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7 Jun Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Shorebirds and Climate Change - pdf ["Brunjes, John (FW)" ] 7 Jun Shorebirds and Climate Change - pdf [Jean Iron ] 6 Jun WorldWaders News Update - 6.6.13 [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 25 May Shorebird news [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 15 May Whimbrels completed 3rd leg of unknown loop migration route | WorldWaders News Blog [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 6 May Fwd: William Jones [William Jones ] 4 May WorldWaders Celebrates 3rd birthday with devastating news... [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 26 Mar Shocking news from Australia [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 14 Mar Conservation Issues in Kuwait [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 11 Mar SPAM/SCAM Re: [SHOREBIRDS] Sad Trip..................Dorothy Crowley [Steve Holzman ] 11 Mar Sad Trip..................Dorothy Crowley [Jenifer Hilburn ] 24 Oct The New Shorebirds Handbook blog [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 18 Sep Fred Bodsworth (1918-2012) Last of the Curlews [Jean Iron ] 4 Sep James Bay Shorebirds #4 + photos & videos [Jean Iron ] 27 Aug James Bay shorebirds -- Chickney Channel Point 15 to 31 July ["Friis,Christian [Ontario]" ] 27 Aug James Bay shorebirds -- Chickney Channel Point 31 July to 16 August ["Friis,Christian [Ontario]" ] 24 Aug leucistic SEPL [Patrick Leary ] 24 Aug Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] James Bay Shorebirds - Report #3 ["James B. Cole" ] 24 Aug James Bay Shorebirds - Report #3 [Jean Iron ] 16 Aug Attention List Owner [Jean Iron ] 16 Aug Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] James Bay Shorebirds - Report #2 ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 16 Aug James Bay Shorebirds - Report #2 [Jean Iron ] 7 Aug James Bay Shorebirds - Report #1 [Jean Iron ] 23 Jul Hudson Bay Report #4 + photos & videos [Jean Iron ] 14 Jul Hudson Bay Report #3 [Jean Iron ] 7 Jul Hudson Bay Report #2 [Jean Iron ] 30 Jun Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Hudson Bay Report #1 ["Jensen, Kent" ] 30 Jun Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Hudson Bay Report #1 ["Kalasz Kevin (DNREC)" ] 30 Jun Hudson Bay Report #1 [Jean Iron ] 7 Jun color-banded SATE [Patrick Leary ] 1 Jun Automatic reply: SHOREBIRDS Digest - 29 May 2012 to 31 May 2012 (#2012-7) ["Smith, Fletcher M" ] 31 May Yellow leg flag - Semipalmated Sandpiper - Northwest Ohio ["Norris, Keith A" ] 31 May Yellow leg flag on Semipalmated Sandpiper - SW Ohio [William Hull ] 29 May Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review ["James B. Cole" ] 29 May Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review [Brad Winn ] 29 May Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review [Arne Jent Lesterhuis ] 27 May Banded WILP [Patrick Leary ] 13 May Re: SAND with Yellow marker [David Mizrahi ] 13 May Re: SAND with Yellow marker [David Mizrahi ] 13 May Re: SAND with Yellow marker [JPMyers ] 13 May Re: SAND with Yellow marker [patrick leary ] 13 May Re: SAND with Yellow marker [David Mizrahi ] 12 May REKN Fo[X6T] migration [Patrick Leary ] 12 May Date correction [Patrick Leary ] 12 May SAND with Yellow marker [Patrick Leary ] 9 May Spoon-billed Sandpipers in China + conservation concerns [Nate Dias ] 19 Apr Re: Norman D.van Swelm [Norman Deans van Swelm ] 19 Apr Re: Norman D.van Swelm [Norman Deans van Swelm ] 19 Apr Norman D.van Swelm [Patrick Leary ] 22 Nov Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] ["Kalasz Kevin (DNREC)" ] 22 Nov No Subject [Russ Namitz ] 14 Sep A Second Whimbrel Shot and Killed in Guadeloupe ["Smith, Fletcher M" ] 13 Sep Tragic end of a hero [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 13 Sep Whimbrel Tracked Through Tropical Storm and Later Found Shot on Guadeloupe (French West Indies) ["Smith, Fletcher M" ] 11 Sep Great News Again [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 25 Aug Awesome Spoon-billed Sandpiper images [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 25 Aug Awesome Spoon-billed Sandpiper images [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 22 Aug James Bay Shorebird Report #5 - Photos [Jean Iron ] 12 Aug WorldWaders News [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 11 Aug James Bay Shorebird Report #4 [Jean Iron ] 3 Aug James Bay Shorebird Report #3 [Jean Iron ] 26 Jul James Bay Shorebird Report #2 [Jean Iron ] 20 Jul James Bay Shorebird Report #1 [Jean Iron ] 13 Jul First Spoon-billed Sandpiper chicks hatch in captivity [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 12 Jul Where are the Red Knots of the EAAF during spring and autumn migration? [MobileMe ] 23 Jun No Subject [Kevin Dailey ] 8 Jun Aerial surveys do not reliably survey boreal-nesting shorebirds - pdf [Jean Iron ] 6 Jun Survey on shorebird hunting - Now with correct link to English versio ["Arne J. Lesterhuis" ] 3 Jun Emergency mission to save remarkable bird from extinction [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 2 Jun Survey on shorebird hunting - please participate ["Arne J. Lesterhuis" ] 27 May Global wader news [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 22 Apr Banded Whimbrel - Jacksonville, FL [Kevin Dailey ] 14 Apr "Hope" the Whimbrel Migrates to back to Virginia [Fletcher Smith ] 4 Mar Yahoo! Auto Response [Nathan Dias ] 3 Mar Use of playback for boreal-nesting shorebirds and other techniques for surveying? ["Friis,Christian [Ontario]" ] 17 Dec Please support this idea [Gyorgy Szimuly ] Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Shorebirds and Climate Change - pdf From: "Brunjes, John (FW)" <john.brunjes AT KY.GOV> Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 20:23:02 +0000 I will be out of the office from June 10 until June 17. If you need immediate assistance please call our info center at 1-800-858-1549. John Brunjes Migratory Bird Program Subject: Shorebirds and Climate Change - pdf From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 16:22:00 -0400 Please see article about ongoing studies on the coast of Hudson Bay in Ontario just published in the June 2013 issue of OFO News. http://www.jeaniron.ca/2013/ShorebirdsJune2013.pdf Jean Iron Toronto, Ontario Canada Subject: WorldWaders News Update - 6.6.13 From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 01:52:59 +0100 Hi All, Quite a bad news from Australia! http://worldwaders.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/the-future-of-beach-nesting-birds-is-under-a-cloud/ Best wishes, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Shorebird news From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 10:35:01 +0100 Dear Members, Thanks to the contributors of WorldWaders News Blog I have gotten nice and positive feedback on the blog. I would not have been able to run this blog on my own but thanks to the tremendous support we could post news about shorebird conservation, research and other topics. All this is set to raise awareness of the vulnerability of shorebird populations of the world. In the future I target to reach more people and share unique, never published news and stories on shorebird conservation and possibly nice achievements. Personally I am happy by the numerous organizations, groups who work for shorebirds and I would be delighted to hear about your stories. If you think WorldWaders News Blog is worth to support by a few articles or news items a year please send me a mail to discuss the best and easiest way to contribute. To learn more of the structure of the blog just read some of the latest news. http://worldwaders.wordpress.com I believe that more new organizations/groups will join and I can welcome you as the WorldWaders Contributors, just like WHSRN, Manomet, BirdLife Community, WWT and many other big NGOs as well as individuals. Looking forward to hear about you. Best wishes, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Whimbrels completed 3rd leg of unknown loop migration route | WorldWaders News Blog From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 18:53:36 +0100 Dear List Members, Please find the latest article on migrating Whimbrels. http://worldwaders.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/whimbrels-completed-3rd-leg-of-unknown-loop-migration-route/ Should you have any news worth to share with the shorebird community please pass it to me or became the contributor of WorldWaders News Blog. I'd be happy to expand the users. Best, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Fwd: William Jones From: William Jones <trogon AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 15:52:37 -0400 http://gim11.jaworzno.edu.pl/maininf.php ----------- 5/6/2013 8:52:33 PM trogon Subject: WorldWaders Celebrates 3rd birthday with devastating news... From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 4 May 2013 00:18:00 +0100 Dear All, I would like to share the WorldWaders blog post from today. Images of those birds are shocking!!! http://worldwaders.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/bitter-taste-celebration/ I am looking forward to hear your reply in blog (as a comment) if possible. Thank you, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Shocking news from Australia From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:05:48 +0000 Dear Shorebird Enthusiasts, Please learn more about the recent shocking news from Victoria, Australia. WorldWaders News Blog reports: http://worldwaders.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/red-necked-avocets-illegally-shot-in-victoria/ In blog tell us what you think and what changes you would like to see implemented. Best, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Conservation Issues in Kuwait From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:54:11 +0000 Hi, Today news from Kuwait made me very unhappy. Find a few words about the shooting of Sociable Lapwings and other waders in the WorldWaders News Blog: http://worldwaders.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/sociable-lapwings-shot-in-the-middle\ -east/ Please show your support by following or liking the blog. Simple clicks. Best, Szimi _ Gyorgy Szimuly Milton Keynes, UK http://worldwaders.wordpress.com http://szimistylebirding.wordpress.com http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: SPAM/SCAM Re: [SHOREBIRDS] Sad Trip..................Dorothy Crowley From: Steve Holzman <steve_holzman AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:44:55 -0700 Ignore the original message.   Steve Holzman North High Shoals, GA Oconee County, USA ________________________________ From: Jenifer Hilburn To: SHOREBIRDS AT LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 8:40 AM Subject: [SHOREBIRDS] Sad Trip..................Dorothy Crowley I really hope you get this fast. I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Philippines for Tour.. The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. we misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment. I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to now. i will be indeed very grateful if i can get a short term loan from you ($1,950). this will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance. Please, let me know soonest. Thanks so much. Jen ________________________________ Jenifer D. Hilburn Island Ornithologist St. Catherines Island Georgia USA Subject: Sad Trip..................Dorothy Crowley From: Jenifer Hilburn <ecojen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 05:40:59 -0700 I really hope you get this fast. I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Philippines for Tour.. The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. we misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment. I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to now. i will be indeed very grateful if i can get a short term loan from you ($1,950). this will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance. Please, let me know soonest. Thanks so much. Jen ________________________________ Jenifer D. Hilburn Island Ornithologist St. Catherines Island Georgia USA Subject: The New Shorebirds Handbook blog From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2012 03:43:36 +0100 Dear Friends, I am happy to announce that the new blog and website of ’The New Shorebirds Handbook Project' is up and running. Comments are much appreciated. http://thenewshorebirds.wordpress.com/ Best, Szimi Milton Keynes United Kingdom Subject: Fred Bodsworth (1918-2012) Last of the Curlews From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:37:26 -0400 We are posting this on behalf of Glenn Coady about the passing of Fred Bodsworth, author of Last of the Curlews. Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway The following death notice appeared in Monday's Toronto Star: BODSWORTH, Fred, Celebrated Canadian Author, "Mr. Curlew" died September 15, 2012, one month short of his 94th birthday. He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret Banner. Dear father of Barbara Welch (Ed), Nancy Hannah (Rick), and Neville Bodsworth (Lois Mombourquette). Cherished grandfather of Wendy, Erin, Lisa, Lori, Tyler, Tara, Margaret, Aidan and Cameron. Doting great grandfather of Cristian and Holden. Fred was a self-taught scientist with an insatiable curiosity for the natural world and a life-long passion for birds. There will be a private family service. Friends are invited to join us at the Bracebridge Sewage Lagoons (Kerr Park) on Sunday, October 7, 2012 for a hike in Fred's memory. We will meet at Kerr Park at 9 a.m. for brunch with a hike to follow. A Memorial Service in November will be announced later. Charitable donations can be made to Ontario Nature, Bird Studies Canada or Canadian Nature Conservancy. Online condolences may be sent via www.sherrinfuneral.ca Glenn Coady wrote this tribute: Charles Frederick "Fred" Bodsworth was born on October 11, 1918 in Port Burwell, Ontario. Fred graduated from Port Burwell public and high schools and went on to a career in journalism, working freelance for the Port Burwell Enterprise, London Free Press and Woodstock Sentinel-Review during the Depression, as a full-time reporter for the St. Thomas Times-Journal 1940-1943, a reporter and editor for the Toronto Daily Star and Weekly Star 1943-1946, and staff writer and editor at Maclean's Magazine 1947-1955. Since 1955, Fred had pursued a career as a freelance writer and editor, publishing four novels: Last of the Curlews (1955, Toronto and New York, Dodd Mead); The Strange One (1959, Toronto and New York, Dodd Mead); The Atonement of Ashley Morden (1964, Toronto and New York, Dodd Mead); and The Sparrow's Fall (1967, Toronto, McClelland and Stewart and New York, Doubleday). Fred also wrote and edited for several non-fiction titles including: The People's Health: Canada and WHO (with Brock Chisholm) - Canadian Association for Adult Education, Toronto, 1949; The Pacific Coast volume of the Natural Science of Canada series, 1970; and Wilderness Canada, Clark Irwin, Toronto, 1970. In the spring of 1954, Fred wrote a short novelette for the May 15th issue of Maclean's magazine entitled "Last of the Curlews", accompanied by illustrations by well-known editorial cartoonist Duncan Mcpherson. In that era, Maclean's magazine was a far more literary publication than it is today, more akin to the New Yorker than to a news magazine like Time, as in its current incarnation. Many of Canada's most famous and successful writers often published short pieces of fiction in its pages. When "Last of the Curlews" was published in Maclean's, the overwhelming positive reader response far eclipsed that of any other work the magazine had ever published, and Fred was encouraged to expand the work into a larger novel. The completed novel version of "Last of the Curlews", accompanied by over 40 peerless scratchboard illustrations by artist/naturalist Terry Shortt, provided a fictionalized account of the last pair of Eskimo Curlews, and was published by Dodd Mead in February 1955, and was immediately received enthusiastically by the public. It has since been widely cited as one of the finest pieces of natural history-based fiction ever written. The book's genius is that it transforms the reader's appreciation for the extraordinary life experiences that migratory birds encounter and the challenges they must overcome on a daily basis. It uses the tragic story of the Eskimo Curlew as a parable to impart a sense of both the gravity of extinction and the sinister role played by the often wanton hand of mankind on the natural world. The book was chosen for inclusion as a Readers' Digest novel selection and eventually went on to sell in excess of three million copies - an improbable result for a love story with no human characters or dialogue. In all the years since it was first published, it has never been out of print. The book has been translated into twelve foreign languages and was adapted into an animated film by Hanna-Barbera Productions that first aired on the American Broadcasting Corporation's After School Special on October 4, 1972. It won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming in 1973. Fred made incalculable contributions to natural history in Ontario. His love of nature started as a very young boy with an interest in butterflies, and later birds, in his hometown of Port Burwell. In what might almost be considered heresy for any Canadian boy of that era, Fred traded a pair of his skates and a bicycle pump for his first butterfly guide - obviously it was clear pretty early on where his priorities lay. His correspondence on natural history matters stretches back even to a personal relationship with W.E. Saunders, the legendary London-area naturalist of the late-19th and early 20th centuries and one of Fred's early heroes. In the summer of 1949, Fred discovered the first Hooded Warbler nest for Canada at Springwater Conservation Area near Aylmer. In the 1960s and 1970s, Fred was a much-sought leader of worldwide ornithological tours. Fred's own lifetime of personal ornithological records were heavily drawn upon in the production of a 2004 monograph "Birds of Elgin County - a Century of Change". Fred was a long-time Director and former President (1965-1967) of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (now Ontario Nature), an Honorary Director (since 1970) of the Long Point Bird Observatory and Bird Studies Canada, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Ornithology (1975-1989) - very appropriate, since Jim Baillie had been a friend of his for several decades. Fred was one of the longest-serving members of the Brodie Club (since 1953), the Toronto Ornithological Club (since 1949; becoming an honorary member in 2002) and the Ontario Field Ornithologists (since 1983) at the time of his death, and he always thoroughly enjoyed the meetings of each of these clubs, where he was still a regular attendee into the summer of this year. True to Fred's style and sense of whimsy, his 90th birthday party was held in a park that featured a tour of the Bracebridge, Ontario sewage lagoons. Among many speeches made after a walk around the lagoons, Fred delivered the line of the day when he finished his speech with the line "Oh, to be 80 again ! .....". There is likely no better way to describe Fred's novels than by using his own words: "The major part of my work has been novels linking human and animal characters in a fiction format with strong natural history content and wilderness backgrounds. The nature storyteller who uses birds or mammals in fictional situations treads a narrow path if he wishes to be scientifically authentic and portray them as they really are. On the one hand, he has to personalize his animal as well as his human characters or he simply has no dramatic base for his story. Yet if the personalizing of animal characters goes too far and begins turning them into furry or feathered people - the nature writer's sin of anthropomorphism - the result is maudlin nonsense that is neither credible fable nor fiction. I enjoy the challenge of presenting wildlife characters as modern animal behaviour studies are showing them to be - creatures dominated by instinct, but not enslaved by it, beings with intelligence very much sub-human in some areas yet fascinatingly super-human in others. Out of the blending of human and animal stories comes the theme that I hope is inherent in all my books: that man is an inescapable part of all nature, that its welfare is his welfare, that to survive he cannot continue acting and regarding himself as a spectator looking on from somewhere outside." I cannot envision capturing the essence of Fred's writing more completely or eloquently. The impact of Fred's writing, particularly that of Last of the Curlews, was equally as influential as Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac (1949) and Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) in the stirring up of a collective ecological conscience among society that gave impetus and urgency to the popular post-War environmental movement. One of my favourite pieces of Fred's writing is an article entitled "Why Wilderness?", a call to arms for enlightened wilderness preservation, which was published in the December 1967 issue of The Ontario Naturalist. Here is one of my favourite passages: "Conservationists are not trying to stop progress, or to halt further development of soil and forest resources; but if we believe that man's heritage includes not only the works of man but also the works of creation, we have an obligation to the future to ensure that good samples of creation's multiformity of natural patterns are preserved. To argue that wilderness preservation is ludicrous because we already have too much Canadian wilderness is like arguing that we don't need to preserve our Tom Thomsons or Krieghoffs because we have galleries full of other paintings." Perhaps the most telling fact that I could share about Fred's life is that among the many hundreds of friends and acquaintances that I have shared with Fred over our friendship of several decades, I have never heard a single one of them utter anything but praise and admiration for his knowledge, wisdom, infectious inquisitiveness, sense of both humour and fairness, and his love for family, community, birds and the environment. That truly is the exemplary hallmark of a life well lived. Fred passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 15th at Toronto's Scarborough General Hospital. I learned the intricacies of shorebird identification leaning heavily on books crafted by men named Fuertes, Forbush, Peterson and Godfrey, but fully comprehending them as "minute specks of earthbound flesh challenging an eternity of earth and sky" was a gift bestowed on me by Fred Bodsworth. A fond adieu to my friend Fred - he will be dearly missed by countless friends and fans alike. Glenn Coady Whitby, Ontario Please join Fred's family and friends at Kerr