Osprey as Biological Indicators on the Yellowstone River Yellowstone River Research Center Student Research Project, Cameron Sapp Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society Student Intern, Cameron Sapp Professors Kayhan Ostovar, Lucas Ward, Ulrich Hoensch, Rocky Mountain College Professor Marco Restani, St. Cloud State University Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society Citizen Science Volunteers

Introduction

The Yellowstone River runs through Billings, MT and is home to osprey (Pandion haliaetus), a top avian predator of fish in the system. A study conducted in 1981 to asess the status of osprey in southeastern Montana found no osprey nests along any rivers in southeastern Montana including the Yellowstone River (Swenson 1981). Since that time osprey have expanded their range east on the Yellowstone River well past Billings. In Montana, osprey are considered a Tier 3 species with a Species of Concern Rank 5 (MFWP 2005). There are a number of known osprey nests along the Yellowstone River both above and below Billings that have been monitored by Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society (YVAS) starting in 2010. In recent years, breeding osprey populations have used power poles and other man-made structures as sites for nests (Henny et al. 2009, Harmata et al. 2007). The use of power poles has created some conflict and cre-ates oportunities for interesting partnerships to address these issues.

Osprey are considered potentially useful as contaminant-level-indicators for aquatic ecosystems as a sentinel species. A sentinel species is defined as an organism used to evaluate environmental contamination and the implications on ecological integrity based on their chemical sensitivity, position in the biotic community, exposure potential, and geographic distribution or abundance (Grove et al. 2009). In Montana, osprey are one of the top avian fish-eaters in aquatic food webs (99+% of diet). Osprey are migratory but their eggs and nestlings reflect local contaminant exposure on their breeding grounds (Elliott et al. 2001). They are a long lived species prevalent along rivers that have strong human influences such as on the Yellowstone River. Osprey are known to tolerate short-term nest disturbance, have visible nests, and are sensitive to contaminants like hydrocarbons and heavy metals (Grove et al. 2009, Henny et al. 2003). By studying species that are physiologically similar to humans, we can potentially identify harmful levels of contaminants that may pose a human health risk.

Billings is a center of commerce and has the highest population of any city in the Yellowstone River watershed. Potential sources of mercury or heavy metal contamina-tion include wastewater treatment plants in Billings and Laurel, several refineries and a coal fired power plant (Wang et al. 2004). Osprey have been examined to look at spatial contaminant residue patterns relative to known point sources on major rivers in the Pacific Northwest (Grove et al. 2009). They have also been examined for mercury con-tamination in western Montana (Langner et al. 2011). This study utilizes osprey in an effort to learn more about contaminant patterns in the Yellowstone River watershed.

Mercury is one of the most widespread and harmful contaminants to birds and other invertebrates found in both aquatic and terrestrial food chains (Häkkinen and Häsänen 1980). It manifests its toxic effects in various life history stages in birds and other wildlife. It can impair adult survival, reproductive success, behavior, cellular development, and act as a teratogen, affecting nestling development (Stebbins et al. 2009). It is often of concern in aquatic systems since it can bioaccumulate in top level consumers, especially that of piscivorous (primarily fish eating) wildlife including osprey and humans. Human health advisories have been issued in more than 40 states in response to the consumption of mercury-laden fish as the accumulation of methylmer-cury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxin. In osprey, methlymercury accumulates in various tissues including eggs, blood and feathers (Grove et al. 2009). Concentrations of mercury in blood are highly dependent on the geographic location of nests (Langner et al. 2011). Nestlings provide a better indicator of localized conditions than adults since they are fed exclusively from the area surrounding the nest and because migration is not a confounding factor at this life stage (Grove et al. 2009).

Methods

Blood Sampling for Heavy Metals: Ideally, blood was taken from juvenile osprey at 40 to 45 days of age (Henny et al. 2009, Langner et al. 2011). Based on past Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society citizen science data, nestlings hatch in the month of June, so the majority of the samples were obtained during the month of July (Langner et al. 2011). Nestlings were brought to the ground for processing in a cardboard box. Blood was only taken from one nestling per nest and all nestlings were measured and banded with size 8 lock-on bands. The field procedure took an average of 11 minutes per nestling. Blood samples were sent to the Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory at the University of Montana Geosciences Department in Missoula, MT to analyze the blood for concentration of heavy metals, (Rattner et al. 2008, Grove et al. 2009, Langner et al 2011).

Data Analysis: We analyzed fledgling success rates and heavy metals in chick blood in three ways.

Fledgling success rates were carefully documented through citizen science and researchers analyzed statistically. Using a 2-sample T-test assuming unequal variance we examined the difference in observed success rates between populations in eastern and western Montana, and above and below the Laurel/Billings Industrial Zone (LBIZ). US Highway 310 was used as the dividing line for upstream and downstream.

We plan to test for correlations between osprey fledgling success rates and the level of methylmercury in chick blood or other heavy metals.

Finally, we will examine differences in methylmercury between eastern and western Montana populations, and above and below the LBIZ.

Works Cited

Elliott, John, E., Wilson, Laurie, K., Henny, Charles, J., Trudeau, Suzanne, F., Leighton, Fredrick, A., Kennedy, Sean, W., Cheng, Kimberly, M. “Assessment of Biological Effects of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Osprey Chicks.” Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. (2001) 20, 4: 866-879

Grove, Robert A., Henny, Charles J., Kaiser, James L. “Osprey: Worldwide Sentinel Species for Assessing and Monitoring Environmental Contamination in Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs, and Estuaries. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. (2009) 12: 25-44.

Häkkinen, I., Häsänen, E. “Mercury In Eggs and Nestlings of the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in Finland and its Bioaccumulation from Fish.” Ann. Zoology. (1980) 17: 131-139.

