This is Jean Iron's first report by satellite phone for the period 22 - 29
June 2012 from Burntpoint Creek Research Station on the Ontario coast of
Hudson Bay in Polar Bear Provincial Park. Burntpoint is operated by the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) under the direction of Ken
Abraham, Waterfowl and Wetlands Scientist. The camp is about 1334 km (834
mi) north of Toronto, Ontario and about 74 km (46 mi) east of Peawanuck and
131 km (81 mi) west of Cape Henrietta Maria. The base camp is about 3 km
from the coast. See map link below. At this time of year there are almost 2
hours more daylight than in Toronto. Burntpoint also is situated on the most
southerly tundra zone at sea level in the world. This narrow tundra fringe
stretches east along the coast to Cape Henrietta Maria at the corner of
Hudson and James Bays. Tundra conditions are maintained by continuous
permafrost and sea ice which remains very late off the Ontario/Manitoba
coast until mid-summer preventing the warming of the waters of Hudson Bay
combined with prevailing cold north/northwest winds. The Burntpoint crew
comprises Julie Belliveau (OMNR), Matt Birarda (OMNR), Jean Iron (OFO
volunteer) and Jim Sauer (volunteer). They stay until July 19.

The following is Ken Abraham's report for the first crew who departed on
June 22. They recorded 85 species of birds on the 21 km2 study area. Canada
Goose, 242 nests. Ken also did an aerial survey of the Lesser Snow Goose
colony at Cape Henrietta Maria, the first since 2007. He reported that "the
colony area appears similar to 2007, but with lower densities of birds. It
was a good breeding year from a habitat/snow cover point of view, so this
might reflect a decline in colony size. One highlight is a small colony of
Ross's Geese within the larger colony estimated to be a couple of hundred
pairs (we have photos to analyze). We also found a few small groups of
breeding Common Eiders." Good numbers of Caribou were seen on the aerial
survey. Shorebird nests found in the study area include Whimbrel (10 nests),
Least Sandpiper (9 nests), Semipalmated Sandpiper (8 nests) and Dunlin (7
nests). New species added to the study area list were Wilson's Phalarope
(pair on coastal brackish pond) and Nelson's Sparrow, which arrived rather
late (June 17) but began singing around the camp pond. Brown Thrasher (1)
which has become a fairly regular occurrence at Burntpoint, although only
one individual each year. Other highlights include an American Golden-Plover
nest and a Rusty Blackbird nest, each the first nest of the species found
since studies began in 2001. Voles apparently are at a low point in their
usual 3-4 year cycle, as few were seen, winter nest counts were low, none
were live-trapped and the corresponding predatory birds that would usually
be present in a high year were absent (e.g., we saw no Short-eared Owls,
only 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and few Northern Harriers). Predation on nests was
relatively high but at this point is only quantified for Canada Goose (which
experienced 55% nest failure.

SHOREBIRD RESEARCH: Ken reports that two intensive shorebird plots (400 x
400 m) were established this June by the first crew for long term monitoring
of shorebirds using the Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network protocols. In
connection to the shorebird research, Ken reports that "We also began
monitoring 9 wetlands for aquatic invertebrate species composition,
abundance and biomass over the season. We are also monitoring terrestrial
invertebrates at 15 stations." This data will help in understanding breeding
shorebirds such as Hudsonian Godwit and Whimbrel. Many Arctic shorebirds are
declining according to the newly released "The State of Canada's Birds".
Climate change may be reducing their breeding success and northern habitats
could change faster than some species can adapt.

BIRDS: The following paragraphs are Jean's report for the second crew.
Mallards outnumber American Black Ducks (2 on 29th). Lesser Scaup. Common
Goldeneye, 10 molting males on bay. Red-breasted Merganser. Common Loon, 1
on bay on 29th. Red-throated Loon, nest with two eggs near camp. Several
other pairs nearby. Willow Ptarmigan are frequent around camp and often
heard calling in early morning. Several nests found. Two pairs are almost
camp pets. Bald Eagles (2-4/day) are now regular in summer presumably taking
nesting and molting geese. Northern Harrier, 5 on 26th was a high count
considering a low vole year, however, harriers are adept at taking young
birds and this is hatching time. Arctic Tern. A non-vocal Lesser Yellowlegs
on a tundra pond on 23rd was likely a migrant. Some Least Sandpipers and
Dunlins have just hatched fluffy young. Both adult Dunlins were attending
young chicks. A female Red-necked Phalarope on pond near coast on 29th may
be a local breeder. Parasitic Jaeger regularly hunt over the tundra
including flock of 4 on 27th. Jaegers are chased by Whimbrels and Hudsonian
Godwits when they fly near their territories. Tennessee Warbler on 28th.
Juvenile Horned Larks are flying. Smith's Longspur, 10 near coast on 29th,
males singing from rocks and low shrubs. White-crowned Sparrows are common.
Rusty Blackbird, male and female on 28th. White-winged Crossbill, two seen
on 27th picking at last year's brown cones on a white spruce. This crossbill
typically moves at this time of year seeking new cone crops. Common Redpolls
are nesting. A flock of 12 redpolls on 28th on the ground under spruces was
perhaps eating seeds dropped from last year's abundant cone crop.

MAMMALS: Small mammal numbers are low this summer which means that predators
(foxes, weasels, jaegers, gulls, ravens, etc.) will take more birds,
especially the young. High vole populations greatly reduce the predation
pressure on birds. Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owl numbers are very
low because vole populations are very low. 15 Caribou (groups of 7 and 8)
near camp on June 23. Caribou and the Reindeer of Eurasia are the same
species. Sea ice is currently about 1 km offshore with a south wind. Polar
Bears are still on the sea ice hunting mainly Ringed Seals. They will come
ashore over the next few weeks. Black Bears are rare along the coast. There
are no records of Grizzly Bears in Ontario, but in recent years a few
barren-ground Grizzlies have been seen in northeastern Manitoba about 300 km
from Ontario. The eastward spread of Grizzlies from mainland Nunavut may be
linked to increased food supplies provided by the now abundant Snow and
Canada Goose populations along the coast. It seems a matter of time until a
Grizzly is found in Ontario.

BUTTERFLIES: Old World Swallowtail (June 26); Painted Lady; Red Admiral (4
very worn on 28th); Bog Fritillary; Jutta Arctic (20 on 28th); Giant Sulphur
on 27th; Azure species and unidentified skippers.

WILDFLOWERS: Prominent species in bloom this week are Lapland Rosebay;
Purple Rattle; Dry-Ground Cranberry (famous lingonberry of Scandinavia) and
White Mountain-Avens (territorial flower of Northwest Territories).

2 maps and 1 photo show location of Burntpoint
www.jeaniron.ca/Burntpoint/camp.htm

Snow Ice Map - note extensive ice in Hudson Bay off Ontario coast
www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif

Next report will be posted in about a week.

Ron Pittaway
Minden, Ontario
Canada