sign in sign up
<<
Home , Arctic Bay, Baffin Island, Buchan Gulf, Bylot Island, Pond Inlet

DISTRIBUTION

The avifauna of the region, N.W.T.

A spectacularmountain wilderness with a diversearctic avifauna WayneE. Renaud,W. GavinJohnston and KerwinJ. Finley

ABSTRACTThe status of 53species ofbirds recorded inthe Pond Inlet area in 1978-79,and seven additional species reported inprevious years by otherobservers, issummarized. Thirty-six species provably or probablybreed in the area, and an additional six species have been recorded ascer- tainlyor probably breeding inadjacent areas. The breeding species include most high and pan-arctic species, and a smaller proportion oflow arctic forms. winteringforms that are local breedersor migrantsinclude , RingedPlover, Ruddy Turns•one,Red Knot and Wheatear.The avifaunamay be the mostdiverse in the Canadianarctic archipelago north of 70ø N Lat.

ONDINLET IS ONE of threemarine channelsdividing the 2300-kin-long mountain chain that rims the Canadian eastern arctic from northern to southern . Adja- cent lands on to the north and Baffin Island to the south of the in- let are mostly high, rocky and barren, and in many areas are covered by gla- ciers and snow caps. However, some coastal and interior lowlands provide small areasof a variety of terrestrialand t J,Y /, aquatic habitats. Although located 1400 km north of the tree line, the Pond Inlet area has a diversity of high and low arc- tic speciesincluding several speciesof seabirds. Previous accounts of the birds of the Pond Inlet area have been confined to brief observations (M'Clintock 1859, Low 1906, Lloyd 1922, Soper 1928, Shortt and Peters 1942, Baird 1940, Bray 1943, Duvall and Handley 1946, Ellis 1956, Tuck and Lemieux 1959, Van Tyne and Drury 1959). Horring (1937), and Kempf et al. (1978), reported more fully on the status of breeding birds; however, until 1978, when studies were undertaken in connection with proposed offshore drilling in northwest , no long-term studiesof bird distri- bution and status had been done. This paper describesthe seasonalchanges in status and distribution of all species known to have been recorded in the Pond Inlet area (Fig. I; Table I). Except for studiesconducted on Bylot Island {Tuck and Lemieux 1959, Van Tyne and Drury 1959, Kempf et al. 1978),the nearestavifaunal accountsare from , Baffin Island, 220 km to the west (Renaud et al. 1979), Eglin- ton Fiord, Baffin Island, 270 km to the Village of Pond Inlet. Photo/Wayne Renaud

Volume35, Number2 119 75000 ' 78ø 30' 77Ooo '

_•-_¾. SEABIRD• COLONY:

..: BAFFIN SERMIlIK•' :r;-"-•;.::•' : BAY C•PE GRAHAM MOORE ITTON PT

POND .'MID JULY : BELOEIL I I N . M,D "• EARLYMAY TO MID JULY 1978 PSE EARLY•1 EARLY MAYTO LATE JUNE 1979 .e'MIDJULY JULY•o • soU 14 O MT ß -;.. ': 1979 1979• ø% POND INLET ß .:¾...-....{-i. 7:•-

?d.

MID JULY TO MID AUG EARLY TO BA F FIN I: MID JULY 1979

UTUK L. MACCU LLOCH

• ELL-VEGETATEDAREAS

.::• PERMANENTAND GLACIERSSNOWCAPS

EASTERN EDGE OF SEASONAL 'øøø'''' LAND-FAST ICE (FLOE-EDGE) 0 10 20 30

0 5 10 15 '"'--( PEAK ELEVATIONS IN M. 75o00 ' 78 ø 30' 77000 ' southeast(Wynne-Edwards 1952), True- eastern Pond Inlet in 1978 and 1979, and Most snow disappearsfrom low-lying love Lowland, , 350 km to were the subject of a more intensive areas in June, and ice in Pond Inlet the northwest (Husseli and Holroyd study there in June-July 1979. Informa- breaks up in July and early August. July 1974, Pattie 1977), and the Melville tion on offshore seabird distribution was and August are the warmest months al- Peninsula,400 km to the south-south- also obtained during shipboard studies though even then snow showers may oc- west (Bray 1943). of seabirdecology in July-Septemberin casionally occur at sea level. Tempera- Bylot Island was establishedas a 1978 and 1979. All observations of ter- tures during these months rarely rise federalbird sanctuaryin 1954in orderto restrial birds and terrestrial breeding of above 12ø C (max.: 20 ø C), in coastal protectthe major nestingarea of the marine birds were made incidental to areas; however, inland areas that are less Gremer and two seabird these marine studies,mostly near Pond influenced by cool breezesoff the colonies.Byiot Island,Eclipse Sound, Inlet settlement and at Button Point. or water may become considerably warmer. METHODS CLIMATE AND WEATHER The vegetation begins to turn URING1978 AND 1979, ateam of biol- color during the third week of August ogists(including the authors)from ABLE2 GIVES MEAN daily tempera- when evening temperaturesdrop below LGL Ltd., studied various aspectsof tures and total for the freezing. Ponds and usually freeze marine ecologyin the northwestBaffin April to Octoberperiod when most birds over during the secondor third week of Bay area as pan of the EasternArctic are presentin the area. The climate of September. The sea ice beginsto reform Marine Environmental Study (EAMES). Pond Inlet is Polar Continental and is in early October and is usually well- Aerial surveysof coastaland offshore typicalof otherhigh arctic communities. consolidated by the end of the month. areas were conducted almost weekly Winters are long with persistentcold; The first day of continuously above from earlyMay to mid-Octoberin 1978, for over three months the sun is con- freezing maximum temperatures occur- and from early May to mid-July 1979 tinuouslybelow the horizon. The coldest red on June 5, 1978 and June 7, 1979. and in September-October1979. Small month is February with a mean tempera- Streams and rivers began flowing by portionsof eachaerial survey were with- ture of -26øC. April and May are often June 20, 1978 and June 15, 1979. How- in the Pond Inlet study area. Birds were the most pleasant months, being char- ever, owing to sublimation, large areas also recorded incidental to studies of acterizedby abundantsunshine and few north of Utuk were mostly snow- marine mammals at the floe-edge in snowy or windy days. free by late May. The first permanent

120 AmericanBirds, March 1981 Table 1 Summaryof b•rd recordsfor the Pond Inlet area (as defined •n F•g 1) [' +' = present,'B' = evidenceof breeding,'B '•' = possiblybreed- •ng, '?' = statusuncertmn.]

