Abstract

In August 2012 a bird morbidity and mortality event was reported at the Paul S. Sarbanes Environmental Restoration Project at Poplar Island (PIERP), in Talbot County, Maryland. Initial reports were received by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Health Program and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. Live shorebirds and waterfowl were found with neurologic signs. Over the following 15 weeks 777 birds were affected. While the majority (564 birds) were found dead, 79 out of 188 were treated and released by Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. The majority of species included least and semi-palmated sandpipers, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, mallard, and American black ducks.

The National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI, received bird carcasses for diagnostic testing and determined that avian botulism was the cause for early mortalities. The University of Pennsylvania conducted microcystin toxicologic testing and determined harmful algal bloom organisms were also involved in the event. By November no further reports were received and the event was declared over. Disease and mortalities are part of the natural system at Paul S. Sarbanes Environmental Restoration Project at Poplar Island (PIERP), and occur usually during summer and fall months, but can occur at any time of the year. Several federal, state, university and private organizations work closely to monitor this island.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the many volunteers, biologists, scientists from the following organizations who helped with this investigation: Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, MD Environmental Service, MD Department of the Environment, MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, MD Department of Natural Resources, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the University of Pennsylvania.

* Presenting author