Latest Reports

© Earthwatch Expeditions

Cool rain settled over the tundra, lending the day a quiet, fall-like feel. With temperatures hovering around 43°F and little wind, polar bear activity was subdued for long stretches. Many bears were sleeping or moving in the distance. Near Gordon Point, a mother polar bear and her two playful cubs brought a burst of energy to the afternoon. While their weary mother rested, the cubs explored nearby, providing one of the day’s best land-based bear sightings. Near the inland trail, another mother and yearling woke from a nap and made their way toward the Hudson Bay shore, where they spent nearly an hour feeding on kelp. Along the coast, three bears rested close together on the rocks, and another was visible from the Tundra Lodge. Approximately 10 bears were reported from the ground throughout the day. Several large bears slept near Ptarmigan Alley, while a helicopter excursion revealed more bear activity, with 15 polar bears spotted from the air along with two moose.

One of the liveliest encounters was a red fox hunting close to a Polar Rover, repeatedly springing into the air and plunging into tundra vegetation before finally emerging with prey. Three or four distant caribou rested near the tent rings, and seven Arctic hares, two lemmings and a swimming muskrat were also spotted. Flocks of snow geese moved overhead, while willow ptarmigan in transitional plumage dotted the tundra. Other bird sightings included northern harrier, bald eagle, horned lark, common redpoll, northern pintail, green-winged teal and seven swans. The day’s standout bird sighting was a peregrine falcon, which settled into a white spruce near the Lodge and perched long enough for guests to photograph it at leisure.

By evening, the rain finally began to subside. Clearing skies brought a beautiful close to a day that rewarded patience: playful polar bear cubs, a bear family feeding along Hudson Bay, a hunting fox and a peregrine falcon perched near the Lodge—reminders that even the tundra’s quieter days can offer remarkable moments.

© Jessica Guthrie

A spectacular sunrise sent crepuscular rays and striking sundogs across the tundra this morning, silhouetting five caribou along the horizon near the inland trail. The day began crisp and still, with excellent visibility and temperatures hovering near zero. Low clouds formed mountain-like shapes above the tundra.

More than 20 polar bear sightings were reported throughout the day, though some were likely repeat sightings of the same individuals. Bears were spotted from the launch and Misery Mile to Ptarmigan Alley, Gordon Point and the tidal flats. One curious subadult male approached a Polar Rover, stood on his hind legs and placed a paw on the vehicle for a closer look. Another splashed through water surrounding a Rover before wandering off, leaving muddy paw prints across the front and back.

After lunch, a mother and yearling emerged from the willows and nursed in the open, while another mother with two cubs was observed feeding across from the Tundra Lodge. Predators were on the move, too. A red fox chased an Arctic hare, while a male northern harrier pursued a flock of roughly 40 willow ptarmigan. Two female harriers were also spotted, and an impressive lineup of raptors included a gyrfalcon, northern goshawk, rough-legged hawk and bald eagles. At least five Arctic hares were seen around Gordon Point and Ptarmigan Alley, and flocks of geese, ducks and shorebirds soared above us. It was a quintessential October day in Churchill.