings are a winter bird and Common Tern are here in summer and I don't think I have seen both these species in the same week never mind in the same flock. The largest numbers were seen at Mira Gut and Catalone Gut.
Gull-billed Tern -2- Port Morien- We found and photographed this Gull-billed Tern this morning and returned in the afternoon with George and Bev Crowell. This bird was very cooperative.
American Avocet- After spending the afternoon with the Gull-billed Tern our small group headed for Port Morien sandbar. Bev and George stopped at the entrance to Morien Bar for this American Avocet on the road.
Caspian Tern- with Common Terns, many common terns were seen today- Port Morien
Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Chimney Swifts were seen again today- Barn and Tree Swallows clinged to the cliffs at Port Morien.
Baird's Sandpiper- Port Morien
Red-throated Loon - Mira Gut
Bonaparte's Gull- seen from Morien to Catalone Gut
Osprey- Port Morien
Yellow-billed Cuckoo- in Howie Centre- Some of the birds being found after Wilma pasted look stressed. Cheryl Bray photographed this cuckoo on the grass in her yard.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo- 1 seen at Schooner Pond by Bev and George Crowell and a second bird in Port Morien
Fox Sparrow- 1 seen at Schooner Pond by Bev and George Crowell
Oldsquaw- 10 seen at Morien Bay
Red-necked Grebe - Mira Gut
Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, and Tree Swallow- 60-70 birds in Glace Bay near Lofood mostly Chimney Swifts with less than 10 swallows and 2 Purple Martin - We drove up Seaview St. to Morris St. from there we had an excellent view of the birds.- After seeing swifts in Glace Bay we headed over to Schooner Pond we walked out to field by the buildings, swifts could be seen in all directions around the area flying over the trees and ponds. Swallows were seen aswell but in much smaller numbers.
The last few days have been very exciting in Nova Scotia and here on Cape Breton Island. Hurricane Wilma passed well South of us but still managed to bring us lots of birds from the Southern United States. Chimney Swifts, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Common Terns which we see here in some numbers had left for the South. Incredible numbers of these birds were returned to us via Hurricane Wilma and they brought with them some very exciting rarities.
Grasshopper Sparrow-Schooner Pond
Gray Catbird- Schooner Pond
Ruddy Duck-3- at Becaon St. Dam with 4 Redheads, 1 Eurasian Wigeon and many American Wigeon
Lincoln's Sparrow-Schooner Pond
Yellow-billed Cuckoo-Schooner Pond
Prairie Warbler-Schooner Pond
Black-billed Cuckoo-juvenile-Schooner Pond
Eastern Towhee-male and female -Marie and Russel Mauger's feeder on Tower Road
Great Blue Heron with a pipefish- 20- Lingan Bay
Redhead-4-Thursday 3 birds were seen they increased to 8, 7 males and 1 female now they are down to 4-Beacon St. Dam
Black Scoter- in the marsh - Schooner Pond
Indigo Bunting - Schooner Pond
Yellow-billed Cuckoo -2- Schooner Pond
Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Parula Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and Blue-headed Vireo- Schooner Pond
Barn Swallow - Schooner Pond
Bufflehead- Tower Road settling pond
Black-bellied Plover, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, and Dunlin- Sydney Airport
Blue Grosbeak- first winter-Schooner Pond
Iceland Gull-Beacon St. Dam
Peregrine Falcon-Schooner Pond
Sharp-shinned Hawk-3-Schooner Pond
Red-tailed Hawk-Schooner Pond
Black Vulture- Morien sandbar- the only picture is very bad, the silver wing tip is barely visable
Snow Bunting-Schooner Pond
Lapland Longspur-Schooner Pond
American Pipit-Glace Bay
White-crowned Sparrow-Schooner Pond
