Observations of marine birds and mammals wintering at polynyas and ice edges in the Belcher Islands, Nunavut, Canada

In the Belcher Islands, southeast Hudson Bay, Canada, two types of open wat er exist during winter: 1) large, wind-driven expanses of water along landf ast ice edges and 2) recurring polynyas located between small islands (most < 10 ha and < 15 m deep). In severe winters, only polynyas persist. In Mar ch 1998 and 1999, we recorded the species and numbers of birds and marine m ammals present at ten polynyas and along four landfast ice edges around the Belcher Islands. To help interpret our observations, we also collected tra ditional ecological knowledge from local Inuit. Large flocks of common elde rs Somateria mollissima (200-12500 birds) were seen along flee edges, and s mall groups occurred in some polynyas. King elders S. spectabilis were also observed at several locations, always associated with common elders. Oldsq uaw ducks Clangula hyemalis were common (flocks of 100-500 birds) and occur red primarily at polynyas. Our observations of king elders represent a sign ificant northern range expansion for this species in Canada during winter. Ravens Corvus corax and snowy owls Nyctea scandiaca were observed along lan dfast ice edges. Ravens were feeding on the remains of seals killed by Inui t hunters and polar bears Ursus maritimus, and owls apparently hunted sea d ucks that were loitering on ice edges at night. We regularly observed beard ed seals Erignathus barbatus and ringed seals Phoca hispida at polynyas and flee edges. One beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas was observed by our Inu it guides along a western landfast ice edge, and three walrus Odobenus rosm arus were observed at a flee edge along the southern margin of the Belcher Islands. Clearly, the small recurring polynyas and ice flee edges around th e Belcher Islands are important wintering habitat for oldsquaw and common a nd king elder ducks.