Latest Reports

© Edward Savage

Fall weather in Churchill was dramatic today, shifting from brilliant sunshine to dark clouds sweeping across the tundra. Sun showers gave way to a full rainbow, with golden fall foliage glowing beneath the shifting clouds—a backdrop to some memorable wildlife sightings.

One of the day’s highlights began when a mother polar bear and her two cubs traveled along the shoreline and encountered a lone bear. The mother promptly turned her family around and headed west, with the curious bear following behind. After disappearing over the road, the trio reappeared along the coast about ten minutes later. The family eventually settled down at Gordon Point, where the cubs entertained themselves with a log. In another remarkable encounter near Gordon Point Pond, a mother and two cubs woke a sleeping adult bear, which followed them on a leisurely walk toward the point and eventually passed close to the Polar Rover. Elsewhere, guests used spotting scopes to watch bears sparring in the distance.

The day’s smaller wildlife offered plenty of surprises, too. Arctic hares were abundant around Gordon Point and Cape Merry, including one feeding on snails along the tidal flats. Snow buntings flitted across the tundra, ptarmigan showed off their changing seasonal plumage, and guests also saw bald eagles, northern harriers and a peregrine falcon.

For one arriving group, the rainy afternoon brought an unexpected reward. After weather disrupted their plans for a walk through town, they headed toward Hidden Beach, where they spotted four to six beluga whales offshore. It was a wonderful surprise so late in the season.

© 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.