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

Nunavut government limits hunting of Dolphin and Union caribou herds
The Government of Nunavut is restricting harvest due to what it calls “a recent steep decline in the population” of the herd. That decline has led to a “conservation concern” about the western Nunavut herd’s numbers.
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada
ArcticToday

Frost Damage Forces Farmers to Buy Hay
Sveinbjörn Þór Sigurðsson of Búvellir farm in Aðaldalur, North Iceland says 80-90% of his hay fields were frozen in spring, and dry weather exacerbated the situation.
Near Húsavík, Northeast, Iceland
Iceland Review

Soybeans flourish in thawing permafrost
In the vast plains that blanket much of northern Russia a once-unthinkable business is taking hold – soybean farming. It’s the result of years of increasing global temperatures, which are thawing the permafrost and turning the land into fertile soil.
Зарайск, Зарайский район, Moscow, Russia
The Anniston Star

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

Stunning beach with hundreds of colourful sparkling pebbles damaged by typhoon Maysak
The remarkable glass beach was formed after years of dumping old vodka, wine and beer bottles, along with jars and ceramics during the Soviet era. Record strong wind destroyed at least half of the unique beach on Ussuri bay.
Vladivostok, Primorskiy, Russia
Siberia Times

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

Why are spruce trees turning orange in the Alaska Range?
The answer to the Tang-colored mystery involves tiny spruce needle rust fungus spores that also rely on Labrador tea plants to survive.
Healy, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Typhoon Maysak Batters Russia’s Far East
High winds reached speeds of up to 154 km/hr. At least three people died and dozens were injured. The storm unmoored a floating dry dock, causing it to slam into some of the vessels making up Russia's Pacific Fleet.
Vladivostok, Primorskiy, Russia
The Moscow Times

A pair of stranded killer whales (and a sick sea lion) has biologists looking for answers
“For the killer whales, I honestly don’t know if this is normal or not,” said Mandy Keogh, the Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries in Alaska. Dead killer whales simply aren’t seen that often.
Sitka, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Growth on Window After Storm
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

Most of Hay River's 2 Seasons Adventures beach front campground wiped out by weekend storm
A Hay River tourism operation on the shoreline of Great Slave Lake has been hit hard by high water and high wind.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Researchers came to study Russian Arctic glacier, but found only big lake
The glaciologists from Moscow came too late to see the MGU glacier in the North Ural.
The Independent Barents Observer

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

Rainiest summer on record in over 100 years
Prince Rupert residents only had one dry day during the entire month of August and got a third of their annual rainfall in three summer months.
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

As Arctic warming accelerates, permafrost thaw hits Alaska mine
The multinational company that operates the Red Dog Mine in Northwest Alaska says that thawing permafrost linked to global warming has forced it to spend nearly $20 million to manage its water storage and discharge.
Red Dog Mine, Alaska, United States
High North News

‘Merciless’ rain in Southeast Alaska breaks records, dampens spirits
Record rainfall in parts of Southeast are just one more reason 2020 will be a year some will be happy to forget. Ketchikan recorded 47 inches of rain from June to August.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Record heat in Svalbard is causing problems – Mine 7 inundated with meltwater
The glacier over Mine 7 in Adventdalen on Svalbard is thawing in the summer heat. This has resulted in a severe flood with thousands of liters of water.
Gruve 7, Advendtdalen, Svalbard
NRK
Anja Ariel Tørnes Brekke, Aslaug Aarsæther

Unalaska records 120 mph winds during record-breaking August storm
The strong winds toppled boats, threw shipping containers into the bay, and even blew the windows out of American President Lines crane. The winds came during a storm from the remnants of Typhoon Bavi.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Mystery lines on Haida Gwaii beach
I've asked quite a few of the elders here if they had ever seen and none of them said they had ever seen it, said Skidegate Chief Councillor Bill Yovanovich, who took the photos Saturday on Lina Island. They show small bits of white shells arranged into what appears to be an intentional grid pattern that stretches at least a hundred metres along the beach.
Lina Island, Haida Gwaii, Canada
Global News

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

Huge explosion leaves crater 165ft deep in Arctic tundra
Giant hole, thought to have been caused by methane release, is biggest of its kind discovered in Russia’s Yamal peninsula. It is the 17th crater of its kind to be found and documented in Yamal since 2014.
Yamal Peninsula, Russia

