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The Siberian native ’Ross's Gull’
is just one of the rare birds that has been
sighted here. Tundra swans nest in the shallow
ponds that dot the plain. Ptarmigan and Great
Grey owls can be seen out on the tundra. Small
ponds and marshes are ideal spots to view Red-necked
phalaropes, terns and widgeons. In June, over
100 species arrive in spring breeding plumage.
Locals claim that birding here is particularly
rewarding because it is possible to view many
species at close range, without any obstacles
like trees getting in the way.
Arctic terns are common, but
have the distinction of migrating from pole
to pole twice yearly, consequently receiving
more hours of sunlight than any other bird.
They are colony nesters, defending their territory
from interlopers. Although nests are built on
gravel scrapes where there is little cover or
camouflage, the entire colony minds each nest,
flocking to attack any outsiders that venture
too close. Other species take advantage of this
army of defenders by building their nests amongst
the terns. Ross's gulls, Little gulls and
semi-palmated plovers are tolerated; ravens,
jaegers and people are not.
The only Snow goose colony
in Manitoba has its nesting grounds at La Perouse
Bay. Scientists are currently monitoring this
population because it appears to be eating itself
out of house and home. From the air it is possible
to see large tracts of red barren ground where
the geese have cleared all vegetation.
There
are more than 400 native plant species. In summer,
the flowering plants carpet the tundra with
a dizzying array of shapes and colours. Miniature
orchids tuck into spaces behind rocks or hummocks,
anywhere they can catch a bit of sun and avoid
the scathing wind. The dominant colour seems
to be purple, possibly owing to the length of
the sun's rays. Even the Indian Paintbrush
here is purple, not red, orange or yellow as
it is in Western Canada. Mackenzie Hedysarum
grows in great profusion and attracts myriad
insects.
Even the rocks are colourful,
painted with a bright orange lichen called Xanthoria
Alleganis. Like everything else in the near
arctic, it is extremely fragile. It grows very
slowly, taking anywhere from 300-1200 years
to reach the size of a quarter.
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