
79 
Northern Manitoba and District of Keewatin 
Dave Colls, Canadian Wildlife Service, acted as observer on this portion 
of the survey work which involved the country north to Churchill and Baker Lake 
and northeastward to, and including Southampton Island. 
This summer was an exceptional year for aerial exploration in the country 
north of Churchill. A very early spring with unusually high temperatures resulted 
in an abnormally advanced season. On July 1, 1950, the bay at Eskimo Point was 
completely covered by heavy ice, which was not expected to break up until after 
July 15, but this year-the bay was completely ice-free on July 7 when we flew over 
it, as it had been for some time. Asa result, refueling was not the problem it-had © 
been in previous years because water landings could be accomplished in most places. 
Above Tavani the large permanent water areas were still covered by ice except along 
the shoreline. Open water was present, of course, on the tundra potholes. All snow 
was gone with the exception of the huge drifts which had built up during the winter on 
the southeast side of the higher hills. 
Data were recorded on a 1/4-mile transect basis from Waboden northward. 
_A direct course was followed from Waboden to Churchill. Northward from Churchill 
the flight path was confined to the tidal flats until Tavani was reached. From Tavani 
a direct course was flown across the interior to Baker Lake. For reason of safety 
the aircraft was flown at an altitude too high to record data between Baker Lake and 
Southampton Island. The course followed in the survey flights on Southampton Island 
are shown on the accompanying map. 
Data recorded on a transect basis are shown below. 
Table IV - Waterfowl Densities in Northern Manitoba and the District of Keewatin 

Square - Ducks Per 
Transect Mile Ducks Canada Geese Sq. Mile 
Waboden to Churchill 81 74 - 0.9 
Churchill to Eskimo Point 40 67 80 1.7% 
Eskimo Point to Tavani 20 32 4 1,6 
Tavani to Baker Lake 40 36 204** 0.9 
Cape Kendall to Coral Harbor 30 1 - tr. 
Coral Harbor to Duke of York 30 4 - 0.1 
Bay 
Duke of York Bay to Ell Bay 35 106 l 3.0 
Ell Bay to Coral Harbor 22 13 - 0.6 
Coral Harbor to Cape Kendall 40 0 3 0.0 
(via Boas River Delta) 
Total | 338 333 292 0.98 
* In 1950 between Churchill and Eskimo Point a duck density of 19.8 per 
square mile was recorded. 
** Includes one group of non-breeding adults numbering 150 observed on 
the Wilson River. 
