Grand blog material, thanks to Alan's great ontbirds posting about our trip.
Everyone,
Brandon R. Holden, Mark W. Jennings and myself have returned from another
expedition to Netitishi Point on James Bay, where we were present on the
dates of August 13-26 inclusive. A map showing the location of Netitishi
Point can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/3w379cj
Various photos, stories and day lists will be posted on Brandon's blog
site here:
http://www.blog.peregrineprints.com/
No major rarities to report, but there was an abundance of birds and
during our 13-day visit we recorded 132 species. On August 21 alone we
logged 84 species. At times it was coolish, other times warmish, with a
couple of uncomfortable hot days; but generally it was quite pleasant.
Some impressive storms, with torrential rain at times (mostly late in the
day or during the night). Not many biting insects, sometimes mosquitoes
were a minor nuisance; we often wore shorts. We had a great time!
Highlights are detailed as follows:
SNOW GOOSE -- first birds (family group of five) on August 15; seems
early for fledged birds to be already moving.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER -- small numbers daily flying by, maximum of (8) on
August 25.
BLACK SCOTER -- small numbers daily flying by, maximum of (35) on August
18.
RUFFED GROUSE / SPRUCE GROUSE -- none
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN -- 40 on August 13; one on August 22; 28 on August
26; formerly unknown on James Bay, these birds are derived from the
breeding colony recently established at Akimiski Island to the north.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT -- 1 or 2 seen most days; comments above for
pelican also apply to this species.
GREAT BLUE HERON -- we often saw singles or small groups arriving from
the east or northeast over James Bay, which would imply a breeding colony
somewhere in that direction.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK -- juvenile female seen on numerous dates; we debated if
it was one bird or several.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK -- one juvenile appeared overhead on a day with strong
south winds (August 24); very rare in the Hudson Bay Lowlands.
YELLOW RAIL -- none
WHIMBREL -- migrating birds (always flying east along the shore) were
seen daily; maximum count (45) on August 25.
HUDSONIAN GODWIT -- migrating flocks seen regularly; maximum count (840)
on August 21.
MARBLED GODWIT -- seen regularly; maximum count (23) on August 21.
RED KNOT -- small numbers mostly seen flying east; one adult still in
mostly alternate plumage on August 25.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER -- abundant and hard to estimate numbers, with
7500+ on August 21; one adult still present on August 25.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER -- abundant at times; maximum (500) on August 18.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER -- much in evidence with a maximum count of (66) on
August 23.
STILT SANDPIPER -- small numbers
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER -- several singles.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE -- several singles.
LITTLE GULL -- numerous singles; most were juveniles but we also saw
single second-winter and adult birds.
BONAPARTE'S GULL -- ALL adult birds still had complete black hoods, which
is unlike birds on Lake Erie at the same time which have already moulted
into winter plumage.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL -- One adult flying east on August 25;
documentation (including photos) will be submitted to the OBRC.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL -- singles on August 18 (second-summer) and
August 25 (adult).
"mystery" GULL -- we had poor views of a flying immature bird that might
have been a CALIFORNIA GULL (August 17); we have several photos that have
yet to be analyzed.
CASPIAN TERN -- numerous sightings in small numbers; ALL were adults and
almost all were flying east along the shore, suggesting an exit from
James Bay.
BLACK TERN -- several individuals.
COMMON TERN -- common with adults still feeding young; at least 70+ birds
were in the area.
ARCTIC TERN -- one juvenile on August 15 and one adult on August 25.
PARASITIC JAEGER -- one on August 25; one unidentified jaeger the same
day.
LONG-TAILED JAEGER -- one intermediate-morph juvenile on August 21; this
might be the first fall record ever for southern James Bay.
MOURNING DOVE -- one on August 25.
OWLS -- none.
HUMMINGBIRDS -- none, despite the fact that we set up two separate
hummingbird feeders.
EASTERN KINGBIRD -- 3 singles.
EUROPEAN STARLING -- multiple flocks; maximum (17) on August 14.
AMERICAN PIPIT -- one on August 26; first fall migrant.
WARBLERS -- 13 species; CAPE MAY was surprisingly regular.
LE CONTE'S SPARROW -- small numbers.
NELSON'S SPARROW -- numerous birds, as expected.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK -- one immature on August 23-24; status in
southern James Bay is not clear.
PINE GROSBEAK -- one on August 24.
RED CROSSBILL -- (2) on August 16 and (4) on August 20; there are now
multiple records for southern James Bay, which is surprising as there are
no pine trees in the Hudson Bay Lowlands.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL -- big numbers, including many flying juveniles.
COMMON REDPOLL -- small numbers.
PINE SISKIN -- small numbers.
HOUSE SPARROW -- one immature on coastal dunes on August 16; a very
peculiar record, especially since the species has been absent at Moosonee
for several years now. It must have originated from a considerable
distance.
LARGE MAMMALS:
Black Bear -- one yearling near our camp.
Gray Wolf -- one yearling near our camp; Brandon got one excellent photo
before his camera battery died!
Red Fox -- several in the area, including two near camp that acted quite
silly at times.
unidentified seals -- a couple seen offshore were likely Ringed Seal
A report detailing our BUTTERFLY sightings can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/3ler3gv
A report detailing our DRAGONFLY sightings can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/3qt229c
Alan Wormington
Leamington, Ontario
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