Park in Bracebridge for a brunch and hike in his honour on Sunday, October 7th at 9:00 a.m. To reach Kerr Park and the Bracebridge sewage lagoons, take Highway 11 north to just south of Bracebridge and exit at Exit 182 onto Regional Road 118 (Ecclestone Drive), taking it northwest 4.2 km to Regional Road 16 (Beaumont Drive). Turn left (west) onto Beaumont Drive and proceed 0.6 km west to the entrance to Kerr Park on the south side. Subject: James Bay Shorebirds #4 + photos & videos From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 20:08:45 -0400 This is my fourth and summary report with photos and videos for Longridge Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay in Ontario. Surveys are a cooperative project of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). Commonest shorebird since the last report on 24 August was the White-rumped Sandpiper with 6402 adults on 27 August and the first juvenile White-rumped was on 28th. A total of 26 species of shorebirds was recorded in August. New birds since the last report #3 are Red-throated Loon; Turkey Vulture, 1 on 28 Aug found by Barb Charlton and 2 on 29th; and a juvenile Sabine's Gull on 30 August found by Ross Wood. A total of 142 bird species was recorded for the period 30 July to 31 August 2012. Link to photos and videos http://www.jeaniron.ca/2012/jamesbay/camp.htm Acknowledgements: I thank Christian Friis (CWS) and Mark Peck (ROM) for the opportunity to do fieldwork at Longridge. Ken Abraham (OMNR), Rod Brook (OMNR), Kim Bennett (OMNR) and Sarah Hagey (OMNR) provided logistical support to the camp. I thank Ron Pittaway for posting my reports to the Ontbirds and Shorebirds listservs. Ron inspired my love of shorebirds and has encouraged me to volunteer for northern surveys. Jean Iron Toronto, Ontario Canada http://www.jeaniron.ca/ Subject: James Bay shorebirds -- Chickney Channel Point 15 to 31 July From: "Friis,Christian [Ontario]" <Christian.Friis AT EC.GC.CA> Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:22:12 -0400 This report summarizes the sightings from a crew stationed in the Chickney Point area on the western coast of James Bay from July 15 to 31 as a part of the Western James Bay Shorebird Survey. The Chickney Point camp is the most northerly of the project's three field camps in 2012 and is located just north of Chickney Channel (Albany River) roughly 45 km directly south of Akimiski Island, and about 150 km north-northwest of Moosonee. Extensive mudflats in the region, fuelled with nutrients from the Albany River, its tributaries and the innumerable smaller creeks, provide excellent conditions for staging shorebirds and waterfowl. The extremely shallow gradient shoreline in the area is vegetated by dense tall willow (Salix bebbiana, S. planifolia) thickets, giving way to vast supratidal graminoid meadow-marshes (Carex paleacea, Calamagrostis inexpansa, Juncus balticus) interspersed with low willow thickets, grading finally to brackish and saline tidal marshes (Puccinellia spp.,! Hippuris tetraphylla, Plantago maritima, Salicornia sp.)dissected by a myriad of small ponds, drainage channels, tidal inlets, and exposed mudflat. The spruce forest begins 5-6 km inland from the high tide line. Previous aerial surveys of this region have shown large concentrations of shorebirds during the fall migration. Christian Friis (CWS), Don Sutherland (OMNR - Natural Heritage Information Centre), Ron Ridout (Bird Studies Canada), and Stu Mackenzie (BSC - Long Point Bird Observatory) arrived at camp on July 15 and began conducting daily shorebird surveys coinciding with high tide at two locations along the coast. On July 31, Don, Ron, and Stu were replaced by Ken Burrell, Mike Burrell, and Jeanette Goulet. Shorebirds: Shorebird numbers were impressive! During the two weeks, the overall number of shorebirds exceeded 1 million (duplicates almost certainly exist) of 23 species. Most of the individuals observed during this time were adults. Numbers and diversity varied substantially with the height and timing of the high tides. Shorebird counts exceeded 100,000 on three days: 108, 730 on July 21; 120,076 on July 24, and 123,777 on July 25 making this one of the densest concentrations of migratory shorebirds in the province. Semipalmated Sandpipers were the most numerous species on most days ranging from 3,000 (low on July 29) to 88,130 (high on July 25). White-rumped Sandpipers were next ranging from 5,615 (low July 27) to 28,750 (high on July 21). Semipalmated Sandpipers were most numerous earlier in the month with a gradual shift to White-rumped's by the time we left. There were also impressive numbers of Dunlin ranging from 1,100 (low July 28) to 19,420 (high on July 21). Numbers of godwi! ts were also significant. We were impressed by a flock of 250 Marbled Godwits on our first trek to the flats that was dwarfed by subsequent counts and with a high of 1,182 on July 26. Considering that the most recent estimate of Ontario's Marbled Godwit population is a "few 1000s (see the Ontario Shorebird Conservation Plan; Ross et al. 2003), a substantial portion of the Ontario population was observed in a couple of kilometers. Hudsonian Godwits were also numerous with nearly 1,000 observed on most days with a high of 1,876 on July 24. Low numbers of Whimbrels were observed as well with a high of 52 on July 25. High flying flocks of Marbled Godwits were observed heading southwest on several days, presumably headed toward their wintering grounds in the Gulf of California. Other shorebird highlights: Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs were abundant in the small tidal ponds with high counts of 901 (July 19) and 1,732 (July 24), respectively. 391 Red Knots were counted during our stay with a high count of 125 on July 24. Least and Pectoral Sandpipers preferred the more inland grassy pools and reached numbers of 585 (July 17) and 424 (July 29), respectively. All other shorebirds were present in low numbers, but increasing toward the end of the month. Spotted Sandpiper - 1 juvenile bird on July 28. Solitary Sandpiper - 1 adult on July 25. Stilt Sandpiper - single adults on July 29 and 30 Red-necked Phalarope - single adult females and males observed throughout Wilson's Phalarope - 7 adults and 12 juveniles observed (probably local breeders) Other sightings of interest: Snow Goose - family groups began arriving on July 24 building to 804 (85% Blue's) on July 29. Redhead - three males present July 27. Singles on July 21, 23, and 29. American White Pelican - present on most days with a high of 65 on July 19. American Bittern - 2 present near camp every day. Great Blue Heron - 1 wing-tagged individual (light green) on July 29 - (herons with this colour of patagial tag were banded as nestlings in 2011 and 2012 on Howland Rocks, south of Spanish, in the North Channel of Georgian Bay and in 2012 on Mad Reef, near Stoke's Bay, Lake Huron, 700 and 850 km south of Chickey Point, respectively; pers. comm. Chip Weseloh) Northern Harrier - most abundant raptor in the area with a high of 11 on July 28 Yellow Rail - numerous around camp and in surrounding sedge meadows - conservative high of 15 on July 21 Virginia Rail - two singing males around camp heard between July 25 and 29. One of the most northerly records in the province. Black Tern - 1 adult on July 27 Bonaparte's Gull - first juvenile on July 26. Short-eared Owl - two individuals observed throughout the period (pellets were full of sparrow feathers) Barn Swallow - one on July 27 Eastern Kingbird - one on Jul 29 Swainson's Thrush - breeding near camp LeConte's Sparrow - numerous in the sedge meadows/willow thickets - conservative high of 81 on July 17 Nelson's Sparrow - numerous in sedge meadows - conservative high of 154 on July 17 Fox Sparrow - breeding near camp Common Redpoll - nest at camp Bobolink - pair near camp. Male heard on July 15, pair discovered on July 17 and another or likely the same pair approximately 1 km distant on July 18. Possibly the most northerly breeding evidence in the province. Migrant Passerines: Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-White Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Western Palm Warbler, Myrtle Warbler. Mammals: No direct observations, but evidence of Black Bear, Gray Wolf, Red Fox, Striped Skunk, and Weasel sp. Butterflies and Dragonflies: Neither group was abundantly represented although numbers of individuals generally increased toward the end of the month. Butterfly and odonate species observed/documented included Old World and Tiger swallowtails, Mustard White, Clouded, Orange, Giant and Pelidne sulphurs, American Copper, Atlantis and Frigga fritillaries, Northern Crescent, Mourning Cloak, White Admiral, Viceroy, Common Ringlet, Jutta Arctic; and Canada, Variable (Interrupted and Lineate subspecies), Sedge and Zigzag darners, Hudsonian Whiteface, and Cherry-faced Meadowhawk . Amphibians: Boreal Chorus Frog, Wood Frog, and American 'Hudson Bay' Toad. Acknowledgements The Western James Bay Shorebird Survey is a cooperative effort spearheaded by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) also provides helicopter transport to and from field camps and accommodations in the staff house while crews are in Moosonee. Thanks to Ken Abraham, Rod Brook, Sarah Hagey and Kim Bennett of OMNR for providing logistical support. Additional support for the Chickney Channel expedition was provided by Bird Studies Canada. Many thanks to Ron Pittaway for providing some details in his previous report from Jean Iron on James Bay shorebirds. Good Birding, Stu, Don, Ron, and Christian Christian A. Friis Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada 4905 Dufferin St. Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Telephone 416.739.4908 Mobile 647.882.6097 Facsimile 416.739.5845 Government of Canada Website www.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com Christian A. Friis Service canadien de la faune Environnement Canada 4905, rue Dufferin Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Téléphone 416.739.4908 Cellulaire 647.882.6097 Télécopieur 416.739.5845 Gouvernement du Canada Site Web www.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com Subject: James Bay shorebirds -- Chickney Channel Point 31 July to 16 August From: "Friis,Christian [Ontario]" <Christian.Friis AT EC.GC.CA> Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:22:20 -0400 This report summarizes the sightings from a crew stationed in the Chickney Point area on the western coast of James Bay from 31 July to 16 August as a part of the Western James Bay Shorebird Survey. The Chickney Point camp is the most northerly of the project's three field camps in 2012 and is located just north of Chickney Channel (Albany River) roughly 45 km directly south of Akimiski Island, and about 150 km north-northwest of Moosonee. Extensive mudflats in the region, fuelled with nutrients from the Albany River, its tributaries and the innumerable smaller creeks, provide excellent conditions for staging shorebirds and waterfowl. The extremely shallow gradient shoreline in the area is vegetated by dense tall willow (Salix bebbiana, S. planifolia) thickets, giving way to vast supratidal graminoid meadow-marshes (Carex paleacea, Calamagrostis inexpansa, Juncus balticus) interspersed with low willow thickets, grading finally to brackish and saline tidal marshes (Puccinelli! a spp., Hippuris tetraphylla, Plantago maritima, Salicornia sp.) dissected by a myriad of small ponds, drainage channels, tidal inlets, and exposed mudflat. The spruce forest begins 5-6 km inland from the high tide line. Previous aerial surveys of this region have shown large concentrations of shorebirds during the fall migration. Christian Friis (CWS), Mike Burrell (OMNR - Natural Heritage Information Centre), Ken Burrell (volunteer), and Jeanette Goulet (CWS) continued conducting daily shorebird surveys coinciding with high tide at two locations along the coast. This camp closed on 16 August. Shorebirds: Shorebird numbers continued to be impressive! During the two weeks, the overall number of shorebirds exceeded 670,000 (duplicates almost certainly exist) of 23 species. Individuals observed during this time were a mix of adults and juveniles. Numbers and diversity varied substantially with the height and timing of the high tides. Shorebird counts exceeded 100,000 on 1 August, with a daily average of about 42,000. White-rumped Sandpipers were the most numerous species on most days ranging from 10,850 (low on 8 August) to 28,605 (high on 5 August). Semipalmated Sandpipers were next ranging from 1,400 (low on 9 August) to 68,750 (high on 1 August), and were mostly juveniles during the latter half of the period. There were also impressive numbers of Dunlin ranging from 3,290 (low on 6 August) to 19,850 (high on 3 August). Numbers of godwits were also significant. Marbled Godwit numbers decreased during the period: High of 216 on 6 August; low of 2 on 15 August. Hudsonian Godwit! s were also numerous with nearly 1,000 observed on most days with a conservative high of 5,088 on 8 August (plus over 2,000 unidentified godwits flocking well to the south of our count areas). Low numbers of Whimbrels were observed as well with a high of 10 on 11 August. High flying flocks of yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpipers were observed heading southwest on several days, presumably headed toward their wintering grounds. Other shorebird highlights: Spotted Sandpiper - 1 on 6 August and 1 on 14 August. Solitary Sandpiper - 1 on 13 August. Greater Yellowlegs continued to be abundant in the small tidal ponds with high counts of 713 (5 August). Lesser Yellowlegs were observed in lower numbers (around the 30 mark for most of the period) with a high count of 150 (8 August). 168 Red Knots were counted during the period, with a high count of 73 on 5 August; first juvenile on 4 August. Semipalmated Sandpiper - 1 blue flag (KKV) observed on 4 August (banded this past winter in Brazil). Least and Pectoral Sandpipers preferred the more inland grassy pools and reached numbers of 407 (8 August) and 442 (4 August), respectively. Red-necked Phalarope - 1 adult (on 4 August), and single juveniles observed throughout the period. Wilson's Phalarope - 12 juveniles observed (probably local breeders). Other sightings of interest: Snow Goose - numbers continued to build during the period, averaging about 2,000 each day with a high count of 7,000 on 15 August (85% Blue's). Canada Goose - orange collared individuals observed most days (part of a MNR project), with a high of 6 on x August. Blue-winged Teal - high count of 8 on 8 August. Redhead - Observed each day from 2 to 7 August. High count of 42 individuals 4 August. Northern Shoveler - observed most days. American White Pelican - present on most days with a high of 72 on 2 August when flocks were taking advantage of thermals and appeared to be migrating south. American Bittern - 2 present near camp every day. Great Blue Heron - high of 5 on 13 August. Northern Harrier - most abundant raptor in the area with a high of 11 on 8 August. Red-tailed Hawk - 1 observed on a power line pole to the northwest of camp on 13 August. American Kestrel - 1 observed 14 August. Yellow Rail - singing had ceased by 13 August -high of 5 on 11 August. Virginia Rail - one singing male around camp heard sporadically during the period (last on 14 August). One of the most northerly records in the province. Northern Shrike - 1 juvenile observed around camp 2 August. Barn Swallow - one on 31 July and 1 August, and 2 on 8 August. Swainson's Thrush - fledgling observed around camp. LeConte's Sparrow - vocalisations decreased over the period - conservative high of x on date. Nelson's Sparrow - vocalisations decreased over the period - conservative high of x on date. Fox Sparrow - still singing near camp 15 August. Red Crossbill - single male flying over camp on August 13. Purple Finch - singles on 14 and 15 August. Pine Siskin - 10 on 1 August, coming in off the bay; singles on 5, 6, 13, and 15 August. Migrant Passerines: Philadelphia Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-White Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Cape May Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Western Palm Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow. Mammals: Gray Wolf observed roaming the tide line on date. River Otter and kit observed in the creek by camp date. No other direct observations, but evidence of Black Bear, Red Fox, Striped Skunk, and Weasel sp. Butterflies and Dragonflies: Neither group was abundantly represented although numbers of individuals generally increased toward the end of the month. Butterfly and odonate species observed/documented during the period included Mustard White, Orange Sulphur (abundant), Northern Crescent, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, White Admiral, Viceroy, and Milbert's Tortoiseshell; and Lake, Variable (Lineate subspecies), Sedge and Zigzag darners, and Cherry-faced and Black meadowhawks (both abundant). Amphibians: Boreal Chorus Frog, Wood Frog, and American 'Hudson Bay' Toad. Acknowledgements The Western James Bay Shorebird Survey is a cooperative effort spearheaded by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) also provides helicopter transport to and from field camps and accommodations in the staff house while crews are in Moosonee. Thanks to Ken Abraham, Rod Brook, Sarah Hagey, and Kim Bennett of OMNR for providing logistical support. Additional support for the Chickney Channel expedition was provided by Bird Studies Canada. Many thanks to Ron Pittaway for providing some details in his previous report from Jean Iron on James Bay shorebirds. Good birding, Christian, Mike, Ken, and Jeanette Christian A. Friis Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada 4905 Dufferin St. Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Telephone 416.739.4908 Mobile 647.882.6097 Facsimile 416.739.5845 Government of Canada Website www.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com Christian A. Friis Service canadien de la faune Environnement Canada 4905, rue Dufferin Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Téléphone 416.739.4908 Cellulaire 647.882.6097 Télécopieur 416.739.5845 Gouvernement du Canada Site Web www.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com Subject: leucistic SEPL From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:24:30 -0400 Subsequent to conducting an island-wide survey of Cumberland Island, GA today, we stopped at the traditional south end roost site to scan the birds resting there. Amongst the mass of mixed shorebirds was a leucistic SEPL. About the same time last summer, we recorded a, less pale, leucistic SEPL at another regional shorebird site. Also recorded was a ca 10 year old banded SEPL and several recently banded WIPL. All marked plovers are associated with various research projects conducted on the national seashore. Try the URL for two images of the leucistic SEPL. (The web site has undergone changes and I don't know if the link will function) PR Leary, Fernandina Beach, FL http://www.flickr.com/photos/28226894 AT N03/ Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] James Bay Shorebirds - Report #3 From: "James B. Cole" <jbcole AT TNC.ORG> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:20:55 +0000 I'll be on vacation from Friday, 24 August, through Friday, August 31, with no email access. I'll reply to your message following my return. Thanks for your patience. - James Subject: James Bay Shorebirds - Report #3 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:13:47 -0400 Jean Iron's third report for the period 17 - 23 August 2012 from Longridge Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay in Ontario. See map link below. Surveys are a cooperative effort of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The new crew comprises Mark Peck (lead), Barb Charlton, Nancy Coston (Moose Cree First Nation), Mark Dodds (OMNR), Donnell Gasbarrini, Jean Iron, Shannon Page, Minnie Sutherland (Moose Cree First Nation), Ross Trapper (Moose Cree First Nation) and Ross Wood. Mark, Mark, Donnell and Shannon spent their first 5 days at Little Piskwamish before walking to base camp at Longridge. JAMES BAY MIGRATION ROUTE: The migration route for many shorebirds departing James Bay is southeast to the Atlantic coast without much stopping in the interior because of limited habitat. SHOREBIRD FOODS: Invertebrate sampling is done once per week along a transect from the high tide zone out every 100 m for 1 km following the tide as it ebbs. What are shorebirds eating? Still some unknowns. RED KNOTS (Longridge): High count of 616 on 19 Aug. 150 on 22 Aug were 50% juveniles. Knots have been moving around a lot and standing in tight flocks making it difficult to see and read flags. Little Piskwamish (next paragraph) normally records higher numbers of knots, but numbers have been lower at both locations this year. RED KNOTS (Little Piskwamish): Counts mainly on 3 days 17 - 19 Aug. 250 on 17th, 335 (12 flags) on 18th, 950 (50 flags) on 19th included 35% juveniles. HISTORICAL NOTE: One of the earliest reports of large numbers of knots using western James Bay came in 1942 when ornithologists Cliff Hope and Terry Shortt from the ROM saw large migratory flocks of up to 500 birds between 20 - 25 July 1942 near Little Piskwamish (Auk 61:574, 1944). SHOREBIRD OBSERVATIONS: Observations refer to Longridge unless noted. Surveys revolve around high tides when shorebirds are more concentrated and roosting. As the tide advances shorebirds are pushed ahead of the flow and as it ebbs fresh feeding habitat is exposed. Peeps especially follow the ebbing line. Usually only the high count day for the period is reported below. Black-bellied Plover: 212 adults in various stages of molt on 19 Aug. First juveniles should arrive soon. American Golden-Plover: 13 adults on 21 Aug. Mostly in breeding plumage. Generally less advanced in prebasic (postbreeding) molt than Black-bellied Plover. First juveniles should arrive soon. Semipalmated Plover: 140 mostly juveniles on 23 July. Killdeer: 21 on 17 Aug, both adults and juveniles. Spotted Sandpiper: 2 juveniles on 22 Aug, occasional adult still being seen. Greater Yellowlegs: 477 on 19 Aug, 50% were adults in wing molt. Lesser Yellowlegs: 70 on 22 Aug, almost all juveniles. Whimbrel: 20 on 23 Aug, mainly juveniles. Hudsonian Godwit: 1975 molting adults on 19 Aug, flocks in Vs giving "godwit" calls as they move south. First juvenile on 20th. Ruddy Turnstone: 190 on 20 Aug, 10% juveniles. Sanderling: 134 on 20 Aug, mostly adults. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1025 on 23 Aug, virtually 100% juveniles. Least Sandpiper: 153 juveniles on 21 Aug. White-rumped Sandpiper: 28,000 molting adults at Little Piskwamish on 19 Aug and 10,288 adults on 21st at Longridge. Juveniles migrate later. Baird's Sandpiper: 2 juveniles on 21 and 22 Aug. Pectoral Sandpiper: 301 on 21 Aug, mostly adults. Dunlin: 1000 at Little Piskwamish on 19 Aug. 230 adults at Longridge on 22 Aug still mainly in breeding plumage. