United News of Bangladesh

Dozens of birdwatchers gathered before dawn at a reservoir in Pennsylvania to witness a striking natural spectacle as thousands of migrating snow geese suddenly took flight during their annual journey north. About an hour after sunrise, the birds which had been honking and grooming on the water — burst into the air in a dramatic swirl. They circled briefly before heading toward nearby farm fields to feed on leftover grains as they continued their long spring migration toward breeding grounds in the Arctic, passing through New York and Quebec. The reservoir, created about 50 years ago to attract waterfowl, has gradually become a major stopover for migrating birds. Payton Miller, an environmental education specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, described the moment when the flock lifts off the water as a loud “bird tornado.” “It only takes one beautiful morning with a big flight to remind you how incredible it is to see so many of these birds together,” Miller said, adding that the sight never gets old. Among the spectators was Adrian Binns, a safari guide from Paoli, Pennsylvania, who visited the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to experience something unique. Snow geese have been arriving at the 6,300-acre Middle Creek site in increasing numbers since the late 1990s. Before reaching the area, many spend the winter along the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey to the Carolinas, with large groups staying on the Delmarva Peninsula near the Chesapeake Bay. Although the geese stay at Middle Creek only briefly, the site attracts around 150,000 visitors each year, including about 1,000 hunters. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, about 100,000 snow geese gathered there on the busiest day last year, though the single-day record remains around 200,000 birds recorded on Feb. 21, 2018. Snow goose populations have grown sharply over the past century. A 2017 study published by Springer Nature found that greater snow geese increased from about 3,000 in the early 1900s to roughly 700,000 by the 1990s. Today, their population is estimated at around one million, while the smaller lesser snow geese may number about 10 million. The number of migrating tundra swans visiting Middle Creek has also risen, from only about a dozen in the mid-1970s to more than 5,000 in recent years. Birdwatchers have identified over 280 bird species at the site, including bald eagles, northern harriers, ospreys and owls. However, the rapid growth of snow goose populations has created environmental concerns. Wildlife officials in the United States and Canada have been adjusting hunting rules while also addressing crop damage, migration changes and habitat destruction in the Arctic caused by the birds’ feeding habits. David M. Bird, a wildlife biology professor at McGill University, said the growing population may be one of the biggest conservation challenges facing wildlife experts in North America. Snow geese often pull plants out by the roots while feeding, damaging fragile habitats used by other wildlife. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that avian influenza, present in the state since 2022, continues to circulate among wild birds. Authorities recently removed around 2,000 bird carcasses mostly snow geese  from a quarry north of Bethlehem during December and January. Bird noted that while nature lovers admire snow geese, farmers often see them as pests, hunters value them as food and animal rights advocates want them protected — making wildlife management a complex task.  

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will deploy a fleet of warships and fighter jets to the Arctic in 2026 to strengthen security in the region. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Starmer said the operation will involve close cooperation with the United States, Canada and other NATO allies amid rising tensions and growing military activity in the Arctic. Starmer said the move reflects the UK’s renewed role in European and transatlantic security. He also stressed the need for deeper ties with the European Union in areas such as defence, technology and the economy to face shared security challenges. The announcement comes as Western leaders discuss Russia’s actions, Arctic security and the future of the transatlantic alliance at the Munich conference. Several leaders highlighted the importance of unity among European countries and allies to counter growing threats. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Arctic security requires collective action and stressed that Greenland’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said European unity remains the strongest defence against Russian aggression. The planned Arctic deployment is expected to mark one of the UK’s most significant military commitments to the region in recent years.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could take control of Greenland “one way or another,” arguing that the Danish self-governing territory is critical to American strategic interests in the Arctic. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday during a meeting with oil industry executives, Trump said Washington must act to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold in Greenland. He accused Denmark of failing to adequately protect the surrounding waters, a claim that Greenlandic leaders have rejected. “We’re going to do something with Greenland whether they like it or not,” Trump said, adding that allowing Russia or China to move into the territory would make them direct U.S. neighbors. “I’d rather make a deal the easy way. But if that doesn’t happen, we’ll do it the hard way.” Trump’s remarks have fueled concerns following recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, including military strikes and the detention of President Nicolás Maduro, prompting questions about how far Washington might go regarding Greenland. Earlier Friday, Greenland’s foreign minister said the territory itself should take charge of any discussions with the United States, as American pressure over Greenland continues to grow. Vivian Motzfeldt said Greenland should lead talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, rather than leaving negotiations solely to Denmark. “When it comes to Greenland, it should be Greenland speaking directly with the United States,” Motzfeldt said, according to Danish broadcaster DR. She argued that Greenland should be able to engage diplomatically with other countries independently, even while remaining part of the Danish kingdom. Motzfeldt noted that Greenland and Denmark share many values and policies, but said direct dialogue with Washington would be appropriate. She declined to say whether she would prefer to meet Rubio without Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, emphasizing that the talks would still be held jointly. She added that Greenland is working toward eventual statehood, which would include control over its own foreign policy, but acknowledged that current legal frameworks still require coordination with Denmark. NATO concerns and Arctic security Rubio met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Friday as the alliance seeks to ease tensions by highlighting its efforts to strengthen security in the Arctic. A NATO spokesperson said the discussions focused on the region’s strategic importance and ongoing efforts to enhance military capabilities in the High North. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any U.S. military action to seize Greenland could threaten the future of NATO itself. However, NATO’s top military commander in Europe, U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, downplayed fears of an alliance crisis. Speaking to reporters in Finland, he said NATO remains fully prepared to defend all member territory and that tensions have not affected military cooperation. “I don’t see us anywhere near a crisis,” Grynkewich said, adding that NATO forces remain ready to protect “every inch” of allied land. Motzfeldt expressed cautious optimism ahead of next week’s talks with Rubio, stressing that the outcome remains uncertain. She said Greenland and the United States depend on each other strategically and called for rebuilding relations based on mutual trust. “Greenland needs the United States, and the United States needs Greenland,” she said. “That relationship must be handled responsibly.” Source: AL Jazeera      

The U.S. research vessel Sikuliaq can break through ice as thick as 2.5 feet (0.76 meters). In the Chukchi Sea northwest of Alaska this month, which should be brimming with floes, its limits likely won’t be tested.

An arctic blast that caused record-setting cold in the Midwest is now spreading shivers across the eastern U.S.