LEO Network

About the LEO Network
The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

High waters raise concern

Huge winter storm cuts power to 100,000 across eastern US
Avis, Pennsylvania, United States
the Guardian

Northern lampfish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus) Die-off
Hundreds of northern lampfish were observed on Nahku Bay beach. The last die-off occurred in March 2011.
Nahku Bay, Alaska, United States

Cold weather delays Yukon growers
Yukon growers report delay, because of colder than usual March temperatures.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Thermal spring early to southern Finland
Spring - or rather thermal spring - could be arriving to Finland as early as this week in southern and western areas.
Southern Capital Region, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) near Vancouver
Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area, British Columbia, Canada

Disturbing melody of melting permafrost crater
This tadpole-shaped gash in the Earth's surface - around one kilometre long, and 800 metres wide - is enlarging by up to 30 metres a year.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
Siberian Times

Flowering cacti observed in La Quinta, California
Bear Creek Trail, La Quinta, California, United States

Warm winter can be deadly for snowmobilers and ice fishermen
The unusually warm winter has proven deadly in the northeast. More than a dozen people, including snowmobilers and ice fishermen, have died when they fell through thin lake ice.
Gilford, New Hampshire, United States
NPR.org

Alaskan Caribou Are Adapting to Warming
The most recent study noted that Arctic thaw is occurring one to two weeks earlier than the first study, and the North Slope growing season is lengthening by 15 to 21 days. At the same time, however, caribou are maintaining the same reproductive timeline.
Dalton Highway, Alaska, United States
Scientific American

Low salmon projections cancel popular Southeast spring king derby
Juneau's Spring King Salmon Derby won’t happen this year, because there aren’t enough fish. State biologists predict chinook returns will be low this year.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Photo series shows glacier disappear
A series of photos, taken by Guðmundur Ögmundsson, Skaftafell National Park manager in the past five years, shows in a striking way how Skaftafellsjökull glacier, an outlet glacier from Vatnajökull glacier, has receded.
Kálfafell, Iceland
Iceland Review

Simla had probably been stuck here for a couple of days: Shows the dangers of littering along the fjord
Reindeer stuck in local trash. Blue markings can also be seen on body. Mayor Frank M. Ingilæ and his two dogs came to the rescue for this fight Wednesday.
Torhop, Tana kommune, Troms and Finnmark County, Norway
iFinnmark

1 year later, no answers on why truck broke through ice on Deline winter road
A year after a fuel-carrying truck broke through the ice on the Deline winter road, the N.W.T.'s Department of Transportation has yet to release the results of an investigation into why the accident happened.
Déliné, Northwest Territory, Canada
CBC News

Yukon species list shows climate change in action
A big emphasis in the last few years has been updating and adding to the list of species known to occur in the Yukon.
This past year, a whopping 1,973 species of plants, insects and animals have been added.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Bumper harvest as herring return to Strait of Georgia in great numbers
The commercial roe-herring fishery opened with a flourish over the weekend as the gillnet fleet took its share of what the federal government predicts to be “near-historic” returns to the Strait of Georgia.
French Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Pictures Reveal How Climate Change Affects Glaciers in High Peru
"A photographer and environmental anthropologist explores melting glaciers in Peru."
Peru

Did Pinochet-era deregulation cause Chile's worst-ever wildfires?
"After the fires killed 11 and devastated vast swaths of land in January many are asking if subsidised timber plantations are to blame"
Monte Patria, Coquimbo, Chile
the Guardian

Archaeologists say they've found the campsite used by survivors of legendary 'doomed' ship
Kruzof Island, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica Harvest at NWIC Lummi Campus
NWIC Lummi Campus, Washington, United States

First Ever Junior National Ski Jumping Event Without Snow
Sports are innovating and adapting to hold competitions even in absence of winter.
Fox River Grove, Illinois, United States