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 6 juveniles on 19 Aug. Short-billed Dowitcher: 4 juveniles on 21 Aug. Red-necked Phalarope: 6 at Little Piskwamish on 19 Aug and 2 juveniles at Longridge on 20th. LAUGHING GULL: Probably first record for James Bay. One molting into second winter plumage found by Ross Wood on 17 Aug and also seen by Barb Charlton and Jean Iron; seen again on 20th. OTHER BIRDS: Mainly new observations. Black Scoter, 1101 molting adult males on 21 Aug. Northern Harrier, 6 on 21 Aug. Sharp-shinned Hawk, juvenile on 21 Aug. Red-tailed Hawk, adult on 21 Aug. Rough-legged Hawk, 1 on 19 Aug. Peregrine Falcon, adult on 19 Aug. Sandhill Crane, 135 on 19 Aug at Little Piskwamish. Bonaparte's Gull, 1500 mostly adults on 22 Aug, now mainly in basic plumage but wing and tail molt not completed; southern James Bay is a staging/molting area for a large number of adult Bonaparte's Gulls. Great Black-backed Gull, juvenile on 21 Aug. Caspian Tern, 8 adults on 19 Aug, no juveniles. Black Tern, juvenile on 20 and 22 Aug. Common Tern, 44 on 21 Aug, no Arctic Terns. Great Horned Owl, hooting regularly at night around camp. Snowy Owl, one still at tip of Longridge on 23 Aug. Long-eared Owl, heard near camp; 2 on 20 Aug hunting over an open area in the twilight. Black-backed Woodpecker, 1 on 21 Aug. Hermit Thrush, 1 on 21 Aug. European Starling, 1000 at Little Piskwamish. American Pipit, 1 on 21 Aug. Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 on 20 Aug. MAMMALS: Gray Wolf on 17 Aug and Striped Skunk on 17th at Little Piskwamish. MOON JELLYFISH: Large die-off of hundreds washing ashore 18-20 Aug. Some the size of a dinner plate. These are natural die-offs and part of the annual reproductive cycle. Map showing Longridge Point and southern James Bay http://www.jeaniron.ca/2012/jamesbay/map.htm Ontario Shorebird Conservation Plan http://www.jeaniron.ca/Shorebirds/OSCPlan.pdf ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The crew thank OMNR staff Ken Abraham, Kim Bennett, Rod Brook and Sarah Hagey for logistical support. Jean thanks an anonymous donor for financial assistance allowing her to make satellite phone calls so timely reports are available on the Ontbirds and Shorebirds listservs. Report #4 will be posted with a link to Jean's website photos soon after 2 September when she returns home. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: Attention List Owner From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:01:07 -0400 Dear List Owner, The American Birding Association (ABA) would like to subscribe to the SHOREBIRDS listserv as a service to birders, but cannot contact you. How would ABA subscribe to the SHOREBIRDS list? Thank you, Ron Pittaway Minden ON jeaniron AT sympatico.ca Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] James Bay Shorebirds - Report #2 From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:13:06 +0000 I will be out of the office from August 15 to August 24. I will be back in the office on Monday August 27. If you need immediate assistance, please contact Rob Line at (302) 739-9220. Subject: James Bay Shorebirds - Report #2 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:08:14 -0400 This is Jean Iron's second report for the period 6 to 15 August 2012 by satellite phone from Longridge Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay in Ontario. See location in map link below. The crew comprised Jean Iron (lead), Barb Charlton, Deborah Cramer, Andrew Keaveney, Ian Sturdee and Josh Vandermeulen. The surveys are a joint venture of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). SHOREBIRDS: 25 shorebird species recorded to date. Every day there are proportionately more juveniles in the flocks of most (not all) species. Overall shorebird numbers, including knots, are considerably lower at Longridge than for the same period in previous years perhaps reflecting a below average nesting season. Normally only high counts for the period are listed below. Black-bellied Plover: 128 adults on 14 Aug and small flocks of high flying adults calling as they moved south following the coast. American Golden-Plover: 1 adult 8-12 Aug. Semipalmated Plover: 139 adults on 14 Aug, first juvenile on 12 Aug. Killdeer, 34 on 12 Aug. Spotted Sandpiper: 4 juveniles 8 Aug. Solitary Sandpiper: 1 on 13 Aug. Greater Yellowlegs: 167 (50% adults) on 10 Aug, also high flying birds calling as they moved south following the coast. Lesser Yellowlegs: 104 (mostly juveniles) on 7 Aug, and high flying birds calling as they flew south following the coast. Whimbrel: 8 on 12 Aug, first 3 juveniles on 9 Aug. Hudsonian Godwit: 6 on 9 Aug calling as they flew south following the coast. Marbled Godwit: 2 juveniles on 13 Aug. The most recently published estimate of the James Bay population is "about 1500 birds" in the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (2007). Hudsonian Godwit: 305 molting adults on 7 Aug. Ruddy Turnstone: 276 adults on 7 Aug, first 2 juveniles on 14 Aug. RED KNOT: Very few knots compared to previous years. The hoped for second wave of adults did not arrive. High count was 66 adults on 7 Aug. Only 2 (1 with flag) on 10 Aug. None on 9 and 11 Aug. First juvenile (1) and adult (1) on 12 Aug. Longridge was chosen for knot surveys because it was a known stopover where large numbers massed in July and August. Little is known about the juvenile migration of knots on James Bay because previous surveys ended about mid-August. This year surveys will go to mid-September so we'll have better information about the juvenile migration of shorebirds using southern James Bay. Sanderling: 25 mainly molting adults on the 14 Aug, first juveniles (3) on 10 Aug. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2100 on 7 Aug. Mostly juveniles on 14th. Least Sandpiper: 218 mostly juveniles on 12 Aug. White-rumped Sandpiper: 7000 molting adults on 7 Aug. Baird's Sandpiper: 2 on 11 August included both an adult and juvenile together, first juvenile on 7 Aug, adult on 12 Aug. Pectoral Sandpiper: 91 adults (no sign of molt) plus first juvenile on 11 Aug. Dunlin: 97 adults still mostly in worn breeding plumage on 11 Aug. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 juvenile on 12 Aug by Josh Vandermeulen. Short-billed Dowitcher: 5 juveniles on 11 and 13 Aug. Short-billed Dowitchers are a rapid migrant inland and rarely gather in large flocks until they reach favoured locations on the Atlantic coast. Wilson's Snipe: 9 on 14 Aug. Wilson Phalarope: 1 juvenile on 13 Aug. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 juvenile on 9 Aug. ESKIMO CURLEW - Historical Note: The type specimen was taken on James Bay in 1772 at Fort Albany, Ontario. James Bay may have been important for Eskimo Curlews during fall migration. The last confirmed record is a specimen taken on 4 September 1963 in Barbados. There is an unconfirmed sighting of two at North Point, James Bay, on 15 August 1976. Sadly, the Eskimo Curlew has probably been extinct for almost 50 years. YELLOW RAIL: 1 last heard on 6 Aug, normally fairly common and heard ticking well into Aug, but apparently almost absent this and last summer because of dry supratidal marshes. See comments in report #1. OTHER BIRDS: Snow Goose, 34 mostly blue morph birds on 12 Aug. Canada Goose, 1 with white neck collar with black code M5M1. Red-necked Grebe, 1 adult on 6 Aug. Ruffed Grouse, 1 drumming and family group of 5. American White Pelican, 19 on 14 Aug. American Bittern, 2 on 8 Aug. Northern Harrier, 2 juveniles on 10 Aug. Northern Goshawk, 1 juvenile on 7 and 14 Aug. Little Gull, 2 juveniles on 6 Aug, 1 second year bird on 13 Aug and 1-2 adults regularly with Bonaparte's Gulls. Bonaparte's Gull. Common Tern, 19 on 8 Aug. Arctic Tern, 1 adult on 7-8 Aug. Snowy Owl, now in wing molt. Great Horned and Long-eared Owls hooting on 14 August. Common Nighthawk, 1 on 13 and 3 on 14 Aug. Gray Jay, 2 adults and 1 blackish juvenile near camp. Boreal Chickadee, regularly seen and calling around camp. Rusty Blackbird, 1 on 12 Aug. Red Crossbill, 25 on 8 Aug. White-winged Crossbill, 200 on 9 Aug with some singing. Le Conte's Sparrow, still singing on 8 Aug. Nelson's Sparrow, still singing on 8 Aug and 1 carrying a fecal sac on 14 Aug. MAMMALS: Beluga (White Whale), 3 on 11 Aug by Barb Charlton and Josh Vandermeulen. Gray Wolf, good views of one on 8 and 14 Aug. Red Fox, rare dark morph "Silver Fox" on 8 August, all black except for white tip of tail, called Silver Fox because the long guard hairs in winter pelage are tipped pale or silver. A female Black Bear with two cubs are regular around camp. Red Squirrel storing spruce cones in camp shed for the winter. Red Squirrels and crossbills are competitors for cones. BUTTERFLIES: Three BUCKEYES on 12 Aug and 1 on 10 Aug. New butterflies since the last report are Northern Spring Azure, Western White, Clouded Sulphur, Red Admiral, Northern Crescent, Atlantis Fritillary and Great Spangled Fritillary fide Andrew Keaveney, Josh Vandermeulen and Barb Charlton. ODONATES: Black Meadowhawk, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Spot-winged Glider, Wandering Glider and Sphagnum Sprite fide Andrew Keaveney, Josh Vandermeulen and Barb Charlton. MAP showing Longridge Point and southern James Bay http://www.jeaniron.ca/2012/jamesbay/map.htm LITERATURE CITED: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario http://www.birdsontario.org/atlas/index.jsp Crews switched over yesterday and today but Jean and Barb are staying. The new crew will be listed in report #3 in about a week. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: James Bay Shorebirds - Report #1 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 09:57:53 -0400 This is Jean Iron's first report by satellite phone for the period 30 July to 5 August 2012 for Longridge Point and Little Piskwamish Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay in Ontario. Also included are selected observations from Chickney Channel. See map link below. Surveys are under the direction of Christian Friis of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). These surveys are important because many shorebird species are declining and some such as the rufa subspecies of the Red Knot are endangered and the East Atlantic population of the Whimbrel has declined 50% in recent decades. The crew comprises Jean Iron (lead), Barb Charlton, Deborah Cramer (writing book on knots), Andrew Keaveney, Ian Sturdee and Josh Vandermeulen. Observations refer to Longridge except where noted. Usually only the maximum count for each species is reported below. RED KNOT: The estimated spring population in 2012 of eastern rufa Red Knots was 30,000 birds. About 26,000 stopped (more than recent years) at Delaware Bay because Horseshoe Crab eggs were abundant this year. Knots departed in excellent shape for the breeding grounds. However, reports suggest knots had a poor breeding season because of cold weather. Failed breeders probably left the Arctic early with perhaps fewer stopping at James Bay this summer. For example, high counts were 910 molting adults on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish and only 598 on 2 Aug at Longridge. No knots recorded on 4 Aug at Longridge. It will be interesting to see if another wave of adult knots arrives. The survey at Chickney Channel indicates very little use of that area by knots. The survey at Longridge continues to 15 September so the number of juveniles can be assessed. MARBLED GODWIT: One at Little Piskwamish on 1 Aug. A small isolated breeding population occurs on the west and south coast of James Bay and on Akimiski Island (Nunavut). Up to 1200 adult Marbled Godwits were staging in late July at Chickney Channel (fide Don Sutherland) which is the northern part of the Albany River estuary. Flocks of 75 - 150 calling birds were seen spiraling up several 100 metres and then flying southwest, presumably to the wintering grounds in the Gulf of California where birds from Akimiski Island are known to winter. The previous high count of Marbled Godwits was a flock of 400 - 500 on the 30 July 2006 at the southeast corner of Akimisiki Island observed by Ken Ross (CWS) and Ken Abraham (OMNR). Prior to 2006, Ken Abraham's largest flock was 50 birds. A search of the literature found no historical high counts suggesting a recent population increase on James Bay, perhaps due to a warming climate. PEEPS: Don Sutherland reports a peak of >80,000 Semipalmated Sandpipers in July at Chickney Channel. Andrew Keaveney, Ian Sturdee and Josh Vandermeulen had a high of 20,000 peeps, mostly White-rumped and Semipalmated Sandpipers, at Little Piskwamish between 30 July and 3 August. OTHER SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover, 59 on 3 Aug; American Golden-Plover, 1 adult on 3 Aug; Semipalmated Plover, 314 adults on 2 Aug; Killdeer, 42 on 3 Aug including several pairs with chicks; Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on 3 Aug; Solitary Sandpiper, 3 at Little Piskwamish on 2 Aug; Greater Yellowlegs, 212 (70% ad) on 3 Aug; Lesser Yellowlegs, 124 (40% ad) on 3 Aug; Whimbrel, 3 on 3 Aug; Hudsonian Godwit, 327 molting adults (eastern population stages in James Bay); Ruddy Turnstone, 688 adults on 3 Aug; Sanderling, 230 molting and fading adults on 2 Aug; Semipalmated Sandpiper, 83 (1 ad) on 2 Aug is a very low number; Least Sandpiper, 90 mostly juveniles on 31 July; White-rumped Sandpiper, 2290 molting adults on 3 Aug; Pectoral Sandpiper, 17 non-molting adults 2 Aug; Dunlin, 19 adults on 3 Aug; Stilt Sandpiper, 1 on 31 July at Little Piskwamish; Short-billed Dowitcher, 1 juvenile on 5 Aug; Wilson's Snipe, 2 on 1 Aug; Red-necked Phalarope, adult male on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish. BLACK GUILLEMOT: Best bird was a Black Guillemot in breeding plumage found by Barb Charlton on 5 August resting on a rock about 8 km north of Longridge camp. YELLOW RAIL: Yellow Rails along the James Bay coast inhabit grass/sedge marshes above the normal high tide zone (supratidal) where the substrate is waterlogged. Yellow Rails were almost absent last summer (2011) because of dry marshes where they were common in 2010. Marshes this summer are still relatively dry with only one heard ticking at Longridge on Aug 4 and another at Little Piskwamish. However, supratidal marshes are wetter at Chickney Channel (Albany River estuary) where many Yellow Rails were heard in July fide Don Sutherland. Yellow Rail and Nelson's Sparrow are closely associated species in southern James Bay marshes. OTHER BIRDS: Brant, 1 with Canada Geese on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish; Canada Goose, 310 on 31 July included a Canada x barnyard hybrid. This suggests that these geese were molt migrants (subspecies maxima) from southern Ontario or the northern states. Redhead, 34 molting males on 31 July at Little Piskwamish; Surf Scoter, 2 on 4 Aug; Black Scoter, 50 mostly molting males on 4 Aug; Common Goldeneye, 100 mostly molting males on 4 Aug; American White Pelican, 38 on 31 July; Osprey, 1 seen regularly carrying fish inland to a presumed nest with young; Northern Harrier, 2 females seen regularly; Northern Goshawk, 1 adult on 1 Aug briefly chased shorebirds at Little Piskwamish; American Kestrel, 1 on 5 Aug; Merlin, 1 on 5 Aug; Ruffed Grouse, adult with 3 chicks on 4 Aug; Sora, 1 on 31 July at Little Piskwamish; Sandhill Crane, 69 on 5 Aug; Little Gull, 2 on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish; Bonaparte's Gull, 905 mostly adults and 4-5 juveniles on 3 Aug; Snowy Owl (unusual in summer), 1 on 3 Aug; Great Horned Owl, 1 heard hooting on 2 and 3 Aug at Little Piskwamish; Belted Kingfisher, 2 on 5 Aug; Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on 5 Aug; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 3 on 5 Aug; Eastern Kingbird, 2 on 5 Aug; Gray Jay, up to 3 around camp; Tree Swallow, 14 on 1 Aug; Boreal Chickadee, every day around camp, 5 (family group) on 5 Aug; Bohemian Waxwing, 1 on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish; European Starling, 485 on 3 Aug and flocks also seen at Little Pishwamish. Their brownish coloration suggests dispersing juvenile starlings from unknown locations. Clay-colored Sparrow, 4 on 5 Aug (breeding population in scrub zone along coast); Le Conte's Sparrow, 4 on 5 Aug; Nelson's Sparrow, 4 on 5 Aug; Common Grackle, 4 on 5 Aug; Red Crossbill, 16 on 4 Aug; White-winged Crossbill, 95 on 1 Aug; Common Redpoll, 32 on 1 Aug. MAMMALS: Polar Bears are very rare in southern James Bay and not expected. Three Black Bears are regular but by keeping a clean camp the crew hopes to avoid problems. Northern Flying Squirrel, 1 on 1 Aug at Little Piskwamish; Bat sp., 1 on 30 July and 2 on 3 Aug. Jumping Mouse sp., 1 on 1 Aug. BUTTERFLIES: Best butterfly was a BUCKEYE found and photographed on 5 August by Andrew Keaveney. This may be the most northerly record in Canada. Seven Bronze Coppers on the 5 August. Orange Sulphur is the commonest butterfly. Pink-edged Sulphur, Painted Lady and Mourning Cloak also recorded. Map and photo show Longridge and southern James Bay locations. http://www.jeaniron.ca/2012/jamesbay/map.htm ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Cree First Nations gratefully rent their hunt camps for the surveys. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) provides helicopter transport and staff house accommodation while crews are in Moosonee. Rod Brook, Kim Bennett and Sarah Hagey of OMNR provide logistical support. I especially thank Don Sutherland of the Natural Heritage Information Centre for information about Chickney Channel. Jean thanks an anonymous donor for financial assistance allowing her to make satellite phone calls to me so timely reports are available on Ontbirds and Shorebirds listservs. Watch for report #2 in one week. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: Hudson Bay Report #4 + photos & videos From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 08:35:52 -0400 This is the fourth and summary report for Burntpoint Creek Research Station on Hudson Bay operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The camp closed on 18 July. The first Polar Bear arrived on the 16th as the sea ice was rapidly disappearing from Hudson Bay. New birds since the last report were 3 adult Caspian Terns on 16 July (first record) and a juvenile Northern Shrike on 15th. Commonest shorebird was the Sanderling with 407 adults migrating east along the coast on 16 July. Total species for the period 22 June - 18 July 2012 was 70 including 16 species of shorebirds. See links below to my website photos and videos 5 pages of website photos http://www.jeaniron.ca/Burntpoint/shorebirds.htm Video of Caribou herd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XQIbh2l2Ko Video of male Willow Ptarmigan dusting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH7pJxIeFPw Video of female Willow Ptarmigan dusting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQPxXLtltl8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I thank Ken Abraham (OMNR) for the opportunity to do fieldwork at Burntpoint. Rod Brook (OMNR), Kim Bennett (OMNR) and Sarah Hagey (OMNR) provided logistical support. I particularly thank Ron Pittaway for posting my reports. I owe my love of shorebirds and the north to Ron who has encouraged me to volunteer with OMNR. JAMES BAY REPORTS UPCOMING: As a continuation of previous summers, I begin surveying Red Knots and other shorebirds on 30 July for the Canadian Wildlife Service and Royal Ontario Museum. Watch for weekly updates in August. Jean Iron Toronto, Ontario Canada Subject: Hudson Bay Report #3 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:08:25 -0400 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 Subject: Hudson Bay Report #2 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2012 12:07:10 -0400 This is Jean Iron's second report by satellite phone for the period 30 June to 6 July 2012 from Burntpoint Creek Research Station on the Ontario coast of Hudson Bay. Burntpoint is operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). See map link below. The Burntpoint crew comprises Julie Belliveau (OMNR and Trent University), Matt Birarda (OMNR), Jean Iron (OFO volunteer) and Jim Sauer (volunteer). The recent daily weather has been variable ranging from 5 to 25 Celsius affected by wind direction and the camp's close proximity to Hudson Bay. The coast is 3.5 km from camp and regular visits while monitoring plots are made to the coast. The sea ice is now not visible from shore, but there is a lot of floating ice. WATERBIRD/INVERTEBRATE STUDY: Julie Belliveau is conducting a Trent undergraduate thesis research project with assistance from the crew. Ken Abraham reports that Julie's project title is "Waterbirds and invertebrates of tundra wetlands in Ontario". It is a baseline study. Her goal is to determine the aquatic invertebrate species in three different wetland types and determine waterbird-wetland associations. Specific objectives include: to determine the species composition of aquatic invertebrates in tundra wetlands, to determine the relative and seasonal abundance and biomass of the invertebrate species, and to determine a preliminary idea of the relative use of different wetland types by waterbirds. Julie is supervised by Ken Abraham and David Beresford (Trent). SHOREBIRDS: Crew is monitoring nests. American Golden-Plover nest with eggs on July 6. Presumed migrant shorebirds moving southeast along coast included 20 Dunlin, 3 Least Sandpipers, 5 Greater Yellowlegs, 6 Hudsonian Godwits and high flying Whimbrel. Some of these birds such as Dunlin and godwits are likely going to productive staging areas in James Bay. Whimbrels are probably going directly to the Atlantic Coast or farther. SOME OTHER BIRDS: 15 Green-winged Teal on July 2. Tundra Swan on July 3. Two Pacific Loons on July 6. Three Northern Harriers are apparently preying on young birds because vole numbers are very low. Peregrine Falcon, 1 on 2nd was possibly a wandering introduced bird as most Tundra Peregrines are now in the High Arctic and Peregrines do not nest in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Several broods of Willow Ptarmigan and one nest still with 8 eggs on July 6 near camp and several dust baths near camp. Ptarmigan eating the blossoms of White Mountain-Avens. Small colony of Arctic Terns on tundra ponds. The Parasitic Jaegers (all light morph birds) regularly hunting over the tundra are presumably taking mostly young birds. One Ruby-crowned Kinglet on July 1. Four Yellow-rumped Warblers on 5th. One Palm Warbler on 5th. One Tree Swallow on 5th. Two Barn Swallows on 4th. SPARROWS - 8 species in study area are American Tree Sparrow, Savannah, Nelson's (subspecies alter), 1 singing on July 1 and 2 singing on July 2, Fox, Lincoln's, Swamp, White-throated and Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow - although this area is described as the zone of intergradation between the nominate subspecies leucophrys and gambelii, all birds seen were like gambelii. 