Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a small French archipelago in the North Atlantic, just off Newfoundland, with a cool oceanic climate strongly influenced by the surrounding sea. Saint Pierre is the main inhabited island and administrative centre, while Miquelon-Langlade is larger, quieter and more dominated by open landscapes. The islands feature rocky coastlines, beaches, dunes, peatlands, ponds and low hills, with frequent fog adding to their distinctly North Atlantic character. Their geographical position gives the territory an unusual combination of French cultural identity and North American landscapes. Summers are cool and relatively short, while winters can be windy and snowy. Miquelon-Langlade in particular offers extensive undeveloped habitat and a stronger sense of wilderness than the settled areas of Saint Pierre.
Overview
Birding here is primarily about North Atlantic seabirds and migration, rather than a large resident species list. The surrounding waters and rocky coast can produce Atlantic Puffin, Northern Fulmar, Razorbill, Common Murre, Black-legged Kittiwake and Northern Gannet, while the islands' ponds, beaches and open habitats attract migrating shorebirds and other North American migrants. Miquelon-Langlade is the most interesting area for exploring less-developed habitats, while boat trips provide access to the marine environment. The territory's isolated position makes it particularly interesting for birders travelling through the Newfoundland region who want to add a distinctive French North Atlantic outpost to their itinerary.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus | 20.6% | 18.5% | 18.4% | 21.7% | 22.2% | 15.3% | 23.9% | 28.9% | 30.1% | 17.7% | 14.7% | 18.1% | 17.9% |
| American Robin Turdus migratorius | 20.0% | 7.9% | 9.5% | 13.1% | 31.9% | 36.7% | 34.1% | 25.9% | 17.8% | 23.6% | 22.1% | 10.4% | 7.5% |
| Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis | 18.3% | 21.7% | 18.3% | 18.2% | 24.1% | 27.3% | 17.2% | 6.8% | 6.2% | 9.5% | 23.1% | 23.9% | 23.5% |
| Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca | 17.5% | 3.8% | 4.2% | 5.5% | 28.2% | 36.3% | 32.9% | 19.0% | 16.7% | 27.8% | 25.0% | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus | 14.7% | 14.1% | 13.4% | 13.1% | 14.5% | 9.0% | 18.2% | 22.0% | 23.5% | 11.6% | 9.8% | 12.2% | 15.2% |
| American Black Duck Anas rubripes | 14.6% | 12.3% | 15.1% | 20.2% | 25.5% | 22.4% | 13.2% | 9.2% | 12.5% | 11.7% | 9.7% | 12.1% | 11.8% |
| American Goldfinch Spinus tristis | 13.9% | 15.5% | 15.0% | 14.8% | 17.7% | 21.8% | 11.5% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 8.5% | 12.2% | 17.6% | 18.8% |
| Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis | 13.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 3.0% | 30.5% | 28.8% | 33.1% | 24.4% | 26.9% | 10.2% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis | 12.7% | 6.0% | 6.1% | 4.7% | 9.6% | 35.7% | 21.9% | 10.9% | 9.0% | 18.3% | 15.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia | 12.6% | 16.4% | 14.1% | 12.7% | 16.9% | 18.5% | 11.9% | 7.6% | 5.4% | 4.0% | 11.2% | 15.5% | 17.1% |