As water scarcity deepens across Latin America, political instability grows
"In Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador disputes over water shortages are part of a wider fight for equal access and shared responsibility"
Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia
the Guardian

Global warming winners? North Slope brant thriving amid changes
Climate-induced habitat changes on Alaska's North Slope such as coastal erosion and permafrost thaw have produced more food for migrating brant, a study says.
North Slope, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Pacific walrus population dropped drastically in 1980s-90s, study indicates
The notoriously difficult-to-study Pacific walrus population decreased by about half between 1981 and 1999, likely due to hunting and changes to sea-ice habitat, according to a new USGS study that is considered the most up-to-date and comprehensive so far. The Pacific walrus is being considered for Endangered Species Act protections.
Walrus Islands — State Game Sanctuary, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

River Erosion
Shungnak, Alaska, United States

Thousands of Velella (by-the-wind sailors) Washed Up In Southeast AK
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Across much of the Arctic, a thawing landscape is sinking
Because ice makes up a good portion of the underground foundation of northern Alaska, thawing has dropped the landscape as much as 3 feet in some places.
Kaktovik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Salmon Berries (Rubus spectabilis) Early
Wrangell, Alaska, United States

Unusual Weevil (Curculionoidea)
Unusual weevil (Curculionoidea)
Russian Mission, Alaska, United States

Spruce Aphid (Elatobium abietinum) Damage
Nuka Passage, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Caught in Village
Brown bear (Ursus arctos) caught in village.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon aliaska) Butterfly
Large Old World Swallowtail Butterfly
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Black Fly
Black fly
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Early Growth Of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)
Early Growth of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Bloom
Early salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) boom
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Unusual Atmospheric Rainbow
Unusual atmospheric rainbow-like
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Blooming Raspberry (Rubus arcticus) Plants
Blooming Raspberry plants
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Floodwaters recede after Deering declares disaster
For one day last week, the village of Deering needed to use a boat to get to the airport.
Deering, Alaska, United States
The Arctic Sounder

Why Alaska's Arctic tundra is slowly sinking
Alaska’s tundra landscapes carpet a good portion of the state, from the North Slope to the elbow of the Alaska Peninsula. Researchers say it's slowly sinking in places -- as much as a fifth of an inch each year.
Teller, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Lots of Spruce (Picea glauca) Pollen and Early
Windows have been open during the record heat and the interior of the house is also full of pollen, a thin layer can be seen on the floor near windows. Everyone, even people like myself who rarely experience allergies, are feeling the effects, burning eyes, runny nose, and cough.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Early Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Sprout
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Early breakups seen on Kenai Peninsula
The rivers on the Kenai Peninsula are shucking their ice much sooner in the past few years than they have in decades, some flowing freely as early as
Soldotna, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

Early Wasps (Leucospid spp.)
Early wasps
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Ravens (Corvus corax) Are Scarce This Spring
Resident Ravens Disappeared in Early April
Dillingham, Alaska, United States

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Calving On Kobuk River
Caribou calving on the Kobuk River, seems early to calf.
Kiana, Alaska, United States

Mange grågås (greylag geese - Anser anser) på Spildra
Many Greylag Goose on Spildra, Norway
Spildra, Kvænangen, Norway

Deadly fungus threatens B.C.'s bats, biologist says
After a bat was found near Seattle with deadly White Nose Syndrome, a conservation group has teamed up with cave explorers to find out if B.C.'s bats are also affected. The White Nose fungus can kill 99 or even 100 percent of a population it infects.
Seattle, Washington, United States

Unusual Weather Pattern
Unusual weather pattern that changes conditions quickly.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum Wal)
Communities on the southern coastline of Kenai Peninsula have noticed changes to trees as a result of the aphid.
Kasitana Bay, Alaska, United States

On Arctic island, a reindeer tragedy
In less than three years, the number of animals on the island of Kolguyev dropped from more than 12,000 to only 153.
Колгуевский сельсовет, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Unusual Bird (lxoreus naevius) on Lake Iliamna
Identified as a male Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Kokhanok, Alaska, United States