Common -- B? -- -- + -- + -- B Yellow-billed Loon ...... -- B? + Arcnc Loon ? + + -- B? -- B -- B -- + + Red-throated Loon -- + B + -- + B -- B B B B NorthernFulmar + + + + + + + + • -- -- + + Whistling Swan ? ...... Goose .... + .... Brant ------? + ------B B + + Barnacle Goose ------? ..... SnowGoose B -- + + + -- B B2 B B B B ...... + 2 _ Oldsquaw + + B + -- + B -- B B B B? Common Eider B? B + + -- + B -- B B + B K•ngEider B? + -- + + + -- B2 B B B? B? Red-breastedMerganser .... + -- B ------+ B Rough-leggedHawk .... ? .... -- + + Gyrfalcon + ------B -- B -- B B + + PeregrineFalcon ------+ .... B ? -- B? Rock Ptarmigan + + + ------B -- B B B B? SandhillCrane -- + -- ? -- + B _3,4,5 B ? + B? WhoopingCrane ...... + 2 _ Ringed Plover + ? + + -- -- B -- B B + B? American Golden Plover .... + -- B -- B B B B Black-bellied Plover ...... B -- B B B B ------+ -- -- B -- -- B + + Red Knol ...... -- + + Pectoral Sandpiper ------+ ..... -- B? B Whlte-rumpedSandpiper -- -- + ------B -- B B? B B Balrd's Sandpiper ------B -- -- B -- B B B B Sanderling -- + + ...... B? -- + PurpleSandpiper + -- + -- -- + + -- B B + + Red Phalarope ------+ -- + + ------B + PomarineJaeger .... + ------B -- + + ParasiticJaeger -- + .... B? -- B B + + Long-tailedJaeger -- + + + B -- B -- B B B B Skua ...... Glaucous + + + + + + B? -- B B B B Iceland Gull ...... -- + + Great Black-backed Gull -- + -- -- + .... -- + + Thayer's Gull + -- + + -- -- ? -- B B B? B? Franklin's Gull ...... ------+ ..... -- + + Black-leggedKitliwake -- B + + B B + -- B B B B Ross' Gull ...... Sablne's Gull -- + ...... B -- + + ------+ + -- B -- -- B + + Thick-billedMurre B B + B B B + B4 B B B B Dovekie ------+ + .... -- + + Black Guillemot -- + + + + -- + -- B B B? B? Common Puffin ...... + -- -- SnowyOwl B -- + + -- + B -- B B + + Horned Lark ? -- -- + -- -- B -- B B B B Common Raven + + + + + + + -- B B + B Wheatear ...... + 6 B B -- + Water Pipit -- -- + + -- -- B -- B B B? B? Yellow Warbler ...... HoaryRedpoll -- B ..... 93 B B + + Common Redpoll ...... B B? -- -- Lapland Longspur + B + B -- -- B -- B B B B Snow Bunting + + + + + + B -- B B B B? ILow1906, 2Lloyd 1922, 3Bray 1943, 4M'Clintock 1859, 5Baird 1940, 6 D. Spencer,fide R. Predy.

Volume35, Number2 121 Black-leggedKittiwake. About 2000 pairs nest at the seabirdcolony north of CapeGraham Moore. Photo/ WayneRenaud.

winter snowfall at the village occurred were years with below normal June characteristic of lowland areas supports September 17, 1978 and September 27, temperatures,many speciesof birds a complete ground cover of vascular 1979. In 1978, freeze-up of the sea began failed to breed in areas above 150 m plants, mossesand . Dominants to occur in late September; in 1979 sea- above sea-level, although during mid- in these communities include prostrate ice did not form until mid-October. summerthese areas contained vegetation willows (primarily Salix arctica), several communitiesno lesswell-developed than graminoids,and mountain avens(Dryas TERRESTRIAL HABITATS correspondingsites near sea-level where integrifolia). These communities are in- densitiesof breedingbirds were high. habited by Long-tailed Jaeger, Ameri- EWAREAS INTHE Canadian arctic ex- Excessivelydry and exposed areas, can Golden Plover, Baird's Sandpiper hibit more extreme altitudinal varia- even near sea-level, may have poorly- and Lapland Longspur. Late melting tion; both vegetationand terrestrialbird developedplant communities,usually snow on the lee sides of hills provides distributionare greatlyinfluenced by the dominatedby purplemountain saxifrage moisture for "seepage slope" com- resultinglocal variationin the timing of (Saxifragaoppositifolia). The Horned munities, which contain a greater snowmeltand subsequentlength of the Lark is the onlyspecies that regularlyoc- graminoid componenl, and are in- cupiesthese habitats. The tundramore growingseason. In 1978and 1979,which habited by White-rumped Sandpiper and (more locally) Pectoral Sandpiper. The best-developed shrub com- Table2. Summaryof temperaturesand precipitation at PondInlet village (averages taken from munities on moist sitesare dominated by A.E.S. 1970). white mountain heather (Cassiope Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. tetragona), blueberry ( Vaccinium uliginosum vat. alpinum), tea Mean Ave. -21.6 -8.8 1.3 5. I 4.7 - I. I - 10.3 (Ledurn decumbens) and Richardsoh's Daily willow (Salix richardsonit). In protected Temp. 1978 -24.3 -10.3 0.3 4.7 3.9 -4.8 -17.2 areas these willows grow to a height of (øc) 1979 -19.7 -10.1 -0.8 5.4 3.0 -0.1 -12.4 55 cm with a stem girth of 4 cm; Polunin (1948), the only botanist to have written Total Ave. 0.46 1.42 0.76 2.59 2.16 1.93 1.63 about the area, noted that these were Ppm. "by far the biggeslland plants known so (water 1978 0.48 0.90 0.30 2.29 3.78 1.30 1.48 far in the Canadian Eastern Arctic." equiv. in cm) 1979 1.58 0.44 0.70 2.65 3.14 0.50 0.69 Although well-developed shrub com- munities are extensive in some areas,

122 AmericanBirds, March 1981 particularly along Janes and Salmon there is little vegetated terrain along April and May, as increasingamounts of creeks, they do not appear to support southeastern Bylot Island; even on this open water become available along the any characteristicbird species. slope the diversity of both vegetation ice-edge, the area becomesimportant to Graminoids dominate in wet sites, and and birds is limited by early snowmelt, Northern Fulmar, Thick-billed Murre, in places may grow to 35 cm in height rapid drainage and very dry conditions Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kit- and form tussocks. However, tussock caused by the southerly aspect and steep tiwake and . From May to tundra is very locally distributed and no slopes. the only moist areas are along a July, Oldsquaw, King and Common thermokarst terrain exists. The mosl ex- few streams fed by melting at eiders, and Arctic Tern migrate north- tensive wetlands are located near the higher elevations. Between Cape Mac- westward along the edge but large mouth of Salmon River where a complex culloch and Albert Harbour on the Bar- numbers seldom stop for very long. The of raised beachesand ponds is utilized fin coast, vegetationis restrictedto a few offal of marine mammals left near by nesting Red4hroated Loon, Snow small pocketsalong rivers draining into camps along the ice-edge at- Goose, Oldsquaw, and (in at least some Guys Bight and Erik Harbour. tracts concentrations of Northern Ful- years) Red Phalarope. Both 1978 and 1979 appeared to be mars, Glaucous , Ivory Gulls, The streams and rivers, most of which years with low numbers; how- Long-tailed Jaegers, Common Ravens are fed by melting glaciers, are little ever, in 1979 Brown Lemming (Lemmus and even occasional Ruddy Turnstones. utilized by birds. The major exception is sibiricus) was locally common in grassy The fast-ice of the eastern portion of the Salmon River where a moderate Arc- areas in the village. Pond Inlet cracks and recedesin stages tic Char run probably accounts for the that are predictable from year to year presence of Thayer's Gull, Glaucous MARINE HABITATS (Fig. I); the centraland westernareas of Gull, and smaller numbers of and the inlet break up rapidly from mid-July mergansers.The leads that form at river HE EXTENTOF THE sea-ice exerts to early August. The term 'floe-edge' and creek mouths, especially Salmon both positive and negative in- used in the speciesaccounts refers to the River, in mid-to-late June support con- fluences on the distribution of seabirds ice-edgespresent at the east end of Pond centrations of loons, ducks, gulls and by excluding them from areas of solid Inlet before the onset of rapid break-up Arctic Terns. land-fast ice, but provides important in midsummer. Much of the terrain abutting northern feeding areas at certain ice-edges.Dur- As the fast-ice in Pond Inlet and and eastern Pond Inlet is rocky with lit- ing the winter and early spring,a recur- Eclipse Sound disintegrates in July, tle or no vegetation. Steep rocky moun- rent ice-edgeat the east end of Pond In- fulmar, kittiwake and small numbers of tain slopes, some rising to 1000+ m let defines the easternedge of the land- guillemot penetrate westward; fulmar high, are occupied by only a few nesting fast ice; east of this ice-edge,the pack- and kittiwake often appear at the village Glaucous Gulls and Snow Buntings. Ex- ice of Barfin Bay is in motion all winter. when large shoreleadshave formed in cept for a narrow 16-km-long slope that The Black Guillemot is the only seabird the otherwise unbroken fast-ice. During extends southwest from Button Point, that winters near this ice-edge. In late the open water season,from August to October, the largest feeding concentra- tions of seabirds in the area occur near the coasts of eastern Pond Inlet and ad- jacent Baffin Bay. After break-up dur- ing August and September,tideHats and beaches, most notably near the mouths of Salmon Creek and Salmon River, are utilized by migrant shorebirds and Water Pipit.

