[EBB Sightings] Map -- SF Bay Oil Spill Impact on Important Bird Areas

Audubon California has released a map showing how the Cosco Busan Oil Spill hit four Important Bird Areas in the Bay Area -- Richardson Bay, Brooks Island, East Shore Wetlands, and Bolinas Lagoon.  Important Bird Areas are critical habitat for one or more species of bird and are recognized as a key component of global bird and biodiversity conservation.  The map, which uses data collected through November 11th by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, depicts a conservative estimate of oiled shoreline.  Audubon California will update this map as additional data becomes available.



The impacts on birds reaches beyond the specific Important Bird Areas as well over 1 million birds rely on San Francisco Bay.  In addition, this is a particularly critical time for bird movement down the California Coast and with oil having moved out of the Golden Gate into the open ocean, a whole additional set of birds is at risk on the outer coast.  The number of birds moving along the coast is spectacular, with one observer counting over 17,000 Pacific Loons moving south of the Bay Area along the coast yesterday morning.



To access the map, visit http://www.audubon-ca.org/oil_spill_ibas.html


Mike Perlmutter
Bay Area Conservation Coordinator
Audubon California
4225 Hollis Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Tel: 510-601-1866 ext. 231
Fax: 510-601-1954
MPerlmutter at audubon.org

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