Researchers Work to Save Rare Songbird
May 20, 2011LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- As dusk shrouded the summit of Whiteface Mountain, Juan Klavins aimed his headlamp at the bird in his left hand, its head between his fingers and its wing extended to expose a crimson vein. The 26-year-old Argentine researcher deftly pierced transparent skin with a hypodermic needle and filled two fine glass tubes with blood to be tested for mercury. The bird craned its neck to eye the swarming gnats, impatient to resume feeding. Read the article »
Mercury Rising
May 01, 2005For years scientists have documented the alarming amounts of mercury polluting American rivers and lakes. Until now research on wildlife and mercury emissions from coal-burning plants has focused primarily on fish and fish-eating birds like loons and eagles. But now the toxic metal is showing up in unexpected places, including the blood and feathers of the Bicknell's thrush... Read the article »
High levels of mercury found in Vermont birds
March 13, 2005BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Scientists have found high levels of mercury in songbirds on Vermont mountaintops. Researchers at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science announced this week that mercury was found in the blood and feathers of the rarely seen Bicknell's thrush on Mount Mansfield and Stratton Mountain. Read the article »
