The ice pack on Cooper Island has changed dramatically in the 18 years since these 2 pictures were taken on the same day, at the same location. See for youself with our interactive display.
Author: George Divoky (George Divoky)
View video of our February 2021 Update
Dr. George Divoky’s long-term study of Arctic seabirds has dramatically documented global warming and its consequences on the Black Guillemot colony.
The nearly impossible 2020 field season
Maintaining a long-term study of an Arctic seabird on a remote island off the northern Alaska coast has never been easy. Maintaining that study in 2020, when very few things anywhere in the world were easy, meant dealing with a new set of logistical hurdles and personal dilemmas and sacrifices. Thanks to the extraordinary help...
Red-legged guillemots and a problematic shearwater
On first sight, what most people notice about Black Guillemots in their summer plumage are their bright red legs. The species could easily be called “Red-legged Guillemot” - were there not two other species in the guillemot genus Cepphus with red legs.
A decreased breeding effort, but the colony persists.
This improbable 2020 field season is finishing its second week. As I anticipated, being back in Utqiagvik and heading out to Cooper Island helped make this bizarre year feel a little more normal. But once on the island, my initial census of the colony quickly reminded me that, while the entire world is focused on...
Against all odds: a 2020 field season
In early spring, when the first evidence of the scale of the pandemic was becoming clear, many field biologists realized that restrictions or concerns about travel would prevent them from having a field season. The impact was especially bad for graduate students and early career researchers who had worked hard to obtain funding and prepare...
Webinar on Cooper Island documentary now streaming
The April 24th webinar with Joe McNally discussing his 2001 and 2019 visits to Cooper Island and the making of the documentary Watching the Earth Melt Away, is now available for on-demand online viewing at this link or clicking on the image below. Many thanks to both Joe and PhotoShelter for telling the story of...
Earth Day 2020
In honor of Earth Day 2020, Joe McNally and Photoshelter will be holding a webinar where Joe will discuss his 2001 and 2019 visits to Cooper Island, the photos and video he obtained during those visits and the importance of conservation photography in engaging and educating the public. We had planned to have Joe attend...
[POSTPONED] Annual Seattle Update – Tuesday March 17th
Watching the Arctic Melt Away We regretfully have to postpone our annual Seattle update due to increasing concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus and our patrons’ health, including the recent decision by Town Hall Seattle to suspend in-person attendance for all events. Reporting to our followers at our Seattle annual event is a yearly highlight for...