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

Protecting roads and water infrastructure from erosion
River erosion is impacting the road and requiring the replacement of health infrastructure.
Huslia, Alaska, United States
Lucy Snyder, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Max Neale

Dying Western Red Cedars
Western red cedars in South Langley, BC are dying, with browning starting at the tops during summer and progressing downward until the trees are completely dead.
Langley, British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada

Rain continues to impact Noatak River
Heavy rains have elevated river levels throughout August and September. High water continues to erode the river bank in the community. The photos show a tree that was 22 feet from the edge is know 3 feet. Total erosion has reached 91 ft. by old landfill and new mark shows 112 ft. marker.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, Richard L Thoman Jr, Michelle McAuley

Red or Black Currants?
Red and Black Currants are present on the property and the moose seem to be picky about what berry they like to consume.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Something is eating salmonberry leaves
"This season we have observed many salmonberry bushes that appear to be defoliated. It seems something is eating the leaves. We have also noticed the berries look sickly."
Seldovia, Alaska, United States
Jessie Moan, Mike Rasy , Katie Spellman, DeShana York, Stephen Payton

High water in Kotzebue Sound
Water floods the Kotzebue lagoon. Grasses can be seen in July and a month later in August the water has risen 4-6 ft.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Jacquelyn Overbeck, Susan Tessier, Jimmy Evak, Nic Kinsman, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Beluga Whale Spotted in The Yukon River Near Tanana
The marine mammal was seen some 600 miles from where the river empties into the Bering Sea.
Tanana, Alaska, United States
Verena Gill, Barbara Mahoney, Rodney Evans

Moose with lesions on hind leg
The hind of the moose was also covered with flies.
Willow, Alaska, United States
Sarah Yoder, Kimberlee Beckmen, Mike Brubaker

Strange orange deposit on beach and waters of Kotzebue Sound
Out commercial fishing on the water in the inter Kotzebue Sound the weather was calm and there were miles and miles of a strange floating orange layer on the surface.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Dean Stockwell, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Dean Stockwell, Derek Sikes, Gay Sheffield, Sarah Yoder

Black bear in tree for 24 hours
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Tapioca disease in pink salmon
White cysts in the muscle of salmon could be caused by Henneguya salminicola also called "tapioca disease". It affects the texture of the meat but is not a health concerns for people. White cysts could also however, be from a tape worm. That is a human health concern. Guidance on how to check the cysts to confirm and how to prepare food so it is safe to eat, is provided.
Kelsey Bay
Jayde Ferguson, Dionne Sanderson, Jordan Brubacher, Sarah Yoder, Ted Meyers

Smaller salmon and slower returns
The sockeye salmon are coming back smaller for the Newhalen River and Iliamna Lake, plus not a thick as they once did when I was younger.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States

Insect on cloud berries
Is the abundance of insects unusual? Updates from around the state with picking and weather impacts.
Trapper Creek, Alaska, United States

Salmonberries are a month late
"We usually pick salmon berries in early July."
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Katie Spellman, Stephen Payton

What's making the water yellow in Kasitsna Bay?
Discoloration of water in bay. Is this an algal bloom?
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton

In the absence of fireweed
A 24-hour, 245 mile survey of fireweed plants from Anchorage to Seldovia revealed an almost complete absence of flowering.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Signs of a wet summer are numerous around Cheney Lake
The rain in July has been persistent and in some cases intense. At Cheney Lake there is plenty of evidence about the wet summer.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Sahara dust in the Caribbean
Air quality in parts of Trinidad are being impacted by Sahara Dust and causing respiratory symptoms for residents.
Laventille, San Juan/Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago

Fireweed blooms hindered by foam?
Foam or saliva-looking substance on seen on flowering plants like fireweed and yarrow.
Derek Sikes, Julia Salt, Brandie Radigan, Chyna Williams

Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine Regeneration in a Changing Climate
Factors like reduced summer precipitation, extreme heat events, and ponderosa pine's superior drought resilience highlight the need to adapt reforestation practices to species more suited to changing environmental conditions.
Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada

Skate caught in subsistence net
While subsistence salmon fishing, community members from Port Heiden found a skate in the net, which is unusual for them.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Jaclyn Christensen, Jayde Ferguson, Shane Hertzog

Unusual bird sighting. Is it an alcid?
This bird was a noticed on the beach landing area of the community but not touched.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Kathy Kuletz, Jaclyn Christensen, Gay Sheffield

Alberta "Stonecat" Fish
An observer's unexpected catch of a Stonecat in Alberta's Milk River reveals a native species of concern, prompting a draft recovery strategy for this and other at-risk fish.
Coutts, Alberta, Canada

Oyster catchers return to Nanwalek
Black oystercatchers have returned to Nanwalek, Alaska, and three eggs have been spotted on the beach.
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

What kind of insect?
Tribal member from St. Mary's, Alaska noticed this on her when she went back inside her home. Turns out it is an elm sawfly, Cimbex americana.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Is this bird circling behavior normal?
This video shot on June 11th outside of Kotzebue shows red-necked phalaropes displaying circling behavior.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Sarah Yoder, Susan Tessier, January Frost, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Andrew Ramey

Unusual slime mold
This past winter/spring has been incredibly wet here - I wonder if that has something to do with the emergence of this slime mold.
Truckee, California, United States

Concerned about algae in Cheney Lake
Over the last several weeks the algae bloom has ranged from significant covering the surface of the lake in many places to today seeing patches of the bloom here and there on the surface. It can also be observed below the surface near the shoreline.

Avian Influenza suspected on Yukon Delta
Dead birds suspected to have died from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been found on Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River in Alaska, with other bird species displaying unusual behaviors.
Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River, Alaska, United States
January Frost, Bryan Daniels, Andrew Ramey, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Sarah Yoder, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joey Billy, John Stedman

Highwater brings dramatic erosion
The river in Noatak is slowly cutting away parts of the road. This is an on going problem and the observation by Jeffrey Luther provides the latest in a series about erosion and related impacts.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Sarah Yoder, Jason Norris, Chris Dankmeyer, Jeffrey Luther, Richard L Thoman Jr, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Max Neale

Erosion Impacting Vegetation and Roads
This post is an update on the river erosion situation in Noatak, where a new channel is being cut by the Noatak River.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, Max Neale, Crane Johnson, Anna Liljedahl

Floating Helmet
"My son found this helmet floating here in Prince William Sound."
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

Significant reduction of frog and bird songs
This is the quietest spring I’ve experienced. It’s not my hearing. The Merlin app is hardly picking any bird songs up.
Ely, Minnesota, United States

Spring melt reveals vole tracks
I have never seen so many little tunnels on my lawn before.

Drought in the Saanich Peninsula
“We spent the weekend outdoors camping on the peninsula and notices shoreline grasses has dried and shriveled.”
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Snow Mold

Noatak Erosion and River Channel redirection
As the river changes and erosion happens along the banks, new channels are being formed around the community.

Invasive Elodea in Harding Lake
Elodea was first observed in Harding Lake in 2020 growing in isolated patches and has since been assessed and managed by the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District and its partners.
Salcha, Alaska, United States

Kotzebue still shoveling out from March storms
Kotzebue experienced one blizzard after another in March, and now with so much piled up and drifted snow, the community is struggling to dig out.

Major March Storm
"I was born and raised in Kotzebue and have been through many storms. This was one of the worst."
Lars Flora, Jimmy Evak, Richard L Thoman Jr

Persistent drought
"In our country Afghanistan I have observed that the level of water is decreasing day by day."
Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Heavy snows in Sierra Nevada Mountains
This winter is the snowiest on Donner Summit in the Sierra Nevada mountains since reliable snow measurement began in 1971.
Truckee, California, United States

Extended Storms in Early March
It has been some years since we have had a long storm. March 6 marks the 3rd day and there have been no jets or small planes flying.

Crazy weather this winter
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland

Dead fish and bad air from algae bloom
There are miles of dead fish washing up on the beach. That's not all. Just breathing the air can be harmful.
Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Open Water at Moose Creek
Open water in February.
Buffalo Soapstone, Alaska, United States

Swallows sighted in February
"Swallows usually show up in the spring time or when winter months are over in Alaska."
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Swollen limb in caribou
An image of a swollen leg on this caribou raises questions that it may be a case of brucellosis.
Koliganek, Alaska, United States
Constantine Johnson, Melany Eakin, Kimberlee Beckmen

Insects in January
An unseasonable winter insect sighting in Newhalen.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States

Blue sap on spruce tree
Blue sap was found on a spruce tree.
Koliganek, Alaska, United States
Lars Flora, Gino Graziano, Elizabeth Graham, Constantine Johnson, Robin Mulvey

Minke whale pod sighted
A rare sighting is possible indicator of prey abundance.
Kasaan, Alaska, United States

No sea ice in Grantley Harbor
December should have sea ice development in Norton Sound. But no sign of ice yet this year. Several storms have moved northward across the western Bering Sea and brought strong winds and bouts of above freezing weather to the Teller area and all of the Bering Strait region.
Teller, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Kendra Lee, Anahma Shannon, Austin Ahmasuk, Kitrea P Takata-Glushkoff, Hajo Eicken

Harbor seal with patchy fur
Harbor seal looking sick with patches of fur missing.
Bryan Reed, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Barbara Mahoney, Jaclyn Christensen, Kimberlee Beckmen, Gay Sheffield, Gabe Dunham

Arctic Fox in Galena?
Cell phone video was taken by one resident, and the fox appears to be an Arctic fox, which is not known in this region.
Galena, Alaska, United States

Late Alaska Winter
October flew by leaving us with a couple of light snowfalls. November came around with something slightly more impressive, but it wasn't the same. Mid December decided to make up for all of the snowfalls that we missed all at once, it seems like.
Richard L Thoman Jr, Mike Brook, Mackenzie Lord

Thawing causing cemetery to sink
Permafrost thaw in Noatak is causing the condition of the grave site to degrade. A trench has formed and crosses are tipping over.
Jeffrey Luther, Joanna Barton, Vladimir Romanovsky, Tom Wolforth

Ringed seal with poor hair growth
First report of a seal with poor hair growth this year in Norton Sound region.
Safety Sound, Alaska
Barbara Mahoney, Jaclyn Christensen, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Gay Sheffield

Town covered by sand from storm
After severe flooding from Storm Merbok, the waters have recided leaving the town digging out a giant sand box.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Jacquelyn Overbeck, Carol Oliver, Nic Kinsman, James Benzschawel

Castner Glacier Half-Collapsed
Hikers should be cautious when hiking the Castner Glacier trail since chunks of ice may fall and the streams and rivers are very fast.
Castner Glacier Ice Cave

False long-horned beetle (Stenotrachelus aeneus)
Black insect never seen by a Yupiit of Andreafski Tribal member at his home in St. Mary's.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States
Bambi Alexie, Derek Sikes, Charles Prince, Elizabeth Graham, Eric Alstrom

Sea otter lunch for bald eagle
Two dead otters (one recent) on Kasitsna Bay side. We also found another one yesterday on the Kachemak side.
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States
Angela Doroff, Michael Opheim , Barbara Mahoney, Rose Masui, Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton

Dead sea otter
Walked two miles of spit and did not see any others.
Barbara Mahoney, Stephen Payton, Mike Brubaker, Michael Opheim , Kris Holderied

Wild Rose October Bloom
We typically see them blooming in June and most of them have been without blooms for months.
Galena, Alaska, United States

Severe Erosion in Newtok
A site visit to Newtok on September 30, shows severe erosion from impacts of storm (typhoon Merbok). The images show both severe permafrost melt and river erosion.
Newtok, Alaska, United States

Lots of dead krill washed up on Sarichef Island
Die-offs of krill are in some cases associated with hypoxia (low oxygen) excess sediment suspended in the water column and changes in water temperature. There were recent reports of high levels of Alexandrium in water samples in the areas, and Norton Sound Health Corporation is performing some testing of krill samples (see below). There was also an unprecedented storm event only a week ago, unusual for the storm surge and early season.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Brandon Ahmasuk, Dean Stockwell, Racheal Lee, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Anahma Shannon, Sadie McGill, Emma Pate

Fish die off near Kotzebue
Ali Ralson was riding her 4 Wheeler towards Cape Blossom and came upon a beach full of fish. It appears that most of the fish are stickleback although there may be other species involved too. This would suggest an environmental issue that would impact multiple fish species rather than a pathogen. One potential cause could be harmful algal toxins.
Cape Blossom
Gay Sheffield, Carmen Daggett, Joanna Barton, Ted Meyers, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Jayde Ferguson, Dean Stockwell, Bruce Wright

An Influx in Taraxacum Officinale or the Common Dandelion in Iqaluit, Nunavut
Over the past five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of dandelions spread throughout the surrounding area of Iqaluit.
Crystal Two, Nunavut, Canada

Beaver Burrows in Nuna River Bank
"I had never seen burrows like this, and they were everywhere on the Nuna. What seemed to be elaborate tunnel systems dug where there was apparently no permafrost, and sometimes the burrows led up to the bench behind."
West Branch Nuna River

Storm Merbok causes erosion to cemetary
The erosion of the Old Russian Cemetery from the impacts of the storm Merbokis also an unfinished process. The earth is actively moving, falling onto the beach bit by bit and sometimes in large chunks every day, to reach a state of stabilization after the storm.
St. Michael, Alaska, United States
Tom Wolforth, Michelle Snowball, Darlene Chiskok

Up river effect from Typhoon Merbok
The heavy rains and high water from storm Murdok today and Monday are contributing to the erosion of the old landfill and river bank.
Richard L Thoman Jr, Jeffrey Luther, Joy Britt

Makut negairuut, Nunapicuarmi negat amllerluteng, Spider webs cover vast area
*The spiders are usually in multiple form in most areas, but it has not been witnessed in this form.* This is described as a spider "ballooning" event, the term used when spiders launch themselves in to the air. These events might be happening more frequently as warming Arctic temperatures has been associated with increases in the population of some spider species such as the wolf spider (see Spider Baby Boom in Warming Arctic), and spiders moving further north and also having more then one hatch per season.
Nunapitchuk, Alaska, United States
Santina Gay, Lauren Divine, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Theodora Nicholai, Russell Cameron , Joey Billy, Derek Sikes

Storm unearths ancient tusks
The aftermath of Typhoon Merbok left fuel tanks floating and home flooded, but locals also saw an opportunity.
Newtok, Alaska, United States

Storm images from Kotzebue
Jacqualine Schaeffer, Jimmy Evak, James Benzschawel, Chris Dankmeyer

Storm bounty in clams
Storms can bring a bounty to the beach - driftwood sometimes or in this case, clams! But be careful out there. There are new concerns about emerging levels of harmful algae in Western Alaska waters, which could impact shellfish and human health.
Mertarvik, Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Chris Dankmeyer, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Emma Pate, Joanna Barton, Julie Matweyou, Thomas Farrugia, Karen Pletnikoff

Storm impacts from Kotzebue airport
James Benzschawel, Chris Dankmeyer, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Typhoon Merbok in Tununak
On September 17, 2023 Typhoon Merbok hit the coast of Tununak, Alaska. Here are some photos taken by Roseanne Panruk, after the storm caused by Typhoon Merbok
Tununak, Alaska, United States
John Walter Jr, James Benzschawel, Max Neale

Unusual tree fungus?
"I don’t recall seeing anything like this before."

Decreased Peregrine Falcon Sightings on Yukon River
Between the fall of 2021 and the fall of 2022, APU students observed a dramatic decrease in the number of Peregrine Falcons between Eagle and Circle, Alaska.
Eagle, Alaska, United States
Caroline Van Hemert, Paul Twardock, Kimberlee Beckmen, Angela Matz

An epic month for mushrooms
Over a month of rain has tranformed Anchorage into a rainforest and revealed the plethora of fungi hiding in our lawns, parks and forests.
Richard L Thoman Jr, Gino Graziano, Jessie Moan, Mike Brubaker

Unidentified juvenile crab
Juvenille crab was found at a salmon set-net site. Is this a Puget Sound species that has now been found on the Alaska Peninsula?
Orzinski Bay
Tammy Davis, Karen Pletnikoff, Melissa Good, Asia Beder

Unknown plant or fungus observed in cottonwood log
Nobody I have asked has seen any plant like this. I touched it soon after the picture and it turned into a maroon colored powder.
Lower Yukon

Strange eggs observed in grass
Unidentfied deposits or growth was observed covering plant in Larsen Bay.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States
Brandie Radigan, Teresa Carlson, Derek Sikes

Salmon run disrupted by trench dug across Coquihala River
There were alternatives for Trans Mountain Corporation to digging a trench in the river to lay pipe during the time the salmon were running.
Hope, British Columbia, Canada

Cormorants establishing new rookery
The cormorants moved in when the peregrins did not return this year. "We believe (they did not return) because of the bird flu."
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Mike Brook, Gay Sheffield, Toby Anungazuk Jr

Visiting cormorant to White Mountain
A cormorant was observed in White Mountain. See also recent report from Golovin.
White Mountain, Alaska, United States

Summer storm hits Kotzebue
There has been alot of heavy weather hitting western Alaska this summer. Here are photos from recent storm surge in Kotzebue.
James Benzschawel, Richard L Thoman Jr, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joanna Barton

Extremely windy on the lagoon
Many boats had to be secured & moved this morning. Hoping winds & rain slow down, but in the forecast.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
James Benzschawel, Carol Oliver, Anahma Shannon, Richard L Thoman Jr, Racheal Lee, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gay Sheffield

Cysts on tree at Kincaid Park
Interesting cysts covering a young choke cherry tree.
Anchorage
Neena Brubaker, Mike Brubaker, Gino Graziano, Jessie Moan, Derek Sikes

Reported Landslide Port Saint Nicholas Road, Prince of Wales Island
Landslide at 3 mile PSN happened outside the typical time of year for slides.
Craig, Alaska, United States
Jacyn Schmidt, Edward "Ted" Smith, Richard L Thoman Jr

More orchids this year
The first observations of orchids in the area were in 2020. Now they are becoming more common.
Brandie Radigan, Gino Graziano, Susan Tessier

Unidentified spider in Anchorage
Unidentified spider observed outside of a commercial building.

Infestation of caterpillars
A resident of Seldovia reported an infestation of worms infesting an area of salmonberry brush and nettle.