MAN-INFLLENCFD HABITATS

HEVILLAGE OFPond Inlet, with a population of about 650, is the only 1 permanent habitation in the area; seasonally-occupiedoutpost camps are located at Button Point and Guys Bight. The ground at the village becomes free of snow before most other areas, and many of the first spring passetinesand shorebirds were recorded there. Favored habitats included the raw sewage dump, the garbage dump and seepage slopes below the village houses. In fall, the village provides the last snowfree area , 0 . where passerinescan find weed seeds RedPhalarope, an irregular(?) breederin coastalwetlands. Photo / WayneRenaud. and refuse.

Volume 35, Number 2 123 SPECIES ACCOUNTS in 1978 most broods In the Salmon R drainagemoved to lakes along Salmon R., n. of Utuk L. (e.g., 35 + broodsJuly 26). In 1977 Kempf et al. (1978), estimated 670+ adults betweenSalmon R. mouth and Utuk L. Peak hatch in 1978 probably occurredduring the third week HEFOLLOWING ACCOUNTS summarize the status of 53re- of July; in 1979 pipped eggswere found July 8 (4-egg clutch). Most cordedin the area in 1978and 1979, and 7 speciesreported Snow Geese leave in the last few days of August. Last seen Sept 9, by others. With few exceptions,our information from 1978-79 1978 and Sept. 13, 1979. The main migration to and from s.w. Bylot was based on sight records. I., where 20,000 nest(H. Body in CW.S. 1972), occursto the w. of the Pond Inlet area (P. Aglak, pers. comm.). One blue-phaseindividual SPECIES OBSERVED IN 1978-79 was seen with a flock of 7 white-phasegeese June 14, 1979.

Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis}. Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii). Common breeder in wetlands both inland and along coast. Spring Rare visitant; possibly breeds. One or 2 individuals were seenat the migrantsappear at the floe-edgein late May; dispersalonto terrestrial floe-edge, June 18-July 5, 1978 (3 observations).Observed at Salmon habitats occurs with snowmelt. Arrival at village: June 17, 1978 and R mouth in early August, 1978(1 caughtin a char net and later shown June 10, 1979. Especiallycommon at river and creek mouths, and In to KJF), and June 13, 1979. Two adults in breedingplumage with a coastal leads in mid-June and early July (max.: 150 at Salmon R large immature(either this speciesor G. immer) flew e callingnear the mouth June 17, 1979). In 1978, peak hatch occurredin the last week village Sept. 15, 1978but the color of the bill could not be determined. of July (e.g., 5 broods of 4-6 young near village July 28, 1978). Large A Yellow-billed or Common Loon flew e near the village Sept. 8, numbers moult along coastsn. of Cape Graham Moore and s. of Cape 1979. (See also notes on Common Loon.) Maccullochin August-September(max.: 2600 s. of Cape Macculloch Sept. 8, 1978). Common until Sept. 30, 1978 and Oct. 7, 1979; latest •4rctic Loon (Gavia arctica). records Oct. 7, 1978 and Oct. 13, 1979. Rare breeder.One in winter plumageoff Eqeperiaqtalik Pt., Sept. 12, 1978, and one in breeding plumage at Salmon R. mouth, June 13-26, Common Eider (Somateria mollissima}. 1979 Kempf et al. (1978) provide the only breedingrecord: 2 adults Fairly common spring transient at the floe-edge; rare breeder. The with 2 young at a lake near Eqeperiaqtalik Pt., Aug. 5, 1977. first migrants appear at the floe-edge about mid-May and small flocks, often with King Eiders, occur until late July. Those noted in Red-throated Loon (Gayla stellata). July, however, are mostly males (max.: 100 off Button Pt. July 15, Widely distributed breeder on lowland lakes and ponds. Arrival: June 1978). None was seenat the villagein 1978.Arrival there in 1979: June 18, 1978 and June 10, 1979. Max. count at Salmon R. mouth: 37 June 15 (max.: 8 on June 28). A female nestedunsuccessfully at the village 25, 1979. Seven nestswith eggswere found in the village-SalmonR. in early July 1979 (S. Steltner, pers. comm.). Kempf et al. (1978) area June 25-July 23; most were near the coastbut 1 nestwas found 12 recordeda brood near Patricia R. mouth Aug. 3, 1977. Adult males km inland. Last seenSept. 13, 1978 and Sept. 18, 1979. are scarceafter mid-July. Over 6000 female-plumageeiders, including somemale Common Eiders, were seennear Cape Macculloch July 16, 1978. Probably femalesand youngremain until at least early October Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Abundant visitant. Summerobservations probably includebirds from King Eider (Somateriaspectabilis). (85 km s.e. of Cape Macculloch) where an estimated Very common spring transient at the floe-edge; uncommon breeder 25,000 pairs nest (Brown et al. 1975). Up to severalhundred occur Migrants appear at the floe-edgeby the first week of May; dispersal alongthe floe-edgefrom early May until break-up,when they disperse inland, however, usually occurswith snowmelt.Only 2 certain obser- w into Pond Inlet and Eclipse Sound.; particularly common at Inuit vations at the village in 1978: I on May 2 (presumably this species hunter kills. Arrival at the village: July 11, 1978 and July 9, 1979. sinceCommon Eider did not arrive at the floe-edge until later), and 2 Thousands feed near coastsof e. Pond Inlet and adjacent Baffin Bay on July 3 at Salmon R. mouth. Observationsof eider broods at Sal- during August and September (max.: 9000 s. of Cape Macculloch mon R. mouth in late August-earlySeptember, 1978 were probably Sept 13, 1979;7600 near Button Pt., Sept. 9, 1979). Completedepar- King Eiders. In 1979, eider flocks (again presumablythis species)were ture by Oct. 10, 1978 and Oct. 17, 1979. seenat the village in the first week of May (P. Idlout, pers. comm ), then none was seenthere again until June 14 (11 individuals); seenreg- (Branta canadensis). ularly thereafter.Few maleswere identified in midsummer,but flocks Rare visitant in 1979 to Salmon R. mouth, 1 on June 14 and 16; and of up to severalthousand female-plumage eiders passduring an se floe-edge, 1 on June 24. migration (mostly in the e. portion of Pond Inlet) from mid-July to late August. Flocks of up to severalthousand King Eiders including Brant (Branta bernicla). broodsoccur along s.w. Bylot I., and n.e. Baffin I., e. of Albert Har- Springand fall transient;rare breeder.Migrants occurat the floe-edge bour during August-September.Several hundred were keepingholes from early to mid-June; small flocks occasionallystop to rest. The open in new ice, along coastsof the e. inlet Oct. 10, 1978and Oct 17, observationof 3 flocks totalling 120 flying w along ice-coveredPond 1979. Inlet n. of Beloeil I., June 5, 1978indicates that at least someof those breedingon the centralarctic islandsmay migrate via Pond Inlet and Red-breastedMerganser (Mergus serrator). Eclipse Sound. Rare near village; 1 with a flock of Snow Geese at Rare breeder.Arrival at floe-edge:June 17, 1978and June 18, 1979 A villageJune 10, 1978,and 4 adultswith 6 flyingjuveniles at SalmonR. total of 7 observations;all adult groupsconsisted of 1-3individuals A mouth, Sept. 8-11, 1979. Heyland (1970) reporteda nest on s. Bylot I., female with a brood of 8 flightlessyoung was seenat Salmon R probablyjust w. of our area, and Duvall and Handley (1946) sug- mouth Sept. 10-13, 1979. Probably the samefemale, with 3 flightless gestedbreeding, without supportingdetails, at Pond Inlet. However, young near Salmon Creek mouth Sept. 14, 1979, was our latest Tuck and Lemieux (1959), Van Tyne and Drury (1959) and Kempf et record. Kempf et al. (1978) observeda brood near the outlet of Utuk al (1978) did not report nestingfor n.e. Baffin or Bylot I., and the L., Aug. 9, 1977. The nearestpreviously known breedingarea, on s speciesis likely only an irregular breederin this area. Baffin I., is located 600 km s.e. (Palmer 1976).

