32 OFO Bird Finding Guide #6 A Birder's Guide to Southern James Bay, Including Moosonee and Moose Factory Stephen 1. Scholten Introduction in the region. This guide is intended to introduce Birding this area most effec­ experienced birders and naturalists, tively requires coverage of the as well as casual visitors, to the bird­ range of habitats found near the vil­ ing opportunities available in the lages, as well as on the coast. southern James Bay area. It pro­ Walking the townsites of Moosonee vides directions to, and descriptions and Moose Factory will yield birds of, different locations and habitats of disturbed habitats, willow thick­ that may be of interest to birders ets' shorelines, upland spruce and and naturalists. It also describes poplar woods, and freshwater some of the trail systems which, marshes. A trip to the coast, either though not intended for birding, for a day to Shipsands Island or offer easily accessible walks White Top, or for several days of through a variety of habitats in the camping at a more distant site, will area. The main attractions of the offer more extensive freshwater Moosonee area to birders are the marshes, as well as brackish and salt wide diversity of habitats, many of marshes, the open waters and van­ which are uncommon or non-exis­ tage points of James Bay, and tent in other parts of the province, potentially large numbers of and the relatively easy access con­ migrants associated with these sidering the northern location. habitats. If your visit coincides with Habitat types include boreal forest spring or fall migration, you can on coastal beach ridges and well­ expect large numbers of sparrows, drained river banks, bogs and fens warblers and finches in the dis­ in the lowland interior, coastal habi­ turbed habitats, thickets and wood­ tats such as freshwater and salt lands, and large numbers of shore­ marsh, mud flats, and ponds. Finally, birds, gulls and waterfowl on the the townsites' riverbank locations river and along the coast. During offer good views of the tidal waters the summer months, numbers will of the Moose River, and the open be lower, but specialties such as terrain and human development Nelson's Sharp-tailed and Le attract birds otherwise uncommon Conte's Sparrows, Three-toed ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1999 33 Woodpecker and Connecticut is by train from Cochrane, a 298 km Warbler can be found in appropri­ (186 mile) journey. From the last ate habitats. Vagrant passerines are weekend in June until the Labour possible, especially around the Day weekend, a daily (except townsites, and rare seabirds are Sunday) excursion train, the Polar possible on the coast. This guide Bear Express, makes the round trip outlines the best and most easily from Cochrane. A mixed passenger­ accessible birding sites of the south­ freight train (the Little Bear), which ern James Bay region of Ontario, will carry checked baggage and and provides a brief outline of some canoes, travels north on Monday, of the birds that may be expected in Wednesday and Friday, and south these places, as well as some of the on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, rarities that have occurred in the all year. Information on train sched­ past. ules is available from Ontario This guide is a companion to Northland Rail Services (1-800-461­ the Field Checklist of Birds for the 8558). Moosonee is also accessible Southern James Bay Region (Moose by scheduled air service. Air River Naturalists 1992). This check­ Creebec (1-800-567-6567) and list shows 292 species that have Commercial Aviation (705-336­ been recorded in the region, along 2520) have flights from Timmins, with notations for rare species and Cochrane, and other locations. breeding status. The checklist is Access to the coast can be available at the Ontario Ministry of made by canoe, boat, helicopter Natural Resources (OMNR) office (when available), and fixed-wing and other locations in Moosonee aircraft (North Pointoniy). Local for a fee of $1.00. air carriers are Huisson Aviation (705-336-2725), HeliCree (705-658­ GENERAL INFORMATION 5185), and Bushland Airways (705­ Area Covered 336-2966). Travel by canoe or boat The Field Checklist ofBirds for the is cheapest, but beyond the mouth Southern James Bay Region defines of the Moose River, travel should the boundary as the Ontario­ be attempted only with a guide Quebec border on the east, the 51st familiar with the area. Shallow parallel (mile 159 on the railway) water, tides and unpredictable on the south, the 81st meridian to weather can make conditions haz­ Cockispenny Point on the west, and ardous. Helicopter travel is expen­ the near-shore waters of James Bay sive, but several good birding loca­ on the north and east (Figure 1). tions are located relatively close to Moosonee. The interior of the Access Hudson Bay