2024 Polar Bear Reports

As the season comes to an end, it’s clear the bears of Western Hudson Bay still have some time on land before sufficient ice forms for their migration. However, with the weather forecast predicting a shift to seasonal norms in the coming days, there’s hope on the horizon for both ice formation and the bears of Churchill.

The last Polar Rover excursion of the season offered an unforgettable finale. Within the first hour, guests spotted three family groups near the Tundra Lodge. By day’s end, two more families had been seen, bringing the total to five—a remarkable way to close the season. From cuddling bears near the Polar Rovers to an appearance by an Arctic fox, today delivered a delightful mix of wildlife experiences.

As the sun sets on polar bear season 2024, we bid farewell to another extraordinary year on the tundra. Here’s to the bears and the memories they’ve gifted us—until next season!

As the season draws to a close, temperatures remain above seasonal norms, with minimal ice accumulating along the coast. Today was mild and cloudy, marked by mist and freezing fog that cast an eerie ambiance over the Polar Rovers exploring the tundra.

Guests began the day’s Polar Rover excursion from the Tundra Lodge, though their departure was delayed by an unforgettable encounter. A mother bear and her cub of the year (COY) approached the Tundra Lodge, exploring its perimeter before settling down for a brief nap directly in front of the Polar Rover. Their rest was interrupted by the arrival of another family group—a mother with two large yearling cubs. The second mother advanced toward the smaller bear and her COY, with the yearlings displaying aggressive, predatory behavior. The mother and COY retreated into the willows and disappeared from view.

The estimated count of polar bears in the CWMA today was approximately 25 individuals. While many bears were observed resting, others displayed high levels of curiosity, investigating their surroundings in search of opportunities. The two Polar Rovers out today reported multiple close encounters, including bears beneath the vehicles and the back observation deck, providing guests with remarkable views throughout the day.

No other notable wildlife was observed, aside from a gyrfalcon spotted flying close to the Polar Rovers.

It was a warm, mostly cloudy day on the tundra, with light winds in the morning and gusty southwest winds in the afternoon. As polar bear season nears its conclusion for 2024, the bears remain highly active, and ice continues to be suppressed by the warm temperatures and south winds.

Few Polar Rovers ventured into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area today, but the bears delivered an unforgettable experience. Multiple Polar Rovers reported seeing as many as 12 bears from a single vantage point. The bears were engaging in a variety of behaviors, from walking and sleeping to cuddling and sparring. One young male bear was particularly curious, watching two larger males spar with great interest. Another bear stood on an ice floe before swimming toward the coast and wading along the shoreline.

In addition to the bears, two foxes—a cross fox and a silver fox—were spotted, along with a large flock of delightful ptarmigan.

Another warm day unfolded on the tundra, with ESE winds continuing to bring in warmer air and delaying ice formation. Low cloud cover persisted throughout the day, accompanied by occasional light snow. While very little new ice is forming, what does exist continues to be pushed westward.

The day proved to be outstanding, with numerous bears and other wildlife making appearances. The morning saw the most activity, highlighted by three large males sparring right beside a Polar Rover. Afterward, the bears approached the machine, curiously inspecting it. A mother with a cub of the year (COY) was also spotted in the area but quickly moved away upon catching the scent of the males nearby.

Three additional family groups were observed today. One group, consisting of a mother and two COYs, was resting near the Tundra Lodge in the morning. Later, they wandered toward the Lodge for a closer visit. Further east, a mother with two yearlings was spotted resting calmly despite the presence of many other bears in the area. The impressively large yearlings were nearly indistinguishable from adult females until they stopped to nurse. Another notable sighting involved a mother and her COY walking along the coastline while being cautiously stalked by a large adult male. Despite the looming threat, the pair moved steadily onward, with the playful cub occasionally distracted by the wing of a snow goose.

The afternoon’s warmth brought a lull in activity, with more bears choosing to rest. However, there were some exciting fox sightings. A silver fox (a color morph of the red fox) and an Arctic fox were both seen, with the latter curled up and sleeping on a rock. Ptarmigans were the only birds noted today, appearing in large numbers and adding to the serene tundra scene.

It was another very mild day in Churchill, with an east wind continuing to push the developing ice toward the western side of Hudson Bay.

The action on the tundra was described as “amazing” by those in attendance. Bears were actively visiting the Polar Rovers, inspecting the machines and sniffing shoes through the back deck grating. As always, many bears opted to join the “snooze crew,” patiently waiting for the ice to become strong enough to support their weight.

Several exceptionally exciting events took place today. First, there was a fantastic sighting of a wolverine spotted by many visitors in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). While wolverines have been occasionally sighted elsewhere this fall, this was the first sighting of the year within the CWMA and a true highlight for many. Adding to the excitement was a rare appearance by an Arctic fox. These elusive mammals have been scarce this year as their population recovers from previous stressors. This individual was also seen close to the coastline in the CWMA.

