This is the second report on 5 August 2007 from Jean Iron et al. who are surveying Red Knots and other shorebirds at the Mingan Archipelago (islands) on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec. Jean and Gerry Binsfeld from Ontario are assisting Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Yves Aubry (project supervisor) of the Canadian Wildlife Service (Quebec Region). The Mingan Archipelago is about 870 km (540 mi) northeast of Quebec City. The archipelago is a National Park Reserve administered by Parks Canada.
RED KNOTS: The archipelago is a major staging area. Outgoing tides expose flat limestone bedrock with thousands of pools rich in invertebrates. On 4 August after banding all night, the surveyors watched about 1200 Red Knots come to roost on the rocky shore at high tide. There were probably several thousand additional knots on three adjacent large islands. Migration Chronology: The following migration waves based on marked birds and blood samples from 2006. (1) First arrivals are a mix of males and females (may indicate failed breeders), (2) then predominately females, (3) males and early juveniles (first juvenile 8 Aug in 2006), (4) juveniles migrate last. Color Marking Scheme: About 10% of the eastern population is marked with colored bands and flags. The surveyors look for leg flags indicating where the birds were marked. So far they've found birds banded in Chile (red), Argentina (orange), Brazil (blue), United States (note correction from previous post for US) - Florida (lime green on upper right), Delaware Bay (dark green and lime green on upper left), and Canada (white). The flags have letters and numbers that often can be read in the field giving precise information about that individual. Last year the surveyors had about 800 readings from marked birds. With increased coverage this year they've had over 1000 readings to date including about 200 individuals whose exact banding locations are known. They've seen birds from Chile, Brazil, Argentina, United States (from Delaware Bay, but no sightings of Florida birds) and Canada. Readings provide information on age and gender, chronology of migration, location of wintering grounds, survival, and breeding success. Staging: From the band and flag combinations, researchers are tracking length of stay at the staging islands. For example, on 26 and 28 July, Mark Peck relocated the first knot marked with a white flag YA on 17 July. On 29 July, Jean Iron relocated one banded on 18 July with white flag AA. Yves Aubry again relocated the latter bird on 3 August. This individual knot has been there at least 21 days. Yves saw other birds that have been there for 15, 16 and 18 days. These observations clearly indicate the importance of the Mingan Archipelago as a staging area for Red Knots. Weights: Knots are fattening up well. On 3 August they banded a very fat bird that weighed 246 grams, close to heaviest knot that Mark Peck has banded. Another weighed 183 grams. These weights suggest the birds will fly a long distance when they depart, perhaps going directly to South America. These data again indicate how important the Mingan Archipelago is for southbound Red Knots. Genetic Studies: A blood sample and a tiny covert feather are taken from each banded shorebird. Concerns: Oil spills from shipping. Human disturbances are currently minimal though islands have hikers and kayakers in summer. Peregrine Falcons disrupt feeding shorebirds, but none have been seen so far this summer. Merlins breed on the islands but are not a major bother to the shorebirds. Jaegers are present in small numbers but are not bothering the Red Knots. Avian Influenza: A veterinarian, Guillaume Theberge, from Centre Quebecois sur la Sante des Animaux Sauvages, trained the banding crew to test for Avian Influenza. Other Shorebirds: Hudsonian Godwit (78 at banding location yesterday), Whimbrel (fairly common), Ruddy Turnstone (1-2000 adults, they've seen flagged birds from Delaware Bay, turnstones often associate with knots), Black-bellied Plover (uncommon), Semipalmated Plover (uncommon), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2000-3000 adults), Least Sandpiper (uncommon, first juvenile on 28 July), Pectoral Sandpiper (first adult on 23 July), PURPLE SANDPIPER (adult on 2 August), Greater Yellowlegs (common, most in deeper tidal pools than Lessers), Lesser Yellowlegs (common, 2-3 times more common than Greaters), White-rumped Sandpiper (numbers are building, 3000-4000 adults in prebasic body molt, wings and tail molted later on wintering grounds - this molt strategy is similar in many shorebird species. Mark Peck saw a White-rumped on 2 August that was banded in Argentina), Sanderling (uncommon), Short-billed Dowitcher (fairly common, griseus subspecies that breeds in Quebec/Labrador). Other Bird Sightings: Red-throated Loons are often seen flying inland carrying fish from the St. Lawrence to feed their young on small often fishless nesting ponds. Carrying fish in flight to young is not done by other loons. In flight the Red-throated Loons give loud quacking calls. Herring Gulls were seen yesterday eating abundant berries near a mine site about 45 km inland from coast. Jean and Gerry saw a female Spruce Grouse with two small young trying to cross the coast highway. Gerry directed traffic so they could cross safely. The 1/3 grown young flew across the road into trees when the female cooed. Grouse chicks can fly when less than a week old. Red-breasted Nuthatches are present in good numbers. Pine Siskins and Purple Finches are also in good numbers especially in towns with sunflower seed feeders. Seabirds and Whales: On Wednesday (1 August) the surveyors went on a whale research vessel (Mingan Islands Cetacean Study) into the Gulf. Very close views of 11 Humpback Whales, 15 Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Harbor Porpoises and Gray Seals. Juvenile Common Murres at sea with adult males, Wilson's Storm-Petrels, many adult Northern Gannets, recently fledged juvenile Black-legged Kittiwakes, Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers and Northern Fulmars. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Red Knot survey is a cooperative project headed by Yves Aubry, Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service and Alan Baker, Head of Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. It is funded by the World Wildlife Fund, Royal Ontario Museum and Canadian Wildlife Service. Six shorebird surveyors are Yves Aubry (CWS), Mark Peck (ROM), Christopher Buidin, President of Club d'ornithologie de la Cote-Nord (contract with CWS). Yann Rochepault, Directeur of Club d'ornithologie de la Cote-Nord (contract with CWS). Gerry Binsfeld (ROM volunteer). Jean Iron (ROM volunteer). Additional people helping with surveys: Charles Kavanagh, Chief of Conservation, Parks Canada. Yann Boudreau, Park Canada Warden, assists with banding. Harold Rochette, Capitaine of Le Cartier, Parks Canada boat, and boat operators Rene Desbiens and Louis Richard provide transportation to the islands. The Red Knot project would be impossible without the excellent logistical support provided by the technical and conservation staff from Parks Canada. Jean mentioned the long hours worked (days & nights) and dedicated staff of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Royal Ontario Museum, and Parks Canada. Ron Pittaway (on behalf of the surveyors) Minden and Toronto ON [EMAIL PROTECTED]
