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Long-term Monitoring of Osprey Nests Continues along Oregon Rivers
USGS contaminant biologists Jim Kaiser, Bob Grove and Branden Johnson have been monitoring osprey nests along the Willamette and Columbia rivers in Oregon to measure the health of nestlings. Osprey numbers declined drastically in the 1970s as a side effect of pesticide use, but they have since recovered. Because the majority of osprey diet consists of fish captured near their nesting sites, the large hawk is an excellent sentinel species for long-term monitoring of many contaminants in rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Levels of flame retardants (PBDEs) are a recent concern in eggs, and past findings will be compared with new information to establish trends and possible effects in both the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The recent survey is led by USGS contaminant biologist Chuck Henny and continues a long-term monitoring effort conducted in collaboration with USGS Water Resources Division and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Field Office.
Contact: Charles Henny, FRESC, 541-757-4840,
charles_j_henny@usgs.gov
Fungus That Causes Amphibian Disease Detected in Danish Frogs
Some amphibian population declines have been attributed to a fungal disease that affects the skin of amphibians. The fungus has been spreading around the world for the last century, and determining the extent of the fungus is important for resource managers. Previous studies revealed the presence of the fungus in several amphibian species in Europe. USGS scientists Michael Adams, Stephanie Galvan, and a collaborator report recent findings from a survey of two frog species in Denmark. The fungus was detected in one frog in each species, and no dead or sick frogs were encountered. Further surveys would help to determine the extent of the fungus in Denmark.
Scalera, R., Adams, M.J., Galvan, S.K., 2008, Occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibian populations in Denmark: Herpetological Review, v. 39, no. 2, p. 199-200. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1980
USGS Contacted about Long-Billed Curlews
On July 22, USGS biologist Elise Elliott-Smith was contacted by Michael Wright, a writer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Refuge Update, about long-billed curlews.
Contact: Elise Elliott-Smith, FRESC, 541-750-7390,
eelliott-smith@usgs.gov
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