Multiple bear family groups were observed again, including two mothers, each with two cubs of the year (COY) and a mother with one yearling. One of the mothers with two COY chose to take shelter behind a Polar Rover, using it as a barrier from the surrounding area and curling up for a nap in a cozy pile.

There was plenty of activity among the single bears as they moved around and displaced one another. One group witnessed four large males sparring, rotating partners as others rested. The day ended with a large flock of ptarmigans feeding on the snowpack, creating a picturesque and memorable conclusion to an already lovely day.

Today marks one week until the conclusion of the last polar bear trip of 2024, and the tundra continues to deliver incredible sights! Ice development remains minimal, as temperatures have risen above seasonal norms, and winds from the east and southeast have prevented ice from accumulating along the coast.

Groups on the tundra reported encountering an estimated 15–20 bears each, depending on the route they followed. As seen on previous days, many bears were resting and conserving energy for the return of the ice, while others displayed much more active behavior. One group of bears engaged in sparring for a while before returning to resting and waiting. Some bears were observed roaming both on land and on ice where conditions permitted.

Three family groups were spotted, all consisting of mothers with cubs. Two of the cubs were COYs and one was a yearling. One family approached several Polar Rovers, coming beneath the observation deck and sniffing the boots of onlookers. This mother and cub later ventured onto the ice, where another mother and cub followed their path and investigated.

Bird sightings were limited today, with only a handful of the ever-charming ptarmigans making an appearance.

Today’s weather was quite cloudy, with persistent, cold wind out of the northwest. Some landfast ice remains along the coastline, with the bulk of the newly formed ice sitting in a narrow raft offshore.

As is generally the case, the first folks of the day to see a bear were those staying at the Tundra Lodge, with sleeping bears spotted in the willows within two minutes of leaving the Lodge. These males lingered in the area, continuing to snooze into the afternoon before wandering off.

Other groups saw many bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, including a curious bear who visited all the Polar Rovers driving down the tundra trail in the early morning. Travelers were lucky to enounter three family sets, including a mother with a COY who visited a couple of groups as they reached the eastern half of the CWMA. Another mother with two older cubs was spotted walking toward the CWMA from the east before encountering a sleeping male bear. When they saw him, the family turned and ran back the way they came.

As in previous days, a number of sleeping and resting bears were encountered along the eastern coastline of Hudson Bay as they lay in wait for thicker, closer ice. Some sparring behavior was noted in the east, as well as some attempted sparring. After a morning of sleeping, two bears woke up and tried to wake up a larger male bear by nibbling on his ear. They were unsuccessful and eventually gave up, settling back down to sleep again.

Ptarmigan was once again a delight to those who were able to spot their white plumage against the snowy background. Two red foxes were seen as well, much more easily.

A south wind blew in warmer air temperatures, although the wind still made for a chilly day for those on the tundra viewing wildlife! Ice formation continues progressing as winds and currents affect the new ice growth, thinning out the current pack as it blows northward.

Folks on the tundra once again saw a variety of bear activity and groupings as the animals waited for the ice formation to progress further. Groups staying at the Tundra Lodge or visiting the Lodge via Polar Rovers were treated to many sightings. Multiple bears stopped by for a quick visit before continuing their wanderings, and two curious bears got paws up on the Lodge and Rovers before disappearing. One of the bears was extremely curious indeed and tested out the structural integrity of the Lodge, pushing on panels to see if there was a way into where all the delicious smells came from!

Further east, there was a mixture of bears sleeping, exploring and testing the ice. One mother and yearling cub headed out onto the Hudson Bay, moving between the ice pancakes to stay dry. Another bear was spotted swimming about a mile off the coast, trying its luck at seal hunting. Another family group, this one with a mother and two yearling cubs, was located by several groups at the far eastern edge of the CWMA. This was a movement-heavy group—they started off resting together but ended up walking around and visiting many vehicles. A male snowy owl appeared as the light was starting to fade this afternoon, a delight to many travelers.

Today started cold and cloudy, changing to windy and snowy throughout the day, with reduced visibility and blizzard-like conditions at times. By evening, the temperature had warmed significantly, and snowfall had stopped.

The colder conditions of the morning meant bears were more active, with lots of walking, exploring and occasional sparring. Multiple Polar Rovers encountered bears exhibiting curious behavior, putting paws up on the vehicles for a better investigation. One of the first sightings of the morning was a mom and a single COY moving across a frozen pond. A male caught their scent and chased them across the pond, moving them toward the west.

In the afternoon, many bears were seen along the coast bedded down in willows out of the wind and resting in kelp (and sometimes munching on it). One group noted a very special sighting of a giant male bear described as “so big!” This bear highlighted some important research advances—he was outfitted with a geolocation ear tag that collects movement data from mature male bears, a traditionally undersampled population.

There was little to note bird-wise in the blizzard, although three red foxes did show up throughout the day, moving across the tundra and delighting watchers.

