Kentucky Warbler

Status Rare vagrant. It was first recorded on Sable Island on 1 September 1902 when a bird was collected by James M. Bouteillier (misprinted as J.M. Boutcher in Dwight [1903]). It was not reported again until 14 September 1964, when Benjamin Smith caught one at Cape Sable and was able to examine it in the hand. Since then there have been 12 records (including two birds photographed). Only three birds have been in spring on 16 May 1976 on Seal Island, and later the same year on Sable Island on 1-4 June and 22-23 June. The others have been reverse fall migrants between 27 August and 2 October, four on Seal Island, and one each on Bon Portage, Brier, Cape Sable and Sable islands; and there was a very late bird on 11 November 1972 on Cape Sable (B.J. and S. Smith).

Remarks Although this bird is strikingly marked with yellow underparts and spectacles and nests north to southern New England, it is a shy dweller in the undergrowth and may easily remain undetected when it occurs as a vagrant.