Observers in Port Heiden, Alaska report significantly reduced sea gull populations and fewer gull eggs for subsistence, coinciding with decreased seal numbers and increased fox populations.
This bird was a noticed on the beach landing area of the community but not touched.
An Orca (Orcinus orca) carcass has been found on a beach in Port Heiden near Hook Lagoon. Sightings of these whales are a bit rare compared to many other whale carcass sightings and we just wanted to share with you this observation.
Young gray whale found dead on the beach.
Along with significant seabird die-offs near Port Heiden, there have been reports of small whales and porpoises, walrus and sea otters washed up on shore.
A variety of stranded marine mammals were observed in the Port Heiden area between August 17 and 26th.
It is unusual to find a dead shark. And it occurred at a time when there were many other standings of marine mammals and birds.
"Within a week we saw thousands of shearwaters along the beaches, and witnessed hundreds dead. They would sit on the tideline unable to walk, foraging on dead fish that had washed ashore and trying to feed on the fish in the nets of the set net sites as well."
Historically, pollock are not a commonly observed species in Bristol Bay, but sightings are becoming more common.
Large shearwater die-off at a Pilot Point beach.
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