It was another chilly day on the tundra as northwest winds continued to keep temperatures low. Thanks to a scattering of snowflakes last night, groups were able to follow fresh animal tracks this morning. Cold temperatures and northwest winds have caused an ice shelf to build up in the coastal zone. Bears have been testing the ice over the previous days (with some notable failures!), but no bears were spotted crashing through the ice—the new shore’s fast ice adequately supports their weight.

The ice wasn’t a draw for many bears, with lots remaining happily on land. Sleeping bears were still hanging out along the coast and in the willows. A group of six bears could be viewed at a distance through a spotting scope, with three bears sparring with one another.

While it hasn’t been seen yet, many wolverine tracks appeared overnight in the areas close to the Tundra Lodge. These elusive animals are sometimes seen in the Churchill area walking in the open. Close by, a white-phase gyrfalcon was perched on a tree beside a watching Polar Rover before flying off to hunt.

The past 24 hours in Churchill have been very cold with mostly clear skies. Winds have been light, but cold temperatures have kept the “feels like” temperature below subzero. Movement continues in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, including on the ice. Observers noted a slower morning on land, with more sleeping bears. One set of sparring bears was viewed via scope along the coast, and this group of three bears intermittently sparred and rested throughout the day. Further along the coast, groups saw multiple bears sleeping along the rocks and kelp on the beach.

At the Tundra Lodge, up to four bears were present simultaneously. These bears were mainly sleepy and resting. Still, one big, mature male with significant facial scarring took the time and energy to investigate the Polar Rovers, walking under the back observation deck and placing paws on multiple Rovers—a highlight for those lucky enough to experience it.

Another highlight of the day was watching bears out on the ice. With last night’s northwest wind, the intertidal areas have built up a significant amount of ice, and several bears took to the ice to walk around and test it for thickness. Groups watched as one bear took an unwise step and fell through the new ice into the chilly water of Hudson Bay before quickly pulling himself back out.

In the bird world, there were multiple sightings of a snowy owl. At one point, the owl was perched on a rock and then took off, flushing a flock of ptarmigan. The ptarmigans, in turn, flushed a white-phase gyrfalcon, who took off in the same direction as the owl. Travelers also spotted snow buntings and redpolls in the CWMA.

Conditions on the tundra appeared beautiful at first sight—a sunny day with temperatures above freezing—but the strong north wind that started midmorning made it feel very cold! This seems to have been just what the bears wanted, as many were up and moving around the Churchill Wildlife Management Area.

Most bears spotted were mature males and subadults, and there was lots of repositioning and movement throughout the day. The bears were mostly active, though some snoozing bears were reported in the kelp and elsewhere along the eastern coastline of the CWMA. The Polar Rovers reported multiple curious bears adventuring quite close, with repeated visits underneath viewing decks and paws up on the vehicles. Two bears hanging out close to the Tundra Lodge briefly attempted sparring this morning before resuming their rest for the remainder of the daylight hours.

Travelers spotted a family group of a mother and two COY cuddling up on the ice. They delighted watchers when they got up and went for a walk, allowing an excellent opportunity to photograph walking cubs on the ice. Visitors also spotted many ptarmigans, snow buntings and one gyrfalcon searching for its next meal.

Today was cold and mostly snowy. Temperatures dropped throughout the day before a warmer south wind appeared in the afternoon.

Things were busy across the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, with multiple sightings throughout the day by different groups. However, the busiest location was the Tundra Lodge! Depending on time spent on site, groups reported sightings of between six and ten bears, all in the vicinity of the Lodge, with bears under the back deck observation floor, paws up on the Polar Rover, walking back and forth under the windows, and sparring (and of course resting!).

Further east, many male bears were viewed sleeping in the willows, on the rocks and in the kelp. The bird highlight was a brief view of a snowy owl perched on a rock.

The tundra was a snowy, cloudy wonderland with temperatures spiking up to the freezing point before the winds shifted to the northwest and temperatures began to drop.

There was lots of activity within and outside the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Within the CWMA, four pairs of male bears were spotted sparring and mouthing with each other in the morning before transitioning to resting as temperatures warmed. More bears were seen resting in the willows and in the kelp along the beaches in the afternoon. There were even bears outside the CWMA sparring just off the main road outside town, a rare sighting! These two were continually sparring for at least thirty minutes in the morning, at a very short distance away from road users. They, too, eventually succumbed to the heat of the day and spent the afternoon collapsed in the willows.

Migratory birds appear to have finished their journey through Churchill, but resident species were spotted. On the tundra, ptarmigan entertained those watching them call and move around. In the forested areas and in town, there were starlings, Canada jays, ravens, and boreal chickadees.

North winds brought in colder temperatures overnight, with “feels like” temperatures dipping into the negative °F for the first time this season. Mostly cloudy skies brought another light dusting of snow this morning and some beautiful diffuse light for morning photography.

It was another busy day for wildlife sightings in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. While ice continues to form, recent south winds and other conditions have kept it at early stages, with grease ice and low-coverage ice continuing to form in the area. One bear was observed on the early ice still hunting, an amazing sight for all who attended. Some other bears chose to sleep most of the day. Groups heading out on Polar Rovers had their first sighting of a bear sleeping in the willows. Keen eyes discerned that it wasn’t a single bear but a mother and two COY cuddled up to each other.

