This is Jean Iron's third report by satellite phone for the period 7 - 13
July 2012 from Burntpoint Creek Research Station on Hudson Bay. Burntpoint
is operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The crew
comprises Julie Belliveau (OMNR), Matt Birarda (OMNR), Jean Iron (OFO
volunteer) and Jim Sauer (volunteer).

CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH: Ken Abraham reports that "We started a new program
of research on Ontario Tundra Ecosystems in 2012. The lack of information on
this system and its vulnerability to an accelerated rate of climate change
relative to other Ontario ecosystems have been highlighted in the Far North
Science Panel report (2010) and the Hudson Plains Ecozone Status and Trends
Report (2011). This new, planned as long term, program aims to fill gaps in
knowledge of the components of the system and their functions and
interconnections. This program builds on the long term work of the OMNR
Wildlife Research and Development Section and the Hudson Bay Project."

BREEDING SHOREBIRDS: Whimbrel observed with young. Hudsonian Godwit, a very
early flying juvenile with two attending adults on July 10. The earliest
complete clutch of godwits is June 5 and the earliest hatching date is June
28 at Churchill, Manitoba (Jehl 2004). Nine Least Sandpipers territories
still occupied. American Golden-Plover, young of the pair near camp hatched
on July 6 and both adults still attending young on 12th. Jean said that it
is easy to understand the breeding colours of the golden-plover. Its upper
part feathers blend perfectly with tundra mosses and lichens.

MIGRATING SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs, 74 adults moving east along coast
on July 12. Whimbrel, 26 coastal migrants on July 8 going east while others
still on local territories. Eight Whimbrels flew in from over Hudson Bay and
continued southeast. Hudsonian Godwits are also moving east along coast
while others are on territories. Sanderling, 207 adults migrating east along
coast on July 13. Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers are also moving east
along coast. Short-billed Dowitchers gathering on coastal pools: 7 on July
8, 25 on July 11 and 11 on 13th. The later flock of 11 dowitchers spiraled
up before heading directly south from the coast. Most of the dowitchers were
of the brightly coloured subspecies hendersoni.

OTHER BIRDS: White-winged Scoter, 44 molting males along coast on July 11.
Black Scoter, 70 molting males along coast on 11th. Long-tailed Duck, female
with 8 young on tundra pond on July 12. Pacific Loon nest observed from a
distance on July 8 and 12th. Red-throated Loon nesting on pond 300 metres
from camp. A Red-throated Loon flew over while I was talking to Jean giving
its loud kwuk-kwuk-kwuk flight call which I could hear clearly over the
phone. Willow Ptarmigan are frequent around camp using dust baths. Adult
Herring Gulls in wing molt since late June. Mourning Dove, 1 on July 11.
Smith's Longspurs, 32 on July 8 with most on dry ridges near the coast.
Males still singing.

MAMMALS: Three freighter canoes moving along the coast were presumably from
the Peawanuk First Nation (Cree) community about 74 km (46 mi) to the west.
A Gray Wolf was seen on the July 8 and 12th near the coast in the vicinity
of Caribou. Two Bald Eagles and Common Ravens were near the wolf suggesting
that they were scavenging a kill. No Polar Bears yet. The bears are
apparently hunting seals on the remaining sea ice which stays the latest off
Ontario because of currents. See snow/ice map link below. Marine mammals in
Hudson Bay are changing. In recent summers a few pods of Killer Whales
(Orcas) have been entering Hudson Bay because the sea ice is melting earlier
and freeze up is coming later. Killer Whales are presumably hunting Belugas
(White Whales) which were previously free of Orca predation in most of
Hudson Bay. The Orca's tall dorsal fin restricts it to areas with little or
no ice cover, but ice conditions are changing on Hudson Bay.

AMPHIBIANS: Wood Frogs are frequent. Western Chorus Frogs last heard singing
on July 5. One sighting only of an American Toad on July 13.

BUTTERFLIES: No new species added since the last report but Jean has photos
of blues and sulphurs which she can't identify. She'll send photos out for
identification.

WILDFLOWERS: Currently the coast and dry tundra ridges are glowing a
purplish red with a spectacular blooming of Northern Hedysarum.

Maps and photo showing location of Burntpoint Camp
http://www.jeaniron.ca/Burntpoint/camp.htm

Snow Ice Cover Map shows extensive sea ice still off Ontario coast.
http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif

JAMES BAY SHOREBIRD SURVEY and Red Knots: Three survey camps on the Ontario
coast of James Bay begin operation on July 15 (tomorrow) under the direction
of Christian Friis of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Mark Peck of
the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). This is a continuation and expansion of
surveys of knots and other shorebirds over the past few years. This summer
regular invertebrate sampling will be done to quantify and better understand
the foods being eaten by shorebirds. Jean will be joining this survey on
July 30 and we will post weekly updates from the field.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Burntpoint camp is under direction of Ken Abraham (OMNR),
Waterfowl and Wetlands Scientist. Rod Brook (OMNR), Kim Bennett (OMNR) and
Sarah Hagey (OMNR) provide logistical support to the station.

Burntpoint surveys finish on July 18 and Jean returns to Toronto next
Friday. We'll post report #4 and she'll put photos on her website before
going to James Bay in late July.

Ron Pittaway
Minden, Ontario
Canada