Sudden lake draining event
"The event occurred on June 29th, on our native allotment near Kotzebue (Illivak). We left home in the morning and when we came back around 8:00 PM in the evening the whole lake had drained! It looked like it was blown up with dynamite."
Ken Tape, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gemini , Guido Grosse, Susan Tessier, Benjamin Jones, Anna Liljedahl , Vladimir Romanovsky, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joanna Barton, Ingmar Nitze, Bruce Forbes

Unknown Insect
This eye catching insect is the adult stonefly.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

River erosion threatening old dump site
Community gravel source and old dump site threated by erosion.
Joy Britt, Kayla Nay, Sarah Durand, James Benzschawel, Jeffrey Luther, Erin Nelson, Desirae Mack, Joanna Barton

Spittle bug widespread in Clare, Ireland
I saw an extreme amount of spittle bugs not only on grasses and plants but on flowers.
Liscannor, Munster, Ireland

Mosquitoes are unusually dense and vicious all of a sudden
Our Mosquito Magnet trap filled in under a week. We normally empty it once a month or so.
Ester, Alaska, United States

A very big whitefish
No one in Grayling has seen this big a whitefish before. ADFG lists state record for broad whitefish as 11 lbs. This one weighed in at 15 lbs!
Grayling, Alaska, United States
Bernice Nicholi, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson, Aren Gunderson

Decaying Sea Cucumbers
I have photos of four different sea cucumbers decaying, but my friend claims to have observed around 10 dead sea cucumbers.
Saxman, Alaska, United States
Jesse Endert, Gary Freitag, Mandy Lindeberg

Stickleback fish die-off
There were a plenty of what appeared to be juvenile dead stickle back fish on the top of the embankment of a few ponds.
Elim, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Jayde Ferguson, Brandon Ahmasuk, Leigh Takak, Scott Kent

Unusual bird behavior and illness observed across species on Yukon Delta
"Since about May 25, crews have been seeing multiple species showing what we believe are signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The signs we are seeing widespread is a headshaking that we equate to "getting the cobwebs out", like a person may do when they first wake up. This behavior occurs regularly every couple minutes. This behavior has been observed in: black brant, cackling geese, bar-tailed godwits, dunlin, lapland longspurs, spectacled eiders, emperor geese, greater white-fronted geese, sabines gulls, glaucous gulls, and red-necked phalaropes."
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Kimberlee Beckmen, Angela Matz, Louisa Castrodale, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Michael Bruce, Andrew Ramey, Eric Taylor, Eric Taylor, Bryan Daniels, Rose Kalistook, Brian Lefferts, Brian Berube, Raphaela Stimmelmayr

Huge section of river bank collapses in Noatak
The collapse was documented with drone imagery as was a permafrost rebound signature in the river water.
Edward "Ted" Smith, Edna Bailey, Jeffrey Luther, Joy Britt, Anna Liljedahl , Paul Walton, Hiram Walker, Chris Dankmeyer

Rare cormorant spotted in Kotzebue
"This is the first time in our lives that we have seen a cormorant in Kotzebue Sound."
Kathy Kuletz, Carmen Daggett, Maija Lukin, Bill Carter, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Hannah Atkinson, Gay Sheffield

Growing cases of bird illness in Norton Sound
Over the past five days there have been increasing reports of unusual behavior in a variety of bird species including brant goose, snow goose, white-fronted goose, and Canada goose.
Maija Lukin, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Erin Nelson, Andrew Ramey, Carmen Daggett, Carol Oliver, Mike Brook, Louisa Castrodale, Bill Carter, Susan Georgette, Eric Taylor, Kayla Nay, Angela Matz, Brandon Ahmasuk, Gay Sheffield, Brian Lefferts, Kimberlee Beckmen, Bob Gerlach, Racheal Lee

Bank erosion putting well and transmission line in danger
As the spring snow melt the flooding cuts away the bank more every day. This observation includes photos showing the location of the community water source, transmission line.
Max Neale, Cody Uhlig, Jeffrey Luther, Joy Britt, Albertha Dallemolle, Edward "Ted" Smith, Jason Norris, Edna Bailey, Kalen Stamp, Chris Dankmeyer, Paul Walton

Brant displaying unusual spinning behavior south of Nome
This brant was seen at Mile 16 of the Nome-Council Road exhibiting spinning behavior.
Near Nome, Alaska, United States
Eric Taylor, Brandon Ahmasuk, Andrew Ramey, Racheal Lee, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Angela Matz

Fallen Healthy Trees
There are at least 10 or more what appears to be otherwise healthy trees that have just fallen over.
Elim, Alaska, United States
Leigh Takak, Jessie Moan, Elizabeth Graham, Anahma Shannon

Unusual circling behavior in a brant goose near Golovin
Video shows unusual circling behavior of a brant goose filmed by a local hunter near Golovin, Alaska. Although the cause is unknown, this type of behavior is according to USGS, "highly suggestive" of an infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Brian Lefferts, Racheal Lee, Gay Sheffield, Brandon Ahmasuk, Louisa Castrodale, Megan Boldenow, Chris Dankmeyer, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Anahma Shannon, Kimberlee Beckmen, PATRICIA SCHWALENBERG, Michael Bruce, Angela Matz, Mike Brook, Andrew Ramey, Carol Oliver, Bob Gerlach

River erosion threatens road
Noatak has lost 19' of river bank since May 19th. Now the road to the community gravel source is failing.
Joy Britt, Jason Norris, Crane Johnson, Jeffrey Luther, Max Neale, Chris Dankmeyer, Edward "Ted" Smith, Anna Liljedahl , Paul Walton

Unusual behavior in red fox
This fox "was not scared of me" and it continued to repeat this motion as the person (Venessa Koonooka), watched for ~10 minutes.
White Mountain, Alaska, United States
Kimberlee Beckmen, Brandon Ahmasuk, Vanessa Koonooka, Racheal Lee, Angela Matz, Gay Sheffield, Eric Taylor

Strange behavior in a Canada goose
This video shot on Thursday May 19th, shows the erratic circling behavior of a Canada goose. Although the cause is unknown, this type of behavior is according to USGS, "highly suggestive" of an infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Angela Matz, Rose Kalistook, Louisa Castrodale, PATRICIA SCHWALENBERG, Tim Thomas, Kimberlee Beckmen, Desirae Mack, Mike Brook, Bob Gerlach, Megan Boldenow, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Erica Stone, Michael Bruce, Andrew Ramey

Peculiar orange fungus on juniper bushes
"Returning from a walk with the dog I was struck by a mass of bizarre fire orange fungus tentacles covering all the stems of some low lying juniper bushed in our driveway. This is the first time I have seen it in 21 years of living here with the same juniper bushes."
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada
Jessie Moan, Cody Thomas, Shona Thorne, David Oswald

Still very cold on Noatak
Crane Johnson, Richard L Thoman Jr, Jeffrey Luther

Strange fish caught in Togiak Bay area
No one in Togiak had ever seen a fish like this before. In the photo it looks like a cross between a tad pole and a piranha! With help from ADF&G it has been identified as the smooth lumpsucker fish, found at depths of up to 1000 meters.
Togiak, Alaska, United States
Heidi Kritz, Gabe Dunham, Jayde Ferguson

Bank erosion exposing old landfill contents
A fisherman was coming home from fishing last night and noticed (what he thought was) a coffin sticking out of the old gravesite above one of the markers I used to measure erosion with last summer. It turned out to not be a coffin, but rather an old air duct or metal meat trailer.
Chris Dankmeyer, Paul Walton, Tom Wolforth, Jeffrey Luther, Joy Britt

Swans displaying unusual posture floating in lake
A passenger on a small commercial plane flying between Nome and Golovin reported seeing 5-6 swans all motionless, floating on a pond. The reason of the behavior is unknown.
~ 60 Miles East of Nome Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Andrew Ramey, Bob Gerlach, Carol Oliver, Michael Bruce, Brandon Ahmasuk, Kimberlee Beckmen, Racheal Lee, Angela Matz, PATRICIA SCHWALENBERG, Gay Sheffield

Chistochina River darker then usual
"Now I have seen the current muddy at break up but usually after prolonged warming and winds. This one is about a month ahead of the game."
Chistochina, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Katie Spellman, Wilson Justin, Crane Johnson

Unusual container found on Bering Sea beach
This container was found on the beach near Nelson Lagoon, Alaska. No letters or numbers, symbols or any other noticeable identifications. It turns out it is a special type of long term bait container used for crab fisheries.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Mark McNeley, Tom Okey, Gay Sheffield, Amy Holman

Early ocean ice break-up
"We used to have snowmobile races on the ocean ice in front of Elim during the first weekend in April but we cannot have any races this year."
Elim, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Leigh Takak, Matthew Druckenmiller, Anahma Shannon, Richard L Thoman Jr, Mike Brook

Dead whale by King Cove
There was a dead whale out in the bay by King Cove. Then couple locals pulled the whale into town.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Sick birds at feeder
A number of sick and / or dying songbirds were reported in McCarthy including pine grosbeaks and red polls. A sickly golden eagle was reported ten days earlier. "It flew up to a tree top but appeared weak and a bit awkward."
McCarthy, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Wilson Justin, Kimberlee Beckmen, Andrew Ramey

An unusual redpoll?
I was watching a flock of redpolls at my feeder when I noticed one unusual member with a huge white body. See photo.

Small owl sighting
This small owl was sighted perching under a building. LEO Network looking for some help on an identification.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States
Krissy Dunker, Paul Paul, Edward Weiss, Lem Butler, Marian Snively

Earliest break up ever in Newhalen, spring is way early
I have been speaking with elders in the community and they have never before seen the river break up that soon.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States
Sonny Lamont, Richard L Thoman Jr, Crane Johnson

Japanese skeleton shrimp found in Nateekin Bay
Historically cold temperatures made it difficult for invasive species survive in Alaska. The Japanese skeleton shrimp *Caprella mutica* is now established in Unalaska area and in this observation observed on a buoy line in Nateekin Bay.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Tammy Davis, Elizabeth E Mears

Pussy Willows at Kotzebue during winter
Pussy willows sprouting on March 1st! This is the second time in Kotzebue that a March bloom has been documented in LEO Network., but this time it is much earlier.
Katie Spellman, Jimmy Evak, Richard L Thoman Jr

Coyote Sightings in Ottawa South
One morning in February, 2022 when I went for a walk, I noticed footprints of a four legged animal going in the direction of my path. The footprints looked different from those of dogs and given that I recently read about coyote sightings in the area, I quickly headed home.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Freeze up on Lower Kenai River
Cold on the Peninsula! Cabin owner on Kenai River near Soldotna says they have not seen it frozen like this in years.
Funny River, Alaska, United States

Unexpected Warm Weather in December
Spring like thaw a week after winter begins: During the 3 days it got warm and the water going its usual route as it does in the spring when it thaws out, but this was a week after winter began.
Anvik, Alaska, United States

Dangerous sink hole on winter trail - an aftermath of extreme rains
I'm guessing all the rain we received during summer of 2021 created the trench.

Storm related flooding and infrastructure damage
"We lost internet and a power outage effected several residential homes and businesses. Of course there was no way to travel. Thankfully no medical emergencies."
Carol Oliver, Racheal Lee, Edward "Ted" Smith, Anahma Shannon

Where are the tomcods (Eleginus gracilis)? Kongiganak
The tomcod harvests in the Kongiganak, Cavuuneq and Ilkivik Rivers have been a failure. Also in other areas, based on observations from Chevak and Chefornak. Both the surface and bottom trawl results show a clear decline in tomcod biomass in the North Bering Sea.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States
Brian Lefferts, Anna Godduhn, Jennifer Hooper, Janelle Kinegak, Dana Diehl, Tracy Lewis, Gay Sheffield, Cynthia Paniyak, Natasia Kassel, Elizabeth Buckingham, Mike Brubaker

Amazing November skiing! Lots of snow, lots of cold!
It is November, we have snow and we are skiing the Southcentral Alaska backcountry early and in the best conditions in years.

Frac-out of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project drilling under Fraser River
This happened about 250 m from the shore of the Fraser River in a creek at Colony Farms.
Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

Where are tomcods / Naugat Ceturr'nat (Eleginus gracilis)? Chefornak
Not a single catch was reported in the village of Chefornak. Meanwhile in Kivalina, dozens and dozens of tomcods are pictured and posted on "The Alaska Life" Facebook page.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Later Snowfalls are Causing Challenges for Winter Sports
The first event in Lillehammer is in early December, and despite being able to easily prep the hills in the past, Lillehammer athletes must now rely on snow shipped from other parts of Norway.
Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway

Where are the tomcods (Eleginus gracilis)? Chevak
There is usually an abundance of this fish in the fall and early winter season. This is a usual harvest for most YK Delta coastal villages. Note: According to NOAA Bering Sea Bottom Trawl data, there has been an 88% decline reported in the biomass of saffron cod from 2020 to 2021 in the N. Bering Sea.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
Carmen Daggett, Gay Sheffield, Cynthia Paniyak, Jayde Ferguson, Ted Meyers

Heavy rain on Halloween
The Matanuska Experiment Farm in Palmer says they got 1 1/8" of rain on Saturday. I think we got more than that, but based on their measurements I would revise my estimate down to 1 1/2 to 2 inches on Saturday.
Chickaloon, Alaska, United States

Rhododendrons blooming in late October
The rhododendron in my garden is now starting to bloom in late October. I researched this and it seems that it's not unheard of and may be related to higher temperatures in the daytime and colder temperatures at night.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Erosion at Cape Blossom
"The sea level rise and wind is making this happen because it is really vulnerable. We are always really amazed every time we go out there with the change, and pieces of earth the size of a house falling over."

Gumboot Chiton Cryptochiton stelleri Die-off
We saw over 100 on a 1/2 mile stretch of beach. I am wondering if the chiton die-off is related to the stormy conditions or something else?
Coupeville, Washington, United States

Large number of flies in our home
"We had never before observed a species of the order Diptera, aside from the mosquitos present every year. Around the middle of September this year, however, there was a large influx of houseflies into our home."
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Summer thawing impacts on utility poles and shoreline
Thawing permafrost and erosion is resulting in the loss of infrastructure in Newtok. These images show impacts on utility poles, and the shoreline.

Different Speeds in Stream Current
" I was down by North Fork taking pictures by the stream and noticed the differing speeds in current throughout the small part of the stream in view. A part of the stream was almost completely stagnant and just a little way farther down stream it was flowing like crazy. "
Eagle River, Alaska, United States

Only two flamingos sighted on Sidi Boughaba Lake
On a hiking trip, observer sees a lone pair of Flamingos at Sidi Boughaba Lake National Park. This was not expected from a sociable bird species that travel in large flocks.
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
David Oswald, Chyna Williams, Salma Sayeh

Shift in Overall Weather Pattern Over Past Two Decades
"The first snowfall of this year happened so early that the leaves on the trees had not fallen yet. The weight of the snow on top of the trees that had not shed their leaves caused the trees to incur damage."
Eagle River, Alaska, United States

Urban deer distribution pattern changes in Southwest Calgary
The development of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road has resulted in alterations into the use of the area by deer. The combination of construction disturbances, removal of habitat, and presence of a linear barrier has seemingly resulted in fewer deer being observed in the neighborhood of Woodbine.
Woodbine, Calgary

High water this summer changes travel on Noatak River
"This year we had a lot more rain than other years, we used to be able to get on our ATVs and travel 10-12 miles upriver. I haven't seen or heard of anyone using ATVs to travel upriver this year. I think the breakthrough channel has a lot to do with us not being able to travel on ATVs. I see a lot of my favorite ATV fishing spots washed away from the highwater."

Fall Observations from Chistochina
"Been a cool dry fall. The snow line hit twice in late August and once in September at the 4000 foot level. We saw 22 degrees several times in September and twice in August so general frost is in town. But no ice on shore lines so the rivers and lakes are staying warm even as the chill sets in"
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Nome
"I've seen photos documenting one squirrel in Nome from 2007 and a Nome Nugget article in 2019, but we've had 3-4 reports of red squirrels this summer."
Nome, Alaska, United States

No Summer Bats
White-Nose Syndrome seems to have affected the bat population in North Grower, Ontario, Canada according to local observer.
North Gower, Ontario, Canada

Ants are moving house - is this because of the rain?
Ants carrying white rice like objects out of their nest.

Decrease in Prawn Abundance of Desolation Sound
It is apparent that this area of coastline has experienced a sharp decline in its prawn populations. This may be due to increased fishing pressure from commercial prawn fishermen.
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
David Oswald, Cody Thomas, Conlan Magel, Tom Okey

Not seeing as many earthworms after rain events
"This year I walked along the same route after a rainstorm and see only one or two — sometimes none"
Kimberly Porter, Luke Williams, Derek Sikes

"Snowlike" Saline Soils in Southern Alberta
The large quantity of salt that had accumulated this year, 2021, was a lot more predominant and at a much higher quantity then has been observed in previous years.
Farms along Hwy 1 with salt accumulation

Bank erosion putting community water wells and transmission line in danger
Community Water System at Risk: Extreme precipitation throughout the summer and sustained high water has resulted in erosion of the location for the water transmission line and Noatak's two water wells.
Malinda Chase , Max Neale, Chris Dankmeyer, Crane Johnson, John Warren, Paul Walton, Richard L Thoman Jr, Edward "Ted" Smith, Jeffrey Luther, David Beveridge, Joy Britt

2021 Summer Heat Wave in Cranbrook: Low Water Levels in the Philips Reservoir Causing Unusual Water Restrictions to the Community
These prolonged above-normal temperatures required the City of Cranbrook to increase water restrictions to levels not generally experienced by the community. Additionally, during this time (personal experience), the water was discoloured and had an odor, forcing bottled water to ensure safe drinking.
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada

Rapid Erosion Exposes Old Landfill
Unusual high water all summer in Noatak, causing massive erosion towards the airport and old buried landfill, exposing old trash into the river.
Max Neale, Paul Walton, David Beveridge, Jeffrey Luther, John Monville, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Crane Johnson, Joy Britt, Chris Dankmeyer, Richard L Thoman Jr

Insect eating red currant leaves
Red currant leaf consumption by something was observed by my supervisor while walking along a salmon stream.
Lazy Mountain, Alaska, United States

Kobuk Rain and High-water Flood
After significant rain and high water from the Kobuk River the Native Village of Kobuk is now flooded.
Kobuk, Alaska, United States
Chris Dankmeyer, Crane Johnson, Richard L Thoman Jr, Ida Norton, Virginia Commack, Francine Moreno, Edward "Ted" Smith, David Beveridge, Mary Mullan, Max Neale

Larva of water beetle (Dytiscus)
Tribal member of St. Mary's finds the larva of a predaceous diving beetle.

Spittlebugs galore in Sand Lake area
"I am seeing spittlebugs deposits everywhere I look in the Sand Lake area."

A Fall Storm in the Summer
Unusual mid summer storm in Golovin and local observations about changes in the salmon harvest.

Sea Life Die-Off Found on Beach
"While on a field trip for work, we stopped at the beach and you can notice hundreds of dead clams and star fish littering the beach."
Carol Oliver, Derek Sikes, Leigh Takak, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee

Changes in fish size and parasite load of Kasilof sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
"My husband and I have been dipnetting on the Kasilof since 2014. This year we noticed more small fish than usual and all but ~5 of the 35 fish we caught had parasites."
Kasilof, Alaska, United States

Decline in and delayed salmon on the Skeena River
In recent years, we have observed the salmon arriving at our territory along the Skeena River later than normal and in fewer numbers. The total number of wild sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) returning to the Skeena River have decreased by 69% in comparison to historical stocks.
Gwax Ts'eliksit, British Columbia, Canada
Kristen Davis, Tom Okey, David Oswald, Cody Thomas

Caterpillars on Kesugi Ridge
Hikers on Kesugi Ridge observe a large abundance of Rusty Tussock Caterpillars all over cairns marking the trail from Coal Creek to Byre's Lake. They swarmed on the hiker's bodies and packs and from a distance covered structures to the point where they looked black.
Chase, Alaska, United States
Jessie Moan, Carl Roland, Kendra Wissel, Adrienne Fleek, Sarah Stehn

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Extended Range into the St. Lawrence Region
Double-crested cormorants have been observed in the St Lawrence River region, with record-breaking numbers, in recent years.
Gananoque, Ontario, Canada

Blue mussel die-off in Skagway
"The first wave of dead mussels washed ashore on July 14th, possibly earlier but this was the first report we received. I took the pictures included in my LEO observation on July 16th, and the temperatures were only just then beginning to climb into the upper 70s and lower 80s."
Skagway, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Mandy Lindeberg, Reuben Cash

Strange Plant found below Oskawalik on the Kuskokwim River
An Aniak resident found these plants below Oskawalik and never have seen them before. Identification is still in progress.
Below Oskawalik, Alaska, United States

European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) in Northwest, BC
A European Skipper butterfly is observed in Northwest BC, an introduced species and one of several stressors underlying insect declines.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada

Downstream Erosion after Heavy Rain in Brooks Range
Photos show some of the erosion caused by surge of high water in late June on the Noatak River. As of June 29th, 24 feet of bank have been lost adjacent to the Noatak Airport, and 28 feet adjacent to the landfill.
Jeffrey Luther, Edward "Ted" Smith, Richard L Thoman Jr, Paul Walton, Crane Johnson, Joy Britt, John Monville, Chris Dankmeyer

Intertidal life after significant heat wave
In Malahat Drive in BC, an extraordinary heat wave, combined with low tides during the middle of the day resulted in the die off of possibly billions of intertidal invertebrates along the coast of British Columbia and Washington State.
Malahat Drive

Unprecedented Heat Wave in the Bow Valley
While seasonal fluctuation is normal, there is evidence that this region is being strongly affected by climate change. The Municipality of Canmore’s Climate Change Adaptation Background Report and Resilience Plan (2016) shows that there has been a warming trend that is moving faster than the global average with the average annual temperature of the Bow Valley increasing.
Canmore, Alberta, Canada

Erosion impacting wells and transmission line
River erosion in Noatak is posing a threat to wells and transmission lines along the bank as the river ebbs closer.
John Monville, Chris Dankmeyer, Joy Britt, Jeffrey Luther, Paul Walton

Flood Level on Takhini River
"River is running bank full with all gravel bars and low islands underwater."