90% of White-crowneds in Churchill, Manitoba, are gambelii (Jehl 2004 in Birdlife of Churchill Region). Ten male Smith's Longspurs near the coast were agitated presumably because females and nests were nearby. Common Redpolls are frequent including a few whiter probable Hoaries. Summer redpolls are worn and darker than winter birds making them more difficult to distinguish. Both Common and exilipes subspecies Hoary Redpolls breed in northern Ontario (Leckie and Pittaway in Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas 2007). MAMMALS: Caribou - a large herd of about 3000 went through camp on July 2. The crew was surrounded by Caribou on both sides that were visible as far as they could see. There was a good number of calves in the herd. The Caribou movement upset Whimbrels and Hudsonian Godwits as it moved across their territories. Numbers down to 38 on 3rd and 1 on 6th. A Gray Wolf seen on July 2 was presumably following the Caribou. Taxonomically, all Caribou in Ontario are considered Woodland Caribou comprising two ecotypes: forest and tundra populations. BUTTERFLIES: Brown Elfin is the one new species added since the last report. Jutta Arctic is the most frequently seen butterfly on the few sunny and warm days suitable for butterflies. Maps and photo showing location of Burntpoint Camp http://www.jeaniron.ca/Burntpoint/camp.htm Snow Ice Cover Map shows extensive sea ice off the Ontario coast. http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Burntpoint camp is under the direction of Ken Abraham, Waterfowl and Wetlands Scientist (OMNR). Rod Brook (OMNR) and Sarah Hagey (OMNR) provide logistical support to the station. Report #3 in about a week. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Hudson Bay Report #1 From: "Jensen, Kent" <Kent.Jensen AT SDSTATE.EDU> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:49:49 +0000 I will be out of the office until Monday, July 9th. I will be checking my email periodically and will respond as soon as possible. If there is an urgent issue please contact Terri Symens (terri.symens AT sdstate.edu). Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Hudson Bay Report #1 From: "Kalasz Kevin (DNREC)" <Kevin.Kalasz AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:50:11 +0000 I will be out of the office until Monday July 16. If you need immediate assistance, please call 302-739-9912. Thanks, Kevin Subject: Hudson Bay Report #1 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:45:45 -0400 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 Subject: color-banded SATE From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 15:34:00 -0400 Bandedbirds.org and other contacts seek insight re: research projects that are color-banding SATE. Please convey what you might know in this regard directly to BB.org or via this listserve. Thanks, Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, FL Subject: Automatic reply: SHOREBIRDS Digest - 29 May 2012 to 31 May 2012 (#2012-7) From: "Smith, Fletcher M" <fmsmit AT WM.EDU> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 04:32:22 +0000 I will be out of the office 1 June to 12 July and unable to check email until then. If you need to contact someone at CCB please email Bryan Watts at bdwatt AT wm.edu. Thanks, Fletcher Fletcher Smith Research Biologist The Center for Conservation Biology The College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University Williamsburg, VA Subject: Yellow leg flag - Semipalmated Sandpiper - Northwest Ohio From: "Norris, Keith A" <norris.568 AT BUCKEYEMAIL.OSU.EDU> Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 22:19:50 -0400 I also saw a Semipalmated Sandpiper with a yellow flag on its upper right leg in Ohio (metal band on upper left leg). This SESA was spotted on May 30, 2012 just south of Port Clinton, Ohio, USA, in a privately owned managed marsh unit on Muddy Creek Bay (small part of Sandusky Bay). I was unable to read the code before the bird (and the rest of the flock) flew off; the flock was moving quickly between some sparse vegetation which obscured my view through the scope. The bird was spotted while I was on the mud flat, attempting to capture shorebirds with mist nets. Unfortunately, the mist nets had already been closed due to high winds before the bird was seen; otherwise I might have had a chance to capture it. Keith -- Keith A. Norris Graduate Associate School of Environment & Natural Resources The Ohio State University Project Website norris.568 AT osu.edu 217.855.6324 On Thu, May 31, 2012 at 10:05 PM, William Hull wrote: > I found a Semipalmated Sandpiper with a yellow flag on its right leg > (bird's frame of reference) today, in a flooded field in Newtown, > Hamilton County, Ohio, USA. Unfortunately I could not get close > enough to read any codes. The field is private property that is > scoped from across a street that borders the property. Crossing the > street onto the property itself would most likely result in flushing > the birds. > Cheers, > Bill Hull > Cincinnati, OH, USA > http://www.mangoverde.com/ > http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangoverde/ > http://www.youtube.com/user/mangoverde2 > Subject: Yellow leg flag on Semipalmated Sandpiper - SW Ohio From: William Hull <mangoverde AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 22:05:50 -0400 I found a Semipalmated Sandpiper with a yellow flag on its right leg (bird's frame of reference) today, in a flooded field in Newtown, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA. Unfortunately I could not get close enough to read any codes. The field is private property that is scoped from across a street that borders the property. Crossing the street onto the property itself would most likely result in flushing the birds. Cheers, Bill Hull Cincinnati, OH, USA http://www.mangoverde.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangoverde/ http://www.youtube.com/user/mangoverde2 Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review From: "James B. Cole" <jbcole AT TNC.ORG> Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 19:05:57 +0000 I'll be out of the office Tuesday, 28 May, with limited email access. I'll reply to your message as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience. - James Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review From: Brad Winn <bwinn AT MANOMET.ORG> Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:59:58 +0000 I will be out of the office and unable to respond to email until July 10. I am sorry for the inconvenience but will be working on Manomet's Shorebird Recovery Program projects in Alaska. Thank you. Subject: Lesser yellowlegs Shorebird Conservation Plan review From: Arne Jent Lesterhuis <arnelesterhuis AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 14:49:42 -0400 Dear Shorebird enthusiasts, We have just finished a final draft of the Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Conservation Plan, on behalf of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone willing to review the plan, primarily to check: We would especially appreciate feedback on: 1) the background sections -- are they accurate and do they reflect the current available information? 2) identified threats -- are all principal threats covered, and how Lesser Yellowlegs might be affected; 3) actions and timeline -- do these seem reasonable, and do they capture the important things to do to further Lesser Yellowlegs conservation? 4) did we miss any key sites (i.e. sites with more than 1% of the global population)? If you are interested in reviewing the plan, please drop me a note and I will send it to you. Please add any comments, using "Track Changes", to me ( arnelesterhuis AT gmail.com) if at all possible by Monday the 18th of June. We plan to complete the plan as soon as possible, so comments received after that date may not arrive in time to be included. If you have colleagues who you believe would be appropriate reviewers and not subscribed to this listserv, please let me know. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide with the review, Arne Lesterhuis Subject: Banded WILP From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sun, 27 May 2012 09:59:36 -0400 Partners: A pre-TS Beryl survey of Ft. Clinch’s west inlet shore this morning found three broods of WILP chicks, two complete and a third likely complete but only two chicks were detected in vegetation. More interesting was sighting a banded WIPL on the river shore very near the oldest brood within a week of fledging. Despite the banded bird’s close proximity to the chicks, the guarding male did not drive the interloper away. Banded per: O,O:m,WO or O,O:m,bO the bird appeared to be a AHY juv. or an adult female. (I was without my scope and camera on this survey, so no digiscope image was collected) There is some possibility the plover came off Cumberland Island, as Monique advises me that a WIPL researcher is conducting field work there this spring, but I have no particulars re her studies and/or whether or not she is banding her subjects. I suspect to learn more within a few days and will share what is learned. A recent survey of the park’s NE inlet shore, found: a two chick brood, a single chick brood and a three egg clutch yet to hatch. Several additional pairs were occupying territories along the eastern segment. To date, no AMOY, WILL or LETE pairs have been active there. Pat Leary Subject: Re: SAND with Yellow marker From: David Mizrahi <david.mizrahi AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 16:06:17 -0400 I should add that the use of coded yellow flags in Suriname and French Guiana was authorized by the Pan American Shorebird Program (PASP). David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. Vice-president, Research and Monitoring New Jersey Audubon Society 600 Route 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Office: 609.861.1608 x17 Fax: 609.861.1651 Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 On 05/13/12 14:07, JPMyers wrote: > I started using yellow flags on sanderling in peru around 1985 > > that was more or less when we devised the flag system for the western hemisphere > > back then it was used in at least 10 countries by many banders > > I don't have access to my records now but we banded probably 4-5000 sanderling mostly in Peru and Chile > > I left that work in the early 1990 s > > > > Pete Myers, from a mobile phone > > On May 13, 2012, at 1:34 PM, patrick leary wrote: > >> Many thanks to all for informing me of this new marking program. As is suggested, the bird recently sighted here with Fy on the right leg, very likely originated in Peru. I and other contacts were unaware that any western hemisphere countries were applying Fy. Unfortunately, we will never know the identity or origin of the bird sighted in Ft. George Inlet due to the brevity of the observation and distance from the observer when detected. Having viewed images of geolocators applied to British SAND, it would be easy to confuse those yellow devices with Fy at any distance. Even the identity to species is suspect, but when the REKN flushed away, the lone bird remaining appeared to be of SAND size and shape. However, there is no doubt as to the bright yellow marker on the right leg that projected outward. >> >> >> >> If only for a few seconds more observation and study but I was reduced to following its path through binoculars as it flew low to the north over the inlet and out of view. Here’s hoping the subject bird or another of the Peruvian cohort will be resighted elsewhere along the Atlantic coast this spring. >> >> >> >> Best regards, >> >> >> >> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL >> >> >> >> From: Eveling Tavera Fernandez [mailto:etavera AT corbidi.org] >> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:33 AM >> To: David Mizrahi >> Cc: Patrick Leary; SHOREBIRDS AT listserv.uga.edu >> Subject: Re: [SHOREBIRDS] SAND with Yellow marker >> >> >> >> Dear David, >> >> >> >> Thank you for forwarding this message. >> >> Perhaps, this might be one of our sanderlings, as you just said. We marked almost 100 of them this first banding campaign (from January to March) at Paracas National Reserve, in Peru. >> >> I have not heard from any other project involving sanderlings in the western hemisphere. >> >> I would like Patrick to know that we have also put our yellow flags in semipalmated sandpipers, wester sandpipers and in some semipalmated plovers. >> >> We would appreciate very much any resighting of these individuals (our yellow flags to difference from David's start with a number in the 3 letter alpha codification), our website will be improve this months with the resighting part, but please feel free to contact me to this email. >> >> >> >> Thank you very much for this information! >> >> Warmest regards, >> >> Eve >> >> >> >> PS. I have tried to join the SHOREBIRDS list server, but it seems I can't post anything there, yet. Can anyone of you help me with this, if there is any option I need to modify in order to be able to post? Thanks again. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> BSc. Eveling Tavera Fernandez, Coordinadora >> >> Programa de Anillamiento CORBIDI (PAC) >> CORBIDI - Sta Rita 105 of 202, Huertos de San Antonio >> >> Surco. Lima 33 - Peru >> >> Tel: (51-1) 3441701 Cel: (51-1) 975 598232 >> >> >> **** Ya viene muy pronto la nueva website del PAC... para mayor información por favor visite: www.corbidi.org **** >> >> **** The PAC's new website is coming very soon.. for more information please visit: www.corbidi.org **** >> >> >> >> >> >> On 13 May 2012 07:52, David Mizrahi wrote: >> >> Patrick, >> Just a note that in the Western Hemisphere, Peru uses yellow flags. A group there recently started a shorebird marking program that may have included sanderling. To find out more you can contact Eveling Tavera Fernandez (etavera AT corbidi.org) who I copy on this email. Good luck and keep up the good work. >> >> Best, >> >> >> >> David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. >> Vice-president, Research and Monitoring >> New Jersey Audubon Society >> 600 Route 47 North >> Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 >> Office: 609.861.1608 x17 >> Fax: 609.861.1651 >> >> Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 >> >> >> On 05/12/12 07:16, Patrick Leary wrote: >> >> Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in >> the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow >> marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and >> flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken >> for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand >> bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with >> the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker >> was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance >> from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view >> for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across >> the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my >> scope’s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. >> >> Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, >> drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to >> search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per >> international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in >> Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed >> with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no >> SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers >> denote specific countries of origin, but this morning’s bird was much too >> distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a >> flag or geolocator. >> >> The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the >> appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the >> increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may >> discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more >> frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data >> could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is >> the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the >> bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this >> spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its >> global wanderings. >> >> This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other >> Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic >> flyway. >> >> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL >> >> >> Subject: Re: SAND with Yellow marker From: David Mizrahi <david.mizrahi AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 15:45:41 -0400 All, It's important to inform everyone that coded yellow flags were also used on Semipalmated Sandpipers in Suriname and French Guiana starting in 2009. Use of coded yellow flags in these two countries is a complicated story that I don't have time to tell at this moment. For the time being coded yellow flags will continue to be used in Peru, Suriname and French Guiana for Semipalmated Sandpipers and in Peru only for all other species. I strongly urge observers that sight shorebirds with coded flags of any color to report them using our website www.bandedbirds.org. Currently we maintain databases for approximately 25 projects using coded leg flags on migratory shorebirds in seven countries. Observers can get rapid feedback about where birds were banded or previously sighted and researchers receive important information about the birds they are marking. I'd be happy to field any questions regarding the website. Regards, David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. Vice-president, Research and Monitoring New Jersey Audubon Society 600 Route 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Office: 609.861.1608 x17 Fax: 609.861.1651 Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 On 05/13/12 14:07, JPMyers wrote: > I started using yellow flags on sanderling in peru around 1985 > > that was more or less when we devised the flag system for the western hemisphere > > back then it was used in at least 10 countries by many banders > > I don't have access to my records now but we banded probably 4-5000 sanderling mostly in Peru and Chile > > I left that work in the early 1990 s > > > > Pete Myers, from a mobile phone > > On May 13, 2012, at 1:34 PM, patrick leary wrote: > >> Many thanks to all for informing me of this new marking program. As is suggested, the bird recently sighted here with Fy on the right leg, very likely originated in Peru. I and other contacts were unaware that any western hemisphere countries were applying Fy. Unfortunately, we will never know the identity or origin of the bird sighted in Ft. George Inlet due to the brevity of the observation and distance from the observer when detected. Having viewed images of geolocators applied to British SAND, it would be easy to confuse those yellow devices with Fy at any distance. Even the identity to species is suspect, but when the REKN flushed away, the lone bird remaining appeared to be of SAND size and shape. However, there is no doubt as to the bright yellow marker on the right leg that projected outward. >> >> >> >> If only for a few seconds more observation and study but I was reduced to following its path through binoculars as it flew low to the north over the inlet and out of view. Here’s hoping the subject bird or another of the Peruvian cohort will be resighted elsewhere along the Atlantic coast this spring. >> >> >> >> Best regards, >> >> >> >> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL >> >> >> >> From: Eveling Tavera Fernandez [mailto:etavera AT corbidi.org] >> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:33 AM >> To: David Mizrahi >> Cc: Patrick Leary; SHOREBIRDS AT listserv.uga.edu >> Subject: Re: [SHOREBIRDS] SAND with Yellow marker >> >> >> >> Dear David, >> >> >> >> Thank you for forwarding this message. >> >> Perhaps, this might be one of our sanderlings, as you just said. We marked almost 100 of them this first banding campaign (from January to March) at Paracas National Reserve, in Peru. >> >> I have not heard from any other project involving sanderlings in the western hemisphere. >> >> I would like Patrick to know that we have also put our yellow flags in semipalmated sandpipers, wester sandpipers and in some semipalmated plovers. >> >> We would appreciate very much any resighting of these individuals (our yellow flags to difference from David's start with a number in the 3 letter alpha codification), our website will be improve this months with the resighting part, but please feel free to contact me to this email. >> >> >> >> Thank you very much for this information! >> >> Warmest regards, >> >> Eve >> >> >> >> PS. I have tried to join the SHOREBIRDS list server, but it seems I can't post anything there, yet. Can anyone of you help me with this, if there is any option I need to modify in order to be able to post? Thanks again. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> BSc. Eveling Tavera Fernandez, Coordinadora >> >> Programa de Anillamiento CORBIDI (PAC) >> CORBIDI - Sta Rita 105 of 202, Huertos de San Antonio >> >> Surco. Lima 33 - Peru >> >> Tel: (51-1) 3441701 Cel: (51-1) 975 598232 >> >> >> **** Ya viene muy pronto la nueva website del PAC... para mayor información por favor visite: www.corbidi.org **** >> >> **** The PAC's new website is coming very soon.. for more information please visit: www.corbidi.org **** >> >> >> >> >> >> On 13 May 2012 07:52, David Mizrahi wrote: >> >> Patrick, >> Just a note that in the Western Hemisphere, Peru uses yellow flags. A group there recently started a shorebird marking program that may have included sanderling. To find out more you can contact Eveling Tavera Fernandez (etavera AT corbidi.org) who I copy on this email. Good luck and keep up the good work. >> >> Best, >> >> >> >> David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. >> Vice-president, Research and Monitoring >> New Jersey Audubon Society >> 600 Route 47 North >> Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 >> Office: 609.861.1608 x17 >> Fax: 609.861.1651 >> >> Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 >> >> >> On 05/12/12 07:16, Patrick Leary wrote: >> >> Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in >> the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow >> marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and >> flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken >> for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand >> bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with >> the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker >> was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance >> from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view >> for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across >> the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my >> scope’s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. >> >> Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, >> drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to >> search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per >> international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in >> Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed >> with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no >> SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers >> denote specific countries of origin, but this morning’s bird was much too >> distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a >> flag or geolocator. >> >> The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the >> appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the >> increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may >> discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more >> frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data >> could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is >> the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the >> bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this >> spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its >> global wanderings. >> >> This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other >> Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic >> flyway. >> >> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL >> >> >> Subject: Re: SAND with Yellow marker From: JPMyers <jpmyers AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 14:07:30 -0400 I started using yellow flags on sanderling in peru around 1985 that was more or less when we devised the flag system for the western hemisphere back then it was used in at least 10 countries by many banders I don't have access to my records now but we banded probably 4-5000 sanderling mostly in Peru and Chile I left that work in the early 1990 s Pete Myers, from a mobile phone On May 13, 2012, at 1:34 PM, patrick leary wrote: > Many thanks to all for informing me of this new marking program. As is suggested, the bird recently sighted here with Fy on the right leg, very likely originated in Peru. I and other contacts were unaware that any western hemisphere countries were applying Fy. Unfortunately, we will never know the identity or origin of the bird sighted in Ft. George Inlet due to the brevity of the observation and distance from the observer when detected. Having viewed images of geolocators applied to British SAND, it would be easy to confuse those yellow devices with Fy at any distance. Even the identity to species is suspect, but when the REKN flushed away, the lone bird remaining appeared to be of SAND size and shape. However, there is no doubt as to the bright yellow marker on the right leg that projected outward. > > > > If only for a few seconds more observation and study but I was reduced to following its path through binoculars as it flew low to the north over the inlet and out of view. Here’s hoping the subject bird or another of the Peruvian cohort will be resighted elsewhere along the Atlantic coast this spring. > > > > Best regards, > > > > Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL > > > > From: Eveling Tavera Fernandez [mailto:etavera AT corbidi.org] > Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:33 AM > To: David Mizrahi > Cc: Patrick Leary; SHOREBIRDS AT listserv.uga.edu > Subject: Re: [SHOREBIRDS] SAND with Yellow marker > > > > Dear David, > > > > Thank you for forwarding this message. > > Perhaps, this might be one of our sanderlings, as you just said. We marked almost 100 of them this first banding campaign (from January to March) at Paracas National Reserve, in Peru. > > I have not heard from any other project involving sanderlings in the western hemisphere. > > I would like Patrick to know that we have also put our yellow flags in semipalmated sandpipers, wester sandpipers and in some semipalmated plovers. > > We would appreciate very much any resighting of these individuals (our yellow flags to difference from David's start with a number in the 3 letter alpha codification), our website will be improve this months with the resighting part, but please feel free to contact me to this email. > > > > Thank you very much for this information! > > Warmest regards, > > Eve > > > > PS. I have tried to join the SHOREBIRDS list server, but it seems I can't post anything there, yet. Can anyone of you help me with this, if there is any option I need to modify in order to be able to post? Thanks again. > > > > -- > > BSc. Eveling Tavera Fernandez, Coordinadora > > Programa de Anillamiento CORBIDI (PAC) > CORBIDI - Sta Rita 105 of 202, Huertos de San Antonio > > Surco. Lima 33 - Peru > > Tel: (51-1) 3441701 Cel: (51-1) 975 598232 > > > **** Ya viene muy pronto la nueva website del PAC... para mayor información por favor visite: www.corbidi.org **** > > **** The PAC's new website is coming very soon.. for more information please visit: www.corbidi.org **** > > > > > > On 13 May 2012 07:52, David Mizrahi wrote: > > Patrick, > Just a note that in the Western Hemisphere, Peru uses yellow flags. A group there recently started a shorebird marking program that may have included sanderling. To find out more you can contact Eveling Tavera Fernandez (etavera AT corbidi.org) who I copy on this email. Good luck and keep up the good work. > > Best, > > > > David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. > Vice-president, Research and Monitoring > New Jersey Audubon Society > 600 Route 47 North > Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 > Office: 609.861.1608 x17 > Fax: 609.861.1651 > > Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 > > > On 05/12/12 07:16, Patrick Leary wrote: > > Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in > the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow > marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and > flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken > for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand > bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with > the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker > was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance > from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view > for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across > the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my > scope’s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. > > Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, > drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to > search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per > international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in > Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed > with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no > SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers > denote specific countries of origin, but this morning’s bird was much too > distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a > flag or geolocator. > > The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the > appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the > increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may > discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more > frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data > could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is > the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the > bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this > spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its > global wanderings. > > This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other > Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic > flyway. > > Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL > > > Subject: Re: SAND with Yellow marker From: patrick leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 13:34:31 -0400 Many thanks to all for informing me of this new marking program. As is suggested, the bird recently sighted here with Fy on the right leg, very likely originated in Peru. I and other contacts were unaware that any western hemisphere countries were applying Fy. Unfortunately, we will never know the identity or origin of the bird sighted in Ft. George Inlet due to the brevity of the observation and distance from the observer when detected. Having viewed images of geolocators applied to British SAND, it would be easy to confuse those yellow devices with Fy at any distance. Even the identity to species is suspect, but when the REKN flushed away, the lone bird remaining appeared to be of SAND size and shape. However, there is no doubt as to the bright yellow marker on the right leg that projected outward. If only for a few seconds more observation and study but I was reduced to following its path through binoculars as it flew low to the north over the inlet and out of view. Here’s hoping the subject bird or another of the Peruvian cohort will be resighted elsewhere along the Atlantic coast this spring. Best regards, Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL From: Eveling Tavera Fernandez [mailto:etavera AT corbidi.org] Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:33 AM To: David Mizrahi Cc: Patrick Leary; SHOREBIRDS AT listserv.uga.edu Subject: Re: [SHOREBIRDS] SAND with Yellow marker Dear David, Thank you for forwarding this message. Perhaps, this might be one of our sanderlings, as you just said. We marked almost 100 of them this first banding campaign (from January to March) at Paracas National Reserve, in Peru. I have not heard from any other project involving sanderlings in the western hemisphere. I would like Patrick to know that we have also put our yellow flags in semipalmated sandpipers, wester sandpipers and in some semipalmated plovers. We would appreciate very much any resighting of these individuals (our yellow flags to difference from David's start with a number in the 3 letter alpha codification), our website will be improve this months with the resighting part, but please feel free to contact me to this email. Thank you very much for this information! Warmest regards, Eve PS. I have tried to join the SHOREBIRDS list server, but it seems I can't post anything there, yet. Can anyone of you help me with this, if there is any option I need to modify in order to be able to post? Thanks again. -- BSc. Eveling Tavera Fernandez, Coordinadora Programa de Anillamiento CORBIDI (PAC) CORBIDI - Sta Rita 105 of 202, Huertos de San Antonio Surco. Lima 33 - Peru Tel: (51-1) 3441701 Cel: (51-1) 975 598232 **** Ya viene muy pronto la nueva website del PAC... para mayor información por favor visite: www.corbidi.org **** **** The PAC's new website is coming very soon.. for more information please visit: www.corbidi.org **** On 13 May 2012 07:52, David Mizrahi wrote: Patrick, Just a note that in the Western Hemisphere, Peru uses yellow flags. A group there recently started a shorebird marking program that may have included sanderling. To find out more you can contact Eveling Tavera Fernandez (etavera AT corbidi.org) who I copy on this email. Good luck and keep up the good work. Best, David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. Vice-president, Research and Monitoring New Jersey Audubon Society 600 Route 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Office: 609.861.1608 x17 Fax: 609.861.1651 Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 On 05/12/12 07:16, Patrick Leary wrote: Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my scope’s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers denote specific countries of origin, but this morning’s bird was much too distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a flag or geolocator. The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its global wanderings. This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic flyway. Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL Subject: Re: SAND with Yellow marker From: David Mizrahi <david.mizrahi AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 08:52:33 -0400 Patrick, Just a note that in the Western Hemisphere, Peru uses yellow flags. A group there recently started a shorebird marking program that may have included sanderling. To find out more you can contact Eveling Tavera Fernandez (etavera AT corbidi.org) who I copy on this email. Good luck and keep up the good work. Best, David S. Mizrahi, Ph.D. Vice-president, Research and Monitoring New Jersey Audubon Society 600 Route 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Office: 609.861.1608 x17 Fax: 609.861.1651 Making New Jersey a better place for people and wildlife since 1897 On 05/12/12 07:16, Patrick Leary wrote: > Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in > the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow > marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and > flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken > for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand > bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with > the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker > was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance > from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view > for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across > the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my > scopeâEUR^(TM)s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. > > Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, > drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to > search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per > international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in > Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed > with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no > SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers > denote specific countries of origin, but this morningâEUR^(TM)s bird was much too > distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a > flag or geolocator. > > The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the > appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the > increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may > discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more > frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data > could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is > the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the > bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this > spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its > global wanderings. > > This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other > Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic > flyway. > > Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL > Subject: REKN Fo[X6T] migration From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 08:08:50 -0400 Members: A REKN banded in San Antonio Oeste, Rio Negro, Argentina and last sighted there Friday 4, May (Patricia Gonzalez) was resighted yesterday 11, May in Ft. George Inlet, Duval Co, FL. This interval beats the previous record of Fo[H3H] by two days. It is even possible that the bird arrived the prior day, but a Fo knot detected on Thursday was observed briefly before flushing away before the code could be read and the bird was not resighted during the inlet survey. The inlet shoal is quite broad and expansive and characterized by abundant pot holes and sloughs and foraging knots are easily concealed from view. Even following yesterday's initial sighting of Fo[X6T](shortly after dawn), some time was required to relocate the bird for photo- documentation. See link to Flikr.com ihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/28226894 AT N03/? saved=1mage of the knot as it appeared after its long, swift, flight. Subject: Date correction From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 07:42:41 -0400 Per the, yellow-marked, SAND post, the date should have read - 10, May not 3, May as given. The observation was made this week vs. last week. Location was Huguenot Memorial Park (HMP) Duval county, NE Florida or south shore of Ft. George Inlet. Please note, Patrick Leary Subject: SAND with Yellow marker From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 07:16:58 -0400 Ft. George Inlet (Huguenot Park inlet shore) While surveying Red knots in the inlet on Thursday 3, May, a Sanderling with a conspicuous yellow marker mounted on its right leg was briefly sighted before flushing and flying north across the inlet. Initially the bright marker was mistaken for a geolocator attached to one of many knots foraging on a distant sand bar. However, when the knots flushed away, a lone Sanderling remained with the yellow marker. Although viewed briefly, it was evident that the marker was a flag of some manner and not a color band. At 4-500 meters distance from my vantage point, no code could be detected and the bird was in view for less than 10 seconds before it took flight and continued north across the wide inlet. When first detected, I did not even have time to zoom my scope’s eyepiece on the bird before it departed. Following my departure from HMP, I entered Lt. Talbot Island State Park, drove down to the north side of the inlet and hiked out to the beach to search for the bird, but none of the SAND found there were marked. Per international marking protocol, Yellow-flagged shorebirds originate in Australia or East Asia. However some SAND in Britain have been affixed with small yellow geolocators. Per consultation with Dr. Larry Niles, no SAND in NA have been affixed with such geolocators. Supplementary markers denote specific countries of origin, but this morning’s bird was much too distant and viewed too briefly to determine if the yellow marker was a flag or geolocator. The unusual occurrence of a possible, western Pacific, SAND follows the appearance of the Greater Sand Plover at HMP a few years past. With the increased marking and tracking of shorebirds across the globe, we may discover that Asian or European migrants shift into this hemisphere more frequently than previously thought. It is most unfortunate that more data could not have been collected from the briefly sighted bird, but such is the nature of some observations during peak migratory periods. Should the bird pass through Britain and be recaptured or pass through DelBay this spring and be captured the researchers may have quite a surprise as to its global wanderings. This message will posted to other listserves in the hope that other Atlantic coast observers may sight the bird as it moves along the Atlantic flyway. Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL Subject: Spoon-billed Sandpipers in China + conservation concerns From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 17:01:29 -0400 The below message is forwarded with permission from Chris Feeney who is still on the ground in China. Nathan Dias - Charleston, South Carolina, USA ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Chris Feeney Date: Mon, May 7, 2012 at 7:11 AM Subject: Spoon-billed Sandpipers To: Nate Dias Hi Nate- I am winding down on my China trip. Yang Kou has been very productive for shorebirds-46 species. Had Spoon-billed Sandpipers early on, with 5 the most I saw in one day (the guide, who knows the birds, counted 12 in one flock). So far every stint except Little, and ever other Asian shorebird expected at this time of year. I was the one who found the only Ruff! I finally saw an Oriental Pratincole today-probably my last new shorebird. Land birding has also been spectacular. Every kind of flycatcher you can imagine. I had a tour for the first week with 3 Germans who were very good birders. Then I went to Beijing/Beidaihe/Happy Island. The last two spots have been destroyed by construction. I found birds, but not in the numbers that should have been there. I am now on my own with a driver in Yang Kou. It has been a lot of fun to look for birds and take a lot of photos. The guide who set my trip up called me and asked if I would show some World Wildlife and local government folks the wetlands and shorebirds on the 9th. I am the only birder in the area at this time, so I will do it for sure. I guess they are making an effort to save some of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper habitat. The birds depend on going inland off the huge mudflats at high tide, and the area here is rapidly being built up. I found one Spoon-billed Sandpiper today in a large shorebird flock, and could see the a main road in the background. Factories are being built up on filled-in land about a mile from the roost. There are areas to the south that are not yet developed, but it probably won't take long to get to them as well. Home on May 11th. Looking forward to the pelagic in June. Chris Subject: Re: Norman D.van Swelm From: Norman Deans van Swelm <norman.vanswelm AT WXS.NL> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:53:11 +0200 Hi Pat & others, The picture you referred to can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/snipes-waders/eskimo%20curlew%20numenius%20borealis.htm over time the situation worsened and I made more pictures which can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/kite-surfing%20great%20but/kite-surfing%20but.htm Imagine this is overall a protected area, disturbing seals f.i. is forbidden by law. All high tide roosts are within the protected zone. I did report all of this and since then the situation has improved considerably in this area. Kite surfers know where they can and cannot go and wardens are on control more frequently than before. However elsewhere along the coast birds and seals are still disturbed so there is still much to do. All the best, Norman Pat Leary wrote:> Hi Norman and many thanks for responding so quickly. Like you, I seldom post > to the listserve any more. For unknown reasons, the list never caught on > like other "birding" list do. I don't even think the two WHIM shot on > Guadeloupe last fall made news on this listserve. > > My reason for reestablishing contact is related to kite surfing or kite > boarding. My memory suggest that you shared some images including one of > some curlews being flushed away from the shore of a refuge in your region > by > a passing kite boarder. Do you recall those images and topic? Apparently, > that occurred in 2008 and my email archives does not go back that far. I > could find no images on the shorebird listserve. > > Have you witnessed more disturbances by kite surfers in Europe? Do you > know > if any conservation interests are addressing that issue? > > Please share what you know, Subject: Re: Norman D.van Swelm From: Norman Deans van Swelm <norman.vanswelm AT WXS.NL> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:12:18 +0200 Well, I'd say passively active Patrick but always interested in the kind of messages you just send. Cheers, Norman Patrick Leary request: > If Norman D.van Swelm is still active on this listserve please respond to > this message. > > Ft. George Inlet, Duval