Sunday, 8 February 2015

[Maine-birds] sick redpoll under feeder - what to do

Terribly sad to report a sick redpoll under our feeder in Brooklin this morning. It was lethargic, didn't fly, hunkered on the ground under the feeder, head under wing, briefly tottered around and then died. Has anyone else has sick or dead redpolls or siskins?

From what I've read, i'm guessing it's likely salmonella. Here's basic info from project FeederWatch: http://feederwatch.org/learn/sick-birds-and-bird-diseases/?__hstc=75100365.0039a4473360da48d0b8d707bc24dfe4.1405868667592.1422627052975.1423402323265.31&__hssc=75100365.2.1423402323265&__hsfp=1408254444

We followed recommendations: took down the feeder, disinfected it a weak bleach solution> We also shoveled seeds and snow out from under feeder and put it in a covered garbage can for now. Cleaned up the area as best we could, cleaned the shovel with bleach solution as well. Project Feederwatch recommends leaving your feeders down for at least a week if you find sick or dead birds, which is what we're doing.

There's no way to confirm salmonella, or, if it is, where the bird might have contracted it, but we decided to be as careful as possible to help prevent the spread just in case.

Hope everyone is enjoying these lovely northern visitors and that we help them flourish!

Kim

Author, THE SECRET POOL, a children's book about vernal pools. Winner, Riverby Award, John Burroughs Association, and Lupine Award, Maine Library Association. Skipping Stones Honor Award, 2014. "Share with budding naturalists or use as an excellent guide for a woodland walk..." Kirkus Reviews, starred review.

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