Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) is located south of James Bay, Ontario. It offers many birds a place to rest and feed.

Importance of the sanctuary: migratory birds and other wildlife

The Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary is composed of two distinct units: Ship Sands Island and a portion of mainland, separated by the mouth of Moose River, on the southwestern side of James Bay. The MBS lands are within the homelands of the Moose Cree First Nations. However, the Province of Ontario owns and manages the lands covered by this sanctuary and the Territory of Nunavut manages the areas below the high-water mark.

The Moose River estuary is located along the southwestern coast of James Bay and is within a designated Important Bird Area (IBA). In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the area was significant for an impressive number of staging snow geese during fall migration. There has although been a shift in the migration routes used by lesser snow geese, who now migrate along the western and eastern shores of Hudson Bay. Evidence of vegetation shift on the Ship Sand Island might also have affected the use of the area made by waterbirds and waterfowl.

The southern end of James Bay is although still a very important habitat for ducks, shorebirds, and Sandhill Crane.

Canada geese use the sanctuary as well, they feed mostly along the tide line. Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary provides a large, undisturbed feeding and resting area. Sometimes, Atlantic brant are seen in this area in the spring as they may stop on the open waters between Arnold Point and Ship Sands Island as well as at the mouth of the Partridge River.

Resting and feeding shorebird species include:

• semipalmated sandpipers
• dunlin
• lesser yellowlegs
• Wilson’s snipe
• black-bellied plover
• greater yellowlegs

In addition, large numbers of waterbirds utilize this site such as:

• American black duck
• green-winged teal
• lesser scaup

During spring, dabbling ducks (ducks that feed near the surface of the water) including northern pintail, mallard, green-winged teal and American black duck often gather in the sanctuary’s open tidal marshes, though they do not nest here in large numbers. This sanctuary is not known to support very substantial numbers of ducks, but they do use the entire area along the coast of James Bay as moulting grounds and, during fall migration, these species make appearances in the sanctuary’s coastal marshes and creeks. Additionally, scoters, long-tailed ducks and Atlantic brant are a common sight shortly after spring break-up migrating, flying down the Moose River at Moosonee towards James Bay. Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary also provides habitat for migrating shorebirds such as yellowlegs and plovers, which can be spotted on the tidal mud flats from mid-July until October. The sanctuary offers large undisturbed tidal flats and coastal marshes, which is a critical resting and feeding area for shorebirds.

Landscape

The coastal boundaries of both the Ship Sands Island and the mainland unit of the sanctuary extend 61 metres offshore from the normal high-tide mark. Numerous tidal creeks divide the downstream end (northeast) of the Ship Sands Island portion of the sanctuary and only a small amount of what used to be the extensive tidal mud flats adjoining the island are included within it. Examination of past aerial photography indicates that the tidal mud flat is no longer inundated by salt water during fall storm tides. What used to be a large flooded sedge marsh vegetated by grass-like species (carex sp.) with numerous pools of marsh arrowgrass scattered is dominated by relatively tall willow and alder. Along much of the shoreline, bulrush, cattail and flowers in the compositae family (such as asters or daisies) can be found. The upstream half of the island (southwest) is covered in forests of varying density. The main species currently found in this area are black spruce, white spruce, tamarack and balsam poplar.

The mainland portion of the Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary extends from the eastern side of Arnold Point (Long Point) to Partridge Creek and is composed almost entirely of flooded sedge marsh with tidal mud flats forming the northern boundary. For the most part, this sedge marsh gradually transitions into willow thicket to the south. In some areas however, a clear distinction between willow and sedge zones is apparent; while in others, fingers of willow growth extend into the sedges and clumps of low willow can be found isolated in the marsh.

Fens can also be found throughout the forested areas in this sanctuary. Numerous tidal creeks run through the sanctuary as do a number of freshwater creeks that flow into James Bay.

Map of the area

Access to the sanctuary

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, such as Moose River, are established across the country to protect migratory birds during critical periods of their life cycle. Whether these areas are used for feeding, resting or nesting, they play an important role in the survival of many species. Access to each migratory bird sanctuary varies by site and is at the discretion of the landowner and land manager. Please ensure that you are aware of how you can help protect this sanctuary and please read the restrictions, including those on firearms and hunting, which are in place to conserve the wildlife that call it home.

Please note that, according to the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations (Permits section 11 c), “any waterfowl hunter may transport unloaded firearms and other hunting appliances through the Wavy Creek section of the Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary adjacent to Shipsands Island”. This allows the public to travel through the Wavy Creek section of the sanctuary as the local community uses Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary to access James Bay.

If you would like further information on what is permitted in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, please visit the Management and Activities section of the website. For more information on Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary in particular, please contact our regional office.

Key facts about Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Related links

Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information that can help locate the migratory bird sanctuary and does not represent the official map or site name.)

Contact information

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Ontario Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto ON M3H 5T4

Toll-Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca