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.
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.
Natural Habitat guide Kurt Johnson reported on a wonderful trip last week! Highlights included sparring bears, snowy owls, Arctic fox and two Arctic hares. “Our last day was lucky enough to watch a polar bear -a small older bear known locally as ‘skinny’- taken by helicopter to the north as well as a large male, tranquilized, from a helicopter and transported to the polar bear compound”, reported Kurt. Here are some of the photographs from the trip:
Polar bear sitting back in the willows. Kurt Johnson photo.
Polar bear cubs with mother by the coast of Hudson Bay. Kurt Johnson photo.
A polar bear is airlifted up north from Churchill, Manitoba. Kurt Johnson photo.
Polar bears sparring in the willows. Kurt Johnson photo.
Churchill has no shortage of polar bears at the moment. In fact, the 2014 season has started with a “bang”…literally. Conservation officers and the Polar Bear Alert squad have been busy patrolling the area. With 10-12 bears currently in the polar bear holding facility, formerly known as the polar bear jail, there’s a clear indication that this could be one of the most frenetic seasons in a long time.
Natural Habitat guide Karen Walker has been leading a group of quilters from the states around the Churchill area and they have had great fortune in sightings so far.
A lone polar bear skirts a pond in Churchill. Eric Rock photo.
“I’ve got a group of quilters on this trip. Luana Rubin is the organizer of the group. She came on Justin’s polar bear trip last year and this year she brought a group of quilters up with her. You can check out Luana’s website at eQuilter.com” reported Karen. The group has been connecting with local quilting groups and enthusiasts in both Winnipeg and Churchill.
After exploring Winnipeg for a day, the travelers enjoyed a mostly clear flight up to Churchill, allowing vivid views of the post-glacial – thermokarst ponds and rivers covering the land along the way. Crossing over Gillam to the south allowed a view of the hydro dam. After lunch at gypsy’s in Churchill the group experienced an orientation of the area through a visit to the Parcs Canada visitor center and a look at a polar bear den exhibit followed by some time at the revered Eskimo museum to take in the rich history of the region.
Polar bear in the willows in Churchill. Eric Rock photo.
Heading out to the tundra of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, along the Launch Road, travelers spotted their first polar bear. The male bear “was a little ways away, but it was still quite exciting for the group” according to Karen. After a quiet, relaxing evening on the tundra, enhanced by a wine and cheese offering, the group was afforded a nice view of an arctic hare on the drive back to the launch.
A planned trip out east the following day, took a turn a short way down the trail with the appearance of two bears near the Tundra Lodge, so the polar rover meandered over in that direction. A couple of other groups on rovers were in the area so one polar bear seemed a bit skittish with the crowd. As the first two rovers headed to the lodge, Karen’s rover settled in and remained near the pond and observed the adult female. Slowly becoming more comfortable, her curiosity peaked and she approached the rover. Pausing at around 30 feet of the back deck, she watched tentatively for a long while, grooming herself and then napping while the group took in the scene for over an hour. The rover then proceeded over by and just past the lodge and they settled in to watch a couple of “teenage” sub adult bears spar a bit. After exhausting their energy, they settled into the willows for a rest. “We were a little ways from them, but it was still amazing to see” Karen reported.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
On the other side of the lodge was an adult male that was napping in the open. This bear made stilted moves at rising but only lifted his head and then returned to resting. After a couple of travelers and Karen headed across Christmas Lake Esker and up to Halfway Point. Coveys of ptarmigan along the way, mostly already suited in their winter camouflage white, scurried ahead of the rover winding between willow stands.
“The weather and soft lighting was beautiful today. We had snow showers several times and some sunny breaks, and everything in between. It changed about every twenty minutes or so. Quite the majestic day on the tundra…tomorrow we’re back on the tundra. We’ll try to get out east this time” stated Karen, fulfilled from an amazing day.
Here’s a very informative video about polar bears for kids by Polar Bears International, a group dedicated to preserving and studying the mighty polar bear. Enjoy and get excited for polar bear season…just around the corner!
