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

New and viable, previously unknown freshwater pearl mussel population found in the Ivalojoki River
A significant, previously unknown population of freshwater pearl mussel was found in the Ivalojoki watershed in Finnish Lapland. The cooperative Lumimuutos discovered it during restoration work in the Sámi homeland in summer 2025; authorities are withholding the exact location.
Inari, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Joggers spot seal swimming in central Helsinki
Joggers filmed a seal swimming and eating a fish in central Helsinki’s Eläintarhanlahti bay near Hakaniemi. The sighting lasted about 20 minutes and surprised onlookers in the urban setting.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

Invasive carpet sea squirt spreading in Kosterhavet
The invasive carpet sea squirt (filtsjöpung), known as “sea vomit,” is rapidly spreading across the seafloor in Kosterhavet National Park, smothering organisms beneath it. Authorities say budget cuts have hampered monitoring and control, but they are now examining ways to slow the outbreak.
Kosterhavet, Bohuslän, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Capercaillie touring central Överkalix: “Fun to experience”
A capercaillie has been roaming around central Överkalix for several weeks, surprising residents. A local photographer captured the bird on camera as a bird expert offers possible explanations for the unusual urban visit.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

An increase in Anchorage wolf encounters sparks curiosity, not alarm
After spotting six wolves on a trail near her home, one Anchorage resident says she's seen the pack multiple times since late August.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Rare Altai Mole Discovered in Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area
A ranger in Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area found a dead Altai mole (Talpa altaica), a rarely seen species with a restricted range. Though globally listed as Least Concern by IUCN, the species is considered endangered in Mongolia due to habitat loss and disturbance.
Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area, Khuvsgul Province, Mongolia
MONTSAME News Agency

Polar bear mother and cub enter residential area in Dikson
A polar bear with a cub has been frequenting residential areas in Dikson amid anomalously warm weather and lack of sea ice. Authorities advise residents not to approach or feed the bears as Rosprirodnadzor monitors the situation.
Dikson, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyrsky Telegraf

‘Explosion’ of invasive European green crabs reported in Southeast Alaska
The Metlakatla Indian Community, which has been at the forefront in the effort to control the invaders, has trapped more than 40,000 of them this year.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Rare seven-arm octopus caught in Skagerrak
A rare Haliphron atlanticus (seven-arm octopus) was caught by shrimp fishers in western Skagerrak at about 200 m depth and sent to the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory for study.
Skagerrak, Västra Götaland County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Mourning Dove––an unusual visitor from the south
A mourning dove—rare for Alaska’s Seward Peninsula—was spotted in Nome shortly after strong fall storms, likely having been displaced during migration. The bird has continued foraging locally, marking an unusual range occurrence for the region.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Wolf scare in the village – hunters keep their dogs at home
A wolf-like animal was filmed near Jarhois in Pajala, and a reindeer was found killed the next day in nearby Kardis, prompting local hunters to keep their dogs at home during moose hunting. The sightings have raised concern in the community close to the Övertorneå border.
Kardis, Pajala, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

‘Mellanlummer’ discovered in Västernorrland – rare plant found by botanists
The rare clubmoss known in Swedish as “mellanlummer” has been recorded for the first time in Västernorrland, in forests near Viksjö. Botanists link the find to SCA’s prescribed burns that open and rejuvenate the forest.
Viksjö, Västernorrland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Cool Critters: Large, striking sea duck makes a splash near Pasco
A rare inland sighting of a white-winged scoter was recorded along the Columbia River near Pasco, Washington, with a birder photographing the sea duck at McNary National Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 26. Biologists say a recent storm may have blown the typically coastal species off course.
Pasco, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Residents in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., urged to take precautions after 3 wolf sightings
Three wolves have been frequenting Fort McPherson, N.W.T.; one was shot this week and two remain. Authorities urge residents to leash and vaccinate dogs, avoid leaving food outside, and note rabies risks; traps have been set for the remaining wolves.
Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

An extended fall reveals the existence of hair ice in Interior Alaska
Photos from Fairbanks show delicate “hair ice” forming on dead wood during an extended snow-free cold spell. Researchers link the phenomenon to the fungus Exidiopsis effusa, which enables hairlike ice strands to grow in humid, slightly subfreezing conditions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Bats in Strendur
A resident in Strendur, Faroe Islands, filmed bats in her yard—an uncommon sight in the Faroes. The bat was seen over about four days before disappearing.
Strendur, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands
Dimma

Confirmed: New wolf territory in Uppland has several pups
Authorities confirm a new wolf territory called Lapphällarna between western Uppland and eastern Västmanland in Sweden, where several pups have been born. The County Administrative Board provided imagery and details in an SVT video report.
Uppland and Västmanland, Sweden

Never before seen in Scandinavia: People jumped in their cars to find it
A Tennessee warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) was captured and identified at Mølen in Vestfold after Storm Amy, marking the first record for Scandinavia. Ornithologists believe it was carried across the Atlantic by strong jet streams; birders rushed from around Norway to see it, though it is unlikely to survive the Norwegian autumn.
Mølen, Vestfold, Norway
NRK

Sea lions prefer the north
Sea lions are increasingly favoring the northern regions of Cape Chukotka, Russia, a shift from their usual habitats, possibly due to changing environmental conditions.
Cape Chukotka, Chukotka, Russia

Mosquito has arrived in Iceland
A mosquito species, Culiseta annulata, has been confirmed in Iceland after specimens of both sexes were captured in Kjósarhreppur on October 16–18, 2025. The find suggests mosquitoes may now be present in the country, long considered free of them.
Kjósarhreppur, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Rare sight in Ofotfjorden: First time I see this
Two walruses were seen swimming in Ofotfjorden near Lillevika, surprising a local observer. Such sightings are rare in this area.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway
Fremover

Sitkinak Island deer start Kenai adventure
Alaska wildlife officials translocated 19 Sitka black-tailed deer from Sitkinak Island to near Port Chatham on the Kenai Peninsula to establish a sustainable herd. The deer were GPS-collared and will be monitored to assess survival, expansion, and the feasibility of future hunts.
Port Chatham, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Rare sighting on Snæfellsnes
A Cattle Egret was spotted west of Ólafsvíkurenni on Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula, a very rare occurrence. A bird expert links increasing appearances of southern species in Iceland to climate change.
Ólafsvík, West Iceland, Iceland
Iceland Monitor

Torngat Mountains visitor gets front row seat as black bear fights polar bear
An Icelandic visitor photographed a rare confrontation between a black bear and a mother polar bear on the northern tip of Labrador in the Torngat Mountains. The black bear approached a seal carcass being shared by two polar bear mothers and cubs and was driven off.
Torngat Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

End of summer brings a rare sight on Maquoit Bay
Calm late-summer conditions and a fall surge in forage fish activity led to a rare sighting of harbor porpoises inside Maquoit Bay in Brunswick, Maine. The columnist reflects on seasonal transitions and why porpoises may have ventured into the typically shallow bay.
Brunswick, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Thought it was a mouse — then it spread its wings in Kautokeino
A resident in Kautokeino filmed what he first thought was a mouse, which turned out to be a small bat. A researcher says such a sighting this far north is rare and that the finder was lucky.
Kautokeino, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Rare porbeagle caught
A fisherman from Qasigiannguit, Greenland, unexpectedly found a rare porbeagle shark entangled in his salmon net near the abandoned settlement Akulliit. The shark measured about 2.35 meters and was estimated over 200 kg—an unusual catch in Greenlandic waters.
Qasigiannguit, Qeqertalik, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.ag

Rare black stork found in Tornio devours vendace at bird clinic — plan needed for its release
A rare black stork that strayed to Tornio, Finland, was found emaciated, taken into care, and moved to a bird rehabilitation center in Oulu. Its recovery is expected to take at least two weeks while experts consider how and where to release it.
Tornio, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Brief tuna bounty in Southeast Alaska spurs excitement about new fishing opportunity
Waters off Sitka were warm enough to lure fish from the south, and local anglers took advantage of conditions to harvest species that make rare appearances in Alaska.
Sitka, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Farmed Salmon Caught in Iceland’s Blanda River
An angler caught a farmed Atlantic salmon in the Blanda River, North Iceland, renewing concerns about escapes and hybridization with wild stocks. Local monitors report over 7% hybrids among juveniles in a key fishing zone following earlier sea-pen damage.
Blanda River, Northwestern Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Bear sighted near Yakutsk
A bear was reportedly seen about 34 km from Yakutsk near a gas pipeline. Officials confirmed the report but, with no damage reported and the animal not found, no culling decision will be made.
Yakutsk, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia
Yakutia.Info

Great white shark feasting on whale in Digby Neck adds twist to whale watching season
Whale watchers in Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, witnessed a great white shark feeding on a dead humpback whale, leading to daily shark sightings in early September. Guides also reported an endangered leatherback sea turtle and noted warmer waters are changing species seen in the Bay of Fundy.
Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, Canada
SaltWire

Basking sharks captured on video off Nairn in rare sighting
Up to 10 basking sharks were filmed close to shore off Nairn in the Moray Firth, offering rare, close-up views to tour passengers and beachgoers. The late-summer sightings featured large sharks circling near idle boats in calm water.
Nairn, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Seven salmon confirmed as farmed escapees
Icelandic authorities report that 7 of 22 salmon submitted for testing were confirmed as farmed escapees, caught in several North/West Iceland rivers. Tracing suggests six fish share a common origin in Dýrafjörður; investigations continue and anglers are asked to turn in suspect fish whole for analysis.
Búðardalur, Western Region, Iceland
mbl.is

“Once in a lifetime to see this” – a rare hoopoe landed in a Pello resident’s yard
A Eurasian hoopoe, rare in Finland, has been visiting a yard in Pello, Lapland, for a week, likely carried north by southerly airflows.
Pello, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Emma was on the fast ferry that hit the whale: "Terrible to see"
A passenger, Emma, says a routine fast-ferry trip near Hammerfest turned dramatic when the vessel struck a whale; the whale was visibly injured with blood in the water.
Hammerfest, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
Nordlys

Bat as tourist in Sisimiut
Users at the Sanaluttarfik workshop in Sisimiut found an unexpected visitor after a cruise-ship group left: a bat. The bat spent a night in the workshop and was later thrown away after staff discovered lice in its fur.
Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Low Water Levels in the Mackenzie River
Unusually low waters in the Mackenzie River during late summer 2025, disrupting traditional and commercial river transport and indicating a shift from riverbed to riparian areas.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada

Cougar family causing safety worries in Mesachie Lake
A mother cougar and two adolescent cubs have been repeatedly sighted in Mesachie Lake, B.C., since August, prompting safety concerns from residents. Conservation officers are monitoring the situation and advise precautions but say there’s no evidence of aggression toward people.
Mesachie Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Counted a hundred farmed salmon in the lower part of Haukadalsá
An inspector from the Icelandic Fisheries Agency counted around 100 farmed salmon in the lower section of Haukadalsá, marking the largest occurrence of escaped farmed salmon in an Icelandic river, and plans are underway for removal operations including using anglers and Norwegian divers.
Haukadalsá, Dalabyggð, Iceland
visir.is

For every wild salmon in the trap, there have been 30 pink salmon – Frightening
In Kvænangen river traps caught a 30:1 ratio of invasive pink salmon to wild Atlantic salmon, requiring up to three emptyings per day.
Kvænangen, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
Nordlys

Rare white stork spotted in Dublin may be result of climate change, says expert
A white stork, normally native to Spain and Portugal, was photographed spending over 12 hours on a lamp-post in Lusk, Co Dublin, prompting experts to suggest climate change may be altering its migration behaviour.
Lusk, Dublin, Ireland
The Irish Times

Invasive stone martens to be eradicated – hunt intensified: 'All must go'
The Swedish government has ordered the eradication of invasive Asian stone martens around Sölvesborg and Bromölla, deploying hunters to eliminate the small, inbred population to prevent costly spread.
Sölvesborg and Bromölla, Blekinge, Sweden

A pest that feeds on bees and honey has been found in Alaska for the first time
Alaska officials confirmed the state’s first detection of the small hive beetle at an apiary in the Copper River region, likely linked to imported bees from Mississippi. Experts warn the pest can damage bee colonies and honey, urging coordinated action by beekeepers to contain and eradicate it.
Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Polar Bear near Hornstrandir
A polar bear was spotted traveling on an ice floe near the Hornstrandir peninsula in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Hornstrandir, Westfjords, Iceland
Vísir

Tick found on visitor after trip to Hornøya – High occurrence of a particular species
A 13-year-old boy discovered a tick on his leg after visiting Hornøya near Vardø, highlighting an unexpectedly high occurrence of ticks on the island.
Vardø, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Unusual squid in Chignik Lagoon
An unusual sighting of squid in Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, highlights a pattern of increasing squid observations in unexpected locations..
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Slow start – but now pink salmon may come in full force
After a slow start, 66 000 invasive pink salmon have been caught in Troms and Finnmark rivers so far, but volunteers and authorities warn a larger run may still be on its way.
Troms and Finnmark, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Increased Instances of Bears Entering Populated Areas
A female brown bear, likely with a cub, was spotted near the Dudinka–Norilsk road (38 km mark), highlighting a rise in bear occurrences near populated areas and prompting authorities to urge residents to call 112.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyrsky Telegraph

Fishermen of Uelen village accidentally caught a dolphin
Fishermen from Uelen in Chukotsky District hauled in what they believed was a dolphin, but specialists later identified the animal as a harbour porpoise.
Uelen, Chukotsky District, Chukotka, Russia
ProChukotku

