The Occurrence of Muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus in Labrador

Muskoxen were first observed in Labrador in 1988 and have since been recorded at several locations in two separate river valleys in northern Labrador. The occurrence of Muskoxen in Labrador is attributed to the dispersal of captive releases from Québec in 1973 and 1983. Here we document observation records and examine the future management of the species in Labrador and speculate on its possible effect on this northern ecosystem

Winter Occurrences of Ivory Gulls, Pagophila eburnea, in Inland Labrador

Ivory Gulls were observed during winter on three occasions up to 325 km inland from open coastal water, feeding on Caribou carcasses in inland Labrador. Other recent observations in central Labrador are also noted

Effectiveness of spatial mitigation for the George River Caribou Herd within the military training area of Labrador and Québec

The George River Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Herd (GRCH) regularly migrates through the military Low Level Training Area (LLTA) used for jet training out of 5 Wing Goose Bay, Labrador. Potential disturbance to caribou by military aircraft has been mitigated through the reconfiguration of the LLTA in 1996 away from the traditional migration routes and the establishment of closure areas based on the locations of >20 adults fitted with satellite telemetry collars. In 2000 and 2001, we conducted seven aerial surveys to examine the caribou distribution and abundance within the northern portion and adjacent area of the LLTA during post-calving, summer dispersal, pre-rut and late winter. We flew transects to examine approximately 10% of areas traditionally used during each period. The timing and direction of cari¬bou movements through this region were similar to that observed in the 1990s. Collared caribou were a good indicator of movements of the GRCH through the LLTA. Closure areas based on the location of satellite collars and direction of movement, were found to enclose the majority of caribou observed within the LLTA. Most GRCH activity now occurs outside the LLTA as a result of reconfiguration

Evidence of Range Expansion of Eastern Coyotes, Canis latrans, in Labrador

Eastern Coyotes were first documented in central Labrador in 1995 and have recently been recorded in coastal Labrador and at three additional locations in central and western Labrador. Here we document additional records indicating range expansion and the possibility of an established population. We also examine the future management of the species in Labrador and its possible effect on this northern ecosystem

Recent Range Expansion of Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, in Labrador

The recent distribution of Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, has not been documented in Labrador. Here we provide new records, extending northward the known contiguous distribution by 100 to 150 km, and identify three new, possibly discrete, populations

Moose, Alces alces, Winter Browse Use in Central Labrador

To determine the effect of forestry practices on the availability of winter Moose forage, we recorded Moose browse along four 250 m transects in each of five forest regeneration ages. Browse use was greater on 20- and 30-year-old regenerating stands as compared with recently clearcut stands (5 and 10 years old) or mature forest (> 150 years old). Willow (Salix sp.) followed by White Birch (Betula papyrifera) had the highest proportion of browsing by Moose

The relationship of military aircraft activity to raptors in Central Labrador

Central Labrador is a notable breeding area for Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Bald Eagles (Haliaetus leucocephalus). It is also the location of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Low level Training Area (LLTA) for fighter aircraft, covering an area of approximately 130,000 km2 over Labrador and north-eastern Québec. Currently, military aircraft based in Goose Bay, Labrador annually conduct 5,000-7,000 sorties and are permitted to conduct up to 18,000 per flying season (DND 1995). The interaction between the two is frequently fatal for the bird and potentially so for the aircraft and pilot. Since the early 1990s, the Department of National Defence (DND) has been monitoring Osprey and Bald Eagles populations in Labrador and north-eastern Québec, within the LLTA, as part of a long-term Environmental Mitigation Program (DND 1995, JWEL 2000). Several studies have been conducted on Bald Eagles and Osprey in Labrador, pertaining to the distribution and productivity of Osprey and Bald Eagles (Wetmore and Gillespie 1976), the diets of nesting Osprey (Chubbs and Trimper 1998) as well as the influence of low-level jet aircraft noise on the behavior of nesting Osprey (Thomas 1998, Trimper et al. 1998) in Labrador. While some literature does exist on Osprey and Bald Eagles and their activities at nest sites in Labrador (Wetmore and Gillespie 1976, DND 1995, Chubbs and Trimper 1998, Thomas 1998, Trimper et al. 1998), there is little information on a host of other key factors that must be considered when attempting to mitigate the incidence of bird-aircraft strikes. For example, the arrival and departure times from breeding sites, the raptors use of the training area typical breeding and home ranges for an active nest site, nest site fidelity, spring and fall migration routes, wintering areas, and migration flight altitudes. The purpose of this study is to track juvenile and adult Osprey and Bald Eagles from nest sites on their fall and spring migration to determine their arrival and departure dates from the LLTA. Studying raptor migration routes and timing is critical for bird strike risk assessment that is an essential information for safe flight planning