Eastern Towhee-female -Schooner Pond
Peregrine Falcon-Schooner Pond
Ruby-crowned Kinglet-large numbers -Schooner Pond
Evening Grosbeak- Sand Lake
Pine Grosbeak-Sand Lake, Schooner Pond
Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lark Sparrow,Chipping Sparrow and Clay-coloured Sparrow- large numbers of sparrows -Schooner Pond
Eastern Towhee -Schooner Pond
Lesser Scaup-Beacon St. dam
Clay-coloured Sparrow-2 -Schooner Pond
Lark Sparrow-2 -Schooner Pond
Yellow-breasted Chat-seen again in the same place-Schooner Pond
Northern Pintail- this has been seen for the past few weeks- Beacon St. Dam
Clay-coloured Sparrow -Schooner Pond
Golden-winged Warbler-seen again in the same area -Schooner Pond
Baltimore Oriole-large numbers-Schooner Pond
White-crowned Sparrow-Sand Lake
Indigo Bunting-4-Schooner Pond
Chimney Swift-Schooner Pond
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- Schooner Pond
Yellow-billed Cuckoo- Schooner Pond
Ring-necked Pheasant-7- Morien, Donkin
Hudsonian Godwit-1- Sydney Airport
Peregrine Falcon-1- Schooner Pond
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Schooner Pond
Lapland Longspur-5 - Schooner Pond
Dickcissel-4- Schooner Pond
Bobolink-4 - Schooner Pond
Lark Sparrow - Schooner Pond
Gray Catbird- Tony Timmons - Schooner Pond
Clay-coloured Sparrow- Tony Timmons - Schooner Pond
Golden-winged Warbler - Schooner Pond
Warbling Vireo- 4 - Schooner Pond
Yellow-throated Vireo - Schooner Pond
Warbling Vireo -George and Bev- Schooner Pond
Prairie Warbler - George and Bev-Schooner Pond
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-6 - George and Bev-Schooner Pond
Great-crested Flycatcher- George and Bev - Schooner Pond
Baltimore Oriole - Schooner Pond
Eastern Peewee - Schooner Pond
Leach's Stormpetrel- many blown in by Ophelia
Eastern Kingbird-1- Long Beach
Willet- Glace Bay Fishermen's Park
Eurasian Wigeon-1- Beacon St. Dam
American Wigeon -44- Beacon St. Dam
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher- Sand Lake
American Golden Plover-24- Sydney Airport
Killdeer-10- Sydney Airport
Buff-breasted Sandpiper-3- Sydney Airport
Barred Owl- Sand Lake
American Golden Plover-4- Sydney Airport
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher- Liz and Julie MacDonald
Pomarine Jaeger- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Leach's Stormpetrel- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Northern Fulmar-1- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Manx Shearwater-1- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Cory's Shearwater-1- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Sooty Shearwater-2- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Greater Shearwater-40+- 2 miles SE of Flint Island
Whimbrel- Morien Bay
American Bittern - Birch Grove Sewage Lagoon
Solitary Sandpiper- Birch Grove Sewage lagoon
Common Nighthawk- Birch Grove- Morien Bar
Peregrine Falcon- Birch Grove Sewage lagoon
Canada Goose-7- Beacon St. Dam
Hooded Merganser-2- Beacon St. Dam
Pied-billed Grebe- 6 adults- 2 broods young- Schooner Pond
Peregrine Falcon- Big Glace Bay
Solitary Sandpiper-3- Schooner Pond
Hudsonian Godwit-4- Morien Bar
Black-headed Gull-3- Port Morien Sandbar
Stilt Sandpiper- 2 adults- Port Morien Sandbar
Short-billed Dowitcher- - Port Morien Sandbar
Greater Yellowlegs- Port Morien Sandbar
Lesser Yellowlegs- Port Morien Sandbar
Willets- Port Morien Sandbar
Red Knot- Port Morien Sandbar
Semi-palmated Sandpiper- Port Morien Sandbar
Common Tern- Port Morien Sandbar
Arctic Tern- Port Morien Sandbar
Northern Harrier- Port Morien Sandbar
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow- Port Morien Sandbar
male Scarlet Tanager- Port Morien Seniors Complex reported and photographed by Mrs. MacDonald and Mr. Clements. I hope to get the photo to go with the report.