I swung my fist as hard as I could: Man recalls northwest B.C. cougar attack
A Smithers man reports punching a cougar in the face during an unexpected encounter near Lake Kathlyn on July 26, sustaining minor injuries before the animal fled; conservation officers are monitoring the area for further cougar activity.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

Municipal gardener urges community help to fight invasive lupines in Hammerfest
Municipal gardener Grete Larsen in Hammerfest warns that invasive Alaska lupine is crowding out native vegetation and asks residents to help remove flowers and seed pods.
Hammerfest, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Venomous jellyfish invading west Swedish beaches
A venomous lion’s mane jellyfish has been sighted on several west Swedish beaches between Strömstad and Malmö, delivering powerful stings that can cause breathing problems.
West Coast, Sweden

Caught 2000 pink salmon in a single seine cast
Fisherman Edgar Olsen hauled in over 2,000 invasive pink salmon in one seine cast during trial fishing at the Vesterelva estuary in Nesseby, distributing about half to locals and sending the rest to Lerøy.
Nesseby, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

DOC investigating after dead stoat found on Rakiura/Stewart Island
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation is probing how an invasive stoat appeared and died on the previously predator-free Rakiura/Stewart Island.
Stewart Island / Rakiura, Southland, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Rare Basking Shark in Faxaflói Bay
A rare basking shark was spotted during an Elding whale watching tour in Faxaflói Bay, marking its first appearance in the bay in five years according to the company.
Faxaflói Bay, Southwest, Iceland
Vísir

Chukotka Spoon-billed Sandpiper Found on Kamchatka for the First Time in 50 Years
A RosIP expedition located nesting spoon-billed sandpipers on mountain plateaus of the Kamchatka Peninsula—marking the species’ first recorded presence there in half a century.
Kamchatka Peninsula, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Анадырь - Онлайн

Spotting rare right whale off Newfoundland had this tour guide 'Out of my skin excited'
A local tour guide spotted one of fewer than 370 North Atlantic right whales off the southern Avalon Peninsula this month, thrilling wildlife enthusiasts and providing key data to DFO.
St. Shott's, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Rare leatherback sea turtle spotted in B.C. waters in once-in-a-decade sighting
A leatherback sea turtle was filmed near Haida Gwaii on July 14, marking the first verified sighting in B.C. waters in 2025.
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK News

Grizzly bear shot and killed near Rankin Inlet
A grizzly bear wandering unusually close to Rankin Inlet was shot and killed by a local hunter after being spotted near the hamlet’s shooting range and Landing Lake. Mayor Harry Towtongie noted that grizzlies are increasingly common in the Kivalliq Region, potentially due to climate or environmental changes.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Rare sightings of yellow warbler, brown bat reported in Nunavut
Observers in Baker Lake and Arviat recorded a yellow warbler on July 4 and a brown bat on July 6—species rarely seen above the tree line in Nunavut—highlighting ecological shifts in Arctic habitats.
Baker Lake and Arviat, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Invasive European Green Crab found north of Ketchikan
A small but potentially environmentally threatening crab is expanding its area of influence in Alaska.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Bear wandering through town killed by authorities
A juvenile brown bear entered Nome’s streets on July 8, 2025, and was fatally shot by Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Nome Police after posing a public safety threat. This was the first urban bear dispatch of the year amid reports of heightened bear activity around town.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Spotted in Anchorage: Invasive European Starlings
European Starlings, an invasive species, have been observed in Anchorage, Alaska, where they compete with native birds for resources. Their presence is concerning due to their aggressive behavior and potential to form large flocks, prompting local monitoring and reporting efforts.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Lone beluga whale observed in Oslofjord and Sunnhordland – unusual this far south
A solitary beluga whale has been sighted in Norway’s Oslofjord and later in Sunnhordland, far south of its normal Arctic range. Researchers say the animal appears healthy but is likely separated from its group and urge people to keep their distance.
Dimmelsvik, Sunnhordland, Norway
NRK

World’s northernmost observation of Horned Lark: This is a world sensation
An ornithologist at Alta Airport in Finnmark, Norway identified a Horned Lark by its song, marking the northernmost ever record of the species, hailed as a global sensation.
Alta, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
Altaposten

Sparrow far from home
A white-throated sparrow was spotted in a garden in Kolonihavnen, Nuuk—believed to be the first record for Greenland. Biologists note such rare vagrants can occur naturally, while climate change could drive future range expansions.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.ag

Bears in the backyard: Sightings on the rise in southwest Finland
A brown bear was filmed running through downtown Loimaa after emerging from the Loimijoki River, one of several recent sightings in Southwest Finland this spring.
Loimaa, Southwest Finland, Finland
Yle News

Unusually Warm Current North of Iceland
A spring survey by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute recorded a sea surface temperature of 7.8 °C at Siglunes—3.2 °C above the 1991–2020 average—and found unusually warm, saline water flowing onto the northern continental shelf.
Siglunes, Northwest Iceland, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Unusual catch in Pangnirtung: Student angler harvests polar bear
During a Grade 11 outdoor education fishing trip near Pangnirtung on May 22, a student unexpectedly harvested his first polar bear after the animal repeatedly approached their campsite.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Shifting Dominance in Ponderosa Pine Forests
An environmental impact assessment near Okanagan Lake reveals an unexpected shift from Ponderosa Pine to Douglas Fir dominance, attributed to fire suppression and climate change, challenging traditional forest dynamics.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Whale species never before seen in B.C. washes up on Vancouver Island
A young Bryde’s whale washed up dead in Port McNeill Bay on northern Vancouver Island, marking the first known sighting of this warm-water species in B.C. waters.
Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

Risso's dolphins observed near Juneau
An unusual sighting of Risso's dolphins near Benjamin Island.
Benjamin Island, Alaska
Barb Lake, Barbara Mahoney, Bruce Wright, Michelle Dutro

Found larvae in the throat of dead moose calf in Karasjok
A dead moose calf in Karasjok was found with moose botfly larvae in its throat, marking a potentially first reported occurrence of this parasite in inner Finnmark, Norway, raising concerns about its impact on local wildlife.
Karasjok, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

Fireball streaks across Alaska skies
A bright fireball was captured streaking across the Southcentral Alaska sky on the morning of April 24, 2025, visible for about six seconds before disappearing behind trees.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Whale Stranding in Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri
A six‑meter whale, likely a northern bottlenose whale, washed ashore in Njarðvík at Borgarfjörður Eystri on Good Friday. Locals notified Icelandic environmental authorities, but the carcass may remain on the beach over Easter.
Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Iceland

Humpback whale spotted near Kessock Bridge and Beauly Firth
A humpback whale was sighted in the Beauly Firth near Inverness, passing under the Kessock Bridge and swimming close to Castle Stewart golf course before heading back out to sea. Whales this size in this area is quite a rare occurrence, adding that in case of such sightings, best practice would be to report them to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Time for a bear: Baie Verte Peninsula town gets midday visit from a polar bear
Residents of Ming's Bight were alerted by a low-flying helicopter as a polar bear made an unexpected midday visit, prompting immediate safety precautions for children and locals.
Ming's Bight, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
SaltWire

Hoopoe hoopla: 'In my 40 years of birding, I've never seen anything like this spring'
Record-breaking sightings of the exotic Eurasian hoopoe in southern Ireland have Irish birdwatchers buzzing, while native robins appear unsettled by their unexpected arrival.
Cork, Munster, Ireland
The Irish Times

Boreal Owl––A hungry winter nomad from the Interior
From Unalakleet to Nome, enchanting, pint-sized boreal owls have been popping up in unexpected places.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Danish find worries researchers: Asian fungus could take over Swedish forests
Researchers warn that the Asian edible fungus 'citronmussling' may spread in Swedish forests and outcompete native species.
Skåne, Skåne, Sweden

Ticks carrying Lyme disease may have infiltrated Montana; found on bird dog
A Bozeman hunter’s bird dog in eastern Montana was found with an Ixodes scapularis tick, raising concerns that Lyme disease–carrying ticks might be establishing themselves in the region.
Billings, Montana, United States
Spokesman.com

Blackfish in DeLong Lake
February fishing and a catch of an introducted species in DeLong Lake.

Three new non-native species found in Prince William Sound
A recent survey in Prince William Sound identified three new non-native species, including the newly discovered Monocorophium acherusicum, which may spread due to its adaptability to local conditions, prompting recommendations for ongoing monitoring and prevention efforts.
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Bat Flies Around the Hills
A bat sighting was reported in the hills of Reykjavík, Iceland, prompting a police response, but the bat had already flown away upon their arrival.
Reykjavík, Iceland

Early birds: Photographer spots Brant geese down-Island ahead of usual PQB return
A photographer captured Brant geese appearing early on Vancouver Island, suggesting a shift in their wintering patterns.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Rare cougar sighting reported in urban Vancouver, far from wilderness
A rare sighting of a cougar was reported in Vancouver's urban Dunbar area, close to Pacific Spirit Regional Park, prompting caution among residents.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Young mammoth remains discovered in Siberian permafrost after roughly 50,000 years
A juvenile mammoth was found in Siberian permafrost, remarkably preserved for over 50,000 years, near Batagaika crater.
Batagaika crater, Siberia, Russia
Eye on the Arctic

Bethel Christmas bird counters spy rare bird, despite windy conditions
During the Christmas bird count in Bethel, despite high winds, volunteers spotted two bald eagles and a red-breasted nuthatch, marking the first sighting of the nuthatch in 21 years of the event.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Male orca's surprise visit causes a splash in Vancouver Island harbour
A 23-year-old male orca named Noah made a surprising visit to Victoria's Inner Harbour on December 14, causing excitement among locals.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Curious Polar Bear Frightens Residents of Chukotka Village
A polar bear wandered into the village of Uelen in Chukotka, Russia, causing alarm among residents who quickly took shelter. Bear patrol workers were able to safely drive the bear away without incident. Local residents note that polar bears have visited more often this year than last year. Taking this case into account, patrol volunteers have chased away the polar predators 6 times.
Uelen, Chukotka, Russia
Prochukotku

Humpback whale spotted in Irish river for the first time
A humpback whale has been spotted in the Shannon Estuary for the first time, prompting authorities to ask ships to reduce speed to prevent potential collisions. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is monitoring the whale's unprecedented presence.
Shannon Estuary, Ireland
The Irish Times

Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to die
Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts, posing a potentially fatal threat to one juvenile whale.
Massachusetts, United States
Press Herald

Penguin 'Gus' on His Way Home – After Unusual Holiday
Emperor penguin 'Gus' was found malnourished on a tourist beach 3,500 km from his Antarctic home; he is now returning home after weeks of rehabilitation.
Western Australia, Australia

Mama orca and her kids go 'grocery shopping' near downtown Vancouver
A family of killer whales was spotted near downtown Vancouver in a rare sighting likely linked to hunting for seals.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

'Stunning' 47-foot fin whale washes ashore near Anchorage's Westchester Lagoon
A 47-foot fin whale washed ashore near Anchorage's Westchester Lagoon. Biologists believe it is a young female and are investigating the cause of its beaching.
Alaska Public Media

Sandhill crane straggler spotted at Creamer's Field
A lone sandhill crane has been observed staying at Creamer's Field in Fairbanks well beyond the typical migration period. The crane appears healthy but risks survival challenges due to the approaching winter.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Orcas spotted in Penn Cove for the first time in over five decades
The Orca Conservancy said the sightings made history. Some whale watchers hope it will again raise awareness of the need to protect them.
Oak Harbor, Washington, United States

VIDEO: Chum salmon make triumphant return to B.C. creek for 1st time in 75 years
Chum salmon have returned to Chilliwack Creek in British Columbia for the first time in 75 years, thanks to a riparian restoration project led by local First Nations.
Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada

‘A beautiful thing’: Klamath River salmon are spotted far upstream in Oregon after dam removal
Less than two months after the removal of dams restored a free-flowing Klamath River, salmon have made their way upstream to begin spawning and have been spotted in Oregon for the first time in more than a century.
Klamath, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

That mysterious animal spotted in Anchorage? Likely not a wolf, Fish and Game says
Photos of the animal recently circulated widely online, prompting a flurry of debate about whether the animal was a wolf or just a dog.

First known video footage of brown bat in the Beaufort Delta
Eric and Louise McLeod have been visiting their cabin south of Aklavik, N.W.T., for 25 years. On their most recent trip, they saw something they never had before.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

New kind of plant on the beach
A new plant species is establishing itself in the area and impacting native beach greens.
Aleksandrovsk, Alaska, United States

Sabine’s Gull––A distinctive and unusual tern-like gull
An observer reports unusual sightings of Sabine's gulls, including juveniles, outside their typical migration period, suggesting a potential new breeding colony near Nome.

