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The Birds of Prince Edward Island - 2010

This list compiled by David Seeler, records the list of species reported on PEI during 2010.
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SPECIES Reported in 2010: 236

DUCKS, GEESE, AND WATERFOWL
Pink-footed Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
Barnacle Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck

PHEASANTS, GROUSE, AND ALLIES
Gray Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse

LOONS
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon

GREBES
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe

SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS
Greater Shearwater

BOOBIES AND GANNETS
Northern Gannet

CORMORANTS AND SHAGS
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant

HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret

NEW WORLD VULTURES
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture

OSPREY
Osprey

HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle

FALCONS AND CARACARAS
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon

RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
American Coot

PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer

SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Lesser Yellowlegs
Upland Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Hudsonian Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope

GULLS, TERNS, AND SKIMMERS
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte's Gull
Black-headed Gull
Little Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern

SKUAS AND JAEGERS
Parasitic Jaeger

AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS
Dovekie
Razorbill
Black Guillemot

PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove

CUCKOOS
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo

OWLS
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
Great Gray Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl

NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES
Common Nighthawk

HUMMINGBIRDS
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

KINGFISHERS
Belted Kingfisher

WOODPECKERS
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

SHRIKES
Northern Shrike

VIREOS
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo

CROWS, JAYS, AND MAGPIES
Gray Jay
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven

LARKS
Horned Lark

SWALLOWS
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow

CHICKADEES AND TITS
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee

NUTHATCHES
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch

CREEPERS
Brown Creeper

WRENS
Winter Wren

KINGLETS
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

THRUSHES AND ALLIES
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin

MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher

STARLINGS
European Starling

WAGTAILS AND PIPITS
American Pipit

WAXWINGS
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

NEW WORLD WARBLERS
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat

BUNTINGS, SPARROWS AND ALLIES
Eastern Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting

CARDINALS AND ALLIES
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

TROUPIALS AND ALLIES
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS, AND ALLIES
Pine Grosbeak
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow
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Brown calls for Decision on Provincial Museum

As published on the campaign website of Philip Brown - candidate for mayor of Charlottetown 2010

Charlottetown, August 23, 2010 — Charlottetown mayoral candidate Philip Brown says there is no better time than the present to establish the proposed provincial museum in Charlottetown.

“It is time for governments at all levels to come together and move forward on this initiative,” said Mr. Brown. “The studies have been done, the options have been identified and it is time to make a decision to finally establish a provincial museum in Charlottetown, the provincial capital.”

Mr. Brown said that Prince Edward Island is the only province in Canada without a provincial museum, and its establishment would help to interpret the history, heritage and culture of the province. He said it would also be a major attraction for visitors to the province, citing a recent study by the Tourism Research Centre at the University of Prince Edward Island which found 91 percent of visitors to the province visited a historic site, art gallery or museum.

“A provincial museum would not only fill a void in the province’s cultural landscape, it would also result in significant economic and educational benefits,” said Mr. Brown. “As mayor, I would work closely with the federal and provincial governments to secure an immediate start to this project in Charlottetown which would complement the historic character of the city and become a source of pride for all Islanders.”

Mr Brown said he would like to see the project completed by 2014, the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference.

Mr. Brown said the recent sale of the Dominion Building offers one interesting possibility as a location, although he would not rule out other sites within the city.

“I am very concerned that the present city administration has been dragging its feet on the project for too long and has failed to secure a commitment,” said Mr. Brown. “As mayor, I would make this an immediate priority during my first 30 days in office.”

Macphail Homestead open for fall, winter bookings

As published by The Guardian on September 24th, 2010

The provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has stepped in and filled the oil tank at the Macphail homestead in Orwell. Guardian photo

Islanders are encouraged to consider the historic Macphail Homestead when choosing a venue for fall and winter gatherings, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey.

“The Macphail Homestead is an outstanding Island historic site and ecological resource. It is spectacular in the fall and winter and I urge Islanders to continue to use it for special dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Vessey.

The minister and area MLA Alan MacIsaac were recently given a guided tour of the site by Macphail chair Mike Oulton.

Oulton reported the homestead was busy over the summer months and there are several good fall bookings, such as an agricultural symposium on Oct. 7.

"The symposium will focus on research and support for Island farmers, as well as sustainable energy projects for the site including micro-hydro, solar and wind turbines," said Vessey.

In June, the provincial government announced a new agreement with the property to allow for a site manager. The province agreed to maintain the buildings and develop a plan to address capital needs.

• photo by Submitted photo">
• photo by Guardian photo">
• View the gallery

“Through the work of the board, the homestead has been transformed and can now be used to its fullest potential,” said Vessey.

“We are extremely pleased with the level of upkeep and support the province has provided over the summer months,” said Oulton. “This has allowed the volunteers to spend productive time planning events for the coming year.”

The Macphail Homestead in Orwell is a historic site and ecological resource located in Uigg, not far from the Orwell Historic Village. More information about programs at the Homestead can be found at http://www.macphailhomestead.ca.

