Mercury in New York State Bald Eagles

Recently released findings from a study initiated by a grant from The Nature Conservancy and conducted by scientists at Biodiversity Research Institute and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reveal elevated mercury levels in Bald Eagles nesting in the Catskill region of New York. Findings from this research effort provide evidence that the Catskill region is a "biological mercury hotspot" and support the need for a more comprehensive mercury monitoring and assement plan.

Eagles at a nest

Adult Bald Eagles tend their nestling
(Photo by Ginger Gumm and Daniel Poleschook, Jr.)

Report Highlights:

(1) Bald Eagle chicks in the Catskill Region had mercury levels most similar to chicks sampled in areas associated with significant mercury pollution, such as some Maine lakes and a mercury mine in British Columbia, Canada.

(2) One-third of the adult Bald Eagles sampled in the Catskill Region, and one-quarter of those sampled statewide had accumulated mercury in their bodies at levels associated with harmful effects in other fish-eating birds such as Common Loons.

(3) In the Catskill Region, high mercury levels in Bald Eagle chicks were often found at sites where predator fish such as Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, and Walleye also had high mercury levels.

Stay tuned for soon-to-be-released results from BRI's extensive studies of Bald Eagles in Maine and
other New England states!

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