The bald eagles would soar high above the thermals, looking for their next meal. Photo courtesy of guest Mishko Hansen.
by Bella Waterton, Churchill Wild Wilderness Guide
What a finish to our last Birds, Bears and Belugas safari of the season! We had numerous polar bear encounters including a Mom and cub nursing on the flats, amazing snorkelling sessions with curious beluga whales, and numerous birds fleeting all around us.
Yellow warbler at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Photo courtesy of guest Mishko Hansen.
The yellow warblers love the willow bushes outside the lodge, where they nest and feed their young, and we watched them from the comfort of the lodge. White crowned sparrows were also all around, flitting here and there.
White-crowned sparrow at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Photo courtesy of guest Mishko Hansen.
It was a treat to see the Hudsonian godwits, which spend their breeding season here in the Arctic, and then make their way down to South America during our winters. These shorebirds were found throughout the tidal flats foraging for small aquatic invertebrates. They are also very popular at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, which just began its polar bear viewing season!
Hudsonian godwits on Hudson Bay near Seal River Heritage Lodge. Photo courtesy of guest Mishko Hansen.
The bald eagles have been a beautiful sight, soaring high above in the thermals. We’d often see them during low tide out on the rocks, scouting for their next meal. While they typically feed on fish or small mammals such as rabbits and lemmings, the eagles were also scavenging both Canada geese and Snow geese along the Hudson Bay coast.
The 25th successful season of Birds, Bears and Belugas has now come to a close at Seal River Heritage Lodge, but we’re already looking forward to next year. As is the growing boy below!
Bear. Tundra. Beach. Bay. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Photo courtesy of guest Ann Wiley.
