I noticed a post yesterday on the Nova Scotia Bird Society page that the Department of Natural Resources is suggesting that feeders and bird baths be removed because of cases of the avian flu.
The H5N1 strain of the flu was noticed earlier in the year. While it is not contagious to humans, it is something fairly contagious to birds, and it seems to be spreading a bit. So they are asking for people to remove places where birds may tens to gather to help slow the spread.
For those who like to watch birds, it doesn’t seem like a good time of year to do this. While natural food sources are starting to pick up, there are also more birds arriving in the area. And while we might like to keep the fed, it is probably more important to help keep them alive.
It is a bit disappointing. It’s nice to try to keep an eye out for some of those new arrivals. Just to see if there are a few you haven’t seen or noticed before. And there always seem to be a few.
But really, since the arrival of the parasite a few years back when they were asking people to do the same thing, take down feeders and shut down bird baths, it has almost become an annual ritual as the weather starts to warm.
There was also a notice for anyone who may see dead birds around not to touch them, but contact the Natural Resources staff so they can send properly equipped people around to collect them for testing.
I like having birds around. Not that they’re not around, but I like to entice them to get closer. And there are usually a few new to me birds I spot every year. Last year various warblers seemed to drop by on occasion. And hopefully they still will. But I just may need to keep binoculars handy to figure out exactly what I’m looking at.
So if you have a backyard bird feeder, please think about taking it down. Natural food sources will be taking over shortly, and slowing the spread of the avian flu is pretty important.
For anyone who would like further information, I’d suggest checking the Nova Scotia Bird Society Facebook page. Maybe even follow them. They get some great pictures on there.
