Searching for Gyrfalcons 2023

[@raptorbehavior]

👌👌👌

[@raptorbehavior]

Woow Steve! Thank you for sharing 🙏 saludos desde mexico

[@stevesomach]

My pleasure!

[@davemyers7507]

Outstanding video Steve I enjoyed every minute of it and your brush pile and plane so incredible way to cover some territory and what a beautiful atmosphere thanks for the video God bless America

[@stevesomach]

Thanks!

[@AC-yz6cf]

Excellent video; should be on Netflix.

[@stevesomach]

Thanks!

[@M21L35]

A noble & commendable venture...perhaps your effort(s) will be rewarded upon revisiting.

[@faszinationfalke4935]

I love your films about falcons. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevesomach]

Glad you like them!

[@Brisco-rl8nc]

Thank your for letting us share with you the thrill of another arctic expedition, Steve! Undoubtedly you felt a great deal of anticipation and nostalgia while approaching BBG's old eyrie given that a half-century had passed since one of your most cherished falconry experiences. I know it would have been a poignant moment for you had falcons been there this year. Clark M.

[@stevesomach]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@larrymcmullen7757]

Well done, Steve.

[@davemyers7507]

It’s like I’m 15 years old and I’m watching Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom with Jim Fowler and Marlon Perkins

[@stevesomach]

Thanks for your comment made my day!

[@blaineparker8733]

Beautiful country thanks for sharing

[@stevesomach]

Your most welcome!

[@jonahmcbride934]

Such a great video and adventure. Watched on big TV. Sorry you did not find an eyrie that worked out.

[@stevesomach]

Thanks Jonah

[@liviut.7919]

This is at least Nat Geo material. Very good job. Grreting from Romania!

[@stevesomach]

Thank you!

[@biblicaltheologyexegesisan9024]

how cool thanks for taking us along your journey

[@stevesomach]

Your welcome!

[@antonyclarke4899]

Absolutely beautiful country, but extremely concerning in such a drastic drop in active nets sites. Alarm bells should be ringing.

[@shanephitides8565]

Thank you for sharing Steve, glad your fall was not worse than it was . Very concerning about the Gyr’s . I wonder if it was avian flu that hit them ?Amazing video nevertheless at least alerted us that there is a problem that has to be researched . Heal up quickly and look forward to seeing you at Grouse camp this year , God willing .

[@stevesomach]

I hope so too

[@JoeJuniorEM]

My bet is definitely avian flu. Yeah they’re ptarmigan hunters, but they take ample amounts of waterfowl too. A study out of Canada so far this year looks like avian flu isn’t going to be a problem this fall so hopefully they start to rebound.

[@stevesomach]

That’s good news

[@dorisandpatrickleary8297]

"I just checked my own eBird sightings of rough legged hawks in Snohomish/Skagit counties here in Washington. In the winter of 2021-2022 I never intentionally went looking for this species and yet I still reported roughies 9 times (at eight different eBird hotspots). In the winter of 2022-2023 I intentionally went looking for them at least 10 times and didn't see a single one. On many of these occasions I stood by the road with a spotting scope, carefully studying every single tree in all directions -- not one RLHA. So far in the winter of 2023-2024, I have seen only one rough legged hawk (and I've gone to known locations for the species at least a dozen times)." Perhaps more insight into recent radical change in the arctic?

[@stevesomach]

Yes it is concerning!

[@Troy-Echo]

Great content, but the number of, and frequency of ads that pop up make this frustrating to watch. On another note, you could have taken a drone to more easily and quickly view the nests. This would have allowed more time in the plane looking for other nests too. Beautiful videography.

[@stevesomach]

Yes that is a good idea!

[@Troy-Echo]

@@stevesomach:0) I've figured out since that it's the KZbin algorithm screwing up the number of ads. Just be aware, the politicians took DJI drones out of the hands of federal agencies because of some alleged security issues, and now some politicians are trying to ban DJI drones in America across the board. So if you do go down that path, I'd suggest not dumping a lot of money on a nice, new, shiny drone. Most drones are toys with a crappy camera attached that you cannot control DJI drones have higher end cameras on a 3 axis gimbal, and it's attached to the drone to carry the camera. It's the same 12 MP resolution as every iPhone and Samsung phone, but just a larger size sensor to allow a higher dynamic range of color and lighting. The lowest cost DJI drone is the Mini. You can probably find a used one on E-Bay for $225-$250, where the nicest lower end drones with crap cameras and controls are pushing $200, so it's a no brainer. DJI drones are rock solid, and usually people sell them on E-Bay because they just upgraded to a newer drone with more features or flight time. Look up the FAA TRUST training. It's free from the FAA, so if you see people trying to get your money to help you with this recreational certification, ignore it. You can't fail the test. If you get a wrong answer, you just try, try again until you get it right, then move on. My 11 YO daughter finished it in 45 minutes. It took me about 20. It's basically just a course telling you the basic do's and don'ts of flying a drone safely for yourself and piloted aircraft, where you're allowed to fly and how high, how far. Simple stuff that's mostly common sense once you see it. You'd need the Part 107 commercial version if you want to post drone videos on a monetized YT channel though. The test is about $150, and probably the best source for info to prep for the test is PilotInstitute.com which was ~$175 the last time I checked. Having a pilot's license, I'd bet you know a lot of it already. If people rush with no flight background they can do the training in about 2 weeks, and something like 98-99% of the Pilot Institute customers pass on their first attempt.

[@pauldomski985]

Great video, though very disturbing to think that in such pristine country gyrs are not thriving.

[@mrkus-nc7od]

How about the other Raptors ? In Alaska, Snowy owl , Rufleged Hawk s , Golden Eagle ? How are they ?

[@stevesomach]

We saw good numbers oh golden eagles and rough-legged hawks.

[@sniperhood7243]

Hello Steve thanks for this great clip I just wanted to know if I put two young imprinted male in one room is this will have an impact on their behavior as an imprint ?

[@stevesomach]

As long as you still interact with them they will remain imprinted

[@dorisandpatrickleary8297]

Seward region status report for this spring? Any rebound evident from 2023?

[@stevesomach]

Checking with researchers will answer asp

[@dorisandpatrickleary8297]

@@stevesomach Any news?

[@MosmMAli]

An ultra white gyrfalcon won the falcon beauty paegany recently in saudi arabia from nw area Washington state

[@stevesomach]

Captive bred bird.

[@dorisandpatrickleary8297]

Review the literature. Gyrfalcon declines began in southern Yukon more then ten years ago. Seems the link was to disruptions and collapse of the ptarmigan cycle due to climate change. What we may be witnessing are multiple factors with climate change near the top disrupting ptarmigan reproduction. That part of Alaska has seen unprecedented warm spells in recent years. In other arctic locations, increased spring rains vs snow has adversely impacted gyrfalcon nesting.

[@stevesomach]

Sad

[@masterofone2076]

If you ever need someone with rock climbing experience to help place cameras all you have to do is let me know. Considering you introduced me to falconry 30 years ago, I would be honored to help you!

[@stevesomach]

That would be awesome!

[@DanMilner-j5f]

Sincerely Disheartening . . . I echo Paul Domski's comment. Nice try Steve, at least we now know there is an issue up there.