Alaska birch pollen is getting so bad, even those without allergies might suffer
Spiking levels of birch pollen around much of the state are also being seen during an early spring in Anchorage this week, as doctors deal with an influx of allergy and asthma patients.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

West Coast Harmful Algal Bloom
Over the past few months, a massive toxic bloom of the marine diatom *Pseudo-nitzschia*, stretching from central California to the Alaska Peninsula, has resulted in significant impacts to coastal resources and marine life. NOAA has been working closely with federal, state, tribal, academic, and other partners to respond to this unprecedented harmful algal bloom (HAB).
Pacific Ocean, Northern to East Coasts
National Ocean Service (NOAA)

Southern Squirrels moving North!
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Southern Squirrels Moving North
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Another Warm Month in Alaska
Least Surprising News: Another Warm Month in Alaska
Alaska, United States

Lots of Furry Moths
Unknown furry moth
Holy Cross, Alaska, United States

Early Allergy Season
Allergy season happening sooner
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Unalakleet River Goes Out Early
Unalakleet River goes out early
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

5 billion MNT bridge collapses after heavy rain |
A newly built bridge in Tes soum of Uvs Province collapsed on Saturday during a heavy rain.
Тэс, Uvs, Mongolia
The UB Post

Moose (Alces alces) Near Village
Moose (Alces alces) near village

Early Birch (Betula papyrifera) Tree Leaves
Early green up following a very mild winter with little snow.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Growth On Sheefish (Stenodus leucichthys) Heart
Tapioca like growth identified as larval trematode parasites (digenean metacercariae).
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Flood and drought extremes in southeastern Alberta
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Early Break-up, Low Water
Early river break-up and low water
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Increased Spread of Japanese Knotweed
Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada

Unusual Insect Observed On Willow
On the upper Klamath River
Tulley Creek

Marine Mussels Clean of PSP (Toxins)
Declining after years elevated.
Klamath, California, United States

Lowest Water Table on Record (Summer 2015)
Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)
A mountain lion is robbing the tribal fish wheel in Tazlina. There have been several sightings in recent years.
Tazlina, Alaska, United States

Sperm Whales Found Dead In Germany, Stomachs FULL Of Plastic And Car Parts
In January, 29 sperm whales were found stranded on shores around the North Sea, an area that is too shallow for the marine wildlife. Only recently were details of the animals’ necropsy released. However, scientists were deeply disturbed by what they found in the animals’ stomachs.
North Sea, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
True Activist

Lake Level Peak Elevation Shift, Shuswap Lake
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Low Water On Taieri River
Low water on the Taieri River
Outram, Otago, New Zealand

Earliest River Break Up Ever
Earliest Tokositna River break up ever in Denali State Park.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

Stage 3 Water Restrictions in Shawnigan Lake, BC
Shawnigan Lake, BC

It's official: unusual Atlantic salmon catch confirmed in Clyde River, Nunavut
Science has confirmed what fishermen in Clyde River, Nunavut, have been saying for decades: Atlantic salmon do make their way to the hamlet on Baffin Island north of the Arctic Circle.
Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada
CBC

Unusual Bird (Lanius excubitor) Sighting
Identification pending.

Early Bloom of Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis Highbush) Bushes
Early bloom of salmonberry bushes.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

No Permanent Winter Ice and Early Break Up For Nome
Nome, Alaska, United States

Band-tailed Pigeon - Lower Mainland BC
South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Early leafing of trees this spring
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

Dry winter and low water table in Southern Alberta
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada

Record High Temperatures for April 18, 2016
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Early Kuskokwim River Breakup at Chuathbaluk
We have had an extremely warm winter, and the river had many open holes that never froze completely.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Psoroptic Mange (Psoroptis ovis) in Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)
South Okanagan Similkameen
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

Lynx Spotted in Kamloops Suburbs
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Early Spring / Early Waterfowl
Early spring and early waterfowl
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Early Birch (Betula neoalaskana) Sap
The birch trees are producing sap earlier. (baseline post)

Mosquitoes (Culicidae) Hatch
First mosquito (and bite) of year.

