Ten birds were released by OWCN personnel and volunteers back into the wild this afternoon after successful treatment following oiling in Dubai Star oil spill in San Francisco Bay. The birds included five American Coots, two Western/Clark’s Grebes, a Eared Grebe, a Horned Grebe and a Greater Scaup). The healthy birds were set free in … Read more
The long-delayed San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge project might be good for the birds too. New “Corm Condos” are being built to give cormorants a newer place to nest underneath the $6 Billion bridge. The 2 1/2 foot wide steel perches are being added to the eastern span of the Bay Bridge at a cost of … Read more
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing looking into the Cosco Busan oil spill, shed more light on the personal problems of the pilot captain that may have contributed to the disaster on San Francisco Bay. The NTSB revealed that Capt. John Cota is an alcoholic who also was using prescription drugs during work hours … Read more
Species most often found covered in oil(In order of impact)1. Surf scoter2. Western grebe3. Eared grebe4. Greater scaup5. Horned grebe6. Ruddy duck7. Common murre8. Common loon9. Lesser scaup10. Clark’s grebe Dead oiled birds(In order of impact)1. Surf scoter2. Western grebe3. Common murre4. Western or Clark’s grebe*5. Brandt’s cormorant6. Greater scaup7. Eared grebe8. Double-crested cormorant9. Northern … Read more
New bird care numbers for the SF spill, now more than two weeks old, have been posted: Birds arrived live: 1,053Washed: 767Died/euthanized: 472Released: 122Found dead in field: 1,544 Bird numbers also updated daily on this blog’s right hand column.If you do find an oiled bird, please call (415) 701-2311. OWCN numbers updated: 11/21/07 @ 8:00 … Read more
In wake of oil spill, bird rescuers work against clock, the odds: “…A group of net-wielding bird rescuers in white Tyvek coveralls converged on the scoters from two sides. As the lead netter yelled, “Go, go, go, go, go!” they charged. The ducks, unaware that they were being rescued, fled for the water. Three got … Read more
The Dungeness crab season opened as scheduled Thursday amid health concerns by those who wanted all fishing banned as cleanup continues on last week’s oil spill. The state announced that only the San Francisco Bay and three miles of Pacific coast, from Point Reyes to San Mateo County, would be off limits to commercial fishing. … Read more
Here’s the latest numbers on the oiled birds: 951 live birds in care394 washed of oil197 died/euthanized 884 found dead in the field* *Birds found dead include:225 visibly oiled115 unoiled544 unassessed Most of the birds treated include Scoters, Scaups, Grebes, Loons and Cormorants. A complete list of birds affected by the spill will be compiled … Read more
A week has past since the foul stench of bunker crude left its mark on San Francisco Bay. The oil is being cleaned off beaches and the bay. And more importantly from a wildlife standpoint, birds are STILL being rescued. Crews are working at this very moment trying to locate and catch any oiled bird … Read more
An oiled Scaup is cleaned at OWCN/IBRRC bird rescue center in Cordelia, CA. Click on image to see larger Here’s the updated numbers on the oiled bird response: 804 live birds in care 244 washed of oil 105 died/euthanized 590 found dead in the field* * birds found dead include: 112 visibly oiled 62 unoiled … Read more