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Mercury Takes Toll On Catskills Songbirds

By Dave Lucas

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-1002934.mp3

Castkill, NY – A study released by the Biodiveristy Research Institute has found dangerously high levels of mercury in several Northeastern bird species, including rusty blackbirds, saltmarsh sparrows, wood thrushes, and others that frequent the Catskills. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The report, entitled "Hidden Risk," examines the prevalence of mercury in wildlife of the northeastern United States. David C. Evers, executive director of the Biodiversity Research Institute, says a lot of the work in the paper, began in the Catskills.

Evers notes that levels of contamination are highest in habitats like marshes and beaver ponds that go through cycles of wet and dry. Rutgers University Biology Professor Joanna Burger points out that songbirds are eating insects which are high in mercury. Evers explains mercury in the environment is affecting adult songbirds and bats.

Foresters and ecologists are troubled by the report: Joanna Burger says a continuing increase of mercury in the environment being circulated in the air. Contamination has been documented in birds that were once thought to not be at risk: Burger concedes there is not much that can be done for the wildlife already poisoned by Mercury. Burger warns birds, bats and other animals are, in effect, sentinels of problems that we as humans might encounter.

Read the full report here.