Substance spill threatens seabirds in San Francisco Bay

Bufflehead coated with pale goo at the International Bird Rescue center in Fairfield, CA. Photo by Cheryl Reynolds. Photo courtesy International Bird Rescue.

Dozens of seabirds were found covered in a pale goo late Friday January 16 on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay by East Bay Regional Park District staff. The birds were transported to the Fairfield office of International Bird Rescue, a non-profit that specializes in the rehabilitation of seabirds. At least 25 birds died of dehydration and hypothermia. The substance contaminating the birds and the circumstances in which it spilled into the bay waters is under investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By late Monday night, over 240 birds had been picked up from the San Leandro Marina, Hayward Regional Shoreline, Crab Cove in Alameda and Bay Farm Island Shoreline Trail in Alameda. The affected species are common goldeneye, eared grebe, surf scoter and bufflehead. They are all migratory waterbirds that winter in the coastal waters of the San Francisco Bay. They are excellent swimmers and dive under the water to eat crustaceans and molluscs.

Affected areas of east San Francisco Bay: Alameda, San Leandro and Hayward. Screenshot courtesy Google Maps.

Non-profit to the rescue

Barbara Callahan, interim Executive Director of International Bird Rescue, said that staff had been working overtime to wash the birds using a combination of baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dishwashing soap. Two specialists gently scrubbed each bird for 30 minutes to wash away the pale grey coating that resembled rubber cement in texture. After being washed and rinsed, the birds were placed in a commercial pet-grooming dryer to encourage them to preen themselves. They were then placed in a warm water pool. If the birds were able to tolerate it, they were then placed in a cold water pool. They were also fed a diet of fish and vitamins.

A horned grebe being washed at the Fairfield center of International Bird Rescue. Photo by Cheryl Reynolds. Photo courtesy International Bird Rescue.

Substance spill

A flyover by the US Coast Guard did not detect a spill in the bay. Preliminary tests performed by California state Office of Spill Prevention and Response ruled out the possibility of the substance being petroleum, vegetable oil or fish oil. The state Wildlife Investigation Laboratory will conduct further tests on Tuesday after a federal holiday on Monday. Staff at the International Bird Rescue shipped the dead birds to the laboratory's Rancho Cordova location where autopsies will determine the cause of death.

Oil spills in the bay

Earlier oil spills in the San Francisco Bay have taken their toll on waterbirds. In 2009 the tanker ship Dubai Star spilled 800 gallons of bunker fuel about 2.5 miles south of the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. At least 20 birds were found dead after the spill.

In 2007 the container ship Cosco Busan struck the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in thick fog. Its bunker fuel spill spread rapidly along the Northern California coastline and killed 6,849 birds. More than $70 million were spent in the cleanup.

Seeking public support

The non-profit International Bird Rescue was formed in 1971 when two tankers collided near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, resulting in an oil spill that affected 7,000 birds along 50 miles of coastline. "There were dying birds everywhere and no one knew what to do. It was as horrible as you can imagine," Jay Holcomb, International Bird Rescue's executive director, told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2012. "It was then that we realized there needs to be an organized attempt for their care."

With no funds at this time from state or federal grants, the International Bird Rescue is paying for all emergency care of the affected birds, estimated to run into thousands of dollars. The non-profit is seeking public support. Donations can be made at birdrescue.org or by mail to International Bird Rescue, 4369 Cordelia Rd, Fairfield CA 94534.