Decreased Peregrine Falcon Sightings on Yukon River

Observation by Paul Twardock:

Between the fall of 2021 and the fall of 2022 Alaska Pacific Unversity's Outdoor Studies OS11000 observed a dramatic decrease in the number of Peregrine Falcons between Eagle and Circle Alaska. The course is on the river between the end of August and 2nd week of September. In the fall 2021 Peregrines were present at most bluffs and cliffs where nest sites seemed likely. In the fall of 2022 few Peregrines (6~) were seen along the same route.

Comment by LEO Network editors:

Thank you Paul for your observation. It is great to have the annual Yukon trip of APU students and staff for observations of environmental change. We have received several observations and news articles about Peregrines during the past few months, both in Alaska and abroad. Most of these have at least anecdotyl association to the global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the effects on this bird species. Please see the related posts attached, and the map feature that shows where these reports are coming from. Mike Brubaker