Another whale swims close to Reynisfjara
RÚV received a video this week that shows a whale just off the beach at Reynisfjara; the second time in about a week. Guðjón Már Sigurðsson, marine biologist and cetacean expert at the Icelandic Marine Research Institute, says the whale swims shallow in a search for food.
Vik, South, Iceland
RÚV

Blue Jay sighted near Dawson City
Blue jays occur across southern Canada from Alberta east to Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
Dawson City, YT

Here, the wolf wanders right outside Therese Mydland's door
A wolf has been sighted in Sokndal, near the coast of western Norway, an area where such sightings are rare, sparking discussions about potential risks and the possibility of issuing a culling permit.
Sköndal, Stockholm, Sweden

Snakes appear in the Russian north as the Arctic warms
Climate change has led to sightings of species like the European adder, spiders, and herons beyond their typical range in the Russian Arctic.
Taimyr–Central Siberia
ArcticToday
Elizaveta Vereykina, The Independent Barents Observer

Another polar bear shot in Ittoqqortoormiit
A polar bear was shot in Ittoqqortoormiit after being spotted wandering the streets, marking the second such incident in the town within a week.
Ittoqqortoormiit, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Wood Storks in west Alabama
Wood storks observed on West Alabama wetlands.
Aliceville, Alabama, United States

Snake-like procession of insect larvae spotted again in Interior Alaska
A rare phenomenon of gnat larvae forming snake-like processions has been observed again in Interior Alaska, raising questions about their behavior and species classification.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Extremely rare beaked whale washes ashore in Otago
An extremely rare Spade-toothed Beaked Whale *Mesoplodon traversii* washed ashore in Otago, providing the first chance to dissect and study such a specimen, with DNA analysis underway to confirm its species.
Wellington, New Zealand
NZ Herald

At least 65 pilot whales die in Scottish mass stranding
At least 65 long-finned pilot whales have died after being stranded on an island off the north coast of Scotland, a rescue charity said on Thursday, in one of the largest mass strandings in Britain in recent times.
Scotland, United Kingdom
CTVNews

More people have been infected with Lyme disease
Norway reports a record high of 175 Lyme disease cases from January to June 2024, with uncertain causes attributed to weather conditions and increased tick awareness.
Norway

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center
Two harbor seal pups, one from Naknek and another from Wrangell, were recently rescued and are receiving care at the Alaska SeaLife Center due to malnourishment and other health issues.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Hurricane Beryl is a historic storm. Here's why.
Hurricane Ivan in 2004 was the last strong hurricane to hit the southeastern Caribbean, causing catastrophic damage in Grenada as a Category 3 storm. Hurricane Beryl lashed the southeastern Caribbean as a Category 4 storm — an unprecedented strength this early in the Atlantic season. Beryl amassed its strength from record-warm waters that are hotter now than they would be at the peak of hurricane season in September, he said.
Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados
CBS News

Mountain lion killed on island; first Southeast sighting since 1998
A mountain lion was shot on Wrangell Island, marking the first sighting in Southeast Alaska since 1998, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Risso's dolphins observed near Hoonah
A small pod of Risso's dolphins, typically found in deeper mid-temperate and tropical oceans waters, was spotted near Hoonah and Juneau, Alaska.
Hoonah, Alaska, United States
Bruce Wright, Michelle Dutro, Barbara Mahoney, Barb Lake

Walrus in Kachemak Bay
A Kachemak Bay water taxi crew had a once-in-a-lifetime walrus sighting.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Facebook

Pacific Sleeper Shark found at Boy Scout Beach
A Pacific sleeper shark, typically not found onshore, was discovered at Boy Scout Beach with injuries suggesting it was bycatch from local fishing activities, highlighting ongoing concerns about the species' vulnerability to human interactions.
Juneau, Alaska

Possible bowhead whale sighting in Sitka Sound raises questions
In late March, a local whale biologist spotted something out of place in Sitka Sound. She’s still having a hard time believing it, but pictures suggest an incredibly rare sighting– a juvenile bowhead whale.
Sitka, Alaska, United States
KCAW

King crab boom in northern Norway has become multi-million dollar industry
This crab from the Pacific Ocean was once introduced into the Barents waters of the Soviet Union in Arctic Russia. Since then the invasive species has spread to Norway’s Barents Sea and a multi-million dollar industry has sprung up around it. In 2023 Norway exported 2,500 tons of king crab worth 1,2 billion kroner (€100 million).
Barrents, Norway
The Independent Barents Observer

The Hope Dog Sled Race Attracts a Polar Bear to Uelen
A polar bear was drawn to the Hope Dog Sled Race in Chukotka, Russia, an unusual event for the area. It is the third recent visit of a bear to the village. In size and build, the polar predator is similar to the same bear thatdisturbedlocal residents on the night of March 28.
Uelen, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Prochukotku

Incredibly rare: Gray whale, extinct in Atlantic for 200 years, spotted south of Nantucket
A gray whale, presumed extinct in the Atlantic for over 200 years, was spotted by the New England Aquarium team south of Nantucket, suggesting climate change effects.
Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States
Inquirer and Mirror

Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Kodiak Island
A healthy Cuvier's beaked whale, typically a deep-sea dweller, was found dead on Kodiak Island with no clear cause of death.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
KMXT - Kodiak

Lassa fever killed 72 people in six weeks
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) said no fewer than 2,122 suspected human cases, 411 confirmed cases, and 72 deaths have been recorded from Lassa fever in Nigeria this year.
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Punch Newspapers

Stranded whale dies at Christchurch beach
A juvenile fin whale stranded at Moncks Bay in Christchurch, New Zealand, has died, with recovery operations underway. Last Sunday, a pod of false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins were euthanised after becoming stranded twice on a reef near Māhia.
Akaroa, Canterbury, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Spotted salamander in middle of winter
The unseasonably warm and wet conditions thought to be factor in amphibian sighting.
West Burke, Vermont, United States

Grizzly bear spotted close to Kotzebue
While Northwest Arctic residents encounter bears year-round, such sightings are not common in Kotzebue this time of year, Cantine said. Charlie Henry Jr., an Elder from Kotzebue, agreed: “That is so strange — brown bear in the middle part of the coldest months.”
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Orcas are flocking to Southern California waters. One bloody, awe-inspiring spectacle shows why
Whales native to Mexico and Central America are spotted dozens of times from Long Beach to the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Laguna Beach over the last three weeks.
Long Beach, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

Tick carrying Lyme disease bacteria found on dog in N.W.T.
A Lyme disease-carrying tick was found on a dog in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., with uncertainty about whether the tick originated locally or from a southern province.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

An Egret on the Alaska Peninsula
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.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

'Am I actually seeing this?': Muskox spotted in Fort Chipewyan, Alta.
Darlene Cardinal slammed her brakes in order to stop herself from crashing into a wild muskox last month. It was a rare event for someone who lives in Fort Chipewyan, Alta.
Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, Canada
CBC

Invasive Elodea in Piledriver Slough
Invasive Elodea has been observed since 2020.
Moose Creek, Alaska, United States

Hunters report record harvest for Central Southeast moose hunt
Hunters in Central Southeast Alaska have reported a record harvest of 141 bulls during the month-long moose hunt, surpassing the previous record of 132 bulls set in 2021, with the majority of the harvest occurring on Kupreanof Island. A couple decades ago, there were very few of them in the region — and the hunt was almost entirely relegated to the mainland. But over the years, he said he’s seen more moose cropping up on remote islands.
Kupreanof, Alaska, United States

Invasive Elodea in 28 Mile Pit
Elodea found on and near Eielson Airforce Base
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, United States

Scientists observe chum salmon spawning in North Slope rivers
Scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have observed an increase in chum salmon spawning in North Slope rivers, potentially indicating a shift in their population and a signal of climate change. Elizabeth Lindley, a Ph.D. student working on the project, says that while evidence of spawning in a new region may be a positive for salmon, the impact on important subsistence resources including Arctic char and Dolly Varden is uncertain.
Colville River, Alaska, United States

Massive ocean sunfish spotted off Vancouver Island
Jackie Hildering was astonished by a recent photo depicting an enormous Mola mola submitted to the Marine Education Resource Society citizen science project, which is collecting data on two different species of sunfish along the Pacific Coast.
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island

Farmed Salmon Caught in Rivers Across Northwest Iceland
Escapted farmed salmon threatens wild salmon stocks across Northwest Iceland, where it has entered rivers.
Patreksfjörður, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Humpack Salmon Spread in Iceland, Threatening Local Fish
Anglers caught dozens of humpback salmon in Eyjafjarðará river yesterday, RÚV reports. Humpack salmon are spreading in Iceland and threatening local fish species in Icelandic rivers.
Hjalteyri, Northeast, Iceland
Iceland Review

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

Baby walrus, rescued from Arctic tundra, receives 24-hour cuddle care at Alaska SeaLife Center
A wayward walrus calf, just one month old, was rescued from the North Slope. Workers on the North Slope spotted the baby walrus on tundra, about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Bluefin tuna washes up far from home in Salish Sea
Joe Gaydos found a bluefin tuna washed up on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington state. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the fish usually roam the more temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Crescent Beach, Orcas Island, Washington, USA

Sea Ice Unusually Close to North Iceland Coast
While north of Iceland sea ice is stretching unusually close to the coast, south of the island sea temperatures are reaching record heights.
North Coast Iceland

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

Elk swims to island in Finnish archipelago, first sighting in 40 years
An elk was spotted swimming to the island of Utö in the Finnish archipelago, marking the first sighting of the animal in 40 years.
Utö, Finland
News

Yellow-headed blackbird has great Northern adventure, winds up in Ulukhaktok
Usually found in marshy areas of Alberta, the bird has occasionally been spotted in more southern N.W.T. communities. Last week, one crossed a stretch of the Arctic ocean and found itself in Ulukhaktok, astonishing birders who say it's never been spotted so far north.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

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

Grubby's son captured as Homer faces growing opossum problem
It turns out that Grubby the opossum — who hitched a ride to Alaska in a shipping container in March — had babies.
Homer, Alaska, United States

Beluga whale Hvaldimir visiting Helgeroa
Boaters in Skolebukta outside Larvik opened their eyes when they were visited by the famous beluga whale. The marine biologist fears the whale's journey could soon be over for good.
Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

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

Discovered brand new fish species in Norway: "What the hell have we got here?"
When the fisherman Lars-Ivar Dale pulled up his net, he suddenly saw a species of fish he had never seen before. Fish scientist is now asking for help.
Nautnes, Øygarden, Vestland, Norway

Rare whooper swan returns with trumpeters to Marsh Lake
The whooper swan, which calls Europe and Asia home, first made headlines last year when it stopped among the flock of local trumpeter and tundra swans that seasonally eat and rest in the Yukon. Avid birders wondered how it managed to fly so far off-course from its usual migration routes. Some birders believe the same swan has made a second visit.
M'Clintock Bay
Yukon News

Rare pearl mussels discovered in Highland and Trossachs lochs
Scientists said the critically-endangered species had previously only been found in rivers and know pearl mussels have been discovered in the Scotland Lochs.
Scotland
BBC News

Invasive goldfish seen swimming under ice at Okanagan pond
Goldfish have a special ability to live under extreme conditions, making them prolific invaders of natural habitats. They are tolerant to low oxygen conditions and can survive water temperatures well below freezing, said the Invasive Species Council of B.C. on their website.
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Port Alberni Valley News

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

Polar bear fatally mauls woman and boy in Northwest Alaska village
A Wales resident shot and killed the bear. With the loss of sea ice and the ocean staying open later in the year, polar bears have been spending more time on land, which increases the chance of human encounters.
Wales, Alaska, United States

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

Orca stranding on Florida beach is first on record in U.S. Southeast
For the first time ever recorded, orca washes ashore in Florida.
Palm Coast, Florida, United States

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

87,000 cod escaped from farms - one of the largest escapes in a long time
Approximately 87,000 farmed cod escaped from Gadus Group's aquaculture facility, raising concerns about potential impacts on wild fish populations and prompting investigations into the incident.
Norway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visiting walrus causes stir in southern Finland town
Harju said that due to its long tusks, she guessed that it was an older walrus, adding that the animal was calm during the hour that she watched it lay on the beach.
Hamina, Kymenlaakso, Finland
News

Volunteers confront an invasion of black slugs near Whittier
Volunteers at the Whittier Slug-Out learned about Alaska’s invasive species and helped mitigate European black slugs near a popular cove on Prince William Sound.
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Rare birds’ arrival an ‘unmissable sign’ climate emergency has reached Britain
Pushed north by global heating, birds like the European bee-eater seen in Norfolk likely to become established visitors
Mundesley, England, United Kingdom
the Guardian

Shorebird from New Zealand spotted in Yukon after overshooting its destination in Alaska
'It flew right over Alaska and it landed just west of Herschel Island, at Qikiqtaruk [Territorial Park], along the coast along the Yukon's North Slope,' Cameron Eckert, a conservation biologist with Yukon Parks and a bird enthusiast, said of the bar-tailed godwit.
Hershel Island

Beluga whales swam up the Kuskokwim River to Bethel and scientists want samples of them
In an unusual event, a pair of beluga whales swam about 60 miles up the Kuskokwim River to Bethel. After word got out, boaters pursued the belugas and took at least one of them. Now, an official is working to collect samples of the animal to better understand where it came from.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

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

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

Rarely found snail at Saltstraumen in Bodø, not seen since the 19th century
When he checked closer, he found that the snail he found was an Arctic shrub, or *Dendronotus robustus*. All of the previous sightings have been made on Svalbard, so this may be the first confirmed find in mainland Norway.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway

Photographer finds massive octopus dead on Vancouver Island shore
A B.C. photographer and her dog found a Giant Pacific octopus washed up on the shore of a Vancouver Island beach.
Cherry Point, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria Times Colonist

Whooper swan far from home spotted in the Yukon
The lone adult bird was spotted among the migrating trumpeter swans at Marsh Lake.
Marsh Lake, Yukon, Canada

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

The polar bear was driven away from the village in the Chukotka district
On Wednesday morning, March 2, marine hunters of the community "Daurkin" found a polar bear 1.5 kilometers from the village of Laurentia on the ice of the bay. The animal was driven away from the village towards the sea. Two weeks previously, 11 polar predators were spotted near the village of Neshkan.
Lavrentiya, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

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

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

Residents of East Texas town report fish falling from sky
A rare phenomenon that occurred in Texarkana, a city on the northeast border of Texas and Arkansas, has its residents asking, “What the — fish?” Multiple...
Texarkana, Arkansas, United States
Dallas News

A lost eagle from Asia has been traveling around North America for more than a year
The Steller's sea eagle — native to China, Japan, the Koreas and eastern Russia — was spotted along the Taunton River in Massachusetts on Monday. It was first seen in Alaska in the summer of 2020.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
NPR.org

