Nimish is a Research Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
Nimish is a research biologist driven by my interest in avian conservation. My research focuses primarily on identifying and addressing threats to birds and their environments that arise from human ignorance and arrogance. My current work falls under ecotoxicology and invasive species research categories but my interests also encompass a myriad of other anthropogenic hazards to birds (for example, energy development, light pollution, avian trafficking and poaching, and illegal killings). Much of my research produces publications with real-world applicability. These publications have the unique property of direct implementation for avian conservation in the field. Therefore, the publications have been used by natural resource managers, policy regulators, wildlife law enforcement agents, and U.S. Attorneys.
Professional Experience
Research Biologist 1992-current, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Advised 3 MS thesis students and have participated as a graduate committee member for 1 MS and 3 PhD students.
Instructor 1995- current, US Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center course 'Pesticides and Fish and Wildlife Resources'.
Adjunct Professor, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA. 1998-2000.
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA. 1996- 1998
Co-professor for an undergraduate/graduate course, Ornithology, University of Maryland. 1994 and 1996.
Biologist 1989-1992, US Environmental Protection Agency.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1992, University of Maryland
B.S. 1986, University of Maryland
Science and Products
Toxicological responses to sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in free-flying hawks
Observations on long-term memory in honey bees
No abstract available.
Understanding and mitigating bee drownings in open feeders
Description of disparate responses of two indoor feral bee colonies
Rodenticide incidents of exposure and adverse effects on non-raptor birds
Influence of poisoned prey on foraging behavior of ferruginous hawks
The influence of study species selection on estimates of pesticide exposure in free-ranging birds
Untested pesticide mitigation requirements: ecological, agricultural, and legal implications
Evidence of songbird intoxication from Rozol application at a black-tailed prairie dog colony
Chlorophacinone residues in mammalian prey at a black-tailed prairie dog colony
Critique on the use of the standardized avian acute oral toxicity test for first generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Acute oral toxicities of wildland fire control chemicals to birds
Scientists Provide an Understanding of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Non-Target Bird Species
Determining carcass scavenging rates on major rivers for oil spill response and NRDAR
Does tropospheric ozone, resulting from fossil fuel combustion, disrupt bee pollination?
Characterization of Avian Hazards Following Chlorophacinone Use for Prairie Dog Control
Managing Free-Roaming Cats at the Patuxent Research Refuge
Toxicological responses to sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in free-flying red-tailed hawks
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 28
Toxicological responses to sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in free-flying hawks
An important component of assessing the hazards of anticoagulant rodenticides to non-target wildlife is observations in exposed free-ranging individuals. The objective of this study was to determine whether environmentally realistic, sublethal first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (FGAR) exposures via prey can result in direct or indirect adverse effects to free-flying raptors. We offered blaAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Barnett A. Rattner, J. Michael Lockhart, Craig S. Hulse, Clifford P. Rice, Frank Kuncir, Kevin KritzObservations on long-term memory in honey bees
No abstract available.
AuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Amanda D. Plunkett, Diana BakerUnderstanding and mitigating bee drownings in open feeders
Whereas open feeders are relatively inexpensive and are easily set up and maintained, they do present a drowning hazard to bees. We observed that bees feeding off the walls of the open container fell into the sugar water because of their incarnation, interactions with other bees and when shooed off the feeder walls while removing the feeder for cleaning. Twigs, angled laths and utility screen percAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Amanda D. Plunkett, Evelynn Enciso, Victor TorrezDescription of disparate responses of two indoor feral bee colonies
As is sometimes the case, field research does not always go according to plan. This is especially true when the research involves free-ranging animals. We recently conducted a preliminary field study that involved placing a beehive in a tent and individually releasing marked honey bees (Apis mellifera) outdoors to study their ability to locate sugar water rewards by following olfactory cues. HereiAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Amanda D. PlunkettRodenticide incidents of exposure and adverse effects on non-raptor birds
Interest in the adverse effects of rodenticides on birds has focused primarily on raptors. However, non-raptor birds are also poisoned (rodenticide exposure resulting in adverse effects including mortality) by rodenticides through consumption of the rodenticide bait and contaminated prey. A literature search for rodenticide incidents (evidence of exposure to a rodenticide, adverse effects, or expoAuthorsNimish B. VyasInfluence of poisoned prey on foraging behavior of ferruginous hawks
We recorded 19 visits by ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) over 6 d at two black–tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) subcolonies poisoned with the rodenticide Rozol® Prairie Dog Bait (0.005% chlorophacinone active ingredient) and at an adjacent untreated subcolony. Before Rozol® application ferruginous hawks foraged in the untreated and treated subcolonies but after Rozol® application predatAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Frank Kuncir, Criss C. ClintonThe influence of study species selection on estimates of pesticide exposure in free-ranging birds