Lymantria dispar dispar outbreak
Lymantria dispar dispar also known as spongy moth was observed in Waterloo Ontario to be in unusually large quantities during the summer of 2021.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Red rust on endemic roses
My unprofessional opinion is that climate change is affecting these endemic roses and that they are in peril.

Abnormal abundance of ticks
My colleague who has been doing this work for over 35 years indicated that he has never experienced that many ticks.
Scott Road Landfill (near Cardinal)
Chyna Williams, Andrea Sare, David Oswald

Tick found on dog on Anchorage Hillside
An unidentified tick was found on the nose of a dog in the backyard of a home in south Anchorage. Neither the family nor their pet had been traveling recently. The identification of the tick species is pending.

Dump burning leads to wildfire
Dry spring conditions and strong winds are allowing a burn at the dump to grow near Pilot Point. Fire crews are dropping suppressant and 12 smokejumpers worry working the fire estimated at 250 acres as of Monday night.
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States

The Swallows Are Here!
Swallow populations are fluctuating as the environment changes. In 2016, the Alaska Songbird Institute began studying changes in swallow populations and formed the Alaska Swallow Monitoring Network. This is an opportunity for participation for community members to participate in a structured monitoring program.
Togiak, Alaska, United States

Coyote (Canis latrans) at Rabbit Creek
Coyotes, first documented in Anchorage around 1900, are not often seen in Anchorage. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates coyote population abundance using the Trapper Questionnaire reports, and consider the Kenai Peninsula, Copper River Valley and Mat-Su Valley to have the highest coyote population densities.

Thawing Permafrost and Subsidence Causing On-going Water System Challenges
Multiple buildings and homes, including the Point Lay clinic, were without water. The water main break was a result of the water main sinking down further into the permafrost.
Point Lay, Alaska, United States
Vladimir Romanovsky, Benjamin Jones, Anna Liljedahl , Russell Cameron

Sleeper Shark (Somniosus pacificus) in Kasitsna Bay
A decomposing sleeper shark was found on the beach in Kasitsna Bay.
Michael Opheim , Chyna Williams, Gay Sheffield

New Arrival - Speckle Belly Geese (Anser albifrons)
A flock of Speckle Belly geese re-visit Seldovia.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Abnormal growth on Inconnu (Stenodus leucichthys)
A tumor is present on the lower jaw of the sheefish (*Stenodus leucichthys*).
Nunam Iqua, Alaska, United States
Jayde Ferguson, Erica Lujan, Jeremy Fitka

Sudden Snowstorm Out of Nowhere
From 10:45am until 11:50am a sudden flurry of snow came and went on an otherwise warm spring day.
Sutton-Alpine, Alaska, United States

Washed up - euphausiid shrimp on area beach
Thousands of euphausiid shrimp, the species identified here in Resurrection Bay as Thysanoessa spinifera. were washed into the intertidal zone and on the beach near Whittier
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Gary Freitag, Melissa Good, Amy Holman, Sunny Rice, Tuula Hollmen, Julie Matweyou, Kris Holderied, Richard Hocking

Bees emerging in Fairbanks
European Honey Bee a.k.a Western Honey Bee (apis mellifera) spotted with 2 feet of snow still on the ground.
College, Alaska, United States
Katie Spellman, Ian Williams, Chyna Williams

Urban tree damage in Montreal
Trees in urban residential areas seem to be more prone to damage because of an increase in windstorms and because of maintenance work, which has weakened trees.
Saint-Léonard, Quebec, Canada

Willow buds are happening
Buds are appearing right as we move into a 2-day cold spell of below zero nights. An adjacent willow budded a few weeks ago during a similar cycle of warmth followed by cold, and it appears to be putting some buds out, although on different branches.
Chickaloon, Alaska, United States

Unidentified Waxy Substance
Unusual waxy, white substance washed up on beach.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Chyna Williams, Johanna Tellman, Tom Okey

Fearless Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Spotted in Far North Bicentennial Park in Anchorage
A red fox roams a popular recreation outlet in Anchorage, and gets quite close to people. Treat encounters with caution, as foxes can carry rabies and other diseases.
Far North Bicentennial Park, Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Arbutus trees under stress on Gabriola Island
In early April I observed what appears to be widespread disease of Arbutus trees (Arbutus menziesii) on the island. Leaf blight is a known factor affecting Arbutus trees; but I wonder if other factors such as climate change may also be contributing to what is perceived as a general decline of the species.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Willows Starting to Bud
Early budding willows (genus *Salix*) were observed on the Chistochina Trail during temperatures of 18 above Fahrenheit. The average temperature on March 23, 2021 was 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest temperature on the day in the past twenty years.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States
Jimmy Evak, Wilson Justin, Katie Spellman

Orca carcass at Hook Lagoon
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.

Irregular Ponderosa Pine Growth
Ponderosa pines in Eastern Washington are displaying signs of irregular growth.
Spokane, Washington, United States

Black Patches on Cisco fish (Coregonus autumnalis) appear to be Phaeohyphomycosis
Fish caught while ice fishing has black patches on skin. Appears to be the same black fungal syndrome previously reported in Kipnuk.
Emmonak, Alaska, United States

Unusual Bird Sighting May Be a Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
Unidentified birds may be Pine Grosbeaks (*Pinicola enucleator*), whose species range extends to some parts of the Alaska Peninsula.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Dust-like deposit on water along beach
White, dust-like deposit on the beach on sunny day after high tides. Water samples would be required for identification.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Dean Stockwell, Arlene Gunderson, Thomas Farrugia

Possible Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Sighting
This bird is a juvenile Great Blue Heron. It is rare sighting of heron outside of its normal range which extends into Southeast but not Southwest Alaska.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

December temperatures finally arrive in February
"The Chistochina River froze over and went to overflow by the second of February which means we went through the New Year and January with the river running open. First time that I know of."
Wilson Justin, Chris Arp, Katie Spellman

Pine Siskin Salmonellosis Outbreak
An outbreak of salmonellosis among pine siskins in North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada may be linked to an increased population, migratory irruption, and the use of bird feeders during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in January
"While teleworking, I looked out the window to see a red breast light in a tree in the front yard in Anchorage, Alaska in January. It was an American robin."

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) sighted in Sitka
"This is the earliest I have ever seen a hummingbird in this region."
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Unusual Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Sighting
Although bears may hibernate for different lengths of time during winter, winter bear activity is an uncommon sight for Alaska Peninsula residents.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

An Increase of Hail in Victoria, British Columbia
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of hail during the winter and early spring months. This type of weather is very unusual for this area. While our current experiences with hail have been mild, an increase in frequency and severity is cause for concern.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Lentinar Clouds Observed for First Time
Lentinar clouds are a rare event in Western Alaska. These amazing photos were taken in Chuathbaluk a Yupik community on the Kuskokwim River.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Anna Michael, Chyna Williams

Landslides and flooding after a record-breaking storm
In December of 2020 an atmospheric river brought heavy rains on top of a deep snowpack.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Late Blooming Willow (genus Salix)
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Pacific Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Make First Appearance
Pacific sand lance can be found along the Western and Southern coasts of Alaska, although their distribution is based on habitat availability. Computer models suggest that there is a low probability this habitat exists near Kivalina.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Philadelphia perching birds fighting over stripped chicken bone
This could point to potential climate or food shortage stressors affecting the feeding behaviors of the House Sparrows.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Coonstripe Shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotis) Found on Beach After Storm
Coonstripe shrimp (*Pandalus hypsinotis*) can be found at a depth of 30-300 feet in Norton Sound. During a strong storm, some washed up on a beach north of their known range.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Visible Damage to Cancún's Trees
Trees which normally obscure the view of the sea, have lost all of their leaves.
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Extreme rain brings flurry of landslides
Large amounts of precipitation triggered landslides across Prince of Wales Island, blocking roads and damaging at least one bridge.
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Waiting on a North Wind
The winds have been unusual this fall. Usually a north wind is "part and parcel of the turn of the season" but so far the wind has been "sporadic without a sense of direction."

Damage from Fall Storm
Winds in Sand Point reached speeds higher than those predicted by the National Weather Service and caused damage to community infrastructure.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Anne Morris, Edward "Ted" Smith, Amber Hill

Salmonids in North Fork of Chester Creek
The number of salmon returning to Chester Creek has improved since 2008. This year, spawning salmon are lingering in the creek later than usual.

A rare Jay spotted in Whitehorse. But was it a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) or Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)?
An unusual blue bird was sighted in Whitehorse this month. It was not captured on film but the observer thinks it was a Blue Jay or a Steller's Jay. A Steller's Jay was reported to eBird in Haines Junction, Yukon Territory, just two days later.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

A Lily (genus Lilium) is Blooming in My Garden
Late-blooming lily may benefit from warm temperatures in late September/early October.
Palmer, Alaska

Foreign Trash Washing Up on Beaches
"We have been finding plastic bottles, glass bottles, couple life vests, and boots." The Bering Sea has noted an abundance of foreign debris washing up on our shores. Communities like Unalakleet, Gambell, Savoonga and Nome have all reported and documented hoards of this debris.
Shishmaref, Alaska

Late-blooming Rose (Rosa acicularis) in Fairbanks
Wild roses typically bloom in June and July, and go dormant when temperatures drop in the fall and winter.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Lots of Late Blooming Roses (Rosa acicularis)
Wild roses usually bloom in May and June, but warm fall temperatures may have signaled roses in Fairbanks to bloom later than usual.
Ester, Alaska, United States

Not much for berries or fireweed
"In a summer of continuous rainfall I would presume glorious growth and tons of picking...but this did not happen. The blueberries never took off, neither did the soap berries known to us as bear berries."

Big year for some biting insects, but not mosquitoes
Mosquito populations may be down, but the gnats, no-see-ums, white sox and several other unidentified bugs were relentless.

Late Blooming Rose
A wild rose (*Rosa acicularis*) blooms late during a warm fall.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Odd shaped Low-bush Cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Pear shaped cranberries (*Vaccinium vitis-idaea*) are likely the result of a genetic mutation.
Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, United States
Regina Rovira, Matt Carlson, Katie Spellman

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in Manokotak
A muskox (*Ovibos moschatus*) seen farther inland than usual during mating season.
Manokotak, Alaska, United States

Second year of Hemlock Looper Moth (Lambdina fiscellaria) outbreak returns to North Vancouver in larger numbers
The Hemlock Looper Moth outbreak is said to last between 3-4 years and now coincides with an outbreak of Phantom Hemlock Looper which saw its last outbreak more than a decade ago.
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Grey Pigeon (Columba livia)
Invasive pigeons have made their way out of Alaska's large cities to fish camps on the west side of Cook Inlet.
Tyonek, Alaska, United States

Growth on Window After Storm
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with Dead or Dying Eggs
Dead or dying eggs in a female coho salmon are a possible symptom of environmental stress felt by the fish. In Western Alaska, water levels have been low following a rapid spring snowmelt and low precipitation.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States
Jayde Ferguson, Erica Lujan, Richard L Thoman Jr, Ted Meyers

Waterfowl Disappearance and Other Lake Ecosystem Changes
Residents note significant changes in the Christiansen Lake ecosystem since 2019. This includes fewer nesting birds, fish, and mammals around the lake, while the leech population has increased along with the occurrence of algal blooms.
Talkeetna, Alaska, United States

Uncommon Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) Catch
Slimy sculpins (*Cottus cognatus*) are small, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling fish that lack a swim bladder to help them stay bouyant in the water. Their size and habitat allow them to easily avoid fishing gear designed for salmon.
North Fork Andreafski River

Grasshoppers are Becoming More Common
Warming temperatures may support growing grasshopper populations along the southern Seward Peninsula.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States

Low Water and Few Fish
Early snowmelt and low precipitation have led to low river water levels on the southern Seward Peninsula. Low water levels may be a contributing factor in observations of poor fishing, and poor fish health, along the western coast of Alaska.

Exposed Permafrost in Tundra
Permafrost is becoming exposed in Western Alaska, in areas where the landscape transitions to tundra.
Alakanuk, Alaska, United States

Caterpillar Causing Itchy Skin Likely a Rusty Tussock Caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua)
Rusty tussock caterpillars can cause skin irritation for people when handled individually, and are responsible to large defoliation events when populations are high.
Alakanuk, Alaska, United States

Low Water Makes Fishing Difficult
Early snowmelt and low rainfall contributed to low river levels near Nome, affecting the ability of residents to reach usual fishing spots.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Recorded Tornado in Fort St. John
Tornados are a rare occurrence in BC and this tornado is the first one to be recorded in Fort St. John and surrounding area.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is branching and delayed flowering
I have never seen fireweed like this. It is not growing with the normal straight stalk. Is it fireweed? My yard is full of them.

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Floating by Moller Point
Between 2015 and 2020, two Unusual Mortality Events have been declared for wales along the western coast of British Colombia and the United States, indicating the possibility of a disturbance to the marine ecosystem.
King Cove Alaska

Whale Carcass on McDonald Spit
Partially decomposed whale
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States

Abundant Aphids and Defoliator Attack
Forests around Gakona saw abundant aphids and defoliation from sawflies or caterpillars.

Sunken Earth
Permafrost thaw is causing tundra to sink and pool water.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) has multiple stalks
This is the first time I recall seeing Fireweed that has a form like this.

Western Red Cedar die-off in Pacific Spirit Park
In the last few years, I have observed a significant die-off of Western red cedar in several high traffic and peripheral areas of Pacific Spirit Regional Park (PSRP). The majority of the cedar trees I saw were noticeably consumed by browning, small, and young, with most likely more shallow root systems. This is consistent with vegetative stress to which young trees have not developed resilience, but older trees may be less impacted
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
David Oswald, Cody Thomas, Lauren Wright

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in Napaimute
This is the second sighting of muskox in the Middle Kuskokwim, which is outside their known range.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States

White bear on the Junjik River
Unusual coloration in bears is often the result of a recessive gene combination. According to researchers at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, light colored bears have been found in Interior Alaska, although this is the first observation of one submitted to LEO.
Allakaket, Alaska, United States

Sparrow's Egg Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium passerinum) Arrives in the Swamp
Orchids often reproduce by sending up additional shoots from the rhizome, but can produce seeds. When they do, the seeds are lightweight and are easily blown around by the wind. The dried swamp may have provided the right nutrients and optimal environment for germination.

Spruce Trees Producing Huge Amounts of Cones
Unusually large cone crops may be the result of favorable variations in weather across several years.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States

Major Coastal Erosion near Kotzebue
The rate of coastal erosion seems to be speeding up near Cape Blossom.
Cape Blossom, Alaska, United States
Jimmy Evak, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Vladimir Romanovsky

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes King Cove
"I got under my kitchen table and it was very violent and loud and lasted quite a while. The tsunami sirens started right after it stopped."
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Unusual Pink Caterpillar is a Sawfly Larvae
This pink larvae will grow into a sawfly, which are common across Alaska although not often noticed.
Grayling, Alaska, United States

Dead Seal On The Beach
King Cove Alaska

Summer of the Fly
We are seeing these little flies every outdoors. I don’t recall them like this in the past.

Red Growth On Aspen Trees are Diplodia Galls (Diplodia tumefaciens)
Diplodia galls are caused by a fungus that causes the tree to overproduce in certain areas. This generally will not kill the tree, but does make the tree more prone to breakage in areas where galls are found.

Early Ripe Blueberries
Moose Mountain, Fairbanks, AK

Unusual Plant at Lake is Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
I have not seen this before at Cheney Lake.

Multi-headed Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
Browsing moose may have damaged the primary flowering shoot of the fireweed, causing it to form multiple blooming stalks.
Ester, Alaska, United States

Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in Kachemak Bay
Until 2007, there have been only three verified reports of green sturgeon in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, and two anecdotal reports from the Copper River and Unalaska areas.
Halibut Cove, Alaska, United States

Blueberries (Vaccinium uliginosum) at 60-mile Steese
These berries were on a south slope in a recently burned area. Seems early to me!
Pleasant Valley, Alaska, United States

Odd Looking Bug is a Sawfly
This odd, bright green, bug is a species of sawfly belonging to the family Tenthredinidae.
Aniak, Alaska, United States

Is this Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Sick?
"It's been sitting up on the beach just putting his head up towards the sky and not making a sound."
King Cove

Extremely Wet June
Fairbanks summers are trending toward more precipitation. June 2020 set two rainfall records for the Fairbanks area.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Dead Baby Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris)
First time we have ever seen a dead pup.

Wasp Gall on Rosebush
Small spiny growths on a rosebush resemble spiny galls created by cynipid wasps.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

Blueberries in June
Manley hotspring road

Mysterious Holes in Leaves
Defoliation of willows, alders, and berry bushes may be related to different insect species depending on the plant.

Washed-up Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) on Front Beach
Female Stellar sea lion found dead on the beach, partially scavenged by eagles. There was no sign of any bullet holes. In addition, there wasn't any other evidence of what happened to the sea lion.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Barbara Mahoney, Gay Sheffield, Julieanne Renee Berikoff, Melissa Good

Permafrost melting is causing above and below ground tanks to shift
Thawing is impacting both above ground and underground fuel storage. They have started on a plan to empty the fuel tank and relocate it or fix the foundation.
Tetlin, Alaska, United States
Joy Britt, Vladimir Romanovsky, David Beveridge, Vladimir Romanovsky, Stanley Tayor

Dead Young Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
Young gray whale found dead on the beach.
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States
Maio Nishkian, Gay Sheffield, Barbara Mahoney

Yellow-tinted Water around Nome Identified As Spruce Pollen
The yellow tinting in ocean water has been identified by the Tanana Valley Clinic as spruce pollen, but it remains to be seen why the pollen counts are so high this year.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Unusual Spider is Actually a Mite
Closely resembling a spider, this long legged mite belongs to the family Erythraeoidae and can be found in many different environments across Alaska.

Dead Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) on Beach
Dead tomcod were found on the beach following warm temperatures in Norton Sound, repeating a 2019 mortality event in the same area.
Teller, Alaska, United States

Picking Shellfish Yields Tingling Fingers
Is there something that would cause fingers to tingle or swell after touching the mussels and clams?

Pollen Tinting Water around Norton Sound Communities
Ocean water may be tinted yellow from pollen.
Vanessa Tahbone, Anahma Shannon, Toby Anungazuk Jr

Pollen Levels Elevated in Anchorage
Elevated pollen levels in Anchorage and across Alaska raise questions about changes in respiratory health and the importance of having good air quality during the coronavirus pandemic.

Uncommon Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) Sighting
The Seward Peninsula is within the ruby tiger moth range, but sightings are rare.
Teller, Alaska, United States

Yellow Jacket Wasp Nesting on the Beaches in Nome
"We have not seen this on a wide-spread occasion in a number of years. They are nesting in sea weed, and making it troublesome to go to the beach." Jacob Martin

Humpback whales numbers swell in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
The North Pacific Humpback whale population has increased, and sightings are becoming more common.
Clallam Bay, Washington, United States

Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Anchorage

Yellow Residue in the Ocean is Likely Pollen
Unusually high levels of seasonal pollen create a visible sheen on water.
Stebbins, Alaska, United States

Ticks moving into Northern Saskatchewan
Ticks used to be uncommon in Northern Saskatchewan, but are becoming more abundant as the climate warms.
Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada

Invasive Himalayan Blackberry Out-competing Native Bushes
Himalayan blackberries (*Rubus armeniacus*) are out competing native shrub species and taking over open grasslands.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Fine Yellow Dust is Likely Pollen
Seeing pollen in rainwater is unusual.

