Migratory Birds Flock to Polluted Reservoir

For an unexplained reason, thousands of migratory birds are attracted to the Cerron Grande hydroelectric Reservoir in El Salvador. The mystery deepens when one realizes that that particular artificial body of water collects 3,800 metric tons of sewage, excrement, and industrial waste every year. It has plenty of heavy metals like chromium and lead. About 150,00 sea birds from more than 130 species have made the reservoir home. El Salvador environment ministry ornithologist Ricardo Ibarra says the birds may be attracted by crawling with insects that appear around the edge of the lake in the dry season. Scientists are worried that the birds may be harmed by the pollution when they forage for food.