[ValleyNature] Important Sick and Dying Bird notice from the AVC

[James W. Wolford]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Andrew Hebda <HEBDAAJ at gov.ns.ca>
> Date: August 11, 2009 3:01:38 PM ADT
> To: naturens at chebucto.ns.ca
> Subject: [NatureNS] Important Sick and Dying Bird notice from the AVC
> Reply-To: naturens at chebucto.ns.ca
>
> This message has come from the Atlantic Veterinary College SICK AND
> DYING BIRDS IN YOUR YARD please share with bird watching and feeding
> community
>
> Andrew
> Nova Scotia Museum
>
> Over the past two summers, the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health
> Centre (CCWHC), Atlantic Region has received numerous reports of sick
> and dying birds around bird feeders and water baths in people*s yards
> throughout the Maritimes.  The primary species affected are purple  
> finch
> and American goldfinch, and a microscopic parasite, Trichomonas
> gallinae, causes their illness which is known as trichomoniasis
> (trichomonosis).  This summer has been no different with widespread
> mortality of finches occurring throughout the region around people*s
> homes.  The CCWHC is interested in tracking this emerging disease
> problem to better understand its impact on wild bird populations and
> would like to examine as many of the dead birds as possible.  The  
> CCWHC
> cannot advise or encourage members of the general public to handle  
> dead
> birds.  However, if an interested individual was inclined to collect a
> specimen, the following procedure should be practiced:
> 1.	Place a plastic bag over hand and pick up the dead bird with
> hand covered by the plastic bag.
> 2.	Invert the plastic bag over the bird and tie the top of the
> plastic bag.
> 3.	Wash hands well with warm water and soap.
> 4.	Deliver the dead bird in the bag to the local Department of
> Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife or Canadian Wildlife Service  
> office
> where it will be frozen and held for pick up at a later date.
> Biologists, conservation officers and wildlife technicians have busy
> schedules and limited freezer space so it is up to their discretion to
> facilitate a request to hold a dead bird for submission.   
> Therefore, in
> Nova Scotia (NS) and Prince Edward Island (PEI), it is advisable to  
> call
> the office prior to handling a dead bird to obtain their consent to
> cooperate.  All submitted samples should have the following  
> information
> included with them:
> 1.	Submitter*s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
> (if available).
> 2.	Location where dead bird was found.
> 3.	Date dead bird was found.
> 4.	Number of dead or sick birds observed.
> Unfortunately, at this time, New Brunswick (NB) Department of Natural
> Resources is unable to participate in this targeted surveillance
> program.  As a result, we would appreciate you recording any mortality
> that might occur in NB by completing a Garden Bird Health Survey found
> on the CCWHC, Atlantic Region website (http://atlantic.ccwhc.ca/).
>
> At a date later in the Fall 2009, the CCWHC will pick up the birds  
> that
> have been submitted in NS and PEI and examine them.  Subsequently, a
> full diagnostic report will be sent to the person who submitted the
> bird(s) as well as the agency that held the specimen(s).  This work
> would not be possible without public participation and the involvement
> of provincial and federal wildlife agencies so the CCWHC greatly
> appreciates your assistance.  If you require any further information
> about this project or have any questions, please do not hesitate to
> contact us directly at 902-628-4314 or e-mail Drs. Scott McBurney
> (smcburney at upei.ca) or Maria Forzan (mforzan at upei.ca
>
>

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