IT'S FOR THE BIRDS--bird feeders, bird watching, salmonella and common sense

This is just in from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

A variety of winter songbirds around the state have been reported dead or sick due to Salmonellosis, a bacterial disease transmitted bird to bird in their fecal material, said Department of Natural Resources wildlife disease experts.

"Species of birds that feed together in large numbers such as pine siskins, sparrows, gold finches and other finch species, often feed and defecate in the same location, allowing for easy contamination of food," said Tom Cooley, DNR wildlife disease specialist. "Sick birds often sit with their feathers fluffed, act lethargic, are unwilling to move and can be easily approached, and in some cases, handled."

It seems that common sense is finally arriving at the DNR and they're trying to disseminate it. Well duh, this common sense has been around for at least 45 years. In ornothology (birding) classes in college, the prof. always maintained, and it was common sense, that birders should not continue to feed the birds in the summer. Rather sterilize the feeders with bleach and put them away for the summer feeding season. This to prevent disease, and encourage the birds to forage naturally.

Yes, well, because of our desire to look at the birds all year long from our kitchen windows instead of exerting a little energy and going into the "birdland" , we've thrown common sense out the window. Bird feeders, bird magazines, bird talk sites rarely,if ever, mention anything about this anymore. It's big business--this bird feed, feeders, mags. so we don't want it to be seasonal.

I know, I know, they are so delightful to look at. Yes, we can't all get out and enjoy them in the wild. Of course, it's a pleasant pasttime. But we are placing our pleasure over their ability to live clean, free, and wild. Please consider at least cleaning and sterilizing your feeders for the summer and having a few less. It's for the birds!