Mystery spill hits Southern California coastline

More than 80 oiled birds, mainly Western Grebes and Clark’s Grebe, have been collected over the past two weeks along the Southern California coastline after a mysterious oil spill hit the Pt. Magu area about 60 miles north of Los Angeles. 12 birds have already been cleaned of oil and been released.

The oiled birds are being found from Santa Barbara south as far as San Clemente beaches in southern Orange County. IBRRC was activated as part of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN). All the affected birds are being treated at the San Pedro Bird Center which is also know as the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center (LAOBCEC).

Birds were first spotted at the Pt. Magu lagoon next to the Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station in Ventura County. OWCN team members worked together to capture, stabilize, and transport birds to San Pedro.