[EBB Sightings] Oiled bird photos - Cosco Busan oil spll

Warning: Graphic images of suffering birds ahead.

On Sunday, November 11, I joined Tony Brake, Yvonne McHugh, Pat 
Bacchetti, Sam and Elizabeth in a survey of oiled birds organized by 
Golden Gate Audubon (http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/) in the wake of 
the Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay.  We covered the south 
shore of Alameda, including Elsie Romer Wildlife Sanctuary, Crown 
Memorial State Beach, Crab Cove Marine Reserve, and parts of the former 
Alameda Naval Air Station.  We found about 60 oiled birds, including a 
few covered nearly from head to toe:

http://www.pbase.com/gtepke/oiled_birds_071111

In addition to the species depicted, we saw oiled Horned Grebes, Great 
Blue Heron, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, Mew Gull and Western Gulls. The 
birds appear to have been oiled elsewhere and then traveled to Alameda, 
because we didn't see any oil on the beach or water. Either oil from the 
spill didn't reach this area, or the booms that were strung across the 
water worked to keep the oil out.

The birds were reported to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) via 
San Francisco 311, and some may be rescued and rehabilitated, but most 
will probably die from hypothermia (because oiled feathers lose their 
waterproofing and insulating properties) or poisoning from ingesting oil 
while attempting to preen their feathers.

If you spot oiled birds in the Bay Area, report them to OWCN 
(877-823-6926) or SF 311 (311 from San Francisco; 415-701-2311 from 
outside San Francisco).

Thanks to Tony Brake for the use of his photos of the Cosco Busan, and 
to San Francisco for taking oiled bird reports on their 311 service and 
relaying the information to OWCN.

Glen Tepke
Oakland, California, USA
g.tepke (at) comcast (dot) net
www.pbase.com/gtepke