An Eared Grebe, the first record for Bermuda, was found at Spittal Pond 10 Aug-12 Sep (EA). A Horned Grebe was in Castle Harbour 1 Feb-15 Mar (DW). A Sooty Shearwater in Castle Harbour 2 Aug was the earliest fall record (DBW). A Magnificent Frigatebird was at Watford Bridge 19 Nov. A Great Egret in Devonshire Marsh 20 Aug was the earliest fall record. A White Ibis was seen at Great Head Park and later Devonshire Marsh 18 Aug (the third fall record- DBW). An American Black Duck at Spittal Pond 7 Sep was the earliest fall record by 23 days. A Eurasian Teal summered on Nonsuch Island/Mid-Ocean G.C. (DBW). A Surf Scoter was on Spittal Pond, Smiths 12-16 Feb then found dead (PS). A Eurasian Wigeon was at Lovers Lake/Jubilee Road 13 Feb. A Purple Gallinule was on Marsh Lane 9-22 May. A Pacific Golden-Plover, the first record for Bermuda, was on Bermuda Airport 25 Jan-10 May (DBW, SDS). An American Avocet was on Riddell’s Bay/Mid-Ocean golf courses 29 Oct 1995 to 9 May 1996. A Black-necked Stilt was on Spittal Pond 14 Apr-6 May. A Eurasian Whimbrel was at the Airport 26 Oct. A Hudsonian Godwit was at Mid-Ocean G.C. 17 Sep and two birds were at the Airport later in the month. A Ruff was at Marsh Lane 8-13 Apr and another at the Airport 16 Aug was the earliest fall record. A Wilson’s Phalarope was on Spittal Pond 18-21 May. A South Polar Skua was over Nonsuch Island 24 May (DBW). An Iceland Gull was seen 2 Feb. A Brown Noddy was in St. Georges Harbour 11 Oct. The earliest fall record but it died in captivity at BAMZ. Four Saw-whet Owls were recorded in Nov and Dec (reflecting a well observed movement in North America). A possible Pallid Swift 22 May needed photographic documentation to be accepted as Bermuda’s and North America’s first record (EA). A Western Kingbird was in the Arboretum 9-23 Mar. A Red-breasted Nuthatch wintered in Jenningsland, Smiths 95/96. A Brown Thrasher was discovered on Paget Island 7-8Oct (AD). A Horned Lark at Tudor Hill 18 Oct was the joint earliest fall record. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Jenningsland 16 Sep was the earliest fall record by 19 days. A Northern Wheatear at Port Royal G.C. 14 Sep was the earliest fall record by 5 days (AD). A record count of over 50 Red-eyed Vireos was made on 3 Oct. A Townsend’s Warbler was on Port Royal G.C., Southampton 2 Oct and Ferry Point Park 8 Oct. A record count of 12 Scarlet Tanagers was made on 3 Oct. A Clay-coloured Sparrow (tenth record for Bermuda) was at the Heydon Estate 3 Oct. A Lark Sparrow, the second record for Bermuda, was found at Tudor Hill, Southampton 18 Oct (JM). A Purple Finch was on Morgan’s Point 12 Nov. An Orchard Oriole was at St. Georges G.C. 11 Aug, the earliest fall record (DBW).
Observers: Eric Amos, Steven DeSilva, Andrew Dobson, Jeremy Madeiros, Penny Soares, David Wallace, Paul Watson, David Wingate.
