A bird enthusiast in central P.E.I. made just the fifth-ever recorded sighting of a summer tanager on the Island this week.
Waldron Heffel is keeping his feeders stocked in case the summer tanager returns. (CBC) Waldron Heffel of South Freetown, east of Summerside, called conservation experts at Holland College when he spotted the bird.
"It's quite rare, probably won't see that again," said Heffel. "Might be around again though, you never know."
Holland College conservation instructor Dwaine Oakley was able to take pictures of the bird. He took two of his students along with him. They believe it was a juvenile bird that started north on its fall migration instead of south.
Student Sara Best said the bird "probably just lost track of where it was going, especially if it was a juvenile bird.
"They don't really have the route down pat, probably just a little lost," said Best.
If the bird gets enough to eat, it could still turn itself around and make it to Mexico. Heffel doesn't know if it will come back, but he's keeping his feeders full, just in case.
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