Port Heiden

Observers in Port Heiden, Alaska report significantly reduced sea gull populations and fewer gull eggs for subsistence, coinciding with decreased seal numbers and increased fox populations.

This bird was a noticed on the beach landing area of the community but not touched.

While subsistence salmon fishing, community members from Port Heiden found a skate in the net, which is unusual for them.

"Swallows usually show up in the spring time or when winter months are over in Alaska."

Harbor seal looking sick with patches of fur missing.

An Orca (Orcinus orca) carcass has been found on a beach in Port Heiden near Hook Lagoon. Sightings of these whales are a bit rare compared to many other whale carcass sightings and we just wanted to share with you this observation.

Gradual sea ice reduction and reconfiguration of the coast, have increased the rate of erosion near Port Heiden over the course of several decades. Draining of Goldfish Lake brings memories, loss of community landmark, and many emotions.

Along with significant seabird die-offs near Port Heiden, there have been reports of small whales and porpoises, walrus and sea otters washed up on shore.

A variety of stranded marine mammals were observed in the Port Heiden area between August 17 and 26th.

The 450-acre Offal Beach Fire is burning for the fifth consecutive day about 11 miles northeast of Port Heiden.

It is unusual to find a dead shark. And it occurred at a time when there were many other standings of marine mammals and birds.

The timing coincides with other sea bird deaths reported in St. Paul Island, Pilot Point, and Ugashik.

Historically, pollock are not a commonly observed species in Bristol Bay, but sightings are becoming more common.

Fireweed blooming in mid-late September after other plants have gone to seed.

Billie Shraffenberger is a longtime resident of Port Heiden. This is the first time she has caught a fish like the one she found in her subsistence salmon net this summer.

Two hundred walruses surprised residents on an Alaskan peninsula after arriving en masse on a beach.

Located on the Alaska Peninsula, 424 miles southwest of Anchorage, Port Heiden is a cluster of homes at the mouth of the Meshik River on the shores of Bristol Bay. It's a community on the frontline of climate change in Alaska, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average.

Residents saw a few hundred walrus hauled out at the beginning of April. By the end of April, they reported seeing about a thousand. On a recent flight over the shoreline, an ADF&G biologist saw only 100.

The walrus count at this location was approximately 500-1000, and looks like they are here to stay well at least for this season of time before they return to the north.

The herds are increasingly moving around in Bristol Bay, perhaps seeking new feeding grounds, a biologist said.