A couple of weeks ago I spotted a small gull on the second bridge behind Kotzebue. The bird wouldn't fly and was walking slowly.
Observers in Port Heiden, Alaska report significantly reduced sea gull populations and fewer gull eggs for subsistence, coinciding with decreased seal numbers and increased fox populations.
Observations and research across Alaska indicate shifting berry ripening times and unpredictable yields, with climate change as a key factor affecting these important subsistence and cultural resources.
Is this a sign of more to come? Land changes raises questions about possible causes.
Never before seen such huge flocks of white winged cross bills
An unusual abundance of dropped spruce cones prompts questions about the factors influencing cone production and its comparison to previous years.
LEO Member Jeffrey Luther has been documenting erosion along the Noatak River for many years. His drone footage this spring captures new bank erosion features and icicle formations.
In past years observers reported on changes in the timing of when spring crust snow develops in Glen Alps. This year the crust is developing at lower elevation(s) but not at Glen Alps. Is it spring in Anchorage and still winter in the Chugach?
"The river was iced over for less then 6 weeks! As opposed to 5 months of ice 2 to 3 feet thick before climate change."
This winter large numbers of redpolls have been observed at bird feeders, from Fairbanks to Anchorage. ADFG reports that mass mortality events of redpolls have also been observed. ADFG advises homeowners not to handle dead or sick birds, and to prevent pets from coming in contact with them. Bird illness may be caused by a bacteria that could also affect people and pets.
A crab was caught on the ice just offshore in Nome. It had a small invertebrate in the gills of the crab.
An amphibian was seen crossing a ski trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains in January, an unusual sighting that may indicate changing hibernation patterns.
The unseasonably warm and wet conditions thought to be factor in amphibian sighting.
Workers are using sargassum and sand to rebuild the beach, with shore retention and reef protection in mind.
Unseasonable blooming of goldenrod (Subphylum Angiospermae).
Big snow falls, warm temperatures, and strong winds covers snow surface with a variety of seeds from trees.
An unusual visitor showed up in King Cove in late November. Shankell Mack was able to get a picture. The great egret is rare sighting anywhere in Alaska.
Above normal temperatures in the month of November followed by a series of storms makes varying ice conditions.
Erratic temperatures led to the absence of tomcods, severely affecting local fishing.
Invasive Elodea has been observed since 2020.
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