USDA uses chemical to reduce Grand Island starling population

The U.S. Department of Agriculture treated starlings on Tuesday in Grand Island using DRC-1339, which will assist in reducing the starling population, according to a press release from City Hall.

The chemical used is bird-specific, and harm to any animal other than the target species is not anticipated, the press release said. The targeted birds will die 24 to 36 hours after eating the treated feed and will often be found at their roosting locations.

The use of the chemical is only effective during the fall and winter months, when large flocks consistently feed in one location. During the spring and summer months, the birds are less likely to congregate in large numbers as they feed in local fields and on grain and insects, making treatment applications nearly impossible, according to the press release.

People who find deceased starlings on their private property can dispose of the birds in trash containers. The USDA recommends using gloves or a bag when picking the starlings up.

Those who are physically unable to dispose of the birds can call City Hall at 385-5444, extension 260, to make arrangements for cleanup. The city will only offer this service if a resident is incapable of the collection and disposal of the birds.

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Report: Nonstick Chemicals May Be Affecting Birds Along Mississippi River

A new U.S. Geological Study report suggests that chemicals found in nonstick cookware and water repellents could be affecting tree swallows living along the upper Mississippi River.

It's been known that the Mississippi River around and south of the Twin Cities is contaminated with perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), a chemical found in many household products. The report says wastewater discharges and contaminated groundwater from manufacturer 3M's facilities have created hotspots for PFAs, even though it's been more than a decade since the company stopped producing them.

USGS researchers studying tree swallows in Wisconsin and Minnesota found that birds with high concentrations of PFAs are less likely to hatch. USGS Wildlife Biologist Chris Custer says the probability of problems increases with contamination: “I like to use George Burns [as an example]: he smoked cigars and cigarettes until he was 100 and never got lung cancer. Another person smoking the same amount might die in their thirties. It's the same thing with bird eggs. You can have the same amount of contamination and in some, it will cause a poor hatching and another with a different genetic makeup might hatch fine.”

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RSPB sets out five point plan for preventing further seabird deaths through PIB pollution

By Helene Jessop, Conservation Assistant, South West

The RSPB has written a piece for The Ecologist on the recent PIB seabird incident and our call for change. We’ve set out a five-point plan of what we think needs to happen, so that further tragic incidents are prevented.

To recall, between 29 January and 6 February 2013, more than 500 seabirds were killed or rendered helpless by a pollution event off the south coast of England. Many more died at sea. The pollutant was polyisobutene or PIB, which has killed thousands of other seabirds in the Irish and North Seas.

Marc Smith, Dorset Wildlife Trust, witnessed the tragedy: “It was heart-breaking seeing birds washing up along the shore. Some were so covered in this horrible substance they were stuck to the beach – still alive but unable to move. Exhausted, freezing and emaciated - they were the lucky ones. Dead birds littered the beach”.

RSPB says IMO must act now to prevent another disaster

Polluting discharges at sea are regulated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Yet it’s still legal with conditions to discharge PIB and other hazardous chemicals into the sea when washing out cargo tanks. The RSPB believes this must change. We’re calling on the IMO to implement our five point plan with the view to making discharges of PIB and similar substances into the sea illegal.

Our five point plan requires the following:

An urgent review of the hazard classification of PIB and other similar substances, in relation to their impacts on the marine environment.

The testing of such substances in more realistic marine conditions, which cover the full range of these environmental impacts.

The establishment of a monitoring system and central database for recording pollution incidents involving chemical substances.

Commitment to further scientific research on the effects of these substances on all aspects of marine ecosystems, as well as seabirds.

The strictest possible enforcement and prosecution of illegal discharges of any polluting substance.

See the original article here for more details, and find out about RSPB’s campaign for better protection for our spectacular seabirds at www.rspb.org.uk/marine

The RSPB thanks Abbotsbury Swannery, Chesil Bank & Fleet Nature Reserve, Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPCA and South Devon Seabird Trust for their actions in this latest incident. RSPB staff and volunteers monitored beaches in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.  

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/seabirds/archive/2013/02/18/rspb-sets-out-five-point-plan-for-preventing-further-seabird-deaths-through-pib-pollution.aspx