Clean off the baths and feeders. We can start feeding the birds again.
In July, the Pennsylvania Game Commission urged residents to bring in feeders and stop giving songbirds places to congregate as reports of mysterious bird deaths were investigated in 10 states and Washington, D.C.
Now, the commission has lifted the recommendation, saying reports of sick and dead wild birds have declined and the illness appears to be resolving itself.
The source of the bird ailment is still unknown, the commission said in a news release. But a number of possibilities have reportedly been ruled out, including West Nile virus, coronaviruses, and common pesticides and herbicides. There have been no reports of related health issues in humans or domesticated animals.
Before putting feeders and birdbaths back out, though, the game commission recommends washing them with soap and water and disinfecting them with a 10% household bleach solution at least weekly.
Pets should also be kept away from any sick or dead wild birds, and should only be handled by humans if direct contact can be avoided with gloves and plastic bags.
And any sick or dead birds should be reported to local game commission offices. The Lehigh Valley falls in the southeast region — the number for that office in Reading is 610-926-3136.
Residents “are often the first to notice and report injured, sick, or dead wildlife,” wildlife veterinarian Andrew Di Salvo said in the game commission’s news release. “All those extra sets of eyes and ears enable us to respond as quickly as possible and resolve or investigate the situation.”
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
"bird" - Google News
August 15, 2021 at 10:12PM
https://ift.tt/3yPzvCG
We can put bird feeders out again, Pa. says as mysterious songbird disease wanes - lehighvalleylive.com
"bird" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2s1zYEq
https://ift.tt/3dbExxU
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "We can put bird feeders out again, Pa. says as mysterious songbird disease wanes - lehighvalleylive.com"
Post a Comment