Northern Waterfowl Could Be Sitting Ducks In Gulf

[Purveyor]

The clock already is ticking on the waterfowl fall migration, and what birds seeking refuge encounter upon their arrival could be disastrous.

By DENNIS ANDERSON, Star Tribune

In two months, blue-winged teal will begin leaving Minnesota for the coastal marshes of Louisiana and other points south. Within weeks afterward, wood ducks will join the autumn migration, followed by many of the other duck species that nest in the North but spend their winter months along the Gulf Coast.

What exactly awaits these birds is unknown. But for the 13 million ducks and another 1.5 million geese that historically have used Louisiana's coastal marshes either for the entire winter or a portion thereof, it likely won't be good.

Worst-case scenario:

Oil continues to flow from BP's deepwater well off the coast of Louisiana, and tropical storms and perhaps hurricanes this summer and/or early fall would push the crude not only into barrier saltwater and brackish marshes, but also farther inland, into freshwater marshes and ponds.

This would kill not only ducks and other birds, but despoil critical habitats, perhaps for generations.

---CLIP---
What then to do now? Should vast, new temporary habitats be developed near the Gulf Coast, if possible, as a way to lure birds from oil stained marshes?

Should state and federal waterfowl officials attempt to "short-stop" Mississippi Flyway ducks in Missouri, Arkansas, northern Mississippi and northern Louisiana, by feeding them?

Should waterfowlers in those areas be asked to forego hunting this fall, in an attempt to keep birds north of the Gulf Coast?

Hard to tell.

But there is time to discuss various scenarios and devise contingency plans. And if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl and other groups don't begin to do so immediately, they are forgoing their responsibility not only to their supporters, financial and otherwise, but, especially, to ducks and geese.

MORE...

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/95666319.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUgOahccyiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUs

[Sherman A1]

1. Good questions

and a very serious group of them.

Personally I just think that the ducks are screwed soon to be followed by us.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. ..and we have no choice but to sit by and watch this tragedy....?

[jwirr]

3. I do know that developing feeding grounds would help. It is possible

they will shorten their migration route if there is a good place to stop on the way. Many of the geese even winter as far north as Iowa in a warm winter. They are hatching up here in MN right now and it is beautiful. I hope someone cares enough to look into this.

[Purveyor]

4. I was wondering about some sound deterrents to steer them away from 'spill zones'?

Farmers use them to keep them out of crops.

Haven't a clue if this is even doable, just throwing something out there.

[jwirr]

5. Another good question. I have also heard of that being used but

on a smaller scale.