American Bittern- Homeville bridge.
Snowy Egret- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Little Egret- Philip's gravel pit in Homeville.
Short-eared Owl- Morien Bar and Glace Bay Sanctuary
Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow
Osprey- Homeville
Blue-winged Teal- Homeville Bridge
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- Homeville Bridge
American Coot- Beacon St., Glace Bay
Greater Yellowlegs- Glace Bay Santuary
Great Egret -Glace Bay Santuary reported by Art Gillard still present May 7, 2005
Lesser Black-backed Gull -Glace Bay harbour Townsend's Solitaire- in our yard in Sand Lake- I am moving this report to the top of the list because it is still at my birdfeeder.
Thayer's Gull -Glace Bay harbour
Tufted Duck -Glace Bay harbour
Pink-footed Geese in Abercrombie.
More Pink-footed Goose Photos
Black Guillemot- Juvenile-several guillemot seen along the coast-
Bald Eagle- Main à Dieu
Common Merganser- several seen -
Dovekies are being seen in several locations-The dovekie here was videotaped by Ken Jardine while diving. The still image here was taken from that video tape.
Eastern Towhee- This was found and photographed by Barry Smith-Westmount
Sharp-shinned Hawk-Port Morien
Great Black-backed GullX Herring Gull- Glace Bay Harbour
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2nd winter-Glace Bay Harbour
Horned Grebe-Mira Gut
Pine Grosbeak- North Head-Morrison Rd.
Purple Sandpiper- North Head
Hooded Merganser- MacAskill's Brook
Short-eared Owl - Dominion Beach
Northern Harrier- Port Morien
Dovkie- Glace Bay Harbour- North Head
Glaucous Gull-4- Glace Bay
Northern Goshawk- Sand Lake
Red-tailed Hawk- Sand Lake
Common Grackle- Sand Lake
Red-winged Blackbird- Sand Lake
Ruffed Grouse- Sand Lake- 7 attending our feeder
Razorbill- Port Morien Harbour
Red-bellied Woodpecker-Bill MacDonald-72 Catherine St. Glace Bay
Snowy Owl - Glace Bay harbour
Tree Sparrow- Sand Lake- arriving at feeders in the last few days
Black Scoter- North Head
Northern Shrike- Sand Lake, Schooner Pond
Baltimore Oriole- Sand Lake
Common Black-headed Gull - Glace Bay Harbour
Thayer's Gull - Glace Bay
Brown Creeper- Morrison Road
Pileated Woodpecker- morrison Road
Broad-winged Hawk- Sand Lake
Red-winged Blackbird-Sand Lake
American Wigeon- 76- Beacon St. Dam
Eurasian Wigeon- 11 - Beacon St. Dam Photos on Digiscoped Birds
Lesser Scaup- Beacon St. dam
Northern Pintail- Beacon St. dam
Sanderling- Glace Bay harbour
Eurasian Wigeon- Beacon St. dam- 6
American Wigeon- Beacon St. dam- 70+
Western Kingbird- MacIntosh's Farm near Schooner Pond- George Crowell for details
Snowy Owl- Schooner Pond- Stanley Murrant 2 sightings, Glace Bay 2 sightings Glen MacKinnon, 1 Dominion Beach Allan Wilson
Ruddy Duck - at Beacon St. Dam
American Coot - at Beacon St. Dam
Cattle Egret- 592 Centerville Rd.
Western Kingbird- Louisbourg-when we went looking for the Cattle Egret we found this Western Kingbird
Cattle Egret- reported by Camilla Peck- Louisbourg
Northern Goshawk- Schooner Pond
Ruby-crowned Kinglet-6- Schooner Pond
Lapland Longspur-3- Schooner Pond
American Pipit-4- Schooner Pond
Short-billed Dowitcher-5- Airport
Pectoral Sandpiper-2- Schooner Pond-Airport- 30
Wilson's Snipe-5- Schooner Pond
Yellow-billed Cuckoo- Schooner Pond
Baltimore Oriole-5- Schooner Pond
Eastern Towhee- Schooner Pond
Indigo Bunting-7- Schooner Pond
American Kestrel- Schooner Pond
Cliff Swallow- Schooner Pond
Yellow-rumped Warbler-numerous- Schooner Pond
American Redstart- Schooner Pond
Common Yellow Throat- Schooner Pond
Orange-crowned Warbler-2- Schooner Pond
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher-2- Schooner Pond