Invasive European green crab found in Nuu-chah-nulth territories
The Lummi Nation has declared a disaster after removing 70,000 invasive European green crabs from their sea pond in November.
According to Seattle-based King News, the Lummi Nation cultivates shellfish and juvenile salmon in their 750-acre sea pond. The European green crab preys on young oysters, clams, and are known to dig down into the sand, uprooting eel grass, which is habitat for juvenile salmon.
Marietta-Alderwood, Washington, United States
Ha-Shilth-Sa

This eagle is very, very lost
The native range of the Steller’s sea eagle is typically China, Japan and Korea and the east coast of Russia. While some have flown as far east as western Alaska, none have ever been known to appear near the Atlantic Ocean.
Falmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Seattle Times

The hunting tick has been discovered in Norway
The tick can carry hemorrhagic diphtheria. The disease is widespread in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition, some cases have been seen in southern Europe. The fever can cause serious illness in humans.
Vestby, Akershus, Norway

Mysterious fish ended up in Vetle's boat - expert says it's extremely rare
Vetle Berntsen and the others on the trawler understood little when the black fish ended up on board. No wonder – the fish actually live in deep water around the equator. It turned out to be *Diretmichthys parini*, also known as ducat fish, one of three documented in Norway.
Barents Sea, norway

Discovery of fly larvae positive sign for salmon
Volunteers from the Friends of Bowker Creek Society say uncovering caddisfly larvae in the gravel beds of the stream show the water quality has improved to a level sufficient to sustain salmon and cutthroat trout.
Bowker Creek, Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News, Vancouver Island

Alaskans have been spotting turkey vultures all over the state this year
An unusual bird was sighted in the Yukon Flats village of Chalkyitsik recently. The raptor, uncommon to the state, has also been spotted in a few other Alaska locations. Bird biologist Jim Johnson says there’s broader evidence that the nomadic turkey vulture is expanding north.
Chalkyitsik, Alaska, United States
KUAC

Rare clash between two distinct kinds of orcas in the Salish Sea — and the endangered fish-eaters won
Two distinct species of orcas feed and socialize in the waters of Puget Sound: fish-eating endangered southern resident killer whales and transient, or Bigg’s, killer whales, which feed on marine mammals and are more common. They seldom mix.
Point Roberts, Washington, United States
KNKX Public Radio

Wild pigs invade national park
One of the most destructive and rapidly spreading invasive species on the continent has been found for the first time in a Canadian national park.
Elk Island National Park
CTV News, Edmonton

Rare beluga whale sighting in Puget Sound stirs excitement — and concern
It would be an obscure sighting of the species. The closest beluga population, which lives at least 1,400 miles away in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, is endangered and covered under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Cross Cut

Animal tragedy in the Oslo fjord
Hundreds of guillemots go astray in the Oslo fjord every autumn. Many are now starving in the food-poor fjord.
Oslofjorden, Oslo, Norway

Rare pink salmon spotted southeast of Iqaluit
Karen Dunmall, a biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said pink salmon normally prefer warmer waters than the Arctic has been able to provide. But with the Arctic warming at up to three times the rate of the rest of the world, its waters are becoming more approachable for newcomers like this species.

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

The wall lizard invasion of Vancouver Island
Decades ago, wall lizards from the Mediterranean got a toehold near Victoria. Now they’re island-hopping.
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Macleans.ca

Where's Wally? The wandering celebrity walrus is spotted in Iceland
Wally, the walrus who has found fame during his travels round Europe, has been spotted in Iceland more than 900 kilometers from his last known location, He was previously seen 22 days ago in West Cork, Ireland, sparking concerns for his safety.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
ArcticToday

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

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."

Moose spotted off Lena Point, delighting residents
Wild moose chase. Moose are rarely seen close to town.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Was stung by giant wasps – ended up in the emergency room
Nina was going for a walk with the dog when she felt a sting on her toe. On the floor lay a European hornet, the largest wasp in Northern Europe. She is allergic to wasps and immediately realized that this could be dangerous. After a few minutes, her foot swelled up. She became dizzy and her pulse raced.
Øvre Vang, Hamar, Innlandet, Norway

In August, scientists saw rare right whales twice in Alaska waters
Biologist Jessica Crance witnessed both sightings personally, and is among a handful of living people who have seen one of this population of right whales up close since the species was devastated by commercial whaling.
Barnabas Trough

An invasive parasite is taking over Alaska blue mud shrimp. Researchers want to kill it.
Orthione griffenis, or O. griffenis, eventually kills its host shrimp, and soon the remaining shrimp can’t find each other to reproduce, rendering a blue mud shrimp population extinct.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Large jellyfish threaten fisheries in the Sea of Japan
Swarms of giant jellyfish are floating along the coastline of the Sea of Japan, and the damage they may cause to fisheries is feared to be the worst in more than a decade.
Wakasa Bay, Japan
The Japan News

Marine vomit spread along the western coast of Norway
A self-cloning and invincible enemy invades coastal areas. The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) or “marine vomit” have been observed nearby Stavanger and Bergen. Large yellow flakes has spread on the seabed and kills everything beneath. It may grow on boats and can spread along the coast.
Engøysundet, Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway
Josef Benoni Ness Tveit, Håkon Mannsåker

Suddenly Njord (13) got a tuna on the hook – I was surprised!
The fishing trip to Gaiakulpen in Vesterelva offered a real surprise to friends Njord Lindgård and Tobias Holm (13).
Vesterelv, Nesseby, Troms og Finnmark Fylke, Norway

Rare polar bear sighting causes a stir in Kotzebue
Locals in Kotzebue showed a mix of excitement and concern over the weekend in response to reports that a rare polar bear was spotted in the area.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

1st live Asian giant 'murder hornet' of 2021 spotted in Washington state
Entomologists confirm the report of the world's largest hornet — a worrisome invasive species that originates from East Asia and Japan — by a person in a rural area near the Canadian border.
Blaine, Washington, United States

Second year in row, big numbers of wild reindeer calves are found dead along banks of great river Khatanga
Poaching and climate change might be the reasons why more than 1,200 migrating animals did not make it across the wide Arctic waterway.
Khatanga river, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Phytoplankton blooms hint at changing Arctic waters
Recent research has found that coccolithophore blooms are occupying increasingly more space in the Barents Sea. Between 1998 and 2016, coccolithophore summer blooms have expanded poleward and their surface area in the Barents Sea has doubled.

30 percent have been bitten
The notorious lúsmý (Culicoides reconditus), a species of biting midge that has colonised Iceland for the first time in the past few years. The tiny flies can cause severe reactions, with large, sore, itchy spots that can remain angry for a week or more, and sometimes spread into a sort of rash.
Húnaþing vestra, Northwestern, Iceland
RÚV

'Unprecedented' absence of southern resident killer whales from Salish Sea
The most common pod of southern resident killer whales who migrate to the Salish Sea during the summer have not been seen for than 100 days, marking a highly unusual absence from their historic summer hunting ground, according to researchers.
Salish Sea
Vancouver Island

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

Opah on the Oregon Coast
On July 14, a rare 100-pound opah fish was found on the Oregon coast. The 3.5 foot 100 pound fish washed up at Sunset Beach, and was reported to the Seaside Aquarium.
Sunset Beach, Oregon, United States
WRAL.com

Invasive seaweed detected on Aotea/Great Barrier Island
Caulerpa brachypus, which can spread rapidly and create dense mats, was found in July in Blind Bay and Tryphena Harbour. This was the first time the pest species had been detected in New Zealand.
Great Barrier Island

'Unprecedented:' Rare sei whales spotted off Vancouver Island
Researchers on an expedition 300 kilometers west of Vancouver Island stumbled upon a group of 25-30 endangered sei whales.
300 kms West of Vancouver Island, Canada
CHEK

Whitehorse residents warned not to feed wildlife after black bear killed in Riverdale
After a black bear was shot dead in her front yard, a Whitehorse resident is concerned that people are inadvertently luring bears into the neighbourhood by feeding wildlife.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

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

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

Elephant herd now close to Kunming
A herd of wild Asian elephants that left Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in the south of Yunnan province last year is still moving northward, local media reported on Wednesday. The 15-member herd has traveled nearly 500 kilometers from its original habitat. Experts said the move northward is unusual and they do not know the reason for it.
Kunming, Yunnan, China

Probably the world's northernmost observed narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth
Tine Aastrøm Lorentzen was on a trip in Rana and noticed what she thought was a bumblebee, but it was suspiciously silent. "It looked like a crossover of a bumblebee and a butterfly. I studied it more closely and found that I had to film this, because I had never seen anything like this before," she tells NRK. The latin name of that insect is *Hemaris tityus.*
Sjona, Rana, Nordland, Norway

This giant mosquito attracts attention – Never seen such a mosquito
As the weather gets warmer, the mosquito comes to life. Also in North Norway. But when Frank Pedersen enjoyed himself in the sun on 17 May, he was "attacked" by a mosquito he has never seen in Nordland before. It was Great house mosquito, Culiseta annulata.
Skarberget, Narvik, Nordland, Norway

Hunt opens for musk ox stranded on ice floes
The musk ox were stranded on the ice floes after wandering onto the sea ice during breakup.
Mekoryuk, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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.

Sleeper Shark (Somniosus pacificus) in Kasitsna Bay
A decomposing sleeper shark was found on the beach in Kasitsna Bay.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
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

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

Melting Arctic ice reduces bowhead whale migration
Researchers in Canada find that population did not bother making the 6,000km roundtrip in 2018-2019
Bearing, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas
the Guardian

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

Arctic walrus spotted in Kerry reappears in Wales
Marine biologist and director of Dingle’s OceanWorld Aquarium, Kevin Flannery, told the Irish Times it is “very unusual” for a walrus to be spotted in this part of the world, although there have been potential sightings from surfers and fishermen in Ireland in the past.
Wales, England, United Kingdom

Polar bear filmed running along road in Yakutia 460km south of its natural Arctic habitat
The racing predator was seen 60km south of Batagai, north-east from republic’s capital Yakutsk.
Батагай, Верхоянский район, Sakha, Russia
Siberian Times

Rare salmon shark spotted near Catalina Island
Salmon sharks are rarely seen this far south; typically they swim off Alaska and in the northern Pacific Ocean where they have access to their favorite food.
San Pedro, California, United States
Orange County Register

Coyotes sightings in St. John's and Mount Pearl Sunday morning
Wild animals spotted near on Topsail Road near Brookfield Fire Station and Park Avenue. Wildlife officials with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture are advising the public to be vigilant regarding the presence of coyotes in residential areas
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Wolves finding new homes in southern Sweden
In recent months, there have been a number of reported wolf sightings in Southern Sweden, an unusual occurrence in this part of the country.
Malmö, Skåne, Sweden
Radio Sweden

From Greenland to Valentia: face to face with a king of the Arctic
A walk in the woods behind Glanleam beach on Valentia Island for local man Alan Houlihan and his daughther, Muireann (Mimi) (5) on Sunday morning took a rather unusual twist when the pair spotted a walrus out on the rocks, just off the beach.
Knightstown, Ireland
independent

Alaskans urged to destroy moss balls that could contain invasive mussels
Last week, Alaska became one of at least 32 states to report finding zebra mussels in a product called moss balls which were sold at local pet stores.

Magne Vorland got grey shark – shattered 43 year old Norwegian record
Magne Vorland (27) was surprised when he saw what was coming to the surface. "Unusual," says the expert.
Ålfjorden, Rogaland, Norway

Gold Jackal seen for the first time in Norway
It is common to be found in Myanmar and in Southeastern Europe. Now the gold jackal is captured on film in Finnmark.
Ildskog, Porsanger, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

Early humpback sighting
A humpback whale spotted off Bremer Bay late last week is believed to be the earliest sighting ever of the species on WA’s south coast. Humpback whales are usually spotted of WA's south coast in late March or early April. The whale's early appearance has prompted concerns from scientists about the lack of food stocks in Antarctica.
Bremer Submarine Canyon
ABC News

Lack of sea ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence means more seals on shore
Record-low levels of sea ice cover in the Gulf of St. Lawrence means a greater number of seals are coming on shore and are more likely to interact with humans.
Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick, Canada

Lynx spotted in downtown Yellowknife
A “not very shy” lynx attracted some attention in Yellowknife Monday. Daniel Bourke saw it near Avens seniors complex where staff called ENR.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL MEDIA

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

Goldfish invasion of Hamilton Harbour
Pet fish dumped in local waterways have become the scourge of Hamilton’s marshes and harbour
Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada
Macleans.ca

Snowy Owl Is Spotted in Central Park, for First Time in 130 Years
The hordes came running and the snow-white raptor became the latest celebrity bird of Manhattan. Some enthusiasts took Manhattan Bird Alert to task for revealing the bird’s exact whereabouts to 38,000 followers. By Thursday morning, the Central Park snowy was nowhere to be found.
Manhattan, New York, United States
New York Times

Ice pancakes float along a river in the Highlands
The pancakes form when foam floating on a river or the sea freeze. These frozen chunks are then shaped by being rubbed against one another in eddies of water.
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

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."

