darren lincoln @dsgnlink

Western Hudson Bay polar bears are doing what they usually do during the ice-free period: nothing. Energy conservation is the priority. For moms with cubs, avoiding other bears is also important (infanticide risk). Now the bears wait for cold & sea ice to return.

Western Hudson Bay polar bears are spread from Ontario to Nunavut (including 1 well to the NE). More bears went south than "normal" but it was also reflected in spring captures with many bears having no prior history. Now they wait for freeze-up (29 C, 84 F) forecast so it's hot!

It's very unusual to see polar bears still out on so little sea ice. This is a change in behaviour compared to the past when 30% ice cover meant heading for land. Perhaps the hunting is still good? Perhaps they need to fatten more? Maybe they found a few solid bits of ice?

It's amazing to see so many polar bears still out on the last bits of ice in Hudson Bay. Bear E4 made it to land on the northern tip of Québec. Staying out on so little sea ice is a big shift in behaviour from the past decades.

Hudson Bay polar bears are hanging on to the last bits of sea ice in 2025. In the past <30% ice & bears were heading ashore. It appears the bears are now somewhat more flexible in their behaviour & staying out longer. Perhaps by necessity as they were lean this spring?

Precious little ice left in Hudson Bay but some polar bears we're tracking are staying offshore. Based on their poor condition this spring, some bears may need another seal or two to survive the on land period. Satellite images can't see the small bits the bears are using.

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Hudson Bay polar bears are coming ashore. It’s an early break up. When I started studying the bears here in 1984, some stayed out on the ice until August. They use 1 kg of stored energy per day so the ice-free period is a key factor in their success.

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Hudson Bay polar bears continue their westward migration. The bears will want to be closer to their summering areas as breakup progresses. Some bears are still way out in the Bay but they've got lots of time. It is, however, warm this week so the ice is likely past its peak.

The westward spring migration continues. Hudson Bay polar bears are moving back towards their summering areas in Wapusk National Park & nearby areas. We'll be on the sea ice there next week to assess how the bears are doing.

Go west! Hudson Bay polar bears are moving back towards their summering area. Polar bears wander far during winter but they're real homebodies & prefer to summer in the same area year after year. All moms with cubs now on the ice.

An update from the field - Bear W (onland straight south of Churchill) was spotted yesterday near her den with triplets! The bears had a good 2024 & some have responded with a big litter. Really, these are more like 2 1/2 cubs as there's often a runt that doesn't survive.

Western Hudson Bay polar bears are very spread out but possibly slowly moving west as spring comes to the Arctic. The few bears on land should be mothers with new cubs that will be heading to the sea ice any time now.

Hudson Bay polar bears are still well spread out & south this year. Interannual variation in distribution is high but the causes are unknown. We'll know how the bears are doing when @ualbertaScience polar bear crew heads out onto the sea ice.

Hudson Bay polar bears are still widespread - a few are hanging out to the NE of Cape Churchill (usually a high use area) but others are far from home. They all should start moving west before too long as they'll want to be near Churchill at break-up.

Western Hudson Bay polar bears continue their offshore migration eastward. It's very unusual that the eastern side of the Bay isn't frozen. The bears I track don't usually go all the way across but some do. The lack of ice is, however, a problem for bears over there.

Most W. Hudson Bay polar bears are now on the sea ice. Most of the onland bears are eartag radios that are out of power & a couple of females that are expected newborn cubs (ca. 800 grams) any day now. A late & slow freeze up.

Hudson Bay polar bears are ready to head back to the sea ice & catch up (really just catch) with a few seals. Some cooler temperatures now so that bodes well. Many bears will have depleted their energy stores (using ca. 1 kg/day) so they need to start feeding again soon.

Western Hudson Bay polar bears still waiting for freeze-up. There's nothing really cold in the local forecasts but the Bay will be cooling slowly now.

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Hudson Bay polar bears are waiting for sea ice. Churchill is cooling now but freeze-up will be a fair ways off. The bears are using up ca. 1 kg (2 lb) of body mass/day while fasting. Most bears were in good shape this year so it's looking good (if freeze-up comes soon).