Shorebirds and Species at Risk (Nature Canada & Bird Canada)

Expedition 2020

An expedition was planned to survey the coast of Eastern James Bay from the south limit of Eastmain territory to the north limit of Wemindji territory over the course of 26 days in August of 2020. However, due to the tight restrictions and the need for southern researchers’ to be present while conducting the surveys, this expedition had to be postponed in order to maintain the health and safety of our communities from the COVID pandemic. Having the participation of the Tallymen, and building interest of local community members to engage in the surveys, was an essential element for community engagement, acceptance, and in terms of essential local knowledge about nature, accessibility and navigation of the areas.

Motus Towers: Tracking Migration of the Red Knot Rufus

In 2012, Nature Canada and the Cree Nation Government initiated work with the Cree Nation of Waskaganish to consider if parts of, or all of Rupert Bay qualified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), through community engagement and targeted field surveys of birds. The CTA, EMRWB and Faun Nord have since become involved in the project.

Charlton Island, the Stratton Islands and Boatswain Bay, have been confirmed stopover habitats for the Endangered Rufa Red Knot and many other shorebirds species, in particular a new breeding species for southern James Bay, the Horned Grebe, a Federal Species at Risk.

Since 2017, MOTUS Wildlife Tracking Stations at different locations around Rupert Bay and on Charlton Island in Waskaganish and the MTL Motus in Wemindji have been collecting data of the migration activity of the Rufus Red Knot. The towers successfully collected data for 2020 from the months of July to October and the data can be viewed in the link below.

Please check out Motus Tower Activity at: https://motus.org/get-involved/