Everyone, Myself and Joshua D. Vandermeulen have just returned from Netitishi Point on southern James Bay, where we were present on the dates of October 21 to November 3 inclusive.
In total we saw a total of 83 species. Here are some of our highlights: NORTHERN FULMAR: One on October 29; excellent looks as it flew along the tide line (tide 1/4 in) from west to east. It looked disoriented. As a side note, this was Josh's 339th species in Ontario for 2012, thus officially setting a new provincial record; more to come! UNIDENTIFIED SHEARWATER: One dark shearwater seen at a distance on November 3. Seen for some time before it disappeared, possible landing on the water. Short-tailed? Sooty? Manx? Who knows, but it was reminescent of the Sooty/Short-tailed Shearwater we saw two Novembers ago also at Netitishi Point. NORTHERN GANNET: One ADULT on October 23, flying from W to E. This is only the second record ever for northern Ontario, the first also at Netitishi Point (late October 1981). GREAT CORMORANT: One adult on November 1. This is a NEW species for northern Ontario. The bird was flying alone from east to west, and gaining altitude after it passed our location. The bird looked disoriented. COMMON EIDER: One female type on October 22. Unlike King Eiders that are always observed migrating from west to east, this bird approached from the east, loitered along the shore for a bit, and eventually flew west. This is one of very few records for southern James Bay. KING EIDER: Numerous sightings in low numbers. HARLEQUIN DUCK: Singles on October 26 and 30; very few records for southern James Bay. GYRFALCON: Four sightings of single birds. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: One on October 27 to November 1; exceptionally late (record-late) for southern James Bay. Too bad its presence later into November could not be monitored. PURPLE SANDPIPER: One on October 21. POMARINE JAEGER: One on October 29 and two singles on October 30; as expected, all migrating from west to east past our location. PARASITIC JAEGER: Three singles on October 29; I presume these are record-late for southern James Bay. BONAPARTE'S GULL: One on October 23, and four on October 30; presumably record-late for southern James Bay, the species simply does not normally stay beyond early October! LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: Two singles on October 30. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: More numerous than past visits, with maximum counts of (12) on October 29 and (16) on November 2. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: Two juveniles together on October 30, flying from east to west. BLACK GUILLEMOT: Two on October 28. MOURNING DOVE: Two on October 26 and one on October 28. Who knows what they were doing -- reverse migrants? WESTERN KINGBIRD: One immature on November 1. Wow what a crazy record! At high tide, gale-force NW winds, ice pellets hitting us in the face, this thing goes whipping by just 10 feet in front of our wind shelter. It landed briefly on logs 50 feet away, where we could see that it was a "yellow-bellied" kingbird, but not much else, then it took off farther down the beach where we totally lost it. We then re-grouped, and headed east down the coast in a desperate attempt to re-find it. Luckily we found it about 1 km down the shore, feeding along a line of tide debris. The bird was very bedraggled, but very tame, and we got lots of great photos. I must admit, without refinding this bird we both would have been extremely depressed without having an initial ID pinned down! This is only the 2nd record for southern James Bay; also easiest the latest-ever record for northern Ontario. WINTER WREN: One on October 22; record-late for southern James Bay by quite some time. WATERFOWL MEGA-MIGRATION: Even though the overnight low was only -2 C on October 29, something set the waterfowl into overdrive today, as there was a mega-migration of birds flying from west to east towards Hannah Bay and presumably an exit from James Bay via the Harricanaw River. This was Day 1 of 7 days of storm weather, so they must have sensed its arrival. Here are some of our totals for this date: BRANT -- 24,100 -- presumably a new record-high count for Ontario? AMERICAN BLACK DUCK -- 600 MALLARD -- 400 GREEN-WINGED TEAL -- 280 NORTHERN PINTAIL -- 6600; only a few birds thereafter! NORTHERN SHOVELER -- 32; none thereafter. AMERICAN WIGEON -- 63; only two thereafter. LONG-TAILED DUCK -- 8000 BLACK SCOTER -- 300 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER -- 350 WEATHER: Incredibly the lowest temperature for the entire trip was just -2 C. No snow. No frozen ground. No ice on puddles. Numerous plants still flowering including Red Clover, Tall White Clover, a buttercup, a wild carrot type thing. Mourning Cloak butterfly on October 27. Several mosquitoes attacked us on October 25. An impressive thunder and lightning show on October 25. How is this all possible?!?! Clearly James Bay is a very unique macro-environment and I am always amazed by this place, HURRICANE SANDY SUPER-TIDE: Super-tides on southern James Bay are extremely dangerous, since they can flood areas that are normally dry. We once experienced such an event at White Top (adjacent to Ship Sands Island) in early October 1972, and it was not a pleasant experience. Late yesterday our low tide was higher than most high tides, then the relentless NW wind intensified. The incoming high tide was massive, re-arranging the whole waterfront at Netitishi Point. Luckily Netitishi Point itself is high and dry with a spruce forest, so we were never in any danger. However, both the "gyrfalcon" pole and wind shelter, constructed mostly by Brandon Holden two years ago, is now history. Thanks a lot Hurricane Sandy! In total we had 11 sightings that pertain to OBRC rarities, and full documentation of all will be submitted in due time,. For more details and upcoming photos, be sure to check out Josh's blog: www.joshvandermeulen.blogspot.com Netitishi Point is located 21 miles due east of Moosonee. At this time of year it is accessible only by helicopter. Alan Wormington Josh Vandermeulen ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 53 But Looks 25 Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/50958661cba316610ba8st03duc _______________________________________________ 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/
