This is the fourth report from Jean Iron (she phoned late last night) who
is surveying shorebirds along the south coast of James Bay in northern
Ontario for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Hudson Bay and James
Bay are an extension of the Atlantic Ocean reaching deep into central
Canada. The adjacent Hudson Bay Lowland is one of the largest wetlands in
the world supporting large breeding populations of Hudsonian Godwits,
Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers and Common Snipe
(Ross et al. 2003).
Shorebirds seen Sunday (Aug 7) about 20 km north of the mouth of the Moose
River near Shegogau on southern James Bay.
Black-bellied Plover, 6 adults.
Semipalmated Plover, 39 adults, 10 juveniles.
Greater Yellowlegs, 63, more than half juveniles.
Lesser Yellowlegs 168, more than half juveniles.
Whimbrel, 22, probably adults.
Hudsonian Godwit, 25 molting adults.
Marbled Godwit, 3, the coastal prairie-like marshes of James Bay support a
isolated breeding population of perhaps a "few thousand" Marbled Godwits
(Ross et al. 2003).
Red Knot, 203 molting adults, but still mainly in alternate plumage, James
Bay is important to the large staging flocks of knots.
Ruddy Turnstone, 3 adults.
Sanderling, 4 worn and molting adults.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4852, increasing numbers of juveniles; banded birds
from near here in the past were seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Lake
Ontario.
Least Sandpiper, 182, mostly juveniles.
White-rumped Sandpiper, 2648 molting adults, most of these adult birds move
southeast across Quebec so very few are seen in southern Ontario.
Pectoral Sandpiper, 78 adults.
Note # 1. Other birds of interest today were 7 Yellow Rails including a
sighting of 2 dark young.
Note # 2. The Ministry of Natural Resources crew has seen Black Bears using
coastal habitats. Jean saw big foot prints in the mud on the tidal flats.
Polar Bears are not usually seen in southern James Bay, but one was sighted
there this spring. However, there are currently about 50 Polar Bears only
200 km farther north on Akimiski Island (Nunavut). This is the most
southerly population of Polar Bears in the world. The Ministry is concerned
about the physical condition of these Polar Bears because of the very early
spring and warm summer which caused early ice out on Hudson Bay and James
Bay forcing the bears to the coast or onto islands. These bears will lose a
month or more time to hunt seals and put on weight. The hot weather this
summer is stressing them too. They'll be in poor shape this fall if freeze
up comes late. The Hudson Bay and James Bay populations of Polar Bears are
at risk because of climate change.
Free Shorebird Reference: Ross, K. et al. 2003. Ontario Shorebird
Conservation Plan. Canadian Wildlife Service. Cat No. 0-662-33933-9. Hard
copies of this plan are free by e-mailing <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.
Don't forget to include your full name and postal address.
Ron Pittaway
Minden and Toronto ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
416-445-9297
