GOVERNOR'S ISLAND EXCURSION 
     
    
   
   
    
     by Geoff Hogan, Springvale . 
     
    
   
   
    
     arrival time: 21 May 1983, 10:30 a.m. 
     
     overcast with frequent sunny periods becoming mostly sunny, light 
     
     se wind, 15°C 
     
     departure time: 23 May 1983, 6:00 p.m. 
     
     mostly sunny with occasional cloudy periods, little wind, 15°C 
     
     participants: Val Beer, Winnie Cairns, Geoff Hogan 
     
    
   
   
    
     Between 21-23 May 1983, three members of the Natural History Society of P.E.I. - ’ 
     
     undertook an investigation of the furthest offshore island off P.E.I. - Governor's 
     
     Island. The initial idea for the excursion occurred the previous winter during 
     
     the Christmas Bird Count whai the question was asked, "What birds are found on 
     
     Governor's Island? " From there other questions arose regarding the mammals, amphibians, 
     
     insects and plants of the approximately 100 acre island sheltered in the center of 
     
     Hillsborough Bay. Subsequently an outing was planned to attempt to answer these 
     
     questions. The 4 mile crossing was arranged with a local lobster fisherman and tents, 
     
     assorted camping gear and collecting equipment were piled high on the island's north 
     
     east shore by approximately 10:30 a.m. 21 May. From the outset we were aware of 
     
     the island's dominant citizens — a large flock of roosting Great and Double-crested 
     
     cormsrants, members of the large Great Blue Heron colony, and an inquisitive number 
     
     of harbour and grey seals formed the welcoming carmittee. 
     
    

    
     During the next 215 days we roamed throughout the island recording the various 
     
     inhabitants both Onshore and offshore. Our timing couldn't have been better. Not 
     
     only had the mild weather brought back many of the spring migrants, but the hordes 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     GOVERNOR' s ISLAND N . 
     
    
   
   
    
     sandbar 
     
     Hillsborough Bay . / 
     
    
   
   
    
           
     
    
   
   
    
     Scale: l:l0,000 
     
     at Open well 
     
     I Derelict 
     
     building 
     
     Woodland 
     
    
   
   
    
     imay .