Blog for the Birds

Athabasca Oil Sands - Danger to Birds?

May 2, 2008 on 10:08 am | In Ecosystem |

In late April 500 ducks perished in the northern Alberta oil ponds known informally as ‘oilsands’.   The open pools of the oilsands are part of the Athabasca Oil Sands.  These are a large deposit of extremely heavy crude oil and water is used to separate the oil. Unfortunately large amounts of oil sit in the open water and causes an environmental hazard as demonstrated by the 500 ducks that landed in the ponds.  Songbirds and other migratory waterfowl are regularly seen in the ponds.  It is not known how many birds may have landed in these tainted waters and whose skeletons lie at the bottom.

Groups warn of more bird deaths in oilsands ponds