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Hi All: We think of Sedge Wrens, correctly, as vagrants here, but then were surprised when an agitated pair attending two juveniles late August 2002 in suitable habitat on Seal I. (photographed) supplied an unexpected breeding record. Again in Sept. 2008, what appeared to be two family groups were found by Fulton Lavender in the same area on Seal I. The mystery seems to be solved by an article in the current (2009) ornithological journal, "The Condor", vol. 111, p. 182-192, with the daunting title of "Origins of late-breeding nomadic Sedge Wrens in North America: limitations and potential of hydroigen-isotope analyses of soft tissue." (That's mostly about using these natural isotopes to invevstigate where the birds had spent the earlier summer.) In it, the authors show that Sedge Wrens habitually move beyond their normal ranges after bringing off a first brood in early summer to breed again later summer in regions to the north and east. There are examples from QC and New England. So, apparently the Seal Island wrens were part of a regular pattern, although they were breeding well beyond previously established limits. Live and learn. Cheers, Ian
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