Marine birds breeding in Penny Strait and Queens Channel, Nunavut, Canada

Surveys of breeding birds on small islands in Penny Strait and Queens Channel, Nunavut Territory, Canada, were conducted in July 2002 and 2003. Approximately 3600 marine birds were observed, with the most common species being Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea, N=2400) and common eiders (Somateria moll...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Research
Main Authors: Mallory, Mark L., Gilchrist, H. Grant
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 2003
Subjects:
Arctic
Nunavut
Canada
Penny Strait
Queens Channel
Alopex lagopus
Polar Research
Somateria mollissima
Sterna paradisaea
Online Access:https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/2122
https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v22i2.6469
Description
Summary:Surveys of breeding birds on small islands in Penny Strait and Queens Channel, Nunavut Territory, Canada, were conducted in July 2002 and 2003. Approximately 3600 marine birds were observed, with the most common species being Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea, N=2400) and common eiders (Somateria mollissima borealis, N=620). We observed no Ross's gulls (Rhodostethia rosed) in either year, and we found ivory gulls (Pagophila eburned) only in 2003, even though these species commonly bred here in the 1970s. This previously unsurveyed region supports numerous breeding marine birds, but reproductive success on these small islands may be dependent on annual ice conditions and consequent movements of Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus).

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