This is Jean Iron's third report by satellite phone for the period 7 - 13 July 2012 from Burntpoint Creek Research Station on Hudson Bay. Burntpoint is operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The crew comprises Julie Belliveau (OMNR), Matt Birarda (OMNR), Jean Iron (OFO volunteer) and Jim Sauer (volunteer).
CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH: Ken Abraham reports that "We started a new program of research on Ontario Tundra Ecosystems in 2012. The lack of information on this system and its vulnerability to an accelerated rate of climate change relative to other Ontario ecosystems have been highlighted in the Far North Science Panel report (2010) and the Hudson Plains Ecozone Status and Trends Report (2011). This new, planned as long term, program aims to fill gaps in knowledge of the components of the system and their functions and interconnections. This program builds on the long term work of the OMNR Wildlife Research and Development Section and the Hudson Bay Project." BREEDING SHOREBIRDS: Whimbrel observed with young. Hudsonian Godwit, a very early flying juvenile with two attending adults on July 10. The earliest complete clutch of godwits is June 5 and the earliest hatching date is June 28 at Churchill, Manitoba (Jehl 2004). Nine Least Sandpipers territories still occupied. American Golden-Plover, young of the pair near camp hatched on July 6 and both adults still attending young on 12th. Jean said that it is easy to understand the breeding colours of the golden-plover. Its upper part feathers blend perfectly with tundra mosses and lichens. MIGRATING SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs, 74 adults moving east along coast on July 12. Whimbrel, 26 coastal migrants on July 8 going east while others still on local territories. Eight Whimbrels flew in from over Hudson Bay and continued southeast. Hudsonian Godwits are also moving east along coast while others are on territories. Sanderling, 207 adults migrating east along coast on July 13. Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers are also moving east along coast. Short-billed Dowitchers gathering on coastal pools: 7 on July 8, 25 on July 11 and 11 on 13th. The later flock of 11 dowitchers spiraled up before heading directly south from the coast. Most of the dowitchers were of the brightly coloured subspecies hendersoni. OTHER BIRDS: White-winged Scoter, 44 molting males along coast on July 11. Black Scoter, 70 molting males along coast on 11th. Long-tailed Duck, female with 8 young on tundra pond on July 12. Pacific Loon nest observed from a distance on July 8 and 12th. Red-throated Loon nesting on pond 300 metres from camp. A Red-throated Loon flew over while I was talking to Jean giving its loud kwuk-kwuk-kwuk flight call which I could hear clearly over the phone. Willow Ptarmigan are frequent around camp using dust baths. Adult Herring Gulls in wing molt since late June. Mourning Dove, 1 on July 11. Smith's Longspurs, 32 on July 8 with most on dry ridges near the coast. Males still singing. MAMMALS: Three freighter canoes moving along the coast were presumably from the Peawanuk First Nation (Cree) community about 74 km (46 mi) to the west. A Gray Wolf was seen on the July 8 and 12th near the coast in the vicinity of Caribou. Two Bald Eagles and Common Ravens were near the wolf suggesting that they were scavenging a kill. No Polar Bears yet. The bears are apparently hunting seals on the remaining sea ice which stays the latest off Ontario because of currents. See snow/ice map link below. Marine mammals in Hudson Bay are changing. In recent summers a few pods of Killer Whales (Orcas) have been entering Hudson Bay because the sea ice is melting earlier and freeze up is coming later. Killer Whales are presumably hunting Belugas (White Whales) which were previously free of Orca predation in most of Hudson Bay. The Orca's tall dorsal fin restricts it to areas with little or no ice cover, but ice conditions are changing on Hudson Bay. AMPHIBIANS: Wood Frogs are frequent. Western Chorus Frogs last heard singing on July 5. One sighting only of an American Toad on July 13. BUTTERFLIES: No new species added since the last report but Jean has photos of blues and sulphurs which she can't identify. She'll send photos out for identification. WILDFLOWERS: Currently the coast and dry tundra ridges are glowing a purplish red with a spectacular blooming of Northern Hedysarum. Maps and photo showing location of Burntpoint Camp http://www.jeaniron.ca/Burntpoint/camp.htm Snow Ice Cover Map shows extensive sea ice still off Ontario coast. http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif JAMES BAY SHOREBIRD SURVEY and Red Knots: Three survey camps on the Ontario coast of James Bay begin operation on July 15 (tomorrow) under the direction of Christian Friis of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). This is a continuation and expansion of surveys of knots and other shorebirds over the past few years. This summer regular invertebrate sampling will be done to quantify and better understand the foods being eaten by shorebirds. Jean will be joining this survey on July 30 and we will post weekly updates from the field. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Burntpoint camp is under direction of Ken Abraham (OMNR), Waterfowl and Wetlands Scientist. Rod Brook (OMNR), Kim Bennett (OMNR) and Sarah Hagey (OMNR) provide logistical support to the station. Burntpoint surveys finish on July 18 and Jean returns to Toronto next Friday. We'll post report #4 and she'll put photos on her website before going to James Bay in late July. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
