On February 21, 2017, ABC welcomed Eric Dudley, assisted by Mary Kay Elfman, to get his report on the Svalbard archipelago.

Birding Svalbard.  ABC’ers in screen reflection.

Eric reports on his arctic cruise, assisted by Mary Kay

What is the Svalbard archipelago near? Nothing!

In case you want to leave anytime soon…

Eric Dudley took a cruise through the Svalbard archipelago last summer, way above the Arctic Circle, to see some of the rarest sights on the planet.

Birds included Jaegers, Red Phalaropes, Ivory and Glaucous Gulls as well as Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns, Common Eiders, and thrilling colonies of Thick-billed Murres.

Common Eider females, of much interest to us in Puget Sound at the moment

Ivory Gull at 81 degrees latitude

Barnacle Goose family

Arctic Tern warnings

Trying to follow those instructions on Arctic Terns!

Eric’s presentation included short movies of the ship moving through the Murres’ cliffs as well as Kittiwakes and terns hunting among the ice floes alongside the ship.

Thick-billed Murres in their guano-striped cliff colony.

Mammals were thrilling as well, with this being one of the last best places to see Polar Bears, although no history of human/bear trauma, as well as Walruses, Arctic Foxes, and Reindeer. With plant life being rather sparse, the assortment of fauna was amazing.

Keeping a distance from the Polar Bear

Polar Bear on floe near ship

Walruses

Reindeer

The scenery itself with glacier after glacier surrounded by icebergs was stunning. Eric also provided a history of human settlement of these most northernmost towns on earth.

Glacier to left

Many ABC’ers asked questions that seemed to have to do with making plans to go there! Only Melissa and Dennis Sherwood had been there previously, and they also recommended it as a trip to remember.

Great photos, Eric!!