Pollen Tornado
Warm temperatures are causing birch buds to burst, sending large amounts of pollen in the air. In Chuathbaluk, there was so much pollen, it was visible as a tornado.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Erosion and High Water in Noatak
High water in the Noatak River causes erosion near the old dump site.

New Ground Rising from First Lake

Novice Bird Watcher Notes Change in Visiting Species
Spring brought a plethora of Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles and Rufus Towhees.
Montrose, Pennsylvania, United States

Kivalina Floods from Snowmelt
Unusually warm spring temperatures are rapidly melting above average snowpack, leading to flooding.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Millie Hawley, Janet Mitchell, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Ingemar Mathiasson, Richard L Thoman Jr, Chris Dankmeyer

Erosion in Huslia
High water in the Koyukuk River is causing erosion near Huslia as warm spring temperatures rapidly melt above-average snowpack.
Huslia, Alaska, United States
Crane Johnson, Richard L Thoman Jr, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Possible Pacific White-sided Dolphin Sighting (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)
Unusually active marine mammals seen near Unalaska may actually be Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Melissa Good, Julieanne Renee Berikoff, Asia Beder

Chukar (Alectoris chukar) in my backyard in Anchorage
Non-native chukar, used to train bird hunting dogs, spotted in Anchorage.

Pasque Flowers Blooming in Tok
In Alaska, pasque flowers are known to bloom in May, but increasingly warm temperatures may create conditions that lead to earlier bloom times.
Tok, Alaska, United States

Ichneumon Wasp Spotted in King Cove
Ichneumon wasp is a new sight to King Cove observer.
King Cove, Alaska

Increased Beaver (genus Castor) Activity Resulting in Localized Flooding
Pathway repair and flood mitigation work at odds with Beaver Management Plan, as beaver dams cause localized flooding.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Boom Year for Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica)
Above average winter precipitation may have contributed to high winter survival rates among wood frogs, which emerged during warm spring temperatures.
Glennallen, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Joshua Ream, Brandie Radigan

Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus) with Ticks
Ticks spotted on a Northwestern crow may have picked up ticks while scavenging for food.
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

Kolmakolfsky ice Jam Break - Kuskokwim River at Chuathbaluk
Dynamic breakup conditions are causing ice jams and flooding in Kuskokwim river communities, and significantly damaging infrastructure.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Napaimute Floods During Spring Break-up
Warm May temperatures are rapidly melting the above-average snowpack in the Kuskokwim Basin. Snowmelt is running in to still-stable river ice, causing ice jams and flooding near Napaimute.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
Crane Johnson, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan

Decrease in Mosquitoes
Mosquito populations have decreased in some areas, perhaps due to changes in the surrounding vegetation or weather.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Invasive Common Wall Lizard Continues to Spread, Saanich
I have lived along Epsom Drive, between Cedar Hill Golf course and Cedar Hill Road for 22 years. I have seen a common wall lizard once, in late spring of 2020 at our address.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Cody Thomas, Dionne Sanderson, Eva Gribbon, David Oswald

What Happened to Our Cold Spring Nights?
We went from relatively cold days and nights in late March, to warm days and warm nights in April. This means no overnight freezing of snow, and no crust conditions for skiers...yet.
Crane Johnson, Mike Brubaker, Richard L Thoman Jr

Velella velella Strandings in Tofino
On a recent family vacation, stranded Velella velella were observed on beaches near Tofino, British Columbia.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

The Return of Wildlife to Urban Areas
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Pollen in Abundance: A Stress Crop?
Pollen may be hanging in the air longer than usual due to lack of rain
Langford, British Columbia, Canada

Gooseneck Barnacles
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Wildlife Return to Field Training Area
As human activity is reduced due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, wildlife sightings become more frequent.
CFB Shilo Training Area

Increase in Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus)
Snowshoe hare populations are at a high point in Alaska and are making an uncommon appearance in Anchorage.

Evidence of Forest Erosion by Sea Level Rise
The northwest and west shoreline of Cormorant Island, British Columbia appears to have eroded due to sea level rise during the last few decades.
West Side Trail, Cormorant Island, British Columbia

Coyote (Canis latrans) Observed in Edmonton Urban Setting
A coyote was observed in urban Edmonton, when they are usually found in grasslands, agricultural lands, or forested areas.
Beaumont, Alberta, Canada

Patches of Disrupted Trees
I noticed sections of trees that had fallen over and or had their tops broken off. I'm wondering if it was a micro storm or a disease that affected the trees.
Barnard, Vermont, United States

High Water Levels in Lake Erie
High water levels for Lake Erie have damaged infrastructure and closed businesses. Climate change, and land use change, is expected to continue some of these disruptions.
Leamington, Ontario

White Spots in Smelts Appear to Be a Type of Tapeworm or Nematode
The white spots found in the smelt appear to be tapeworm or nematode larvae. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cooking fish at about 153 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or freezing the fish at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 days to kill the larvae before you eat the fish.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

Urban Deer Playing
Adult deer are often seen walking down residential roads in Victoria, but are rarely seen playing.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Daytime raccoon (Procyon lotor) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) activity
Unusual raccoon and red fox activity in Toronto.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Single Amphibian Individual in Still Creek
During late February and all of March, almost no trains were observed to pass through the area. The level of noise had been reduced significantly. After a review of frog and toad calls, the closest match was the Pacific Treefrog.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) in Wasilla
Unusual winter sighting of a northern shrike (*Lanius borealis*) could become more common as temperatures rise.
Knik-Fairview, Alaska, United States

Budding Willow Branches (genus Salix)
Willows are budding early, following temperature swings of 40 to approximately -32 degrees Fahrenheit between February and March.

Thawing causing houses to slide sideways
Staircases are separating from building and utility poles leaning.
Jeffrey Luther, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, Oxcenia O'Domin, Max Neale, Christopher Dillon, PE, John Monville, Abby Nelson

Sink Hole in Road Impacting Home Foundation
The ground under the new road is developing a sink hole and affecting the foundation of the adjacent house.
Jeffrey Luther, Nellie Wesley, Paul Walton, Mike Brubaker, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, David Beveridge

Dead Sea Cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata) on Beach
Strong winds might have blown sea cucumbers (*Cucumaria miniata*) up on to the beach, exposing them to the cold at low tide.
Anchor Point, Alaska, United States
Mandy Lindeberg, Richard L Thoman Jr, Erica Lujan

Much Snow
It is so much snow, more than usual this time of the year.

Overflow Flood Waters Threaten House and Road System
A hole cut in the ice has produced a lot of overflow, and flooding is now threatening homes and a state-managed road.
Newhalen, Alaska
Lexi Trainer, Sonny Lamont, Melany Eakin, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan, Savannah Anelon

Numerous Dead Mottled Sea Stars (Evasterias troschelii)
Roughly 60 dead starfish were scattered on a stretch of beach about 1/4-mile long, showing potential signs of sea star wasting disease.
Fort Wrangel, Alaska, United States

Young Nuttall Cockles (Clinocardium nuttallii) Exposed on Beach
Luck was against these young cockles, which were likely washed up on to the beach during a storm and did not survive the cold air temperatures during low tide.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Cyanobacteria in a deep well contaminates community water source
In 2020, contamination of the community water well by cyanobacteria caused the community to evacuate for 26 days. How the well was contaminated is unknown.
Kingcome Inlet

Winter Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Robins are migratory birds, but may stay in one place if the temperature is warm and/or there is food available.

Raining in January
Warm temperatures bring novel rain event in Northern Sweden.
Near Nedre Soppero, Sweden

Erosion Threatening Burial Site
A few years ago, people had to cover up parts of the burial site that were becoming exposed.
Wales, Alaska, United States
Racheal Lee, Max Neale, Erica Lujan, Tom Wolforth, Mike Brubaker, Michael Bruce, Debra Seetook, Vladimir Romanovsky, Louisa Castrodale

Erosion of Burial Site
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Ice Fog (Low Visibility) = Cancelled Flights
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Intensive rain flood and landslide
Storm event brought high winds and flooding and landslides to Ensenada.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Richard L Thoman Jr, María Félix-Lizárraga

Storm Brings Flooding in Newtok
A storm system during the last week of November brought high winds and seas to Newtok and other western Alaska communities.
Jacqualine Schaeffer, David Beveridge, Brian Lefferts, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gavin Dixon

Big Winds Blowing in Norton Sound
Local reports on the big storm system hitting northern and western Alaska.
Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon, Mike Brubaker, Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver

Alders (genus Alnus) Budding Out of Season
Warm temperatures are likely causing alders and other woody Alaskan plants to bud in fall and early winter. As winter sets in, the buds are damaged and the plants will produce fewer buds come spring.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) with Bill Abnormality
A thick-billed murre (*Uria lomvia*) was spotted with a bill abnormality that could be attributed to poxvirus or other virus, trauma, tumor, or congenital abnormality.
Devilfish Point, Unalaska Bay

Settlement of Water Treatment Plant and Numerous Areas in Community
Ground settling is causing a wide range of impacts in Noatak, including to the water treatment plant. But are there benchmarks to monitor the changes in the water plant?
Noatak Alaska
John Warren, David Beveridge, Nellie Wesley, Vladimir Romanovsky, Brian Menghini, Paul Walton, Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, Mike Brubaker

Erosion of Russian Era Graves
Erosion of Russian era graves is a concern because of history with epidemic, and tribal office has to collect and rebury remains.
St. Michael, Alaska, United States
Michael Bruce, Michelle Snowball, Anahma Shannon, Tom Wolforth, Racheal Lee, Darlene Chiskok

Gravesite Sinking
Noatak site experiencing thawing and subsidence.
Paul Walton, Chris Dankmeyer, Tom Wolforth

Mergansers (Mergus merganser) on Cheney Lake
Mergansers (*Mergus merganser*) are not common visitors to Cheney Lake, but a flock of about a dozen showed up in early November.

Meshik Village Erosion and the End of Goldfish Lake
Gradual sea ice reduction and reconfiguration of the coast, have increased the rate of erosion near Port Heiden over the course of several decades. Draining of Goldfish Lake brings memories, loss of community landmark, and many emotions.

Unusually Warm Halloween

Landfill is flooding
Brevig Mission, Alaska, United States

Thaw-related Cracking of Local Roads
Observers seek guidance on causes for road cracks and how to address damage.
Brevig Mission, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Vladimir Romanovsky, James Olanna, Johnee Seetot

Ground Sinking at Historic Mass Burial Site
This year was one of the warmest and wettest in recorded history, and permafrost thaw is causing the ground at the mass gravesite to sink.
Brevig Mission, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Vanessa Tahbone, Tom Wolforth, James Olanna, Johnee Seetot, Vladimir Romanovsky, Mike Brubaker, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee

Hill Where Graveyard is Located is Eroding
This year was one of the warmest and wettest in recorded history and permafrost thaw is causing the ground at the community cemetary to thaw and erode. The community is seeking guidance on best practices for relocation of remains.
Vanessa Tahbone, Anahma Shannon, James Olanna, Tom Wolforth, Johnee Seetot, Racheal Lee, Vladimir Romanovsky, Mike Brubaker

Big Year for Highbush Cranberries (Viburnum edule)
Highbush cranberries benefited from unusually warm, sunny conditions.

The river is very low and affecting well water quality
Low water on the Noatak River may be the reason behind changes in the water quality in community wells. The water quality began to change in the plant as measured (eventually) by the need for twice as much chlorine and Naclo polymer in order to get an acceptable residual of chlorine. The change indicates that the well recharge had been depleted and the that wells began operating on stored water in the aquifer. This water would have been older, likely anaerobic and higher in organics and in inorganics such as iron and manganese.
Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, Paul Walton, David Beveridge, Brian Berube, John Warren

Black Currant (Ribes laxiflorum) and Willow (Salix scouleriana) Bushes Are Budding
Willow and currants are budding unusually late, during an unusually warm fall.

Erosion of Gravesites along River

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Dead humpack whale found between Port Graham and Seldovia.
Naomi McMullen, Stephen Payton, Michael Opheim , Barbara Mahoney, Sue Mauger

Unidentified Foam on Fallen Leaves
Unusual foam on autumn fallen leaves does not belong to a spittlebug, but may be a type of fungus.
Jessie Moan, Stephen Payton, Derek Sikes

Concerned about Safety of Harvested Salmon After Warm Season
Warmer summers in Alaska means that extra precautions are needed to keep fish cool from the time of harvest until it has been processed and put away.
Gay Sheffield, Ted Meyers, Anahma Shannon, Carol Oliver, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee, Jayde Ferguson

Permafrost Thaw and Related Flooding
Concern about permafrost thaw and possible impacts to underground water and wastewater lines.
Racheal Lee, Carol Oliver, David Beveridge, Mike Brubaker, Katie Lund, Bradford Blackstone, Anahma Shannon, John Warren

Large Northern Sea Nettle (Chrysaora melanaster) Die-off
A large group of dead northern sea nettles (*Chrysaora melanaster*) found near the shore in Kasitsna Bay.
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States

Schools of California Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Ross Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Late Budding Alder Tree (genus Alnus)
Late budding alder tree.

Young Beaver (Castor canadensis) a Long Way from Nearest Known Beaver Pond
Nick Page shared the following observation of a young beaver north of Courtenay on Vancouver Island. There are not many beaver observations on Vancouver Island, and most are very recent, especially in this part of Vancouver Island. The closest iNaturalist observation is linked here.
Somewhere North of Courtenay

Ticks on Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Steller's jay has one tick on each foot. The ticks may be a species that is commonly found on birds or a species that was picked up from a mammal as the bird was scavenging.

Large Squid Caught in Chignik Bay
Unidentified squid caught by rod and reel off the beach.
Chignik, Alaska, United States

Unseasonable rains, lightning and thunder
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Declining Snow and Summer Rain in the Alberni Valley
"During my childhood, Mt. Arrowsmith and surrounding peaks tended to have a fair amount of snow cover; it was into the summer months before it totally disappeared."
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

Warm Summer Yields Garden Tomatoes
"To grow tomatoes you need eight hours of sunlight each day. Not a problem. But you also need 3-4 months of warm temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the problem."
Anchorage, Alaska
Jeff Lowenfels, Richard L Thoman Jr, Mike Brubaker

River Otters (Lutra canadensis) in University Lake
River otters (*Lutra canadensis*) observed in a lake that typically is home to beavers.

Unusually High Number of Horseflies (Tabanidae) and Wasps (Vespula)
Unusually high number of horseflies and wasps observed during a year with temperatures and precipitation levels above normal.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States
Sarah Yoder, Rebecca Charles, Derek Sikes

Abundance of Hemlock Looper Moths (Lambdina fiscellaria)
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Spider Population May Be Increasing
The crab spider, *Misumena vatia*, is a species well-known throughout Interior, Southcentral, and Southeast Alaska. Little is known about changes in their abundance.
Klawock, Alaska

Mass "Ballooning" Spider Event Responsible for Unusual Webs on Vegetation
Unusual webs spread across vegetation is likely related to a mass ballooning event, where spiders launched themselves in the air using the Earths magnetic charge and the wind.
St. Paul Island, Alaska, United States

Narcissus (Anemone narcissiflora) Blooming in Fall
*Anemone narcissiflora*, which typically blooms in June, is experiencing a second bloom in Hatcher Pass.
Hatcher Pass, Alaska

Shearwater (genus Puffinus) Bird Die-off
Eighteen dead shearwaters (genus *Puffinus*) have washed ashore at Humpy Cove. Additional birds were observed by other community members at Wide Bay and Morris Cove.
Chris Price, Karen Pletnikoff, Melissa Good, Kathy Kuletz, Brian Berube, Shayla Shaishnikoff, Hillary Burgess

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) at St Margerats Bay
In 2016, there was a documented Brown Pelican sighting in Port Renfrew, BC, and in 2018-2019 there were five others in Victoria, BC.
St. Margerats Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Slender armorhead (Pentaceros wheeleri) caught in purse seine
Juveniles and sub adults live and migrate in open water at shallow to moderate depths. They move to the bottom as adults when they settle around sea mounts in the North Pacific.
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Tom Okey, Amy Holman, Andrés López, Edgar Smith

Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis) Newly Abundant in Central California
"In the midfield of my dive this school of blacksmith suddenly appeared. They were hiding from cormorants that dove into the water."
Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area, California, United States

Marine Mammal Strandings at 2nd Cape
A variety of stranded marine mammals were observed in the Port Heiden area between August 17 and 26th.
Near Port Heiden
Kathy Burek Huntington, Hillary Burgess, Kris Holderied, Joel Garlich-Miller, Barbara Mahoney, Melissa Good, Gay Sheffield, Jonathan Snyder, Bruce Wright, Kathy Kuletz, Gabe Dunham, Dean Stockwell, Jaclyn Christensen

Lake Change in Sanak
Most of the dry lakes and streams were on the south side of the island. I am thinking this is one of many lakes that cattle use for drinking.
Sanak Island

Late Bloomers - Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum edule) Blooming Late August
During a summer of unusually warm temperatures, highbush cranberries (*Viburnum edule*) are blooming, using buds that would have normally bloomed next spring.
College, Alaska, United States

Pacific Pomfret (Brama japonica) Caught in Southeast Alaska
Although native to southern Alaskan waters, Pacific pomfret (*Brama japonica*) are not often caught by salmon fishers.
Cross Sound
Tom Okey, Richard L Thoman Jr, Justin Bate, Jason Gasper

City Implements Water Conservation Measures
Persistent high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska and Bristol Bay has kept most storms well away from the lower Kenai Peninsula. At Homer, total rainfall June 1-August 16 was only 53% of normal, making this the driest since 2004. The City of Seldovia has issued a "City Water Conservation Notice" on August 20th. The notice doesn't ban any specific water use but requests residents make an effort to use less water by minimizing watering lawns and washing cars and to take shorter showers.
John Warren, Brian Berube, Don Green, Michael Opheim , Richard L Thoman Jr, Edward "Ted" Smith, Stephen Payton

Dead Salmon Shark (Lamna ditropis) Near 2nd Cape
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.
Bruce Wright, Kathy Burek Huntington, Jaclyn Christensen, Melissa Good

Erosion and Weird Growth on Tundra
An unidentified fungus is growing along the eroding coastal bank.
Kotlik, Alaska, United States

Algae Observed in Satellite Image - Could This Be Related to Shearwater Die-offs?
This region in the Bering Sea began to change color in early July, during roughly the same period when dead shearwaters began being reported by LEO members in coastal communities. Ocean experts suspect it's a non-toxic coccolithophore bloom. Interestingly, these kinds of blooms have occurred before in conjunction with shearwater die-offs. But this may be circumstantial.
Bering Sea
Dean Stockwell, Kathy Kuletz, Richard L Thoman Jr, Amy Holman, Sarah Schoen, Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Hillary Burgess

Drought Causes Water Emergency
"Nanwalek was in an emergency drought, we had to have water flown in for 60 households."
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States
Priscilla Evans, Michael Opheim , Brian Berube, John Warren, Richard L Thoman Jr

Wildfire Smoke Affecting Ability to Dry Fish
"The fish was easy to mold on the drying rack because the hot summer sun was not coming through the smoke."
Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States
Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Alison York

Laurel wilt in camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) tree?
"Camphor Trees typically seem healthy in this region and are invasive. Massive simultaneous failure of most branches seems unusual."
North Sarasota, Florida, United States
Jeffrey Eickwort, Jono Miller, Jessie Moan

Fish Found in Stream Where There Are Usually No Fish
Fish in a local pond may have been washed to their new location during a recent severe rain event.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

Dead Sooty Shearwaters (Ardenna grisea)
This is the 6th observation on this topic received in LEO Network from Southwest Alaska since July 22, 2019.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States
Jennifer Hooper, Hillary Burgess, Brian Lefferts, Alyssa Gustafson, Kathy Kuletz, Erica Lujan

River Otters (Lutra canadensis) on Bike Trail
River otters observed within Anchorage city limits.

