Mammals
The tundra around Kaktovik supports Caribou, while three species of bear (Polar, Grizzly and Brown) are often found in and around the village. Whales can be seen from the shore, but Bruce also does whalewatching trips in his boat; regularly sighted are belugas and bowhead whales, with grey whales seen occasionally.
Bruce has great knowledge of the bears and caribou and is proud that he has never had to harm a polar bear in all his time in Kaktovik.
Birds
The lagoons South, West and East of Barter Island provide a haven for many birds, with Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Yellow-Legged Goose and Speckled Belly Goose often encountered. Ivory gulls are likely to be seen inland. Bruce describes the lagoons as 'birdwatcher's heaven'.
On the sea can be found puffins, teal, guillemots, king eider and common eiders amongst other birds. The beautiful long-tailed duck is also a regular, and is called 'ahalek' in the Inupiat language.
Flora
The plantlife of the tundra is varied, with late summer the best time of year to see flowering plants. Global warming has encouraged species previously not seen in this area and so viewing the tundra now is reccommended before the ecosystem is entirely changed by human activity.
The tundra around Kaktovik supports Caribou, while three species of bear (Polar, Grizzly and Brown) are often found in and around the village. Whales can be seen from the shore, but Bruce also does whalewatching trips in his boat; regularly sighted are belugas and bowhead whales, with grey whales seen occasionally.
Bruce has great knowledge of the bears and caribou and is proud that he has never had to harm a polar bear in all his time in Kaktovik.
Birds
The lagoons South, West and East of Barter Island provide a haven for many birds, with Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Yellow-Legged Goose and Speckled Belly Goose often encountered. Ivory gulls are likely to be seen inland. Bruce describes the lagoons as 'birdwatcher's heaven'.
On the sea can be found puffins, teal, guillemots, king eider and common eiders amongst other birds. The beautiful long-tailed duck is also a regular, and is called 'ahalek' in the Inupiat language.
Flora
The plantlife of the tundra is varied, with late summer the best time of year to see flowering plants. Global warming has encouraged species previously not seen in this area and so viewing the tundra now is reccommended before the ecosystem is entirely changed by human activity.
