Here’s to the next chapter, and to noticing the #workmilestones when they come!

...But, these days especially, it feels important to celebrate the work as it is: sometimes leading, sometimes supporting — and still worthy of pride. 🥳

To everyone I’ve written with, learned from, or been encouraged by along the way — THANK YOU. 🤜🤛

Article by @emilyanthes.bsky.social!

Thanks to my coauthors Liam Taylor, Tania Barychka, Sea McKeon and Natasha Bartolotta for their collaboration on this project!

Conclusion: Our study suggests that #iNaturalist data can help characterize a mass mortality event, but with major limitations. It is a valuable complement to, but *not* a replacement for, comprehensive mortality assessments!

The cons:

👉iNaturalist vastly underestimated deaths (~200 reported vs. 40,000+ confirmed)
👉Missed some species & regions, especially in remote areas

The pros:
👉Identified key species (e.g., Northern Gannets)
👉Pinpointed hotspots & timing of high mortality

In 2022, seabirds in eastern Canada faced a devastating avian influenza outbreak. 🐦💔 We analyzed iNaturalist records to see how well they captured seabird mortality.

Grateful to collaborate with Bill Montevecchi's amazing team at the @memorialu.bsky.social! Let’s continue advancing research & conservation to safeguard seabird populations. 💪✨

Have questions or thoughts about our findings? Let’s discuss!

This research highlights the urgent need to prioritize a One Health approach to addressing HPAI in North America. The impact on seabird populations is a wake-up call. 🌍🐦

Read the full study: doi.org/10.1139/cjz-...

Northern Gannets, Common Murres, Atlantic Puffins, & Black-legged Kittiwakes were the hardest hit. Mortality peaked in July & August, spreading west to east across Newfoundland. Species traits like nesting density & migration patterns may have influenced susceptibility.

In 2022, HPAI H5N1 caused unprecedented seabird mortality across the North Atlantic. Newfoundland experienced one of the worst outbreaks in Canada, with ~13,517 estimated seabird deaths from April to September. 😔
Here’s what we found. 👇

I’m a conservation scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. I lead research on the cumulative effects and impacts of offshore wind energy, avian influenza, and plastic pollution on seabirds.
🌐 stephanieaverygomm.weebly.com
📄 scholar.google.ca/citations?us...
🔗 orcid.org/0000-0003-28...