ll

encounter herons from other regions when they migrate and, unless they are banded, it is virtually impossible to determine their origin. Because Great Blue Herons occasLOIIally winter on P.E.I. and elsewhere in the Maritimes, it surprised me when 3 of our birds were recovered in the West Indies: 1 from Haiti, 1 from the Dominican Republic, and I from the Bahamas (see Fig.1). Single P.E.I. individuals have also been recovered in Florida, Virginia, and Delaware. In addition, h were 'recovered in New Brunswick and l on P.E.I. Of these ll individuals: h were found dead, three were shot, 2 were

found sick and later died, while the remaining 2 were

apparently snared (in the West Indies) and possibly eaten! Seven of these herons were less than 1 year old when recovered, thus support— ing the fact that birds suffer their greatest martality during their first year while they are still relatively inexperienced. Another P.E.I. banding program involved cormorants. Between l9Th and l978 I banded 63h Great Cormorants at a colony near Souris and MS Double—crested Cormorants .at a colony near French River. To date 1 Double—crested and 19 Great Cormorants have been recovered. Great Cormorants, in North America, creed only in the Gul£ of St.

'_awrer.ce L" 5101’“. 77-1.;2 :33 D3110

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st and throughout much of the U.S. Great Cormorants are not truly migratory as many will

._.0_

, remain in the vicinity of the breeding colonies year round if shallow water remains

ice—free. The major wintering areas, however are

along the New England and Nova Scotia coaSt.

“3

Thus, it is not surprising that most of the 9.3.2.

birds were recovered from thses areas. : 1r Neva SCCCla ‘ A w _. 4.4... _ "H- P' h in Maine, and 7 in flaSsacnusetus (see :-g. 2.). one

P.E.I.. The most surprising recoveries were Single P.E.I. individuals in Laryland, North Carolina, and

than usual and are lingerinc there louver in tne sprint. C) D 3 - D h

If this trend continues it is likely that t

will extend its breeding range to include the northeastcrrz