Jakolof Creek Fish Die-off
"Jakolof Creek is dry almost all the way up to the switchbacks and continues to recede. The early run of red salmon may have made it to the lake, but that is probably the only run that has."
Head of Jakolof Bay on Jakolof Creek
Brian Berube, Stephen Payton, Glenn Hollowell, Michael Opheim , Ryan Brubaker

Community Water Shortage
Chignik Lagoon has been unable to produce enough water from their wells and has been pulling water from a creek since the beginning of June and subsequently have not been able to refill their water storage tank. The issue has been compounded by several substantial leaks in the water system. They have experienced up to 2 feet of water loss from their tank in one day.
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Melany Eakin, Don Green, Santina Gay, CaSandera Johnson, Heidi Kritz, Edward "Ted" Smith, Michelle Anderson , Brian Berube, Jodee Anderson, Richard L Thoman Jr

Short-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) Found on Chukchi Sea Beach
More than 50 birds and a seal were found along the shoreline.
Kathy Kuletz, Janet Mitchell, Gay Sheffield, Hillary Burgess

Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) with White Nodes/Lumps
If the cysts contain milky, white fluid, they are likely *Henneguya*, a harmless and relatively common parasite. But if they contain a larvae, they are likely tape worms which can infect people.
Tolstoi Bay, Alaska, United States
Ted Meyers, Carol Fletcher, Emily Mosites, Ryan Brubaker, Andrew Atkinson

Unidentified Grasshopper, Possible Genus Melanoplus
Grasshoppers aren't common around Saint Mary's, but may become abundant during years with warm temperatures and ample vegetation for food.

Algal Bloom, Possibly Noctiluca, in Kizhuyak Bay
Ribbons of discolored water observed over Kizhuyak Bay that are likely related to a *Noctilica* bloom.
Chiniak, Alaska, United States
Brian Berube, Andie Wall , Kayla Schommer

High Water in Selawik All Summer Long
High water posed safety hazards and resulted in the removal of boardwalk but also allowed boats to go further up river than usual.
Selawik, Alaska, United States
Ida Norton, Chris Dankmeyer, Crane Johnson, Tanya Ballot, Richard L Thoman Jr

Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) Nesting on Bogoslof Island
"Since the last eruption event, most seabird species that previously nested on the island have returned and made attempts to breed again...but the habitat is currently not ideal."
Bogoslof Island, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Kathy Kuletz, Chris Price, Nikki Whittern

Late Birch Leaf Edge Miner Damage
Browning on birch leaves before time for the fall season transition.
Lazy Mountain, Alaska, United States

Spruce Bark Beetle and Wood Boring Insects
"The spruce bark beetle epidemic currently ravaging Southcentral AK's spruce trees is well-known, but I haven't heard mention of other pests occurring in conjunction."
Lazy Mountain, Alaska, United States

Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) on the Kuskokwim
Nine short-tailed shearwaters (*Ardenna tenuirostris*) were seen floating in the Kuskokwim river, directly in front of Bethel. The birds were acting disoriented and farther up the Kuskokwim than normal.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Cecilia Franko, Jennifer Hooper, Kathy Kuletz, Hillary Burgess

Dead Seal
Alaska has experienced a series of seal mortalities in June that were concentrated in the northern part of the state. This dead seal was found on the bluff near a public park in Anchorage.

August Storm Resulted in High Water
An unseasonable rain event brought high rainfall and led to high water, especially around noon on August 3rd.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, John Henry, Richard L Thoman Jr, Edward "Ted" Smith

Dead Seabirds, Including Shearwaters (genus Ardenna), Found on Beach
"I discovered possibly 43 seabirds and may have missed more on August 3, 2019, just on the southwest side and did not go further on southeast side of our beach. Not sure, maybe they died of hunger."
Togiak, Alaska, United States
Gayla Hoseth, Kathy Kuletz, Diane Abraham, Hillary Burgess

Storm-related Erosion in Shaktoolik
"We were lucky to have the berm in place. The next day, the water levels went down and the erosion was noticeable."
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Racheal Lee, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Richard Buzard, Jolene Auliye, Gay Sheffield, Edward "Ted" Smith

Chum salmon (Oncohynchus keta) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius) with Red Spots under Scales and Abrasions on Their Bellies
Warm water temperatures may be causing stress and increase the risk of infections and other illness in fish.
Buckland, Alaska, United States

Mass Die-off of Shearwaters (genus Ardenna)
"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."
Egegik, Alaska, United States
CaSandera Johnson, Jessica Chernikoff, Kathy Kuletz, Erin Ranney, Jaclyn Christensen, Hillary Burgess, Melany Eakin

Uncommon Squat Lobster (Munida quadrispina) Sighting
A squat lobster (*Munida quadrispina*) was pulled up in a shrimp pot placed in Prince William Sound, which is not a common event. Squat lobsters are commonly found in Southeast Alaska during ADF&G shrimp survey pots and in scallop dredge surveys near Yakutat, Kayak Island, Kachemak Bay, and Kodiak.
Surprise Cove, Alaska, United States

Dead Pre-spawned Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
During the summer of 2019, warm water temperatures lowered the amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers and caused salmon across the state, including Mountain Village, to die before they were able to spawn.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Unusual Rusty Tussock Caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua)
"This is the first time I've seen this kind of caterpillar in this area."
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Unspawned Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and Other Dead Fish
"Over 40 dead dog salmon, one shee fish, one lush fish, and two delmaga all dead along the river going towards the creek opening."
Kaltag, Alaska, United States
Kyle Wright, Carolyn Craig, Jayde Ferguson

Heatwave Temperatures: 38 Degrees C (in the shade)
Highest measured temperatures ever (2018) were measured in Arcen, Holland. 38,2 degrees celsius.
Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Found Farther West Than Normal
Giant kelp (*Macrocystis pyrifera*) is normally found in Prince William Sound and Kodiak Archipelago. However, it has recently appeared at the north end of Zachary Bay near Sand Point.

Salmon Die-off
Salmon are dying along the Andreafsky River and Lower Yukon River before spawning out. Water surface temperatures have been unusually warm, at one point reaching 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jennifer Dobson, Jayde Ferguson, Eric Alstrom, Brian Lefferts

Dead Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Thousands of dead sockeye salmon (*Oncorhynchus nerka*) found dead along the beach during a period of warm weather. Additional salmon have been observed in the Togiak River, raising concerns about possible challenges to subsistence harvest.
Twin Hills, Alaska, United States

Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) Found Washed Up on Beach
Krill (*Thysanoessa spinifera*) were found washed up along the beach in Dutch Harbor. Samples sent to University of Alaska Fairbanks are in the process of being tested for toxins.
Karen Pletnikoff, Asia Beder, Dean Stockwell, Melissa Good, Bruce Wright

Dead Birds, Including Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris), Washed Up on Beach
The timing coincides with other sea bird deaths reported in St. Paul Island, Pilot Point, and Ugashik.
Kathy Kuletz, Jaclyn Christensen, Hillary Burgess

Unidentified Orange Substance Found Washed Up on the Beach in Unalaska
An unidentified substance was found washed up on the Summers Bay beach. Samples were sent to University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and are being tested.
Karen Pletnikoff, Dean Stockwell, Asia Beder, Melissa Good

Lake Is Full of Algae This Summer
"I am worried that unless we do something, the algae will kill the lake, or at least our enjoyment of it."
Shelley Griffith, Mike Brubaker, Dean Stockwell, Gillian Brubaker , Gino Graziano

Fasciated Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
Fireweed observed with flat, curled stem and many buds, indicating fasciation.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Kelly Matthews, Gino Graziano, Jessie Moan, Nathan Lojewski

Hoverfly Larva (possibly Dasysyrphus)
Hoverfly larva (possibly *Dasysyrphus*) found out in the open. Usually, they are found in stagnant water, on a decomposing animal carcass, or in rot holes of trees.
Jessie Moan, Stephen Payton, Derek Sikes

Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) with Twisted Spine
Chum salmon (*Oncorhynchus keta*) caught with a spinal curvature, which may be related to many different factors including genetics, infectious disease, trauma, neoplasm, diet, or changes in the environment.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Sturgeon Caught in Yukon River
Two sturgeon were caught in the Yukon River, farther upriver than has been previously reported.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Blue-green algae bloom in coastal pond
Cape May Point, New Jersey, United States

Second Tick I Have Pulled off My Dog This Summer
"He could have picked it up in the backyard or on an earlier walk to the park."
Pamela Szatanek, Kimberlee Beckmen, Louisa Castrodale, Micah Hahn

Unusually Warm Temperatures
Temperatures in July reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, above the normal high temperature of 72.3 degrees.
Ambler, Alaska, United States

Thunderstorm in Repeat Succession
Thunderstorms are unusual in Unalakleet; however, a thunderstorm cell persisted in the area for longer than usual. Hot, dry conditions across Alaska have increased the risk of wildland fire, including that started from lightening strike.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Algal Bloom
Discolored marine waters near Haines may be reflective of the extremely high level of algae in southeast waters this month.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Kyle Rosendale, Luke Williams, Bruce Wright, Rose Masui, Chris Whitehead, Dean Stockwell

Dead Chum (Oncorhynchus keta) Salmon Floating in Yukon River
Dead chum salmon have been spotted floating down the Yukon river. Water temperatures are measuring at 70 degrees, the warmest in recollection.
Kotlik, Alaska, United States

Fish Die-Off Tubutulik River
We observed more than 50 otherwise healthy (not spawned out) dead fish including pink and chum salmon and white fish

Lots of Dead Female Pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Salmon
Warm water near Golovin is hurting pink salmon. Many salmon caught had red speckled dots on flesh, raising concerns about food safety. Female pink salmon were seen dead in the bay.

Dead Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Kouwegoki Slough and Along Powers Creek, Among Other Locations
In early July, dead fish were observed floating along Kouwegoki Slough and along Powers Creek, among other locations.
John Henry, Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield

Warm Ocean Temperatures
In July, Norton Sound water surface temperatures reached 68.2 DEG F on 7/10 and 69.3 DEG F on 7/11, which is about 17 degrees above average. The water was warm enough to comfortably swim in.
Nome Alaska
Jason Sebring, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon

Common Loon (Gavia immer) Calling Circle
Large groups of loons are rarely observed in the summer on Homer's Beluga Lake. Over a dozen were observed calling back and forth on Beluga Lake.
Homer, Alaska, United States

Dead Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and Whitefish Along Yukon Riverbank
Dead salmon and whitefish found along the banks of the Yukon River.
Alakanuk, Alaska, United States

Unidentified Spider - Brown Recluse, Wolf Spider, or Something Else?
Unidentified urban garden spider. Without a photo or a specimen, confirmation of the species is impossible.

Burying Beetle (Genus Nicrophorus) in Southwest Alaska
A burying beetle was seen for the first time by an observer in Tuntutuliak.
Tuntutuliak, Alaska, United States

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) in Yukon
Way out side of typical range.
Mayo, Yukon, Canada

Temperatures Rise Outside and Inside Buildings
Our operations and maintenance staff do their best to insure all mechanical systems are functioning properly. But several factors limited their ability to respond, including significant smoke from the Swan Lake wildfire.
Anchorage, Alaska
Shelley Griffith, Richard L Thoman Jr, Jared James, Travis Smith, Santina Gay

Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua) Caterpillars in Nome
Unusually high abundance of rusty tussock moth caterpillars in the Nome area.
Elizabeth Graham, Jessie Moan, Robin Mulvey, Tammy Davis, John Lundquist, John Lundquist

Extremely Warm Temperatures
It was also during the week where a number of dead fish started to occur along the riverine segment.
Anahma Shannon, John Henry, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gay Sheffield, Austin Ahmasuk

Dragon Flies Reach the Colville Nigliq Channel
Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States

Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Die-Off
Hundreds of dead sand lance (*Ammodytes hexapterus*) found along the shores of White Sands Beach.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Bruce Wright, Jayde Ferguson, Stephanie Mason, Ted Meyers

Dead Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Floating Down River
"Our temperatures reached 83 degrees, and seem to be getting hotter! We think that maybe the warm water has something to do with the humpy die-off?"
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States
Jayde Ferguson, Anahma Shannon, Toby Thaler, Jolene Auliye, Gay Sheffield

Infestation of Rusty Tussock Caterpillars (Orgyia antiqua) in Nome River Valley
Unusually high abundance of caterpillars in the Nome River Valley.

Cone Clouds
Unusual cone clouds in the air likely produced precipitation that evaporated before reaching the ground, due to unusually warm conditions.
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Scarlet Globemallow in suburban Calgary
Uncommon wildlfower species found in suburban Calgary.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Flooding in Kotlik
Kotlik, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Elizabeth Buckingham, Crane Johnson, Harold Okitkun

Dead Ash Trees Across Western New York State
Churchville, New York, United States

TenTen Creek return of Salmon Species
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Trees Devastated by Spruce Bark Beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis)
"My family and I have been RV camping across Alaska for the last several years. This year, the mass amounts of dead spruce trees have been more apparent than any year prior."
Chase, Alaska, United States
Adrienne Fleek, Desirae Mack, Tricia Wurtz

Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and Other Fish Dying in Warm Water
Gay Sheffield, Chris Dankmeyer, Anahma Shannon, Rebecca Charles, Austin Ahmasuk, Racheal Lee, Jayde Ferguson

Sargassum Seaweed (S. fluitans and S. natans) beaching in Key West
Little to no apparent management posed possible ecological and environmental health concerns.
Key West, Florida, United States

Unidentified Algal Bloom in Coastal Water
An unidentified algal bloom, resembling large clumps of grease or sawdust, stretched from Kingsmill Point all the way up to Pybus Bay. Didn't see any impact to fish or wildlife in the area.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Amy Holman, Kayla Schommer, Dean Stockwell, Jeanette Gann, Erica Lujan, Rose Masui, Chris Whitehead

Cape Thompson: Gathering Murre (Uria aalge) Eggs
Murres along Cape Thompson are migrating earlier, allowing coastal community residents to collect eggs a few weeks earlier than normal.

Flooding from Heavy Rain
Strong southerly winds brought moisture from the central Pacific in to the King Cove area. The FAA weather station at the King Cove airport recorded 4.93" of rain from the early morning of June 25 through the early morning of June 28, and half of that total (2.49") fell in 12 hours from late evening on the 26th to late morning on the 27th, and resulted in flooding.

Sea Star Wasting Disease
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) observed near King Cove
Melissa Good, Ginger Bear, Amy Holman, Bruce Wright, Melissa Miner, Karen Pletnikoff

Dead Krill and Sea Birds, Stranded Ice Seals
A range of wildlife-related events have been occurring this month in Shishmaref and other parts of Norton Sound.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Dean Stockwell, Kathy Burek Huntington, Louisa Castrodale, Kathy Kuletz, Andrew Kakoona, Ted Meyers, Sharon Nayokpuk, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Richard L Thoman Jr, Joel Garlich-Miller, Mike Brubaker, Amy Holman, Racheal Lee, Barbara Mahoney, Kimberlee Beckmen, Chris Dankmeyer

Late Arrival of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Late arrival of humpback whales may be related to a change in abundance of prey species.

Stranded walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
"Its face was down in the mud and it was laboring to breathe. Its body condition was wasted and we could see its ribs."
Solomon, Alaska, United States
Jonathan Snyder, Dean Stockwell, Barbara Mahoney, Anahma Shannon, Mellisa Heflin, Gay Sheffield, Kathy Kuletz, Racheal Lee, Louisa Castrodale, Joel Garlich-Miller, Michelle Snowball, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Chris Dankmeyer

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Die-Off
"When we looked over the side of the boat, we saw clumps of mussels floating up the whole Tuksuk channel. No one has ever heard of something like this before."
Port Clarence, Alaska, United States
Brad Harris, Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield, Allison Topkok, Louisa Castrodale, Amy Holman, Jonathan Snyder, Joel Garlich-Miller, Racheal Lee, Erica Lujan, Barbara Mahoney, Emily Mosites, Bob Gerlach, Dean Stockwell

Dead Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
This walrus was found by a local fisherman and reported by LEO Network to the US Fish and Wildlife Walrus Hotline. The carcass is thought to be too old for necropsy or sample collection.
St. Michael, Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Mellisa Heflin, Anahma Shannon, Joel Garlich-Miller, Jonathan Snyder, Barbara Mahoney, Racheal Lee, Gay Sheffield, Michelle Snowball

Fire Smoke in Unalakleet Area
Smoke from the North River fire is impacting outdoor air quality. The ADEC Division of Air Quality has issued an air quality advisory in effect from Tuesday, June 18, 2019 8:00 AM to Friday June 21, 2019 4:00 PM.

Tumor found in King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Tumor found in King Salmon (*Oncorhynchus tshawytscha*)
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States

Uncommon Minnow may be a Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
An unusual minnow with eyes on the top of its head may be a slimy sculpin (*Cottus cognatus*)

Two Unidentified Flying Insects and Two Unidentified Spiders
Two flying insects and two spiders observed in Grayling are not unexpected in the area, but had not been recognized before.

18 Dead Seals near Kotlik
18 dead seals were found along the coast, and are like part of a larger mortality event that includes 60 seals total. The average number of dead ice seals normally found in a year is 18.

Observed Smoke from Forest Fire
Smoke from the South River Hills Fire could be seen from Unalakleet. The fire began approximately 6 miles from the community, and grew from 30 to 160 acres.It was contained by BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumers by 11pm on June 9, 2019.

Dead Smelt (Osmerus mordax) and Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) Scattered for Miles along Beach
Widespread mortality events that include more than one fish species are indicators that something is wrong in the environment.
Kendra Lee, Anahma Shannon, Carol Oliver, Gay Sheffield, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee, Jayde Ferguson, Ted Meyers

Dead Moose (Alces alces) Found in Water
Single dead moose found in water, with injury on one side of its abdomen

Little Ice for Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) Hunting
Because of the increased travel distance, only families with larger boats were able to participate in the hunt and bring back enough to make the trip cost effective. With a heavier load in the boat, one family ran out of gas trying to get home and had to be rescued.
Janet Mitchell, Anna Godduhn, Richard L Thoman Jr

Low Tide and No Sea Stars
We did not see a single sea star in the Kachemak-side tide pools, and boulders we visit each year all looked a little vacant, with a lot of empty, critter-free space.
Michael Opheim , Kris Holderied, Mike Brubaker

Unusual bald eagles' (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flying behavior?
Two bald eagles observed flying together during breeding season, when eagles may remain closer to the nest.

Beached Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) near Turnagain Arm
Grey whale (*Eschrichtius robustus*) found beached near the Placer River along Turnagain Arm is one of five grey whales reported dead along the Alaska coast during 2019.
Placer Creek

Large group of black plant bug nymphs (Irbisia sericans)
A large group of black plant bug nymphs were observed in early June.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

Unusual Yellowknife Weather "Light Sleet"
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Sleet Storm
Not seen in at least my 15 years in Yellowknife.

May Day Trees (Prunus padus) Take Hold at Cheney Lake
The forest on the East side of Cheney Lake is changing and the biggest change is the proliferation of May Day trees.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) regurgitation full of plastic found in Unalaska
Regurgitation from a bald eagle contains plastic pieces.
Melissa Good, Anna-Katri Kulmala, Veronica Padula

Unusual Sighting of an Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)
Historically, pollock are not a commonly observed species in Bristol Bay, but sightings are becoming more common.
Jaclyn Christensen, Elizabeth Siddon, Tom Okey

Wolves (Canis lupus) are coming too close to the towns of Klawock and Craig
Deer populations are fluctuating, but wolf populations have been growing on Price of Wales island since 2014. Wolves are seen more frequently around communities.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) dying back in coastal BC and WA
Cape Disappointment, Washington, United States

High Water in Spring Leads to Riverbank Erosion
Above average snowfall at the headwaters of the Kuskokwim, and early break up, led to higher than average river flows past Aniak. The river banks are eroding, threatening community infrastructure.
Akiak, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Max Neale, Elizabeth Buckingham, Ted Williams, Crane Johnson

Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Feeding in Haro Strait
Haro Strait, Canada
Theo Okolowicz, Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Tom Okey

First Mosquito (Culicidae) Sighted
First mosquito sighting in Kotzebue.

Big Sky Thunder
Thunderstorms are rare in Anchorage due to its proximity to the coast and protection by the Chugach Mountains from moist air traveling up from Southeast. Thursdays storm produced lightening that struck a power line and caused an outage, and produced nickel-sized hail in Eagle River.

