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General discussion

Bird Die-Off in Ore. Puzzles Experts

Dec 7, 2003 6:28AM PST

Not far from where I live near the Oregon coast...


Dec 5, 12:39 PM (ET)

LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (AP) - Thousands of dead birds have washed up on West Coast beaches this fall in a die-off that has stumped experts.

The birds are northern fulmars (a smaller cousin of the Albatross) and beachgoers in Lincoln County have counted more than 400 dead ones this fall.

In Clatsop County, where dozens of dead fulmars washed ashore, more than 200 of the weakened birds have been taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

The fulmars spend most of their time at sea, so it could mean massive numbers are dead in the ocean, said Scott Hatch, a research biologist in Anchorage, Alaska.

And experts don't know why. Some worry that man-made causes, such as plastic or toxins are to blame. Others dismiss the die-off as cyclical. But this year's death toll dwarfs any other on record in Oregon.

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Discussion is locked

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Re:Bird Die-Off in Ore. Puzzles Experts
Dec 8, 2003 4:42AM PST

I'm guessing it's got something to do with Dubya Wink

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NT REALLY? I'd not heard that.
Dec 9, 2003 2:54PM PST
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Is there an update? Only fulmars are drying? (NT)
Dec 9, 2003 6:44PM PST

.
Seems if they examined several birds they could determine what is killing them.

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NT If there is one (update), I've not seen it. Sorry Rosalie. :)
Dec 10, 2003 2:01PM PST
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NT- Tweet! Tweet! SQUAWK!!......Thud.
Dec 10, 2003 8:25PM PST

.

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Re:my 2 cents worth
Dec 10, 2003 8:51PM PST

global warming + over fishing