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens). Rough-leggedHawk (Buteo lagopus). Common breederalong Salmon R. drainage,lowlands w. of the lower Rare transient;may breed. Singleindividuals in light-phaseplumage Salmon R., and near Cape Macculloch; uncommon elsewhere.First were seenat the village May 31, 1978 and Oct. 9, 1979. Breedsw of seenJune 1, 1978 and May 29, 1979. A total of 13 nestswas found on this area at Curry I., s. EclipseSound (nest with 1 large young Aug. dry hillsides and hilltops, mostly 1-3 km from the Salmon R., June 13, 1975--D. Spencer,fide R. Predy), and along Aktineqjuak R., s w 25-July 8, 1979(ave. clutch size, 4.13 eggs;range, 2-8). After hatching Bylot I. (Tuck and Lemieux1959).

124 American Birds, March 1981 Gyrfalcon (Falco rusttcolus). Pectoral Sandpiper (Cahdrts melanotos). Rare breeder. A total of 9 observationsof singlebirds June 10-Oct. 3; Rare breeder along seepageslopes of lower Salmon R. One record •n all but onewere white-phase birds. Kempf et al. (1978) recordeda pair 1978:1 adult giving a distractiondisplay Aug. 7. Arrival in 1979: June w•th flying young near Utuk L., Aug. 10-11, 1977. 16; up to 4 seendisplaying daily thereafter. A nestwith 3 eggsJune 27 contained4 eggsthe following day. Last seenSept. 12, 1979 PeregrineFalcon (Falco peregrinus). Rare visitant; possiblybreeds. Observednear the village lowlands in White-rumpedSandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis). June 5, 1979 and Sept. 11, 15 and 27, 1979. All were singleadults ex- Common breeder near coast where it is as numerous as Baird's Sand- cept on Sept. 15 when 2 adults flushedfrom a steephillside s.w. of piper; much rarer inland. Restricted to seepage slopes and wet Janes Creek mouth and repeatedly dived and screamed at the meadows.Arrival: June 18, 1978and June 5, 1979(although not com- observer; an hour later an adult and an immature were seen at Salmon mon until mid-June in 1979). Four nests,each with 4 eggs,were found R mouth. Ellis (1956) observedone at the village July 22, 1953. While June 27-July 7. Flocks remained on the Salmon R./Salmon Creek considerablybeyond the breedingrange as given in Godfrey (1966), tideflats until Sept. 16, 1979 (max.: 72 Sept. 10). Van Tyne and Drury (1959) observediramatures in 1954 at Aktineq R , s.w. Bylot I. In August-September1978, adult and immature Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii). Peregrine Falcons were seen at the murre and kittiwake colony near Common breeder in dry habitats both coastally and inland. Arrival: , n.w. Bylot I. (L.A. Patterson, pers. comm.). Peregrine June 12, 1978 and June 1, 1979. Nests found near the village June 23 Falconshave also recentlybeen found nestingfar to the n. at Truelove (3 eggs)and July 9, 1979 (4 eggs);and at Button Pt., June 29-July 2, Lowland, Devon I. (Pattie 1977). 1979 (4 eggs).Broods, still in the nest July 13, 1978(3 chicks;3 chinks and 1 egg). Small flocks gathered on the tideflats through September Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus). (max.: 21 on Sept. 13, 1979); in 1979, from 1-4 were seenregularly un- Permanentresident. One breedingrecord, a brood of 10+ half-grown til Oct. 3. youngnear the villageJuly 28, 1978.During spring,seldom more than 1 or 2 were seenin a day. More commonby late Septemberand Oc- Sanderling (Calidris alba). tober when flocks of up to 20 were reported. Many fresh feeding None seenin 1978. Uncommon transientat the village June 4-19, 1979 craters were seenalong Salmon R. during December, 1978. (max.: 7 on June 10). Occurs as a rare breeder on s.w. Bylot I. (Van Tyne and Drury 1959), and could be expectedto nest in the Pond Inlet Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). area. Rare breeder.One was seenalong the lower Salmon R., Aug. 7, 1978. One, and probably2, seen2 km w. of Button Pt., June28 and July 1, Purple Sandpiper(Calidris maritima). 1979, actedas though nesting.Kempf et al. (1978) recorded2 adults Rare/uncommon transient. One individual June 16 was the only w•th 1 flightlessyoung near Utuk L., Aug. 8, 1977. record in 1978. From 1-4 daily at or near the village June 5-17, 1979 Occurs as a breeder on n.w. Bylot I. (Tuck and Lemieux 1959), and Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula). could be expectedto breed locally. Presumedfall migrants have been Uncommon transient; rare/uncommon breeder. Arrival: June 7, 1978 observed previously as early as July 31, 1977 (Kempf et al. 1978) and June 3, 1979 (max.: 5 on June 6, 1979). Rare in July-August. A From 1-11 on rocky ridefiats off Salmon Creek mouth Sept. 8-26, male displayingat the village June 18-24, 1979 was the only evidence 1979. of localbreeding. Scattered individuals (max.: 5 on Sept. 10)remained on the tidefiats until Sept. 12, 1979. All small plovers are included Red Phalarope (Phalaropusfulicarius). here as Ringed Plovers, although the neck-bandingon some in- Rare/uncommon breeder. Arrival at floe-edge: June 17, 1978 and d•v•dualsappeared to be more similar to that of the Semipalmated 1979; at village: June 21, 1978 and June 18, 1979. Scattered pairs Plover (C. semipalmatus).Only Ringed Plover has been collectedat nested in wetlands near the village and Salmon R. mouth in 1978. Pond Inlet (Soper 1928, H½(rring1937, Shortt and Peters 1942). Fairly single broods less than 1 week old July 25 and 29. Less common m commonbreeder in s.w. EclipseSound: Robertson R. mouth, five in- 1979 with no certain breedingrecords. Last seen Sept. 18, 1978 d•v•dualsshowing evidence of having broods Aug. 6, 1978. Pomarine Jaeger(Stercorarius pomarinus). American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). Uncommon transient at the floe-edge;present on our arrival June 16, The most frequently seen breeding shorebird both inland and in 1978 and 1979 (max.: 3 on June 18, 1978). An unidentified immature coastalareas. Arrival: June 12, 1978and June 3, 1979. Ploversarrived jaeger was seen in Pond Inlet Oct. 4, 1978. m groupsof up to 8 individuals, dispersedand began displayingby June 15, 1978, and June 10, 1979. Three nestsfound June 29-July 23, Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorariusparasiticus). eachwith 4 eggs.Departure in 1978not known but someindividuals Uncommon summer visitant; probably breeds locally during years remained on the tundra until Sept. 17, the day of first permanent with peak lemming populations. One or 2 noted irregularly June w•nter snowfall;in 1979 somefed on the tundra until Sept. 10 and a 17-Aug. 6, 1978, and June 14 to at least July 8, 1979. Last seenSept few remainedon the tidefiats until Sept. 23 (max.: 23 on Sept. 10). 9, 1978. Breeds on s.w. Bylot I. (Tuck and Lemieux 1959). Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus.) Rare breeder along coast; absent inland. Arrival: June 12, 1978 and Fairly common breeder near the village in both 1978 and 1979; more June 10, 1979. One pair nestednear Salmon R. mouth in both years;4 common as a summer non-breeder. Arrival at village: June 2, 1978 eggs,July 13, 1978and July 7, 1979. At least2 other malesdisplayed 3 and June 7, 1979. In 1978, up to 20 were presentin the shorelead off km w. of therein late June 1979.Last seenSept. 17, 1979. the villagethrough late Juneand July. Loosegroups of up to 12 also were seen hunting along Salmon Creek in late June 1978, and along Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). the grassy slopesbelow the village in late June 1979. Several pmrs Uncommon transient; rare breeder. Arrival: June 3, 1978 and June 1, nestedwithin 5 km of the village each year. One nest with 2 eggsn of 1979. Regularlyseen on seepageslopes and beachesalong coastuntil the village June 30, 1978; one fledgedyoung Aug. 7, 1978. Complete late June (max.: 10 on June 16, 1979); rare in July-August. Last seen departure in both years by late August. Sept 12, 1979. We found no evidenceof breeding,but Kempf et al. (1978) recorded2 pairs nestingat Tunuiaqtalik Pt., in 1977. Skua (Catharactasp.). One was seenat closerange at the floe-edge June 18, 1978. Red Knot (Calidris canutus). Fmrly common springtransient; June 3-22, 1978 and June 3-July 4, Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus). 1979(max.: 17 on June 3, 1978). One fall record, 1 on Sept. 11, 1979. Very common summer resident. The first spring migrants appear at