Red Velvet Mite (Family Trombidiidae) Found Near Potters Marsh
Unfamiliar insect found near Potters Marsh, identified as a red velvet mite (family *Trombidiidae*).

Shiner Surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata) in Southcentral Alaska
This catch in a Tatitlek herring net places a school of shiner surfperch about 700 km north of their normal range.
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

Disappearance of Tundra Ponds
Kettle ponds in Denali National Park contain less water this spring than in previous years, due to low snowfall and permafrost thaw. Shrubs are replacing grasses as the lakes dry.
McKinley Park, Alaska, United States
Scott Richardson, Katie Spellman, Richard L Thoman Jr

Juvenile Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) Hauled Out
A species rarely seen in the Seward area.
Seward, Alaska, United States

Strange Growth in Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
An unusual growth was found in a snow goose (*Anser caerulescens*) while it was being butchered. The growth may be related to a previous injury or illness that the bird healed from.
Stebbins, Alaska, United States
Jerry Hupp, Mike Brubaker, Kathy Burek Huntington, Harold Okitkun, Todd O'Hara

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) dying, tops showing dry brown leaves
Salal bushes observed to be very dry and dying in British Columbia.
Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troscheli) Die-off Juneau
Approximately 700 dead mottled sea stars (*Evasterias troscheli*) found with appendages intact, which indicate that mortality event may be related to stormy weather.
DuPont beach Juneau, Alaska, United States

Proliferation of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Landfill
Rabies has been identified by the State of Alaska as being endemic (regularly found) in the fox population in this area.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Early Spring Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) Arrival
Meadow Lakes, Alaska, United States

April Snowfall Road Carnage
Seasonal swings set drivers up for bad trip.

Trees Broken, Uprooted, Toppled by Wind
the Beaufort Picnic Area appears to consist of stream-origin alluvial cobbles, pebbles, and perhaps sand, and so not well consolidated, thus perhaps making these trees relatively vulnerable to wind. The snapped-off trees, however, indicate the unusually high intensity of this particular windstorm.
Beaufort Picnic Area, Cameron Lake, British Columbia

Early Trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator) Swans on Cheney Lake
I rarely see trumpeter swans on the lake, and I don't ever remember seeing them so early.

Early Bees and Butterflies
The sun when direct was intense, definitely not April and not May...more like the month of June.

Erosion in Cook Inlet Damaging Old Growth Trees
Both sides of Cook Inlet are eroding near Tyonek. The erosion is reaching old and new growth trees, and causing more debris to fall in to the Inlet, which easily get caught in set nets.
Tyonek, Alaska, United States

Pike (Esox Lucius) Caught with Pug Head Deformity to Mouth/Jaw
Northern Pike (*Esox Lucius*) caught with "pug head" jaw deformity, usually associated with cold water temperatures during incubation.
Harold Okitkun, Jayde Ferguson, Elizabeth Lindley

Early Robin (Turdus migratorius) Sighting in Fairbanks
This morning I heard and saw a robin in Fairbanks right near the fairgrounds. I have lived in Fairbanks for more than 30 years and have never seen a robin this early!
College, Alaska, United States

Booming Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Population
"It’s a bit because people are feeding them, and they’re getting into the dumpster now too. But I’ve never seen them like this before."

Whale Fatality Likely Caused By Boat Propeller
A sperm whale (*Physeter macrocephalus*) found beached on the east side of Lynn Canal had trauma consistent with being hit by a boat propeller.
Southeast Alaska

Record Temps in Goldstream
Warm temperatures are rapidly melting snow and creating ice, which creates difficult conditions for dog mushers. Migratory birds are arriving early, and a mosquito emerged months early. Small owls dead around the Goldstream Valley that looked unusually thin.

Warmest March
Warm air temperatures have melted the snow, leaving the soil without the insulation that snowcover usually provides.
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, United States

The Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) are Courting
Spring has come about a month early. Is the mating season for our state bird, the Willow Ptarmigan, early as well?

Snow is going Fast at Glen Alps
The snow cover in Anchorage and the Chugach is disappearing very quickly. Go out and get it while you can!

Pussy Willows (genus Salix) Make Early Showing
Warmer than normal temperatures in Anchorage may be causing willows (genus *Salix*) to bud early.

Odd condition of Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
"Looked normal at first then we started to butcher it found some unusual stuff on the insides."
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States

Marine Tar (Oil Residue) On Beaches
The western coast line of India is prone to oil pollution. Marine tar deposition is heaviest during early monsoons or monsoons months.
Arambol, Goa, India

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) Converging on North Slope
There seems to be a large red fox population in the region around Nuiqsut, Alaska. When I last traveled there for work, I counted 5 red fox during a 1.5 hour-long car ride.
Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States
Elizabeth Lindley, Karsten Hueffer, Abby Nelson

Willows (genus Salix) Budding in March
Willows budding about a month early 30 miles above the Arctic Circle.

Intrusion of Beach Stones and Saltwater into the Coastal Forest
French Beach Provincial Park

Second Day of Spring
Weather is relatively consistent around this time of year, but this season, storms have come in quickly.

Record High Temperature For Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Flash Flood in Sao Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil

First Sighting of a Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) at My Feeder
Red-breasted Nuthatch (*Sitta canadensis*) are usually a common visitor to my bird feeder, however this is the first time one has been spotted at the feeder during the 2018-2019 winter.

Shorefast Ice Breaks Off in Nome
Warm ocean temperatures are keeping ice thin, which become easily moved by the wind. This ice movement separates commercial and subsistence crabbers from their gear, and have led to the loss of both crabbing and mining gear.

Fire Destroys Homes in Alexandra
Modderfontein, Gauteng, South Africa

Wales Loses Shorefast Ice
Wales lost shorefast ice early in the season. Ice along the shore has been crushed and broken. This is a very unusual event for Wales as many of our hunters rely on great ice conditions for whale and other sea mammal catch for food.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Dry Creek at Harrison Island
Harrison Island, Haida Gwaii

Roundheaded Wood Borer

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Entering Breeding Grounds Early
Swans have arrived early in Southeast Alaska this year, with most lakes still frozen and no green grass anywhere. Most lakes are frozen; the swan is sticking to a small patch of water surrounded by ice.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

Lots of Female King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
Large number of Red King Crabs (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*) found on the beach during an extreme low tide. According to fisheries researchers, crabs move to shallow water to hatch and release eggs.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Early Reports of Black and Brown Bear
Brown bear spotted on Kupreanof Island for the first time.
Kake, Alaska, United States

Weather and wildlife changes
Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana

Unusual Flooding in February
A warm winter storm leads to sea ice loss and flooding of homes in Western Alaska. "Damage to the foundation of the homes is all I think happened, besides wet clothing and a few things on the floor."

Coastal Flood Advisory
Olivia Lee, Richard L Thoman Jr, John Henry

Leads in Ice After Warm Storm
Leads appeared following a warm storm, in areas with usually stable, shorefast ice. The leads separate many crabbers from their pots, and are illustrative of how Norton Sound's recent erratic sea ice patterns are altering subsistence opportunities and patterns.

Snow on Haleakala
Launiupoko, Hawaii, United States

Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) With Bad Odor and Taste
The smelt, caught through the ice in late January, may have caused a person who ate some to get sick. Local, tribal and state officials worked together to collect and analyze the fish.
Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Percy Nayokpuk, Jayde Ferguson, Anahma Shannon, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee, Tim Thomas, Sharon Nayokpuk, David Verbrugge, Mike Brubaker

Icebergs and Open Sea
Very strong south winds took out all the sea ice and created an ice pile in front of the village.
Andrew Kakoona, Olivia Lee, Sharon Nayokpuk

Eagle Sighting
Eagle sighting during winter in Western Alaska.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

Pregnant Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus) in Coles Bay
A pregnant bluntnose sixgill shark found on the banks of Coles Bay may have come in to shallow water to give birth and died from complications.
Cole Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Pale Green Waters Spell Danger
When the green water is here, its dangerous to travel straight across the Lagoon to White Mountain. In the past we took the land route, cross on Kitchavik river and on up over land to White Mountain.

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Spotted Walking with Cubs in Mid-Winter
Weather had been pouring rain and 45-degree temps for several days leading up to the sighting.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Brown Bear Awake in January
Hungry and looking for food, where it was last fall. Very warm 40 degrees and rain. I'm sure it disturbed his hibernation.
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Large Number of Redpolls (Acanthis)
Fox, Alaska, United States

Sinkholes in parking lot - earthquake aftermath?
It has been a month since the 7.0 earthquake in Anchorage. Are these sinkholes which suddenly appeared related?

Possible Alaska Hare (Lepus othus) Tracks
Strange tracks between Pilot Point and Ugashik, found near the river may belong to an Alaska hare (*Lepus othus*)
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States
Wilson Justin, Dave Crowley, Gregory Kingsley

Northern Extension of Crow Habitat/Range
Northwest crow (*Corvus caurinus*) pair nesting in Anchorage, possibly north of range.
Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage, Southcentral Alaska

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Wilmington, Delaware

Late Freeze up in Lower Kuskokwim
Late freeze on the Lower Kuskokwim produced ice conditions unsafe for travel in November.
Oscarville, Alaska, United States

Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Mortality
Thousands of smelts were found dead during low tide in the Togiak slough. Is there an environmental cause?

Open Water Disrupting Winter River Travel
Ice conditions on the Yukon have changed since the 1980's. Now, open water is more common in spots along the river, which impacts winter travel.
Koyukuk, Alaska, United States

Changing winter conditions
This was the warmest autumn on record for western Alaska. Local observer comments on how lack of sea ice is effecting fish and bird behavior.

Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) Sighting
Laysan Albatross (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) seen in the north during typical nesting season.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Bacterial Infection in 16 Broad Whitefish (Coregonus nasus)
The skin lesion in the photo is likely caused by a stress-related bacterial infection – possibly trauma initiated. Probably common opportunistic bacteria in the environment such as motile Pseudomonas/Aeromonas Gram-negative organisms.

Unusually warm early winter in Lapland
Enontekiö, Lapland, Finland

Herring (Clupea pallasii) in Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) stomach
Odd time of year for seals to be eating herring.

Aftermath of Nov. Storm at Kivalina

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) North of Usual Range
Brown Booby (*Sula leucogaster*) sighted far north of its usual tropical habitat.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) die-off French Beach
Many mature Sitka spruce trees dying off from French Beach south into Sooke along waterfront. Many dead partway up and needles thin.
Elizabeth Graham, Jacob Earnshaw, Robin Mulvey

Jelly-like Meat Texture Found in Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida)
Ringed seal (*Phoca hispida*) found with jelly-like meat texture and thin skin near the armpit and ribcage.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Gray Catbird found northwest of its normal range.

Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Dead sea otter (*Enhydra lutris*) found on the beach with no obvious sign of injury although it did show signs of hair loss.
McDonald Spit, Alaska

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) living near Race Rocks
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, British Columbia, Canada

Large Sea Purse (Big Skate, Raja binoculata?)
Large egg case found on beach, perhaps belonging to a Big Skate (*Raja binoculata*)

Sea Nettle Jellyfish (Chrysaora melanaster) are Landing
Sea Nettle (*Chrysaora melanaster*) jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Odd Starfish Appearance (Pisaster ochraceus)
Sea Star (*Pisaster ochraceus*) appears sick but is actually healthy.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States

Coyote (Canis latrans) Sighting
Uncommon coyote sighting in the Interior.
Fox, Alaska, United States

Unusual Squid Found on Shoreline
Squid are becoming more common on the shoreline over the past few years.
Aleksandrovsk, Alaska, United States

Missing Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) Bed
Large bull kelp (*Nereocystis luetkeana*) bed near the 1st channel marker, which used to attract sea otters, has disappeared.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States
David Harmes, Joy Britt, Mandy Lindeberg

European aspen still in summer foliage
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Late blooming iris (Iris setosa) and lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
During fall time, we only hand pick when the blackberries turn brown. As I was picking I saw this wild iris, like it bloomed just a few days ago. I was very awed to see this flower in October.
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Snatches a Seagull
Bald eagle feeds on seagull

Foam in Womens Bay
Sea foam collecting on the beach where it is not normally seen.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Drought in a Rain Forest
The Tongass Forest in southeast Alaska, a temperate rain forest, is experiencing record-low precipitation and severe drought conditions, impacting community hydroelectricity production.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

Hot weather impacts growing conditions in Pakistan
Weather conditions including drought are effecting vegetation in Punjab and other areas of Pakistan.
Gojra, Punjab, Pakistan

Delphiniums (Delphinium glaucum) Growing Again
Delphiniums (*Delphinium glaucum*) are still growing late in to the season.
Grayling, Alaska, United States

Accelerating Erosion at Kincaid Beach
Erosion of Kincaid beach bluffs accelerated compared to previous years.

Spread of the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) into Southern Ontario
Welland, Ontario, Canada

Late-blooming Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
Fireweed blooming in mid-late September after other plants have gone to seed.

Discolored Spruce (Picea sitchensi) in Seldovia
Spruce branch girdling causing discoloration in tree.

Discolored Spruce (Picea sitchensis) Trees
Discolored spruce (*Picea sitchensis*) needles

Low Coastal Cloud Ceiling on Landing
White, puffy, clouds unusually close to the land.

Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis) in Bloom WAY Out of Season
Prickly rose plant is blooming when others have gone to hips.

Shellfish Warning
Crescent City, California, United States

Indian Summer: Unusually Warm September
Unusually warm September temperatures.

Late-blooming Clover (Trifolium pratense L.?) or Perhaps Second Bloom?
"They are extremely fresh-looking, as if it were the springtime."

Bald Eagle Pairs (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Abandoned Nests
Bald eagles (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) disappeared from usual nesting spot.

Small Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) Found with Signs of Injury or Illness
Small, approachable, deer found with possible broken jaw, discolored saliva, and injury on hindquarter.

Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) mortality from drought stress

Severe Bank Erosion from Permafrost Thaw
Thawing and eroding is destroying river bank, impacting access, threatening infrastructure, and causing safety concerns.
Selawik, Alaska, United States

Fewer Summer Insects
I started looking for insects months ago only to find them significantly absent from this area.
Marietta, Georgia, United States

Late Blooming Rose (Rosa acicularis) Documented in Newspaper
Front page of the Daily News-Miner documents a late blooming rose during a colder than average August.

Spruce Rust (Chrysomyxa ledicola) Appearing on Spruce Trees (Picea mariana)
The spruce along the highway between mile 157 and 162 show signs of stress, the tips of the branches are orangish and the deep green of the trees are fading.
Slana, Alaska, United States

High River Water Overflow
Heavy spring precipitation leads to strong river flow, sweeping away cabin and fish rack.

Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Sighting in Utqiaġvik
Unusual Stellar sea lion (*Eumetopias jubatus*) sighting in Utqiaġvik.

Rare Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) Sighting
Wood frog sighted on trail.

A summer without insect stings
Fewer wasp and mosquito interactions in Anchorage in 2018 than typical.

Unidentified Beetle Pupa Found Near River Bank
Unidentified beetle pupa found near camp on a river bank.

Thick smoke in the Alberni Valley, lasting days
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

High Concentrations of PCB in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) sample
High concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls found in blue mussels.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States

Unusual Grasshopper Sighting
Grasshopper seen in area with typically few sightings

Ship Creek Almost Dry
We have visited this creek every summer for 10 years, since 2008, including every August, and we have never seen the water this low.
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Theo Okolowicz, Tom Okey

Spruce Rust (Chrysomyxa ledicola) Found on Kuskokwim River Bank
Spruce rust (*Chrysomyxa ledicola*) fungal spores found along the banks on the Kuskokwim River
Red Devil, Alaska, United States

Slow Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Run
Slow sockeye salmon (*Oncorhynchus nerka*) runs in the Aleutians potentially linked to warming ocean temperatures.

Walleye Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in salmon nets
Billie Shraffenberger is a longtime resident of Port Heiden. This is the first time she has caught a fish like the one she found in her subsistence salmon net this summer.

Lots of bees!
More bees seen enjoying sweet clover thus year than in recent years.

Dead Sea Mammal and Sea Birds on the Beach
Residents of Chevak and Hooper Bay found two species of sea bird either dead or approachable near the mouth of the Kiuqliiviq and Aprun rivers near fish camps. Residents of Hooper Bay also found a dead sea mammal on the beach.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Fireweed Clearwing Moth (Albuna pyramidalis) Sighting
Fireweed Clearwing Moth (*Albuna pyramidalis*) found in south Anchorage.

First Observation of Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
The northern gorundcone (*Boschniakia rossica*)s not commonly found in this area.
Crooked Creek, Alaska, United States

Phytoplankton Bloom near Prince of Wales Island
Ocean water has a green tint near Craig and Klawock, Alaska.
Craig, Alaska, United States

Porpoise sighted in Pastolik River
Porpoise spotted heading up the Pastolik River

X-Cell Tumor Around the Gills of a Black Rockfish (Sebastes melonops)
Black Rockfish (*Sebastes melonops*) caught with X-Cell tumor.

Elevated PSP Levels in Unalaska and Sand Point
Regional monitoring program notifies shellfish harvesters of an upward trend in concentrations of PSP.

Black meat from a Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Unusual dark coloration in Sockeye salmon (*Oncorhynchus nerka*) meat
Falls Creek, Alaska, United States

Weird Looking Bug
These are predaceous diving beetle larvae, in the family Dytiscidae.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Arrival of Sargassum on Florida's Central East Coast Beaches
We observed large patches of marine macro-algae (*Sargassum* sp.) floating just offshore, drifting north, and getting stranded on the beach.
Hutchinson Island, Florida, United States

Very sick dog after eating from the beach
On this occasion he did not just vomit once, but over and over, combined with severe diarrhea and fatigue.
Kris Holderied, Michael Opheim , Gillian Brubaker , Rose Masui, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Brian Berube, Mike Brubaker

Beached Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
Gray whale (*Eschrichtius robustus*) found dead on the beach near Kivalina.

Burying Beetle (genus Nicrophorus)
Burying Beetle (genus *Nicrophorus*) Found on McDonald Spit in Seldovia.

Allayuk uguguaq, "Strange Caterpillar," identified as Bedstraw Hawkmoth (Hyles gallii)
Unusually colored caterpillar in area identified as Bedstraw Hawkmoth (*Hyles gallii*)
Oscarville, Alaska, United States

Cougar Sighted on Upper Kenai River
A rare sighting near the confluence of the Russian River.
Cooper Landing, Alaska, United States

Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) Weed in Dominican Republic
Evidence from Dominican Republic of the larger regional weed event.
Boca de Yuma, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) and dead fish at Punta Cana
Punta Cana, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Foraging in Re-occupied Soft Bottom Habitats
Rare observation of sea otter in Haro Strait, perhaps first since 2014.
Haro Strait, British Columbia, Canada

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Targeting Forage Fish in Open Water
Island View Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea) Found Slightly North of Range
Sooty Shearwater (*Ardenna grisea*) found in the bay near Platinum, slightly north of usual species range.
Platinum, Alaska, United States
Harold Okitkun, Kathy Kuletz, Minnie Roberts

Small red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) return and fish size
Sockeye are smaller in size and fewer in number this year than in recent years.
Ouzinkie, Alaska, United States

Tent caterpillar in Yellowknife
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Fire Near Unalakleet
Wildfire smoke visible in Unalakleet.

