Be careful when feeding during an outbreak of “bird flu”, experts advise | News, Sports, Work

This week, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources … recommended that you decide for yourself.Not completely requesting a feeder stop, but DNR has suggested doing so “Helps reduce the potential epidemic of HPAI.” The full news release can be read at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2022/04/20/temporary-removal-of-bird-feeders.

“If you’re worried about this virus and want to act with great care, it makes sense for now to get rid of bird feeders, but that’s not an important step yet.” Megan Morialty, a wildlife veterinarian in the state of DNR, said. “Even in the warm spring climate, birds will soon have more access to more natural food sources, so many people can unload their bait boxes in just a few weeks.”

If people choose to continue using bird feeders, Michigan DNR recommends that:

— Thoroughly wash the bird feeder with a diluted bleach solution and rinse well — once a week. Regular cleaning helps protect the bird from other infections, including Salmonella.

At Sixmile Lake in Dickinson County, a male Hooded merganser flaps between dives. Waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, and swans, appear to be most susceptible to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

— Clean the bird seeds that have fallen under the feeder to prevent them from gathering in areas where large numbers of birds and other wildlife are concentrated.

— Do not feed wild birds, especially waterfowl, near herds of livestock.

In addition, the agency lists how to use DNR eyes in the field app to report what appears to be an abnormal or unexplained death in a wild bird population. “Sick wildlife” By reporting option, or by calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Institute at 517-336-5030.

The view of feeding birds at the end of last week was by writer Laura Ericsson, who has a long list of bird-related qualifications and awards and has a long-standing public radio show. “For birds” A blog with the same name as.

I’ve covered Ericsson in my column in the past, so I recommend her view, which is far more educated than I am. She made a few long posts about bird flu and feeding birds: https: //blog.lauraerickson.com/2022/04/to-feed-or-not-to-feed.html and https: //blog.lauraerickson .com / 2022/04 / bird-flu-and-other-hazards-at-feeders.html.

I don’t want to summarize what she wrote, but Ericsson looked at this year’s HPAI report tracked by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). She wrote on her blog on April 15th:

“As of April 14, when the (APHIS) page was last updated, the disease has occurred in more than 30 states, including all states along the east coast, and has spread westward from the Midwest to Colorado. Of the 665 birds on the APHIS list, an amazing 137 were magamos — which is exactly 20%, and the majority of others are duck, geese, swan, and waterfowl of other species. There were a small number of other related waterbirds: brown and American white pelicans, scorpionfish, crocodile seagulls, and thunder rings. [Betsy’s note: a shorebird], All of these may have been exposed through sick waterfowl droppings. “

Others were raptors such as bald eagles and snowy owls, and scavenger species such as sick waterfowl and turkey vultures that probably ate poultry and became ill. In other birds of prey known to be infected with HPAI, the source is less clear.

So far, however, only one bird flu-related crow (reported in Minnesota) and one blue jay have been found in Nova Scotia, Canada. Given that many agencies, including the Minnesota Natural Resources Department, are paying attention to the HPAI-affected songbird shortage, Ericsson will continue to feed this spring with some important changes. Said that. You’ll have to read the entire blog post, but it’s worth the time.

She strongly recommends scraping old seeds, hulls and other debris under the feeder and cleaning the feeder regularly, as well as the Michigan DNR. After learning about crows, Ericsson planned to lower the tray feeder as soon as the common redpoll progressed. She said she was already avoiding the tube feeder at this time of the year because she demands that the bird push its face and beak the opening.

However, the sweat feeder remains and the hummingbird feeder rises. Neither is used by ground-fed species, Ericsson writes.

She pointed out that she was proceeding with this plan after assessing the risks in her garden. Her property in Duluth, Minnesota is not near domestic poultry farms or places known for waterfowl gatherings. With a virus. People have to do the same calculations for themselves.

Finally, the All About Birds website at Cornell University’s Faculty of Birds posted their views on wild bird feeding on Wednesday. “Currently, the risk of outbreaks among wild songbirds is very low, and according to the National Wildlife Disease Program, there is no official recommendation to unload feeding boxes unless poultry is also bred.” To read the entire statement, https: //www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/? Please access fbclid = IwAR2MJ2RaKpfdjN8gJu6aaW_N4HDr2-myFE1gmJYQO0ZSQZBDrbSSI.

I’m not an expert, so I’m trying to provide available information so that readers can make their own decisions. I agree with someone who emailed me that what has come up so far about bird flu and feeding birds can be a bit confusing. It is not surprising when a new transmission or strain of disease surfaced. It will take some time to determine how it will progress and affect the region. Adjustments in these situations will correct previously recommended ones and should be accepted rather than rejected.

However, the general intent of the advice so far is to take into account your situation (for example, suggestions to limit feeding where waterfowl can access) and potential risk factors. And it seems. Enhances cleaning of the feeder and surrounding ground.

Betsy Bloom can be reached by extension at 906-774-2772. 240, or [email protected].