LEO Network

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

Observations

Huge sunfish makes rare appearance in cold north Vancouver Island waters
The Mola tecta, a semi-tropical sunfish, had been misidentified until seven years ago and is rarely seen in the northern hemisphere.
Cormorant Island, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

In the village of Nutepelmen, a bathhouse was closed due to the collapse of the shore
The issue of moving the public bath to a new place is decided in the village of Nutepelmen of the Egvekinot urban district. Part of the shore, on which the modular structure now stands, was washed away by waves. The social institution was closed for an indefinite period, reports IA "Chukotka".
Nutepelmen, Chukotka, Russia
Chukotka

New peril for gray whale survival? Predatory orcas spotted in Baja calving lagoon
One pod showed up in January and was videotaped fatally attacking two resident bottle-nosed dolphins. They may have also killed a gray whale calf, although a body was never found. Predatory orcas have breached a gray whale safe space in Baja California. Could this spell disaster for a species already struggling for survival?
Campo Pachico, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Los Angeles Times

Backyard flock in Wake County tests positive for HPAI
A backyard chicken flock in Wake County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Third Detection of CWD Confirmed in North Carolina Deer Herd
A third deer in North Carolina has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reported the deer was hunter-harvested in Surry County this archery season approximately 10 miles from the two previous positive detections in Yadkin County.
Dobson, North Carolina, United States
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Kodiak brown bear cub dies of bird flu
It’s one of only four mammals in Alaska to contract the virus, and the first brown bear to be found with the disease.
Pasagshak State Recreation Site, Kodiak Island, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Washington wildfire caused by pyrotechnic, police seek tips
Officials say a wildfire in Southwest Washington that ballooned Sunday, causing regional air quality issues, may have been started by a firework or firearm.
Camas, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

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

14 pelicans are dead at the Phoenix Zoo after contracting bird flu
The pelicans contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, at the Phoenix Zoo, leaving 14 dead. Several began showing signs on Oct. 15.
Tempe Junction, Arizona, United States
Arizona Republic

How far has the Mendenhall Glacier retreated in the last 12 months?
Juneau resident James Wycoff noticed on his regular walks to Nugget Falls that the face of the glacier seemed to be retreating faster this year than he’s ever seen before. The Mendenhall Glacier’s terminus retreated more than 800 feet.
Mendenhall Glacier
KTOO

Glacial flooding continues in the Grímsvötn area
The flooding started yesterday in the Grímsvötn volcano area. The water flow at the source of the discharge reaches 300 cubic metres per second. The jökulhlaup is expected to last about 24 hours, which is how long the water takes to get to the Gígjukvísl canal on Road 1.
RÚV

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

Yukon smashed 8 high temperature records this past weekend
The Yukon saw an unusually warm Thanksgiving weekend — there were multiple record highs set throughout the territory. Local weather watcher says a high pressure ridge creating warm and dry conditions was the cause.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

People followed instructions during the storm
Weather warnings for northern gales and heavy rainfall that swept through the country yesterday expired last night. The weather was accompanied by heavy precipitation, snow or sleet, and widespread winter conditions on the roads.
Vík í Mýrdal, South, Iceland
RÚV

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

A strong storm damaged the embankment in Pevek and left Rytkuchi without light
Part of the village of Rytkuchi remained without electricity for several hours. And in the northernmost city of Russia, strong waves destroyed part of the embankment. The cause was a storm operating on the territory of the city district of Pevek, reports IA "Chukotka".
Pevek, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Prochukotku

September storm leaves behind treasured beach finds
The remnants of Typhoon Merbok not only battered Alaska’s west coast in September, the storm also left behind a few treasures in its wake.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
KYUK

After September storm, Newtok residents are desperate to relocate
Melting permafrost and severe erosion have plagued the community for decades. The most recent storm brought waves so fierce, the water claimed roughly half of the 80 or so remaining feet of land that stands between the back end of the school and the edge of the Ningliq river.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Winds down but high water just starting as ‘exceptionally strong storm’ batters Northwest Alaska
Forecasters say they are expecting significant coastal erosion from Utqiagvik to Unalakleet from the second severe-weather event to hit the region in three weeks.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Slide buries highway, strands residents
Two heavy rainstorms caused flooding and landslides in the upper valley last week, damaging infrastructure and leaving two residents temporarily trapped in their vehicle.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Saxitoxin detected in regional clam
By Diana Haecker
Savoonga, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

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.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
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

Salmon struggle to spawn amid record-setting drought
Record-setting drought conditions have left many of B.C’s streams and waterways too low for salmon to swim up to spawn. Heiltsuk First Nation leaders say hundreds of fish were found rotting in a creek in Bella Bella, B.C., usually teeming by fall with migrating pink and chum salmon.
CBC

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

City set to begin cleanup after landslide
The City and Borough of Juneau on Tuesday began the multi-day process of cleaning up after a Monday night landslide in the area of Gastineau Avenue.The landslide damaged three homes and displaced residents, but there were no injuries reported.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Aquaculture: Oyster and mussel growers on Prince Edward Island calculating losses from Fiona
James Power doesn’t have a final tally yet on how much post tropical storm Fiona cost Raspberry Point Oysters Ltd., but the damages are likely to be in the ...
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Mystery leaks hit Russian undersea gas pipelines to Europe
European countries on Tuesday raced to investigate unexplained leaks in two Russian gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea near Sweden and Denmark, infrastructure at the heart of an energy crisis since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Baltic Sea
CNN

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

Yukon's North Klondike Highway opens to single lane traffic after crews clear landslide debris
Yukon's North Klondike Highway is open to single lane of traffic after multiple landslides closed the road in two sections for days.
CBC

Unalakleet’s boil water notice extended as work on main water line continues
The City of Unalakleet now has a working generator to power its local water plant, but the community plans to be on a boil water notice for an extended period of time.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Fiona updates: Much of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island without power as Fiona hits Canada
Fiona, now a post-tropical cyclone, made landfall in Canada Saturday morning. Some two-thirds of Nova Scotia and all of Prince Edward Island are without power.
Nova Scotia, Canada
ABC News

Chevak rallies to repair storm-damaged subsistence gear
During a community meeting, Chevak residents said better emergency planning should be a long-term priority. For now, though, assessing damage is the focus.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Emily Schwing, special to Alaska Public Media

Kivalina neighbors banded together to save a house from falling into the sea amid last week’s storm
Kivalina has long dealt with climate change-driven erosion. While the village didn’t feel the effects of heavy flooding, residents are wary of a future with heavy autumn storms.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Unregulated ships cruise over speed agreements
“Our shipping monitors clocked another cruise ship going at excessive speed near Pond Inlet,” posted Baffinland Iron Mines on their Twitter account Sept. 22. While the maximum speed was agreed at nine knots in some passages used by the cruise ships, one ship in particular, The Hanseatic from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, was clocked at almost 16 knots, nearly twice the velocity. It’s the second time this month the cruise line has been clocked in excess of the speed limit agreement.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
NUNAVUT NEWS
Felix Charron-Leclerc - Local Journalism Initiative reporter

After decades of dwindling runs, sockeye salmon return to Yukon fishing village in droves
The number of sockeye returning to Klukshu, Yukon, to spawn began to drop off in the 1990s. This year, hundreds of the bright red fish line the small creek that winds through the village. Neither the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations nor Fisheries and Oceans Canada are sure why the fish have returned after decades of steady decline.
Klukshu, Yukon, Canada

Alaska's newest lakes are belching methane
Permafrost is ground that stays frozen year round; the permafrost in interior Alaska also has massive wedges of actual ice locked within the frozen ground. When that ice melts, the ground surface collapses and forms a sinkhole that can fill with water. Thus, a thermokarst lake is born. At first glance, Big Trail looks like any lake. But look closer and there's something disturbing the surface: bubbles.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Phys.org

‘Some of them just disappeared’: Essential pieces of life in Nome were lost in the storm
Nome's landscape is physically altered, with raw material scattered wildly, the coastline reconfigured, and camps that anchored generations of subsistence either flattened or gone.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KTOO

As the storm raged, a mad rush to keep the power on in Hooper Bay
The storm could have threatened the town’s winter subsistence stock if not for the work of local power plant operators.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
KTOO

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

‘Stebbins is resilient,’ Eastern Norton Sound communities recovering from storm damage
Several communities in the Norton Sound are struggling with contaminated drinking water days after the significant September storm hit the region.
Stebbins, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

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.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
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

‘Half of Golovin underwater,’ residents shovel sand out of homes
GOLOVIN RESIDENTS ARE IN CLEANUP MODE as their community works to restore power, phone service and clear debris. After the flood waters receded from the weekend’s severe fall storm, some locals are left with feet of sand in their homes. “At my place we’ve got three feet of sand we’re still shoveling out with the crew here, trying to get the sand out of the living area so we can get the sheetrock to go ahead and dry off,” Alaska Senator Donny Olson of Golovin said.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

