Boertmann, D., Olsen, K. & Nielsen, R.D. 2009.
This report describes the results of two aerial surveys carried out in <st1:place w:st="on">Northeast Greenland</st1:place> in the spring and summer of 2008. The aim was to survey concentrations of seabirds and marine mammals along the shores and ice edges in May-June and in July-August. The survey was a part of a larger data acquisition programme carried out by NERI and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources for future environmental impact assessment of hydrocarbon activities in the sea off <st1:place w:st="on">Northeast Greenland</st1:place> . The Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (Greenland Home Rule) financed the surveys.
Two kinds of surveys were carried out: Total counts along shores and ice edges and transect counts over the two larger polynyas (Northeast Water and Scoresby Sund). The latter were only done in May-June.
The results are presented on the maps shown in Figures 6-34.
Not surprisingly, the large coastal polynyas were important seabird habitats in spring. The most numerous and widespread species was common eider; in total 27,000 were counted, most likely representing a very significant part of the total breeding population in Northeast Greenland. Little auks were much more numerous, but were only seen in the Scoresby Sund polynya and adjacent waters, close to the large breeding colonies on the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Land</st1:PlaceType> coast and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Volquart</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Boon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> . King eiders were, except for the Northeast Water polynya, only seen in low numbers.
During the July-August survey, moulting seaducks were seen widespread along the coasts to the south of Dove Bugt. Common eiders were numerous, especially along the Blosseville Kyst, long-tailed ducks were also numerous, and usually found in shallow bays while very few moulting king eiders were located.
Many new seabird breeding colonies (n= 62) were located both on small islands and on steep coasts. The major part was colonies of glaucous gull and Arctic tern (Table 4, Figure 31). Most notably were twelve new ivory gull colonies (Figure 32) and seven with Sabines gulls (Figure 33).
Among the marine mammals concentrations of walrus and narwhal were observed in the Northeast Water in early June, while only a few walruses were seen here in August. A noteworthy observation of narwhals was a large concentration in Dove Bugt in July. Five different bowhead whales were seen in July-August.
Full report in pdf (14.4 MB)