Co. Florida USA - currently ca 700 Red knot are > stopped-over and foraging on a recovering forage base of donax. TDF REKN > will arrive here May 6-10. A TDF knot Fo[H3H] previously recorded in FGI > is currently in San Antonio Oeste, Argentina. In 2010, that knot flew from > SAO to FGI in a maximum of nine days. Exact date and times of departure > and arrival are unknown. Subject: Norman D.van Swelm From: Patrick Leary <prleary AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:32:05 -0400 If Norman D.van Swelm is still active on this listserve please respond to this message. Ft. George Inlet, Duval Co. Florida USA - currently ca 700 Red knot are stopped-over and foraging on a recovering forage base of donax. TDF REKN will arrive here May 6-10. A TDF knot Fo[H3H] previously recorded in FGI is currently in San Antonio Oeste, Argentina. In 2010, that knot flew from SAO to FGI in a maximum of nine days. Exact date and times of departure and arrival are unknown. Subject: Automatic reply: [SHOREBIRDS] From: "Kalasz Kevin (DNREC)" <Kevin.Kalasz AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:35:02 +0000 I will be out of the office until Tuesday Dec 6. If you need immediate assistance, please call 302-739-9912. Thanks, Kevin Subject: No Subject From: Russ Namitz <namitzr AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:31:25 -0800 http://ampalanova.org/components/com_ag_google_analytics2/work.php?html39 Subject: A Second Whimbrel Shot and Killed in Guadeloupe From: "Smith, Fletcher M" <fmsmit AT WM.EDU> Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:30:44 +0000 The following is a press release detailing our 2nd satellite tagged whimbrel killed in Guadeloupe. Both were killed on Monday September 12 2011. The youtube video is extremely graphic and shows at least two whimbrels being killed, amongst many other species of shorebirds. (Williamsburg, VA)---Scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology have determined that a second whimbrel they had been tracking as part of a long-term migration study has been lost in a shooting swamp on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Goshen was lost in a heavily hunted swamp just north of the town of Port-Louis almost immediately upon arrival on the island. Although the transmitter has not been recovered the last satellite signals place the bird in the center of the shooting swamp. It now appears that both Machi and Goshen were shot in the morning of 12 September shortly after arriving. Goshen and Machi were not migrating together but both stopped on the island after encountering different storm systems. Goshen flew through the east side of Hurricane Irene, landed on Montserrat, spent a week on Antigua and then flew to Guadeloupe. Machi flew through Tropical Storm Maria, landed on Montserrat and then flew directly to Guadeloupe. The two whimbrels were the first birds during the four-year tracking study to stop on Guadeloupe and both were lost within hours suggesting that the hunting pressure on this island is extremely high. This island has several isolated mangrove swamps that serve to concentrate the shorebirds for shooting. An estimated 3,000 hunters participate in the shorebird hunt annually. Currently, shooting parties on the island are not regulated and no information is available on the number of shorebirds taken. Without such information it is not possible to assess the potential relationship between hunting and ongoing population declines. Whimbrels migrating along the western Atlantic coast have declined by 50% since the mid-1990s. The collaborative tracking study has successfully tracked 17 whimbrels via satellite since the spring of 2008. The focus of this study has been to collect information that is vital to the long-term conservation of this population. Only 4 birds were being tracked during the 2011 fall migration season and half of those were lost in a single morning on Guadeloupe. The relationship between hunting pressures within the Lesser Antilles and population declines for the whimbrel and other shorebird species is unknown. Most of the hunting activity conducted in the Lesser Antilles appears to be recreational. A video produced by a hunter on Guadeloupe within the same swamp where Goshen was lost illustrates the habitat, the shorebirds, and the shooting activity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWFC2fEqVfI The tracking project is a collaborative effort between The Center for Conservation Biology, The Nature Conservancy, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. Subject: Tragic end of a hero From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:26:40 +0200 Dear Shorebirders, Please find the latest WorldWaders news on the migration hero and hurricane survivor Whimbrel, Machi. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/machi-a-shorebird-tracked-by-scientists-survi Looking forward to hear about your work/news related to shorebirds, worth to publish in our popular news room. Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Personal gallery http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Whimbrel Tracked Through Tropical Storm and Later Found Shot on Guadeloupe (French West Indies) From: "Smith, Fletcher M" <fmsmit AT WM.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:21:25 +0000 Scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology at The College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University learned today that a whimbrel that they had been tracking via satellite for 2 years as part of a migration study had been shot by a hunting party this morning on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe (French West Indies). The bird named "Machi" had just flown through Tropical Storm Maria and made landfall on Montserrat before flying to Guadeloupe. Machi had been tracked for over 27,000 miles (44,000 km) back and forth between breeding grounds in the Hudson Bay Lowlands of Canada to wintering grounds on the coast of Brazil. The bird was tracked on 7 nonstop flights of more than 2,000 miles. During the spring of 2010, Machi flew more than 3,400 miles directly from Brazil to South Carolina. Machi serves as an example of birds that interact with many landscapes and cultures throughout the year and a reminder of how international cooperation is required for their continued existence. Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados continue to operate "shooting swamps" some of which are artificial wetlands created to attract migrant shorebirds for sport shooting during fall migration. It is estimated that tens of thousands of shorebirds continue to be taken annually by hunting clubs on just these three islands. This practice is a throwback to more than a century ago when gunners hunted shorebirds throughout the Americas. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act was passed, in part, to protect dwindling numbers of birds that migrate across country borders. Operated as a French overseas department, both Guadeloupe and Martinique are part of the European Union and are not party to the Treaty. Barbados, once a British colony is now an independent state and also not party to the Treaty. The last Eskimo Curlew known to science was shot on Barbados in 1963. Shorebird hunting within these areas continues to be unregulated to the present time. Conservation organizations continue to work toward some compromise that will reduce pressures on declining species. Worldwide, many shorebird populations are experiencing dramatic declines. Most of the migratory shorebird species breeding in eastern North America and the Arctic pass over the Caribbean region during the late summer and early fall on their way to wintering grounds. When they encounter severe storms the birds use the islands as refuges before moving on to their final destinations. Hunting clubs take advantage of these events and shoot large numbers of downed birds following the passage of these storms. During the 2009 and 2010 fall migrations, Machi did not stop on any of the islands but flew directly from Virginia to Paramaribo, Suriname before moving on to winter near Sao Luis, Brazil. It appears that the encounter with Tropical Storm Maria caused the bird to stop on Guadeloupe. Machi contributed a great deal to what we know about whimbrel migration along the western Atlantic. Satellite tracks of this bird over 4 full migrations (http://www.ccb-wm.org/programs/migration/Whimbrel/whimbrel.htm) linked breeding and wintering areas, defined migration routes, identified important migration staging areas, and demonstrated how these birds interact with major tropical systems. This tracking project is a collaborative effort between The Center for Conservation Biology, The Nature Conservancy, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. Posted by: Fletcher Smith Research Biologist The Center for Conservation Biology The College of William and Mary/Virginia Commonwealth University Williamsburg, VA 757-221-1617 (Office) Subject: Great News Again From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:49:39 +0200 Hi All, Please find the next great news from Chile. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/chilean-environment-ministry-manomet-center-s Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Personal gallery http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: Awesome Spoon-billed Sandpiper images From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT worldwaders.org> Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:45:34 +0200 Dear Birders, Please find the latest news on WorldWaders News Blog dedicated to waders/shorebirds only. Some outstanding Spoon-billed Sandpiper images just posted: http://worldwaders.posterous.com/news-just-in-from-yangkou-china Further news can be browsed here: http://worldwaders.posterous.com/ Should you have a short news on shorebirds from around your area please drop me a line. Conservation, summary of research, habitat management or restoration, education are all the welcome topics. Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Personal gallery http://500px.com/SzimiStyle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This group is run in association with the Oriental Bird Club. To find out more about the Club and its conservation work, and to become a member, please visit www.orientalbirdclub.org Subject: Awesome Spoon-billed Sandpiper images From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:00:49 +0200 Dear Friends, Please find the latest news on WorldWaders News Blog dedicated to waders/shorebirds only. Some outstanding Spoon-billed Sandpiper images just posted: http://worldwaders.posterous.com/news-just-in-from-yangkou-china Further news can be browsed here: http://worldwaders.posterous.com/ Should you have a short news on shorebirds from around your area please drop me a line. Conservation, summary of research, habitat management or restoration, education are all the welcome topics. Best, Szimi ---------------- Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Personal gallery http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: James Bay Shorebird Report #5 - Photos From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:11:14 -0400 This is my fifth and final report for the period 11 to 14 August 2011 at North Point on the southwest coast of James Bay, Ontario, and includes sightings from nearby Longridge Point from Mark Peck and Little Piskwamish Point from Doug McRae and Barb Charlton. The OMNR chopper flew survey crews from the three camps to Moosonee on 14 August. We took the Polar Bear Express train from Moosonee to Cochrane on 15th and drove home to southern Ontario on 16th. Shorebird surveys are a partnership of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Moose Cree First Nation (MCFN). The Longridge crew was Mark Peck (ROM), Roy John, Emily Rondel and Antonio Coral. The Little Piskwamish crew was Don Sutherland (OMNR), Doug McRae, Barb Charlton and Ron Ridout. The North Point crew was Mike McMurtry (OMNR), Jean Iron, Aus Taverner and Minnie Sutherland (MCFN). SHOREBIRD OBSERVATIONS: A combined total of 27 shorebird species was recorded for the three camps. Black-bellied Plover: 56 on 13th at North Point, 28 on 12th at Little Piskwamish, up to 50 daily at Longridge. American Golden-Plover: 1 molting adult on 11th and 2 on 13th at Little Piskwamish. Semipalmated Plover: 29 on 12th, including first juvenile, at North Point, 52 on 13th at Little Piskwamish. Solitary Sandpiper: 4 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Greater Yellowlegs: 451 on 11th at North Point (70% juveniles) and 148 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Lesser Yellowlegs: 309 on 11th at North Point (80% juveniles) and 691 mostly juveniles on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Whimbrel: 6 on 11th at North Point. Hudsonian Godwit: 160 molting adults on 12th at North Point and 290 on 11th at Little Piskwamish, where a Hudsonian Godwit with red flag CMC from Chile was seen and photographed on 31 July. Marbled Godwit, 1 adult male with 2 juveniles on 11, 12 and 13th at North Point, plus an additional juvenile on 11th. Ruddy Turnstone: 49 adults on 13th at North Point and 58 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Longridge recorded a Ruddy Turnstone with a lime green flag from Delaware Bay, USA, on 10th. RED KNOT: Of the three surveys sites for this period Little Piskwamish had the highest one day count of 2400 on 11th, Longridge had 250 on 12th, and North Point only 5 on 13th. FLAGS: The combined three sites for the entire survey tallied about 2000 individual sightings of flags representing more than 600 differently marked birds from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, United States and Canada. Celebrity knot TY was last seen at Longridge on 11 August. A knot with a white flag placed in Quebec was seen many times during the final two week period. DATALOGGERS: Longridge recorded 2 dataloggers and Little Piskwamish had 5, all put on in the United States. JUVENILES: The juvenile knot migration was just starting when we left. Little Piskwamish, 7 juveniles on 11th. North Point, 2 juveniles on 11th. Longridge, several juveniles on 12th. It would be interesting to know how many juveniles stage on the James Bay and how long they stay. We hope to survey longer next year. Sanderling: 26 molting adults on 11th at North Point, 8 on 13th at Little Piskwamish. Longridge recorded a lime green flag from Delaware Bay, USA. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 5100 on 11th at North Point were still almost all adults. Increased numbers of juveniles arrived on the afternoon of 13th. A bird with flag lime OHU from the USA was at North Point on 13th. Longridge recorded a yellow flag from Suriname on 28 July and 7 August. Least Sandpiper: 308 on 12th at North Point were almost all juveniles. 277 on 11th at Little Piskwamish were all juveniles. White-rumped Sandpiper: 31,657 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. 9800 molting adults on 11th at North Point. This is the commonest shorebird in southern James Bay. Pectoral Sandpiper: 436 non-molting adults on 12th at North Point. 295 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Dunlin: 209 adults on 11th at North Point were starting to show signs of molt. 295 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Short-billed Dowitcher: 27 on 11th at Little Piskwamish, those seen well were juveniles. Wilson's Snipe: 13 on 12th at Little Piskwamish. Wilson's Phalarope: 1 juvenile on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 adult on 11th at Little Piskwamish. SHOREBIRD MIGRATION: A huge southbound migration took place on 11th and 13th during the day, taking advantage of strong north winds. Birds were high and very vocal. Flock size varied from 6 to 70 and included Black-bellied Plovers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwits, Pectoral Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers, Dunlin and Ruddy Turnstones. OTHER BIRDS: In rough checklist order: Canada Goose, 476 on 11th at North Point and 853 at Little Piskwamish. 3 Northern Harriers at North Point included 2 juveniles on 12th and 13th, which were catching Savannah Sparrows. Small mammals numbers were extremely low on the wide coastal prairie-like expanses. Sandhill Crane, 38 on 12th at North Point and 30 on 11th at Little Piskwamish. Little Gull, 1 juvenile on 12th at Little Piskwamish. Bonaparte's Gull, 466 on 11th at Little Piskwamish and 8 on 13th at North Point. Common Tern, 33 on 13th at North Point included many family groups with adults feeding noisy juveniles. Arctic Tern, a family group of 4 on 13th at Little Piskwamish. Long-eared Owl, 1 on 13th at Longridge was seen and heard. BELTED KINGFISHER: 1 on 11th at Longridge was new for our survey camps checklist. Northern Shrike, 1 on 12th at Little Piskwamish. Olive-sided Flycatcher, 2 on 13th and 14th at North Point. Common Ravens, 8 on 12th at North Point; one caught ! a sandpiper on 13th. Boreal Chickadee, 1 daily at Little Piskwamish. Gray Jay, pair with a dark juvenile regular at North Point and Little Piskwamish camps, juveniles are molting now. Swallow migration at Little Piskwamish: Tree Swallow, 33 on 12th, Bank Swallow, 2 on 12th. Swainson's Thrush, 2 still at North Point Camp on 13th. American Pipit, 1 on 12th and 13th with damaged right eye at North Point. WARBLERS at North Point in pre-migration flocks included Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Palm, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Wilson's and Canada. Little Piskwamish had a fallout of warblers on 12th. Sparrows: Le Conte's Sparrow, 4 on 11th and 12th at Little Piskwamish. Nelson's Sparrow, 11 on 11th at Little Piskwamish, Swamp Sparrow, 33 on 12th at Little Piskwamish. Savannah Sparrow, 130 on 11th at Little Piskwamish and 59 on 11th at North Point. Clay-colored Sparrow, 2 on 12th at North Point. Rusty Blackbird, 8 on 11th at Lit! tle Piskwamish. Common Grackle, 1 on 13th at Little Piskwamish. Purple Finch, at least 1 daily at Little Piskwamish and one on 12th and 13th at North Point. White-winged Crossbills fed on ripening spruce cones at North Point and were seen and heard regularly at Little Piskwamish. MAMMALS: Male Moose with large antlers seen from helicopter near Longridge on 14th. Gray Wolf tracks on 11th at North Point. Black Bear seen most days at Longridge. Unidentified bat on 11th and 14th at Longridge. Heather Vole, 1 on 12th at Little Piskwamish. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I especially thank Ron Pittaway for posting my reports from James Bay. Ron inspired my love of shorebirds and encouraged me to volunteer for northern surveys with the OMNR and ROM. PHOTOS of this summer's survey. www.jeaniron.ca/2011/JamesBay2011/index.htm Jean Iron Toronto, Ontario Canada Subject: WorldWaders News From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:17:32 +0200 Hi Folks, This is just for your information. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/six-foreign-bird-species-receive-endangered-s I'd be happy to receive waders related news from your region as well. Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Personal site http://500px.com/SzimiStyle Subject: James Bay Shorebird Report #4 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:04:38 -0400 This is Jean Iron’s fourth report by satellite phone for the period 4-10 August 2011 from North Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay, Ontario. This report also includes sightings from nearby Longridge Point fide Mark Peck and Little Piskwamish Point fide Don Sutherland. Surveys are a partnership of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Moose Cree First Nation (MCFN). Minnie Sutherland from Moose Factory (MCFN) joined the North Point crew on Sunday 6 August. The Longridge crew is Mark Peck (ROM), Roy John, Emily Rondel and Antonio Coral. The Little Piskwamish crew is Don Sutherland (OMNR), Doug McRae, Barb Charlton and Ron Ridout. The North Point crew is Mike McMurtry (OMNR), Jean Iron, Aus Taverner and Minnie Sutherland (MCFN). JAMES BAY TO ATLANTIC COAST ROUTE: In spring most arctic shorebirds migrate north rapidly through the centre of the continent largely west of James Bay. In fall most shorebirds move more easterly towards the Atlantic Coast. This results in much larger numbers using James Bay (probably several million birds) during southbound migration, where the broad tidal flats and intertidal marshes provide an abundance of small invertebrates. Colour-marking indicates that most (not all) southbound shorebirds departing James Bay go east to southeast towards the Atlantic Coast, not through the interior of the continent. One notable exception is the James Bay population of Marbled Godwits whose wintering grounds until recently were speculated to be the south Atlantic Coast of the United States, which is the closest wintering area. American researchers Bridget Olson (USFWS) and Adrian Farmer (USGS) fitted Marbled Godwits with satellite transmitters on Akimiski Island, Nunavut in 2007 and 2008 and the godwits went southwest to winter at the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Quoting Chuck Berry “You Never Can Tell”. SHOREBIRD OBSERVATIONS: 27 species to date. Turnover from adults to juveniles of some species (not all) is occurring rapidly. Counts are done at high tide. Usually only high count day is listed. Location of counts is North Point unless stated otherwise. Black-bellied Plover: 7 on 6-7 Aug at North Point and 13 on 7th at Little Piskwamish. American Golden-Plover: 1 adult in full alternate plumage on 5th at North Point and 1 molting adult on 9th at Little Piskwamish. Semipalmated Plover: 49 on 6th at North Point and 97 on 3rd at Little Piskwamish. No juveniles. Killdeer, 1-2 daily including half grown young at Little Piskwamish. Spotted Sandpiper, 13 on 4th at Little Piskwamish. Solitary Sandpiper, 12 on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Greater Yellowlegs: 167 on plumage on 7th at North Point (50% juveniles) and 195 on 5th at Little Piskwamish. Lesser Yellowlegs: 179 on 5th at North Point (70% juveniles) and 536 mostly juveniles on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Yellowlegs Migration: Flocks of both species lift off in the evening with much calling and form Vs high overhead flying south into the night sky. Whimbrel: 8 on 5th at North Point. Hudsonian Godwit: 158 molting adults on 6th at North Point and 322 on 9th at Little Piskwamish. Marbled Godwit, 1 adult male defending territory on 9th at North Point, its behaviour suggested young hidden in grass. 