by Steve Selden | Nov 13, 2014 | Conservation
Churchill, Manitoba is home to the king of the Arctic, polar bears, this time of year for many reasons though weather surely tops the list. You see, polar bears actually love the cold, snowy environment that slowly melds the surrounding tundra into the waters of the Hudson Bay forming a seemingly continuous icy landscape. When this happens, Ursus Maritimus walks out onto the bay and disappears into the white in search of sustenance for survival.
The two-month long period in between is intense and somewhat unpredictable thus the reason for so many travelers making the annual pilgrimage to Churchill, Manitoba.
Here are some recent photographs from Churchill submitted by Natural Habitat guides from their daily treks to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area…a polar bear waiting area for true winter in the north.
Polar bear dance…sparring. Brad Josephs photo.
A sun dog casting its’ rays on an inukshuk. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat travelers photographing a polar bear from their polar rover. Karen Walker photo.
A polar bear sow with its’ cub of the year. Sean Beckett photo.
Natural Habitat polar bear guide Moire Le Patourel with polar bear tracks. Eric Rock photo.
Come see the land of the polar bear with Natural Habitat Adventures! Visit nathab.com today.
by Steve Selden | Nov 11, 2014 | Tour News
A Natural Habitat group led by guide Karen Walker experienced some diverse weather as they journeyed to Churchill, Manitoba this week. Despite the blizzard-like conditions, the group of travelers braved the wind and cold in order to do some exploring on land. “We had a storm on our Town and Area tour day, but the group trekked out to Cape Merry, across the snow-covered rocks to the Battery,” reported Karen. Many guests also got out for several photos throughout the day.
Polar bear aside the Polar rover in Churchill, MB. Karen Walker photo.
Following an exciting week of wildlife viewing and northern cultural encounters, the group experienced a beautiful afternoon on the tundra on their last day in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. The sun came out and highlighted the snow and frozen thermokarsts across the tundra. Calmer weather prevailed toward week’s end and Arctic animals were out and about all day. “We spotted an arctic hare running through the willows and a red fox on both of our drives to and from town. Several polar bears were napping and digging in the kelp, and we also had a couple bears visit our rover,” stated Karen. “On our departure day, another blizzard hit ushering in tremendous winds and blowing snow, but we made it safely out of Churchill with only a half hour delay.”
Polar bear investigating the polar rover. Karen Walker photo.
The group kept high spirits up throughout the trip while experiencing some wicked Arctic weather. Experiencing the harsh environment accentuates how animals in this region need to be opportunistic in their daily lives…every decision makes a difference.
View of the Port of Churchill grain storage building. Karen Walker photo.
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by Steve Selden | Nov 5, 2014 | Tour News
Another great week of wildlife, and particularly, polar bear viewing in Churchill, MB with Natural Habitat and guide Colby Brokvist.
Slightly warmer air temperatures made for a bit more action out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. A sow and two coy were entertaining the group of travelers for hours and then amazingly the cubs even sparred with each other for a short time. A full day with the family provided thrills for the folks on the polar rover.
Polar bears in sparring mode. Colby Brokvist photo.
The following day Colby and group started off watching conservation officers tranquilize a large, skinny male bear out near the old dump close to what used to be the incineration plant. The groggy bear took two minutes to fall, and was then loaded on the truck and brought to the polar bear compound. Pretty thrilling to witness that live.
Polar bear in the CWMA. Colby Brokvist photo.
Out on the tundra of the CWMA, the travelers encountered Arctic fox, snowy owl, and some big male bears sparring at the lodge. “One large adult male came right up on our rover and I was excited to recognize his facial scar pattern as one who had been out at the Tundra lodge with me for several weeks a few seasons ago” reported Colby. ” I haven’t seen him since, so it was a memorable moment for me.” Another great day out on the land.
Two coy frolick in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
The group topped off the trip with a polar bear lift just before flying home. Natural Habitat sponsored the flight in support of the conservation and management program here in Churchill.
by Steve Selden | Oct 24, 2014 | Tour News
With reports coming in rapidly from Natural Habitat Guides in the Churchill area, wildlife sightings are diverse and plentiful all across the tundra.
Guide Rinie Van Meurs sends his first Tundra Lodge report with inspired enthusiasm from what he says is the best trip ever for this time of the year polar bear-wise in nine years of working out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area.
Mother and cub polar bear in the CWMA. Brad Josephs photo.
