An analysis of the stable isotopes of oxygen (d 18 O) and hydrogen (dD) was used to examine the linkage between sea ice concentration and the migration of western arctic bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus; WABW). We compared d 18 O and dD variability along the length of WABW baleen with isotopic values of zooplankton prey from different WABW habitat, with published d 13 C and d 15 N data, and with historical sea ice records. Zooplankton signatures varied widely (d 18 O ¼ À13‰e56‰; dD ¼ À220‰ to À75‰), with regional separation between winter (Bering Sea) and summer (eastern Beaufort Sea) habitats of WABW observable in dD. The d 18 O and dD of WABW varied significantly along the length of baleen (d 18 O ¼ 8e18‰; dD ¼ À180 to À80‰), confirming seasonal migration and reflecting distinct regional dietary variation in isotopes. WABW migration appears to have varied concomitant with temporal sea ice concentration (SIC) changes; in years with high SIC, the difference in dD of WABW baleen between seasonal habitats was significantly greater than low SIC periods. This work shows that SIC is not only a determinant of habitat accessibility for WABW, but baleen may also be a record of historical SIC and Arctic climate.

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