Volume 35, Number 2 125 Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Abundant breeder on the cliffs 8 km n. of Cape Graham Moore; an estimated2000 pairs nestedthere in 1979. Arrival: May 15, 1978 and May 25, 1979(May 18 just to the s.e.). Kittiwakes dispersew through Pond Inlet and into Eclipse Sound at break-up and flocks of up to several hundred gather to feed along tiderips through early October (max. at village/Salmon R. mouth: 640 Sept. 16, 1979). In 1978 the first individuals were seenat the settlementAug. i. A flock of 18 at Salmon R. mouth June 14, 1979represented the only springrecord w. of the floe-edge.

Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea). An adult in breedingplumage was closelyobserved flying, and later sitting on the sea-icewith kittiwakes, at the seabirdcolony n. of Cape Graham Moore July 2, 1979.

Ringed Plover, an uncommon transient and rare breeder. Photo / Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini). Wayne Renaud. Rare transient at the floe-edge. Single adults June 17-30, 1978 (3 ob- the floe-edgein late April or early May. Dispersalinland somewhat servations) and June 26, 1979. Has nested on w. Byiot I. (Tuck and delayed;arrival at the village: May 22, 1978and May 24, 1979. Most Lemieux 1959) and hence may be expected to breed occasionally in abundant at the village in late May/early June (max.: 105 at dump this area. June 2, 1979); numbersdecline by mid-June. About 50 pairs nestedon an island in Oliver Sound (72ø!7.4'N; 77ø53.0'VO in 1978, and 2 Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). pairs nestedon rocks in the Salmon R., near Utuk L., in 1979(2 nests, Common summer visitant and local breeder. Spring arrival at the eachwith 3 eggsJuly 8). [n both 1978and 1979, solitarypairs nested village: June 17, 1979. Up to 50 were noted in leadsoff Salmon R. and on ledgesalong the mountainouss. coastof Byiot I., and a col- Salmon Creek in late June/early July 1979, but none nested. Kempf et ony of 50-60 pairs nesteds. of the seabirdcolony near Cape Graham al. (1978) found Arctic Terns nestingat the mouth of SalmonCreek in Moore. Flocks of up to ! 10 occur along the lower Salmon R., from 1977. Last seen Sept. 18, 1978. August until early October. Small groups, mostly young of the year, were still present Oct. 15, 1978 and Oct. 17, 1979. Thick-billed Murre (Uria !omvia). The only colony in the area, located on cliffs 8 km n. of Cape Graham Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides.} Moore, s.w. Byiot I., comprises 20,000 breeding pairs (Brown et al. Rare/uncommon summer visitant seen only at the village. Noted in 1975). Arrival at the floe-edgeoccurs in first half of May; peak num- 1978on June6-1 ! and Sept. 9, and regularlyin 1979June 4-27 (max.: bersoccur from early June to early July (e.g., 22,000 along an ice-edge 5 adults June 4). near the colony July !, 1979). Numbers present along the ice-edge from mid-June to late July vary daily from thousandsto almost none. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus). Eggs are laid in late June or early July and most hatch by late July; Rare visitant. Single adults were seen at an ice crack near Beioeii I. chicksfledge in mid- to late August. Few tourresdisperse w into w. (June 8, 1978), along the coastnear Mt. Herodier (Sept. 26, 1978)and at the floe-edge(May 21, 1979).

Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri). Very common visitant; probably breeds. Most common near the set- tlement; arrival: June 3, 1978 and May 28, 1979. Large flocks gather at the village dump in early to mid-June(max.: 95 June 10, 1979). Re- mained common near the village through the summer;much lesscom- mon at the floe-edge. Suspectedof breedingon a small island n. of Albert Harbour where newly-fledgedyoung were observedin August 1978. Numbersincrease again near the village in September(max.: 100 Sept. ! !, 1979). Adults rare after mid-September. Departure of ira- matures: Sept. 29, 1978 and Oct. 7, 1979.

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan). An adult in breedingplumage observedand photographedat the vil- lagedump June9-14, 1979provided the first recordfor the (photos examined and identification verified by W. E. Godfrey, National Museum of Canada, Ottawa).

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea). Spring and fall transient;early summervisitant. Arrives at the floe- edgein late May. Non-breedersremain to feedat Inuit hunter kills un- til July whenthe ice-edgebreaks back and lessoffal is available.Max. at the floe-edgein 1978was 6 on May 29. In 1979, flocks of up to 50 were presentat kills alongthe floe-edgeand the total populationmay have exceeded 100 individuals. Latest summer record July 18, 1978. Earliest autumn record Sept. 9, 1978(!). Ivory Gulls are the latest mi- grantsto passthrough the Pond Inlet area in autumnand few had ar- IvoryGulls occur as spring and fall transients;they are especially com- rived by the time aerial surveysceased Oct. 19, 1978. The largest monat thefloe-edge in lateMay-early July and near the village in Oc- flocks were observedfeeding on sealoffal near the village in 1979:17 tober wherethey gather to feed on sealand whaleoffal. Photo / Ker- from Oct. 7-13 and 375 on Oct. 16. win Finley.

126 American Birds, March 198! Pond Inlet and e. EclipseSound after breakup.There wereonly 3 rec- lng males and adults with nesting material or giving distract•ondis- ords at the village: I adult Aug. 9, 1978, I flightlesschick Sept. 14, plays were noted in ravinesthroughout the area. The largestnumber 1978,and I adult flyingover the sea-iceMay 31, 1979.The main exo- (4+ pairs) was seen near the w. base of Mt. Herodier in late June dusoccurs in late Augustand early September,but a few remainuntil 1979. Observeddaily during September(max.: 18 in groupsof 1-5, late September. Sept. 15, 1979). Last seenOct. 5, 1978 and Oct. 3, 1979.

DoveMe (Alle alle). Yellow Warbler (Dendroicapetechia). Abundantspring migrant in theBaffin Baypack-ice just e. of thisarea A dead immature found by D. Workman near the Salmon R. mouth from mid- to late May. Rareat the floe-edgeuntil Junewhen flocks of Oct. 7, 1978 is now in the National Museum, Ottawa (S. Steltner, up to 100apparent non-breeders occur, usually when onshore winds pets. comm.). blow pack-iceagainst the floe-edge(max.: 4 flockstotalling 135 June 19, 1978). Presentat the floe-edgeuntil at least July 19, -1978.Scat- Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni). tered individuals were observedoffshore in Pond Inlet and Eclipse Permanent resident. A total of 9 redpoll records, 2 in 1978 and 7 m Soundin mid-Augustand September,1978 and mid-September,1979. 1979: June 3-October 11 (max.: 8 on Sept. 15, 1979). The 4 groups Several flocks of 20-40 were observedin Baffin Bay s.c. of Cape Mac- identified to specieswere Hoary Redpolls. Freuchenrecorded 4 pairs culloch Sept. 28, 1979. nestingat Pond Inlet June 18, 1924(H•rring 1937). Bray (1943) noted that "the nativessay... they [redpolls]are commonerin winter than Black Guillemot (Cepphusgrylle). in summer... at Pond Inlet." Permanentresident; rare in winter, and uncommon/fairly common at the floe-edgeduring June-July. Shortt and Peters(1942) reported that Lapland Longspur (Calcariuslapponicus). guillemotswintered at the PondInlet floe-edge.None was seen during Very common breeder. Arrival: May 19, 1978 (although none was aerialsurveys of the floe-edgein mid-March1978, but scatteredindi- again noted until June 16) and May 29, 1979. During late Juneup to viduals were observedalong n.e. Bylot I. (Renaud and Bradstreet 100 (mostly singingmales) could be seenduring an afternoon h•ke 1980).The mainspring influx begins in earlyto mid-May;from then Seventeennests were found; 15 with eggs, June 28-July 16. In 1978 until late July up to 100+ maybe seenalong the floe-edge.Guillemots nearly-fledgedyoung were first seenJuly 23; in 1979 fledgedyoung likely nest in screeslopes along s.c. Bylot I., n. of Cape Graham were first observedJuly 7. Departure in 1978 occurred by mid-Sep- Moor.e,but it is doubtfulthat they nest extensively along the inner in- tember. In 1978, flocks of up to 12 occurreduntil Sept. 18 and a few let asindicated by Brownet al. (1975).After break-upsome disperse w individuals remained until Oct. 1. alongs. Bylot I. (max.: 61 seenduring a coastalaerial survey from Button Pt., to SermilikGlacier Aug. 25, 1978). Rare along s.w. Pond Snow Bunting (Plectrophenaxnivalis). Inlet and s.c. EclipseSound: I flushedfrom a cliff at BeloeilI., July Fairly commonbreeder; restricted to rockytundra and ravines.Amv- 30, 1978(breeding 9.); 1-3 SalmonR. mouth June26-28, 1979. ed about mid-April in 1978 and 1979 (J. Enook and P. ldlout, pers comm.). In 1978 small flocks of up to 22 (May 14) were commonby (Nyctea scandiaca). mid-May, but in 1979 few were observeduntil late May. One nest Rare transient; known to breed locally, although no evidenceof found along Salmon Creek contained 2 eggs June 22 and 3 eggsthe nestingwas found in 1978or 1979.Only 2 records:1 at the floe-edge following day. Last seen Oct. 8, 1978; 4 still present Oct. 19, 1979 June 30, 1978 and I flushedoff an icebergnear the village Sept. 26, 1979. In past yearsnests have been found near the settlement(Joe SPECIES NOT OBSERVED IN 1978 OR 1979 Enook,pers. comm.)and Kernpfet al. (1978)observed a nestalong the Salmon R., in 1977. Common Loon (Gavia iraruer). This is considerableconfusion over which speciesof large loon nests Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). on n. Baffin I. Accordingto H•rring (1937), Freuchenobserved adult Common breederalong coast;uncommon inland. Arrival: June 9, and young Common Loons off Salmon R. mouth in July 1924 1978and May 29, 1979.Nests were found July 13, 1978(4 eggs)and However, H,rring remarkedthat "Freuchenin his noteson the Great June27, 1979(4 youngabout I day old). Particularlycommon along Northern Divers from more southerlylocalities hardly distingmshed gravelridges between the villageand Salmon Creek, where as many as between Colymbus immer and C. adamsii, and his accounts are 10-12could be seensinging in June.Last seen Sept. 13, 1978and Sept. therefore all statedunder... [Common Loon] . . . to which they ap- 27, 1979. ply in all probability." Were it not for several subsequentobserva- tions of apparentCommon Loons, one would be temptedto conclude Common Raven (Corvus corax). that Freuchen's records for Pond lnlet were of Yellow-billed Loons Commonpermanent resident. Ravens gather along the floe-edgefrom Van Tyne and Drury (1959) gave hypotheticalstatus to Ferris' obser- May to Julyto feedat Inuit hunterkills (max.: 64 June8, 1978).They vations of a Common Loon at Salmon R. mouth in late June 1954, disperseto coastalareas after ice break-up in July/Augustand begin and noted that their Inuit informants recognizedthe Common Loon to gatherat thevillage dump by lateSeptember (max.: 50 Oct. 4, 1978; and had an name for it (although they did not mention Yel- 95 Oct. 7, 1979).The villageraven population numbered about 65 in low-billedLoon). In 1977, Kempf et al. (1978) noteda CommonLoon winter 1978-79(cf. Finley 1979). One recently-usednest was located at Aktineq R., offs. Bylot I. July 19, and another at Utuk L., Aug 9, on a cliff ledgeabout 10 km s.c. of Pond Inlet in July, 1979. but expresseddoubt that the speciesnested locally. Freuchen'srecords were probably the basisof including Pond Inlet in the breedingrange Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). of the CommonLoon in 1957(Snyder 1957), althoughGodfrey (1966) Rare visitant; probably breeds.One male was seennear Button Pt., later questionedwhether the Common Loon breeds at so northerly a June 29, 1979. D. Spencer(fide R. Predy) observed2 Wheatearsat latitude. Mt. HerodietAug. 18, 1975.S. Steltner(pers. comm.)saw 1 at thevil- It thus appearsthat both Commonand Yellow-billedloons have oc- lagedump in late June1978, and observedthis speciesseveral times at curredin the Pond Inlet area, althoughdetermination of the breeding the village, usuallyduring August 1972-1977.There are no definite status of the two speciesmust await further observations.Common breedingrecords of Wheatearson n. Baffin I., n. of Eglinton Fiord Loon nestson s. Baffin I., and w. (Salomonsen 1950, God- (Wynne-Edwards1952), but thediscovery of a newly-fledgedbrood at frey 1966), and Yellow-billedLoon nestson Melville Peninsulaand s Aktineq Glacier, s.w. Bylot I., in 1977(Kempf et al. 1978) suggests SomersetI. (Godfrey 1966). that local breedingcan be expected. WhistlingSwan (Olor columbianus). Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta). Soper (1928) gaveone uncertainrecord: "a short distanceinland from Uncommonbreeder; locally distributed.Arrival: May 29, 1979. Sing- Pondsinlet on Sept. 2, 1923,a flock of large, white birdsresembling

