Waterfowl Program
The Waterfowl Program focuses on conservation research in both marine and freshwater fowl. Current studies include sampling various species of waterfowl to determine regions containing elevated levels of contaminants, and assess the potential impacts of contaminants on avian reproductive success and survival.
Program Director
Lucas Savoy
207.839.7600, ext. 104
Program Goals
- Working with federal and state agencies to evaluate contaminant exposure in waterfowl
- Using waterfowl to evaluate potential human health risks from consuming game species
- Determining potential effects contaminants have on the reproductive success and survival of waterfowl
- Conducting studies useful in the conservation of waterfowl
Current BRI Projects
- Rangeley Lakes Monitoring Project- evaluating mercury exposure and nesting productivity in waterfowl
- Seaduck Contaminant Exposure Profiling
- Evaluating mallard productivity and habitat loss in Virginia
- Surf Scoter contaminant survey
Geographic Focus
- Eastern North America
- Alaska
- California
Recent Reports, Papers and Presentations
- Meattey, D. and L. Savoy. 2010. Assessing mercury accumulation in
wintering sea ducks and atlantic brant at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, 2009. Report BRI 2010-08. BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. 17 pages. pdf - Savoy, L. 2007. Mercury in blood of molting and wintering Harlequin Ducks from Alaska. Report BRI, Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, Maine. 8pp. pdf
- Savoy, L. and D.C. Evers 2007. Pilot assessment of methlymercury availability to Mallards on the North Fork of the Holston River, Virginia - 2006. Report BRI 2007-12 submitted to the U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Gloucester, Virginia. BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. 42pp.
- Savoy, L. and D.C. Evers 2007. Pilot assessment of methlymercury availability to Mallards on the South River, Virginia - 2007. Report BRI 2007-18 submitted to the U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Gloucester, Virginia. BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME.
- Savoy, L. 2005. Establishing waterfowl observation stations and conduction brood surveys on Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. Report BRI 2005- 12 BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, Maine. 32pp. pdf
