By Bob Marshall

It’s safe to say that before BP’s runaway oil well began pumping a river of crude into the Gulf, most Americans--even her sportsmen--didn’t understand the far-reaching role Louisiana’ coastal estuaries play in the larger continental ecosystem. But the actions being contemplated by federal wildlife agencies in advance of the fall migration period should give them some indication.

The feds are gearing up to spend tens of millions of dollars to help steer migrating birds away from the polluted zones. Take a look at our previous Field Notes coverage.

In many years, more than 13 million migrating ducks and geese winter or visit the state’s coastal wetlands. Dabbling ducks like teal, gadwall, mallards, and pintail flood the interior marshes; millions of divers like scaup, redheads, and canvasback are found in coastal bays and river deltas. And tens of millions of neo-tropical migrants use the state’s coastal habitats each year as well.

That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency charged with protecting and managing migratory birds, is very worried. Obviously the divers could end up looking like those oiled pelicans everyone has now become familiar with. But the dabblers are not out of danger, either. Paul Schmidt, FWS Assistant Director for Migratory Birds, says the worst-case scenario would be a one-two punch:

The first would find hurricane storm surges this summer pushing waves of oil deep into interior marshes, polluting dabbling habitat.

The second would be an early and hard winter up north pushing birds south into those oiled areas. To fight these threats the USFWS is mounting efforts to protect the list of national wildlife refuges managed for waterfowl. Enhanced booming and clean-up, as well as some water control work is underway. And the agency is also hoping enhancing feeding opportunities in refuges north of the coast can keep birds away.

Meanwhile the U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will spend up to $20 million to pay farmers in the lower Mississippi valley to flood agriculture fields, an effort that could short-stop wintering birds far from the oiled coast.

But Schmidt admits all those efforts will still play second fiddle to the one factor that always control waterfowl movement: Weather.

Waterfowl can’t read the newspapers warnings, so they’ll head south on any serious cold front. Turns out that oil in the Gulf could have a big impact on waterfowlers living a thousand miles away.

Comments (4)

from GregMc wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

Bob,

Thanks for this post. Depressing as the news is, it's good to have journalists like yourself and Hal keeping sportsmen apprised of the spill as it relates to wildlife.
When do you think we will get the leak plugged?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from AJMcClure wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

We'll make some room in Arkansas for them.:) Now if the Duck Commanders sue BP for hurting the waterfowl numbers/season I want in on the action.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

AJ - I'm not sure about the Duck Commanders, but a lot of people and groups have good grounds for a lawsuit against BP and the other oil barons involved. I hope anyone with a reasonable case sues and wins.

I hope all of these efforts work. This could get ugly. Not looking forward to it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from countitandone wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

The day our FWS can change the weather will be the day migratory winged life affected by hurricane driven oil slicks will be able to survive. And that ain't happenin'.

Some of the far reaching effects of this mega-disaster
haven't even been contemplated yet, let alone discussed
by regulatory agencies. If I had a plan, I'd implement
it. If this administration had a clue, they aren't
showing their hand.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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from GregMc wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

Bob,

Thanks for this post. Depressing as the news is, it's good to have journalists like yourself and Hal keeping sportsmen apprised of the spill as it relates to wildlife.
When do you think we will get the leak plugged?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from AJMcClure wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

We'll make some room in Arkansas for them.:) Now if the Duck Commanders sue BP for hurting the waterfowl numbers/season I want in on the action.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

AJ - I'm not sure about the Duck Commanders, but a lot of people and groups have good grounds for a lawsuit against BP and the other oil barons involved. I hope anyone with a reasonable case sues and wins.

I hope all of these efforts work. This could get ugly. Not looking forward to it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from countitandone wrote 1 year 31 weeks ago

The day our FWS can change the weather will be the day migratory winged life affected by hurricane driven oil slicks will be able to survive. And that ain't happenin'.

Some of the far reaching effects of this mega-disaster
haven't even been contemplated yet, let alone discussed
by regulatory agencies. If I had a plan, I'd implement
it. If this administration had a clue, they aren't
showing their hand.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.