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

Storm destroys Shaktoolik’s berm, its main protection from the sea
Shaktoolik has lost its berm to the storm that’s hammered Western Alaska over the weekend, according to Mayor Lars Sookiayak. The berm was all that protected the small village from the sea. “It really saved us from the first hit that came in this morning,” one resident said.
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States

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
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
James Benzschawel, Chris Dankmeyer, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Powerful storm slams Western Alaska
A historically powerful storm slammed into Western Alaska Friday night and into Saturday, bringing major flooding and high winds to a huge swath of coastal communities. By Saturday evening, the state said it had received no reports of injuries or deaths related to the storm. But damage had torn across hundreds of miles of Alaska’s coastline impacting communities all along the way. Alaskans described water flooding homes and roads. Wind tore off roofs. Houses floated off their foundations. Boats sank.
Nome, Alaska, United States

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."
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Summer 2022 was warmest on record for Svalbard
Temperature records are becoming the new normal for summers on Svalbard, the Arctic archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Summer 2022 saw the average even higher, with 7.4 degrees C for June, July and August at the airport a few kilometers west of Longyearbyen, the main settlement on the archipelago.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
ArcticToday

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

Can we convince tourists to go hiking without leaving any traces?
A growing number of people are visiting Norway’s protected areas. This poses new challenges for national park management. Excrement and rubbish left behind by thousands of tourists degrades Lofotodden National Park’s idyllic nature. What can be done about this problem?
Å, Nordland, Norway
The Independent Barents Observer

Akureyri bottlenose whale found dead
The death of one of the bottlenose whales that have been entertaining residents and visitors in Akureyri was confirmed this weekend.
Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
RÚV

President Tokayev Arrives in Kostanai Region as Forest Fires Burn Record 43,000 Hectares
The Kostanai Region declared a state of emergency on Sept. 4 after forest fires burned a record 43,000 hectares (the size of Сarribean Barbados island) and forced an evacuation of 1,841 people.
Аманкарагай, Әулиекөл, Kostanay, Kazakhstan
The Astana Times

11 endangered sturgeon deaths in a week send B.C. scientists looking for answers
Scientists from B.C.’s provincial government are investigating a spike in dead sturgeons after 11 adult fish were found dead on the Nechako River over the past week.
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Glacier Media

Researchers find even higher algal levels in regional waters
After alerting the region to very high levels of harmful algal blooms west of Kotzebue and Gambell two weeks ago, scientist onboard the research vessel Norseman II have found even higher numbers of Alexandrium catenella algae cells near Wales, Diomede and Shishmaref.
Wales, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Toxic algae bloom suspected in dog deaths at Cumberland recreation area
State scientists are testing the water for a toxic blue-green algae bloom at Twin Brook after tests showed 2 dogs had algae-related toxicity after swimming there Aug. 21.
Cumberland, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Why ‘tens of thousands’ of fish are dying in the Bay Area
Local officials and scientists have yet to nail down how many fish have died, but the reports have been coming in non-stop since Friday.
San Francisco, California, United States
SFGATE

Dry weather and lack of feed have farmers in southeastern Sweden selling off livestock early
Dry weather and poor feed harvests are to blame for the predicted increase as farmers are deciding to sent their livestock in earlier than planned.
Rälla, Kalmar, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Wildfires Blanket Moscow in Smog
The fires affecting Moscow are concentrated in the Ryazan region, some 250 kilometers to the south. This is not the first time smog has appeared in Moscow in recent months, with local authorities advising residents to wear masks to protect themselves earlier this month.
Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

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.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Gino Graziano, Jessie Moan, Mike Brubaker

Sandstorm caused a cloud over the capital
Suspended particulates' concentration in the capital area was high today due to a sandstorm on the desert sands of South Iceland, the city of Reykjavik warned at noon.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Death toll breaches 1,030 mark as floods wreak havoc
Over the past 24 hours, nearly 0.95 million houses and 0.72 million livestock were flooded while 0.27 million houses were destroyed and 3,116 kilometres of highways and 149 bridges were washed away.
Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
The Express Tribune

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

Yukon River chum and coho runs remain too low to open subsistence harvest
Biologists do not expect either to reach their goals for fish reaching their spawning grounds.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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

