Climate changes, different species behaviour ~ an ever changing dynamic

I am going to preface this post by saying, "I am by no means a scientist or activist. I am a photographer that has traveled across Canada for the past seven years, and I have some observations I wish to share concerning the changes in wildlife patterns and weather in a country I love dearly".

It is without a doubt that things are changing in Canada and around the world. We keep seeing an evolution in weather patterns, species that once thrived in certain areas are altering their movements, and for someone that loves to spend time in nature, it concerns me.

Is this a cycle that we just haven't recorded in our history? Is this change as a result of climate evolution? I am not here to answer that. What I am here to discuss are my personal observations. If you have some of your own commentaries, I would love to hear it at the bottom of this post in the comment section.

Observations

Others have far more experience than I do with specific species movement and altered weather patterns. I am going to stick with my first-hand experience and a few observations I have with a good cross-section of species and natural occurrences across Canada.

Song birds close to my home

There may be almost 3 billion fewer birds in North America today than there were in 1970, according to a study published early in 2020. The study looked at 529 species in the continental US and Canada. They also looked at observations of nighttime bird migration flight captured on NEXRAD radar systems. 

The decline in North American bird populations works out to a loss of about one in 4 birds. However, the decline does not appear to be evenly distributed—most of the drop-off observed is attributed to just 12 species, including some sparrows and warblers. The researchers observed gains in some raptors and waterfowl species.

In regards to the Warbler migration, it comes right past where I live. Back in 2013, you could go to the shores of Lake Erie and there was an abundance of Warblers in the same areas year in and year out. But in the last couple of years, I have noticed a significant decline in the number of Warblers moving through the area in May of each year.

Some say there are more birders and photographers in the area. We are pushing the birds out. I would argue that point. I live here, there are no photographers in my back yard, yet the quantity is definitely down. Something has caused the decline of this annual migration.

Iceberg Alley off the East Coast of Newfoundland

in the summer of 2018, a glacier half the size of Manhattan broke off of western Greenland. An event that was captured on video lasted over thirty minutes. When it was all done, a piece of ice almost seven kilometers long and one kilometer thick broke off. Five to eight billion tons of ice was lost. That will end up pushing another huge amount of icebergs down the coast of Newfoundland in 2019 and 2020. We know from history that it takes 1 to 2 years for the Greenland ice to make its way down off the coast of Newfoundland.

As much as the icebergs are great to see, its also bittersweet. More epic years of icebergs mean more ice breakup on the Greenland ice shelves.

What I have witnessed are smaller icebergs up north off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Small is a relative term. They are still large as they float off the coast of Labrador. But they are smaller. Smaller bergs mean a few things. One… it is what it is, the pieces are smaller. Two… warmer waters in the north are making the bergs melt faster before they get to southern Newfoundland.

Regardless, there is a problem with the ice flow off of Greenland. The glaciers are breaking up faster, and the resulting ice flow is showing signs that Iceberg Alley may stop containing ice in my lifetime.

Northern Gannets on the East Coast

Plain and simple ~ smaller colonies exist where larger ones used to be. I have witnessed a significant decline in the colony size in Southern Newfoundland. I have also witnessed an increase in the number of abandoned chicks and nests. That can only mean one thing. Less food to feed the chicks in the current nesting areas. Warmer waters and a decrease in food source are the culprits.

I would not go out on a limb and saying the Gannets are dying off, they are moving. Since 2013 I have seen Gannet colonies establish themselves up at the north end of Newfoundland. Generally, an area where it was too cold in May and June now is supporting a growing number of Gannets.

While there is no immediate decline, it’s coming. The signs are there, and the species is on the brink of being in trouble in Canada.

Caribou Herds in Northern Canada (Porcupine Herd)

Two observations I have had. (1) the decline in numbers in the areas I would normally see the Caribou and (2) a change in migratory patterns.

The threats caribou face are complex and vary by region, the common denominator is human activity, primarily through resource development and, increasingly, climate change. Many would argue hunting is having an impact. But I have talked to people on the ground. From what I hear, and WHAT I SEE, hunting is not negatively effecting the herds.

Wherever they are found, caribou play the role of umbrella species, meaning their presence is of central importance to their ecosystems. Their benefits to their environments are diverse.

Caribou are most vulnerable during calving, therefore the preservation of their calving grounds should be of utmost importance in terms of preserving the integrity of the herd. As such, a large portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine herd has been protected in both Alaska (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) and the Yukon (Ivvavik and Vuntut National Parks).

However, the current American government is eager to initiate oil and gas exploration and development within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Any disturbance during the calving area can result in the disappearance of concentrated calving or the reduction of calf productivity in caribou that do not avoid such disturbances.

Another issue of growing concern is the threat of climate change. Changes to temperature, snow depth, the timing of snowmelt and associated increases of pests can all result in a decrease in the condition of the herd.

One major factor to do with the change in weather are the increase in mosquitos. While you may not think a mosquito is that much of an issue for the Caribou, think again. As their young are born in the spring, the time of year when mosquitos are at their worst, the young are threatened. Mosquitos can take enough blood from a young Caribou to kill them.

For these reasons and others, the Caribou are changing their migratory patterns and staying higher in the mountains. There is less vegetation to eat at higher elevations. Only time will tell how this herd will adapt.

Bald Eagles on the West Coast

I cannot say that the numbers are declining. I would say that the annual migration in the Lower Mainland of BC is not as large as it used to be because fewer Eagles are migrating south in the winter. I back that up because I have been seeing more Bald Eagles up in areas of northern BC and in the Yukon during the winter months. They don’t have to migrate down from the far north because the rivers and lakes are not freezing like they used to. In itself, an issue that is a far bigger issue we are facing.

Another reason for the decline of the Bald eagle in certain areas of lower British Columbia has to be human encroachment into more remote areas where the eagles traditionally were in the wild. I am sure the human element has had a large impact on why we are not seeing the same numbers we used to see.

Summary

The news is not all that bad. While some species are on the brink of being a critical concern, some others are making a change to adjust to the evolving climate. Then, some species like the Bald Eagle have bounced back across Canada. Just not migrating as they used to a decade ago. All these changes have one common denominator. The large and small, good and bad changes have exponentially increased in the last five years. Did we reach that tipping point where we cannot reverse whats happened? Should we? Do we have to? What's next?

I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Do you have any experience to add?