As oil continues to flow into the Gulf of Mexico from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, concern and some despair is spreading to wildlife managers and conservationists across the country. The effects of the oil, already called by some the nation’s worst ecological disaster, are being calculated daily.

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How? Migratory birds. Many birds that breed in Wisconsin winter along the

Gulf Coast. Notable species that will be affected, say scientists, include the

common loon and blue-winged teal.

“This is an environmental disaster that could affect ducks for years to come,”

said Frank Rohwer, a scientific director with Delta Waterfowl and professor at

Louisiana State University’s School of Renewable Natural Resources.

An estimated 13 million ducks and 1.5 million geese winter along the Gulf Coast,

including birds from the Central and Mississippi flyways. Although it’s impossible to

estimate how many birds will be affected, the only prognosis is negative.

“It’s a special, special place, and it breaks my heart seeing it despoiled more

and more with each passing day,” Rohwer said.

Rohwer said blue-winged teal begin showing up in the coastal marshes in

August. And in November, large numbers of diver ducks, including canvasback

and scaup, wing into the barrier islands and other coastal areas.

“How many won’t make a return trip is anyone’s guess,” Rohwer said.

“I don’t like the odds.”

To help provide alternative habitat to the migrating waterfowl, the National

Fish and Wildlife Foundation last week announced a $2.5 million grant to Ducks

Unlimited. The money will be used to flood and enhance about 20,000 acres in

coastal Louisiana and Texas.

Work on the project will begin immediately, according to DU.

Are waterfowl hunters likely to see reduced daily bag limits for ducks this fall?

Ashe said no decisions had been made by the USFWS; the service will meet in

July to discuss regulations for Wisconsin and other states.

“What concerns wildlife

professionals most is what

we can’t see - the birds

and marine mammals that

spend all or most of their

lives offshore in waters

now inundated with oil,

and the probable chronic,

long-term effects of the spill

on the marine and coastal

environment,” said U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service

deputy director Dan Ashe

in remarks at the Outdoor

Writers Association of

America annual conference

earlier this month in

Rochester, Minn.