1 on 8th at Little Piskwamish. Ruddy Turnstone: 37 adults on 5th at North Point and 37 on 7th at Little Piskwamish. RED KNOT: Of the three surveys sites to date Little Piskwamish has had the highest one day count (4990 on 1 Aug) followed by Longridge (1400 on 6 Aug) with smaller numbers at North Point (220 on 2 Aug). High counts for this period for Little Piskwamish (2,300 on 7th), Longridge (1400 6 Aug) and North Point (150 on 7th). At Delaware Bay, USA, recent spring counts range from 15,000 to 24,000. This suggests that a high proportion of the population stages in southwestern James Bay. Concentration areas are being mapped by GPS. At Longridge as of 9 Aug they have 900 sightings of 230 differently marked birds. Celebrity knot TY was back at Longridge on 5 Aug. It has been at all three sites since first seen on 26 July at North Point. First juvenile knot on 9th at Little Piskwamish. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 10,500 on 7th at North Point were almost all adults. 2,975 on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Next wave should be mainly juveniles. Least Sandpiper: 251 on 9th at Little Piskwamish. All juveniles. Leasts and Pectorals are back of the mudflats at ponds in marshes and meadows. White-rumped Sandpiper: 23,327 on 7th at Little Piskwamish. 12,500 molting adults on 7th at North Point. This is now the commonest shorebird in southern James Bay. Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 juvenile on 8th at Longridge, 1 juvenile on 9th at Little Piskwamish. Roosting Peeps: At North Point the thousands of Semipalmated Sandpipers and White-rumped Sandpipers rest and sleep for about three hours twice daily at high tide. They gather in tight flocks on grassy and gravel areas just above the high tide line. Jean describes the scene as very peaceful as the birds sleep with the chittering of some birds as they run around adjusting themselves. The roost area is quite distant from the forest edge. Luckily, the local Merlin hunts closer to the trees. When the peep flocks fly they swirl and twist in unison with much chittering and the sound of their wings fills the air. Pectoral Sandpiper: 481 non-molting adults on 6th at North Point. 415 on 7th at Little Piskwamish. Most in marsh ponds back from the coast. Dunlin (subspecies hudsonia): 368 adults on 6th showing little or no signs of molting. This is interesting for the date because adult Dunlins undergo a complete prebasic molt at James Bay before migration. Perhaps they fatten first before beginning to molt. Other shorebirds such as White-rumped Sandpipers are actively molting and fattening, but they undergo only a body molt while delaying molt of their flight feathers (wings/tail) until they reach the wintering grounds. First juvenile Dunlin on 8 Aug at Longridge. Juveniles also stage and molt at James Bay. Short-billed Dowitcher: 1 late adult on 6th at North Point. First juvenile on 8th at Longridge. 5 juveniles at Little Piskwamish. Wilson’s Snipe: 13 on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 fresh juvenile on 6th at North Point, 5 juveniles on 7th at Longridge. This phalarope breeds in small numbers in the wide prairie-like coastal marshes and meadows of southern James Bay. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 juvenile on 4th at North Point and 1 (age?) on 9th at Little Piskwamish. YELLOW RAIL: 1-2 ticking regularly at Little Piskwamish. Very low number. None at North Point and Longridge Point. OTHER BIRDS: In rough checklist order, if location not stated assume North Point: Canada Goose, 1300 on 5th appeared to be all subspecies maxima, presumably molt migrants from farther south summering and molting on James and Hudson Bays where they often mingle with breeding subspecies interior. Minnie Sutherland (MCFN) told Jean about the special relationship the Cree have with the geese. Black Scoter, hundreds daily of mostly molting males offshore at Little Piskwamish. American White Pelican, 61 on 8th. Northern Goshawk, 2 at Little Piskwamish included a juvenile on 6th chasing shorebirds but obviously inexperienced and an adult goshawk on 9th being mobbed by adult Northern Shrike. American Kestrel, 1 on 7th at Little Piskwamish. Sandhill Crane, 24 on 5th. Little Gull, 1 adult on 4th at Little Piskwamish, 1 juvenile on 7th at Longridge. Bonaparte’s Gull, 138 on 6th at Little Piskwamish and 23 on 7th at North Point were a mix of three age classes – most were adults, some juveniles and a few second years. Almost all second year birds summer well south of the breeding grounds. Bonaparte’s nest in spruce trees adjacent muskeg ponds and lakes. Common Tern, 7 on 4th at North Point and 5 on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Arctic Tern, 1 on 5th at North Point. Great Horned Owl (gray subspecies scalariventris in northern Ontario), two duetting regularly at Little Piskwamish. Northern Saw-whet-Owl, 1 singing in early morning on 7th at Little Piskwamish is near northern edge of breeding range, singing in August is very unusual. Common Nighthawk, 1 on 3rd at Little Piskwamish, 3 on 7th at Longridge. Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on 8th at Little Piskwamish and 1 on 9th at North Point. Gray Jay, pair with a dark juvenile around camp, usually one young bird stays with the adults for a year, juveniles are molting now or soon into formative plumage which is almost identical to the adult. Swallow migration at Little Piskwamish: Tree Swallow, 101 on 5th, Bank Swallow, 4 on 5th, Cliff Swallow, 1 on 7th, Barn Swallow, 1 on 7th. MARSH WREN, 1 singing in cattail marsh at Little Piskwamish, Godfrey (1986) in the Birds of Canada shows breeding and James (ROM 1991) reports “an isolated small colony” near North Point. European Starling, 80 mostly juveniles on 8th at Little Piskwamish, really odd to see a large flock at a wilderness location. WARBLERS at North Point in pre-migration flocks in Balsam Poplars included Tennessee, Orange-crowned (this species migrates much later than other warblers), female Cape May with 4 juveniles, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Palm, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped, etc. Magnolia Warbler, 1 on 8th at Little Piskwamish. Nashville Warbler, 1 on 6th at Little Piskwamish. Connecticut Warbler on 6th giving partial song at Little Piskwamish, Nancy Wilson and Doug McRae (OMNR Report 1993) reported that Connecticuts were common in fens with Tamaracks near Moosonee. Sparrows: Le Conte’s last heard 6th, Nelson’s (2 heard 10th), Clay-colored and Savannah have stopped singing recently, White-throated Sparrows still singing. Rusty Blackbird, 1 on 8th. Common Grackle, 3 on 3rd at Little Piskwamish. Purple Finch, at least 1 daily at Little Piskwamish. White-winged Crossbill, 24 on 7th at North Point, 150 on 5th at Little Piskwamish, crossbills are moving south daily there even though White Spruce and Tamarack have excellent cone crops. MAMMALS: Belugas, 5 at North Point on 3 Aug. A unidentified bat on 5th at North Point flying around camp at dusk. Woodland Caribou and Moose tracks at Little Piskwamish. Large male Black Bear scavenging a Beluga carcass at Little Piskwamish. Red-backed Voles at Little Piskwamish camp, this is a forest vole whereas Meadow Vole is a field vole. No reports of Meadow Voles is reflected in only 2 sightings of Northern Harriers at North Point and absence of Short-eared Owls at all 3 survey locations. BUTTERFLIES: Western White (photos) at North Point on 6-8 Aug with high of 6 on 8th is only new butterfly since the last report. Western Whites also at Little Piskwamish. Bronze Copper, 6 nectaring and included a pair copulating on Mackenzie’s Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa/mackenzieana) at North Point. The host plants (genus Rumex) are found along the coast. AMPHIBIANS: Frogs and toads were inconspicuous this summer because it was dry. After a good rain recently the crew at North Point heard Boreal Chorus Frogs and Spring Peepers and saw American Toads. FISH: Three-spined Stickleback. Mike McMurtry (OMNR) noted that there was a high mortality of this Species Of Concern as intertidal ponds dried this summer. NATURAL HERITAGE INFORMATION CENTRE (NHIC): The Red Knot survey is a multi-purpose inventory. Don Sutherland and Mike McMurtry are with the Natural Heritage Information Centre. The NHIC is part of OMNR involved with the inventory, monitoring and assessment of provincially rare plants and animals such as Red Knot, Yellow Rail and Short-eared Owl. Link to NHIC. http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/about.cfm Map showing location of North Point in red. Little Piskwamish Point (not shown) is midway between North Point and Longridge Point. www.jeaniron.ca/2011/JamesBay2011/NorthPointmap.jpg ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Jean thanks an anonymous donor for financial assistance allowing her to make satellite calls so reports are available on the internet. Survey ends on Sunday 14 August. Jean and I will post a final report #5 and link to photos on her website when she returns home. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: James Bay Shorebird Report #3 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 18:10:21 -0400 This is Jean Iron's third report via satellite phone for the period 26 July to 2 August 2011 from North Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay in Ontario. This report also incorporates sightings from Longridge Point and Little Piskwamish Point. Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) oversees surveys of the endangered rufa subspecies of the Red Knot and Yellow Rails. Surveys are a partnership of the ROM, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Moose Cree First Nation. The North Point crew is Mike McMurtry (OMNR), Jean Iron and Aus Taverner. The Longridge crew is Mark Peck, Roy John, Emily Rondel and Antonio Coral. The Little Piskwamish crew is Don Sutherland (OMNR), Doug McRae, Barb Charlton and Ron Ridout. Little Piskwamish is about halfway between North Point and Longridge. Surveyors will be at all three sites until 14 August. SHOREBIRD OBSERVATIONS: 27 species to date. Juveniles of many species increasing. The high count day is listed for each species. Sightings refer to North Point unless stated otherwise. Black-bellied Plover: 3 on 29 July. Semipalmated Plover: 83 on 1 August included a banded individual with green on lower right and metal on lower left. Solitary Sandpiper: 4 on 26th at forest ponds at Longridge. Greater Yellowlegs: 392 on 27th. Lesser Yellowlegs: 867 on 27th, half juveniles on 2 August. Whimbrel: 1. Hudsonian Godwit: 327 molting and fattening adults on 27th. Marbled Godwit: 1 juvenile on 29th. Ruddy Turnstone: 52 adults on 29th. 250 adults at Longridge. RED KNOT: Famous knot TY on orange flag was still at North Point on 29th but moved about 35 km north to Longridge on 30th. Studies show that many shorebirds return to preferred local areas from year to year. 4990 on 1 Aug at Little Piskwamish, 3 with geolocators. 600 on 30th at Longridge with 190 sightings of individually marked birds. Smaller numbers at North Point with high of 220 on 2 August. The survey period mid July to mid August is timed to track the maximum number of marked adults. Data from flagged birds will give approximate ages and ratios of males to females. Researchers and birders will re-sight birds showing which populations use James Bay and their migration routes. Sanderling: 15 molting adults on 29th. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: This is peak adult migration time with 23,000 adults on 29 July at North Point exceeding the 14,147 on 21st. Southbound numbers at North Point are probably the largest in North America away from the upper Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. Both counts were with a combination of high tides and strong northeast winds concentrating the birds. First 3 juveniles on 29th. 4,500 on 31 July at Little Piskwamish. Least Sandpiper: 47 on 29th. Mostly juveniles, but still some adults on 2 August. White-rumped Sandpiper: Large numbers stage and fatten in southern James Bay. 7,710 molting adults at North Point on 29th and 9,300 on 1 August at Little Piskwamish. These large numbers are not seen south of James Bay indicating that they fly either to eastern Canada where they are common or more likely most of the James Bay population flies nonstop to South America. Baird's Sandpiper: 1 on 27 July at Longridge. Pectoral Sandpiper: 925 adults on 29th. Dunlin: 265 adults on 29th. Stilt Sandpiper: 1 adult on 26th at Longridge. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 on 30 July at Longridge fide Mark Peck. American Woodcock: 1 on 1 Aug at Little Piskwamish. There are nearby records for Moosonee and Fort Albany. Wilson's Phalarope: 1 adult on 26th and 30th at Longridge. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 adult on 30th at Longridge. HUDSON BAY SHOREBIRDS: Ken Abraham (OMNR) reports "We worked on the coast from Shagamu River to the Pen Island area on 27-28 July and observed large numbers of shorebirds. Of note were several hundred Hudsonian Godwits, and lots of Pectoral, Semipalmated, White-rumped Sandpipers, Dunlins, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (seemed everywhere), Whimbrel and others. It was particularly nice to see two small flocks of Buff-breasted Sandpipers (14 in total) on 27 July foraging on berries and insects on a ridge along the Hudson Bay coast. The location was halfway between the Niskibi River and the Severn River at N56 16.646 W87 46.922. Other species included Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Short billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe and Red-necked Phalarope. Absent from the list were Black-bellied Plover and American Golden-Plover." YELLOW RAIL: 1 ticking at Little Piskwamish on 30 July to 1 Aug, but none at North Point and Longridge because of dry coastal marshes which normally have a 10-20 cm depth of water. Ken Abraham heard a minimum of 2 Yellow Rails ticking loudly on 27 July at a freshwater marsh about 10 km inland from the outlet of the Niskibi River on Hudson Bay. OTHER BIRDS: Ken Abraham reports for the Hudson Bay coast of Ontario and Akimiski Island, Nunavut, in James Bay. "We banded over 3000 adult Canada Geese and over 5000 goslings, plus 500 adult Lesser Snow Geese and 800 goslings. We continue to be impressed by the number of bald eagles on the Hudson Bay coast with many (even most) being observed very near brood flocks of geese. I suspect they have become an increasing factor in the mortality of both goose species over the past decade. This year there were even several observations on Akimiski Island during the two weeks of banding in late July, which is unusual." Black Scoter, 400 molting males off Little Piskwamish. Double-crested Cormorant, 2 on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish. Great Blue Heron on 2 Aug at Little Piskwamish. Ruffed Grouse drumming on 2 Aug. American White Pelicans, 71 in supplemental plumage on 2 August. Northern Harrier, adult female on 31st. Northern Goshawk, adult on 30th by Doug McRae. Merlin on 30th. Sora on 1 August at Little Piskwamish. Bonaparte's Gull, 350 on 31st at Longridge. Ring-billed Gull, 2 juveniles on 28th. Caspian Tern, 3 on 1 Aug at Little Piskwamish. Common Tern, 2 on 2 Aug. Arctic Tern, 2 on 2 August. Great Horned Owl hooting at Little Piskwamish. Northern Shrike, adult with 2 brownish juveniles at Longridge. Gray Jays regular around camp. Swallows migrating south. Tree Swallow, 28 on 28th. Bank Swallow on 29th and 31st. Cliff Swallow on 29th. Swainson's Thrush with young. American Robins eating Buffaloberries (Shepherdia canadensis). European Starling, 65 at Little Piskwamish were unusual. Cedar Waxwings eating Buffaloberries. Canada Warbler singing on 1 & 3 Aug at Little Piskwamish. Chipping Sparrow nest with young at Longridge. Clay-colored Sparrow nest with young at Longridge. Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs at Longridge. Savannah Sparrows abundant at North Point. Le Conte's Sparrows and Nelson's Sparrows (subspecies alterus) still singing. White-throated Sparrow on 31st eating Buffaloberries. Red-winged Blackbird, 31 on 2 Aug, 36 at Little Piskwamish. Common Grackle on 1 August. White-winged Crossbills, 33 on 29th. Excellent cone crop on White Spruce. Crossbills extracting seeds from green cones. Some singing suggests they may nest soon as cone crop ripens. Common Redpoll, 15 on 2 August at Little Piskwamish. MAMMALS: American Marten on 2 Aug. Beluga (White Whale) 6 on 29 July at North Point by Doug McRae and Barb Charlton. Two dead Belugas at Longridge. Cause of death unknown, but possibly individuals trapped in ice late last fall before they could migrate to leads and polynyas in Hudson Bay where some Belugas spend the winter. A Black Bear chewed a bar of Sunlight soap at Longridge; this fragrant yellow soap is an old camp favourite. On the Hudson Bay coast, Ken Abraham (OMNR) reports "There are a lot of Polar Bears ashore with several sighted 10-20 km inland in the fens." HERPTILES: Eastern Gartersnake: 1 on 31 July at Longridge. There are previous records for southern James Bay. American Toads of the colourful reddish Hudson Bay population and Wood Frogs are scarce this summer probably because of the very dry conditions. BUTTERFLIES: Two additions since last report from Barb Charlton are Common Branded Skipper and Silver-bordered Fritillary (photos). ODONATES: No new species since last report. Fewer dragonflies with the dry conditions. They are eating Bulldog Flies (Tabanidae) which pleases surveyors because these flies are aggressive biters. IMPORTANT NEW PUBLICATION: John Riley of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (formerly OMNR) has just published "Wetlands of the Hudson Bay Lowland - An Ontario Overview". A hard copy of this scholarly publication with excellent habitat photos is available from the author. John.Riley AT natureconservancy.ca Next update in a week. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: James Bay Shorebird Report #2 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:17:53 -0400 This is Jean Iron’s second report via satellite phone for the period 20 - 26 July from North Point on the southwest coast of James Bay, Ontario. North Point is a vagrant trap - three examples are (1) the first Little Stint (adult male) for Ontario was collected there on 10 July 1979, (2) the only Ontario record of Common Poorwill was collected there on 4 June 1982 and (3) the only Ontario specimen of Western Wood-Pewee on 20 June 1984. This report includes limited information from Longridge Point. Surveys are a cooperative effort of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and Moose Cree First Nation. The crew at North Point comprises Jean Iron, Doug McRae, Barbara Charlton and Kevin Hannah. The Longridge Point crew comprises Mark Peck, Roy John, Emily Rondel and Antonio Coral. SHOREBIRDS OBSERVATIONS: 21 species to date. Birds are adults unless noted otherwise. Counts done at high tide. Usually only the high count day for each species is given. Reports below are from North Point unless noted otherwise. Black-bellied Plover: 1 adult on 21st. American Golden-Plover: 1 adult on 22nd. Semipalmated Plover: 31 on 22nd. Killdeer: 1 on 21st. Spotted Sandpiper: 1 juvenile on 22nd. Greater Yellowlegs: 315 on 21st. Some eating sticklebacks (tiny fish). 250 at Longridge. Lesser Yellowlegs: 682 on 26th. First juvenile on 26th. 400 at Longridge. Whimbrel: 61 on 24th. 47 at Longridge. Hudsonian Godwit: 345 molting adults on 26th. 130 at Longridge. Marbled Godwit: 4 on 21st. Territorial nesting bird chases Common Ravens. Ruddy Turnstone: 16 adults on 21st. 11 at Longridge. RED KNOT: Longridge - 1100 adults on 23rd fide Mark Peck. North Point - 160 on 22nd including 33 flagged birds from the United States, Chile and Argentina. An exciting find was seeing a Red Knot (TY on orange flag) on 26 July at North Point. TY spent 18 days at Longridge last summer 2010. It was first banded in March 2006 in Argentina and photographed in August 2008 in Trinidad. An aerial survey by CWS in 2009 found large numbers of knots about midway between North Point and Longridge. Beginning on 30 July a third field crew will spend two weeks in this area known as Little Piskwamish Point. Sanderling: 87 molting and fading adults on 21st. 2 flagged birds on 23rd from Delaware Bay in the United States. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 14,147 adults on 21 July. This count was at high tide combined with a strong northeast wind, which concentrated the birds. Colour-marking in the 1970s by Guy Morrison (CWS) at North Point showed that most Semipalmated Sandpipers using southern James Bay departed southeast to the Atlantic Coast before heading over the ocean to South America. Semipalmated Sandpipers passing through James Bay include many from the central and western Arctic based on banding, colour-marking and measurements. Least Sandpiper: 37 on 21st. White-rumped Sandpiper: 1117 molting adults on 26 July. Pectoral Sandpiper: 102 adults on 26th. 500 at Longridge. Dunlin: 127 on 26th. Short-billed Dowitcher: 1 juvenile on 24th. 6 at Longridge fide Mark Peck. Wilson's Snipe: 2 on 22nd still winnowing. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 adult on 23rd. SHOREBIRD FOODS: Shorebirds in Hudson and James Bays feed on the abundant larvae of the bivalve Macoma balthica (clam), and in southern James Bay the gastropod Hydrobia minuta (snail), as well as a variety of crustaceans (shrimps/crabs and allies), worms and dipteran (fly) larvae (Ontario Shorebird Conservation Plan 2003). SHOREBIRD MIGRATION: Flocks of high flying migrating shorebirds, some in V formations, were observed moving south in early evening presumably heading for the Atlantic Coast. YELLOW RAIL: Canada has about 90% of the Yellow Rail's breeding range. The coastal brackish marshes of James Bay probably have the largest breeding population of Yellow Rails in North America. They breed in marshes dominated by Chaffy Sedge (Carex paleacea) fide Don Sutherland (OMNR). The big news this summer is that crews have found no Yellows Rails at both North Point and Longridge Point where they are usually common. In July Yellow Rails "tick" incessantly and are easily detected. Marshes are very dry this summer at both North Point and Longridge. Yellow Rails may have moved farther north along James Bay and Hudson Bay where coastal conditions are more normal this summer. Or possibly the rails shifted to large freshwater fens well inland from the coast in the Hudson Bay Lowland fide Don Sutherland (OMNR). Also, OMNR's Terrestrial Biodiversity crews found Yellow Rails this summer near Big Trout Lake in northwestern Ontario fide Ken Abraham (OMNR) and Don Sutherland. OTHER BIRDS: In rough checklist order: Canada Goose - none at North Point, however, Kevin Hannah on 26 July walked 7.5 km north along the coast and found 2620 flightless Canadas including one with a white neck collar 3X57. American White Pelican, 26 on 24th, it recently began breeding on islands in James Bay. Sandhill Crane, 68 on 20th, the subspecies rowani breeds in the boreal forest. Merlin, adult male on 21 July caught a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Northern Harrier, adult male on 20th is the only report reflecting very low vole abundance. Bonaparte's Gull, 62 on 22nd were mostly year old nonbreeders plus some adults, 2 juveniles on 26th. Black Tern at Longridge fide Mark Peck. Arctic Tern, 1 adult on 21st and 3 on 22nd. Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on 19th was omitted from the previous report. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 1 on 23rd. Northern Shrike, a juvenile on 22 July regurgitated a pellet composed mainly of beetle and insect exoskeletons. Similarly, Loggerhead Shrikes on the Carden Alvar in southern Ontario eat many beetles and other insects which form the bulk of their food during the warmer months. Gray Jay, adult and juvenile around camp. Boreal Chickadee feeding young on 24 and 25th. Brown Thrasher still there on 22nd. Northern Waterthrush, 2 on 24th. Clay-colored Sparrow, 1 on 22nd. 2 Le Conte’s Sparrow, 12 on 25th including one observed by Doug McRae doing an aerial display. Nelson’s Sparrow, 16 on 26th. Le Conte's and Nelson's Sparrows are singing and in the same general habitat. Both sparrows have moved more inland to moist pockets because coastal sedge marshes are very dry this summer. White-winged Crossbill: 20 on 24 July. MAMMALS: Single Black Bears at both North Point and Longridge camps. Solar powered electric fences surround food cabins at both sites. No Polar Bears - they are very rare south of Akimiski Island. Two Belugas (White Whales) at Longridge plus a dead one. An adult and 4 young Striped Skunks around North Point camp. BUTTERFLIES: Bronze Copper is new since last report. Correction to last report - change Pink-sided Sulphur (typo) to Pink-edged Sulphur thanks to Alan Wormington. He further said that "They might be Paleano Sulphurs, but it's hard to tell unless you know them well. Pelidne Sulphur should be there too, as well as Giant Sulphur - it's not large as the name implies." ODONATES: List from Kevin Hannah (CWS). In no particular order: Kennedy’s Emerald, Delicate Emerald, American Emerald , Four-spotted Skimmer, Emerald Spreadwing, White-faced Meadowhawk, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Sedge Darner, Subarctic Darner, Shadow Darner, Lake Darner, Canada Darner, Zigzag Darner, Variable Darner (nominate subspecies interrupta), Variable Darner (subspecies lineata). Kevin noted a large drop in numbers of odonates on 25-26 July which he attributed to the very dry conditions. Aerial photo showing location of North Point in red on southern James Bay. www.jeaniron.ca/2011/JamesBay2011/NorthPointmap.jpg Acknowledgements: I thank Ken Abraham and Don Sutherland of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for information. LITERATURE CITED: Ontario Shorebird Conservation Plan. 2003. Ross, K., and K. Abraham, R. Clay, B. Collins, J. Iron, R. James, D. McLachlin, R. Weeber. 48 pages. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada. www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/plans/pdf/plans-shorebird-e.pdf I'll post next update in a week. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: James Bay Shorebird Report #1 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:04:15 -0400 This is Jean Iron's first report via satellite phone for the period 16 -19 July from North Point on the southwestern coast of James Bay, Ontario. North Point is about 25 km (15 miles) north of Moosonee and about 825 km (512 miles) north of Toronto, Ontario. James Bay is the southeastern extension of Hudson Bay reaching deep into eastern Canada between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec south to about 51 degrees north latitude. Its broad tidal flats, wide coastal marshes and islands are of hemispheric importance to southbound shorebirds and waterfowl migrating from the Canadian Arctic. Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto oversees the surveys of the endangered rufa subspecies of the Red Knot and other shorebirds. Yellow Rails are also being surveyed. Surveys are a cooperative venture of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Moose Cree First Nation and ROM. This summer there are two main survey sites - Longridge and North Point. Longridge was also surveyed for Red Knots in 2009 and 2010, but this is the first year for North Point. The crew at North Point is Jean Iron, Doug McRae, Barbara Charlton and Kevin Hannah. The Longridge crew comprises Mark Peck, Roy John, Emily Rondel and Antonio Coral. GOOSE and SHOREBIRD BREEDING SUCCESS: Early reports from the central and eastern Arctic indicate that Lesser Snow Geese, Cackling Geese, Canada Geese and shorebirds are having a good nesting season. SHOREBIRDS: 16 species to date. Counts done at high tide. Usually only the high count day for each species is given. Reports below are from North Point unless otherwise noted. Black-bellied Plover: 1 adult on 17 July. Semipalmated Plover: 5 adults on 18th. Greater Yellowlegs: 332 adults on 18th. Greaters nest nearby in the Hudson Bay Lowland. Lesser Yellowlegs: 451 adults on 18th, 3 juveniles on 17th. Lessers nest nearby in the Hudson Bay Lowland. Whimbrel: 11 adults on 17th. Hudsonian Godwit: 176 adults on 17th. Marbled Godwit: 2 adults (pair) seen daily on nesting territory. There is a small isolated breeding population (about 1500 birds) on southern James Bay. Ruddy Turnstone: 1 adult on 18th. RED KNOT: 35 adults on 18 July. 1 flagged bird (lime green) on 18th probably from Delaware Bay, United States. About 10% of the rufa subspecies is marked. 300 adults at Longridge on 19th. Sanderling: 200 adults on 17th. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 6355 adults on 18th. Least Sandpiper: 27 adults on 18th. White-rumped Sandpiper: 3 adults on 17th. Numbers will increase soon. Pectoral Sandpiper: 246 adults on 18th. Dunlin: 86 adults on 18th. Thousands of Dunlins (subspecies hudsonia) stage in James Bay and undergo prebasic and preformative molts before resuming migration about mid September. This is why Dunlins are very rare south of the subarctic until much later than most shorebirds. Wilson's Snipe: 5. YELLOW RAIL: Coastal marsh conditions are very dry at North Point and no Yellow Rails heard to date. Conditions also dry at Longridge. However, Ken Abraham who is at Peawanuck on the Hudson Bay Coast reports that “Conditions are great here. The pond levels in the interior look good, while some nearer the coast are perhaps drier than average, but not significantly.” OTHER BIRDS: In rough checklist order: Canada Goose. 60 American Black Ducks. 276 Mallards. 1 Northern Pintail. 1 Green-winged Teal. 7 Common Goldeneyes. 5 Common Mergansers. 1 Black Scoter. 1 Common Loon. 1 Double-crested Cormorant. 1 Opsrey. 1 immature Bald Eagle. Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl – no sightings of these two raptors indicate very low vole and mouse numbers. 76 Sandhill Cranes on 18th. 10 Bonaparte’s Gulls (7 adults, 3 second year birds – a few year old birds go to James Bay, but most summer well south of the breeding grounds). 2 Caspian Terns on 18th. 6 Common Terns on 19th. Alder Flycatcher. 10 Least Flycatchers reflecting the aspen forest around camp. Gray Jay. Boreal Chickadee. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Swainson’s Thrush. Brown Thrasher on 18 and 19th; it is a regular vagrant along the coasts of Hudson and James Bays. 8 Cedar Waxwings on 16th. Tennessee Warbler carrying food. Black-and-white Warbler. American Redstart. Ovenbird singing daily at camp. Clay-colored Sparrow, 2 singing near camp, many birders are surprised that this scrubland sparrow breeds around James Bay. Le Conte’s Sparrow nest with 4 eggs on 17th. Nelson’s Sparrow. Common Grackle on 17th. A few Common Redpolls. 3 Pine Siskins on 18th. MAMMALS: One Black Bear is near camp, but it is behaving itself. A solar powered electric fence surrounds the food cabin. Around camp there is a Striped Skunk family, a Red Fox family and a young Snowshoe Hare. Vole and mouse numbers are very low. Similar low vole numbers on Akimiski Island, Nunavut. BUTTERFLIES: Old World Swallowtail, Orange Sulphur, Pink-sided Sulphur, Northern Spring Azure, Atlantis Fritillary, Northern Crescent, White Admiral, Viceroy and Common Ringlet. ODONATES: Kennedy’s Emerald on 17 July. Aerial photo showing location of North Point in red on southern James Bay. www.jeaniron.ca/2011/JamesBay2011/NorthPointmap.jpg Acknowledgements: The crews thank Ken Abraham, Rod Brook and Sarah Hagey of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for logistical support. I'll post several updates from Jean over the next month. Ron Pittaway Minden, Ontario Canada Subject: First Spoon-billed Sandpiper chicks hatch in captivity From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:15:32 +0200 Some very cool news from WWT. Enjoy it. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/first-spoon-billed-sandpiper-chicks-hatch-in Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Subject: Where are the Red Knots of the EAAF during spring and autumn migration? From: MobileMe <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:37:43 +0200 Dear Friends, Please help us finding the answer. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/where-are-the-red-knots-of-the-eaaf-during-sp In the article you can find contact details to report sightings. Best, Szimi ______________ Gyorgy Szimuly/WorldWaders Hungary Shorebird Mapping Project http://worldwaders.org/index.php Shorebird News Blog http://worldwaders.posterous.com Skype worldwaders.org Subject: No Subject From: Kevin Dailey <kedailey AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:23:18 -0700 .I hope you’ll enjoy everything here! http://lake1004.com/friends.page.php?iID=49ux2 Subject: Aerial surveys do not reliably survey boreal-nesting shorebirds - pdf From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2011 13:04:53 -0400 We have copied the abstract below and attached a pdf from recent paper published in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, which is a peer-reviewed journal. Citation: Elliott, Kyle H., Paul A. Smith, and Victoria H. Johnston. 2010. Aerial surveys do not reliably survey boreal-nesting shorebirds. Canadian Field-Naturalist 124(2): 145-150. Abstract: Aerial surveys have been used as a method for surveying boreal-nesting shorebirds, which breed in difficult-to-access terrain; however, the fraction of breeding birds observed from the air is unknown. We investigated rates of detection by conducting simultaneous air and ground surveys for shorebirds at three sites in the boreal forest of the Northwest Territories, Canada, in 2007. Helicopter surveys included both pond-based surveys and where the helicopter flew around the perimeter of each wetland and transect-based surveys where observers recorded birds seen on line transects. Ground surveys involved intensive observation, territory mapping and nest searching in 5 square kilometers of plots over a period of 5-6 weeks. Shorebird densities observed from the helicopter were highest near large bodies of water. No shorebirds were observed over closed forest despite breeding densities on ground surveys being highest in closed forest. Detection rates were very low, varied among species and aerial survey types, and were inconsistent over time. Ground-based observations showed that the shorebirds often did not flush in response to the helicopter passing overhead. Owing to poor rates of detection, we conclude that helicopter surveys are not an appropriate method for surveying breeding shorebirds in boreal habitats, but may have some utility for monitoring birds' use of stop-over locations. Allow a few seconds for the pdf to load. www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/viewFile/1053/1057 Ron Pittaway and Jean Iron Minden and Toronto, Ontario Subject: Survey on shorebird hunting - Now with correct link to English versio From: "Arne J. Lesterhuis" <arne_j_lesterhuis AT YAHOO.CO.UK> Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 21:06:42 +0100 Hi again! I was notified by Khara Strum that the link I gave for the English version of the survey is wrong, which is indeed so! The correct link for english version is now given below. Sorry for the confusion! Subject: Hunting on Migratory and Wintering Shorebird Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean Legal and illegal hunting of shorebirds occurs throughout their annual ranges.  However, shorebird biologists generally lack adequate information to determine if hunting pressure could negatively affect shorebirds at a population level.  To begin to unravel this complex question, we are seeking any information on shorebird hunting throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and hope you can help us out. The survey will only take a few minutes of your time. All sources will be kept confidential.  Thank you for your interest! Brad Andres (USFWS), David Wege (BirdLife-Caribbean), Anthony Levesque (SCSCB) and Arne Lesterhuis (BirdLife-Americas)   LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Shorebird_hunting_LAC  Subject: Emergency mission to save remarkable bird from extinction From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2011 13:49:23 +0200 Dear Friends, Please find the latest article on Spoon-billed Sandpiper in WorldWaders News: http://worldwaders.posterous.com Support the project if you can to reach the target. Best, Szimi __________ György Szimuly/WorldWaders Tata, Hungary Website: http://www.worldwaders.org Skype: worldwaders.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118733871495865 Subject: Survey on shorebird hunting - please participate From: "Arne J. Lesterhuis" <arne_j_lesterhuis AT YAHOO.CO.UK> Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2011 01:25:14 +0100 Hi all/ Estimados todos  (español abajo) Hunting on Migratory and Wintering Shorebird Populations in Latin America and the CaribbeanLegal and illegal hunting of shorebirds occurs throughout their annual ranges.  However, shorebird biologists generally lack adequate information to determine if hunting pressure could negatively affect shorebirds at a population level. To begin to unravel this complex question, we are seeking any information on shorebird hunting throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and hope you can help us out. The survey will only take a few minutes of your time.All sources will be kept confidential.  Thank you for your interest! Brad Andres (USFWS), David Wege (BirdLife-Caribbean), Anthony Levesque (SCSCB) and Arne Lesterhuis (BirdLife-Americas) LINK FOR ENGLISH VERSION OF SURVEY: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Caza_AvesPlayeras_LAC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------La caza de poblaciones de aves playeras migratorias en América Latina y el CaribeLa caza legal o ilegal de aves playeras ocurre en todo su rango de distribución  anual. Sin embargo, los biólogos de aves playeras  generalmente carecen de información adecuada para determinar si la presión de la caza  afecta negativamente las poblaciones de aves playeras a nivel poblacional.Para comenzar a esclarecer  esta compleja pregunta, estamos buscando toda la información sobre la caza de aves playeras a través de América Latina y el Caribe, y esperamos que nos pueda ayudar. La encuesta solo tomará unos minutos de su tiempo para completarla.El origen de la información se mantendrá confidencial.  Gracias por su interés! Brad Andres (USFWS), David Wege (BirdLife-Caribe), Anthony Levesque (SCSCB) y Arne Lesterhuis (BirdLife-Américas) LINK PARA ENCUESTA EN ESPAÑOL: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Caza_AvesPlayeras_LAC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Arne J. Lesterhuis Asunción, ParaguaySkyper: arne.lesterhuis  **********************************************************************The Brights; illuminating and elevating the naturalistic worldviewThe Brights' Net is an international internet constituency of individuals who have a naturalistic worldview. You can visit the Brights homepage to learn more: http://www.the-brights.net   Subject: Global wader news From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 19:46:02 +0200 Dear Shorebird Addicts, Please find some great news articles on various topics including sad news on 'rufa' Red Knot population drop and new findings of Great Snipe migration. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/ Should you have any article to share the WorldWaders' readers please send it to me or post it directly (ask for know-how). Best, Szimi __________ György Szimuly Tata, Hungary Website: http://www.worldwaders.org Skype: worldwaders.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118733871495865 Subject: Banded Whimbrel - Jacksonville, FL From: Kevin Dailey <kedailey AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:51:05 -0700 Today I observed a banded Whimbrel at 'Spoonbill Pond' in NE Jacksonville (across A1A from the Big Talbot Island boat ramp). The upper left band was a white flag with 'CM' code, and the lower left was a plain blue band. Nothing on the right leg. There were three Whimbrels present, along with 1 each Least Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated Sandpiper. Also present were ~75 Short billed Dowitcher, 100+ Semipalmated Plovers, and 22 Black bellied Plovers. I reported the banded Whimbrel to http://report.bandedbirds.org/, and from what I can tell the blue band indicates Brazil. If anyone knows what the 'CM' represents, I'd be curious to know. Thanks, Kevin Dailey Jacksonville, FL USA Subject: "Hope" the Whimbrel Migrates to back to Virginia From: Fletcher Smith <fmsmit AT WM.EDU> Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:31:50 -0400 The odyssey of Hope, a whimbrel carrying a satellite transmitter, continues to amaze scientists. Hope was originally captured on 19 May, 2009 on the southern Delmarva Peninsula of Virginia. She left Virginia on May 26 and since that time has logged more than 21,000 miles (33,000 kilometers) flying between a breeding territory on the MacKenzie River near Alaska and a winter territory on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. On Friday (8 April, 2011), Hope returned to Virginia following a 75 hour, 1,850 mile (2,900 kilometer) flight out over the Atlantic Ocean. During the course of two full migration cycles, Hope has clearly demonstrated how distant locations are interconnected in the life of migratory species and how their conservation requires collaboration on a multi-national scale. For three consecutive springs, Hope has returned to the same creek in Virginia where she has fed on fiddler crabs preparing for a transcontinental flight to her breeding grounds. The creek, located in the the Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Coast Reserve, is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, a network of international sites considered critical to populations of declining shorebirds. Hope’s breeding grounds on the MacKenzie River are part of an International Important Bird Area and one of the areas of highest conservation value in Canada. Efforts are ongoing to protect the area considered by many to be one of the most pristine watersheds remaining in North America. For the past 2 years, Hope has wintered at Great Pond, a Birdlife International Important Bird Area on St. Croix. Protection of long-distance migrants like Hope requires that countries recognize the importance of vulnerable populations and work together toward effective conservation solutions. Hope is one of several birds that have been fitted with state of the art 9.5-gram, satellite transmitters in a collaborative effort by the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary – Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Coast Reserve of The Nature Conservancy to discover migratory routes that connect breeding and winter areas and to identify en route migratory staging areas that are critical to the conservation of this declining species. Updated tracking maps may be viewed online. http://www.ccb-wm.org/programs/migration/Whimbrel/whimbrel.htm Satellite tracking represents only one aspect of a broader, integrated investigation of whimbrel migration. During the past 4 years, the Center for Conservation in partnership with The Nature Conservancy has used conventional transmitters to examine stopover duration, conducted aerial surveys to estimate seasonal numbers, collected feather samples to locate summer and winter areas through stable-isotope analysis, and has initiated a whimbrel watch program. Continued research is planned to further link populations across staging, breeding, and wintering areas. Funding has been provided by The Nature Conservancy, the Center for Conservation Biology, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Toronto Ornithological Club, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Willow Beach Field Naturalists, and the Northern Neck Audubon Society. Subject: Yahoo! Auto Response From: Nathan Dias <offshorebirder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 05:25:44 +0000 * I am no longer reading email sent to offshorebirder AT yahoo.com Due to unreliable service (too many missing emails to/from Yahoo Mail accounts), I am at least temporarily discontinuing use of this account. Please use my other account - offshorebirder[-at-]gmail.com instead. Thanks. Subject: Use of playback for boreal-nesting shorebirds and other techniques for surveying? From: "Friis,Christian [Ontario]" <Christian.Friis AT EC.GC.CA> Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 10:39:21 -0500 Hi Folks, I'm interested in learning about the experiences of anyone who may have used playback for surveying boreal-nesting shorebirds, as well as other techniques that you may have used (atlassing, aerial surveys, point counts and so on). I'm trying to build a repertoire of techniques that could be used this coming field season in Ontario (Canada) to improve our capacity to determine status and trends, among other questions, of species like Solitary Sandpiper, both yellowlegs, and both dowitchers that nest in low density across the boreal forest. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Regards, Christian Christian A. Friis Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada 4905 Dufferin St. Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Telephone 416.739.4908 Mobile 647.882.6097 Facsimile 416.739.5845 Government of Canada Website www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife Christian A. Friis Service canadien de la faune Environnement Canada 4905, rue Dufferin Toronto ON M3H 5T4 christian.friis AT ec.gc.ca Téléphone 416.739.4908 Cellulaire 647.882.6097 Télécopieur 416.739.5845 Gouvernement du Canada Site Web www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife Subject: Please support this idea From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:13:06 +0100 Hi Friends, Please, have a look at this article and vote. http://worldwaders.posterous.com/vote-to-give-a-chance-for-the-incomparable-sp Thanks, Szimi __________ Gyorgy Szimuly Tata, Hungary Website: http://www.worldwaders.org Skype: worldwaders.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118733871495865