Russian tanker passes through Bering Strait in the midst of winter
Last week, a 908-foot Russian tanker carrying liquified natural gas passed south through the Russian side of the Bering Strait, with two more to follow. The ships are traversing the northern coast of Siberia, called the North Sea Route, in the middle of January with no icebreaker escort, an unprecedented event that may hint at the future of the region as climate change alters global commerce.
Uelen, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Orca pod returns to the Broughton Archipelago after more than 20 years
The A5 pod has returned to the Broughton Archipelago, their traditional winter hunting ground, with a brand new baby in tow.
Fife Sound, Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News
Zoe Ducklow, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First record in Canada: Rare bird common in Japan seen in Yukon
A rare bird was spotted last week in Yukon. Birders flocked to Haines Junction last week to spot a hawfinch, which was thousands of kilometers out of its usual range.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada

A New Clam in Town
Razor clams are the newest addition to Iceland’s resident fauna, RÚV reports. Researchers believe that the bivalves, which got their name in English from their long skinny shape, sharp edges, and resemblance to old fashioned straight razors, were brought to Iceland in the bilge water of cargo ships.
Hafnarfjörður, Capital Region, Iceland

Polar bears leave the Chukchi village of Rrykaipi
As of December 18, only 3 polar bears remained. The polar bears had gathered near the village when a strong southern wind moved ice away from the shore, leaving the animals to move by shore to Kozhevnkov Cape, where the predators eat walrus remains.

Young whale with broken jaw washed up on Belgian beach
A dead minke whale with a broken jaw washed up on a Belgian beach on Friday.
Bredene, Flanders, Belgium
The Brussels Times

Researchers think they spotted new whale species off Mexico
Scientists are waiting for water samples analysis that could hold skin cells for possible DNA testing. . Read more at straitstimes.com.
San Benito Islands
The Straits Times

Vermilion flycatcher - A big red surprise
Late on the afternoon of Nov. 18, Kathy Marche, birding in Stephenville, came across a very colorful bird unfamiliar to her. She took photos but had to wait until she got home to look up the identification.
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Seal hunters come across frozen beached bowhead whale
A family out seal hunting in Nunavut came across a very rare sight when they happened upon a full-size, beached, frozen bowhead whale, along with plenty of polar bear tracks nearby. "That was a very, very amazing sight. Its my first time to see a bowhead," said Panigayak.
Taloyoak, Nunavut, Canada

Coyotes are being spotted in Yellowknife
The N.W.T.'s environment department is warning Yellowknifers to be careful while out for walks after a number of coyote sightings were reported over the weekend.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

'Once in a millennium': Record-breaking rogue wave measured off Vancouver Island
A massive ocean wave that was tracked off the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2020 is now considered the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded, according to scientists at the University of Victoria.
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News-Vancouver Island

Humpback whales have been spotted in an Australian river
East Alligator River is full of crocodiles, not alligators, and now humpback whales. If it came to a fight, who would win?
Kakadu National Park.
Stuff

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

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

Russian scientists discover huge walrus haulout in Arctic circle
Scientists in northern Russia have discovered a huge walrus haulout on the shores of the Kara Sea where their habitat is under threat from shrinking ice and human activity. The haulout, a place of refuge where walruses congregate, reproduce, and socialise, is located in a remote corner of Russia's Yamal peninsula, and scientists say they counted over 3,000 animals there last month.
Kara Sea
Reuters

Monitoring program tracks invasive (Didemnum vexillum) or “marine vomit”
On 2 November 2020, the Japanese invertebarate *Didemnum vexillum* was detected by diver and underwater photographer Erling Svensen at Engøyholmen in Stavanger harbor. The aim of a new monitoring project is to register occurrences of the presumed recently arrived D. vexillum in the delimited areas, and then to map how it spreads locally, and also what impact it has on the local fauna.
Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway
havnespy.stavangerdykk.no

Deep-diving whale dies after swimming up river
Finding the deep-diving species so far inland was incredible. Rescuers made a sterling effort to save the 21ft-long animal found in a tributary of the River Clyde near Glasgow Airport. Two died after stranding on shores of the Firth of Clyde and another in the Western Isles.
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Entomologists vacuum Asian giant hornets out of first nest found in Whatcom County
Washington State entomologists have spent weeks searching, trapping and using dental floss to tie tracking devices to Asian giant hornets in an effort to find the nest and destroy it. The nest was first discovered Thursday in a tree cavity, about eight feet up, on private property in Blaine. Heavily protected crews with WSDA worked to eradicate the nest early Saturday morning.
Blaine, Washington, United States

Lone Scottish dolphin spotted off Denmark
The Moray Firth dolphins have been moving out of their normal range in Scotland waters. A dolphin known as Yoda is the latest member to be spotted far from home. Another Moray Firth dolphin has been seen in the Irish Sea.
Svendborg, South Denmark, Denmark

Alaska Grown Black Walnuts
The unthinkable (ripe Alaska walnuts) a few decades ago is potentially our new reality as our climate continues to shift (warmer summers and longer falls). As our climatic parameters shift, so does our opportunity to diversify our edible plantings!
Peter's Creek
Facebook - Alaska Home Gardeners Group

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

Rare King-of-the-salmon fish found on Vancouver Island
A rare deep-sea fish was discovered on Vancouver Island this month. A pair of friends, Natalie Mueller and Andie Lafrentz, were walking along Whiffin Spit in Sooke on Sept. 19 when they spotted what they first thought was a “large piece of scrap metal.”
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News - Vancouver Island

Badger on the Finnmark plateau: – very strange, but also very fun
Odd Arne Hætta thought his dog Leo had found an elk, but it turned out to be something else entirely. Badgers are not common so far north but, sporadic cases have been observed in the past, including in Skibotn in Troms.
Čuonjájávri, Kautokeino, Norway
Marie Elise Nystad, Tom Stian Tretnes Hansen

Rare fish washes ashore at Whiffen Spit
It was a king-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis), a deep-sea-dwelling species of ribbonfish. Its common name comes from the legends of the Makah people west of Strait of Juan de Fuca, which believe this “king” leads the salmon to their spawning grounds each year.
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada
Times Colonist

Rare muskox sighting in Manokotak raises questions
The Bristol Bay Times - Serving Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon and Southwest villages
Manokotak, Alaska, United States
Bristol Bay Times
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

Meet Nunavut's newest arrival: the beaver
A recent beaver catch in Baker Lake, along with this summer’s earlier beaver sighting near Kugluktuk, more than 1,000 kilometres northwest of Baker Lake, have some wondering whether beavers are expanding their range into Nunavut.
Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada

Cougar spotted on Ingraham Trail on Sunday: GNWT
Cougar sightings are rare in the North Slave region, but not unheard of. The big cat was seen at 1 p.m. crossing the highway at kilometre 49, between the Cameron Falls trailhead and Reid Lake campground.
NNSL Media

Pink salmon catches in Nunavik are raising red flags for biologists
After learning about catches of pink salmon near Salluit, Quebec wildlife officials are urging any fishers who net the newcomers to report their catch. Two pink salmon were netted in Nunavik during the summer of 2019 in the Ungava Bay region, one near Kangirsuk.
Kangirsuk, Quebec, Canada
ArcticToday

These are among the rarest birds you can see in Norway
This week, bird enthusiast Nils Harry Lillejord experienced a kind of "holy grail" for those who watch birds. When he was on his way to work, he saw a Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). The bird has only been seen twenty times since 1835.
Stormyrjordene, Bodø, Nordland, Norway

Rare ‘Ugly Duckling’ Albino Seal Pup in Far East Russia Wins Hearts
Scientists worry for the pup's survival. Due to the pup’s albinism, it not only has bad eyesight, but could also be ostracized by the colony due to its unique characteristics.
Tyuleny Island
The Moscow Times

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

Growth on Window After Storm
Tatitlek, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summer resident killed by great white in Maine’s first fatal shark attack
Julie Dimperio Holowach, a recently retired fashion executive from New York City, was swimming near Bailey Island on Monday afternoon when she was attacked.
Portland, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Invasive grass carp caught in Chambly Basin
Scientists say the grass carp population in the Chambly Basin is probably small, but the presence of this species in any number is bad news.
Chambly, Quebec, Canada
Montreal Gazette

Puffin saved by lucky chance
A group on a glacier expedition on Langjökull yesterday stumbled across a puffin lying in the snow. According to group leader Martha Jónasdóttir, the bird was found right at the centre of the glacier—Iceland's second-largest.
Borgarnes, West, Iceland

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

Brown booby makes rare visit to Ireland
Birders are continuing to flock to Greystones in Co Wicklow after what is believed to be the first ever sighting of a brown booby in Ireland.
Greystones, Leinster, Ireland
RTE.ie

Fisherman snags barracuda off Vancouver Island in rare encounter
Ferocious fish, not native to Canada, was netted and released in Alberni Inlet
Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island, Canada
Port Alberni Valley News

Thousands of blue jellyfish clog cooling system in Israeli power plant
Thousands of jellyfish clogged up a cooling system and threatened to suspend production at a power plant in Israel. Video filmed at the Electric Company power plant on Thursday shows the light blue sea creatures being swept down a chute and into a bin. The power plant, based in the coastal city of Ashkelon, about 15 miles north of the Gaza strip, uses seawater to cool its
Ashqelon, Southern District, Israel
The Independent

California condors return to Sequoia National Park for the 1st time in decades
They were sighted in an area that was historically part of the endangered bird’s range. At least six visited the park in late May.
KTLA

Wild Boars Appear in Moscow Parks, Officials Warn
If you meet one don't look it in the eye.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

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

Pelicans spotted as far north as Kugluktuk, Nunavut
The arrival of pelicans in Kugluktuk, Nunavut was a surprise, but it's a sign of healthy pelican colonies in general, and in particular of the colony near Fort Smith, N.W.T.
Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada

‘A grave concern’: European green crabs discovered on Haida Gwaii
There are many types of crabs that are green in colour, but only the European green crab has five spines on the outside of each eye. The aggressive invasive species was discovered in Skidegate Inlet; and now working group formed to decide next steps.
Skidegate 1, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Jellyfish the size of dinner plates on Northeast beaches
Some beaches in the northeastern United States are dealing with more than the threat of COVID-19 this holiday weekend. They have to contend with an unwelcome visitor: the Lion's Mane jellyfish.
Scituate, Massachusetts, United States
CNN

Southern resident whales returning later to Salish Sea in ‘drastic’ change
Southern resident killer whales made their first appearance in the Salish Sea on Canada Day after more than two months with only a brief sighting off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Strait of Georgia
Times Colonist

Beluga off San Diego is farthest south the species has been documented on West Coast
A beluga whale was spotted Friday off San Diego -- the farthest south the species has been documented on the West Coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed.
Point Loma, Coronado, California, United States
FOX 5 San Diego

First a whale, now a bearded seal spotted in Laval
A video posted to social media shows the seal sunbathing on a floating dock in Laval, close to where the Mille Îles River joins the St. Lawrence River.
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
Global News

Seaweed invasion hurting fishermen's livelihoods
Seaweed native to the northwest Pacific is invading the rich marine waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and the brown algae is clogging up fishermen's nets and endangering their way of life.
Strait of Gibraltar
Al Jazeera

Trumpeter swans are newcomers to the nesting scene in Potter Marsh
Between the Seward Highway and Hillside neighborhoods, a pair of swans are raising five just-hatched cygnets. This is the first pair of swans to nest at Potter Marsh in the memory of Anchorage Coastal Refuge managers and local birders.

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.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States

Northern anchovy blooms bring more sea life to Burrard Inlet
Northern anchovy are becoming more comment perhaps due to warmer temperatures. A 10-centimetre-long fish represents an anchovy that's about a year old suggesting that the fish are spawned locally in the pelagic zone, or upper, warmer zone of the seawater.
Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

Orca pod makes rare appearance in Vancouver’s False Creek
It's a rare sight in Vancouver's False Creek, but a pod of orcas was spotted swimming the city's most inner waterway on Wednesday.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Global News

New possible bottlenose dolphin sighting turns heads in Finland
The eyewitness, who first heard the animal splashing by the southeastern coast, said she couldn't believe her eyes.
Lovisa, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Multiple bear sightings in Saanich, near UVic
Residents near the University of Victoria are cautioned to be vigilant as authorities are responding to sightings of a bear in the area.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria Buzz

Black bears on the move: more heading south
“In the last 36 hours, we’ve received four bear sightings in Saanich,” said Sgt. Damian Kowalewich with Saanich Police. "A lot of our residents are obviously alarmed by this and it’s a higher number of sightings than usual.”
Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

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

Increased tick prevalence in Northeastern Saskatchewan
The increase over the past eight years, attributed to climate change, changing host migration patterns, and ticks' adaptability to drier and colder climates, posing significant public health risks.
Pasquia Hills, SK

Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Anchorage

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

Dolphins sighted in Kopli Bay in Estonia
Estonian ship pilot Indrek Sulla on Tuesday morning sighted two dolphins who had likely wandered into Kopli Bay from the Atlantic.
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
The Baltic Course

Fine Yellow Dust is Likely Pollen
Seeing pollen in rainwater is unusual.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Rare bird in historic visit to Sweden
A rare bird that has only been sighted twice before in Europe turned up in western Sweden on Sunday, causing great excitement among ornithologists.
Göteborg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Humpback whale up Saint Lawrence River
“It’s extremely rare. For the Quebec Mammal Emergency Network it’s a first,” said Marie-Ève Muller, a spokesperson for GREMM. “We’ve had minke whales before, belugas but for such large whale like a humpback whale, it’s a first​.”
St. Lawrence River, Sorel, Quebec, Canada
Global News

Young gray whale appears to be stuck in Twentymile River near Portage
Biologists believe the 18- to 20-foot whale may be sick or injured. It’s unclear if it will be able to swim out during high tide.
Portage Creek, Alaska, United States

Rare whale with long, spiky teeth washes up at California beach
A rare pygmy sperm whale washed up at San Onofre State Beach in southern California.
San Diego, California, United States
Fox News

Bottlenose dolphins sighted off Finnish coast for first time in nearly 70 years
Ascension Thursday, a Finnish holiday, was unforgettable for Keeri Sjöblom, 13, who lives in Kimitoön, a maritime municipality in southwest Finland.
Southwest Finland
Yle Uutiset

Possible Pacific White-sided Dolphin Sighting (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)
Unusually active marine mammals seen near Unalaska may actually be Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
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.