Lowland is best No roads lead to Moosonee. Access accessed by canoe. Several large VOLUME 17 NUMBER 1 34 N 1 JAMES BAY Figure 1: Southern James Bay Region. rivers converge in the Moose River season (September), it is wise to (including the Missinaibi, Matta­ reserve rooms in Cochrane and gami, Abitibi, North French, and Moosonee. In other seasons, there Kwetaboahigan Rivers), and all are shouldn't be any problem getting a suitable for canoe trips. room. Polar Bear Lodge (705-336­ 2345) and Moosonee Lodge (tourist Accommodation season only, 705-336-2351) are During the tourist season (end of located on the waterfront. The June to Labour Day), and probably Osprey Inn in Moosonee (705-336­ also during the peak of the hunting 2226) and Trappers Lodge in Moose ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1999 35 Factory (705-658-4440) also have Moose River at Moosonee usually hotel-style accommodation. There breaks up between the third week are several Bed & Breakfast estab­ of April and the second week of lishments, as well. Tidewater Park is May. Freeze-up occurs in late in operation for tent camping dur­ November. The average July highs ing the tourist season (water supply, and lows are 23°C and 11°C, respec­ garbage collection). You may camp tively. The temperature difference there in the off-season as well, but between town and the coast can be you will have to bring your own 10-15°C, so it is wise to be prepared water from Moosonee and take for cold, even if it is warm in town. garbage with you when you leave. In the winter, the bay freezes over The campground is on an island and the climate is more continental. between Moosonee and Moose The average January highs and lows Factory, offering easy access to both are -15°C and -25°C, respectively, communities by canoe or water with lows in the -30°C range com­ taxi. The park provides overviews mon. Often, it is windy, especially of the river from several locations on the coast, where it is flat and and good birding in the poplar­ treeless, and because of the temper­ spruce forest. Another good camp­ ature differential between the cold ing location is the Baptist camp just water of James Bay and inland south of the old check station site areas. on the north bank of the Moose River, just before Wavy Creek and Hazards Shipsands Island. This site is always James Bay and the lower Moose accessible, regardless of the tides. It River experience tides that average is also possible to camp at White about 2 m (6 ft) in height. One Top (adjacent to Shipsands Island), must be aware of potential tide but it is sometimes difficult to height when anchoring boats, access due to the tides. White Top is choosing campsites, and travelling. a popular campsite for hunters in In particular, the fall is known for the fall, but birders also have extremely high tides that can drown camped there during the hunting sites that are usually dry. Onshore season. This site provides excep­ winds and storms, again especially tional birding, as well (A. in the fall, can disrupt travel plans. Wormington, pers. comm.). Allow for extra days in case of weather-caused delays. It is best to Weather hire a boat driver in town who is Weather in the Lowland can be familiar with the area. unpredictable. In the open water Walking trails are not main­ season, it is strongly influenced by tained. Use them at your own risk. the cold waters of James Bay. The No matter what your mode of trav- VOLUME 17 NUMBER 1 36 Figure 2: Yellow Rail. Drawing by Ross D. James. el might be, let someone know where you are going and when you Reporting Observations expect to return. Be sure to carry The OMNR office in Moosonee adequate supplies of food and maintains databases of bird, mam­ water. From June to October, biting mal, amphibian, reptile, and plant insects can be bad at any time. On observations. We encourage visiting the coast, salt marsh mosquitoes naturalists to submit lists of their can be particularly bothersome in observations to the office. Infor­ late summer. Appropriate clothing mation required includes species, and repellent are essential. date, location (as specific as possi- ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1999 37 ble), breeding evidence, number most of the open water season, with and sex, observer(s) name(s), and peaks for migration occurring in any other comments. Of particular late May and July-September. The interest are species highlighted as spring shorebird migration is brief, being rare on the checklist, breed­ with most species passing through ing evidence, and arrival, departure by early June. The fall migration is and peak migration dates. more extended. Failed breeders Observations can be dropped off in begin to show up in late June, and person at the OMNR office, or other adults appear shortly after­ mailed to: Area Supervisor, Ontario wards.