Over at the Tundra Lodge, there were many sightings. The day excursions from the Lodge stopped about 500 yards out because of all the sights! Six bears were in the area, moving around and forming sparring pairs. These pairs were active together, then would break up and move around, forming new pairs. One of these bears visited the Polar Rover, sniffing people’s shoes through the back observation deck grate. Guides have noted this bear on other days. It is an extremely tall, lanky individual who is a distinctive sight on the tundra.

The Tundra Lodge also had some other visitors walk through, including an older bear with a scarred face. This bear was seen multiple times today by different groups—guides who have seen this bear have noted his colossal size and distinct appearance.

Another interaction of note was a special visit at the end of the day—a young bear approached the line of Polar Rovers coming in from the day’s exploration of the tundra, getting paws up on the Rovers to thoroughly investigate these visitors to his habitat.

There were also fox and bird sightings today! A cross fox was spotted close to town multiple times. On the tundra, a gyrfalcon was observed on the wing. Ptarmigan continues to delight all who visit with their calls and behavior.

It was a cold, blustery day with strong winds out of the northwest and snowfall. The sky remained cloudy, and with yesterday’s brief melt, new snow covered icy surfaces, making them slippery.

Many of the bears spotted were sleeping in the blowing snow, lying on the lee side of the willows for some shelter. But other bears took advantage of the temperature dip to spar! Two pairs of sparring bears were on display for lucky guests. This sparring was often interrupted for rest breaks after engaging in such high-energy activity. One of the pairs had another bear as an audience—he watched on as the other two sparred but eventually settled back to sleep in the willows.

The Tundra Lodge has had several visitors in the past 24 hours. Last night, a curious small bear walked by, examining the Lodge as she passed. A few other bears also swung by for a quick examination before continuing on.

The town has been extremely busy with bear sightings, reminding us that the entire area around Churchill is potential bear habitat! Conservation officers moved multiple bears out of town during the day, and another bear was reported in town later in the evening. All visitors to Churchill should take great care to be aware of bears at all times, especially during times of reduced visibility.

There was a warm spell in Churchill today! Temperatures climbed above the freezing point, causing ponds and tidal zones to partially melt. Conditions were mostly cloudy, with some snow and drizzle throughout the day.

Today’s warm temperatures kept the bears mainly sleepy. Travelers watched bears sleeping in the kelp, occasionally stretching, rolling over, and raising their heads to scent the air. One pair of males engaged in sparring behavior, interspersed with lots of time to rest and cool down.

Several groups were lucky enough to have a special visit with a mother and two yearling cubs. This family spent lots of time hanging out with the Polar Rovers, with the cubs investigating them thoroughly. Further east, a small male bear was sleeping but moved to avoid a larger bear entering the area. He spent some time walking by the Rovers as he left the area for an unbothered sleeping spot.

The ptarmigans are now entirely white in anticipation of the long winter, and a dark morph gyrfalcon was spotted flying over the tundra.

It was a relatively mild day with low winds out of the south and temperatures reaching freezing point. It was partially sunny during the daytime, with cloudy skies at night.

Today’s action began last night with a mom and two cubs of the year doing quite a bit of visiting. Evening Polar Rovers were treated to a visit after the family was chased up toward the Rovers by a large male in the area. The family group then visited multiple Rovers before walking off to the east, where they visited the Tundra Lodge before finding a place to rest.

With the time change today, skies were fairly light when folks reached the viewing locations in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. There was lots to see again today, with bears continuing to aggregate in the coastal area, waiting for ice thick enough to bear their weight. Low tides made for lots of ice in the intertidal zone and accumulating grease ice wrapping along the coast. Bears were observed testing the ice, with several bears spotted through a scope sleeping on the ice that had formed.

Those at the Tundra Lodge had daytime sightings of multiple bears. Most of the movement was noted to be at the intersection of ice and water, with many bears continuing to test the ice. Two sparring bears were visible through a scope out on the pond, with two more bears that tried to approach them at one point. Guests at the Tundra Lodge watched with bated breath while a mom and two cubs of the year cut through the willows straight toward four males on the ice. She was a very confident mom and rerouted them closer to the water when she realized the bears were there. Amazingly, she didn’t run or show any other signs of stress and continued on her way.

Many bears were also spotted on land, and lots of movement and interactions were reported. At least five bears were walking on the ice, fairly close to land, with multiple large males noted among the bears testing the ice. On the beach, two other large males spent a large part of their day napping, then sparring, then napping, then sparring, until their sparring carried them over to a small male lying down. The smaller bear got up, moved out of the big bear action, and came over to the Polar Rovers to check things out! He approached multiple Rovers and made special visits through the grate on the back observation decks. He then walked off and went back to sleep. Another sparring pair of bears was seen further along the trail.

Travelers also saw ptarmigans, snow buntings and gyrfalcons, along with a snowy owl—the first one glimpsed this season! This was a difficult spot, as they are extremely well camouflaged for this environment, but a very exciting one indeed.

