| Project Description |
This is a cooperative project with staff of the Chesapeake Bay Field Office of the Fish and Wildlife
Service study that will to assess contaminant exposure and potential adverse effects on ospreys nesting on
navigation markers and other fixed structures within the Chesapeake Bay. The study is being conducted in
three Regions of Concern (Anacostia River, Baltimore Harbor, and the Elizabeth River), and at the South,
West and Rhode Rivers near Annapolis, Maryland (presumed reference site). From each nest, a single egg
will be collected and analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, total PCBs and PCB congeners. Blood and
feather samples from near fledging young will be collected and analyzed for heavy metals, metalloids and
trace element analysis. Nest success (hatching of eggs, and fledging of young) and growth rate of nestlings
will be monitored at frequent intervals to determine potential relationships between contaminant exposure
and reproductive success. Exposure and potential impact of organochlorine and metal contaminants on
osprey reproduction in Regions of Concern will be evaluated in relationship to other natural factors
(adverse weather, predation, disease, and human disturbance) to determine the relative significance of local
contamination on reproduction in this valued species. These data will also be used to monitor, rank,
prioritize and potentially expedite remediation of Regions of Concern. If extreme contaminant-related
effects (e.g., reproductive failure, teratogenesis) are noted in nesting osprey in these Regions, management
actions might also include hazing of birds by modifying channel markers in contaminated areas to prevent
nesting and provision of alternate nesting platforms in less contaminated areas. |
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