Wildlife organizations, including the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center of Mystic and the Connecticut Audubon Society, are asking bird enthusiasts to remove feeders from their yards to prevent the spread of a disease that is killing songbirds in nine Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states.
"It's important people realize this is a serious illness and take precautions" to protect the birds, said Cassandra Meyer-Ogren, the nature center's director of marketing and communications.
On its website, the nature center reported that the unknown illness has been responsible for numerous deaths among young blue jays, European starlings, common grackles, American robins and northern cardinals and other species that have been found with eye lesions and neurological problems.
The magazine Science reported Tuesday that the illness was first noticed in and around the Washington, D.C., area in late May, when baby blue jays appeared "lethargic, unable to keep their balance, and blinded by crusty, oozing patches that had grown over their eyes."
It's since spread to nine states, the closest being New Jersey, and scientists are trying to identify the cause.
Meyer-Ogren said it is similar to conjunctivitis that has spread in the past among birds, but the treatments used in the past for that ailment have not been effective with the new disease. She said the other big difference is that the new disease is affecting different species of birds.
While the disease has not been confirmed yet in Connecticut, the nature center said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is asking residents to take precautions and look out for cases.
Because whatever is killing the birds may be infectious, the center is asking people to stop feeding birds at this time. It assured bird lovers that plenty of wild food is available this time of year for birds. The center said people will be able to put their feeders back up when it is safe to do so.
The center offered suggestions to help protect the birds in addition to removing feeders and bird baths, which is suggested so they do not congregate and transmit the disease. These include not handling dead or injured wild birds or wearing disposable gloves if necessary, keeping pets away from sick or dead birds and, if disposing of dead birds, placing them in a sealable plastic bag and discard them with household trash.
"If everyone is diligent, hopefully we won't see it spread here. Of course, birds don't know about state lines, so time will tell," Meyer-Ogren said.
She added the center will monitor the situation closely and inform birders about any developments.
The Audubon Society posted on its website that it will be removing bird feeders at its centers and will be monitoring birds.
"danger" - Google News
July 08, 2021 at 02:53AM
https://ift.tt/2TDbfV7
Feeders might pose danger to songbirds - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com
"danger" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3bVUlF0
https://ift.tt/3f9EULr
No comments:
Post a Comment