Wild Animals Roam Russian Cities During Quarantine
With the coronavirus pandemic leaving Russia's cities quiet and deserted, its wild animals have decided to check things out.
Russia
The Moscow Times

More wolves in Gävleborg - pressure increases to allow licensed hunt
The number of wolves in Gävleborg county has gone up and the pressure to introduce licensed hunting is increasing in the region.
Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Humpback whale breaching east of Vancouver spotted by Burnaby seniors
Some residents of a Burnaby retirement home were about to start a meditation class on Wednesday when a humpback whale sighting stole their focus.
Burrard Inlet, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Invasive lizard species spotted in Georgia
The South American lizard, which can grow up to 4 feet long, poses a threat to protected native wildlife, including American alligators and gopher tortoises.
Reidsville, Georgia, United States
KMBC

Beaver numbers have exploded in Northwest Alaska with some striking effects on the environment
The Baldwin Peninsula near Kotzebue has seen a massive increase in beavers over the last two decades, according to new research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Kobuk, Alaska, United States
KTOO
Wesley Early, Alaska's Energy Desk - Kotzebue

Rare blue dragons are washing up on a Texas seashore
Visitors to the Padre Island National Seashore in Texas are discovering blue dragons during their trips, and though it may not be the flying, fire-breathing creatures their name may suggest, it's still 'a rare find,' the park says.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA
CTVNews

First recorded striped dolphin sighting on Haida Gwaii
Animal discovered stranded on Tlell beach, marking first recorded sighting north of Vancouver Island
Crow's Nest, Haisa Gwaii, Canada
Haida Gwaii Observer

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

Juvenile grey whale caught on camera in Nanoose Bay
A Parksville photographer has captured some stunning images of a grey whale that has been hanging out in the community of Nanoose Bay over the past several days.
Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

Icelandic Capelin May Have Migrated to the Faroes
A large stock of capelins have been found in Faroese fjords of late and scientists believe that the fish probably swam there from Icelandic waters, RÚV reports. Iceland’s capelin stock has been in decline over the last two years, likely due to rising ocean temperatures.
Faroe Islands

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

Wild animals appear in Israeli urban areas as COVID-19 pandemic isolates people at homes
Nubian ibexes which were seen "going into Eilat city and grazing in the gardens along the seafront," and striped hyenas seen "walking around the parks and in the neighborhoods in the early hours of the evening" in the southern metropolitan of Beersheba.
Beersheba, Southern District, Israel
Xinhua

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.

Multiple Cougars Seen Wandering the Streets of Santiago Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
A third cougar has been sighted wandering through a residential neighborhood of Santiago, Chile.
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
EcoWatch

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

Rats come out of hiding as lockdowns eliminate urban trash
With less litter on the ground and garbage in Dumpsters behind restaurants, rats are seeking food elsewhere.
New York City, New York, United States
National Geographic

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

Wild Animals Reclaim San Francisco and LA After Cities Empty Over COVID-19
As California streets empty under the stay-at-home measures to “flatten the curve” of the novel coronavirus outbreak, wild animals have come to reclaim their domain.
San Francisco, California, United States
The Daily Beast

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

Orca Completes 8,000 km Swim from Iceland to Lebanon
A male orca whale belonging to an Icelandic pod was sighted around Beirut, Lebanon, on February 19 and 20. Per a press release issued by Orca Guardians of Iceland, this is a journey of just over 8,000 kilometres (4,970 miles) and is the longest known one-way distance travelled by any ‘killer whale’ to date. The …
Beirut, Lebanon

Otters spotted in southern Alberta city for first time in about a century
Some welcome new visitors have recently appeared in a southeastern Alberta park — otters.
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Rare Arctic seal pup named after a flower rescued from Storm Brendan
Ringed seal Cloudberry was rescued from Quilty by Seal Rescue Ireland after being seen in Kerry.
Burren, Mayo, Ireland
Metro

Stranded Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)
Bella Bella 1, British Columbia, Canada
Twitter

Pack of wolves spotted in Colorado
The agency said an eyewitness account, video and scavenged elk ''strongly suggests a pack of gray wolves may now be residing in Colorado.''
Moffat County, Colorado, USA
Coloradoan

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.

Massive anchovy school in White Rock draws a crowd
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said photographer Marissa Baecker, who was visiting White Rock from Kelowna on Christmas Day. “It wasn’t just a feeding, it was a feast.”
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Anchovies take over White Rock shores
People in White Rock, B.C. are used to seeing fish in their waters but not quite like this.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Facebook Watch

Thousands of 'sea pickles' wash up on Monterey Bay beach
Hundreds upon hundreds of specimens known as "sea pickles" washed up on Monterey Bay beaches on Thursday. As explained by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, "Big waves and strong currents are pushing pyrosomes onto local beaches.
Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove, California, United States
SFGate

Pod of Orca whales migrate more than 3,000 miles from Iceland to Italy
A pod of Orca whales has made an unprecedented trip from Iceland to more than 3,000 miles away in Genoa, Italy according to a nonprofit organization that tracks them.
Genoa, Liguria, Italy
ABC News

Flares used to scare away 63 polar bears besieging a remote Russian village
Amazing footage shows the bears just 150 metres from the nearest house as shooting is criticised - but does little to deter predators.
Siberia Times

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) North of Seasonal Range
The northernmost iNaturalist observation (November-March) of Black-crowned Night-Heron (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) in eastern North America.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Twitter

Rare flock of birds spotted in Oak Bay
Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen munching on local greenery
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

As reported Delta-area mountain lion sightings increase, wildlife managers search for evidence
Joel Holbrook wishes he had grabbed his camera after he and his wife spotted what they swear was a mountain lion near their home, which is located near the Bluff Cabin Trail. Officials have confirmed the presence of mountain lions in Southeast Alaska, but have yet to substantiate reports of animals roaming further north.
*LEO Network says, if you are looking for photo proof, check out the post from Willard Hand in Tazlina.*
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Wildlife sat-nav goes awry as White Stork and Flamingo defy nature and fly to Siberia in winter
Frantic efforts to save the wrong-turn birds from harsh cold.
Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia
Siberia Times

‘It was so unfazed by me’: Woman recounts slobber-covered cat’s encounter with wolverine
Lenny didn’t have a wound on him but hasn’t been the same since, his owner says.

Alaska’s feline Bigfoot? Mountain lion sightings reported in Delta Junction
Biologists say they’ve been unable to confirm several reported sightings, including one from a resident who’s sure a cougar showed up in his yard.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Utqiagvik whalers still hope to land a bowhead as season wanes
Aerial surveys this September and October show the bowheads aren’t where they usually are.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Beached "ice eggs" astound strollers on Finnish island
The oval ice formations created by wave action were piled up on a Hailuoto beach.
Hailuoto, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Bizarre ice balls found in Arctic Alaska river puzzle locals and scientists
Danny Foster and Mike Hawley of Kivalina were ice fishing outside of town when they came upon something they’d never seen before. Incidentally, similar ice balls or ice eggs were reported on an ocean beach in Finland on the same day.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

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.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Sighting, Rare on Vancouver Island
This is one of just a small number of Blue Jay sightings recorded on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Twitter

Lutselk'e man says he saw a grizzly bear near Yellowknife
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources says that although it's not typical for grizzlies to live in the Yellowknife area, there are cases in which an animal will leave its normal range.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Invasion of Cascadia
The Cascadia Bioregion, including Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, is outside of [the historical range of the Blue Jay *(Cyanocitta but they have been increasingly sighted in the region since the first one was sighted in Montana in 1958.
Cascadia Bioregion

Rare bird sighting brings crowds of birding enthusiasts to Vancouver Island
A yellow-browed warbler spotted in Panama Flats on Friday drew dozens of birding enthusiasts to Vancouver Island on Saturday
Panama Flats, Victoria, BC, Canada

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

River otters attack, injure family dog in Anchorage park
The dog’s owner waded waist-deep into Taku Lake and was bitten on his hand while pulling the husky-mix away from the river otters,.

Outbreak of tree-killing, allergy-inducing moths
An infestation of tussock moths, which have the ability to quickly kill healthy Douglas fir trees, is on the move in British Columbia and the Ministry of Forests says it has now been found further north than ever before.
Wycotte Flat, British Columbia, Canada

Humpback whale spotted in River Thames found dead
It was hoped the whale would find its way out without help, as it did not initially appear to be in any distress.
Greenhithe, England, United Kingdom
Sky News

Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) Whale in the River Thames, off Rainham
Erith, England, United Kingdom

Nepal is reeling from an unprecedented dengue outbreak
As climate change opens new regions to mosquitoes, Nepal suffers an outbreak of the painful viral disease that has sickened more than 9,000 people.
Nepal
Science News

Poisonous porcupine fish arrives on Island shores — a B.C. first
Gavin Hanke reaches a gloved hand into the formaldehyde tank at the Royal British Columbia Museum very, very carefully. What emerges is a B.C. first — a poisonous spotted porcupine fish.
Jordan River, B.C. Canada
Times Colonist

Emaciated grizzly bears in Canada spark greater concerns over depleted salmon population
With hibernation fast approaching, a grizzly bear family is spotted searching for fish near the shores of Canada's Knight Inlet. They're emaciated, and wildlife observers worry might not make it through winter. The heartbreaking images highlight another victim of the climate crisis and the depleted salmon population.
Knight Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
CNN

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

Hypothermic tropical sea turtle rescued from waters near Port Alberni
A weak and hypothermic sea turtle is recovering after being rescued near Port Alberni.It’s the fourth olive ridley sea turtle on record in B.C. waters
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) offshore of Vancouver
Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area, British Columbia, Canada

Why do Calgarians keep seeing bobcats?
The city keeps a record of the number of reported sightings of the animals, along with other wildlife. There were three sightings in 2007, about 10 in 2015 and 27 this year.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The Star

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

'First time I've seen a shark': Nunavut man nets shark in rare catch
"It's the first time I guess the whole town seeing a shark in real [life]," he said. "Must have been just about the whole town that come to see it." The shark is likely a salmon shark, typically found around Alaska and B.C.
Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada

An invasive algae is threatening the Strait of Gibraltar’s fishing grounds
Returning to port with tons of algae in their trammel nets, with hardly any fish, has become a common drama for the men fishing in Spain's Southern coast. The same “catastrophe” is also threatening the marine biodiversity of the area and piling up on beaches.
Spanish Mediterranean coast

As Bering Sea ice melts, Alaskans, scientists and Seattle's fishing fleet witness changes on a massive scale
Instead of halibut, fisherman are increasingly catching less valuable Pacific cod, voracious bottom feeders whose numbers in recent years have exploded.
Savoonga, Alaska, United States
Seattle Times

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.

Invasive Asian giant hornets found on Vancouver Island
Asian giant hornets are known to feed on honeybees and other large insects and are capable of destroying a beehive in a short time, according to the province.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

Brown bear filmed crossing 3km wide Avacha Bay in the Pacific Ocean
The unusual swimmer stunned fishermen who said they have never seen bears venturing so far out to sea.
Vilyuchinsk, Kamtsjatka, Russia

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

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

Svalbard is now experiencing unusually large amounts of ice
The Meteorological Institute (MET) is currently registering an unusual phenomenon around Svalbard, unusually large amounts of sea ice.
Nordaustlandet, Svalbard
abc nyheter

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

Detectan presencia del 'Pez Diablo' en Sinaloa; una amenaza para la pesca y los ecosistemas
They detect the presence of the 'Devil Fish' in Sinaloa; a threat to fishing and ecosystems
Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
News

Invasive salmon return to Scottish rivers
Pink salmon are native to the Pacific Ocean. From stocking programs in Russia in the 1960s they have spread to Northern Europe, and in 2017 male and female pink salmon were spotted in the River Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. And now, two years later, camera images suggest that their spawn has returned.
River Ness, Scotland, United Kingdom

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

Mosquitoes in Flagstaff test positive for West Nile virus
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials found mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in an area south of Lake Mary Road in Flagstaff. This is the first positive WNV in mosquitoes in Coconino County this year.  No human cases have been reported in Coconino County since 2010 when two human cases were identified.
Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Arizona Emergency Information Network

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

Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) off Haida Gwaii
This is the first photographed in BC and only the 5th ever recorded in the province.
Northwest of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
Rare Bird Alert

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

Guadalupe Murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) off Tofino
Multiple passengers on board were able to view and photograph the bird. This is the 3rd record for the province of BC.
Southwest of Tofino, BC, Canada
Rare Bird Alert
Mike Toochin, Melissa Hafting and Ilya Povalyaev

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

Fort Resolution residents spot American Black Vulture ‘way, way out of its range’
Residents posted photos of the bird on social media this week, remarking on the unusual sighting and sharing pictures of the animal perched and in flight. The bird, known for its dark plumage and black, featherless head, is typically a southern species, concentrated around Mexico, parts of Arizona, Eastern Texas and the East Coast. It’s rarely spotted in the Midwest or West Coast.
Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

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.
St. Mary's, 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.

First Confirmed Hoodwinker Sunfish Photographed in Monterey Bay!!
Major Mola Moment: First Confirmed Hoodwinker Sunfish Photographed in Monterey Bay!!
Pacific Grove, California, United States
Monterey Bay Aquarium

How an accelerated warming cycle in Alaska's Bering Sea is creating ecological havoc
Every year since 2015, the Bering Sea has melted out earlier than in every year before 2015. If heat is killing animals, scientists have yet to pin down exactly how it is doing so.

