July 22, 2010

TOP STORIES

Loons Tracked by Satellites Will Uncover Mysteries of Their Migration

Ten common loons are now sporting satellite transmitters so researchers can study the migratory movements and feeding patterns of these remarkable fish-eating waterbirds as they migrate through the Great Lakes toward their winter homes farther south.

By using satellite tracking devices implanted in the loons from Wisconsin and Minnesota, USGS scientists expect to learn essential information about avian botulism needed by managers to develop important conservation strategies for the loon species.

“This study will also help managers better understand how loons fare as they head to their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts,” said USGS scientist Kevin Kenow, of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) in La Cross, WI. “Right now, little is known about habitat use along their entire migratory routes.”

USGS Newsroom - www.usgs.gov/newsroom
20 July 2010
Photo courtesy of USGS



Sea turtle death a mystery

Officials at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center were unable to determine why one of their patients died within four days of being released on Jekyll Island last week.

The loggerhead sea turtle was found dead early Monday washed up on the beach of Cumberland Island, just across St. Andrews Sound from Jekyll.

. . . "Because it was really decomposed, we were unable to determine the cause of death. It had no obvious propeller wounds or other injuries," Norton said Tuesday.

The Florida Times-Union - jacksonville.com
20 July 2010
T Stepzinski
Location: Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA - Map It


130 birds killed, 15 rescued in St. Bernard Parish

Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says oil hit St. Bernard Parish and killed more than 100 birds.

Department official Robert Love said Tuesday that it's the first significant effect on wildlife in the parish behind the Chandeleur Islands, which were hit in early May.

. . . Most were laughing gulls, with about four tricolored herons and a rail. He says the live birds included a roseate spoonbill.

NOLA.com - www.nola.com (Source: Associated Press)
20 July 2010
Location: St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, USA - Map It




WDIN Highlights - July 2010
Volume 5, Issue 3

In this issue:
  • Main Article - Wildlife Disease Information Node: Activities Update/ pg. 1 - 2
  • Upcoming Wildlife Disease Related Events/ pg. 1
  • Spotlight on a Disease: Chronic Wasting Disease Resources Available through WDIN Website/ pg. 2
  • New Resources Added to the WDIN Website/ pg. 3
  • A Closer Look at the WDIN Wildlife Health Community Events Calendar/ pg. 3
  • WDIN Community Events Calendar Users by Geographic Location/ pg. 3


Reported Wildlife Mortality Events to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center Updated

USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information was updated on July 21, 2010 on the USGS National Wildlife Health Center web page, New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide. Quarterly Mortality Reports are also available from this page. These reports go back to 1995.

USGS National Wildlife Health Center
22 July 2010
Area: United States



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