The enormous and sad task of watching the birds of the gulf coast struggle to survive the oil slick is partly the job of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Now, more than ever the sightings and nesting habits of the pelicans, roseate spoonbills and many others will need to be watched.

Watch a slide show of birds gradually becoming covered with the oil that is washing into their territory among the mangroves of Louisiana.

On a brighter note, the seabird colonies of Breton Island are being protected and I guess that is the most we can hope for, that a few of the many important areas of bird habitats can be left untouched.  I am still wondering about the mollusks, and of course there is so much more being destroyed.

If you live along the Gulf coast and want to help with reporting or donate to the clean up efforts, or just want to see what’s going on, visit the Cornell site.
Apparently the media has had restrictions imposed on covering the damage. Read more here.

Seashell Identification
Seashell Coloring Page