It was a beautiful, calm day on the tundra. Conditions were mainly cloudy, but diffuse light made for beautiful photography.

Many bear sightings were noted in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area today: near bears and far bears, solo bears and family groups, sleeping bears and walking bears. Several groups received up-close-and-personal visits from a mom and one cub. The cub approached the Polar Rovers repeatedly, even putting its paws up on the Rover multiple times!

Some groups were also lucky and had a view of some brief sparring behavior today. There were multiple pairs and trios of bears where one bear would attempt to initiate sparring, but only one pair engaged in full sparring activity during visiting hours today.

Some other interesting interactions happened today as well. One young female bear was spending time investigating around and under the Rovers, but was then approached by a large, scarred male. The young female moved quickly out of his path, and the large male bear then also did a cursory investigation of the Rovers.

One sleeping, skinny bear was spotted today, and it is noteworthy that this is the only underweight bear that’s been spotted so far this season.

In other mammal news, a seal was spotted on the ice forming in the intertidal area along the CWMA coast. A red squirrel (very rare tundra visitor!) and a cross fox were viewed by multiple groups as well. Bird migration continues, with snow buntings, ptarmigan, redpolls and horned larks seen today, as well as dark-morph gyrfalcon that was engaging in hunting behavior.

The CWMA was not the only place for action today! Multiple bears moved in and around the town of Churchill. There was a bear by the port of Churchill, a bear east of Churchill causing a highway blockage for half an hour, and a bear who visited the airport and even crossed the tarmac!

Ice formation has begun along the shores of Hudson Bay. On today’s helicopter flight, ice had reached a level extensive enough for successful seal kills, and four separate kills were noted by air further to the east. This is amazing news for bears who often have a very long fasting period throughout the summer. Not many bears have had this success yet, but it is no doubt what every bear waiting for ice is looking forward to.

Today’s tundra weather was less windy and less cold than previous days, although the annual freeze continues to progress through its normal phases. Grease ice is beginning to accumulate in some areas along the coast, along with some larger rafts of ice near Cape Churchill.

With the increasing ice, the local bear population continues to increase as well, with approximately 18 individuals spotted in the Wildlife Management Area today. At one point, nine bears were visible at the same time! It’s a very unusual and special thing to have so many bears present in the same area, all negotiating relationships and waiting for the freeze-up of Hudson Bay.

Guests were treated to a variety of bears throughout the day, as well as a variety of behaviors. Those visiting the Tundra Lodge had a special sighting of a mom and two Cubs of the Year walking the length of the lodge before moving into the willows for a nursing session. The lodge was also visited by big males sparring nearby before an extended resting session. A few transiting bears passed through as well.

Further east, travelers spotted a mother and one cub walking alongside the Polar Rovers. The cub exhibited a great deal of curiosity and visited multiple Rovers as it walked along the trail. Along with multiple sleeping bears in the area, there was also a smaller female who came to check out the Rovers in the area before being pushed away by another bear.

Another special sighting occured at the very end of day: A lucky few guests got to witness playful sparring behavior between two young females on a frozen pond. A beautiful end to a busy day!

In other mammal spottings today, a cross fox was seen in the CWMA moving around the rocky tundra. The usual birds—snow buntings and ptarmigan—were also seen, and there was a beautiful sighting of a rough-legged hawk.

Today was another cold day on the tundra, with winds blowing under mostly cloudy skies. The diffuse light was beautiful for the photographers visiting the area. This is also wonderful weather for bears, and it was another day of high activity out in the Wildlife Management Area.

Polar Rovers spread out across the WMA today searching for bears. In the western-central area of the WMA, travelers encountered multiple sets of mothers and cubs. Close to the Tundra Lodge, three family groups were seen today: a mother and two cubs of the year (seen nursing), a mother and a yearling cub, and a mother and two yearling cubs. Other bears were in the area as well, with one treating guests to multiple occasions with paws up on the Rovers and investigating from underneath the back observation deck.

Further east, more bears were moving around and negotiating new relationships. There were multiple sleeping bears along the coast, a pair of sparring bears, and bears up and moving. Two bears chose to approach multiple Rovers, giving many people very special up-close views.

The usual suspects were present today in the bird world, including snow buntings and ptarmigan. A special sighting today was a short-eared owl; this bird landed close to a Rover, giving great views for a long time before flying across the tundra looking for prey in the coastal areas. One lonely northern pintail was also seen, chasing the warmer weather to the south on its migration.

It was a cold, windy day on the tundra, with mainly cloudy conditions and some sun peeking through.

Today was a day of movement in the Wildlife Management Area, with many bears seen interacting with and moving around each other.

Near the Tundra Lodge, guests at the lodge and in the P0lar Rovers spotted a mother and two cubs of the year (COY) snuggling in the snow. These three visited the lodge in the late morning, delighting the guests. A mom and a single COY were also briefly spotted in the area before disappearing from sight.

