An official website of the United States government.
This proposal will cover sampling of three species of waterfowl for avian influenza at My Black Brant study site in western Alaska.
Non-Technical Summary- Avian influenza is becoming a serious issue facing the world today. This project will monitor waterfowl in Alaska to get a better understanding.
<p> Approach- A field camp will be established in Alaska. Two technicians will locate nests of spectacled eiders, common eiders and brant between initiation of nests and mid incubation, approximately mid May through mid June. During incubation technicians will collect cloacal swabs from 70 brant, 50 common eiders and 30 spectacled eiders. Technicians will also collect fecal samples from 100 common eiders and 30 spectacled eiders. Technicians will sample an additional 200 brant during banding operations in mid July.