Hemorrhagic Disease Reported in Deer in Numerous Counties
Scattered observations of sick and dead deer due to an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease have been reported in numerous counties across the Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina over the last month. Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are asking that citizens report dead or obviously sick deer to their local district wildlife biologist to help monitor the impact of the disease on deer herds across the state.
North Carolina, United States
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Good, though late, berry picking season
The berry picking promises to be good all over Iceland this year, even though it is starting late, due to the cool, wet summer. Arna, the lactose-free dairy company based in Bolungarvík, has already received a tonne of wild bilberries, which will be used in yoghurt for sale in shops all over Iceland.
Iceland

Drought-related disaster declared in Rhode Island, most of New England experiencing drought conditions
Federal officials have declared a drought-related disaster in Rhode Island while New England’s second-largest city is restricting outdoor water use as the drought in the Northeast worsens.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Connecticut Public

Fort Smith residents should expect heavy smoke this week as wildfire burns 38 kilometres away
There's a wildfire burning near Fort Smith, N.W.T., about 9,000 hectares in size. Fire crews are currently at the scene. People are being evacuated from the Taltson Dam area "out of an abundance of caution," the territory says.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada

Dog killed by wolves in Metlakatla was defending its family, owner says
Brittany Hayward says Rosco, a seven-year-old ridgeback-mastiff mix, fought hard defending his family.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States
KRBD

Researchers find high concentrations of harmful algae in regional waters
Researchers stepping off the research vessel Norseman II in Nome last weekend, brought significant news of having found very high concentrations of a phytoplankton called Alexandrium catenella in regional waters. Alexandrium is an algae that can produce saxitoxins, which can cause dangerous paralytic shellfish poisoning in people. The scientists issued an advisory, notifying Norton Sound Health Corporation, UAF Sea Grant and the Alaska Division of Public Health.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

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

Landslides close dock, cause cruise stop cancellations in Skagway
At least 36 ships will skip scheduled stops in Skagway this summer because the cruise dock closed after a landslide sent debris toppling from the mountain above.
Skagway, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Mat-Su flooding closes roads, threatens homes after deluge soaks Talkeetna Mountains
August 9, 2022 Borough officials said multiple roads were closed Tuesday and more were being monitored after several days of rain.
Houston, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

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

Polar bear shot dead after attacking tourist on Svalbard
A French woman is hospitalized and a polar bear is dead after the bear attacked the woman on the Norwegian Arctic archipelago Svalbard Monday morning. The woman, who was wounded in the arm by the attacking polar bear, was one of 25 people staying at a tent camp in Nordfjorden on the northern shores of Isfjorden.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
ArcticToday

Algae bloom continuing to affect North Pond in Rome, Smithfield
The algae on North Pond began blooming about two weeks ago during a patch of hot weather, making the pond resemble a bowl of pea soup, according to Danielle Wain, lake science director for 7 Lakes Alliance, which works to preserve land and water in the Belgrade Lakes region.
Norridgewock, Maine, United States
Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Two cases of suspected avian flu found in Nunavut
In Sanikiluaq, the suspected case was discovered in a thick-billed murre, which is a large seabird, on Coats Island. In Cambridge Bay, one was detected in a herring gull. It has been detected in birds in all 10 provinces and the Yukon so far.
Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Coastal Maine enters severe drought conditions as dry weather continues
Eight counties on the coast have gone from moderate to severe drought status since last week, according to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Meanwhile, almost one-third of the state remains in moderate drought, and wells across the state are beginning to run dry.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Drought is killing the economy in the French Alps
The French Alps region is getting hit hard by drought, most likely exacerbated by climate change. And that's putting the entire economy there in serious jeopardy, because where there's no water, there are no tourists. Summertime in the Alps sees tourists visit for rafting and swimming. In the winter, skiing is what attracts visitors from all over. At least one resort is trying
Les Houches, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The World from PRX

Hunters seeing lower quotas for Fortymile, Nelchina caribou herds
08-03-22 In response to declining numbers of Fortymile and Nelchina caribou, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is taking a more conservative approach to both harvests this fall.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Norton Sound crab fishery bounces back with record year following fishing hiatus
After no commercial crabbing since 2019, this summer’s Norton Sound Red King Crab fishery had a record year of $3.7 million dollars in ex-vessel value.