Noctiluca Bloom
Second Noctiluca bloom we have had in the last 4 weeks
Kasaan, Alaska, United States

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sighted in the Haro Strait
Island View Beach Regional Park
Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Theo Okolowicz, Tom Okey

'Set net' of Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Island View Beach, Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Morris Cove Creek and Ocean Disconnection
An obstruction has disconnected Morris Cove from ocean waters, preventing salmon from moving upstream.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States

Wasatch Mountains are Snow Free in June
Wasatch Mountains near Payson, Utah are snow-free about a month earlier than normal.
Payson, Utah, United States

Dead Hare Infested with Ticks
A dead hare was observed in Interior Alaska that was infested with a native species of tick. Wildlife officials are asking residents to keep an eye out for ticks on pets and for signs of tick infestation in large mammals, such as hair loss in moose.
Fort Yukon, Alaska, United States
Melinda L Peter, Kimberlee Beckmen, Louisa Castrodale

Blackline Prickleback (Acantholumpenus mackayi) Caught While Fishing For Herring
Blackline Prickleback (*Acantholumpenus mackayi*) caught along the Bering Sea Coast

No Sea Stars on Bishop's Beach
Sea Star Wasting Disease has caused sea stars to die off since 2013. As of 2018, there are still no sea stars on Bishops Beach in Homer.
Homer, Alaska, United States

European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) invaded our neighborhood and city

What is Eating Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) Leaves?
Mount Tolmie, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

California Quail (Callipepla californica) Expanding Poleward

Phaeohyphomycoses Fungal Infection on Smelt (Hypomesus olidus)
Smelt caught in Bethel with fungal infection previously found in the Norton Sound region.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Washed-up Carcass Tangled in Netting
The remains of a possible seal carcass tangled in netting may have come into contact postmortem, "ghost fishing" as a potential cause.

Concerned About Discoloration of Snow Along North Slope Roads
Questions raised about the impacts of vehicle exhaust and soot on snow deposition as well as dirt and dust from roads.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States
Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Mike Brubaker, Eunice Brower

Abnormally Cold Spring
At Cold Bay, snow was reported on five days during the month, the most for any May since 2013.

Pair of Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Observed in Cordova Channel
Tsawout First Nation Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in the Homathko River
The trout we were gorging on them and the mergansers looked like they had eaten their fill.
Homathko River

Wolf Spider (Lycosidae) in Teller
Possible wolf spider seen in Teller

First Mosquito
Early mosquito sighting in NWT.
Northwest Territories, Canada

Unusual Spiders by the Dozen
Spiders possibly wolf spiders of family (*Lycosidae*) numbering some 75 to 100 were seen on top of snow along Boulder Creek road and lagoon.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Ross's Gull (Rhodostetia rosea) Spotted South of Normal Range
Ross's Gulls are normally seen in the high Arctic, this is the first reported sighting in Togiak. A similar sighting was reported to LEO Network from Hooper Bay.

Unidentified Skate Found on Beach
It is unusual for skates to wash up on the beach.

Ross's Gull (Rhodostetia rosea) Spotted at Togiak Beach
An unusual gull species (possibly Ross's gull) sighted within days of a confirmed Ross's gull sighting in Togiak.

Wind And More Wind
We have over two weeks of cold windy weather. It started in mid April around the time of the big wind storm. And in relation of the wind storm on April 24th, Rick Thoman wrote: "Winds this strong in the Anchorage are rare at this time of year. An unusually strong storm for the season in the southeastern Bering Sea produced southeast strong winds blowing across the Chugach Mountains. However, being April, the temperature profile of the atmosphere close to the ground was more conducive than in winter for allowing the very strong winds aloft to reach down to the ground.

Increased Turbulent Experience and High Winds While Flying during Winter Season
Passenger experiences usually turbulent conditions on winter flights.

Unusual Species (Ross's Gull?) Sighted
Ross's gull (*Rhodostetia rosea*) spotted in Hooper Bay, south of normal species range.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Landslides Disrupt Community Infrastructure
Landslides threatened community water supply, transportation, and residential homes.
Ivanof Bay, Alaska, United States
Moses Tcheripanoff, Richard Buzard, George Anderson

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Herd at Hook Lagoon
The walrus count at this location was approximately 500-1000, and looks like they are here to stay well at least for this season of time before they return to the north.

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Dead bald eagle washes up on Larsen Bay beach

Shifting species composition of sealions at Hornby Island
Flora Islet, British Columbia, Canada

Bivalves recently cracked by sea otters (Enhydra lutris) indicating re-occupation
We discovered numerous large marine bivalve shells (and two chiton shells) that had been cracked recently by sea otters. Ocean View Beach is around the southern extent of Vancouver Island and back again north in the Strait of Georgia. The present observation is evidence of sea otters traveling into the Strait of Georgia.
Island View Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Tom Okey, Theo Okolowicz, Phoebe Okey-Dobie

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Haul-out On Port Heiden Beach
Walrus in Bristol Bay and Port Heiden are not uncommon in summer. The fact they are present in April is unusual and residents believe factors such as the lack of sea ice, lack of food and warming ocean temperatures may be the reason.
Jaclyn Christensen, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Parasite (Taenia krabbei) in Caribou Meat
Muscle tapeworm cysts in caribou meat.

Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) Adapting to Warming Temperatures
Warmer winter temperatures are bringing Arctic Ground Squirrels out of hibernation
Twin Hills, Alaska, United States

Thin Sea Ice, Permafrost Thaw, and Earth's Rotational Axis
Thinner sea ice and melting permafrost. Is it related to changes in the Earth's axis?
Wainwright, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Water Pooling Around Houses and Flooding Ice Cellars
Permafrost thaw is affecting houses, roads, and ice cellars.
Wainwright, Alaska, United States

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
A rare sighting of an elusive wetland species.
Austin, Texas, United States

Many Ringed Seals (Pusa hispida) Hauling Out
Above normal than average seal strandings in the Aleutians.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States
Chris Price, Moses Tcheripanoff, Melissa Good

Flock of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) Sighted on ANTHC Campus
A flock of European Starlings sighted at a mid-town Anchorage building.
Moses Tcheripanoff, Tammy Davis, Verena Gill, Tim Thomas

Hummingbird sighted on SW-Side of Kachemak Bay
Very early for a hummingbird, especially in a non-urban area without feeders.
Moses Tcheripanoff, Courtney Amundson, Jan Yaeger

Storm Related Erosion
Without ice to provide protection from storm waves, Port Heiden has lost the old town road.

Shrimp Found While Collecting Badarkies
I have never found live shrimp before in King Cove while subsisting for Chiton's not sure if it is unusual or significant.

Ocean Ice Is All Gone
Rough seas and moving sea ice.
Sharon Nayokpuk, Hajo Eicken, Richard L Thoman Jr

Mushroom ascidian (Distaplia occidentalis) Found on Beach
It's about the size of a dinner plate and has a rubbery texture, was told it’s a sea cucumber but I’m not sure.
Tom Okey, Tammy Davis, Erica Lujan, Scott Anderson

Northern Lampfish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus) Found on the Beach at Letnikov Cove
Northern Lampfish washed up along the beach at Letnikov Cove

Utility Poles Leaning
Leaning utility poles in south Anchorage

Trail Observations from Kuskokwim 300
Due to consistent above average winter temperatures, there are many known and developing open holes on the river. I was on the trail working at the Bogus Creek Checkpoint. Most of the trail had no snow cover, and the majority of the race was run on glare ice over the tundra.
Kuskokwim River, Alaska, United States

Arctic in January - No Sea Ice
Residents use drones to show unusual sea ice conditions along the Chukchi coast.

Robin Spotted In Chuathbaluk
Mid-January robin sighting in Chuathbaluk.

Earthquake Reported SW of Gambell, AK
Earthquake in low-probability area in Alaska

Warm Weather And Lady Bugs
The weather was the warmest I’ve ever seen for this time of year and never seen insects like ladybugs out this time of year.

High winter winds and warm temperatures
We've had so much wind this winter, on the 15th of January, the winds were warm!!!!!!

Female Sparrow (Emberizidae) Seen In Pedro Bay
Mid-January sparrow sighting in Pedro Bay
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Robin (Turdus migratorius) Spotted
The early arrival of robins in southeast Alaska.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in January!!?
Peregrine falcon observed in interior Alaska in early January.
Nenana, Alaska, United States

Rain on snow event in the French Alps
Photograph illustrates the impact of a rain-on-snow event during the winter of 2018.
Courchevel, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 2
While taking photos this afternoon of the snow ice on various objects near the Native Village of Unalakleet, which was on the approximate order of 4 minutes and with very little wind (playground, grass, powerlines), my hands were cold due to the "wetness" in the air and the ambient air temperature.

Lineup of Storms and Unseasonable Weather
Multiple storms and warm weather in St. Mary's.
Saint Mary's, Alaska, United States

Slow River Freeze Up and Difficult Travel Conditions
Unusually warm temperatures for an extended period this winter has affected the ability to travel because the river isn't freezing over.
Galena, Alaska, United States

Warm, Windy, Snowy, Wet, Cool Days!
"Our roads are slippery when there would be snow to where the children were out with their sled. Planes never cancelled as much as this year to where the flights were backed up to 3 or 4 days. Lately, we've been seeing grasses regrowing after it warms up out there."
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Ahousaht Harbor: Swimming Hole Monitoring
Ahousaht, British Columbia, Canada

Chordgrass (Spartina sp.) eradication at Goose Spit
Goose Spit Regional Park, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Hilary Blackman, Colin Robinson, Tom Okey, Cory Frank, Laura Loucks

Unidentified Jay
Unidentified Jay sighted in southcentral Alaska, early December.

Fast Weather Change: Snowfall
Rapid weather change, with snowfall.

Paper Mill Dam: Swimming Hole Monitoring
Paper Mill Dam, Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

Coral Found Following November Storm
Red coral observed near Port Heiden along the Bering Sea coast.

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath 11/09
Using a hand-held Garmin Montana 650t unit, I took photos of the tideline in three areas.

Foggy Fall of 2017 in Noorvik
Many foggy days in Noorvik during the fall of 2017.
Noorvik, Alaska, United States

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath
I documented my tracks using the Garmin unit adjusting the track setting to log about every 5 feet, which was saved as a GPS Exchange (GPX) Format. From there, I imported the information into Google Earth Desktop as a KML track.

After the Storm
A recent storm in Norton Sound has increased coastal erosion affecting community transportation.

Warm & Rainy Fall Season
The past couple years have been warmer than normal contributing to where the river is still flowing ice and with some of the plants still green.
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Fish Return to Akhiok Bay
Akhiok residents report that fish have returned to Akhiok Bay since the outfall was repaired/extended further into the ocean
Akhiok, Alaska, United States

Aftermath of the Storm

Storm Surge
A strong storm impacting NW Alaska with high winds and sea level rise (over 6 ft) caused localized flooding in Kotzebue.

Unusual Bird Sighting, Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
We've seen these birds in the Fairbanks area before but neither my wife or I could recall seeing one at this time of year.

Prolonged Fog in Anchorage Area
Near record stretch of foggy days at Ted Stevens International Airport.

Dense Fog in Anchorage
This is the second longest period of visibility remaining this low at the Anchorage Airport.

Warm Winter Weather Patterns along Kuskokwim River
This is the second year in a row that people from Chuathbaluk are able to use boats (skiffs) on the Kuskokwim River in November.

Kincaid Beach Littered with Whale Parts
Tissue from the recent necropsy on a humpback whale remains on Kincaid beach
Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska, United States

Fog For Days
More open water on rivers and lakes that add to the near-ground moisture.
Anvik, Alaska, United States

Dead Anaconda (Eunectes)

A Not So Normal Summer
Drought, causing low waters in Goodnews River, no blackberries, and early cool weather.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States

Dead Little Fish After High Water
A resident of the community was near the gravel pit when he came across a number of dead fish.

Late Bloomer-Wild Rose
An afterschool club have been monitoring rosehips and found this late-blooming flower.

Late Blooming Flowers
We do not ever recall having flowers blooming this late in the year.

Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with Cysts
Silver salmon, caught 10 miles up the Twin Hills River, had small white patches in flesh.
Twin Hills, Alaska, United States

Increase in Red Voles and Gray Shrews
Increase in red voles and gray shrews, compared to the last three years.

Great Egret (Ardea alba) So Far North
Egret near Inuvik observed by numerous folks in Inuvik.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

"Glowing" Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) in the dark - plankton?
I notice fluorescent glowing in the dark: happens to be the tomcods I caught the other day.

King-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis) stranded on beach

Low Water Levels in the Yukon River
Water levels are 5 feet below normal.
Fort Yukon, Alaska, United States

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) in Auke Bay
California sea lions are rare but occasionally show up in Southeast Alaska and have been documented in other parts of Alaska as well.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Kangaroo Mouse?
Found what seems to be a kangaroo mouse and a normal mouse
Aniak Slough, Alaska, United States

Unknown Cause of Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Mortality
Black bear found dead along lake trail.
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Late Run of Abundant Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Elders are finding this unusual for this late in the season.

Extreme Flooding in Huslia
Huslia, Alaska, United States

Late Bloomer - Wild Rose Enjoying the Fall
Fairbanks rose bush blooming in early September, 2017.

Late Bloomer - Salal / Laughing Berry (Gaultheria shallon)
Late blooming Laughing Berry (*Gaultheria shallon*) in Metlakatla

Debris Eroding from Old Dumpsite
Community concerned about health and safety from old site.
Cheenik Creek, Alaska, United States

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) Confusion - Flying North then South
There were lines of cranes flying north and then this morning just before daylight, flying south

Algae blooms throughout BC Interior
Concerns about water safety for human and animal consumption for drinking and for recreation.
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

Flock of Sandhills (Grus canadensis)
Sandhill cranes spotted flying east
Portage Creek, Alaska, United States

Parasites on Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Parasite identified as sea lice.
Whipple Creek, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in southern coastal BC
Southern BC Waters

Cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) in Seldovia
Cloudberries observed in new area around Seldovia.
Jakolof Bay Headwaters, Alaska, United States

Abundant Year for Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)!
The creeks were so full - I bet the oxygen levels weren't so good for them though.

Giant Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes giganteusin)
Jakolof Bay, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton, Mandy Lindeberg

Sea Mammal Identified as Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Unidentified sea mammal bones later identified as beluga whale.
Gambell, Alaska, United States

Increase in Common Raven (Corvus corax) abundance

That's a lot of Humpies (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
We wondered at the huge number of pinks still in the lagoon. Are they running later then normal?
Tutka Bay Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Unknown Plant Growing on Nanwalek Beach
Unidentified plant found on Nanwalek Beach

Funnel Cloud Spotted Near Flathorn Lake
Funnel cloud photographed from the air while flying near Flathorn Lake
Lower Susitna River Drainage, Alaska, United States

Changing Pingo (Palsa) Conditions
Enontekiö, Lapland, Finland

Permafrost Melt Causing River Erosion
Severe permafrost thaw and erosion along Koyukuk River banks.
Allakaket, Alaska, United States

Abundant Slugs Consuming Vegetation
Abundant slugs in Dillingham acting as a stressor to garden plants.
Dillingham, Alaska, United States

Horntail Wood Wasp (family Siricidae)
Horntail wood wasp (family Siricidae), attracted by fire damaged wood, observed a year after the McHugh fire along the Seward Highway.

Dense Smoke Over Bellingham Bay
Bellingham, Washington, United States

Air Quality Advisory due to Wildfires
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Poor air quality for Swinomish community members
Bay View, Washington, United States

Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) - Smith Island, Puget Sound
Horned Puffin sighted near Smith Island in the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA.
Oak Harbor, Washington, United States

Growth on Rose Bush (Rosa acicularis)
Reddish growth on rosehip leaves
Gakona, Alaska, United States

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) off Masset, Haida Gwaii
near Masset, Haida Gwaii

Sea Creature
Unidentified, deceased, sea animal washes ashore on Togiak beach

Stranded Carcass Identified as Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) Whale
Carcass largely decomposed and difficult to identify.
North of Point Romanof, between Kotlik and Stebbins, Alaska, United States
William Murphy Jr., Kathy Burek Huntington, Gay Sheffield

Moose (Alces alces) with Boils on Hind Legs
Identified by ADFG as skin irritation caused by moose flies, (*Haematobosca alcis*) bites.

Unidentified Ant
Jakolof Bay, Alaska, United States

Change in Wind and Weather Patterns
Weather patterns have changed so much in the past several years.
Moses Tcheripanoff, Stanley Oxereok, Erica Lujan, Richard L Thoman Jr

Weird Jelly on Tube Worms
Tube-Dwelling Worms on Seldovia Beach

Beach Sand - Coastal Erosion
We are losing coastline due to erosion and this is a sad sight to witness.
Sandra Hill, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mary Mullan

First Ripe Blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium), South side of Wickersham Dome
Little early for blueberry to be ripe.
White Mountains National Recreation Area, Alaska, United States

Black Slugs (Arion ater L) Devastating Native Plants in Chugach Forest
Black slugs are impacting native plants in the Chugach Forest and may be spreading elsewhere.
McKinley Lake, Alaska, United States

Ticks Gorge on Squirrel
These ticks may have been an example of one native species in Alaska.
Bryers Lake State Recreation Area, Alaska , United States

Early Flowering of Chinese Magnolia (soulangiana)
Flowering is occurring months early.
Maleny, Queensland, Australia

L'agrile du frêne (Agrilus planipennis) détecté à Québec
Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Quebec City - a larva was found under the bark of one of the 400 branches taken from municipal ash trees in 2017. "
Québec, Quebec, Canada

It's All a Month Early
A number of plants are growing oddly "out of season".
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Caterpillar (Orthosia hibisci) Infestation Causes Defoliation
The village of Anvik along the west bank of the Yukon River has an increase in defoliation associated with caterpillar numbers.
Anvik, Alaska, United States
Derek Sikes, Alberta Walker, Jessie Moan

What Kind of Beetle is This?
Unknown Beetle
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States

What Is This Cotton-like Bug?

Small Ladybug Like Beetle (Chrysomela)
Unidentified beetle near Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coastal Shore Erosion
Coastal erosion occurring near Cape Blossom, outside of Kotzebue, Alaska.
Cape Blossom, NW Alaska, United States

Unidentified Marine Mammal
We could not figure out the what type of sea mammal it is.
Gay Sheffield, Kathy Burek Huntington, Janet Mitchell

Plant Health and Condition
The leaves, in general, don't look too healthy. They seem to lack vitality and are shriveled in many places.
Gino Graziano, Jessie Moan, Wilson Justin

Caterpillars Infestation
Infestation of an unknown species of caterpillar.

Tiny California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus)
The smallest California cuke I have found.

Going Buggy Without Bats
East Burke, Vermont, United States

Change in Maple Sugaring
Farmers that "sugar" are frustrated with the short Spring sugaring season and are looking into alternate ways to collect the sap.
East Burke, Vermont, United States

Pipefish (Sygnathinae) Observed
Found Pipefish
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

Decline in Bumble and Honey Bees
This year we have very few apples that are fully pollinated. We are building bee houses next to our garden in hopes that we can bring the bees back and next year.
St Johnsbury, Vermont, United States

Rat (Rattus norvegicus) at Kodiak Airport
Spotted a rat at the Kodiak Airport while doing intertidal surveys.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Too Much Rain
Summer rain affecting subsistence food preservation.

Spring Peepers Frogs (Pseudacris crucifer) Make Mating Calls in February
Trafalgar, Indiana, United States

Squid Found in Seldovia Bay
Squid are occasionally found in the area, but not very often.

Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum pluviale) Outbreak in Yellowknife
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Jakub Olesinski, Brian Sieben, Moses Tcheripanoff

Some Of Our Birches Are Dying

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Taylor Highway
Bird observed well beyond its typical range.
Columbia Creek Bridge, Taylor Highway, Alaska, United States

Musk-ox (Ovibos moschatus) Far Inland
No one in Chuathbaluk has ever seen Musk-ox this far inland before.

Fire Smoke Encroaching into Unalakleet
A haze surrounding the hills had a distinct smell of burned wood.

Late Bloom Of Moss
Late Mossberry (*Empetrum nigru*) Bloom

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Spit Beach
Dead eagles are becoming more common around Sand Point, with one recently reported on Spit Beach

Dramatic Rise in Tick Population
We were picking ticks off the dogs and ourselves and when we got home we found an additional 20 or so ticks on ourselves and each of the dogs.
West Burke, Vermont, United States

Record flooding levels on Okanagan Lake
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Worm Species Found During Beluga Hunt
Several dozen worms were observed during a Beluga hunt in Norton Bay.
Norton Bay, Alaska, United States

Fewer European Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) in Victoria, BC

Drying Ponds and Buttercups
I went to gather some yesterday and there was no water to speak of; in a pond that's has been filled with water my whole life.

