Algae bloom may have killed birds

Hundreds of dead and injured seabirds have washed up on the shores of Monterey Bay in recent weeks, and scientists believe a red tide of marine algae is to blame. About 600 birds have been found stranded on beaches in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties since a large rust-colored algal bloom began circulating in the bay about three weeks ago, scientists say.

At first officials believed the birds were victims of the San Francisco Bay oil spill. Scientists now believe the birds were injured by a protein that sticks to their feathers. “Their feathers are no longer keeping them warm,” said Michael Ziccardi, of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. “It’s doing something to their waterproofing.”

The algal bloom likely will stay in Monterey Bay and continue injuring birds until a major weather system pushes the red tide out, a state veterinarian said.