Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
15 Birds Stained By Oil Spill Off Staten Island As Clean Up Continues
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 18, 2012
Modified Dec 18, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 18, 2012
Modified Dec 18, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An oil spill off the coast of Staten Island has affected at least 15 birds, but authorities say the damage has largely been contained. "Tri-state bird and wildlife experts are walking the beaches on Shooters Island to survey the birds that have been impacted, and so far only 15 out of the nearly 3,000 birds that have been sighted have been stained by oil," Coast Guard spokesman Mike Hanson said this morning. "The oil might stain the bird, but it has no significant impact on its life."
Hanson said that the wildlife experts determined that the birds were not affected to the point that they needed to be retrieved and cleaned.
According to a release, 156,000 gallons of oil and water have been removed from Kill Van Kull, the strait which connects the Newark Bay to the Upper New York Bay, since the spill occurred on Friday morning. The leaky barge, owned by Boston Marine Transport has a capacity of 147,000 gallons, but Hanson says the Coast Guard has so far been unable to determine how much oil leaked out. "We hope to be coming out with that assessment this afternoon."
Skimmers, booms, and vacuum trucks have all been utilized in the cleanup. Shooters Island, which hosts a bird sanctuary closed to the public and run by the Parks Department, has been surrounded by booms since the spill occurred. "There's a very light sheen inside the deflection boom, but those booms stop the oil from getting close to the island," Hanson said. "Shooters Island is obviously a priority."
Tagged
environment
oil spills
pollution
shooters island
staten island
original
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
News
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .