Dear Tweeters,


In the most recent newsletter of the Falcon Research Group (FRG) there is an
article about discovery of serious beak abnormalities in 60 raptors (55
Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Peregrine Falcons and a
Ferruginous Hawk) mainly in the Pacific Coast and NW. This message
paraphrases part of the article.



According to FRG, the cause of the syndrome is unknown - it could be an
environmental contaminant, a virus, a disease, a fungus or something new.
Bud Anderson of FRG considers this to be the most serious threat to our
local raptors since DDT.



The FRG article asks that if you would like to assist in their study of the
syndrome, please report all observations of long-billed hawks (or birds of
any species, including passerines at your feeder) to the FRG. Also, when you
are in the field, take time to really look closely at both Red-tails and
Rough-legged. Keep in mind that the condition can be difficult to detect in
its early stages. You need to be fairly close and take a really good look at
the profile to see it. A good scope is essential.



More info is available at the FRG Web site:

<http://www.frg.org/frg/index.html> http://www.frg.org/frg/index.html



Greg Pelletier

Olympia, WA

<mailto:pondhawk at hotmail.com> pondhawk at hotmail.com