Also around the Tundra Lodge today was a smaller female bear behaving very skittishly. She was displaced from a nap in the willows by a large male bear who came into the area.

Further to the west, a male bear was observed approaching a female bear along the coast, who immediately cleared the area. Approximately six bears sleeping or resting along the coast and in the willows were spotted by the different groups who visited the eastern side of the WMA today. Groups were treated to sparring bears very close to the Rovers and a mother with two yearling cubs who was approached by multiple males (she successfully chased one away!). It was day filled with activity and movement as temperatures dropped and bears continue to gather in the coastal areas around Churchill.

No foxes were spotted in the WMA, but there were many fox (and bear) tracks. Birdlife was still active even in today’s wind, and guest say a gyrfalcon, a short-eared owl and many snow buntings and ptarmigan.

Today was a cool, cloudy day with gusting winds out of the west.

Most of the bear sightings occurred in the eastern part of the Wildlife Management Area. The cluster of sparring males from previous days has spread out, with two sparring pairs encountered at different places close to the coastline. A small, curious bear wove its way around the larger sparring pair.

Two other bears hunkered down in the willows out of the wind to sleep for most of the day. And the sets of mothers and cubs that were encountered on previous days were spotted today as they moved away from the group of male bears.

Winds from the south blew in warmer air temperatures today, though the high winds still made the air feel cold. Temperatures were just below freezing under a mostly cloudy sky.

Today was a busy day again on the tundra, with reports of 14 different bears in the Wildlife Management Area. Far to the east, six male bears rested in pairs, with each pair getting up and sparring at different times. Weaving their way through the action was the mother bear with two cubs of the year. These three moved around quite a bit while staying in the area, at one point settling down to gnaw on a bone they found. Once they collapsed into a sleepy pile, the cub who was on the outside of the pile made persistent efforts to make its way into the comfortable middle of the cuddle puddle.

Several more bears were observed curled up in the willows today, resting from the strong winds. The Tundra Lodge reported an extended visit from a mom and yearling cub who visited for well over an hour. They moved around the lodge and under the observation grates, putting their paws up on the lodge multiple times.

Two red foxes and two Arctic hares were also noted on the adventures today, as were ptarmigan, snow buntings, horned larks and ravens.

Today was a cool, calm day on the tundra with little wind throughout the day and an early morning mist that gave way to sunny periods. Ice continues to form as the season progresses; tundra ponds have a good layer of ice, as does the Churchill River. Grease ice (a thin, soupy layer of tiny ice crystals that resembles an oil slick) is beginning to form along Hudson Bay, with some being noted on yesterday’s helicopter flights, though today’s mild south wind has reduced this significantly.

Bear viewing was busy again, with 15 individuals sighted by the different groups on the tundra today. A mother bear with a yearling cub was the first sighting of the day for most groups, though not the only sighting of a family group, as there was also another mother with two cubs of the year in the eastern area of the WMA!

Also on the eastern side, there was more action from the sparring partners. Two males were seen sparring this morning while a third watched on from the sidelines, using a rock as a pillow while he observed. Eventually, the resting bear joined in the sparring action and all three bears were tumbling around together on the frozen pond.

Several solo sleeping and walking bears were also seen today, but the highlight for many groups was a small, young female who visited every rover that came by, investigating the vehicles with great curiosity.

Over at the Tundra Lodge, the action continued with a small male subadult bear that came by multiple times throughout the day, walking underneath the observation decks and putting his paws up on the lodge several times. He made a final visit just before dinner and then walked off into the sunset.

Fox viewing happened today as well, with two red foxes spotted close together along the coast. One of these was the beautiful cross-fox color morph. In the bird world, many snow buntings and ptarmigan were spotted today, and not just by humans—a dark morph gyrfalcon was observed hunting ptarmigan along the coast. A few shorebirds, such as white-rumped sandpipers, continue to be seen as they make their way south, and a handful of horned larks are still in the process of making their migratory journeys as well.

Another cool and windy day on the tundra. The smaller ponds are now fully encrusted with ice that is thick enough to hold a polar bear!

Groups heading out on the tundra today were greeted by the sight of a mother and cub huddled in the willows close to the Tundra Lodge. They were spotted just as the sun was rising and the clouds were clearing, and the morning light highlighted them in the darker branches. They remained resting together and were seen in the same area at the end of the day as well.

One bear spent a lot of time today walking around, moving down the coast, across the ponds and between the Polar Rovers. Farther to the east, three sleepy bears were spotted. The trio occasionally rolled, stretched and yawned, but after lunch, another bear walked over and instigated sparring.

Some guests who were spending time around town today also got lucky: A mother and two yearling cubs were seen by many walking beside the main road, and another single bear was seen close to town as well. The Polar Bear Alert Team was out in the early morning again today looking for bears in town, as more bears move into the area and more movement occurs among the bears already in the area.

Of note today were multiple sightings of Arctic hares, as well as ptarmigan and snow buntings.

