Hello All,
The first real increase in observed mortality for the fall
season seems to be underway. AMBLE monitors at SLBE reported Oct.17-18 about 24
red-breasted mergansers, 6 white-winged scoters, and a few cormorants and
gulls, one dead loon, and a sick loon reported. These reports from Platte River
area to Empire, and Sleeping Bear Point (approx. 15 miles of beach). Yesterday
I assisted on Transect 5 (1.8 miles) near N. Bar Lake, where about 18 more
mergansers were found, mostly red-breasted (some still out in the heavy surf
from our ongoing strong winds), a scoter and a loon were also collected.
Preliminary observations this morning at Good Harbor Bay and Glen Haven showed
only 1 horned grebe found dead .
As these observations coincide exactly with the timing of heavy
loon, scoter, and long-tailed duck losses last year during this week, we will
be paying close attention during the next few days.
In comparison to last year, our annual mortality is way
down. We had some anecdotal reports during the shutdown (seems some citizens
are ever vigilant) which indicated the continuation of the previous trend of
relatively light mortality along the lakeshore, there was fairly light
mortality observed during monitoring trips in Aug. and Sept.of this year
on the Manitous, and with these recent additions from mainland transects, we
probably still are below 200 total birds (3 loons). Last season end of year
total approx.1500 (580 dead, 4 sick loons). Several days of strong winds and
waves were a common factor last year and this year during these observed
events.
We will keep you informed.
Thanks,
Dan
Dan Ray
Avian Botulism Monitoring
Project Lead
Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
231 326-5834 x606
dan_ray@nps.gov
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