"As Alaska Warms, a Goose Forgoes a 3,300-Mile Migration"

"The vast marshes on the southwestern tip of the Alaskan peninsula must look like a buffet to a seagrass-loving goose like the Pacific black brant.

Right now virtually the entire population  – about 160,000 birds – is gathered in the sheltered and remote wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, feasting on the most extensive beds of eelgrass on Earth.

In the past, the Izembek was just a stopover in the brant's autumn journey down North America's western coastline. After a short stay to fatten up, the sated sea geese would lift off together and head south on a 3,300-mile, nonstop migration to Mexico's Baja California.

But nature doesn't follow that predictable course anymore."

Marianne Lavelle reports for Environmental Health News October 30, 2014, as part of the 'Winged Warnings' series.