This is my second and summary report for the period 6 to 14 August 2017 from Longridge Point (51.798942N, 080.69204W) on the southwest coast of James Bay in Ontario about 910 km (565 mi) north of Toronto. This report pertains only to Longridge. The vast tidal mudflats make James Bay one of the most important shorebird stopover sites in North America.
LINK to 6 pages of photos and videos http://jeaniron.ca/2017/JB17/p1.htm SHOREBIRDS: We recorded 26 species of shorebirds from 30 July to 14 August. Notable counts since last report: Black-bellied Plover: 112 adults on 8 August Semipalmated Plover: 132 on 12th Stilt Sandpiper new: 1 juvenile on 12 August and 4 on 13th Buff-breasted Sandpiper new: 1 on 6th and 8th (adult) White-rumped Sandpiper high count: 7892 on 8th Semipalmated Sandpiper: 5299 on 12 August Hudsonian Godwit: 304 on 12th Other Species American Bittern: 1 on 10 August Little Gull: 1 on 8th and 2 on 10th Caspian Tern: 1 adult on 12th Arctic Tern: 1 adult on 10 and 11th Great Horned Owl: 1 on 7, 8, 10 and 11th Common Nighthawk: 1 on 12th Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 on 13th LONGRIDGE CREW: 6 crew members were Anne Blondin (ON), Mark Dorriesfield (ON), Dan Froehlich (WA State), Jean Iron (ON), Nicole Richardson (ON), Kiah Walker (NH). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Surveys are under the direction of Christian Friis of the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment and Climate Change Canada) with partners Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, and Bird Studies Canada in conjunction with a larger conservation initiative involving James Bay First Nations and Nature Canada. We look forward to James Bay receiving recognition as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway Toronto, Ontario www.jeaniron.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
