Having returned from the first 2 weeks of shorebird surveys at Longridge Point on the James Bay coast, I thought it would be of interest to post some of our shorebird observations from July 15 to July 29. Jean Iron has a great map and photos of the location here: http://www.jeaniron.ca/2012/jamesbay/map.htm
Surveys are a partnership of the ROM, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Moose Cree First Nation. The Longridge crew for this period consisted of Ross Wood, Dayna LeClair, Amie McDonald, Bill Thompson, Ryan Burrell, Lizzie Grayshon, and Adam Timpf. SHOREBIRD OBSERVATIONS: 23 species to date. The high count day is listed for each species. Shorebirds banded and/or tagged with radio transmitters included Semipalmated Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers, Sanderling, and Red Knot. Sightings refer to Longridge Point only. Black-bellied Plover: 7 on July 25th Semipalmated Plover: 38 on July 29th Killdeer: 27 on July 18th and 21st, including local juveniles Solitary Sandpiper: 5 on July 23rd, including 2 local juveniles Greater Yellowlegs: 87 on July 27th Lesser Yellowlegs: 275 on July 23rd, 10-15% juveniles by the end of the survey period Whimbrel: 26 on July 20th Hudsonian Godwit: 354 on July 29th. Marbled Godwit: 1 on July 19th and July 27th. Ruddy Turnstone: 271 on July 25th Red Knot: 1140 on July 25th. One banded on July 27th. Many Knots carry leg flags which allow researchers and birders to re-sight individuals during migration. This data helps determine the migration routes and staging areas of different populations. Sanderling: 135 on July 23rd. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1500 on July 21st and 29th Western Sandpiper: 1 on July 23rd. If accepted, this would be a first record for james Bay. Least Sandpiper: 24 on July 21st. ~1/3 Juveniles near the end of the period White-rumped Sandpiper:3500 on July 29th Pectoral Sandpiper: 182 on July 25th Dunlin: 70 on July 29th Stilt Sandpiper: 2 on July 19th, 1 on July 21st Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 2 on July 24th Short-billed Dowitcher: 2 on July 29th, 1 on July 23rd Wilson’s Snipe: 8 on July 23rd Wilson's Phalarope: 1 seen on July 16th, 24th, 25th, and 27th MAMMALS: Black Bears, Woodchuck, Red Squirrel, Gray Wolf, River Otter, Porcupine, Woodland Caribou, Moose, Striped Skunk, Seal sp. (gray?), Jumping Mouse sp., Vole sp. HERPTILES: American Toad (brightly coloured Hudson Bay variety), Wood Frog BUTTERFLIES: Azure sp., Common Ringlet, Northern Crescent, White Admiral, Viceroy, Monarch ODONATES: Lake Darner, Sedge Darner, Variable Darner (subspecies interrupted), Zigzag Darner, Canada Darner, Four-spotted Skimmer, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Black Meadowhawk, Lake Emerald, Forcipate Emerald, Northern Spreadwing, Emerald Spreadwing. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Cree First Nations gratefully rent their hunt camps for the surveys. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) provides helicopter transport, and staff house accommodation while crews are in Moosonee, along with logistical support. Adam Timpf Walsingham, Ontario _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