Food Forest Garden at NWIC Enjoying the Warm Weather
*Foodscaping a Tribal College* – The purpose of the project is to provide the Northwest Indian College (NWIC) and Lummi Communities with a model of food sovereignty and local access to organic, traditional foods.
Ferndale, Washington, United States

Erosion Could Drain Lake at Anytime
Goldfish Lake near Port Heiden is on the verge of draining into the Bering Sea.
Chris Maio, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mike Brubaker, Richard Buzard, Scott Anderson, Susan Flensburg, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Hauling Out with Seals
Sea otter population growth not seen in recent history and shellfish harvest have been dropping.

Marea Roja en costas de Ensenada
Salvavidas, pescadores y funcionarios de gobierno dicen que nunca se había presentado este fenómeno en esta zona.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Haulout at Cape Greig
Pacific Walrus haulout at Cape Greig.
Cape Greig, Alaska, United States

Earthquakes Change Well-water Quality
Residents associated poor well water quality with earthquakes.
Scott Anderson, Melissa O'Domin, Erica Lujan

Fast Moving Hail Storm
Observed fast moving weather system... as quickly as it came it abated.

Fast Sea Ice Movement

Salinity and leopard shark mortality in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco, California, United States

Rare Eagle observed on Swinomish Reservation
La Conner, Washington, United States

Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) showed up late, then disappeared
Cemetry Beach, Haida Gwaii

Early Morning Call - Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
I've only heard this animal in the spring/summer.

Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawning along west Seattle shoreline
West Seattle Beaches, Washington, United States

Lots of Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Spotted half a dozen wood frogs crossing Roland Road, Fairbanks. Those that were run over by cars were females loaded with eggs.

Weather is Confused!
It's still snowing in early May.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

Large Number of Moths
Last year there was a large infestation of caterpillars in the area, wondering if that is why we have all the moths this spring
Jessie Moan, Erica Lujan, Nathan Elswick

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) with Sores/Deformities?
Several bald eagles were observed with sores around their eyes and bills.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

Community Sick with Spring Flu
Seems to happen same time each year.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States
Jennifer Dobson, James Berner, Morgan Simon

Two-Spot Keyhole Limpet (Fissurellidea bimaculata)
A limpet not seen in the area before.

Parasite on a Hooligan's (Thaleichthys pacificus) Gill
A parasitic copepod- similar to or possibly *Salmincola*.
Lutak Inlet, Alaska, United States

Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in Port Moody Arm
Port Moody Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Low water in the Peace River
Peace River, Taylor, British Columbia

Emperor Goose (Chen canagica) Spotted in Anchorage
Nearly all emperors winter in the Aleutian Islands, on the western and south side of the Alaska Peninsula, and on Kodiak Island. However, sightings have occurred as far south as California and even Hawaii.

Green Yellow Puss on Tiny Seal
I never thought of seeing sick seal but what is that?
Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Diane Abraham, Kathy Burek Huntington

Early Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Early butterfly observed south of the Kaiyuh Mountains along the west bank of the Yukon River.

Springtime in Anvik Alaska
What are the weather conditions for Anvik in mid-April?

Erosion and Habitat Disturbance at Mimico Creek
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) late by 2 weeks, then gone
Masset, Haida Gwaii

Hurghada Coast Degradation
Coral degradation, fish species decline and an increase in jellyfish population.
Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt

First Compton Tortoiseshell Butterfly of the Year
Spring is approaching but it still seems too cold for this little guy.

Two Robust Clubhook Squid (Onykia robusta) Wash Ashore
Both squid were of the genus/species Onykia robusta, previously known as Moroteuthis robusta, and commonly known as the robust clubhook squid.

What Kind of Beetle?
A bright little unknown beetle in the middle of my kitchen.

Poor Grazing Conditions for Reindeer in Varanger
Harsh grazing conditions have been reported this winter due to some rainy days that have lead to ice cover on the ground.
Varanger Halvo, Norway

Bears Out, Despite Snow Cover
Early bears (?), and snow cover still significant.
Truckee, California, United States

Ice Shelf Off of St George Island
Coastline along town had sheets of ice pushed against it, maybe 20 to 30 yards deep, this has not happened since 2012, 5 years ago.
Saint George, Alaska, United States

Herring spawn on eelgrass
Coal Port, Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Second Spring in Whitehorse

First Blooms
Bellingham, Washington, United States

Herring spawn near Lily Point
Near Lily Point, Point Roberts, Washington, United States

Dead Juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Unusual change in seasons, waters and wildlife
Pine Ridge, South Dakota, United States

Potential Indicators of White-nose Syndrome in Bat Sighting
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Dark Winter Mystery Salmon
Traditional knowledge keepers and ADFG identify as a chum salmon.
Martha Turner, Patricia Yaska, Erica Lujan, Robert Hannon

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Sighting
A pair of rare, presumably mating, Northern Cardinals (*Cardinalis cardinalis*) were spotted in Spruce Grove, Alberta CAD.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada

Adult Bald Eagle Sighting
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Pintail ducks (Anas acuta) early
Norther pintails observered early in the Mat-Su Valley near the Glenn Highway-Parks Highway overpass.
Gateway, Alaska, United States

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 1
Unusually wet winter weather activity observed. Traveling in early February (AFE) disrupted travel due to weather conditions.

High waters raise concern

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

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

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

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

Unusual Depressions in Lummi Tideflats
Marietta, Washington, United States
Tom Okey, Jeramiah Wallace, Sichangu Lee

Bloated Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Harbor
Sick and bloated sea lion may have been caused by eating rotten fish, noted state DVM.

Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) Die-Off
Manila Clam (*Venerupis philippinarum*) Die-off observed - possibly related to freezing temperatures.
Lummi Bay, Bellingham, Washington (Lummi Nation), United States

February 2017 Heavy Rains
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Movimientos inusuales de la marea en El Cuyo, Yucatán
El Cuyo, Yucatán, Mexico

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) with deformity
Fish has bend in spine.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States
Alice Julius, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) with Lesions
Lesions on this Dolly Varden or Arctic char are most likely furuncles caused by a common bacterial pathogen called Aeromonas salmonicida.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States
Alice Julius, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson

Abundance of "Oyster Pickers" Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani)
"I learned from a community member that they haven't seen these type of birds here within town, they usually see them on the islands that surround our cove. With the warming temps. people have noticed more and more different types of birds showing up in our community."

Ashfall from Bogoslof Volcano
Dusting of ash reported overnight.

Ice of Change - Amid Waterfowl Sightings
No sea ice; hunters say it should not be like this today.
Diomede, Alaska, United States

Muuelomuuel (Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum) Flowering
Flowers blooming near the mouth of the Klamath River
Klamath, California, United States

Lavado de orilla

Early American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Sighting
A robin was sighted in southcentral Alaska; an early arrival.
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

Ski Jumpers Finally Compete
It has been three years since the Anchorage ski jumping club has been able to hold our New Year competition.

Seal - Harbor (Phoca vitulina) or Spotted (Phoca largha) with Hair Loss and Skin Infection
Was observed for the first time.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
Kathy Burek Huntington, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Pamela Lestenkof, Gay Sheffield

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) travel corridor along Flambeau River

Spotted Seal
La Gi, Bình Thuận, Vietnam

Winter Storm Disrupts Village Communication
Winter storm shuts down communication services for the community.
Gambell, Alaska, United States

Winter Storm Brings Surge of Water and Ice
The storm raises local concerns about food security and preparedness for transportation emergencies.
Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver, Tonya James, Anahma Shannon

Storm Left Only a Few Inches of Snow
Fast moving winter storm left about 4 to 5 inches of snow in the Hunter Creek area, a tributary of the Knik River.
Butte, Alaska, United States

Fast Moving Winter Storm
Extreme winter weather conditions.

Coastal Erosion Damaging Boat Launch
Without sea ice, our beaches are eroding.

Freezing Rain on Kenai Peninsula
Hazardous driving conditions due to freezing rain.
Caribou Hills, Alaska, United States

Open Water in Our Ocean
This fall freeze-up was somewhat delayed, not just in the Bering Straits region, but all the way up to Barrow.

Thousands of Dead Red Rock Crabs (Cancer productus) on Beach
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

What Type of Bird? King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
Unknown bird sighted on the Alaskan Peninsula.

Unusual Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Are the difference species of bird ecosystems failing or in the process of change?
Kathy Kuletz, Angela Johnson, Julia Parrish

Dead Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Dead Crested auklet observed near the southwest end of the Alaska Peninsula.
Kathy Kuletz, Dorothea Berntsen, Julia Parrish

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
We are unsure how the eagle died.

Sea Angel (Clione limacina) Bloom in December
Sea angel (Clione limacina) observed during mid December near Stika, Alaska.
Nahku Bay, Alaska, United States

Morning Winter Fog
An unusual morning haze "winter fog", was observed, attributed to a layer of moist air trapped near the ground.

Unstable River Ice - Lack of Snow
From an average freeze-up to rewarming and a lack of snow. The winter weather is now gone making the river ice unstable enough to go across to the community of Togiak for groceries household goods, bad situation.

December Blossoms of Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus subhirtella)

Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) school
Island View Beach

White Fish (C. nelsonii) with Saprolegnia Fungus
Had pus on them.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Bellingham Bay Water Merging
On a field trip with Northwest Indian College Geology class to Chuckanut Drive saw water with apparent difference in color.
Bellingham, Washington

Invasion of the House Crickets (Acheta domestica)

White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)
Never seen anything like that in before.

Picking and Eating Blackberries (Rubus armeniacus) in Mid-November in Haida Gwaii

Healthy Snowfall is Back
Three healthy snowfalls with progessively more snow each time.

Furry Caterpillar in November
Furry caterpillar in November.
Nondalton, Alaska, United States

Warmer Temperatures Affecting Red Elderberry?
Warmer temperatures during this fall/winter seem to be changing there life cycle.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States

Long Beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) Beaching
Dolphin beaching in Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Sodwana Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Marine Mussels Clean of PSP Toxins
Klamath, California, United States

Visible Hue to Air - Smoke.. Smog... Silt..?
Hazy air conditions in the Mat-Su Valley, southcentral Alaska.
Hatcher Pass, Alaska, United States

Warm Fall Weather

Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) vulnerable to domoic acid contamination
Warning: (2016-11-07) Recreational anglers should avoid consuming the viscera (internal organs, also known as “butter” or “guts”) of dungeness crab
Klamath, California, United States

Late Freeze-up of Koyuk River
Koyuk River foze solid by Oct-14 by the 28th there was open water.

Juvenile Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) intertidal burrowing

Clumps of Foam Noticed Floating on the Fraser River
Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada

Primitive Crane Flies (Family: Tanyderidae) in Haida Gwaii in November

Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) Leaves and Flowers Opening in November
Mount Tolmie, Saanich, BC, Canada

Non-native Beetle (Anomala)
Inside of a couch shipping box.

Himalayan Blackberries (Rubus armeniacus) Fruit Second Time
Himalaya blackberry is an introduced, perennial, spreading shrub.
Bellingham, Washington, United States

Sea Ice - No Sea Ice!?
Sea ice is here and then disapears.

Jumping Spiders (Salticidae) in School
A spider was found in a class room, not sure what it is.
Derek Sikes, Jessie Moan, Karis Porcincula

Dead Puffins
Over 100 dead puffins, mostly tufted, have been found in Saint George, Alaska.
Saint George, Alaska, United States

First Sight of Snow
Early sighting of snow this year.

Unusual Mortality of Tufted and Horned Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata and Fratercula corniculata)
Several ill or dead tufted and horned puffins were found on the shores of St. Paul Island.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
Lisa Tran, Aaron Lestenkof, Pamela Lestenkof, Julia Parrish, Lauren Divine, Paul Melovidov, Barbara Bodenstein, Hillary Burgess, Karin Holser

Unusual Fast Flooding
Unusually fast flooding on the Chignik River.
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States

Enormous Poplar Leaves
During the 2012 wind storm, many of the poplars lost branches or their tops. Now leave the leaves are growing back as big as pie plates.

Lake Drying
Decades have passed and ponds are drying up.

A Flock of Parrots (Parakeets?) in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas, United States

A Changing Urban Forest
Since the 2012 wind storm, the forest in Cheney Lake Park has been rapidly transforming from native cottonwoods to a variety of exotic ornamental trees.

Unusual Plant - Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)?
Plant found in patch of high bush cranberries.
Nulato, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Pacific Herring ball (Clupea pallasii)
Henderson Point, North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Mortality
Died on beach.

Warm Weather Delaying Winter
Winter is near, but, it is unusually nice outside these days.
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Unusual Turbidity in Sarita River
Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada

Mixed schools of Sandlance (Ammodytes personatus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)

Septembers Are Changing in Lower Kalskag
Unusually rainy year for Lower Kalskag this year.
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Plumose anemones (Metridium spp.) detaching from rocks
Bowyer Island, Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada

Northern Birch Tree (Betula papyrifera) Die-off

Chitemene Farming Has Environmental Consequences
Long-term consequences.
Kawambwa, Luapula, Zambia

Rare Sighting of Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)
Never seen before in area.
Moses Tcheripanoff, Kathy Kuletz, Bernice Nicholi

Surf smelt (Hypomesus prestiosus) school
15m north of the Island View Beach boat ramp

Subsistence Harvest Comes Early
Silver salmon, Brant geese and berries.

Ruffed Grouse
Never seen a grouse this size.

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Langara Lighthouse
Langara Point Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Entrance Island
Entrance Island, British Columbia, Canada

Shoal Creek Now Dry
Cause for Drying Uncertain
Austin, Texas, United States

European Black Slug
Tenakee Springs, Alaska, United States

Strange & Unusual Plants Observed
Strange and unusual plant located in Nulato on northwest bank of the Yukon River.
Nulato, Alaska, United States

Rare Monarch Caterpillar Danaus plexippus
Rare monarch caterpillar-butterfly (Danaus plexippus) seen in five years.
Merion Station, Pennnsylivania, United States

Moose (Alces alces) Eating Rose Hips (Rosa aciculariso or R. nutkana)
Young moose eating rose hips.

Anidación de bobo patas azules en Isla San Jerónimo, Baja California
Blue-footed booby nesting on San Jeronimo Island.
Isla San Jerónimo, B.C., Mexico
Yutzil Lora Cabrera, Margarita Delgadillo A., Alejandra Fabila-Blanco, María Félix-Lizárraga

Bumble Bees Are Still Out
Bumblebees (bombus polaris), moths, butterflies, mosquitoes (Culicidae) and gnats (Nematocera) are still here.
Slana, Alaska, United States

Nome Area Ponds Are Disappearing
Ponds in and around the Nome area are drying up.

Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) Re-emerge
First toad sighting in years.

Are Ocean Conditions Right for Vibrio parahaemolyticus?
Resident becomes sick after consuming oysters and wonders what is being done to prevent future outbreaks of *V parahaemolyticus*, this new climate related illness in Alaska.
Mike Brubaker, Soumik Basu, Santina Gay, James Berner

Low Salmon Numbers
Commercial and Subsistence Harvest

Hot Sun
It seems very warm when the sun comes out.

Low Stream Water for Pink Salmon
But at least there is a stream...
Stephen Payton, Michael Opheim , Ryan Brubaker

A Poor Year for Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Fishing for pinks has been really up and down the last few years. In 2014 the catch was really low, and then 2015 it was amazing with more than we had ever seen before. This year's pink salmon return again, was really bad.
Red Bluff, Popof Island, Alaska

Abundant Jellyfish Disrupt Commercial Salmon Fishery
Purse seiner crew scrambles to shovel the huge bycatch of Northern sea nettle jelly fish (*Chrysaora melanaster*) overboard.

Rapid Growth of White Spruce (Picea glauca)
Rapid growth of white spruce over the past three summers observed.

Gran Grupo De Colibríes

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) on Great Bear Lake
Bird sighted far north of normal migratory range.
Deliné Waterdome, Northwest Territories, Canada
Suzanne Carriere, Brian Sieben, Edward Reeves

Giant Flock of Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus)
Earlier and more abundant then normal.

Unknown Butterfly (Polygonia gracilis)
Unknown butterfly observed in southwest Alaska.

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Quitsano Narrows, British Columbia

Dead Whale on Beach
Dead whale with interesting dolphin-like face.

Jellyfish Getting Bigger
Getting bigger each sighting.

Slime Mold (Myxomycetes) on Lawn
Wet causes unusual growth.

Dead Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Boat Harbor
Dead sea lion found in boat harbor, cause of death unknown.

Very Vary Berry Land
An abundant harvest of various berries this year.

Aguila solitaria (Buteogallus solitarius) avistada fuera de su rango de distribución en Mazatlán, Sinaloa
Isla Pájaros

Large school of post-larval California anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Trincomali Channel, Valdes Island

M/V Crystal Serenity Cruise Ship
Visits Port of Nome before voyage through Northwest Passage.

Lots of Lake Weeds
A problem for outboards.
Aleknagik, Alaska, United States

Ushak Lake Wildfire
Residents puzzled about origins of underground fire.

River Erosion
River erosion along the Yukon River near..?
Yukon River, Alaska, United States

Shearwater (genus Ardenna) Die-off
Large shearwater die-off at a Pilot Point beach.
Robb Kaler, Kathy Kuletz, Julia Parrish, Gregory Kingsley

So Many Mushrooms
Golovin ponders fungus bloom

Unusual 'Sea Butterflies' (thecosomes) On Beach
Washing ashore from Kachemak Bay

Huge Thaw Crater
Downriver from Arctic Village
East Fork Chandalar River, Northeast Interior, Alaska, United States
Carter Brubaker, Vladimir Romanovsky, Ray Hander, Richard L Thoman Jr, Janet Jorgenson

Invasive Plant - Split Lip Hempnettle (Galeopsis bifida)
Taking over my yard
Kokhanok, Alaska, United States

Blue-green Algae in Fraser Lake
There is unusual abundances of blue-green algae on West end of Fraser Lake.
Fraser Lake, BC, Canada

Shift of Diverse Subtidal Community to Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea) Barrens
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Spruce Tree (Picea glauca) Tips Reflect Long Growing Season
This is the second year we have noticed that the spruce tips are very long, in fact longer than I have ever seen.

Unusual Fish - Whitespotted greenling (Hexagrammos stelleri)
Unknown fish caught this summer in Togiak Bay.

Great Berry Picking
Abundant berry harvest this year in southcentral Alaska

Diseased Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
Disease thought to be caused by mold or an infestation of aphids observed on Bird Ridge along the Seward Highway.
Indian, Alaska, United States

Rains Cause 1000 Year Flood
Six inches of rain fell in a three hour period.
Ellicott City, Maryland, United States

Decadal shift in Lion's Mane Jellies (Cyanea capillata) on Nova Scotia's North Shore
Caribou Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada

Heat wave sparks anthrax outbreak - Yamal
Nenets District, Russia

Red Grasshopper
A unique insect?

Green Algae In Lake
Unknown species of green algae in a lake near Kongiganak.

Unusual Wasp (Dolichovespula maculata)
Interesting wasp is black with neon stripes
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Araña grande al norte de Ensenada, México
Ampliación Balcones de la Presa, Baja California, Mexico
Martin Severo Ubina Audelo, Margarita Delgadillo A., Luis Navarro Verduzco

High Lake Temperatures
Warm temperatures come early this year.
Spring Park, Minnesota, United States

Tidlig Molte
Vadsø, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

Early Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)
Early Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)

Unusual Spider (Araneus marmoreus)?
Unusual Spider?

Very Cold In Zambia
Farmer's concerned about crops.
Lusaka, Zambia, Southern Africa

Halocline Makes Water Look Oily
saltwater - freshwater "halocline" an interesting natural phenomena
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium) Ripe Early!
Blueberries are ripe early!

Warm Sea Surface Temperatures in Great Bear Sea
Ocean Falls to Bella Bella, British Columbia

Tall Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) Stranded and Killed by Shoreline Erosion
Nags Head Woods Preserve, North Carolina, United States

Early and Abundant Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)
Early and abundant salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)

Early Mushrooms
Weeks earlier than normal.

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are Ripe
Palmer, Alaska, United States

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