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Charles J. Henny

Publications and source records attributed to Charles J. Henny.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
USGS1982

Measurements of fall migrant peregrine falcons from Texas and New Jersey

Three subspecies of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) breed in North America: F. p. anatum, formerly bred in all eco-geographic regions of North America south of the Arctic tundra, except for the immediate vicinity of the northwest Pacific Coast; F. p. tundrius breeds in the Arctic tundra; and F. p. pealei, a relatively sedentary form, occupies the region of the northwest Pacific coast excluded from the range of F. p. anatum (Fyfe et al. 1976). Compared with tundrius, anatum is larger and darker, and the white auricular area is less extensive in proportion to the black malar stripe (White 1968a). This paper presents morphological information from two migrant populations. Also, measurements are compared with F. p. tundrius described by White (1968a,b), although shrinkage in study skins (the source of White's measurements) was recently documented (Fjelds• 1980) and confounds direct comparison.

Texas, New Jersey↗
USGS1982

Organochlorine residues in bats after a forest spraying with DDT

Background levels of DDT and its metabolites (ZDDT) were extremely low or not detected in five species of forest-dwelling bats in northeastern Oregon, i.e., areas not sprayed with DDT in 1974. Other organochlorine pesticides were rarely found and no polychlotinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected at any time during the study. Four of five species of bats showed significant changes in Z:DDT residues in, their carcasses following the single DDT spray application. Myotis californicus and M. volans showed the highest post-spray carcass residues, 6.90 and 6.21 ppm (wet weight). respectively. Lasionycteris noctivagans and Eptesicus fuscus also showed an increase; however, M. evotis exhibited no significant post-spray change. By 1977 (3 years post-spray), residues declined and only M. californicus and M. volans contained levels that were significantly above those in the nonspray (control) area. We are uncertain if the elevated residue levels resulting from the DDT-spray project adversely affected any of the bats. An attempt to relate bat carcass ZDDT residues to food habits, through analysis of stomach contents, yielded no clear relationships.

Northwest Science↗
USGS1981

An evaluation of blood plasma for monitoring DDE in birds of prey

Laboratory and field studies show that DDE residues in blood plasma are highly correlated with DDE in the brain, the rate of DDE exposure and the amount of DDE in eggs of free-living birds of prey. A blood sampling approach is proposed to supplement existing environmental contaminant methods available for birds of prey. Residues (ΣDDT) in plasma provide some direct information; however, a method is proposed to adjust blood plasma residues from four species of birds of prey to the estimated residues in eggs for the purpose of residue interpretation. The blood plasma-egg relationship appears to be species-independent in the four raptors studied. Two predicting equations are presented for estimating egg residues, one for plasma samples collected prior to, or within a few days of, egg laying, and another for the post-laying period. Limitations and advantages of the blood plasma monitoring approach are discussed. The approach may be particularly suitable for endangered species research.

Environmental Pollution (Series A)↗
USGS1981

Decline and present status of breeding Peregrine Falcons in Oregon

Unprecedented declines of the Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere became apparent during the Madison Peregrine Falcon Conference in 1965 (Hickey 1969). Data from Britain were the most detailed; broken or missing eggs were much more common in 1949-56 than they had been in earlier years (Ratcliffe 1958). Subsequently, Ratcliffe (1967) showed a significant decrease in eggshell weight of peregrines in Britain starting in 1947 or 1948. Later, the same finding was demonstrated in North America (Hickey and Anderson 1968). The relation of eggshell thickness to DDE residue levels was established for Alaskan peregrines by Cade et al. (1971) and Peakall et al. (1975). Peakall (1976) stated that pesticides were considered to be a major factor in the decline of the peregrine, and tentatively concluded that the level of DDE in eggs that failed to hatch was 15-20 ppm (wet weight.)

Oregon↗
USGS1981

Suspected Great Blue Heron population decline after a severe winter in the Columbia Basin

The wintering range of the Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias ) extends further north than does that of any other member of the Ciconiiformes in North America. The northern limits of its range extend along the Pacific coast into southeastern Alaska, into Massachusetts on the Atlantic coast, and inland into southern Montana (Palmer 1962). In the northern part of its range, severe winter weather may persist for weeks or months. Little information is available regarding either the response of individual Great Blue Herons to severe winters or the effects of these conditions on populations. In this paper, we report our observations on a small heron population in Oregon and Washington that was exposed to a severe winter.

