Some common sense from Toledo Blade outdoor writer Steve Pollick: "If birding, backyard bird feeding, or even bird-banding are among your favorite pastimes, go ahead and enjoy them and forget the near hysteria about "Asian bird flu." Concerns have arisen among some individuals who enjoy the foregoing activities, in part because of sensational media accounts."
"[W]ild birds contract many different strains of flu all the time, and they do not affect humans. Birds also contract any number of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. A well-known example is West Nile virus, which though it has killed some humans along with many birds it has fallen off the public panic-radar. Yet it is present here and now."
"For those who may be involved in field research, such as mist-netting and banding of migrating songbirds and other species, Slemons recommends changing from field outerwear and storing it in a bag until it can be cleaned. Wear rubber gloves. And wash hands. As for bird feeding, Slemons notes" "Not a problem. As long as the virus is not here." "
"Julie Shieldcastle, executive director of Black Swamp Bird Observatory in Ottawa County, also weighs in with Orosz and Slemons. BSBO maintains a songbird banding station on the federally managed Navarre Marsh along western Lake Erie and its staff bands 8,000 to 10,000 songbirds each spring. With the first of the migrations well under way, Shieldcastle will simply maintain good personal hygiene during the banding sessions."
Also from that Pollick column:
"In related news, Shieldcastle said that the first "wave" of songbird migrations is under way ahead of the normal April 25 to 30 schedule because of the warm temperatures and southerly winds this week. "We should also get our first broad-winged hawks this week. Most of the red-shouldered hawks are through." "
"Golden-crowned kinglets have peaked, and hermit thrushes are "in thick," and the first of the ruby-crowned kinglets have moved into the region. A few of the "overflight" warblers, such as Louisiana waterthrush, also have arrived. A second wave of migrants usually begins to flood the region in early May and crests around Mother's Day. It generally features the greatest variety of species. A third and final wave comes in around Memorial Day and features the greatest volume of birds if not the greatest diversity."