With a overall count of at least 16 different individual bears, including two different families with two cubs of the year (coys), there was all kinds of varied behavior. Some interesting interaction between sows and other male bears was a thrill to the group as mom made all efforts to avoid the young males with her cubs….sheltering them from potential harm.
Mother polar bear and cubs heading for the high ground. Brad Josephs photo.
Every day there were a few polar bears around the lodge, with times up to four animals at the same time. And as previously reported by Colby some of them sparring in the evening under the stars and lights off the lodge. “There seemed to be a group of buddies which liked hanging out together, hopefully they stay in the area” reported Rinie.
Two polar bears spar in front of a pond, Brad Josephs photo,
On their first polar rover trip away from the lodge out toward Gordon Point, sparring polar bear juveniles grappled right next to the Rover. Luckily another Natural Habitat group in their rover was in the area as well and quickly maneuvered close to the action. Otherwise, several single bears between the Tundra Lodge and first tower were observed as they meandered across the tundra in stoic fashion.
Bonnie Chartier’s Bird Tracker:
18 Oct, Snow Buntings-10
19 Oct Brant Geese 6, pretty big deal for the province, Black Scoter 6, Gyrfalcon- Gray Phase 1, Ptarmigan mixed flocks- many, Snow Buntings 20+.
21 Oct Long-tailed Duck, Snowy Owl 2 ( didn’t see the snow owl)
22 Oct Churchill- Glaucous Gill 1, Common EiIder 8, Snow Buntings 20+, Common Ravens daily, 6+.
Snowy owl perched on tundra near the coast. Brad Josephs photo.
On another rover expedition from the lodge, two regal Golden Eagles flew close to the rover, as well as a fairly rare bald eagle. A snowy owl perched along the coastal plain near the willows and many other bird species. “Every day we saw Arctic Fox and as this was not enough we had an Arctic White Wolf !!!!! This was my first wolf ever!” stated an elated Rinie.
Come see bears, owls, Arctic fox, and wolves in Churchill with Natural Habitat Adventures.
by Steve Selden | Oct 22, 2014 | Churchill Photography
Natural Habitat outdoor Adventure guide Colby Brokvist calls NatHab’s Town and Tundra Adventure tour the “Ultimate Trip”! Encompassing both ends of the region’s diverse spectrum, travelers to Churchill see it all. Wildlife and culture…sometimes the two even blend together in the frontier town on the Hudson Bay.
Polar bear resting on a rock in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
“We had a great time being immersed in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, which is the best part of the lodge trips. And, we had plenty of time in town to learn about the area’s culture and history” states Colby. Out at the Tundra Lodge the late day action was heated. “This week, the best sparring took place in the evenings once the town groups had gone in, a real treat for us.” reported Colby. The group finally had to sit for a late dinner after watching the bears for about 45 minutes. The polar bears continued to put on a tremendous show while the group took it all in through the windows while enjoying a gourmet meal and a glass of wine.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
The group also had some stellar bird sightings including four Snowy Owls and two Gyrfalcons- one of each color phase. “The white-phase Gyrfalcon did a close fly-by of our rover deck and it was easy to see why this is North America’s largest true falcon!”, wrote colby. Several sightings of arctic hare filled out the Arctic wildlife checklist.
Red fox in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
In town, their luck continued with Arctic foxes out at Cape Merry, along with another Arctic hare and red fox. “One of my favorite parts of the early-season trips is getting on the ground out at the cape and exploring. Devoid of the snow and ice of late-season trips, we were able to find and sample dry-ground cranberries and crowberries”, stated Colby. The group learned about the importance of the colorful moss and lichen micro-communities and picked the cotton-like seeds from shrub willows, used by local Inuit as oil lamp wicks.
Lichen on a rock lying in the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Another highlight was finding a recently killed Canada Goose, perhaps a red fox kill. Among the remains was a leg-band that indicated this bird was part of a research study. The group turned in the band to Parks Canada so that they could add the find into the research database. “We’re hoping to hear more from them about the life and times of that goose”, reported Colby.
Topping off the trip was a visit to the Polar Bear Compound, where 10 polar bears are currently incarcerated, to view a bear lift of a small adolescent bear. Another lift just yesterday transported a sow and two cubs about 40 kilometers north. Check out this video of yesterday’s airlift!
Shipping news: At the port, the 14th ship of the season left a few days ago and two more are expected before the pack ice begins to clog up the routes in the Hudson Bay for the winter.
