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April 27 - Gull-billed Terns & Domoic Acid
 
Hello monitors,

As we begin the monitoring, there are a couple of things to watch for already:

As mentioned at the kick-off, please be on the lookout for Gull-billed Terns! See the OC Rare Bird Alert below. They were seen at Bolsa Chica on April 22. Please report any sightings of them at the tern preserve to either David Pryor or Wally Ross (phone numbers on the back of your badge). They are a predator of the Least Tern eggs and their range may be moving north from San Diego County. (See photo below.)
 
 
Gull-billed Tern photographed in Texas by Kevin Karlson
Also, Domoic Acid has just been reported at high levels on April 18 and 22, in the water just south of the LA Harbor breakwater. This naturally occurring neurotoxin concentrates in fish, so any marine fish-eating bird could be affected, including Least Terns. Please take or have the lifeguards take any sick (usually with seizures or disoriented) birds to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center at PCH and Newland as quickly as possible. The sooner they are treated, the better their chances are for survival. I have not heard of any outbreak of sick birds yet, but just wanted to alert you of the possibility. If I hear of an outbreak, I will notify you.

Thanks,
Cheryl

 

 

 

 

Last Modified July 8, 2007

Sea & Sage Audubon Society
PO Box 5447 • Irvine, CA 92616 • 949-261-7963

http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org