A large wet snow avalanche cycle in West Greenland quantified using remote sensing and in situ observations
On 11 April 2016 we observed high slushflow and wet snow avalanche activity at the environmental monitoring station Kobbefjord in West Greenland.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Natural Hazards
Jakob Abermann, Markus Eckerstorfer, Eirik Malnes, Birger Ulf Hansen

Flora Blooming Early in the Valley
Birch leaves bud early.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

From winter to summer: Where is the spring in Toronto?
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

White Nose Syndrome (WNS) Bats
Not in Alaska yet - Help with Surveillance Requested.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Bailey Richards, Karen Blejwas, Marian Snively

Lack of ice allows dredging to start early
Previously, the dredging started around May and ran through October, but the past three winters it has started earlier and run longer.

Dead Murres At Boat Harbor
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Second year of unusual seasonal temperatures: affects black bears and native plant growth?
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Unusually High March Temperatures
Unseasonably warm in Arctic.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Beaver (Castor canadensis) Activity Near Community
Beaver activity impacting water level
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Bloomers
More early bloomers in Southcentral Alaska.
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) with Elongated Bill
A mysterious condition continues to inflict some Alaska birds

March Rainbow
Have you ever heard of such a thing? In Anchorage?

Volcano Spewing Ash and Lava
Pavlov Volcano provides spring show and showers
Mount Pavolf, Alaska, United States

Volcanic Ash Fall
Ash from Mount Pavlof Lands in Nelson Lagoon
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Dead Birds On Spit Beach
Residents concern over die-offs persist
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Hummingbird Sightings on the Sunshine Coast
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Dandelions (Taraxacum) in Bloom
First dandelions of spring
King Cove, Alaska, United States

First Mosquitoe (Culicidae) of Spring
An early season?
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Fish and Game look to round up invasive starlings
The Department of Fish and Game plans to trap a flock of birds not native to Alaska that is trying to move in. The agency says starlings could cause big problems for humans and other birds native to the area. They want to get rid of the flock before their numbers grow.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

March Pollen and Active Honey Bees (Apis)
Warm temperatures drive emergence of early willow buds, pollen and honey bee activity.

50°F in March!
Unseasonably warm in Chistochina.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) in Full Bloom
Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) are in full bloom on Baranof Island.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Early Willow (Salix scouleriana) Bloom
Early Pussy Willows in Denali Park.
Denali Park, Alaska, United States

Wolf reports (Canis Lupus) on Nelson Island
An unusual visitor, or new neighbor?
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Coyotes are everywhere, even in Alaska
Department biologists do not keep track of coyote numbers, but Fairbanks-area trapper Randy Zarnke said coyotes began showing up on his trapline trails three or four years ago.
College, Alaska, United States

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Bloom
Early blooming salmonberry (*was'x'aan tléiGu* and blueberry (*naanyaa kanat'aayi* - Tlingit language) blossoms.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Jerry Hupp, LoriAnne Barnett, Sudie Hargis

Fuel tanker plunges through ice road in N.W.T., ice road
An ice road near Deline, N.W.T. is closed after a fuel tanker plunged through on Saturday.
Déliné, Northwest Territory, Canada

Another Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Second sea otter stranding in one week.
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Lack of snow shortens Iditarod start
Persistent warm temperatures the last few weeks have melted much of the snow, including stockpiles the city tried to set aside.
Alaska Public Media

Living in Ice Land
Winter transformed from time of snow to time of ice.