Savannah Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Song Sparrow- Schooner Pond
White-troated Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Chipping Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Clay-coloured Sparrow-2- Schooner Pond
Field Sparrow- Schooner Pond
Willet-Homeville
Clay-coloured Sparrow- Schooner Pond
2 Dickcissel- Schooner Pond
Photo taken September 29, 2004 Schooner Pond
Warbling Vireo- Schooner Pond
Photo taken September 29, 2004 Schooner Pond
Bobolink- Morien Bar
Parasitic Jaeger- off Flint Island
Pomarine Jaeger- off Flint Island
Philadelphia Vireo- Schooner Pond
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- Schooner Pond
Prairie Warbler- Schooner Pond
Ruddy Turnstone- Sydney Airport
Golden Plover- Sydney Airport
Juv Lesser Black-backed Gull- Schooner Pond Beach
Purple Sandpiper- seen Schooner Pond Beach during 2 day storm
Common Tern and Arctic Tern- seen Morien Bar during 2 day storm
Pomarine Jaeger- seen inland during 2 day storm
Red Phalarope- seen inland during 2 day storm
Wilson's and Leach's Storm-petrel- seen inland during 2 day storm
Baird's Sandpiper- Schooner Pond
Baltimore Orioles- Sand Lake, Schooner Pond
Wood Ducks- Tower Road settling pond
Buff-breasted Sandpiper-Schooner Pond
Eurasian Wigeon- Beacon St. Dam
Northern Goshawk-Sand Lake Rd., Schooner Pond
Red-necked Phalarope- between North Sydney and Argentia
Red Phalarope- between North Sydney and Argentia
Merlin- on the ferry between North Sydney and Argentia
Sooty Shearwater- between North Sydney and Argentia
Greater Shearwater- between North Sydney and Argentia
Northern Fulmar- between North Sydney and Argentia
Osprey- between North Sydney and Argentia
South Polar Skua- between North Sydney and Argentia
Manx Shearwater- between North Sydney and Argentia
Peregrine Falcon-Morien sandbar
Golden Plover-Sydney Airport
Buff-breasted Sandpiper-Sydney Airport
Piping Plover-juvenile-Morien sandbar
Hooded Merganser- juvenile-Beacon St. Dam
Bufflehead-male, adult non-breeding-Beacon St. Dam
Ruddy Turnstone- Glace Bay Sanctuary
Whimbrel- Morien Sandbar, Glace Bay Sanctuary
Piping Plover- 1 adult, 1 juvenile
Northern Gannet- off Flint Island
Wilson's Storm-Petrel- off Flint Isand
Razorbill- off Flint Isand
Greater Shearwater- off Flint Isand
Atlantic Puffin- off Flint Island
Solitary Sandpiper- Schooner Pond
Sora Rail- Schooner Pond
Virgina Rail-Schooner Pond- in the lower pond with young
Lesser Yellowlegs- Morien Sandbar
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow- Glace Bay Santuary- Port Morien Sandbar
Broad-winged Hawk- Back Pit Road
Short-billed Dowitcher- Morien Sandbar
Hudsonian Godwit- Morien Sandbar
Whimbrel- Morien Sandbar
Red Knot - Morien Sandbar
Willet - Morien Sandbar
Greater Yellowlegs- Morien Sandbar
Northern Gannet- off Flint Island, Morien Bay
White-winged Crossbill- Sand Lake, large cone crop in Cape Breton
Razorbill- several sightings- Morien Bay
Atlantic Puffin- off Flint Island
Laughing Gull -adult- off Flint Island
Northern Fulmar- off Flint Island
Greater Shearwater- Loon Shoal
White-winged Dove- 2- Glace Bay, reported by Bev and George Crowell
Laughing Gull -1st summer- Morien Bay
Indigo Bunting- 1 female- Sand Lake, 1 male-Port Morien, reported by Leroy Peach
Iceland Gull- Morien Bay
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Morien Bay
White-winged Scoter- Morien Bay- large numbers
Veery-Sand Lake
Broad-winged Hawk-Sand Lake-nesting
Nashville Warbler-Sand Lake
Blackpoll Warbler- Schooner Pond-small flock
Magnolia Warbler-Schooner Pond
Blue-headed Vireo-Sand Lake
Palm Warbler-Sand Lake
Wilson's Warbler-Sand Lake
Common Yellow Throat- Back Pit
Black-throated Green Warbler-Sand Lake
Black and White Warbler-Sand Lake
Black-throated Blue Warbler-Sand Lake
