[va-richmond-general] Re: MGs take note: Unusually high bird mortalities

*Birder Friends,*
**
*I received this e-mail, regarding bird mortalities, today from the
Chesterfield Extension Office.*
**
*Katie, South of the James*
**
**
**



On Thu, Mar 26, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Edwards, Susan <EdwardsSu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> wrote:

>  FYI.  Please be aware of this situation as you may receive questions on
> this problem.  Also monitor your feeding stations and report any disease
> activity as requested below.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Susan A. Edwards, M.S.
>
> *ANR Technician & Master Gardener Coordinator*
>
> Chesterfield County Cooperative Extension
>
> P.O. Box 146, 6807 Mimms Loop
>
> Chesterfield, VA 23832
>
> ph: (804) 751-4401 fax: (804) 751-0515
>
> edwardssu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
>
> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* VCE-ANR Agriculture and Natural Resources Discussion List [mailto:
> VCE-ANR@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Parkhurst, Jim
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:08 PM
> *To:* VCE-ANR@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *Subject:* Unusually high bird mortalities
>
>
>
> Colleagues:
>
>
>
> Some of you may be experiencing an unusually high number of calls coming
> from constituents about their observation of what appears to be significant
> die-offs of perching birds, particularly those common to bird feeding
> stations (e.g., finches).  This situation is more likely to be occurring in
> the western and southwestern parts of the state, but may show up anywhere in
> the Commonwealth.  In most cases, this is part of an on-going outbreak of
> salmonellosis that has been spreading throughout the mid-Atlantic region
> (for additional info, visit the National Wildlife Health Center web site:
> http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/salmonellosis.jsp).
>   This is a disease that occurs naturally in the environment, but
> occasionally spikes to higher than normal levels.  We seem to have entered
> into one of those periods this year.  However, at the same time, there also
> has been evidence of salmonella contamination arising from or spread through
> contaminated bird seed (see additional links off the same one provided
> above) and there may be a recall underway in your area.  Clients should be
> encouraged to check the name brand(s) of seed they may be providing at their
> feeding stations to determine whether it may be involved in a recall.  If
> so, they should stop distributing any of the contaminated seed, cleanse all
> feeders, and use only “clean” seed.  I’m attaching a useful pamphlet that
> describes proper sanitary care around feeders for your use.
>
>
>
> The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, in conjunction with the
> National Wildlife Health Center of the U.S. Geologic Survey, is monitoring
> the presence and spread of this outbreak.  If you have reports of
> significant die-offs of small songbirds, please forward information about
> the location and/or from whom you received that information to Justin Folks
> (justin.folks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) so that they can do the necessary
> follow-up on tracking each incident.
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> James A. Parkhurst, Ph.D.
>
> Associate Professor and
>
> Extension Wildlife Specialist
>
> 144 Cheatham Hall
>
> Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
>
> Virginia Tech
>
> Blacksburg, VA  24061-0321
>
> (540) 231-9283 / (540) 231-7580 (F)
>
>
>

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