The timing of the disaster in the Gulf couldn’t have come at a worse time for birds in that region. Besides the avian species whose habitats are in the Gulf area year-round, this period between late April and early May is the peak migration season. And now, the first bird to be found affected by the disastrous oil slick in the Gulf is being treated today:
Workers with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, which is based in Delaware, are using Dawn blue dishwashing soap to scrub the oil off the young northern gannet. The commercially available detergent is commonly used to clean animals.
The rescue center says the bird was found offshore, not on the shoreline.
The bird is normally white with a yellow head and long, pointed beak but was covered in thick, black oil. The rescuers are cleaning the bird at Fort Jackson, a historic landmark about 70 miles southeast of New Orleans.
More than 400 species of birds are at risk, with more than 34,000 birds alone in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge which will be one of the first areas to be hit from the oil slick. Though booms have been moved into the refuge to protect nesting areas, birds have still got to eat, and these means thousands of them diving in and out of this toxic water.
The Audubon Society, in a news release posted just two days ago lays out some of the long-term impact to some avian species in particular, only some of which I have listed below:
Brown Pelican -The state bird of Louisiana nests on barrier islands and feeds near shore. Their breeding season just began and many pairs are already incubating eggs. Removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list only late last year, Brown Pelicans remain vulnerable to storms, habitat loss and other pressures. Their relatively low reproductive rate means any disruption to their breeding cycle could have serious effects on the population.
Beach-nesting terns and gulls (Caspian Tern, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Least Tern, Laughing Gull, Black Skimmer) - These birds nest and roost in groups on barrier islands and beaches. Some species have begun nesting or building pair bonds in preparation for nesting. They feed on fish and other marine life. Roosting and nesting on the sand and plunging into the water to fish, they are extremely vulnerable oil on the surface or washing ashore.
Reddish Egret – Populations of these large, strictly coastal egrets have dwindled due to habitat loss and disturbance. As specialized residents of coastal environments, they have nowhere else to go if their feeding and nesting grounds are fouled by oil.
The economic and environmental impact of this disaster cannot be underestimated.