Crecimiento del nivel del mar
Río Lagartos, Yucatán, Mexico

Seldovia beach erosion and glacial rebound
Rapid changes raise questions.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Still No Sea Ice
Open water interferes with subsistence practices.
Hajo Eicken, Anna R John, Moses Tcheripanoff

Sheen on Water in Shishmaref
Photos and observations of the sheen thought to be caused by a fuel leak in the village of Shishmaref.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Unusual Beetle
5-31-15 Unusual beetle - Goodnews Bay, Alaska, USA
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States

Velella en Isla San Martín

Spring River Ice Change
Spring river ice change - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Insect Die-off
5.21-15 Insect die-off - Chistochina, Alaska, USA
Chistochina, Alaska, USA

Ruby Tiger (Phragmotobia fuliginosa) Moth
Unusual moth
Kwinhagak, Alaska, USA

Visiting Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis)
We have never had cranes stop in here before. Something has changed that these migratory birds are stopping here.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Biologists ponder effects of a warmer ocean as pink salmon fry leave early
Biologists suspect climate change and mild winters may have prompted April's early out migration from Auke Creek.
Auke Bay, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) absent around Isla Todos Santos
Around Isla Todos Santos, a massive Giant Kelp (_Macrocystis pyrifera_) bed die-off was observed, which may be linked to the 2015-2016 El Niño event.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Low Lake Water
Low lake water on ANTHC campus (Algae)

Moose (Alces alces) with Hair Loss
A moose was seen with some of its fur missing.

Mystery hairless elk leave scientists puzzled
A succession of mystery hairless elk have have been spotted in the village of Neiden close to Norway's far northeastern border with Russia, leaving scientists scratching their heads as to the cause.
Neiden, Norway
The Local

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Near San Diego, California

Urban Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)
5/2/15 Urban Canada goose - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, USA

The Blob: Why warmer oceans are a big concern
Warm water threatens marine habitats off the coast of BC
Northeast Pacific Ocean
Sooke News Mirror

Late Snow
4/20.15 Late snow - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Lightning and thunder
4/20/14 Thunder and lightening - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, USA

Dead Black-capped (Parus atricapillus) Chickadee
The bird was flying and just dropped dead.
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

Early Waterfowl
4/16/15 Early waterfowl - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Black bear family roaming Anchorage neighborhood
A family of five black bears is roaming an Alaska neighborhood, toppling trash cans as the group rummages for food and scaring some residents who believe the animals are the same ones seen in the area last summer.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Blossoms
Salmonberry blossom seem a little early this year.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Increase in Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
4/4/15 Increase in pike - Quinhagak, Alaska, USA
Quinhagak, Alaska, USA

The warm ‘blob’ in Canada’s Pacific Ocean
Last year, 2014, was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. Unlike other worldwide problems from which Canadians might feel relatively safe and isolated, but Canada is actually ground zero of global climate.
Gulf of Alaska / Northeast Pacific
Times Colonist

Hunting restrictions on 2 Alaska caribou herds to take effect this summer
Restrictions on bag limits and season length will start July 1 for both the Western Arctic and Teshekpuk herds, whose numbers are dropping. Restrictions will affect both resident and nonresident hunters.
Northwest Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Low Snow Pack
Normally, we have so many feet of snow throughout the village and the mountains would be packed with snow.
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Early Golfing
3/24/15 Early golfing - Palmer, Alaska, USa
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Early Pussy Willows
Early pussy willows - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Early Song Birds
3/18/15 Early songbirds - Haines, Alaska, USA
Haines, Alaska, United States

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams - Sand Point, Alaska, USA

Pregnant whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

Tourist Killed by Ice fall, Knik Glacier Alaska
The victim, identified as 28-year-old Alexander Hellweger, was part of a group of eight friends from Italy and Belgium vacationing in Alaska.

