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Daniel Day

Dan is a Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.

Duties include field and laboratory research on wildlife, including study of their diet and habitat they occupy.  Current research focuses on resource utilization by various avian species residing or over-wintering on the Chesapeake Bay. 

Science and Products

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Man on boat holding pole with mirror on the end to look inside osprey nest built on aid to navigation without disturbing nest

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Population and the Availability of Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) as Their Food Source in Chesapeake Bay: Historical and Present-day Comparison

USGS is collaborating with many biologists in analysis of data on osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) and their prey (menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, and other species of fish) in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The data compiled and collected will help determine if a lack of menhaden or other environmental factors are affecting osprey reproductive success in portions of the...
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Population and the Availability of Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) as Their Food Source in Chesapeake Bay: Historical and Present-day Comparison

USGS is collaborating with many biologists in analysis of data on osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) and their prey (menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, and other species of fish) in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The data compiled and collected will help determine if a lack of menhaden or other environmental factors are affecting osprey reproductive success in portions of the...
Learn More

Osprey Reproduction in vicinity of the Choptank River 2024

Nest number, description of nest structure and location, longitude, latitude, dates of observations, presence of adults, eggs, nestlings, outcome of reproductive effort, number of young fledged, and osprey nest platforms occupied by Canada geese.
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

Effects of local shoreline and subestuary watershed condition on waterbird use: influences of geography, scale, and season in the Chesapeake Bay

In many coastal regions throughout the world, there is increasing pressure to harden shorelines to protect human infrastructures against sea-level rise, storm surge and erosion. This study examines waterbird community integrity in relation to shoreline hardening and land use characteristics at three geographic scales: (1) the subestuary scale characterized by seven shoreline types...
By
Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Filter Total Items: 17

Effects of local shoreline and subestuary watershed condition on waterbird community integrity: Influences of geospatial scale and season in the Chesapeake Bay

In many coastal regions throughout the world, there is increasing pressure to harden shorelines to protect human infrastructures against sea level rise, storm surge, and erosion. This study examines waterbird community integrity in relation to shoreline hardening and land use characteristics at three geospatial scales: (1) the shoreline scale characterized by seven shoreline types...
Authors
Diann J. Prosser, Jessica L. Nagel, Shay Howlin, Paul Marban, Daniel D. Day, R. Michael Erwin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities

Pharmaceuticals in water, fish and osprey nestlings in Delaware River and Bay

Exposure of wildlife to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is likely to occur but studies of risk are limited. One exposure pathway that has received attention is trophic transfer of APIs in a water-fish-osprey food chain. Samples of water, fish plasma and osprey plasma were collected from Delaware River and Bay, and analyzed for 21 APIs. Only 2 of 21 analytes exceeded method...
Authors
Thomas G. Bean, Barnett A. Rattner, Rebecca S. Lazarus, Daniel D. Day, S. Rebekah Burket, Bryan W. Brooks, Samuel P. Haddad, William W. Bowerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Standardization and application of an index of community integrity for waterbirds in the Chesapeake Bay, USA

In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in the application of ecological indices to assess ecosystem condition in response to anthropogenic activities. An Index of Waterbird Community Integrity was previously developed for the Chesapeake Bay, USA. However, the scoring criteria were not defined well enough to generate scores for new species that were not observed in the...
Authors
Diann J. Prosser, Jessica L. Nagel, Paul Marban, Luo Ze, Daniel D. Day, R. Michael Erwin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Evaluating a portable cylindrical bait trap to capture diamondback terrapins in salt marsh

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are currently in decline across much of their historical range, and demographic data on a regional scale are needed to identify where their populations are at greatest risk. Because terrapins residing in salt marshes are difficult to capture, we designed a cylindrical bait trap (CBT) that could be deployed in shallow tidal waters. From 2003 to...
Authors
Paula F. P. Henry, G. Michael Haramis, Daniel D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Acute toxicity, histopathology, and coagulopathy in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following administration of the rodenticie diphacinone

The acute oral toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone was found to be over 20 times greater in American kestrels (Falco sparverius; median lethal dose 96.8 mg/kg body weight) compared with Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Modest evidence of internal bleeding was observed at necropsy, although histological examination of heart...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Katherine E. Horak, Sarah E. Warner, Daniel D. Day, Carol U. Meteyer, Steven F. Voler, John D. Eisemann, John J. Johnston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Comparative toxicity of diphacinone to northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

The acute oral toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone was found to be about 20 times greater to American kestrels (LD50=97 mg/kg) than to northern bobwhite (LD50=2,014 mg/kg). Several precise and sensitive clotting assays (prothrombin time, Russell's Viper venom time, thrombin clotting time) were adapted for use in these species, and this combination of assays is...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Katherine E. Horak, Sarah E. Warner, Daniel D. Day, John J. Johnston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Mute swans: Natural (?) environmental indicators

