The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

The Peregrine Puzzle In May of 2022 avian flu was first reported in a flock of non-commercial poultry in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Within days, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed in wild birds including Canada geese, bald eagles and northern harriers. Over the months that followed, 19 other species of wild birds were confirmed with HPAI including a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, sea birds, and raptors among species from other birds groups. Some species were never confirmed by laboratory testing but were observed displaying signs and symptoms associated with the disease such as circling, head shaking and tremors. One species, however, that has not (by our records) been observed showing these behaviors, or confirmed by laboratory testing, is the peregrine falcon. Peregrines travel huge distances, some 17,000 miles from South America to Alaska, returning to the same river and coastal nesting sites year after year. Except when they don't return. In July, Toby Anungazuk Jr. provided the first evidence of this, reporting the abandonment of a peregrine nest in Golovin Alaska and the subsequent return of cormorants to a nearby rookery. As stated by Anungazuk Jr, "we believe this (disappearance) was because of the bird flu." Also in July, a story by Radio Sweden reported that the annual stock count of peregrines was down by 40% in Sweden, potentially due to the HPAI outbreak. In September, Paul Twardock on a float trip with APU students, reported a "dramatic decrease in the number of peregrine falcons" on the Yukon between the towns of Eagle and Circle Alaska. We will never know the full impact of HPAI, especially for species like peregrines that are difficult to monitor. Until more observations or sampling can be performed, the cause behind these empty nests will remain a mystery. MIke Brubaker, Editor

	Decreased Peregrine Falcon Sightings on Yukon River Eagle, Alaska, United States Paul Twardock / LEO Network / September 6, 2022 Between the fall of 2021 and the fall of 2022, APU students observed a dramatic decrease in the number of Peregrine Falcons between Eagle and Circle, Alaska. Read post on the LEO Network
	Slide buries highway, strands residents Haines, Alaska, United States Max Graham / Chilkat Valley News / October 6, 2022 Two heavy rainstorms caused flooding and landslides in the upper valley last week, damaging infrastructure and leaving two residents temporarily trapped in their vehicle. Read article on Chilkat Valley News
	How far has the Mendenhall Glacier retreated in the last 12 months? Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska, United States Chen Chen / KTOO / October 14, 2022 Juneau resident James Wycoff noticed on his regular walks to Nugget Falls that the face of the glacier seemed to be retreating faster this year than he’s ever seen before. The Mendenhall Glacier’s terminus retreated more than 800 feet. Read article on KTOO
	Glacial flooding continues in the Grímsvötn area Grímsvötn Volcano, Iceland RÚV / October 13, 2022 The flooding started yesterday in the Grímsvötn volcano area. The water flow at the source of the discharge reaches 300 cubic metres per second. The jökulhlaup is expected to last about 24 hours, which is how long the water takes to get to the Gígjukvísl canal on Road 1. Read article on RÚV
	A strong storm damaged the embankment in Pevek and left Rytkuchi without light Pevek, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia Prochukotku / October 7, 2022 Part of the village of Rytkuchi remained without electricity for several hours. And in the northernmost city of Russia, strong waves destroyed part of the embankment. The cause was a storm operating on the territory of the city district of Pevek, reports IA "Chukotka". Read article on Prochukotku
	Local finds giant puffball mushroom Haines, Alaska, United States Chilkat Valley News / Chilkat Valley News / What is 30 lbs, 26 inches around and white all over? Your next meal, or ten meals, or twenty. Calvatia gigantea, or giant puffballs, typically ranges from the size of a mini marshmallow to a soccer ball. The largest record of a giant puffball had a circumference of eight feet & eight inches and weighed 48 lbs. Read article on Chilkat Valley News
	People followed instructions during the storm Vík í Mýrdal, South, Iceland MARGRÉT ADAMSDÓTTIR / RÚV / October 10, 2022 Weather warnings for northern gales and heavy rainfall that swept through the country yesterday expired last night. The weather was accompanied by heavy precipitation, snow or sleet, and widespread winter conditions on the roads. Read article on RÚV
	Huge sunfish makes rare appearance in cold north Vancouver Island waters Cormorant Island, British Columbia, Canada Dean Stoltz / CHEK / October 27, 2022 The Mola tecta, a semi-tropical sunfish, had been misidentified until seven years ago and is rarely seen in the northern hemisphere. Read article on CHEK

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

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Northern Climate Observer

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

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
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