Blue whale sightings in Antarctica west of the Greenwich meridian, Januart 2015

During the RV Polarstern PS 89 (ANT-XXX/2) expedition from Cape Town to Atka Bay and back, 20 sightings of 26 individual blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were recorded in Antarctic waters west of the Greenwich Meridian between 16-20 January 2015. These observations suggest a more westerly extension of a reported hot spot between the Greenwich Meridian and 20°E

Effect of 2020-21 and 2021-22 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 Epidemics on Wild Birds, the Netherlands

The number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5-related infections and deaths of wild birds in Europe was high during October 1, 2020-September 30, 2022. To quantify deaths among wild species groups with known susceptibility for HPAI H5 during those epidemics, we collected and recorded mortality data of wild birds in the Netherlands. HPAI virus infection was reported in 51 bird species. The species with the highest numbers of reported dead and infected birds varied per epidemic year; in 2020-21, they were within the Anatidae family, in particular barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and in 2021-22, they were within the sea bird group, particularly Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) and northern gannet (Morus bassanus). Because of the difficulty of anticipating and modeling the future trends of HPAI among wild birds, we recommend monitoring live and dead wild birds as a tool for surveillance of the changing dynamics of HPAI

Encouraging encounters: unusual aggregations of bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus in the western Fram Strait

The subpopulation of the bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus in the East Greenland-Svalbard-Barents Sea is endangered and until recently was believed to number in the tens. Recent studies have suggested that this subpopulation appears to be increasing. Here, we report on unusual aggregations of bowhead whales within the Fram Strait. We present opportunistic and effort-corrected observations of bowhead whales made from a small expedition vessel duringcruises in June (2015−2018). Bowhead whales were sighted on 85 occasions (220−227 whales). An aggregation in 2015 (n = 84 whales) and high numbers in 2018 (n = 104−110) exceeded all previous records. The index of whale abundance was significantly higher in open water-leads (1.08−1.14 whales km−1 of survey effort) compared to areas with drift-ice (0.51−0.53 whales km−1). The highest abundance index was measured in deep waters where the bottom slope was relatively steep. Our findings highlight the temporal and spatial consistency of this species in areas with relatively loose ice cover (open water-leads) and steep slopes. It is unknown how global warming and resultant changes in ice-extent are going to affect bowhead whales within the Straitand whether they will find new feeding grounds due to an expanding open-ocean habitat. These slopes may become increasingly important to bowhead whales and Arctic top predators as a spring/early summer feeding ground. These relatively large numbers of bowhead whales are encouraging and can help direct future research monitoring programs to study the population ecology of these endangered whales

New bird records for the Island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean, with notes on other significant sightings

The avifauna of the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius has been little studied. We document 22 new bird species for the island and update the status of several important species based on our recent observations. The documented avifauna ofthe island amounts to 75 published species records. We conclude by pointing out several positive developments in the avifauna and ascribe these to the combined effects of reduced hunting, the legal establishment of protected park areas, and a growing environmental awareness among the island’s inhabitant

Gemini T-0: passive acoustic monitoring and aerial surveys of harbour porpoises

In accordance with the monitoring and evaluation plan (MEP) for the ‘Gemini Offshore Wind Farm’ the ecological monitoring of harbour porpoises was carried out by IMARES and IBL Umweltplanung, concerning the distribution and numbers of harbour porpoises in and around the wind farm prior to construction (T-0). For this purpose aerial surveys as well as passive acoustic monitoring were performed

Gemini T-0: passive acoustic monitoring and aerial surveys of harbour porpoises

In accordance with the monitoring and evaluation plan (MEP) for the ‘Gemini Offshore Wind Farm’ the ecological monitoring of harbour porpoises was carried out by IMARES and IBL Umweltplanung, concerning the distribution and numbers of harbour porpoises in and around the wind farm prior to construction (T-0). For this purpose aerial surveys as well as passive acoustic monitoring were performed