Northern Fulmar- off Flint Island
Common Tern-Morien- large numbers
Arctic Tern-Morien
Tree Swallow-Glace Bay Sanctuary- large numbers roosting in the rose bushes
Short-billed Dowitcher-Schooner Pond- small flock
Pectoral Sandpiper-Schooner Pond
Purple Sandpiper-Morien
Spotted Sandpiper-Beacon St. Dam, Schooner Pond, Morien
Ruby-throated Hummingbird-Sand Lake
Razorbills-Morien Bay
White-crowned Sparrow-Sand Lake
Chipping Sparrow-Sand Lake
Red-throated Loons-4-Schooner Pond
Northern Gannet-with creamy head colour but lacking any black pigment-Schooner Pond
pair Merlin-Schooner Pond
Black Scoter-Morien
Palm Warbler-Schooner Pond
Green Heron
We found this Green Heron at the Upper Shag Roost, Port Morien. Saturday, May 8, 2004 Photo taken May 10, 2004
Great Egret
We found this Great Egret at the Big Glace Bay Lake. Saturday, May 8, 2004
Cattle Egret
We found this Cattle Egret at the Big Glace Bay Lake. Saturday, May 8, 2004
Gadwall-Glace Bay Sanctuary
Eastern Kingbird-Schooner Pond
Glossy Ibis
We found this Glossy Ibis at 355 Long Beach Rd., Port Morien. Sunday, May 2, 2004
Yellow-rumped Warbler- several sightings
Hermit Thrush- South Head
Northern Shoveler- Glace Bay
Short-eared Owl- southside Boulardrie
N. Gannet- Groves Point, Bras d'Or Lakes
Sandhill Crane
There is a pair of Sandhill Cranes at 6260 Grand Mira North. We took this photo around 6 pm April 26, 2004. It was found by Martin and Emily MacLellan and reported to us by Gertie Betts. A more recent report puts these birds moved along the road toward the Wildlife Park to number 6062. I realize the numbers are simaliar but they are correct.
Rough-legged Hawk- Morien
Merlin- Glace Bay
N. Mockingbird- Morien
Peregrine Falcon- Glace Bay
Brown-headed Cowbird- Sand Lake
pair Barred Owl- Sand Lake
Barn Swallow- North Head
Gadwall pair- Glace Bay
Hoary Redpoll- Sand Lake
Am. Kestrel- North Head
Osprey- Morien
Tree Swallow- Sand Lake
Eastern Meadowlark
There is an Eastern Meadowlark in Main-à-Dieu, it can be seen from the boardwalk. It is on the beach, at the eastern end, around the brook . We took this photo around 2:00 pm Feb. 8, 2004. We think it was found on Feb. 3 by a local birdwatcher.
King Eider, male
There is a male King Eider in Main-à-Dieu, it can be seen from the boardwalk. It was not far off the beach. We took this photo around lunch time Jan. 31, 2004. Susann Myers found the male King Eider in breeding plumage the morning of Jan. 31, 2004 at Main-à-Dieu.
1st winter Ivory Gull
There is a first winter Ivory Gull seen at 2:00 pm at the mouth of Glace Bay Harbour. Park in the parking lot of the Fishermen's Memorial Park look out in the direction of the sewer outfall if you know the area. It is flying back and forth along the edge of the lolly. The sea is extremely rough and high winds made it very difficult to photograph. This is the best I could get.
Slaty-backed Gull
- 1st for the Atlantic Provinces found by Allan and Cathy Murrant on December 26, 2003 here are the images we took on December 26, 2003. The bird can be found at Sonny's Pizza on the corner of Brookside St. and Commercial St. or at the Fish Plants on the roofs at the mouth of the harbour or in the harbour. The last report of the bird was on February 4, 2004 at 12:30 pm in Glace Bay Harbour.

adult non breeding Thayer's Gull
Last seen on January 7, 2004

Gadwall male

Northern Flicker

Green-winged Teal

Northern Pintail

Double-creasted Cormorant

Great Cormorant 50+

Black Vulture- WOW what a nice bird for Cape Breton, it was seen by ourselves in Sydney near the dump. December 5, 2003

Baltimore Oriole

Peregrine Falcon

Yellow-breasted Chat

American Coot - 4 birds

Eurasian Wigeon - 1 male

American Wigeon - 67 birds

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