Unusually Cold and Snow
5-30-14 Unusually cold and snow - King Cove, Alaska, USA

Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Over-heated
This sea lion was seen for over an hour floating along the shore and holding one front and one back flipper in the air.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Early Salmonberry (Rubus chamaemorus) Blossoms
5-27-14 Early salmon berry blossoms - Toksook Bay, Alaska, USA

Growth on Broad Whitefish (C. nelsonii)
Fishing this spring and caught a broad whitefish that had a growth.
Selawik, Alaska. United States

High Spruce Pollen
5-25-14 High spruce pollen McDonald Spit, Alaska, USA

Low Lake Water
Dry conditions in Southcentral Alaska have resulted in low lake levels including here on the ANTHC campus

Pollen Makes for Poor Air Quality
5-19-14 Poor air quality - Anchorage Alaska, USA

Hot, dry weather brings wildfires near Palmer
Unseasonably warm, dry weather in a large section of the state set the stage for a roughly 20-acre wildfire near Palmer and kept authorities across Southcentral and Interior Alaska busy putting out backyard fires despite ongoing warnings against open burning.

Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii Early
Hunters noticed some herring were starting to spawn near Cape Denbigh. The herring scheduled to arrive on May 25th, are over a week early.
Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA

Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire and smoke seen from Hatcher Pass, AK
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Laysan albatross chicken die-off linked to Santa Ana winds
Laysan albatross chickens died from causes related to abnormal Santa Ana winds
Campamento Sur, Baja California, Mexico
Daniela Munguía, Julio Montoya, Yutzil Lora Cabrera

Spawning Marine Worms
Spawning marine Pileworms observed along shoreline.
Nikolski, Alaska, United States

High PSP Levels in Clams
4-30-14 High PSP levels in clams - King Cove, Alaska, USA

Dry April triggers fire warnings in Anchorage

Sea Ice Rescue
4-29-14 Sea ice rescue - Barrow, Alaska, USA
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Geometridae moth
4-27-14 Geometridae moth - Naknek, Alaska, USA
Naknek, Alaska, United States

Rare Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
4-25-14 Rare brown bear visit - Bethel, Alaska, USA
Bethel, Alaska, Unites States

River Ice Treacherous
4-13-14 River ice treacherous - Bethel, Alaska, USA
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Heavy snow kills at least 15,000 reindeer in northern Siberia
Animals cannot forage for lichen under the snow crust on the Yamal peninsula.
Salekhard, Yamalo-Nenetskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Bed bugs are calling Alaska home at increasing rates
In Anchorage, the city logged 68 bed bug complaints in 2013, a decrease from the 84 in 2012. There was just one complaint in 2007 and 2008 combined, according to city data.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta caradensis) with Elongated Bill
An intense bundle of energy at your feeder, Red-breasted Nuthatches are tiny, active birds of north woods and western mountains.

Finally Snow in Golovin
There has been a lack of snow in the Golovin area ever since the January 2014 warm spell.
Golovin, Alaska, United States

Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) Sighting
Rare Layson Albatross (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) sighting.

Mountain Snow and Ice Declining
Mount Sanford has been losing its ice cover for decades around its base.
Gakona, Alaska, United States

Advisory - Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) Safety
3-5-14 Advisory - beluga safety
Point Hope, Alaska, United States

First Horned Grebes Settle in Reykjavík Pond
Two horned grebes have settled in Reykjavík Pond in the city centre, RÚV reports. It is the first time the species is found nesting at the location. At the turn of the century, the horned grebe population was placed on a watchlist due to its decline, but it seems to have made a recovery since. […]
Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)
For a couple years, Sand Point residents have observed an increasing number of the non-native leopard slug.

Another record-setting year for snowfall
For the second year in a row, the Anchorage area set a new snowfall record. This year it wasn’t the amount of fluffy stuff that went down in the history books — last year Anchorage had more than 11 feet — but the days between the first and last snowfall.
The Alaska Star

Poor Sea Ice - Our Sea Garden
The sea is our garden for food and other things.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Longest Snow Season Ever
There were 231 days between the first and last measurable snow fall in the Anchorage region this year. Temperatures have also been significantly below average.