Harmata, Peter J., Restani, Marco, and Harmata, Alan R. “Settlement Patterns, Foraging Behavior, and Reproductive Success of Ospreys along a Heterogeneous Riverine Corridor.” Canadian Journal of Zoology. (2007) 85: 56-62.

Henny, C. J., Grove, R. A., Kaiser, J. L., Johnson, B. L., Furl, C. V., Letcher, R. J., “Contaminants in the Boise River and Possible Effects on Birds and Other Wildlife.” USGS Status and Trends Report (2009).

Henny, Charles J., Kaiser, James L., Grove, Robert A., Bentley, Raymond V., & Elliott, John E. “Biomagnification Factors (Fish to Os-prey Eggs from Willamette River, Oregon, U.S.A) for PCDDS, PCDFS, PCBS and OC Pesticides.” Environmental Monitoring and As-sessment (2003) 84: 275-315.

Hoysak, Drew. J., Weatherhead, Patrick, J. “Sampling Blood from Birds: A Technique and an Assessment of its Effect.” The Cooper Ornitho-logical Society. The Condor. (1991) 93: 746-752.

Langner, H.W., E.Greene, R. Domenech, M.F. Staats. “Mercury and Other Mining-Related Contaminants in Ospreys along the Upper Clark Fork River, Montana, USA.” Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. (2011).

Rattner, B.A., Golden, N.H, Toschik, P.C., McGowan, P.C., & Custer, P.C. “Concentrations of Metals in Blood and Feathers of Nestling Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.” Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. (2008) 54:114-122.

Stebbins, Katherine, R., Klimstra, Jon, D., Eagles-Smith, Collin, A., Ackerman, Joshua, T., Heinz, Gary, H. “A Non-Lethal Microsampling Technique to Monitor the Effects of Mercury on Wild Bird Eggs.” U.S. Geological Survey. (2009).

Swenson, Jon E. “Status of the Osprey in Southeastern Montana Before and After the Construction of Reservoirs.” Western Birds. (1981) 12: 47-51.

United States. U.S. Department of the Interior. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strate-gy. Helena, MT. (2005).

Wang, Qianrui, Daekeun Kim, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, George A. Sorial, and Dennis Timberlake. "Sources and Remediation for Mercu-ry Contamination in Aquatic Systems-A Literature Review." Environmental Pollution. (2004)131: 323-36.

Results

The use of Citizen Science was critical in collecting osprey fledgling success data. Sixteen volunteers throughout Yellowstone County contributed 176 hours of time and 3,950 miles of driving and a total of 20 data sheets, valued at $4,881.56.

Fledgling Success: Approximately 89% of osprey chicks on the Yellowstone River fledged from

their nests. There was an average of 1.87 chicks born per nest, but only an average of 1.67 chicks

fledged from the nest. Citizen Scientists identified a fledgling success rate of 100% upstream of

the LBIZ and 85% success downstream of the LBIZ. However, an average of only 1.75 chicks

fledged per nest upstream whereas an average of 2.25 chicks fledged per nest downstream (Fig. 1).

Figure 1 - Osprey Fledgling Success Upstream and Downstream of the Industrial Zone

Baling Twine Mortality: A major source of mortality was entanglement with baling twine, accounting for eleven percent of chicks that died this year. Two osprey chicks were found with their legs entangled in baling twine. Another instance involved an osprey with its wing caught in baling twine which resulted in a broken furcula (breast bone). This recurring problem illustrates the importance of having community nest monitors to identify osprey that are entangled as quickly as possible so that a rescue can be coordinated.

Mercury Levels: We took 18 blood samples and 35 nestling measurements from 16 different

osprey nests. For chicks, the average mercury level was 0.346 mg-L (σ=0.384). We also looked at Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) as. The only other metal that was elevated was Se, which had a positive correlation to Hg (r2 = 0.29, p <.001). Two chicks had significantly higher levels of Hg in the range that is considered hazardous to health and considerably higher than chicks sampled in western Montana. Chick nests where the elevated samples were recorded were in the middle of the heavily industrialized zone of Billings (Figure 2).

Figure 2 - Mercury levels in blood samples of Osprey

Yellowstone River Cleanup: We successfully completed two annual 18-mile river cleanups along the industrial section of the Yellowstone River this past year. This cleanup helps raise public awareness and engages volunteers and college students with the project to help protect our natural resources on the river. We had significant news coverage with local papers and television. Forty-two people participated in this collaborative project between Rocky Mountain College’s Yellowstone River Research Center and the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society. Volunteers included large groups from both hospitals in town and a group of students from the freshman Environmental Science class at Rocky Mountain College. A total of 5,600 lbs. of metal were col-lected and recycled in addition to 39 tires and 30 bags of trash. Total volunteer hours were equivalent to $5,653.60.

18 Blood samples taken

Yellowstone River Research Center

Northwestern Energy

Beartooth Electric Cooperative

Park Electric Cooperative

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative

City of Billings Water Treatment Plant

Western Sugar

Montana Raptor Conservation Center

The Humane Society of the United States

Stephen and Deb Regele

Monty Sullins, Dave Pauli, Haendel Zeppeda

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

University of Montana

Lucas Ward, Heiko Langner, Ulrich Hoensch

Montana Audubon

Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society

National Audubon and Toyota Together Green

Beartooth Paddlers

Billings Clinic Foundation

Bureau of Land Management-Billings

ExxonMobil

Montana Wildnerness Association-Eastern Wildlands Chapter

Northern Plains Resource Council

REI-Bozeman

St. Vincent Healthcare’s Environmental Stewardship Committee

Sunshine Sports

The Base Camp

Pita Pit

Yellowstone River Park Association

Wal-Mart-King Avenue West

Acknowledgments

Billings

Laurel