Foreign plastic continues to wash up on region’s beaches
There has been a surge of plastic trash that has been washing up on beaches in Nome and across the Bering Strait Region.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

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

Polar bear kills man in Norway's Arctic Svalbard islands
The man, identified as 38-year-old Dutch citizen was attacked in his tent before dawn and died shortly afterwards of his injuries. Svalbard officials say there were seven people on the site at the time and they are being looked after by health services.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
BBC News

Dead whales wash up near Unalaska, but pandemic complicates necropsies
Two dead whales have washed up on Unalaska's shores in the past week: an adult fin whale — which is the second largest mammal in the world — and a juvenile humpback.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Dead beluga calf poses questions for biologists
It is thought to be either an aborted fetus or a very young calf. The calf is one of six belugas that have been found dead this year, five in the last month.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Waterspout spotted off Newfoundland
Steve Angel was treated to quite a sight Monday afternoon: a non-tornadic waterspout dancing on the water off the coast of Stephenville, N.L.
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Polar bear mother brings her cubs into the Arctic town of Pevek in Chukotka
It is still not clear if the family was brought so close to people by hunger as most locals believe or, as one account suggests, out of fear of being followed by an aggressive large male.
Pevek, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Siberia Times

Arctic ice extent is unlikely to hit a record-low minimum, but lingering ice is ‘thin and porous’
Large holes had developed by mid-August in the low-concentration ice in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, according to National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Nunatsiaq News

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.
Elim, Alaska, United States

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

Record-warm Arctic summer did not bring joy to wildlife
Climate change is triggering behavior change among animals across the Arctic. In Northern Siberia wild reindeer this summer started migrating almost a month earlier than normal.
Khatanga, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Fort St. John tornado event confirmed
Environment Canada is confirming a weak tornado that hit Fort St. John last month. The tornado was generated by a severe thunderstorm Aug.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada
Alaska Highway News

Surprise flood kills salmon in West Iceland
A jökulhlaup flood struck West Iceland’s Hvítá river in the early hours of Tuesday morning when water from a lagoon by the Langjökull glacier suddenly broke a new path and flowed in a different direction. Thick glacial mud now coats the river banks, and much of Borgarfjörður fjord.
RÚV

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

World waterspout record set over Great Lakes
At least 88 waterspouts or funnels were spotted across the Great Lakes this week, setting a new world record, according to the International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR).
Eastern Great Lakes
CTV News

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.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Six whales die in largest stranding of its type in Ireland's history
The seven northern bottlenose dolphins were spotted stranded on a beach in Rossnowlagh, County Donegal, on the north west coast of Ireland, earlier today.
Ballintra, Ulster, Ireland
Mail Online

Heavy rains in Yukon and northern B.C. cause mudslides, highway closures
Heavy rains in Yukon and northern B.C. take a toll as overflowing creeks bring silt and debris down onto roads.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Heavy rains, floods in China strand dozens on rooftops, triggering landslides
Authorities deployed helicopters in western China on Tuesday to rescue people stranded by flooding as heavy rain swelled the Yangtze and other rivers to dangerous levels, state media reported.
Neijiang, Sichuan, China
Fox News

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

As temperatures soar, fires south of Cheney burn 200 acres, prompt evacuations
Personnel from Spokane County Fire District 3 and the state Department of Natural Resources were working to contain the fires on Monday, while a record-breaking heat wave threatened to maintain ample supplies of dry air and fuel.
Cheney, Washington, United States
Spokesman.com

Las Vegas heat wave has another week to go, at least
The extended heat wave will continue through the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Foreign Marine Debris Found in the Bering Sea
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.
Nome, Alaska, United States
Kawerak

Barrels with unknown substance were found on the lake shore in the Leningrad Region
Specialists of Rospotrebnadzor in the Leningrad Region are checking 12 barrels with unknown substance near Lake Voloyarvi.
Saint Petersburg, St.-Petersburg, Russia
Russian newspaper

Death Valley hits 130 degrees, thought to be highest temperature on Earth in nearly a century
Death Valley may have recorded Earth's highest temperature in 90 years. Data show it is also be among the top three highest temperatures ever measured in Death Valley.
Death Valley, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

