| Summary: | Two camps on Beekman Peninsula, southeastern Baffin Island, were occupied from 3 May to 3 October 1978. Mean daily weather conditions were recorded. Detailed behavioural observations of marine mammals were made using a Bushnell Spacemaster 10 to 40 power spotting telescope. Every hour, total counts of seals were made in South Bay and the area designated Outer Bay. Wind direction, wind speed, cloud cover and type, and visibility were also recorded at this time. Every hour, on the half hour, compass orientation of seals within South Bay was recorded. For the major part of the observation period it was possible to record the position of the seal holes being used. Pelage patterns of recognizable individuals were recorded by drawings or photography. Birth lair surveys were carried out on 9 and 20 May using a trained dog, following methods described by Smith and Stirling (1975). Biological collections were made during the open water period from 14 July until early October. Hunting was done from a small boat. Standard measurements and whole body weight were recorded for each mammal collected and biological samples were processed. Stomach contents were collected, preserved or frozen, and later weighed and identified in the laboratory. Aerial surveys conducted after mid June in this area, in the absence of ground controls, may be highly inaccurate because of aggregation of seals in small bays and large variation in the time of day when peak numbers haul out.
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