Ever since the forecasts shifted away from a direct hit on Florida and eyed Newfoundland there has been building anticipation for the storm.
Every Hurricane season there is at least 1 storm or more with initial forecasts aimed at our island that eventually strays offshore, ignoring the initial forecasts. This one feels different.
Certainly the storm has been - and will continue to be - destructive. This is the case even if it comes to Newfoundland despite it likely becoming a "low" by the time it makes it this far. At least it won't stall for 24+ hours like it did in the Bahamas...
From a birding perspective I can't think of a more exciting course for a storm on its way to NS or NL. Surely the storm has already picked up some interesting seabirds in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Whether those birds survive the 3000km (one-way) trip to Newfoundland is another story.
Either NS or NL will have a storm to remember for decades.
The only storm that comes closest to Dorian's predicted path is Hurricane Helene from 1958. Check out this article documenting the birds that were involved.
How many more category 4/5 hurricanes do we need to force a systematic change in policy addressing climate change? Our role is to document what kind of havoc these storms have on birds, and the dispersal across our province.
Stay tuned...
