Birds Observed in the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole

Abstract

Bird sightings made in the high Arctic Ocean during a cruise to the North Pole from 18–24 July 1994 on board the Russian ice breaker Kapitan Dranitsyn are presented. Twenty-eight sightings of 6 species were made north of 83°N, 13 sightings of 5 species north of 87°N, and 7 sightings of 3 species above 89°N. The most common species were the Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), and Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), followed by the Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). No landbirds were seen. A review of the literature on bird sightings at high latitudes in the Arctic Ocean, including observations made during a similar cruise in 1993 by Parmelee and Parmelee, reveals that a total of 29 species have been recorded during a number of expeditions. In addition to the 4 species above, these include 3 geese, 2 ducks, 1 plover, 1 sandpiper, 1 phalarope, 3 jaegers, 4 gulls, 1 tern, 4 alcids, and 5 species of passerines (1 wheatear, 1 wagtail, and 3 buntings).