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Hudsonian Godwits in Canada breed in two disjunct populations: in the western Low Arctic and along the Hudson and James Bay coasts. A third population breeding in western Alaska occurs in central Canada on southward migration. During migration an unknown fraction of the population stops at locations in Canada and the United States. Counts during migration monitoring surveys suggest a large decrease in the population relative to about 1970, but the reliability of these results are low. With over 90% of the global breeding population, Canada's responsibility is very high. The species is a candidate wildlife species for assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The Hudsonian Godwit has a small population size, with large proportions of the population aggregating at a small number of key staging and wintering sites, making the species highly vulnerable to even small-scale disturbances (Walker et al. 2011). Overabundant geese have significantly degraded tundra wetlands along the Hudson and James Bay coasts, including key breeding and staging areas for the eastern segment of the population (Senner 2010). Proposed gas pipeline infrastructure in its northern breeding grounds and loss of wetland sites in migratory stopovers on the Great Plains may also be a concern (Walker et al. 2011). Pollution and habitat degradation also threaten godwits in key wintering areas.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.