Juneau Raptor Center dealing with rain of injured eagles
Eight raptor casualties in a matter of weeks is a worrisome spike.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Yakutia has a MASSIVE hole in the ground... and it’s growing
Today, the fault measures around a kilometer in length, 800 meters in width and 100 meters in depth, making it the largest permafrost thermokarst sinkhole in the world. Its shape is reminiscent of a gigantic mollusc with a tail.
Ese-Khayya, Sakha, Russia
Russian Beyond

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

Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee recommends halt on fishing for Chinook
The Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee is recommending the complete cessation of fishing for Chinook salmon this year on the Yukon River.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Yukon News

Miami-Dade fireboats hit the water to help with major fish kill in South Florida waters
Another day of dead marine life surfacing in Biscayne Bay as the swath of suffocated fish appears to be spreading.
Miami, Florida, United States
WPLG

As red algal blooms surface on Dal Lake, LAWDA to use aerators, motorboats
Locals Saturday expressed resentment over the presence of a red algal bloom on Dal surface that has completely changed the lake’s colour into yellowish.
Srinagar, Kashmir, India
Rising Kashmir

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

Three great white sharks venture 'very tight' to Nova Scotia shores
Three great white sharks broke the border rules big-time on Friday. The sharks were tracking very tight to shore near South Shore communities.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Telegram

Storm causes flooding of cemetery
The cemetery in Eggedal has suffered major damage after floods and landslides. "Thank God that coffins and remains have not appeared," says the church guardian.
Eggedal kirke, Sigdal, Norway
NRK

Saving Our Seals - 28 sea mammals rescued after becoming trapped in plastic junk
This was a first expedition by volunteers and activists to rescue seals trapped in plastic rubbish on the island, a breeding ground in the Sea of Okhotsk, off Sakhalin.
Siberia Times

U.S. officials allow killing of sea lions eating at-risk salmon and steelhead in Columbia River watershed
The sea lions have posed a long-running conundrum for wildlife officials, pitting mammals protected under federal law against protected — and valuable — fish runs.
Portland, Oregon, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Biologists hope dead sea lion will provide insight into endangered Aleutian population
Officials have been receiving reports of Steller sea lions hauling out on beaches in poor condition, but have been unable to retrieve the animals for research — largely because they are in remote areas.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Salmon rivers closed in face of high temperatures, low water
Salmon rivers like the Exploits River were closed to anglers around the province by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans earlier this week because of low water levels.
Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

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

Chum runs on Kuskokwim River are late and low
Usually Aug. 7 is the midpoint of the coho run, but this year it was not until Aug. 8 that numbers at the Bethel test fishery increased, and then only modestly.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Pacific walrus haulout is earliest on record
The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope
Point Lay, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Rare white orca spotted off Kupreanof Island
This orca born in 2018 is called Tl’uk, a Coast Salish word for “moon.” Tl’uk is a greyish moon color, without the typical black and white pattern.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Martelle residents react to devastating severe thunderstorm
Jones County has one of the areas hit the hardest by Monday's severe storms.
Tama, Iowa, United States

They're everywhere - but do they pinch?
The changing summer weather has led to a scissor-like boom in Southern Norway. Biologist reassures those who feel threatened.
Vestby, Akershus, Norway
NRK
Lise Gro Andersen, Christian Nicolai Bjørke, Lars Håkon Pedersen

Russia begins mass vaccination against bubonic plague in danger areas near border with Mongolia
Urgent steps were taken after a wide spread of the pathogen via fleas was detected in two districts - Ovyursky and Mongun-Taiginsky So far 2,500 adults, and 623 children were vaccinated to prevent flea-spreading of the decease.
Republic of Tuva

Seiners in Southeast Alaska rescue an unlikely hard-shelled visitor
A fishing crew near Prince of Wales Island recently made an unusual catch: a Pacific green sea turtle. This not only excited the crew, but has also caught the attention of marine biologists.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

The cause of the mass mortality of fish in a large river in the Tyumen region has been determined
Local residents made a mound that led to the shallowing of the reservoir.
Тюмень, Tjumen, Russia
Radio Sputnik

Not a good salmon season in the Far East and fishery closes in an area of ​​Kamchatka
Петропавловск-Камчатский, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
FIS World News

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

Fairbanks North Star Borough sees rainiest 12-month period on record
That it’s been a rainy spring and summer is news to no one. But just how wet have the past 12 months been for Fairbanks? According to data compiled by
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Salmon Is Disappearing From Russia’s Amur River. It’s Taking Local Tradition With It
The Amur River, once full of salmon, has seen the fish all but vanish since 2017. The problem started because of over fishing. At first companies were harvesting in the first 100 kilometers of the river, and since they have expanded 700, 800 kilometers upstream.
Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
The Moscow Times