Today began overcast with light winds and mist, changing to a windy day with drifting sideways snow before ultimately becoming a clear and sunny afternoon. Temperatures remained below freezing, with ice continuing to progress over the ponds.

Guests were wowed today by a trio of male bears’ near-continuous sparring. Two bears would spar while one rested, changing which two bears were sparring throughout the day. Bears were also spotted across the coastal area of the Wildlife Management Area; a small young female bear walked around the eastern region of the management area, a bear slept in the willows, and another bear spotted via scope crossed the tidal area.

Ptarmigans, ravens, sandpipers and snow buntings continue to be seen across the area.

Today’s weather was cool, with gusty winds and temperatures peaking just above freezing. A dusting of snow remains on the tundra, and the ponds continue to freeze—in some places, the ice is thick enough that it can now support the weight of a bear!

Today was a busy day for the bears. Three separate bears visited the Tundra Lodge, and one of them even put his front paws up on the structure! All three of these bears also visited the Polar Rover that was parked nearby.

Several other bears were spotted sleeping along the coastline in the Wildlife Management Area. In the far eastern side, two bears sparred again today, snoozing in the willows in between bouts. The sparring activity remained the highlight for most of the folks lucky enough to watch it today.

Many red foxes are moving around the tundra, with a cross fox spotted near town and red foxes in multiple areas. Bird species are beginning to diminish, but snow buntings, horned lark and ptarmigan were seen frequently today.

Seasonal conditions prevailed again today, with temperatures hovering below freezing and light snow throughout the day. Winds were gusty and provided a chilly feeling in the air.

The show-stealing bears of the day were a sparring pair on the eastern side of the Wildlife Management Area. This pair has been meeting up and sparring occasionally for the last few days, and they remain in close proximity to each other. Several other bears were sleeping or moving around the area as well.

A bear was spotted close to town today—a very exciting welcome to town for arriving groups! A red fox was also hanging around not far outside town.

From the helicopters today, a mother bear was seen nursing two cubs, the first sighting of twins this fall.

It was a cool day on the tundra, with mostly cloudy skies and gusty northwest winds. Ice continues to form on the ponds around the Wildlife Management Area.

Today was a busy day in the bear world, with a total of 12 bears (!!) spotted by our travelers in the area. Lots of overall activity and bonding behavior was on display, as more bears arrive each day and relationships are established between the animals of the area.

At one point, a single Polar Rover had five bears within view all at once, with two bears sparring, one who wanted to join in, and two others sleeping in the willows. Multiple pairs have been seen spending time in close proximity to each other.

At another location, a bear was spotted exploring the coastline, turning over rocks. A red fox appeared and began to interact with the bear, resulting in behavior that appeared very playful!

A mom and cub were spotted by multiple Rovers as well, sleeping in the willows.

In other animal news, a ringed seal was spotted just off the coast, and the bird world was represented by common eider, snow buntings, a golden eagle, ptarmigan, ravens and some late-migrating snow geese.

Northwest winds brought cooler temperatures to Churchill today, with sunny skies and temperatures hovering just above freezing.

Eight bears were spotted by the Polar Rovers out exploring today. Two bears continued to sleep at the eastern edge of the WMA, with another two close by just a little farther west. The show-stealer today was a young, active bear who spent most of his day around the Tundra Lodge, investigating the lodge itself and the Rovers that came for a visit.

Multiple red foxes were seen again today, but no reports of visible hunting behavior.

Birdlife remains very well represented by willow and rock ptarmigan and snow buntings, as well as a short-eared owl, a gyrfalcon and a peregrine falcon.

Today was a warm, windy day on the tundra. Bears lazed in what may be their last bit of warm sunshine for some time!

Two bears were seen cuddled up together in the very eastern part of the WMA. They spent their day sleeping, stretching and rolling around within easy eyesight of the Polar Rovers. Further to the west, there were a number of bears seen at a distance through scopes, including a mother and cub. Rovers that remained on the west side of the WMA were able to watch these bears move through the scopes. A young male started his day by resting close to a Rover before walking away across the tidal flats. He visited the Tundra Lodge briefly, resting again before turning around and walking back the same way he came.

Lots of fox activity today! Two were spotted close together, with one of the foxes doing a tremendous amount of scent marking along the ground. Two more were then seen, one with a lemming in its mouth. Another was spotted later with a ptarmigan in its mouth—likely taking the prey to a cache to store for winter.

Birdlife continues to be plentiful, with copious snow buntings, willow and rock ptarmigan. Travelers also saw tundra swans, green-winged teal, a rough-legged hawk, gyrfalcon, a short-eared owl and a raven.

It was a warm, sunny, windy day in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Five bears were seen by groups at a relatively close distance, with more visible farther away through scopes. Three bears slept through most of the day, and one young, curious male made multiple visits to check out the Polar Rovers, eventually settling in to nap nearby.

Travelers also spotted a red fox eating a ptarmigan!

Many birds were seen today, including a raptor at a distance, snow buntings, ptarmigan, American black ducks and sandpipers.

