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Will the Gulf Oil Spill Affect Birds That Nest in Our Backyards?
NestWatch Needs Your Help
We've seen images of oiled pelicans, plovers, and other shorebirds and wading birds from areas affected by the recent spill. Species that nest on beaches and in coastal marshes, like plovers and terns, are being monitored by state wildlife officials. But many birds that nest in backyards all across North America, such as Red-winged Blackbirds and Tree Swallows, may winter in the coastal and marsh environments along the Gulf of Mexico where they could potentially be affected by the oil spill. We need your help to track nesting success of these birds in your own backyard and neighborhood.
Call for Data:
Birds passing through the Gulf region could carry contamination with them, creating an "oil shadow" of declines in bird reproduction hundreds of miles away from the coast. We need data for these key backyard bird species, all of which use the Gulf during some part of their annual cycle and could potentially be affected by the oil spill.
Click on the species name for additional life history information.
Northern Cardinals are permanent residents in the coastal "cheniers," coastal ridge woodlands, in the Gulf region. Will the oil affecting the beaches and marshes impact birds of the coastal woodlands? | |
Large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds winter in marsh habitats along the Gulf. Blackbirds spend several months in coastal marshes before heading back north to nest. | |
Barn Swallows migrate past the Gulf of Mexico. These swallows roost in large flocks in marsh habitats during their annual journeys to and from wintering areas in Central and South America. | |
Migrating Purple Martins pass through the Gulf of Mexico. They roost in large flocks in marsh habitats during their annual journeys to and from wintering areas in Central and South America. | |
Tree Swallows winter along the Gulf, relying on insects from coastal marshes and wetland habitats. Flocks of thousands of Tree Swallows can be seen along the Gulf Coast in winter, foraging over marshes when food is scarce. |
This year's nesting season is already in full swing; it is critical to collect nesting data for these species this year and in the years ahead. Follow the NestWatch Code of Conduct and Nest Monitoring Protocol to help us track nesting success of these key backyard bird populations that may be affected by the Gulf oil spill.
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