>From BirdConservationResearch.org Dear members and friends - take a look at the below correspondence, especially if you are an active bird-bander. ----- Forwarded message from mail@birdconservationresearch.org ----- Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:49:29 -0400 From: "Robert J. Craig" <mail@birdconservationresearch.org> Subject: Re: FW: Answer! RE: bird die off? To: emarks@asri.org Thanks so much for this. I am sending it on to our members. Bird-banders especially need to be reminded that there are risks in handling wild birds. Gloves, eye protection and surgical masks are not unreasonable precautions. Certainly multiple hand washings (serial dilutions) are in order after handling birds. Best, R Quoting "Eugenia Marks" <emarks@asri.org>: >Robert: FYI > >Eugenia Marks >Senior Policy Director >(401) 949-5454, ext. 3003 >_____ > >From: Kim Calcagno [mailto:kcalcagno@asri.org] >Subject: Answer! RE: bird die off? > >Okay, I think I have the answer. (I have CC'd new people on this, so >everyone is in the loop. Please read all the way down if you haven't seen >the original email.) > >I just got off the phone with Kristen at the wildlife clinic and she says >the rehab list serves have been buzzing about this for a few weeks. The dead >birds are all testing positive for salmonella, but they are not sure if the >reason that goldfinches and siskins seem to be the only ones affected >because they are more sensitive or what. It is a boom year for pine siskins, >so perhaps population density is contributing to the spread. > >Apparently it all started with suet contaminated in that peanut plant in >Georgia, and it has spread right up the east coast into Canada from bird >feeder to bird feeder. Kristen says that they put out an article about it in >their most recent newsletter and they have been telling people to throw away >their suet, take in all feeders from areas where dead birds are being found >for a minimum of one week, clean the feeders, perches and bird baths with a >10% bleach solution and rake up stray seed from the ground. Any seed that >cannot be gotten up can also be splashed with a 10% bleach solution. > >If people are finding dead birds, and want them tested, they can call Fish >and Wildlife at Great Swamp at 789-0281 and speak with Chris Raithel. To be >tested, the bird(s) must have expired within 24 hours and must be at room >temperature - no refrigeration or freezing as it affects the test results. > >Perhaps an e-alert is in order?? Jeff or Larry? > >Kristen (at the clinic) said you can feel free to use her instructions from >their website for clearing and cleaning your feeding station etc. >http://www.riwildliferehab.org/newsletters/Winter%202009%20Newsletter.PDF. I >believe we only sell Blue Seal Suet, which is made in New Hampshire and C& S >suet which is made in Iowa, so our products are safe. > > > >I will print out a copy for the front desk. > >Kim Calcagno >Refuge Manager >Powder Mill Ledges Refuge and Fort Nature Refuge >Audubon Society of Rhode Island >12 Sanderson Rd. >Smithfield, RI 02917 >401-949-5454 ext. 3021 >Fax: 401-949-5788 >kcalcagno@asri.org _____ > >From: Michael Tucker [mailto:mtucker@asri.org] >Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:38 PM >Subject: RE: bird die off? > >There was a similar situation in Tiverton a couple months ago. > >I put the word out to a coupe of people to see if we can learn anything. >I'll pass along anything I hear about it. > >Mike > >Mike Tucker >Refuge Manager of Caratunk Wildlife Refuge >Audubon Society of Rhode Island >301 Brown Avenue >Seekonk, MA 02771 >(508) 761-8230 >mtucker@asri.org _____ > >From: Eugenia Marks [mailto:emarks@asri.org] >Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:26 PM >Subject: RE: bird die off? > >I sent you an email asking this question a couple of weeks ago (early April) >in response to a call Linda received. I think the site was Foster. > >Eugenia Marks >Senior Policy Director >(401) 949-5454, ext. 3003 > >_____ > >From: Kim Calcagno [mailto:kcalcagno@asri.org] >Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:21 PM >Subject: bird die off? > >Have any of you heard of anything going around in goldfinches and siskins >here in the NE? In the last two to three weeks, we have gotten at least five >phone calls of people reporting goldfinches and siskins dead in their yards >in numbers. People are not finding one bird. They are finding three or >more.and they are all either goldfinches or pine siskins. The birds are >unmarked with no telltale signs of disease or predation such as swollen >eyes, bleeding etc. > > > >I know they've been having salmonella outbreaks in Tennessee, but haven't >heard of anything here. > > > >Kim Calcagno >Refuge Manager >Powder Mill Ledges Refuge and Fort Nature Refuge >Audubon Society of Rhode Island >12 Sanderson Rd. >Smithfield, RI 02917 >401-949-5454 ext. 3021 >Fax: 401-949-5788 >kcalcagno@asri.org Dr. Robert J. Craig, Director Bird Conservation Research, Inc. 90 Liberty Highway Putnam, CT 06260 USA 860 928-2178