Exposure of Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks to lead in western Alaska

Lead poisoning, resulting from ingestion of spent shot, has been identified as a cause of mortality in Spectacled Elders (Somateria fischeri) on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. We examined lead-exposure rates of adult and juvenile Spectacled Elders and other diving ducks, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry of blood samples. Additionally, we X-rayed birds in the field to identify ingested shot. We detected shot in the gizzards of 11.6% of Spectacled Elders X-rayed. During the period from arrival through incubation, 13.0% of adult females and 6.6% of adult males had elevated blood lead levels when captured. During the brood-rearing period, 35.8% of adult females and 12.2% of ducklings were exposed to lead when captured. There was an increase in the probability of exposure of adult females with date sampled. We predict that 50% of the successfully breeding hens were likely exposed to lead, and 25-37% of the Spectacled Elder breeding population was exposed to lead. The long-term effects of sublethal doses on Spectacled Elders are unknown; however, exposure of nesting females and young birds to lead may result in reduced over-winter survival and (or) reduced fecundity.