[Birdtalk] Antelope Island

[birderb at aol.com]

 Greetings:
 
 After talking with Glenda, I called Tom Aldrich, Waterfowl Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. He was not yet aware of the dead birds showing up on the causeway (the wind blows the carcasses into the Causeway where they accumulate. These birds likely died elsewhere in the lake's wetlands). He was aware of a few other areas where dead birds were found. Botulism is the likely cause of death. 
 
 Mark Stackhouse's description of botulism explains what is happening. He also astutely points out that "man" can be an aggravating factor, as we use the water resource. Low flows reduce the amount of turnover in the water column in the wetlands and lake. Other factors, like the causeway's (car and railroad) restrict water movement in the lake. 
 
 The resulting standing low water situations bring about prime botulism eruptions. The Bear River Water Act passed in the last legislative session paves the way for more water projects (reservoir development) on the Bear to warehouse water for increasing urban/suburban sprawl along the Wasatch Front. These water projects may exacerbate the current situation in the future.
 
 Regards,
  Bill Fenimore
 Wild Bird Center
 Utah Audubon Policy Advocate
 801-525-8400 Work
 801-525-8415 Fax
 801-699-9330 Cellular
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 -----Original Message-----
 From: westwings at sisna.com
 To: MUHLESTEINCLAN at aol.com
 Cc: glenda.cotter at utah.edu; birdtalk at utahbirds.org
 Sent: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 1:48 PM
 Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Antelope Island
 
  Hello, 
 
 I can address the botulism issue, as it was something with which we came into direct contact while I was working at Tracy Aviary. The bacteria that produce the botulism toxin (it's the poison that harms the birds, not a bacterial infection) exist naturally in he mud at the bottom of the lake, and in any body of water where there's mud that has organic matter and is anaerobic (lacking oxygen). Normally, there isn't enough activity of the bacteria to cause a problem, but when low water levels and warm weather allow the mud to be warmed, the activity of the bacteria explodes. The toxins build up in the mud, and waterfowl feeding in the mud become poisoned. The toxin causes paralysis, generally first in the legs and lower parts of the body and then progressing upward and finally causing death, either directly by shutting down respiration, or through starvation because the bird can't feed. 
 
 There have been botulism die-offs at the Great Salt Lake periodically throughout recorded history. They usually have occurred in the late summer of hot, dry years when water levels are low. There were terrible episodes in the early part of the last century, especially in the Bear River Bay area, involving tens of thousands of ducks. These episodes were apparently aggravated by water withdrawals from the Bear River, causing low water levels in the bay. The public outcry was great, and was (I've been told) one of the main reasons why Bear River Refuge was created - to preserve sufficient water in the bay to prevent further mass die-offs. It's something to consider as we contemplate damming and taking more water from the Bear . . . 
 
 Anyway, cool, wet weather and rising water levels should alleviate the situation soon, as it always eventually does. 
 
 Good birding! 
 
 Mark Stackhouse 
 mark at westwings.com 
 801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) 
 011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico) 
 
 On Sep 15, 2006, at 11:42 AM, MUHLESTEINCLAN at aol.com wrote: 
 
 > 
 > Glenda, 
 > I was out there last week, and was also amazed with the numbers I saw > of dead waterfowl along the Causeway. I called Bill Fennimore, and he > told me that they believe it is Botulism that has effected this area. > He also said that because of the water levels being down right now, > that more contamination can be prevalent. He was going to pass on the > information. 
 > I would also like more information concerning this dismal dilemma. > Anyone knowing more please respond to us. 
 > Thanks, 
 > MarJean M_______________________________________________ 
 > Birdtalk mailing list 
 > Birdtalk at utahbirds.org 
 > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk= 
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