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Akimiski Island
in James Bay,
24 May to 9 June
2006 |
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From 24 May to 9 June 2006, I volunteered as a member of an Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) study headed by research
scientist Ken Abraham. We surveyed Canada Goose nest production and
web tagged goslings, and monitored shorebirds on Akimiski Island
(Nunavut Territory) in James Bay. Also, Ken is heading a study of
Marbled Godwits on James Bay. Photo of Marbled Godwit on territory.
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Map by Andrew Jano |
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On 24 May, when we arrived at camp on
the northeast shore of Akimiski Island, the pack ice of James Bay
was close to shore. An electric fence around the camp kept out Polar
Bears, which come ashore when the sea ice breaks up usually in
mid-July, but some come ashore earlier. |
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As we worked with the Canada Geese, we
watched Marbled Godwits begin nesting nearby. Very little is known
about the James Bay breeding population of Marbled Godwits, which
probably totals only a few thousand individuals on the west coast of
James Bay in Ontario, on Akimiski Island, and on the south coast of James Bay
in Quebec. Photo: 5 June 2006. |
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Marbled Godwits breed in the grasses
along the coast. The above shows typical habitat of five or six
Marbled Godwit territories that I encountered every day while
surveying Canada Geese. Marbled Godwits have the same plumage colour
as the grass before it greens up, giving them camouflage protection
in the early stages of nesting when the grass is short. Their nests
are notoriously hard to find. Katie Walker of Trent University is
studying their breeding biology. Her findings will help the
conservation of Marbled Godwits. |
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Upon approaching a Marbled Godwit
territory, one of the pair tried distracting me by kawicking
kawicking repeatedly and loudly, leading me away either
to the right or left or backwards. Godwits often flew around me in a
circle kawicking loudly with one leg dangling. |
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Sometimes its voice broke as the
kawicking became more frantic. I never did find a nest, but I
hope Katie Walker is successful for her thesis. |
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Marbled Godwit in last year's grass on 1
June 2006. |
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We saw Hudsonian Godwits in small numbers
and migrating flocks of up to 50 birds. Some were displaying by doing
butterfly flights and calling. Steve Belfry (OMNR) videoed Hudsonian
Godwits copulating on 1 June. A few may breed on Akimiski Island. |
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This banded Semipalmated Plover on
territory is part of a long term study by Erica Nol and her students
from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Nigel Ward is
studying their breeding biology on Akimiski Island in 2006. |
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Northern Pintail nest contains nine
eggs. Northern Pintails, Mallards and American Black Ducks were the
most numerous ducks. Photo 25 May 2006. |
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