Massive hailstone found near Markerville, Alta., breaks Canadian record, research group says
According to RCMP, 34 vehicles were damaged Monday — down from an earlier estimate of 70 — while numerous people suffered minor injuries. Three collisions were caused by the storm, police said.
Innisfail, Alberta, 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

Alaska’s first monkeypox case recorded in Anchorage
Anchorage Health Department officials say the person who tested positive is an Anchorage resident and is isolating at home. Officials say the person did not require hospitalization, and was a close contact of a person who recently traveled out of state.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

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

Dolphin Species Never Before Seen in Iceland Beaches in Northwest
Two Risso’s dolphins washed ashore in Hrútafjörður in Northwest Iceland last week. Risso dolphins are a warm-water species found a bit to the east of Ireland and Northwest Scotland. But the largest number is found further south, in warmer seas.
Hrútafjörður, Iceland
Iceland Review

Bacterial Infection Brucella Canis Suspected in Dogs in Iceland
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) has reason to suspect that a bacterial disease called Brucella canis has been found in dogs in Iceland. RÚV reports that Bruncella canis can—in very rare instances—be transmitted from dogs to humans, with young children, pregnant, and immunocompromised people at the greatest risk of serious infection.
Iceland
Iceland Review

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.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
James Benzschawel, Richard L Thoman Jr, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joanna Barton

Coastal fishermen report dramatically smaller herring catches in the Baltic Sea
Fishermen fishing close to the shore in the Baltic Sea have seen a steady decline in herring and Baltic herring catches over many years. Large-scale trawling further out at sea could be one of the reasons behind it.
Baltic Sea
Sveriges Radio

Intense Flooding Hits Russia's Black Sea Resort Sochi
Local power supplies were cut off, apartment buildings were flooded, cars were seen being washed away and a river overflowed, leading to one civilian death and several injuries.
Sochi, Krasnodarskiy, Russia
The Moscow Times

Evidence of invasive crab that could wreak havoc on Alaska fisheries found near Metlakatla
The European Green Crab are a threat to ecosystems and commercial fisheries. They uproot eelgrass beds in search of food, which serve as habitat for herring and salmon.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

The spruce beetle invasion’s exhausting toll on Southcentral Alaska property owners
For property owners, the beetles present a vexing scenario, as some scramble to keep their trees alive while others mourn the loss and embark on the oftentimes costly removal process.

What's a shark ordinarily associated with the Arctic doing in Belize?
A half-blind shark that is typically thought to live in freezing Arctic waters, scavenge on polar bear carcasses and survive for hundreds of years, recently turned up in perhaps an unexpected place—a coral reef off Belize. This marks the first time a shark of its kind has been found in western Caribbean waters off the world's second longest barrier reef.
Glovers Reef

A polar bear in Russia is rescued after getting its tongue stuck in a milk can
In a report this week, a team of Canadian and U.S. scientists warned that hungry polar bears are increasingly turning to garbage dumps to fill their stomachs as their icy habitat disappears due to climate change.
Dikson, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
ArcticToday

Tale of two salmon fisheries: Bristol Bay breaks record, but Yukon River collapses
The booming Bristol Bay salmon run has broken the record set just last year, while on the Yukon River, Chinook are too scarce to harvest.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Anchorage could see wettest July on record as continuing rain prompts flood advisories
Anchorage has already seen nearly 4 inches of rain so far this month, the weather service says.

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

Along Utqiaġvik’s eroding coast, hope that a seawall can help keep the community safe
In Utqiaġvik, where the coast is eroding at some of the fastest rates in the nation, storms, flooding and thawing permafrost damage houses, roads and cultural sites. Ice forms later each year and storms are becoming longer and more severe.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Monster avalanche triggered by extreme deluge raises new climate change questions
An extreme winter rainstorm in New Zealand triggered one of the largest avalanche cycles observed in decades, raising questions about the risk of more hazardous events under climate change.
Mount Cook Village, New Zealand
NewstalkZB

Belugas spotted swimming in Lake Aleknagik
Sherol Mershon runs the Silver Fin Bed and Breakfast, on the shore of Lake Aleknagik. She’s hung fishing nets for 45 years and has seen her fair share of wildlife. So when her guests told her they saw whales in the lake, she had her doubts.
Aleknagik, Alaska, United States
KDLG

Large forest fire hits Upper Gullies, C.B.S.
Amid intense smoke, flames and temperatures up into the high 20s C, Conception Bay South Fire Department (CBSFD) firefighters and provincial forestry crews along with a waterbomber fought a major forest fire in the town on Sunday afternoon.
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Saltwire

Support

Observation Template