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“For most species, we have such a short monitoring window,” says Hargan, who utilizes similar paleo resources to study the long-term populations of sea ducks and other coastal birds.

The first, which peaked in March 2022, primarily affected raptors, while the second, which began in June, hit gulls and sea ducks known as eiders.

The state is swimming with sea ducks, including six-pound eiders that eat their weight in mussels every day.

Izembek Lagoon holds one of the world’s largest beds of eelgrass, a rich food source for Pacific brant geese, endangered Steller’s eider sea ducks and other migratory birds.

As the crew from the Port boated past cleanup sites, sea ducks lifted from the water.