Report # 7 from Jean Iron by satellite phone on 9 June 2006 from Akimiski
Island in James Bay. Akimiski is the largest island in James Bay between
Ontario and Quebec. Jean is a volunteer with the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources (OMNR). She was assisting with the web tagging young
geese and shorebird studies. Research on Akimiski is under the direction of
Ken Abraham, Waterfowl and Wetlands Scientist, with OMNR. Recent weather
typical of the north ranged from hot/sticky on Wednesday to heavy
rain/cold/wind Wednesday night (roof leaked) and yesterday and continues
very cold and windy today. Here's a summary of observations for 7 - 9 June.
This report also corrects errors in goose numbers in report # 6.
Canada Goose (subspecies interior): Report # 6 on 7 June said there were
"About 50,000 on island". The following from Ken Abraham (OMNR) is a
correction. "The number of geese nesting on Akimiski Island varies quite a
bit, but there are an estimated 8000 pairs of Canada Geese from the
Southern James Bay Population, which migrates and some winter in
southwestern Ontario." Crews found about 550 nests and web tagged about
1000 downy young. Eggs in most Canada Goose nests have hatched and goose
families are gathering near the coast.
Lesser Snow Goose: The following from Ken Abraham (OMNR) is a correction.
"There are an estimated 800-1200 pairs of Lesser Snow Geese nesting on the
island." The colony is on the west side of the island.
Brant: Ken Abraham reports that Akimiski is "a major Brant spring migration
with an estimated 5000-10000 at various times." Brant numbers included
200-300 still around camp on the flats on 8 June.
Migrating Shorebirds: Two distant large flocks (about 100 in each)
migrating southeast to northwest. Too far for identification. They most
likely were one or more species of either Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy
Turnstones, Red Knots, Dunlins, Semipalmated Sandpipers and/or Sanderlings.
Shorebirds on Tidal Flats: Tides are flowing closer to shore now that the
sea ice has melted back much farther from the island's north coast. 3
Hudsonian Godwits, 50 Black-bellied Plover, 9 Ruddy Turnstones, 3 Dunlin,
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Semipalmated Plover: Two nests. Steve Belfry (OMNR) and Nigel Ward (Trent)
each found nests yesterday.
Marbled Godwit: Breeding habitat is prairie-like coastal marsh between
intertidal mudflats and willow fringe. No nests found yet.
Red Knot: Two observed yesterday close to high tide mark. Very rarely are
large numbers of knots seen at Akimiski during spring migration. However,
up to 15,000 have been seen in a single survey in James Bay of southbound
Red Knots, representing more than 10 to 20% of the entire known wintering
population, fide Guy Morrison and Ken Ross of the Canadian Wildlife Service
in 2001.
Brown Thrasher: Steve Belfry found a singing male this morning (9 June).
Other Observations: Wednesday (7 June) was very warm - Steve Belfry watched
about 20 Arctic Terns catching Nine-spined Sticklebacks (Pungitius
pungitius) (minnows). This morning, Tennessee and Yellow-rumped Warbler
singing near camp.
Ice and snow cover map http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/SNOW/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif
This may be the final report. Some of the goose tagging crew including Jean
were to depart for Moosonee and Timmins at 9 a.m. EDT this morning, but the
Ontario government Twin Otter stayed in Timmins because of bad weather. If
weather improves, they will fly out at 1 p.m. today and others will arrive
including professor Erica Nol of Trent University to work with her students
Nigel Ward and Katie Walker who are studying Semiplamated Plovers and
Marbled Godwits. Northern researchers are accustomed to delays waiting for
aircraft. When I talked to Jean this morning, she was sad to be leaving the
shorebirds and wild coast of James Bay.
Ron Pittaway
Toronto and Minden ON
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fri Jun 9 17:37:23 2006
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Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:37:24 PDT
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2006 14:37:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: brett woodman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Subject: [Ontbirds]
Re : Access restrictions & the Clay-colored Sparrow Waterloo
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Just a quick note regarding the Clay-colored Sparrow at Laurel Creek Nature
Centre. The following email was fowarded to me regarding property access.
Please respect the rules.
Brett Woodman,
Waterloo, ON
It should be noted that the Laurel Creek Nature Centre property is only open to the public AFTER 4:30pm on weekdays (no restrictions on the weekends). There are outdoor education programs being run by both local school boards during school hours and access is prohibited for the safety of the school classes. There is signage at the gate indicating the property restrictions to the public. It is recommended that people park outside the gate during public hours. Staff must lock the gate when they leave.
After talking with a couple of the Centre staff, they noted that the bird has been singing for ~ 2 weeks at the same general location on the property.
The bird is still being seen as of 6PM June 7th.
Al Woodhouse
__________________________________________________
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From: "Mike McNulty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Waterbirds in Waterloo
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For the last two days I have had the good fortune to observe an American
Coot and a Pied-billed Grebe in the Reservoir at the Laurel
Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo.
These birds were close enough to get good naked-eye and binocular
views. Vocalizations were also heard from both.
They were seen in the marshy area just West of the sand beach along the
waterfront of the reservoir.
There was also a small diving duck swimming offshore mixed in with hundreds
of Canada Geese. Given its size and drab colouring, it was perhaps a female
ruddy duck...If anyone can positively identify this duck, I would be most
grateful.
Map and directions at this link:
http://www.grandriver.ca/parks/directionslaurel.htm
Mike McNulty
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Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 09:15:12 -0400
From: Nicholas Escott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ontbirds <[email protected]>
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Green-tailed Towhee at Thunder Bay
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John Woodcock reports a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was caught, banded and =
photographed at the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory at 5:30 a.m. this =
morning June10 2006. It hasn't been seen again since release.
Nick Escott
650 Alice Ave.=20
Thunder Bay ON P7G 1W9
345-7122
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From: "Gavin Edmondstone" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 09:43:03 -0400
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Eastern Screech-Owl and owlets in Bronte
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There is an adult Eastern Screech-Owl and two owlets easily visible in a
safe (to the owls) location near Bronte Creek. As I watched one of the
owlets manoeuvred out of sight.
There are Blue-grey Gnatcatchers in the area as well.
Directions: Exit the QEW at Burloak (Burlington-Oakville boundary) and go
towards the lake. Turn left at Rebecca then right at Mississaga and then
left at Chalmers. At the east end of Chalmers you will find Westbrook Park,
park there. Note that this is the EAST end of Chalmers, not the part of
Chalmers that many birders know west of Mississaga. From the car park walk
to the path that runs above Bronte Creek and turn left. Walk for about two
minutes along this path passing behind three houses, the last one has a
faded Canadian flag. Continue until you see an old knee-high stump on the
left side of the trail. Take two more steps and look above eye level to your
right. The birds are in a tree about 25 metres away and easily seen from the
path so there is no need to try to get closer. This tree is on a ravine
slope and so are actually quite high above the ground and not vulnerable to
disturbance.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
