Global warming is bringing unwanted changes to this
community on the shores of Hudson Bay. Although Churchill,
Manitoba is known as the polar bear capitol of the world, gradual
temperature increases - 0.3 to 0.4 degrees per decade since 1950 - are
causing significant changes in the Bay's environment.
Polar bears hunt on sea-ice, capturing seals as they surface for air at
ice breaks. When the Bay freezes later and breaks up earlier,
polar bears are left waiting for access to their traditional hunting
grounds and food source. Scientists monitoring sea-ice at Nasa's
Goddard Space Flight Center believe that ice could be withdrawing at a
rate of up to 9% per decade.
Polar bears are not the only wildlife impacted by climate change. Churchill
also hosts tens of thousands of migratory birds in the spring,
including Pacific and red-throated loons, Hudsonian godwits, snowy
owls, arctic terns, merlins, golden plovers and Ross' gulls.
Migratory birds expect their food source to be ready and waiting for
them upon arrival. But warming temperatures are sending Canada
Geese to Hudson Bay several weeks early. When they arrive, the
marsh plants they feed on - which grow according to day length rather
then temperature - are just beginning to sprout.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
October-early
December (check ice status): Polar bears May
through September: Birdwatching Late
June to early August: Beluga whales in Hudson Bay and the
Churchill River estuary.
