Latest Reports

© Garrett Fache

Our first groups arrived in Churchill today and began exploring the tundra! Halfway Point was the place to be for polar bears. Up to 10 bears were reported in the area, including two mothers, each with two cubs. They were busy feeding and approaching one another, posturing to establish space and push each other away. Two belugas were spotted near town, and a beluga carcass visible from Halfway Point Ridge may have contributed to today’s concentration of bears and feeding. In addition to bears, a red fox has been hanging around the Tundra Lodge, and we also spotted northern harrier, black scoter and herring gulls winging through the skies. Out on the trails, the guests on a Polar Rover observed a flock of horned larks.

Today’s weather was cold (around 36°F) and cloudy with intermittent rain. Conditions still felt very early-season on the tundra, with some tamaracks still holding onto their fall color. By evening, clouds cleared enough for a beautiful sunset, with golden light spreading across the tundra beneath cotton candy-colored skies.

The interactions among the mothers, cubs and other bears were the highlight of the day, providing unusually dynamic viewing for this early in the season. With so many bears gathered at Halfway Point and spectacular sunset light closing out the evening, it was an exceptional day on the tundra and a fantastic start to polar bear season!