A suspected algae bloom left thousands of shorebirds dead or dying on Oregon and Washington beaches Tuesday.
Local residents and members of the Discovery Coast Chapter of the Audubon Society mounted an impromptu rescue in an attempt to save as many birds as possible. Chinook Observer writer Kevin Heimbigner called former Audubon Society board member Mike Carmel of Long Beach, Wash., with the news of the emergency Tuesday morning. Carmel contacted other local birders and drove to the Cranberry beach approach on the Long Beach Peninsula with cardboard boxes, garbage cans and pet carriers.
Carmel estimated that as many as 1,000 birds were affected by the algae, collapsing on the beach or appearing bedraggled and dazed. Unable to fly, many had been killed by vehicles and some had drowned.
