The SF Gate is calling this the worst Bay Area oil spill in more than a decade - which means it’s happened before, and it will probably happen again, as long as our addiction to oil keeps those tankers coming in. The Google Map to the right links to a live mash-up with photos of the affected areas around the bay, and check out the SF Gate and other links below for more on the developing story.

McNertney’s bird was one of 18 oil-soaked scoters and other birds plucked alive off Rodeo Beach Thursday. At least seven others were found dead. It was one of the worst-hit areas. The coastline along the Marin Headlands was caked with great gobs of goo, forcing closures of Horseshoe Cove at Fort Baker, Tennessee Valley Cove and Rodeo Beach.

More video, photos, and news coverage at SF Gate.

Photo gallery here.

As it turns out, the organization helping with the bird rescue effort is UC Davis’ own Oiled Wildlife Care Network. They will post a hotline for volunteers sometime today and I’ll update that on this blog.

UPDATE 10:42am 11/7/07 - Press release: UC Davis Leads Oiled-bird Rescue in San Francisco. Also, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network has set up a volunteer votline at (800) 228-4544. I will be calling later today to see if I can help out this weekend.