Volcanic Ash Fall
5-21-13 Volcanic ash fall - Sand Point, Alaska, USA

Flooding Kobuk River
5-30-13 Flooding Kobuk River - Kobuk, Alaska, USA
Kobuk, Alaska, United States

Late Winter Storm
We are having an unseasonable snow storm in southcentral Alaska.

Spruce Aphid (Elatobium abietinum) Infestation
5-15-13 Spruce aphid infestation Kake, Alaska, USA
Kake, Alaska, United States

Unusual Moose Sighting
It's not common to see animals of any kind, including moose, in the community of Pitkas Point.
Pitkas Point, Alaska, USA

PSP Levels Rising
5-1-13 PSP levels rising - Old Harbor, Alaska, USA
Old Harbor, Alaska, United States

Cold Arrival for Canada Geese
4-23-13 Cold arrival for Canada geese - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Wolf (Canis lupus) Roaming City
4-22-13 wolf roaming city - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Unseasonable Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)
4-21-13 Unseasonable chum salmon - St. Mary's, Alaska, USA
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

Early Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
4-21-13 Early brown bear - Pedro Bay, Alaska, USA
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Sick Spotted Seal (Phoca largha)
Local hunter reported that he had caught a spotted seal that he thought was sick.
Eek, Alaska, United States

Herders caught between cashmere and climate change
Batogoo Dorj is a nomad in southern Mongolia’s Bayankhongor Region who makes his living raising cashmere goats. Each spring, Dorj can shear about 300 grams of the valuable, downy wool from each of his 350 goats. Those voracious and sharp-hoofed animals are contributing to the desertification and climate change that is reducing Mongolia’s available grazing land.
Баянхонгор, Bayanhongor, Mongolia
The UB Post

Bloom Turns Beach Orange
A mystery bloom brightens up local beach.
Annette Islands, Alaska, United States

Could Alaska's mystery seal illness be Arctic sunburn?
An Alaska scientist challenges the so-called “unexplained” lesions and deaths observed among Arctic sea life in 2011 and 2012.
Arctic Coast of Alaska

Buggy ptarmigan
3-13-13 Buggy ptarmigan - Noatak, Alaska, USA
Noatak, Alaska, USA

Storm Disrupts Transportation
Severe storms wreak havoc to a Bering Sea community; the following weather conditions contributed to flooding, disrupting transportation routes, electrical transformers and seepage into local water wells.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Changing Sea Ice
3-5-13 Changing sea ice - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Unusual Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
5-29-12 Unusual bearded seal - Shishmaref, Alaska, USA
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

In Nicoya Gulf, the deadly red tide lingers
Since early February, the gulf, and beaches and islands surrounding it, have been in the throes of one of the worst blooms of red tide in recent years.
Paquera, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate

Buckland River Floods Dumpsite
5-23-12 Buckland River floods dumpsite - Buckland, Alaska, USA.
Buckland, Alaska, USA

Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida) with Sores
Ringed seal with sores found in Shishmaref.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Invasive snakehead fish found in B.C. park lagoon
Voracious predator could be big threat to native aquatic populations
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Globe and Mail

Wolves and Bear around the Dump
Wolves and bears rummaging around the dump.
King Cove, Alaska, USA

River Bank Erosion
Erosion on the banks of the Koyukuk River is increasing in the community of Evansville and Bettles.
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Windfall trees an obstacle
Wind fall trees an obstacle
Gakona, Alaska, United States

Kuskokwim River flooding
Kuskokwim River flooding causes concern in community
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, USA

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Brown marmorated stink bug
Corlene Rose, Honey Lou Wilson, Mike Rasy

Deer with Hair Loss
Sitka black-tailed deer (*Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis*) seen with large amount of hair loss.
Hollis, Alaska, Unites States