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

Biologists scoop up invasive goldfish at Cuddy Pond
Wildlife officials used rotenone, a fish-killing chemical, to eradicate goldfish illegally introduced to the pond at Cuddy Family Midtown Park.

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.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States
Jessie Moan, Stephen Payton, Derek Sikes

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

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

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) in Tsawwassen
The bird flew in on the mudflats at high tide and joined a small flock of Western Sandpipers. This is the second record for the province of BC.
Beach Grove lagoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park, BC, Canada
Rare Bird Alert
Ilya Povalyaev, Melissa Hafting, Mike Toochin, Sharon Toochin and Richard Swanston

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.

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.

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

Invasive poison hemlock a growing concern on Vancouver Island
The Capital Regional District recently issued an alert sheet for Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum).
Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island

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

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

Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) Breeding in Osoyoos
This is the first breeding record for this species in all of Canada.
Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada

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

A rat was found dead on St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea. Here’s why that’s a big deal.
The Bering Sea island is breeding habitat for millions of seabirds, including rare migratory species. A “strike team” had been searching for the rogue rat for 10 months.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) on BC's Central Coast
Goose Island, British Columbia, Canada

Northern B.C. lake closed to fishing due to infestation of invasive goldfish
Goldfish compete with native fish for food, potentially threatening an ecosystem.
Lost Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Exhausted and Starving Polar Bear Wanders Into Siberian City
It is the first polar bear seen in the city in more than 40 years, according to local environmentalists.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia

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

First red squirrel documented in Nome
When young Jack James looked out the window of his home at Anvil Mountain on June 7, he saw a red squirrel.

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

Rare white ‘ghost orca’ spotted near Nanaimo
The jury is still out on exactly what the cause is, but the unusually-coloured calf spotted near Nanaimo on Tuesday is already making waves.
Northern Strait of Georgia

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

Rare bird spotted in Finland for the first time
The Pallas's reed bunting has been sighted fewer than 10 times in Europe.
Kirkkonummi, Uusimaa, Finland

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.

Another gray whale has been found dead in Turnagain Arm
A pilot first spotted the whale last week. What caused the whale’s death isn’t yet known.

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

This rare duck from Asia is causing a stir among birders. How it got to Anchorage is a mystery.
It’s the first reported sighting of the falcated duck on mainland Alaska, Fish and Game says.
Knik, Alaska, United States

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

Natuashish photographer captures 3 polar bears and a surprise walrus
After scoping out the coast for a month, photographer Mark Nui was rewarded when he spotted three polar bears and a walrus. .
'
LEO Member Eric Oliver writes, "walrus are rare these days in Labrador.."
Natuashish 2, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Dalmatian pelicans that took a wrong turn to freezing Siberia in winter released back to wild
Each stunning giant bird was ringed to help scientists trace their migration routes.
Aleysk, Altai Krai, Russia

Frantic bid to save Umka the lost and forlorn polar bear who travelled 700 km in the wrong direction on ice floe
Lame, exhausted and confused, the young male polar bear is far from his natural habitat to the north.
Tilichiki, Kamtsjatka, Russia

Pace of Bering Sea changes startle scientists
Frigid north winds blow down from the Arctic Ocean, freeze saltwater and push sea ice south. The ice normally prevents waves from forming and locks onto beaches, walling off villages. But not this year.
Kotlik, Alaska, United States
PBS NewsHour

Dead grey whale towed to Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney for necropsy
A dead male grey whale that was found floating between Sidney Island and James Island on Thursday has been towed to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney for a necropsy.
Sidney Channel, British Columbia, Canada

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

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

Southern Hemisphere Hoodwinker Sunfish Washes Up in California
Rare hoodwinker sunfish, never before seen in Northern Hemisphere, washes up at Coal Oil Point Reserve
Isla Vista, California, United States
The UCSB Current

Weather and wildlife changes
Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana

Alaska biologist report increased sighting of mink in Kodiak
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — Sightings of mink are increasing around Kodiak, Alaska wildlife biologists said of the animal — a species not native to the area. The first sighting was several years ago, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported . Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist John Crye said the sightings began after he got a call from an individual who was interested in raising and farming the animals.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
AP NEWS

Swordfish becoming much more common in Vesterålen
n 52 years, 36 observations of the species have been recorded in Norway. This one included.
Sortland, Nordland, Norway

72 dead baby sharks removed from dead pregnant shark during necropsy at Coles Bay
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the University of Victoria’s Juanes Laboratory think the shark came into shallow water to give birth and potentially had complications, as there are no signs of trauma.
Coles Bay, Saanich, BC

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

Pregnant shark washes up on Vancouver Island shoreline
The carcass of a nearly four-metre-long bluntnose sixgill shark was found on Coles Bay Tuesday.
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

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

Reported wolverine sightings are up, says N.W.T. gov
Last week, in the wee hours of the morning, a curious wolverine was caught on camera wandering the hallway to a dormitory at Diavik Diamond Mine.
Northwest Territories

Rare Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Spotted in Western P.E.I.
A woman who put bird seed out in her yard in St. Chrysostome, in western P.E.I., was thrilled she ended up attracting a rare bird.
Saint Chrysostome, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Uncommon: reports of 2 wolves in town of Norman Wells
Officers received four separate calls in 48 hours from Sunday to Monday. The wolves were quite active, quite brazen, coming out in the daylight hours right in residential areas. One resident had a dog encounter with one of the wolves but was not harmed.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada

Alaska man kills polar bear that strayed from its usual habitat
Jim Hollandsworth of Arctic Village said he encountered the bear in early January. He said the bear had tried to get into his cabin about 32 kilometers from the village.
Arctic Village, Alaska, United States

Wandering seals swarm streets of Newfoundland town
Officials are warning residents in Roddickton, Newfoundland to keep their distance from seals that have wandered into town.
According to resident Brendon Fitzpatrick, some have crawled 6 to 8 km away from the ocean.
Roddickton, Newfoundland, Canada
The Weather Network

Black bear filmed awake and active in Eagle River
Despite it almost being January, an Eagle River homeowner has captured footage of a black bear awake and active around her house.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States
KTUU

White-winged Dove Sighted
After a day of birding on P.E.I., an Island woman returned home to find a rare white-winged dove at her backyard feeder.
Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) Sighting
Laysan Albatross (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) seen in the north during typical nesting season.

Caribbean swamped by seaweed that smells like rotten eggs
From Belize to Barbados, tourist beaches have been swamped by huge tides of foul-smelling sargassum – and climate change could make the problem worse
Ambergris Caye, Belize, Belize
the Guardian

Cattle egrets and an exceptional heron
It started when Jamie Brandon posted a picture of cattle egret in a field with cows at Great Barasway. When the dust cleared a whopping nine cattle egrets had been discovered making it the largest influx of cattle egrets in Newfoundland in living memory.
Angels Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Finland's wolf population sees up to 50 percent growth this year
According to the Natural Resources Institute (Luke), the wolf population is expanding into the south and west – but winter will once more contain their numbers.
Posio, Lapland, Finland

'Really shocking': Sperm whales spotted near Pond Inlet
The two whales were spotted just 10 minutes outside of Pond Inlet, surprising local guides and scientists, who say it's a sign of shifts in the ecosystem.
Pond inlet, Nunavut

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) North of Usual Range
Brown Booby (*Sula leucogaster*) sighted far north of its usual tropical habitat.

Three new humpback whales identified off east Vancouver Island
Three new humpback whales have been identified off the East Coast of Vancouver Island as that species makes a massive comeback in our waters.
Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada

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

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

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

'A really, really significant sighting': Vancouver Island birdwatchers aflutter over unusual arrival
It's believed the pine bunting has never been seen south of Alaska — until this week.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

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

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) off Haida Gwaii
An adult dark morph Red-footed Booby came into BC waters at 2pm on Sept 27-2018. He was first discovered on Sept 22-2018 by Kyle Brynjolfson, as it flew onto his commercial fishing vessel "La Porsche."
West of Haida Gwaii
BC Rare Bird Alert

Scientists stumble across endangered whale not seen in Canada in years
An endangered whale that has only been seen off Canada's west coast twice in the last 50 years has been seen alive and well in BC waters.
Canada's Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone
CTVNews

Beluga whale sighting in Britain’s River Thames
An off-course beluga whale was spotted splashing around near London, and Brits can’t quite believe it.
Gravesend, Kent, England, United Kingdom
Washington Post

Investigating threats from invasive species in the Aleutians Islands
The results of the Plate Watch program only indicated one invasive species in the area, Caprella mutica, otherwise known as the Japanese skeleton shrimp.
Alaska Sea Grant

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

Angry Canadian crabs invade coast of Maine
While their main target appears to be the region's soft-shell clam population, they're also munching through acres of eelgrass, a native flowering plant that shelters and nourishes life under the sea.
Coastal Maine, United States
Mother Nature Network

Rare birds stop off in Iceland
Two bird species that breed in the northernmost parts of the world are currently on a rare visit to Iceland as they make their way south for the winter.
Gardur, Southern Peninsula, Iceland

Thousands of Pacific walruses again herd up on Alaska coast
Walruses over the last decade have come to shore on the Alaska and Russia sides of the Chukchi Sea as sea ice diminishes because of global warming.
Point Lay, Alaska, United States

Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) in Lund/Powell River
At 12pm on Sept 13-2018, while kayaking; Ken Wright found a 3rd cycle Black-tailed Gull near Lund. The bird was resting on Major Islet whic...
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
BC Rare Bird Alert

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) in Kelowna
At 4:30pm on Sept 9-2018, 15 year old Kalin Ocana found a female Orchard Oriole at Munson Pond. The bird was sitting in the grass at this l...
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
BC Rare Bird Alerts

Rare sighting of lone Brown Pelican in Oak Bay waters
Bird is uncharacteristically alone and far from home
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Gulf of Maine Water Temperatures Soar Near Record Highs After Ocean 'Heat Wave'
NOAA and NASA satellites measured an average sea-surface temperature of 68.93 degrees Fahrenheit in the Gulf of Maine on Aug. 8, only 0.05 degrees below the all-time record high of 68.98 set in 2012. It is the epicenter of the U.S. lobster fishing industry, an important feeding ground for rare North Atlantic right whales .
Gulf of Maine
The Weather Channel

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) in Campbell River
Guy Monty and Mark Wynja photographed a Common Ringed Plover at Oyster Bay on Sept 5-2018. They were there to view a reported Buff-breasted...
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
BC Rare Bird Alert

Farmed Salmon Caught in Icelandic Rivers
Three farmed salmon have been caught in the Westfjords this season. Farmed salmon have a tendency to swim up rivers later in the season than wild salmon, meaning the true number of escapees may not be apparent until the end of the fishing season.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland

Pod of Pilot Whales Unexpectedly Spotted in Westfjords
A marine biologist at the Marine and Freshwater Research institute who specializes in whales says that it’s rare for pilot whales to venture so far north, but said that it’s possible that the pilot whales' appearance in Iceland’s waters can be credited to warming ocean temperatures.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland

Rare Walrus Sighting in East Iceland
A lone hiker in East Iceland found a wandering walrus, and managed to snap some fantastic photos.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) in Port Renfrew
A White-winged Dove was photographed at the Port Renfrew Marina at 11:57 am on August 22-2018 but was misidentified as a Band-tailed Pigeon...
Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) near Malcolm Island
Gord Curry and Ted Down found an adult Brown Booby sitting on a log in Queen Charlotte Strait, NW of Pultney Point Lighthouse on Malcolm Island, while they were fishing.
Queen Charlotte Strait

Northernmost American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) Observation on iNaturalist
The American Bullfrog is native to the Eastern United States and southern maritime provinces of Canada. It has famously spread west and now north in recent decades.
Inland Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
iNaturalist.org

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

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

Typically-tropical great egret nests in Finland for first time
Sightings of great egrets have been reported for decades, but sightings this summer confirm the first time the species has nested in Finland.
Porvoo, Uusimaa, Finland

The seaweed deluge hitting Caribbean shores
Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is creating problems as it washes up across the Caribbean.
Caribbean Shores

Scientists puzzled by right whale's appearance off Iceland
But an Icelandic whale-watching crew spotted the right whale named Mogul three times this week, leaving a research scientist wondering why the animal ventured so far.
Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
Eye on the Arctic

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

Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) in Canal Flats
At 3pm on July 5-2018, Gord Littlejohns found and photographed a Curve-billed Thrasher in a dead tree along the shoreline near the boat lau...
Invermere, British Columbia, Canada

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

Northernmost Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Observation
This most Northerly Bobcat *(Lynx rufus)* observation in the iNaturalist database marks the leading edge of the northward expansion of this species.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
iNaturalist.org

Why a rare appearance of capelin in P.E.I. is good news
Capelin have made an appearance on a beach in western P.E.I. — a rare occurrence and also a sign that capelin populations are strong.
White's Cove, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Blackline Prickleback (Acantholumpenus mackayi) Caught While Fishing For Herring
Blackline Prickleback (*Acantholumpenus mackayi*) caught along the Bering Sea Coast
Chevak, Alaska, United States

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica): Newfoundland Rare Bird of 2018
The rarest bird sighted in 2018 was the purple gallinule on the Waterford River in St. John’s. There have been more than a dozen recorded sightings in the past, typically on a ship or in a random back garden only to be seen briefly and never again. This bird was different. It was present for about six weeks from mid-May and into June.
As 2018 comes to a close it is time to look back at the birding year in Newfoundland. According to my calculations 272 species of birds were observed on the island of Newfoundland in 2018. This grand total is on par with recent years.
Waterford River, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

More polar bears are entering communities in East Greenland, hunters say in new survey
In the last 15 years, polar bear hunters in eastern Greenland have had to adapt their hunting practices because of climate change,
Baffin, Nunavut, Canada

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

Alaskan Killer Whales in British Columbia
Underwater recordings confirm that a new killer whale population is poking its head into British Columbia.
Off West Coast of Haida Gwaii
Hakai Magazine

This pink salmon swam farther up the Mackenzie River than ever recorded
Two pink salmon have been found near Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., 260 kilometres farther up the Mackenzie River than ever reported.
Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada

As Alaskan Waters Warm, Market Squid Move North
Opalescents, also known as market squid, are showing up in waters previously considered too cold for them, and fishermen are paying attention.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States
Undark

A Lesser Queenfish (Scomberoides lysan) near Sydney
Potential Range Extension. Identification verified by Tom Davis, NSW Department of Primary Industries. Depth: 2 m.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Redmap

Rare bird visit to Cranbrook sparks BC-wide interest
A female northern cardinal has made Cranbrook her home, and is drawing birders from all over BC
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Cranbrook Daily Townsman

Arctic snowy owls wintering in U.S. fitted with tiny tracking devices
For researchers, this winter's mass migration of snowy owls from their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes region is serious business.
Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts, United States

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

Dozens Of Octopuses Are Walking Up Onto Shore For No Apparent Reason
There was no evidence of physical harm to the eight-legged creatures, but there was still plenty of concern as to why they were all abandoning their regular ocean home.
Wales, United Kingdom
The Rainforest Site Blog

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.

