The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Birds of the Weather- Spring came early to Southcentral Alaska this year. With the snowpack at its lowest level on record, the skis and the snow-goes were put away early, replaced by 4 wheelers, fat tire bikes, and hiking shoes. There was also some early bird watching as warm and stormy weather conspired to divert migratory birds to unusual places. Wilson Justin posted in LEO Network on April 3rd, about Trumpeter swans in Chistochina, Alaska. "Cousin Elaine Sinyon was out enjoying the sunshine when two swans came over almost close enough to touch the roof of the house. Incredibly early!" On April 6, the Irish Times described the local excitement as bird watchers scrambled to catch a glimpse of exotic European Hoopoes, a distinctive orange crested songbird commonly found in France and Germany. But the story that caught my eye was from the Nome Nugget, titled, 'A Hungry Winter Nomad from the Interior'. The story by by Kate Persons, documents an unusual irruption of Boreal owls in the Norton Sound region. Boreal owls are not usually migratory or seen in coastal tundra lands. They prefer the boreal forests and the woodland voles and lemmings that inhabit those areas. However, as Persons writes, "insufficient food can force them to 'irrupt' from their breeding habitat into areas beyond their normal range." This reminded me of a LEO Network observation from July of 2024. Susan Tessier (and others) had observed dead voles near Kotzebue, possibly a signal of a larger bust cycle in northern vole populations. Now months later a decline in boreal voles is thought to be behind the sightings of wayward owls, as well as other large owl irruptions in Canada. Thank you to the reporters and observers for sharing on these important environmental signals this spring. You can read about owl irruptions and other interesting Arctic April phenomena in this edition. M. Brubaker, Editor

	Thermometer hits 18C in Southern Finland on Wednesday Vihti, Uusimaa, Finland Yle News / April 2, 2025 A weather station in Vihti, Southern Finland recorded an unprecedented 18°C on Wednesday, marking the highest reading for this time of year in recorded Finnish history, though colder weather is forecast later in the week. Read article on Yle News
	Early arrival of Swans Chistochina, Alaska, United States Wilson Justin / LEO Network / April 3, 2025 In Chistochina, Alaska, two swans were observed arriving unusually early, flying close to a house, highlighting a pattern of early swan arrivals in the region. Read post on the LEO Network
	Boreal Owl––A hungry winter nomad from the Interior Nome, Alaska, United States Kate Persons / The Nome Nugget / April 4, 2025 From Unalakleet to Nome, enchanting, pint-sized boreal owls have been popping up in unexpected places. Read article on The Nome Nugget
	Hoopoe hoopla: 'In my 40 years of birding, I've never seen anything like this spring' Cork, Munster, Ireland Liam Coates / The Irish Times / April 6, 2025 Record-breaking sightings of the exotic Eurasian hoopoe in southern Ireland have Irish birdwatchers buzzing, while native robins appear unsettled by their unexpected arrival. Read article on The Irish Times
	Wekweeti, Dettah ice roads now closed Wekweeti, Northwest Territories, Canada Devon Tredinnick / NNSL Media / April 9, 2025 Several seasonal ice roads in the Northwest Territories, including the Wekweeti and Dettah routes, have closed earlier than their long‐term averages, with additional roads on short notice closures due to warming temperatures. Read article on NNSL Media
	Snow shortage in the mountains – guests get refunds from Skistar at three resorts Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden; Trysil, Innlandet, Norway; Vemdalen, Jämtland, Sweden SVT Nyheter / SVT Nyheter / April 21, 2025 Faced with unusually mild conditions and a snow-poor season, Skistar has activated its snow guarantee, offering full refunds for bookings at Sälen, Trysil, and Vemdalen ski resorts this week. Read article on SVT Nyheter
	Person rescued from car after rockslide in Lofoten Vågan, Nordland, Norway Kari Mette Skreslet / NRK / April 23, 2025 A large rockslide on the E10 at Henningsvær in Vågan, Lofoten, buried a car under boulders; emergency crews rescued the uninjured driver and the road will remain closed for days while cleanup continues. Read article on NRK
	Polar bear attacks and injures skier in Nunavut national park Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada CBC News / April 24, 2025 A skier was evacuated to an emergency shelter before being transported by snowmobile to Pangnirtung’s health centre. The incident occurred early Thursday morning and the skier is receiving treatment, with no update on their condition. Read article on CBC News
	Non-toxic red tide blooming in Saanich Inlet Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada Kori Sidaway / CHEK / April 25, 2025 A bloom of non-toxic Noctiluca algae is lining Saanich Inlet’s shoreline; safe for swimmers and shellfish consumption so far. Scientists say the bloom is not producing toxins yet, but could as the water gets warmer. “This one is a bit early!” said Galbraith. Read article on CHEK
	Third Far North First Nation evacuates due to flooding Fort Albany First Nation, Ontario, Canada Chelsea Papineau / CTV News Northern Ontario / April 30, 2025 Fort Albany First Nation declared a state of emergency and fully evacuated after flood warnings, marking the third remote Ontario Far North community to evacuate this spring. Read article on CTV News Northern Ontario

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
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