Exploratory Surveys of Migratory Birds Breeding in the Western and Central Canadian Arctic 2005–2011

The Canadian Arctic and subarctic are the primary breeding areas of many species of North American water and land birds. Because of the remote location and the logistical difficulties of working there, wildlife biologists have not systematically surveyed most important areas for wildlife, nor have they surveyed these areas very frequently. During the summers of 2005–2011, various Joint Ventures, and U.S., Canadian, and state wildlife agencies and other partners funded exploratory fixed-wing aircraft surveys of migratory birds (excluding passerines and shorebirds) in important habitats in Canada's western and central Arctic. Our objectives were to provide access to the complete survey dataset (all bird and mammal observations and associated location data) and summarize information on several species. Thus, we produced maps of average relative density and estimates of abundance in the survey area for cackling geese Branta hutchinsii, greater white-fronted geese Anser albifrons, tundra swans Cygnus columbianus, king eiders Somateria spectabilis, long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis, white-winged Melanitta fusca and surf Melanitta perspicillatas scoters, and yellow-billed Gavia adamsii, red-throated Gavia stellata, and Pacific Gavia pacifica loons. We reviewed previous survey efforts in the area and, where possible, compared them with our results.

Birds of Mansel Island, northern Hudson Bay

A recent review of bird distributions in Nunavut demonstrated that Mansel Island, in northeastern Hudson Bay, is one of the least known areas in the territory. Here, current information on the birds of Mansel Island is summarized. A list published in 1932 included 24 species. Subsequent visits by ornithologists since 1980 have added a further 17 species to the island’s avifauna. The list includes 17 species for which breeding has been confirmed and 10 for which breeding is considered probable. The island seems to support particularly large populations of King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis) and Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) and the most southerly breeding population of Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) and Red Knot (Calidiris canuta; probably).