Oregon, Washington↗
USGS1981

PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in wild mink and river otters from Oregon

Mink (Mustela vison) and river otters (Lutra canadensis) collected during the 1978-1979 trapping season in Oregon were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues. PCB residues were most frequently encountered in both species from the Lower Columbia River. PCB residues in 6 of 9 Columbia River mink livers were as high as those reported in livers of experimental female mink that experienced total reproductive failure after eating a PCB-contaminated diet of 0.64 ppm for 160 days. Also, some fish from the Columbia River contained PCBs (range 0.24-2.8 ppm) equivalent to or higher than the dietary dosage given in the same laboratory study. River otter livers from the same area contained even higher levels of PCBs [(M) geometric mean 9.3 ppm, (F) geometric mean 3.5 ppm], but the relative sensitivity of the 2 species to these contaminants is unknown. The river otter harvest along the Lower Columbia River has declined in the last 3 decades, whereas the statewide harvest trend is upward. PCBs were generally low or not detected in the remainder of the Oregon locations studied. Lower Columbia River collections also showed the highest organochlorine pesticides (mainly DDE) in both species. We are less concerned about the DDE residues reported, particularly in mink, because mink are less sensitive to DDT than to PCBs. Population declines of both mink and otters resulting from PCB contamination may have occurred, and may still be occurring, along the Lower Columbia River.

Book chapter↗
USGS1981

A review of bufflehead sex and age criteria with notes on weights

Summary: Buftleheads Bucephala albeola were collected along the Oregon coast during the hunting season. Birds were first sexed and aged upon cloacal and internal characteristics. Results were then compared with data derived from wing plumage. A small change was made in Carney's (1964) wing plumage key to improve its accuracy. Although only a few studies have been made of Bufflehead weights, it seems that in at least several of these, some immature males have been included in the female category. This mistake has probably resulted from the extremely small penis in the immatures. The foot web length shows potential as a simple sexing criterion during the fall and winter for immatures which are the most difficult to sex under field conditions.

Wildfowl↗
USGS1980

Pollution ecology of breeding great blue herons in the Columbia Basin, Oregon and Washington

Approximately 40 pairs of Great Blue Herons ( Ardea herodias ) formerly nested in trees on or near Blalock Island about 95 km downstream from Richland, Washington, in the Columbia River (Nehls 1972 ). In conjunction with construction of the John Day Lock and Dam and before creating Lake Umatilla in 1968, large trees along the shoreline, including those in the heronry on Blalock Island, were removed except for about six cottonwood trees ( Populus sp.) that were left standing near the south bank of the river (David Lenhart, pers. comm.). As a mitigation procedure, the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge (Umatilla) was established in 1967. The herons subsequently established a secondary heronry in the six cottonwoods; 20 pairs were present in 1971 (Nehls 1972). The inundated trees died and deteriorated; only two trees with eight nests remained in 1976 (Henny and Kurtz 1978), and we found just two nests in one tree in 1978. With a decrease in traditional nesting sites, the birds nested on islands in big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ), on channel markers in the Columbia River, and on nesting platforms constructed for Canada Geese ( Branta canadensis ). The purpose of this paper is to describe the breeding biology of Great Blue Herons at Umatilla and the McNary Recreation Area (McNary) in 1978 and the relationship of organochlorine residues in eggs to eggshell thickness and reproductive success. The primary reason for conducting this study was to determine if the heptachlor seed treatment that was severely affecting Canada Geese at Umatilla (Blus et al. 1979) was also a hazard to Great Blue Herons. At the same time we also investigated possible effects of other organochlorines on the herons.

Oregon, Washington↗
USGS1979

Organochlorine and mercury residues in Swainson's hawk eggs from the Pacific Northwest

Many raptorial species in the Pacific Northwest have not been studied from the viewpoint of pollutant contamination. The Swainson's Hawk ( Buteo swainsoni ) is particularly interesting because of its highly migratory characteristic; it apparently winters primarily in Argentina (Brown and Amadon 1968, Houston 1968). White and Cade (1977) and others have suggested Central America and South America as possible sources of pesticide contamination for wintering raptors from North America. The spraying of DDT in the Northwest in 1974 provided the opportunity to study several forest-dwelling raptors (Henny 1977); and in 1976, we made a special effort to collect a series of eggs of Swainson's Hawks from northeastern Oregon (some adjacent to the area sprayed with DDT in 1974) and southeastern Washington. This study was undertaken to determine organochlorine pesticide and other pollutant burdens in the Swainson's Hawk.