Field studies of pesticide effects on birds often utilize indicator species with the purpose 16 of extrapolating to other avian taxa. Little guidance exists for choosing indicator species to 17 monitor the presence and/or effects of contaminants that are labile in the environment or body, 18 but are acutely toxic, such as anticholinesterase (anti-ChE) insecticides. Use of an indicator 19 species tAuthorsShannon L. Borges, Nimish B. Vyas, Mary C. ChristmanUntested pesticide mitigation requirements: ecological, agricultural, and legal implications
Every pesticide sold in the United States must have a U.S. Environmental Agency approved label on its container. The label provides directions for the pesticide’s use and is legally enforceable under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. For a pesticide with high ecological risks, mitigation statements may be included on the label to reduce the pesticide’s risks and to supportAuthorsNimish B. VyasEvidence of songbird intoxication from Rozol application at a black-tailed prairie dog colony
Concerns about avian poisonings from anticoagulant rodenticides have traditionally focused on secondary poisoning of raptors exposed by feeding on contaminated mammalian prey. However, ground foraging songbirds can be directly poisoned from operational applications of the anticoagulant rodenticide Rozol® (0.005% chlorophacinone, active ingredient) applied as a grain bait, at black-tailed prairie dAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Craig S. Hulse, Carol U. Meteyer, Clifford P. RiceChlorophacinone residues in mammalian prey at a black-tailed prairie dog colony
Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPDs), Cynomys ludovicianus, are an important prey for raptors; therefore, the use of the rodenticide Rozol (0.005% chlorophacinone active ingredient) to control BTPDs raises concern for secondary poisonings resulting from the consumption of contaminated prey by raptors. In the present study, the authors observed Rozol exposure and adverse effects to mammalian prey onAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Craig S. Hulse, Clifford P. RiceCritique on the use of the standardized avian acute oral toxicity test for first generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Avian risk assessments for rodenticides are often driven by the results of standardized acute oral toxicity tests without regards to a toxicant's mode of action and time course of adverse effects. First generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) generally require multiple feedings over several days to achieve a threshold concentration in tissue and cause adverse effects. This exposure regimen iAuthorsNimish B. Vyas, Barnett A. RattnerAcute oral toxicities of wildland fire control chemicals to birds
Wildland fire control chemicals are released into the environment by aerial and ground applications to manage rangeland, grassland, and forest fires. Acute oral 24 h median lethal dosages (LD50) for three fire retardants (Fire-Trol GTS-R?, Phos-Chek D-75F?, and Fire-Trol LCG-R?) and two Class A fire suppressant foams (Silv-Ex? and Phos-Chek WD881?) were estimated for northern bobwhites, Colinus vAuthorsN.B. Vyas, J. W. Spann, E. F. Hill - Science
Scientists Provide an Understanding of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Non-Target Bird Species
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their partners utilize laboratory and field studies and existing information to improve understanding of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects to wild birds.Determining carcass scavenging rates on major rivers for oil spill response and NRDAR
We are conducting avian carcass detection and persistence trials to generate an estimator to correct for the avian injuries that are not found after a oil spill on inland rivers.Does tropospheric ozone, resulting from fossil fuel combustion, disrupt bee pollination?
The Challenge: Pollinators such as bees use floral volatiles to guide them to flowers. Tropospheric ozone produced from fossil fuel combustion products can breakdown floral volatiles. Interference with bee pollination threatens habitat quality and biodiversity and the security of the US food supply system.Characterization of Avian Hazards Following Chlorophacinone Use for Prairie Dog Control
The Challenge: Black-tailed prairie dogs are considered a keystone species for the prairie habitat. Many avian species are associated with black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in winter. Raptors feed on prairie dogs and non-raptor avian species forage within prairie dog colonies. However prairie dogs are also considered agricultural pests. The first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide...Managing Free-Roaming Cats at the Patuxent Research Refuge
The Challenge: Free-roaming cats (Felis catus) are nonnative predators of small mammals, songbirds and gamebirds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They are also competitors of native predators and vectors for diseases to human and wildlife. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is authorized to remove cats from National Wildlife Refuges. Presently cat trapping on Refuge lands is conducted... - Data
Toxicological responses to sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in free-flying red-tailed hawks
An important component of assessing the hazards of anticoagulant rodenticides to non-target wildlife are observations in exposed free-ranging individuals. The objective of this study was to determine if environmentally realistic, sublethal first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide exposures via prey, can result in direct or indirect adverse effects to free-flying raptors. We offered black-tailed - Multimedia