The composition of life stages within the zooplankton community reflects the relative timing of retreat of the ice in various areas. Ringed seal pups are born in lairs under the ice. Caribou migrate northward across the ice in the Coronation Gulf area. Seabirds and waterfowl arrive and feed in whatever open water that is available. In the east, they wait for breakup, at ice edges or along the edge of the shore fast ice.
Ringed seals haul out on the ice to bask in the sun.
Seabirds and waterfowl arrive on nests and lay eggs. In summer, marine mammals have access to and are found at traditional smmering areas. Belugas make daily trips to the Mackenzie estuary, and estuaries in the high arctic and Hudson Bay. Walrus spend much time hauled out on traditional terrestrial haul out sites. Narwhal and harp seals are found throughout their range.