A year ago we made regular reports about the birds on Akimiski Island
(Nunavut Territory) in James Bay. Akimiski is the largest island in
James Bay between Ontario and Quebec. It has no permanent
inhabitants. This morning we had a surprise satellite phone call from
Akimiski from Ken Abraham of the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources (OMNR). Ken is in charge of a group of Canadian and
American researchers who are studying waterfowl and shorebirds.
Temperatures this year have been cool but the snow cover left the
land early. Much of James Bay and Hudson Bay are still locked in ice.
To view ice and snow conditions
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/SNOW/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif  Note that
Akimiski Island is about half way down the west side of James Bay
close to Ontario. Although the sea ice is still extensive the land
and shallow ponds are warmer supporting nesting waterfowl and
shorebirds. Here are some recent highlights from Akimiski Island:

Brant: A large flight this year of 1000s going farther north to breed
on the Arctic islands north of Hudson Bay.

Barnacle Goose: One. Origin unknown.

Canada Goose: Hatch of interior subspecies is just over. Adults with
goslings are now feeding on coastal flats.

Snow Goose: Ken Ross of the Canadian Wildlife Service and Ken Abraham
(OMNR) just finished a survey of nesting colonies along the Ontario
coasts of James and Hudson Bays. Snow Geese (majority of breeders in
Ontario are blue morphs) are hatching now on Akimiski Island.

Tundra Swan: This species is having a good breeding season in Ontario.

Piping Plover: Found on 3 June. Relocated on 8 June doing courtship
flights in association with Semipalmated Plovers which breed commonly
on Akimiski. This is the first record of Piping Plover for James Bay.
Photos and video taken.

Marbled Godwit Research: About 12 territorial pairs near camp. Also a
group of 8 feeding in coastal pools. Two individuals have been
outfitted with satellite transmitters. Today researchers hope to put
transmitters on two more birds. The migration routes and wintering
areas of James Bay Marbled Godwits are not known.

Hudsonian Godwit: A pair near base camp is likely breeding.

Little Gull: Several. Most Little Gulls seen on the eastern Great
Lakes probably nest west of James Bay in the vast Hudson Bay Lowlands.

Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
Toronto ON  M3A 1X3
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