The rapid expansion of the Chesapeake Bay's population of feral mute swans (Cygnus olar), coupled with a dramatic Bay-wide decline in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), has fueled much of the current debate surrounding the need for a management plan to protect the aquatic food resources that are critical to many species native to the Bay. Crucial to this decision process is a sound...
Authors
D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Role of manganese oxides in the exposure of mute swans (Cygnus olor) to Pb and other elements in the Chesapeake Bay, USA

The aims of this study are to estimate exposure of waterfowl to elements in contaminated sediments in the Chesapeake Bay and to consider the potential role of Mn in influencing bioavailability and exposure. Metal concentrations were measured in livers and digesta taken from mute swans living on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, whose sediment had elevated concentrations of Cu, S, Se, Zn, As...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Toxicity of lead-contaminated sediment to mute swans

Most ecotoxicological risk assessments of wildlife emphasize contaminant exposure through ingestion of food and water. However, the role of incidental ingestion of sediment-bound contaminants has not been adequately appreciated in these assessments. This study evaluates the toxicological consequences of contamination of sediments with metals from hard-rock mining and smelting activities...
Authors
D. D. Day, W. N. Beyer, D. J. Hoffman, Alexandra Morton, L. Sileo, D. J. Audet, M. A. Ottinger
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Metal concentrations in zebra mussels and sediments from embayments and riverine environments of eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Ontario, and the Niagara River

Concentrations of 14 metals were studied in the soft tissues of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and sediments from 16 Great Lakes embayments and riverine environments. Samples were collected in 1993 and 1994 during the early and late autumn period when the body mass of mussels is least affected by reproductive activities. There was a significant difference in geometric mean...
Authors
T. P. Lowe, D. D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Relation of waterfowl poisoning to sediment lead concentrations in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin

For many years, waterfowl have been poisoned by lead after ingesting contaminated sediment in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, in Idaho. Results of studies on waterfowl experimentally fed this sediment were combined with results from field studies conducted in the Basin to relate sediment lead concentration to injury to waterfowl. The first step in the model estimated exposure as the...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. J. Audet, Gary H. Heinz, D. J. Hoffman, D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Toxicity of Anacostia River, Washington, D.C., USA, sediment fed to mute swans (Cygnus olor)

Sediment ingestion is sometimes the principal route by which waterfowl are exposed to environmental contaminants, and at severely contaminated sites waterfowl have been killed by ingesting sediment. Mute swans (Cygnus olor) were fed a diet for 6 weeks with a high but environmentally realistic concentration (24%) of sediment from the moderately polluted Anacostia River in the District of...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. Day, M. J. Melancon, L. Sileo
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center

Science and Products

link
Man on boat holding pole with mirror on the end to look inside osprey nest built on aid to navigation without disturbing nest

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Population and the Availability of Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) as Their Food Source in Chesapeake Bay: Historical and Present-day Comparison

USGS is collaborating with many biologists in analysis of data on osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) and their prey (menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, and other species of fish) in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The data compiled and collected will help determine if a lack of menhaden or other environmental factors are affecting osprey reproductive success in portions of the...
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Population and the Availability of Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) as Their Food Source in Chesapeake Bay: Historical and Present-day Comparison

USGS is collaborating with many biologists in analysis of data on osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) and their prey (menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, and other species of fish) in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The data compiled and collected will help determine if a lack of menhaden or other environmental factors are affecting osprey reproductive success in portions of the...
Learn More

Osprey Reproduction in vicinity of the Choptank River 2024

Nest number, description of nest structure and location, longitude, latitude, dates of observations, presence of adults, eggs, nestlings, outcome of reproductive effort, number of young fledged, and osprey nest platforms occupied by Canada geese.
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

Effects of local shoreline and subestuary watershed condition on waterbird use: influences of geography, scale, and season in the Chesapeake Bay

In many coastal regions throughout the world, there is increasing pressure to harden shorelines to protect human infrastructures against sea-level rise, storm surge and erosion. This study examines waterbird community integrity in relation to shoreline hardening and land use characteristics at three geographic scales: (1) the subestuary scale characterized by seven shoreline types...
By
Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Filter Total Items: 17

Effects of local shoreline and subestuary watershed condition on waterbird community integrity: Influences of geospatial scale and season in the Chesapeake Bay

In many coastal regions throughout the world, there is increasing pressure to harden shorelines to protect human infrastructures against sea level rise, storm surge, and erosion. This study examines waterbird community integrity in relation to shoreline hardening and land use characteristics at three geospatial scales: (1) the shoreline scale characterized by seven shoreline types...
Authors
Diann J. Prosser, Jessica L. Nagel, Shay Howlin, Paul Marban, Daniel D. Day, R. Michael Erwin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities

Pharmaceuticals in water, fish and osprey nestlings in Delaware River and Bay

Exposure of wildlife to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is likely to occur but studies of risk are limited. One exposure pathway that has received attention is trophic transfer of APIs in a water-fish-osprey food chain. Samples of water, fish plasma and osprey plasma were collected from Delaware River and Bay, and analyzed for 21 APIs. Only 2 of 21 analytes exceeded method...
Authors
Thomas G. Bean, Barnett A. Rattner, Rebecca S. Lazarus, Daniel D. Day, S. Rebekah Burket, Bryan W. Brooks, Samuel P. Haddad, William W. Bowerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Standardization and application of an index of community integrity for waterbirds in the Chesapeake Bay, USA

In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in the application of ecological indices to assess ecosystem condition in response to anthropogenic activities. An Index of Waterbird Community Integrity was previously developed for the Chesapeake Bay, USA. However, the scoring criteria were not defined well enough to generate scores for new species that were not observed in the...
Authors
Diann J. Prosser, Jessica L. Nagel, Paul Marban, Luo Ze, Daniel D. Day, R. Michael Erwin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Evaluating a portable cylindrical bait trap to capture diamondback terrapins in salt marsh

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are currently in decline across much of their historical range, and demographic data on a regional scale are needed to identify where their populations are at greatest risk. Because terrapins residing in salt marshes are difficult to capture, we designed a cylindrical bait trap (CBT) that could be deployed in shallow tidal waters. From 2003 to...
Authors
Paula F. P. Henry, G. Michael Haramis, Daniel D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Acute toxicity, histopathology, and coagulopathy in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following administration of the rodenticie diphacinone

The acute oral toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone was found to be over 20 times greater in American kestrels (Falco sparverius; median lethal dose 96.8 mg/kg body weight) compared with Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Modest evidence of internal bleeding was observed at necropsy, although histological examination of heart...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Katherine E. Horak, Sarah E. Warner, Daniel D. Day, Carol U. Meteyer, Steven F. Voler, John D. Eisemann, John J. Johnston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Comparative toxicity of diphacinone to northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

The acute oral toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone was found to be about 20 times greater to American kestrels (LD50=97 mg/kg) than to northern bobwhite (LD50=2,014 mg/kg). Several precise and sensitive clotting assays (prothrombin time, Russell's Viper venom time, thrombin clotting time) were adapted for use in these species, and this combination of assays is...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Katherine E. Horak, Sarah E. Warner, Daniel D. Day, John J. Johnston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Mute swans: Natural (?) environmental indicators

The rapid expansion of the Chesapeake Bay's population of feral mute swans (Cygnus olar), coupled with a dramatic Bay-wide decline in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), has fueled much of the current debate surrounding the need for a management plan to protect the aquatic food resources that are critical to many species native to the Bay. Crucial to this decision process is a sound...
Authors
D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Role of manganese oxides in the exposure of mute swans (Cygnus olor) to Pb and other elements in the Chesapeake Bay, USA

The aims of this study are to estimate exposure of waterfowl to elements in contaminated sediments in the Chesapeake Bay and to consider the potential role of Mn in influencing bioavailability and exposure. Metal concentrations were measured in livers and digesta taken from mute swans living on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, whose sediment had elevated concentrations of Cu, S, Se, Zn, As...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Toxicity of lead-contaminated sediment to mute swans

Most ecotoxicological risk assessments of wildlife emphasize contaminant exposure through ingestion of food and water. However, the role of incidental ingestion of sediment-bound contaminants has not been adequately appreciated in these assessments. This study evaluates the toxicological consequences of contamination of sediments with metals from hard-rock mining and smelting activities...
Authors
D. D. Day, W. N. Beyer, D. J. Hoffman, Alexandra Morton, L. Sileo, D. J. Audet, M. A. Ottinger
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Metal concentrations in zebra mussels and sediments from embayments and riverine environments of eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Ontario, and the Niagara River

Concentrations of 14 metals were studied in the soft tissues of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and sediments from 16 Great Lakes embayments and riverine environments. Samples were collected in 1993 and 1994 during the early and late autumn period when the body mass of mussels is least affected by reproductive activities. There was a significant difference in geometric mean...
Authors
T. P. Lowe, D. D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Relation of waterfowl poisoning to sediment lead concentrations in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin

For many years, waterfowl have been poisoned by lead after ingesting contaminated sediment in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, in Idaho. Results of studies on waterfowl experimentally fed this sediment were combined with results from field studies conducted in the Basin to relate sediment lead concentration to injury to waterfowl. The first step in the model estimated exposure as the...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. J. Audet, Gary H. Heinz, D. J. Hoffman, D. Day
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Toxicity of Anacostia River, Washington, D.C., USA, sediment fed to mute swans (Cygnus olor)

Sediment ingestion is sometimes the principal route by which waterfowl are exposed to environmental contaminants, and at severely contaminated sites waterfowl have been killed by ingesting sediment. Mute swans (Cygnus olor) were fed a diet for 6 weeks with a high but environmentally realistic concentration (24%) of sediment from the moderately polluted Anacostia River in the District of...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. Day, M. J. Melancon, L. Sileo
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
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