Volume 35, Number 2 127 swanswas observedhigh overheadbearing southwards. Their notes ord wasignored by. Snyder (1957) and Godfrey (1966), presumablybe- weredifferent from thoseof geese,being soft, flute-like." The recent causeit was a secondhand report made by an inexperiencedobserver. d•scoveryof breedingWhistling Swans at Mala R., 90 km w.n.w. of It seemsmost likely that the birds were Sandhill Cranes(G. canaden- Pond Inlet villagein 1970(Mary-Rousseliere and Heyland1974), and sis), rather than WhoopingCranes. a s•ghtingof an adultwith a youngin thesame area Aug. 9, 1975(D. Spencer,fide R. Predy),suggest that swansmay, indeed, occur occa- Common Puffin (Fratercula arctica). sionally near Pond Inlet. Kempf et al. (1978)observed puffins in EclipseSound on 5 occasions (2-5 birdsper observation)in late July and August1977. One photo- Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis). graphedat CapeHay, n.w. Bylot I. Aug. 17-Sept.4, 1978was thought One uncertain record near Button Pt., June 8, 1954 (Ellis 1956). The to be the Greenland subspeciesF. a. naumanni (W.E. Godfrey, pers onlyspecimen for Baffin I., wascollected far to the s. at BoasR., in comm.).Thus, the few puffinsnoted in the Canadianhigh arctic may August 1924 (Taverner 1927). be dispersingfrom colonieslocated in n.w. Greenland(Salomonsen 1950). Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos}. Lloyd(1922) reported a femaleat PondInlet duringsummer 1912. Common Redpoll (Carduelisflammea). Snyder(1957) indicatednesting along s.e. EclipseSound and Godfrey WhoopingCrane (Grus americana}. (1966) alsosuggested possible breeding in n.e. Baffin I. We know of Lloyd(1922) reported 2 at PondInlet duringsummer 1912. This rec- no specificrecords for the Pond Inlet area.

DISCUSSION Water Pipit are widely distributedin the This peculiar mixture of high and low ABLE3 SUMMARIZESthe biogeo- Pond Inlet area, and of these only the arctic species,including several"North graphical affinities of proven and American Golden Plover is common. Atlantic" seabirds(Thick-billed Murre, suspectedbreeding speciesin the Pond The other speciesappear to be on the Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittl- Inlet area. The Ringed Plover, Ruddy peripheryof their rangesin the Pond In- wake) producesa unique breedingart- Turnstone and probably rarely Brant let area. Of interest is the complete ab- fauna that is certainly the most diverse and Wheatear are the only Old World senceof many typical low arctic species yet documentedfor that latitude(73øN) wintering forms known to breed locally; as breeders(e.g. Whistling Swan, Can- and probably the most diversein the Ca- the local migrant Red Knot is probably ada Goose, Willow Ptarmigan, North- nadian arctic islands north of 70øN Lat the European subspecies(cf. Synder ern Phalarope). 1957). The Hoary Redpoll of n. Baffin I., is apparently refertable to the Greenland race (cf Synder 1957). Table3. Breedingrange biogeography of species nesting in thePond Inlet area. Cosmopolitm• speciesare listedunder their predominant distribution within their arctic range. Species sus- A total of 18 pan-arctic (throughout pectedof breedingon t he basis of summeroccurrence only are indicated '?'; ot her species known the arctic) breedersmay nest in the area to breedon s.w.or n.w. BylotIsland and that may eventually be foundbreeding in thearea are (15 have been proven) comparedto' 12 enclosedin parentheses:'(?)'. low arctic (7 proven) and 12 high arctic (8 proven) species;hence, the total num- Geographic ber of suspectedbreeding speciesis 42 Affinity Pan-arctic LowArctic HighArctic (30 proven;6 probable;6 possible). Continuously or Red-throated Loon Arctic Loon Glaucous Gull Discontinuously Oldsquaw Red-breastedMerganser Rock Ptarmigan The breeding specieshave predomi- Circumpolar Common Eider Horned Lark Black-bellied Plover nantly pan-arctic distributions. A King Eider Waler Pipit Ruddy Turnstone Yellow-billed Loon ? Red Phalarope smaller number of typical high and low Gyrfalcon Long-tailed Jaeger PeregrineFalcon ? Hoary Redpoll arcticspecies breed. Only 2 specieschar- Arctic Tern (Pomafine Jaeger ?) Brant ? acteristic of the high arctic are not Thick-billed Murre (Rough-leggedHawk ?) (Sanderling ?) known to breed in the Pond Inlet area: Black-legged Kittiwake (Sabine's Gull ?) (Purple Sandpiper?) Ivory Gull and Red Knot. Red Knot did Snowy Owl Common Raven not breed in the low visited by us Lapland Longspur in 1978 and 1979 [or by Kempf et al. Snow Bunting (1978)in 1977].The completeabsence of Parasitic Jaeger ? Ivory Gulls during Augustof both 1978 Black Guillemot ?

