Friends of Sable Island Society

Sable Island Resource Library

Sable Island has been of interest to explorers, scientists, artists, and historians since it was discovered in the 16th century. The fascination it inspires continues to grow. As a result there is an ever-increasing amount of information available about this mystical place.

We have curated a collection of Sable Island resources, both fact and fiction, for those who are interested in learning more about the Island. These resources are grouped into logical categories much the same as traditional libraries and online links have been provided where available.

Please help us expand our library, contact us with updates and additions for our list.

Arts and Literature

History

Other Friends of Sable Island

Photography and Film

Science and the Environment

The Ipswich Sparrow (Ammodramus princeps Maynard) and Its Summer Home

The Ipswich Sparrow is a nondescript grey bird that escaped the notice of ornithologists until the latter half of the 19th century. It was found in small numbers, in the the wintertime, on the wind-swept sand-hills of coastal New England. It was named for it place of discovery, Ipswich Massachusetts, but where it nested nobody knew. Eventually reports came of a "Grey Bird" on Sable Island, an equally sandy island 100 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. Dwight visited Sable Island in 1894 and confirmed that the bird nested there. Now, Sable Island in a National Park and ironically ornithologists have decided that the sparrow is but a well-marked race of a more widespread species. Nevertheless, the Ipswich Sparrow is emblematic of its mysterious and enigmatic home.