Seal with Hair Loss
Seal with hair loss observed in Bering Strait region

Unseasonably Warm
4-25-12 Unseasonably warm - Evansville, Alaska, USA
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Anchorage, Alaska sets new snow record
To say Alaska has been snowy this winter is an understatement. Anchorage broke a 57 year old snowfall record Saturday when a storm produced 4.3 inches of snow on Saturday, April 7, 2012.
EarthSky

Fur loss, oozing sores observed in Arctic Alaska polar bears
Polar bear researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey are only halfway into their annual survey in Alaska and they've already come across nine bears – six in Barrow and 3 in Kaktovik – with signs of alopecia and skin lesions. The muzzle, face, eyes, ears and neck appear most affected, according to a bulletin published Friday by the agency.
Kaktovik, Alaska, United States

Fur loss, oozing sores observed in Arctic Alaska polar bears
The Far North's iconic polar bear appears to have joined the list of Arctic species afflicted with a mystery illness that causes hair loss, lesions and oozing sores. Six in Barrow and three in Kaktovik.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Falling ice traps driver, closes highway
A woman was trapped in a pickup on the Seward Highway on Friday after falling ice crushed the vehicle just south of Anchorage.

3,000 dolphins found dead on the coast of Peru
According to a report from Peru 21, local fishermen in Lambayeque, north Peru, were first to notice the inexplicable rise in dead dolphin appearing on shore -- averaging roughly 30 per day.
Peru
TreeHugger

Polar bears with skin illness
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Aleutian Avalanche
3-20-12 Aleutian avalanche - Akutan, Alaska, USA
Akutan, Alaska, United States

Unusually large ice formation next to highway
The ice formation along the Seward Highway grabbed my interest because it stood out and was rather unusual.
LEO Network

Ice formation on cliffs
3-17-12 Ice formation on cliffs - Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Barnacles Declining
3-9-12 Barnacles declining - Nanwalek, Alaska, USA
Nanwalek, Alaska, USA

Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

Bugs on Geese
Beetles seen moving around on geese
Wainwright, Alaska, United States
Jessie Moan, Linda Agnasagga, Heather Dingman

Seal Pup Found near Port Heiden
Unknown seal pup found near Port Heiden.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Pesky insects should not pose a problem to homeowners until late summer
Newark, Delaware, United States
UDaily

Alaska musk oxen found frozen in ice
Thirty-two musk oxen carcasses were found March 15 by scientists who had been studying them. The animals were dead and entombed in ice. The belief is that the musk oxen either drowned during a February thaw or became trapped in water and died after it froze.

Powerful Quake and Tsunami Devastate Northern Japan
Japan was filled with scenes of desperation a day after an 8.9-magnitude quake, as survivors called for help and rescuers looked for people buried in rubble.
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
The New York Times

Dead seals mystery not solved by scientists' tests
Scientists say they've been unable to solve the mystery of dead seals that washed ashore in Labrador between December and January.

Squid invasion hitting Oregon coast and scientists are concerned, but could there be a silver lining?
Newport, Oregon, United States
OregonLive.com

Brown Pelicans In BC Waters
Two Brown Pelicans were spotted off the Discovery Islands near Victoria on May 12. This species of pelican is familiar to anyone who has travelled to the beaches of Mexico, Caribbean or southern USA.
Discovery Island, Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Invasion of the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
In the past four years or so, a new species of bird has arrived in British Columbia. The Eurasian collared dove is an attractive bird sporting pale grey plumage with a thin black ‘collar’ of feathers around its hind neck.
British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Pike wiped out in Cheney Lake; stand by for return of trout
Anchorage anglers got good news this week when Fish and Game reported that pesticide applied to Cheney Lake last October in an effort to wipe out invasive northern pike appears to have worked.

Tent Caterpillar Infestation
At one point our entire red brick house was covered in the black caterpillars trying to reach the adjacent forest. The silk web-like nests began to appear on our trees in May and within weeks, the forests foliage was decimated.
Woodford, Ontario

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