and 1979 suggeststhat they also do not New World Snow Goose Sandhill Crane White-rumped Sandp•per nest in this area. American Golden Plover Baird's Sandpiper PectoralSandpiper Thayer'sGull ? Low arctic forms are representedby tone provenor probable,and another Old World Ringed Plover threepossible breeders. Only the Ameri- {Wheatear ?) can Golden Plover, Horned Lark and

128 AmericanBirds, March 1981 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS C W S (Canadian Wildlife Service) PALMER, R S (Ed) 1976 Handbook of 1972. Arctic ecology map series. De- North American birds. Vol. 3. Waterfowl scriptivereports. 2nd ed. Information (Part 2). Yale Univ. Press, New Haven Canada, Ottawa. 324 pp. 560 pp. wasHE INFORMATIONgathered during,PRESENTED and incidentalhere DUVALL, A.J. and C.O. HANDLEY. 1946. PATTIE, D.L. 1977. Population levels and to, research funded by Petro-Canada Report on wildlife reconnaissanceof the bioenergeticsof arctic birds on Truelove Exploration, Inc. as part of the Eastern eastern Canadian Arctic. Special Report, Lowland. pp. 413-436. In: L.C. Bliss Arctic Marine Environmental Studies U.S. Dept. of lnt., Fish and Wildl. Serv., (Ed.). Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, ms. rept. 138pp. (Also Can. Wildl. Serv., Canada: a high arctic ecosystem. Umv (EAMES) and conducted by LGL Ltd. Ottawa, Rept. C.W.S. 239. 138 pp.) Press, Edmonton, Alberta 714 Our co-workers contributed many im- ELLIS, D.V. 1956. Observations on t'he mi- PP. portant records included here and com- gration,dislribution and bree•ding POLUNIN, N. 1948. Botany of the eastern mented on the manuscript: M.S.W. birds in the Canadian Arctic during 1954 Canadian Arctic. Part 111:vegetation and and 1955. Dansk Ornith. Foren. Tid- ecology. Natl. Mus. Canada Bull. 104 Bradstreet, J. Field, M.A. Gollop, S.R. dsskr. 50:207-230. Ottawa. 304 pp. Johnson, W.R. Koski, J. Kristenson, FINLEY, K.J. (compiler). 1979.The sevenly- RENAUD, W.E. and M.S.W. BRAD- P L. McLaren, G. Miller, L.A. Patter- ninth Audubon Chrislmas Bird Counl: STREET. 1980. Late winter distribution son, C.J. Risley, and R.E. Salter. We Pond Inlet, Barfin l., N.W.T. Am. Birds of black guillemots in northern Baffin thank W.J. Richardson and R.A. Davis 33:374. Bay and the Canadian high Arctic. Can GODFREY, W.E. 1966. The birds of Cana- Field-Nat., 94:421-425. for their comments on an earlier draft of da. Natl. Mus. Canada Bull. 203. 428 pp. , S.R. JOHNSON and P.D. HOLLING- the manuscript. Excellent logistic sup- HEYLAND, D.J. 1970. Brant breeding on DALE. 1979. Breeding birds of Arctic port for the EAMES studieswas provid- Bylot Island, N.W.T. Can. FieM-Nat. Bay, Baffin Island, N.W.T., with notes ed by G. Glazier, H. Hume and G. 84:397. on the biogeographicsignificance of the avifauna. Arctic 32:122-134. Koenig. HORRING, R. 1937. Birds collected on the fifth Thule Expedition. Rept. 5th Thule SALOMONSEN, F. 1950. The Birds of S. Steltner made additional sightings Exped. 1921-24,2, No. 6 (Zool.: Birds). Greenland. Vols. I and 2. Munksgaard, and provided copiesof field notes made 134 pp. Copenhagen. 608 pp. by D. Spencer (originally to R. Predy, HUSSELL, D.J.T. and G.L. HOLROYD. SHORTT, T.M. and H.S. PETERS. 1942 Some recent bird records t'rom Canada's former game officer). W.E. Godfrey 1974. Birds of the Truelove Lowland and adjacent areas of northeastern Devon Is- Eastern Arctic. Can. Journ. Res. 20 338- kindly examined the slidesof Franklin's land, N.W.T. Can. Field-Nat. 88:197- 348. Gull and Common Puffin. 212. SNYDER. J.D. 1957. Arctic birds of Cana- Publication of this paper was partially KEMPF, C., X. HARMEL, B. SITTLER, da. Univ. Toronto Press, Toronto, On- funded by Petro-Canada Explorations and A. PIANTANIDA. 1978. Notes geo- tario. 310 pp. Inc. morpho[ogiques, ornilhologiques el SOPER, J.D. 1928. A faunal investigationof mammalogiquessurL"•le Bylot el la r•- southern Baffin Island. Natl. Mus. Can- gion de Pond-Inlet--Canada. Rapoft ada Bull. 53. 143 pp. LITERATURE CITED d'exp•dition1977. Groupe de Recherche TAVERNER, P.A. 1927. Some recent Cana- en Ecologie Arctique, Schehigheim, dian records. Auk 33:217-228. A E.S. (ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT France. TUCK, L.M. ancl L. LEMIEUX. 1959 The SERVICE). 1970. Temperatureand pre- LLOYD, H. 1922. Some of Caplain Henry avifauna of Bylot Island. Dansk Orntth cipitation. 1941-1970. The North--Yukon Toke Munn's observations on Ihe birds o•' Foren. Tidsskr. 53:137-154. Territory and Northwest Territories. Baffin Island and vicinity. Can. Field- VAN TYNE, J. and W.H. DRURY, Jr Dept. Environment, Downsview, Ontar- Nat. 36:49-50. 1959. The birds of southern Bylot Island, io. LOW, A.P. 1906. The cruise of the Neplune. 1954. OccasionalPapers of the Museum BAIRD, P.D. 1940. British expedition to Ottawa. 355 pp. of Zoology 65:1-37. Univ. Michigan, Ann North Barfin Island, 1938-39. Polar Rec- MARY-ROUSSELIERE O.M.I., GUY and Arbor, Michigan. ord 19:225-227. J.D. HEYLAND. 1974. The whislling WYNNE-EDWARDS, V.C. 1952. Zoology BRAY, R. 1943. Notes on the birds of South- swan nestingon northern Baffin Island, of the Baird Expedilion (1950). I. The hampton Island, Barfin Island and Mel- Northwesl Terrilories. Can. Field-Nat. birds observed in central and southeastern ville Peninsula (with comments by T.H. 88:92. Baffin Island. Auk 69:353-392. Manning). Auk 60:508-539. M'CLINTOCK, F.L. 1859. The voyage of BROWN, R.G.B., D.N. NETTLESHIP, P. Ihe 'Fox' in Ihe Arctic seas.A narrative --LGL Ltd., environmental research as- GERMAIN, C.E. TULL and T. DAVIS. the discovery of the fale of Sir John 1975. Atlas of eastern Canadian seabirds. Franklin and his companions.John Mur- sociates, 44 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto, Can. Wildl. Serv., Ottawa. 220 pp. ray, . 402 pp. + map. Ontario M4R 1A1.

Volume35, Number 2 129