Fauna
According to actual zoological research, there live sixteen species of mammals in the park. At Wager Bay’s south shore is a large polar bear denning area. Therefore in July and at the beginning of August, polar bears can be observed, from a boat, on floes, on islands or swimming from close up. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and curious Arctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) come close to Sila Lodge. More rarely to be seen are the shy lemmings (Lemmus sibiricus). Due to their camouflage, Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) and Arctic Hares (Lepus arcticus), are not easily spotted but are most likely seen when fleeing. Other animals seen occasionally include the Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus arctos), the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) and the wolverine (Gulo gulo).
Several species of marine mammals can be seen in the park’s area: Ringed Seals (Phoca hispida) and Bearded Seals (Erignathus barbatus) live here in large numbers, and from time to time a walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), a Common Seal (Harbour Seal, Phoca vitulina), a beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) or a narwhal (Monodon monoceros) may appear in Wager Bay.
Only four species of fish have been reported up to now: Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) and ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius).
Birders are able to observe up to forty species, including:
- Birds of prey (Falconiformes)
- Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
- Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus, bird of the Northwest Territories)
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
- Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
- Waterfowl
- Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
- King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
- Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis)
- Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
- Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis)
- Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens)
- Brant Goose (Branta bernicla)
- Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer)
- Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia Adamsii)
- Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)
- Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
- Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
- Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea)
- Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
- Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri)
- Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)
- Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
- Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
- Other ground nesting birds
- Sanderling (Calidris alba)
- Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris Bairdii)
- Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
- White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
- Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
- American Golden Plover (Pluvialis Dominica)
- Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
- Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)
- Common Raven (Corvus corax)
- Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta, bird of Nunavut)
- Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)
- Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
- Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
- Water Pipit (Antus spinoletta)
Read more about this topic: Ukkusiksalik National Park
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