Initially, extensive bird mortality was observed (Royal Commission, 1971). The chief species affected were Red Squaw, Horned Grebe and Red-Breasted Morgansers. The Canadian Wildlife Service (Watson, 1970) also assessed the affects of oil pollution on resident birds (Ford, 1970). In Watson's studies on February 9,13, and 16, he found the area's with the heaviest contamination, had the largest number of dead birds. The scarcity of oiled living birds in heavily oiled areas indicate that the birds may be immobilized in the heavy oil and die soon after. In light concentrations of oil, many birds were not immobilized and were able to survive. The estimate of dead birds washed ashore in heavily contaminated shores was about 1,550, allowing for a 10% underestimate in sampling and a mortality of 300 birds in non-oiled shores, Watson estimated the total kill at about 2,000 birds. Following reports that oil reached Sable Island, a two day survey (Locke, 1970) from March 11-13 was conducted and another survey (Brown, 1970) from May 15-25. Locke estimated that close to 5,000 birds had died and washed ashore on Sable Island (Ford, 1971).