Orwell Corner deserves better

As published by The Guardian on September 23rd, 2010
Editor:

We have been summer visitors to the Island for many years, and each year we look forward to visiting Orwell Corner Historic Village. This is one of the big highlights of our visit. It is sheer magic to visit Orwell – the staff are exceptional and very authentic in their roles and help visitors be transported back in the past to see what the Island was like then, and how Islanders and Lucy Maud Montgomery might have lived in that time. Sitting in the schoolhouse you can imagine Anne Shirley in school.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that over the years funding to Orwell has decreased which shows in the neglect of buildings, the cutbacks in staff and the general disrepair of much of the Orwell Corner site. This is an Island heritage treasure and one of the places that Islanders and visitors go to find the real history of the Island. Children visiting Orwell connect to a living past because it offers a hands-on experience. Museums are great, but children need interactive exhibits to bring history alive for them. In New Brunswick there is King’s Landing and in Nova Scotia, Ross Farm – these appear to get adequate funding to maintain the sites.

I read about your future provincial museum, and while this is an admirable idea, I would ask the government of P.E.I. not to neglect its valuable existing heritage sites. Orwell is a place tourists and visitors seek out for an authentic Island agricultural experience of the past – not available anywhere else. With more advertising and adequate funding Orwell Corner can be a much-sought-out attraction.

The P.E.I. government in the last year has signed a three-year contract with Cirque de Soleil at $250,000 a year and they gave $800,000 for Live! With Regis and Kelly. These investments admittedly bring in more tourists, but a long-term vision for maintaining heritage sites will bring in far more visitors in the long run.

Cultural tourism is the culture of the Island – past, present and future. I hope the government supports this, and gives Orwell Corner Heritage site the finding and support this Island treasure deserves.

Gillian Robinson,

Halifax

Payoff worth the price for provincial museum - Local - News - The Guardian

William Thorsell, former director of the Royal Ontario Museum, and Doug Deacon, sustainable economic development coordinator with the Town of Stratford pose in front of a cruise ship parked in front of the Charlottetown skyline. Thorsell gave a presentation in Stratford last evening. - Guardian photo by Al MacLeod

Payoff worth the price for provincial museum

Published by The Guardian on September 25th, 2010
by Al MacLeod

With the 150th anniversary of Confederation on the horizon in 2014, the call for a provincial museum on P.E.I. is gaining even more steam these days.

The current museum presence on P.E.I. is made up of multiple sites throughout the province, with each focusing on specific subjects like fisheries and shipbuilding.

The provincial Liberal government has been promising a centralized provincial museum since November 2008 and has financed a study into the subject, which concluded with the recommendation one be built by 2013.

The report also said the province’s approach to heritage is somewhat erratic and ignores important topics like women’s history and archaeological sites.

With this in mind, the town of Stratford brought in William Thorsell, the departing director of the Royal Ontario Museum, to talk about the challenges and processes he went through while rebuilding the ROM in Toronto and making it a vital part of both the city and the province during a presentation Thursday at Stratford Town Hall.

Thorsell said there are challenges involved with such an institution but the payoff is well worth the price.

“It’s a challenge because museums are complex creatures that are pretty expensive to build and pretty expensive to run,” Thorsell said.

“Museums are pretty important centres of identity, pleasure and culture.”

Thorsell came on board with the ROM about 10 years ago and saw the museum go through a fair amount of projects and changes that required substantial funds.

He said the museum took on the responsibility of the projects without government involvement and eventually the government asked to be included and subsequently, provided some of the funding.
Within a few years the institution was a vital part of the city and people flock to the museum every year to see the wide variety of exhibits and galleries.
The key to this success was to solicit interest from the community, Thorsell said.
“We had to create a landscape of desire.”
This was done in part by holding a contest for the architectural design of the renovation projects, which proved to be huge and drew the community into the process and got the media’s attention, Thorsell said.
“Don’t underestimate the power of architecture. It’s more than just a container.
“That created a firestorm of interest.”
It was also important the building stand out and the ROM has a unique architectural design that stands out in the city, Thorsell said.
“Cultural industries are supposed to be the ones to take the risk. They’re supposed to be pushing the limits and create a new sense of possible.”
Thorsell had some advice for P.E.I. on the potential location of its proposed museum.
“You have wonderful water, you have a wonderful waterfront,” he said.
“Don’t put it in a parking lot somewhere in the middle of the city.”

P.E.I. museum plans moving ahead: Vessey

As published by CBC News Friday, August 20, 2010 | 1:36 PM AT

see the originating site for reader comments

Comments7

Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey, shown here in a file photo, met with Summerside city council last week to discuss the possibility of locating the museum there. (Province of P.E.I.)

P.E.I. Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey hopes to go to cabinet in the next couple of months with concrete plans for a provincial museum.

A central provincial heritage museum has been a promise of the provincial Liberals since November 2008.

Vessey met with Summerside's city council last week regarding the possibility of a central museum being built there. The museum system on P.E.I. currently includes multiple sites throughout the province, and each one has a narrow focus such as fisheries and shipbuilding.

Vessey said the Summerside meeting was informal and no decision has been made about the new facility's location.

"We're not there yet," he said. "We're just trying to come up with something that is cost efficient. And I'd like to be able to build or have a museum that's right the first time and be done very cost efficient for Islanders."

Too expensive

Vessey said a consultant came back with an estimated price tag of $50-million, which is more than than the Liberals want to pay for a museum.

Summerside city councillor Vance Bridges said he's doubtful that his city is in the running for the new facility, but said a central museum could still have satellite locations.

"I can't imagine the kind of facility that would be needed in only one location to house all the artifacts that are available," he said.

A government-commissioned report in 2008 said that P.E.I.'s approach to heritage is unfocused and ignores subjects including women's history and archaeological sites.

That report recommended a central museum be opened by 2013.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/08/20/pei-central-museum-vessey-584.html#ixzz12eMRu3yU