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

Tales of Lake Iliamna monster resurface with new sightings
On June 19, some kids spotted an unrecognized creature the size of a large whale offshore near the Alaska village of Iliamna. Other accounts followed.
Iliamna Lake, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

'Hard to believe': Western Arctic community marvels at moose sighting
Community members in Paulatuk, N.W.T., captured rare images this week of two moose wading in the Arctic Ocean.
Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, Canada

Polar bear in Nunavik's northernmost community? No, it's a black bear.
Black bears typically stay near the treeline — but what was this guy doing so far up North, away from it?
Salluit, Nunavut, Canada

Anchorage Area Rarity – Hawfinch
Location:  Two locations in the same Hillside neighborhood:  1st Location:  Metz Court, 2nd Location:  Park Hills Drive – Anchorage,
Anchorage Audubon Society

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

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

Invasive plant discovered near Anchorage’s Potter Marsh
Elodea, a fast-growing leafy plant, is now in a roadside ditch at the marsh, and a response plan is in the works.

Black Slugs Invade Whittier
“They’ve been in Cordova for over 30 years. They’re just starting to be reported and sighted in other places. We have confirmed sightings in Whittier, in Girdwood, in Chenega Bay, in Eshamy Bay and one of the hatcheries out in the sound has reported them.”
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Glacier City Gazette

Crayfish invade Kodiak waters
Alex Hughes is a Fish and Game technician who volunteers with KSWCD. He said based on their studies at the Buskin river, crayfish are successfully breeding. Crayfish are originally from the Pacific Northwest and as with many invasive species, it’s anyone’s guess how they got to Kodiak.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Bullfrogs threaten B.C. ecosystems
While their kin are declining worldwide, Canada’s largest amphibian, the bullfrog, is multiplying out of control in British Columbia — with some human help
Southwestern British Columbia
Canadian Geographic

Invasive weed makes its way into world's largest floatplane base
Elodea, an aggressive invasive plant, was discovered this month in the lake used by hundreds of floatplanes, raising fears that it will be spread to multiple sites within flying reach.

Invasive Russian Boar
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

Ocean 'blob' brings bad fish food to B.C. waters
The so-called 'warm blob' of water in the North Pacific has brought unusual plankton, which lack the nutrients wild salmon and other marine animals count on.
Northeast Pacific Ocean

The Blob: Why warmer oceans are a big concern
Warm water threatens marine habitats off the coast of BC
Northeast Pacific Ocean
Sooke News Mirror

The warm ‘blob’ in Canada’s Pacific Ocean
Last year, 2014, was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. Unlike other worldwide problems from which Canadians might feel relatively safe and isolated, but Canada is actually ground zero of global climate.
Gulf of Alaska / Northeast Pacific

Pacific Sleeper Shark (Somniosus pacificus)
10-20-14 Sleeper shark - Shishmaref, Alaska, USA
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus)
7-3-14 Kelp greenling - Golovin, Alaska, USA
Golovin, Alaska, USA

First Horned Grebes Settle in Reykjavík Pond
Two horned grebes have settled in Reykjavík Pond in the city centre, RÚV reports. It is the first time the species is found nesting at the location. At the turn of the century, the horned grebe population was placed on a watchlist due to its decline, but it seems to have made a recovery since. […]
Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region, Iceland

Birch trees and bird vetch prompt slew of questions in Interior Alaska
There has been an outbreak in Fairbanks of the amber-marked birch leaf miner (Profenusa thomsoni), an insect that came to North America in the early 1900s and arrived in Fairbanks by about 2002.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Steven Seefeldt / Cooperative Extension Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Unusual Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
5-29-12 Unusual bearded seal - Shishmaref, Alaska, USA
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Brown Pelicans In BC Waters
Two Brown Pelicans were spotted off the Discovery Islands near Victoria on May 12. This species of pelican is familiar to anyone who has travelled to the beaches of Mexico, Caribbean or southern USA.
Discovery Island, Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

First Elephant Seal Born at Race Rocks
Ryan has observed a lot of aggression on the part of the young male which had previously been named Misery by Mike Slater. The baby was born beside the helicopter pad, and has spent the first day t…
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve- Marine mammals, seabirds

Unusual species of kelp (Aureophycus) identified
Twenty-five students in the Pribilof Island Marine Science Camp have discovered the second-known population of a new species.
Saint George, Alaska, United States

Crayfish - Invaders from the Bayou
Of all of the aquatic animals that could be collected in a gillnet on the Kenai River, crawfish are some of the least likely. Why? Because they do not naturally occur in the Kenai River or any other river in Alaska. Unfortunately, crawfish have been collected from the lower Kenai River twice in the last four years, and both times they were leftovers from someone’s dinner.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Alaska Fish and Wildlife News

Oh, rats! Rodent sighting means Anchorage has infestations, too
Anchorage can no longer claim to be the largest port city in the Northern Hemisphere without known rat infestations. State biologist Rick Sinnott caught and kille dtwo Norway rats found living at a pond near a South Anchorage school. Professional exterminatiors hired by the city placed more traps at the scene Monday afternoon.
Associated Press

Volcano eruption near Tonga was so powerful, Alaskans could hear it from 6,000 miles away
Waves of up to about 3 feet reached parts of Alaska by Saturday morning. But hours before those waves arrived, sounds from the blast reached the homes of many Alaskans - all the way from Juneau to the Aleutians.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Bristol Bay Times

Hiker encounters 2 mountain lions on popular trail
Sightings of wild animals increase as humans shelter in place
San Francisco, California, United States

Polar bear that walked unprecedented 1,000 km south from Arctic habitat is caught in Yakutia
A young polar bear, likely female, was lured into a specially-made cage by a stack of fish splashed with fish oil after it held a village of Dzhebariki-Khaya under a brief siege. The emaciated predator was stealing dog food and attacking villagers hours before it was snared.
Dzhebariki-Khaya, Sakha, Russia
Siberian Times

Black-crowned night herons spotted on St Kilda
Droughts in continental Europe are a possible cause for sightings of a Mediterranean bird in Britain and Ireland, say ornithologists.
St. Kilda, Scotland, UK

Officials warn Iqaluit residents after possible polar bear sighting at territorial park
Officials are investigating a report that a polar bear was sighted at Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park in Iqaluit.

An opossum’s arrival in Homer spurs capture efforts, memes and a campaign to #FreeGrubby
Alaska does not have opossums, but as of last month Homer had at least one. The mammal, considered an invasive species in Alaska, turned up in a shipping container from Washington state. It later escaped ingniting a flurry of opinions on the fate of this unusual visitor.

1st Asian giant hornet found in Snohomish County
Entomologists believe the invasive insect is an “old hornet from a previous season that wasn’t discovered until now” because it was “very dried out."
Marysville, Washington, United States

Brown bear first spotted on Wrangel Island
The distance of 140 kilometers between the mainland coast and Wrangel Island was crossed by a young brown bear. The animal was noticed by employees of the reserve of the same name. According to scientists, this is the first appearance of a predator in the territory where polar bears are common.

Thousands of walruses have settled on a rookery near Tiutei Yaha
On the walrus rookery located at the mouth of the Yamal river Tiutey-Yakha in 2022, up to 4,000 individuals were concentrated at a time. According to scientists, the number of adults and young Atlantic walruses has increased.
Goarctic.ru

‘Freaky-looking’ fanged fishes found on Oregon coastline
Within the last few weeks, several lancetfish have appeared on the coast from Nehalem, in northern Oregon, to Bandon, which is about 100 miles from the California border, Oregon State Parks said on Facebook.
Nehalem, Oregon, United States

Black vultures are descending on Hershey. Residents want them gone.
Hundreds of black vultures have descended on Hershey. Residents want them gone. As they reach new habitats, the vultures’ destructive habits are creating problems in many Pennsylvania communities.
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Humpback salmon have invaded the River Teno
This summer, the number of humpback salmon in the River Teno, the border river between Norway and Finland, has increased enormously from last year. These salmon have been swimming near the shores, with masses of them dying in the river from exhaustion. Local people are extremely worried.
Teno River, Norway/Finland Border
The Independent Barents Observer

More wolves in southern Sweden
Preliminary figures from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences show that there are 69 wolf pack territories in Sweden today, and the number in the southern part of the country has increased.
Southern Sweden

Rare bug spotted for first time in more than 30 years
The discovery in the Cairngorms is only the eighth time a cow wheat shieldbug has been recorded in Scotland.
Aberlour, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancient white sturgeon caught in Canada
The fish measured 56 inches in circumference and weighed 800 lbs. Its age is not known, but it could be more than 100 years old, given its size. The monster sturgeon had never been tagged before, so this may have been the first time it was caught.
Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada

Anglers on alert for invasive Pacific pink salmon
'Unprecedented numbers' of pink salmon were seen in 2017 and the fish have been spotted again this year.
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

France mulls rescue plan for whale in River Seine
They say the animal is currently near a lock at Vernon, about 70km (43 miles) north-west of Paris.Experts are puzzled as to why the animal has strayed so far south from its natural habitat.
Vernon, Normandy, France

Cougar spotted crossing Hwy 3 outside Yellowknife
The animal was spotted Thursday about seven or eight kilometres away from the sand pits.

Invasive slug species slimes into city
The European black slug was first introduced into Alaska in the 1980s in Cordova, Slowik said. It eventually made its way to Juneau and Ketchikan, likely hitching a ride on fishing gear, and is now prevalent across Southeast. A few years ago, people started seeing the slug in Whittier and Girdwood.

Lack of food drives away southern resident killer whales
The southern resident killer whales who returned to their traditional summer feeding grounds in the Salish Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday after a long absence have apparently left again, and although most of the members of J-, K- and L-Pods appeared to be healthy, at least one may be close to starvation.
Salish Sea

New Invasive Species Detected in Alaska
Last summer while scoping for marine invasive species we found the invasive colonial tunicate, Didemnum vexillum also know as marine vomit.
ADFG News

Lone beluga whale spotted on Yukon River near Tanana
Spirit camp participants and residents along the Yukon River were shocked to see a lone beluga whale on the Yukon River in early August.
Rampart, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fishermen of the Chukotka village of Uelen accidentally caught a dolphin
Fishermen in the Chukotka village of Uelen unexpectedly caught a dolphin, an unusual event given the region's typical marine life, sparking interest and discussion among local observers and experts.
Uelen, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Great white egret attracts attention in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Egrets are more usually spotted in the Everglades or on the Pacific coast so the presence of this egret immediately attracted local photographers, including Bernice Sandy, who took many photos of the unusual bird.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada

Opposites Attract? – Melanistic Big Cat and Lavender Guinea Fowl
Our melanistic cougar sighting occurred late spring in our own backyard, just over 10 years ago. In the growing dusk, I saw a large black animal about 12 feet up in the tree with one of our lavender guinea fowl in its mouth, delicate lavender feathers drifting down in front of me.
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

Tropical fish follow warmer waters south, devouring kelp forests
They are brightly coloured, beautiful and hungry — tropical fish and sea urchins are thriving in southern waters warmed by climate change. But now they are devastating kelp forests already knocked around by marine heatwaves.
southern Australia
ABC News

Extremely rare visitor: Black Vulture spotted in Burgeo
A very unusual visitor has been spotted in Burgeo, and the Black Vulture is causing a stir among birdwatchers, who believe it may have been blown to Newfoundland by strong winds.
Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Rare Sighting of Wolverine Confirmed in Multiple California Counties
Scientists documented a single wolverine in California from 2008 to 2018. That wolverine was first discovered in February 2008 in the Truckee region of the Tahoe National Forest. The recent detections were likely of a different wolverine given that the species’ lifespan is typically 12 to 13 years.
Inyo National Forest, California, United States
California Department of Fish and Game

Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) Return to Monterey Bay
Moss Landing, California, United States

Shellfish growers in Northwest’s oyster capital want ‘blitz’ against invasive green crabs
Shellfish growers in Willapa Bay in southwest Washington, the self-styled "Oyster Capital of the World," are alarmed by an invasion of potentially destructive nonnative European green crabs. Some are asking for an all-out trapping offensive to corral the invasive species.
Ocean Park, Washington, United States
opb

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