Today started misty, transitioning to hard rain with wind before clearing in the afternoon.

Travelers encountered both active and sleeping wildlife today on the tundra! Bears continue to be seen to the East, with several spotted sleeping at a distance and others moving around the coastal flats. A caribou was also spotted walking through the Wildlife Management Area. As it walked, it passed close to a sleeping bear that stood up and spooked the caribou, which ran off quickly.

Three red foxes were seen near an Arctic hare. Although the foxes were already eating something, the hare remained on high alert with potential predators close by!

Bird migration continues, with high Arctic species passing through on their way South. Northern harrier, black-bellied plover, snow buntings and a snow goose were seen today.

Today was a calm day with partly cloudy skies and big tides with tonight’s full moon.

Groups on the tundra were treated to a lot of activity in different areas. One group spent time with a subadult male bear who was very active and curious, rolling in the willows and walking up to the Polar Rover and almost under the back deck. That same group also had a visit from a bear on the move who walked by the Rover, looking at everyone very curiously.

Another group saw two resting bears cuddling each other, with lots of stretching, yawning and rolling over. Another sleeping bear was startled by an approaching bear. He got up and walked past the Rover, then stood up to get a better view of the newcomer. That bear then pushed the approaching bear away. He visited the Tundra Lodge that evening.

Other groups were treated to views of sparring young males. One red fox was spotted today, apparently pursuing a bear across the tundra!

Travelers witnessed lots of birdlife, with ravens, ptarmigan, greater yellowlegs, snow buntings, northern harrier, gyrfalcon and various waterfowl all making appearances throughout the day.

Today was a sunny, windy day on the tundra, with ice starting to appear along the edges of the ponds.

Bears were active today, with lots of movement around the east. One small male bear was seen sniffing around in the kelp along the coast, but he ran away when he noticed a larger male bear approaching. The small male continued in sight along the intertidal zone, moving at a distance from the larger bear, until he finally moved out of sight. The larger bear remained in close sight of the Polar Rovers for some time, nosing around in the kelp and chewing on grass, until finally moving over a coastal ridge and out of sight.

A small female bear who had been sleeping at a distance during the earlier events approached the Polar Rovers after the other bears had moved away. She spent some time sitting, resting and considering, before eventually approaching all the Rovers!

One small male bear, spotted along the coast, was another curious visitor to all the Polar Rovers who stopped by today.

Today’s tundra weather was variable, with fog and freezing rain in the morning changing to a sunny afternoon.

There was lots of bear action again today! Travelers spotted seven sleepy bears, with one younger bear seen running at a distance. The bears were in various locations on the eastern side of the Wildlife Management Area, including resting along the coastline.

Other wildlife sightings included red foxes, green-winged teals, herring gulls, greater yellowlegs, northern pintail and lots of snow buntings and ptarmigan.

Today was a cool, blustery day on the tundra with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and occasional snow throughout the day.

Six bears were seen today toward the eastern side of the management area, with most of the bears resting in the brush. One large male and one small male were seen at a close distance to the Polar Rovers. Travelers also spotted three red fox, an Arctic hare and a muskrat.

The birds continue to come through, including greater scaup, northern pintails, a rough-legged hawk, a bald eagle, snow buntings, two short-eared owls and ptarmigan.

Today was a lovely fall day with crisp temperatures in the morning. The sun came out for the daytime hours before turning cloudy with gusty winds.

Eight bears were spotted today by groups on the tundra, with viewing continuing on the eastern side of the Wildlife Management Area. Three larger male bears spent their day resting on the tundra while the smaller bears moved around and investigated the area. Three males were observed sparring in the afternoon.

Fall migration continues with ptarmigan viewed from a distance.

Today was a warm, breezy autumn day with lots of sunshine lighting up the wildlife on the tundra.

Travelers saw four bears, all located toward the eastern side of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Two young males were seen sparring—a highlight at any time, but especially in the warmer weather when sparring is less common!

We also spotted ptarmigan in various locations, as well as an Arctic hare and a northern goshawk at the Tundra Lodge.

In addition to the daytime spotting, guests were treated last night to clear skies and an amazing aurora show when a high-intensity geomagnetic storm hit Earth’s atmosphere, with the northern lights making themselves visible all the way south to Arizona! Here in Churchill, greens and reds were both visible in the lights dancing in the sky.

Things are off to a wonderful start for the 2024 polar bear season!

Today, groups were treated to multiple wildlife sightings. Groups out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area found three male bears and one female of various ages out towards the east side of the WMA. One bear approached the Polar Rovers and visited under the back deck for an up-close experience with travelers.

In addition to the bears, multiple red foxes were seen in different locations throughout the day, with some resting and some actively hunting.

Fall migration continues in the bird world! Snow buntings are present in large flocks on their way south. One bald eagle, mixed flocks of willow and rock ptarmigans, a black-bellied plover, a gyrfalcon, and green-winged teals were also spotted today. A short-eared owl has been spotted multiple times over the last few days along the eastern coastline, hunting for rodents in the kelp.