Oregon, Washington↗
USGS1979

Effects of sevin-4-oil, dimilin, and orthene on forest birds in northeastern Oregon

The possible harmful effect of insecticides on nontarget organisms should be a prominent concern in all attempts to control forest pests. Although all wildlife must be considered, birds are particularly vulnerable. The study reported here was part of the effort to find an environmentally safe method to control one of the major sources of insect damage to forest trees - the Douglas-fir tussock moth ( Orgyia pseudotsugata [McDunnough]). Its larval stage is an important defoliator of true firs ( Abies sp.) and Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca [Beissn.] Franco)in western North America. In Oregon, severe infestations have recurred at intervals of about 10 years since 1936 (Wickman and others 1973).

Oregon↗
USGS1979

Brain cholinesterase activities of passerine birds in forests sprayed with cholinesterase inhibiting insecticides

Brain cholinesterase activities were determined in passerines collected from northwestern forests that had been sprayed with trichlorfon, acephate, and carbaryl at 0.56, 1.13 and 2.26 kg/ha. Trichlorfon and carbaryl inhibited cholinesterase activity slightly in only a few birds, primarily canopy dwellers. In contrast, acephate caused marked inhibition of cholinesterase activity in nearly all birds collected. The inhibition was present even 33 days after spraying. Some birds from the acephate-sprayed forests exhibited clinical signs compatible with acute acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Book chapter↗
USGS1979

Effects of heptachlor-treated cereal grains on Canada geese in the Columbia Basin

In 1976 and 1977, die-offs of birds of several species occurred in Umatilla and Morrow counties, Oregon. Detection of high levels of heptachlor epoxide (HE) in tissues of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) prompted this study to determine the extent and impact of heptachlor contamination on geese on two study areas on the Columbia River--the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge (Umatilla) in Oregon and Washington and on the McNary Recreation Area (McNary) about 65 km upstream in Washington. Nest success of Great Basin Canada geese (B. c. moffitti) at McNary was 90.2 percent compared to 5I.7 percent at Umatilla. HE in eggs was correlated with nest success--95 percent of the nests from which sample eggs contained <1 ?g/g of HE were successful compared to 20 percent of those with eggs that contained >10 ug/g. Eggs from McNary were essentially clean of organochlorine pollutants, while eggs from Umatilla contained an average of 2.93 ?g/g of HE and a maximum of 24.29 ug/g. Lethal levels of HE were detected in brains of resident Great Basin Canada geese and over-wintering Taverner's geese (B. c. taverneri) that were found dead on or near Umatilla: The source of HE in geese appeared to be ingestion of seeds treated with heptachlor for wireworm control. The small population of moffitti is in danger of extirpation from heptachlor. Recommendations for minimizing the heptachlor problem include: (1) improved handling of treated grain to decrease its availability to wildlife, (2) use of treated seed only in areas requiring wireworm control, and cessation of prophylactic use, particularly on wheat planted in irrigated circles immediately following potatoes, and (3) replacement of heptachlor with a safer chemicaL

Book chapter↗
USGS1979

Annual weight cycle in wild screech owls

The annual weight cycle of wild birds of prey has received little attention in the past, primarily because of the difficulty in capturing and recapturing them. Screech Owls ( Otus asio ) are resident in our northern Ohio study area and readily occupy nest boxes established for Wood Ducks ( Aix sponsa ) (see VanCamp and Henny 1975). In addition to nesting in the boxes, the owls use them as roosting and feeding stations during the winter and are easily captured in the boxes during the day. Therefore, the owls presented an unusual opportunity to obtain information on their annual weight cycle. Between January 1975 and December 1978, Screech Owls were captured, weighed, and banded. Several were subsequently recaptured and weighed again to form the basis of this report. It is difficult to sex live Screech Owls in the field because they are not sexually dimorphic; however, Sherman (1911) noted that females did all of the incubating. We sexed adult owls with young at nest sites by the presence (female) or absence (male) of a brood patch. Owls captured away from nests during the nesting season without brood patches, or at other times of the year, were classified as sex unknown, unless they were previously captured at a nest with young. Screech Owls in northern Ohio have young in the nests from mid-April through early June.

The Auk↗