Salmonberries are a month late

Observation by Mike Brubaker:

There are green berries on the salmonberry bushes. We usually pick salmon berries in early July. It is not something we have ever associated with August. There are also some ripe berries but those seem to be the early ones, at least in our area. Some people have expressed concerns about the birds eating green berries. Is that healthy? I really missed the berries at 4th of July, so happy to have a few now. It seems like everything is about 4-6 weeks behind this year.

Comment by Katie Spellman:

The late spring across Alaska has delayed the phenology of many plant species. In our research, we have found that the timing of snow melt starts the clock for berry formation and the timing of ripening doesn't speed up, even if the conditions mid summer are good. Late snow melt means late berries. When was snowmelt in Seldovia this year? I'd bet it was later than usual! -Katie

Comment by Stephen Payton:

We have noticed this in the Seldovia area. Everything from Berries to salmon have been later than usual this season. From what I've seen there are some ripe ones coming in now but salmonberry and blueberries both are pretty sparse.