In Ufa, a heavy downpour fell down trees and left houses without light
Eyewitnesses posted photos and videos on social networks showing people walking knee-deep in water.
Уфа, Bashkortostan, Russia
Russian newspaper

Last fully intact ice shelf in Canadian Arctic collapses
It lost more than 40 per cent of its area in just two days at the end of July, researchers said on Thursday.
Milne Ice Shelf
Global News

Fuel spill on the Ambarna River in Norilsk
The spill of the fuel-water mixture occurred on the Ambarnaya River in Norilsk during the clean up from the consequences of the accident at the TPP-3.
Норильск, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
RT

Blocked storm sewer eliminates effects of the oil spill
Experts found an airlock in the sewer, which was clogged with garbage and contaminated with oil products.
Сургут, Khanty-Mansiyskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
RT

Resident harvests wayward moose wandering near Utqiagvik
Alaska Department of Fish and Game records show two other unusually wayward moose hunts: One in 2016 taken north of Teshekpuk Lake along the Arctic coast, and another in 2014 on the Kokolik River near Point Lay.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Large forest fire localized in Bilibin district
On Tuesday, August 4, paratroopers of Chukchi and Federal Aviation Protection stopped the spread of a large fire in the Bilibin district.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Анадырь - Онлайн

Severe drought causes emergency declarations
Because of the severe drought, the Kalmykia authorities have imposed an emergency declaration in seven districts. Since the beginning of summer there has been extreme heat and wind and little rain.
Kalmykia, Russia
Российская газета

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

Black bear injures Juneau man after following him through open door
With few fish and limited berries, bear encounters are high in Alaska's capital city this year.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Oil spill in The Komi Republic
In the Usin district of the Komi Republic in Russia, there was an oil spill due to the damage to the pressure pipeline.
Komi, Russia
RT

Polar bear noticed near an urban-type settlement called Ugolnye Kopi
A polar bear was noticed 15 kilometers from an urban-type settlement in Anadyrsky District called Ugolnye Kopi on the morning of August 3. The predator was walking to the shore of the Anadyr estuary.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Anadyr Online

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

Watson Lake resident captures 'first record' of ghost moth in Yukon
A longtime resident of Watson Lake, Yukon, has contributed to the world of science — simply by taking a picture.
Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Cloudberry bogs are collapsing - climate change is to blame
In Finnmark and parts of Troms, good and favorite berry bogs have cracked and disappeared. The reason is warmer and more humid climate. "Almost impossible to reverse," says a bog researcher.
Karasjok, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

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

Wildfire smoke from Siberia keeps drifting into Alaska — and may continue to do so for weeks
A haze visible through Southcentral Alaska on Wednesday was caused by smoke from fires burning in Siberia that began flowing into Alaska in early July.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

In the Altai region, farmers lost 700 million rubles due to drought
The emergency was declared on July 10 due to drought and crop loss. According to the regional Ministry of Agriculture, crops in the region have completely burned on an area of more than 155,000 hectares. Direct damage to agricultural producers exceeded 700 million rubles, and the cost of the lost harvest is estimated at ten billion rubles.
Барнаул, Altai Krai, Russia
Российская газета

Climate change hits back, Svalbard coal mine flooded by melting glacier
After days with record heat at Svalbard, the penetration of water from the above melting glacier is now flooding Norway’s only operating coal mine that supplies the country’s only coal-power plant.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The Independent Barents Observer

In Kuban, a shepherd was killed by lightning while grazing cows
In the Assumption district of Kuban, a shepherd was killed by lightning while grazing cows. This was reported by the head of the department for go and emergency affairs of the local administration Svetlana Ivanchenko.
Кубань, Гулькевичский район, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Российская газета

On Stavropol storm wind with a downpour damaged school and homes
On the night of July 29 in the Stavropol region, a sharp deterioration in the weather led to severe consequences. Stormy winds with a downpour damaged power lines and uprooted trees.
Stavropol Krai, Russia

Planet Alaska: The lool always knows
This summer, fireweed has been telling us to prepare for winter. It's been telling us the season is off kilter, too. Here in Juneau we've had fireweed plants that are blooming halfway up the stalk growing next to fireweed with barely any buds.
Juneau Empire

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