I am in Sonoma County, Calif. We have West Nile here and birds are dying. About three weeks ago the birds disappeared from my yard, finches, sparrows etc. I feed them and they were always around. The robins used to work the lawn over and the local crows have disappeared. I am thinking that the virus has decimated the bird population around here. The mornings are dead silent when there used to be the daily chirping around sunrise. Any one else notice there are no birds around their house?
West Nile Virus
Or maybe the birds migrate elsewhere when they sense that their numbers are dying in a particular spot.
nearly the entire state has West Nile now and birds are dying everywhere. It's silent in the morning.Thereused to be birds around.
I thought about this I found a dead dove. That's not odd here, but I worry too.
What do your county extension agents have to say?
the state agents are only addressing what people need to do to avoid being infected...very little is said regarding the bird population. The local paper has had a few articles about backyard feeders and a number of dead birds. One lady had 60 birds dead in a few week.
The local Audobon people wrote back that yes birds are dying in the county but they do not know the extent.
In the meantime, the mornings are silent around here. :(
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=104C133FA0B261A2&p_docnum=1&s_dlid=DL0104090106282413563&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F31%2F2010%2011%3A59%20PM&s_subexpires=12%2F31%2F2010%2011%3A59%20PM&s_username=santarosa
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=1048C74BEDD4DADC&p_docnum=2&s_dlid=DL0104090106292028028&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F31%2F2010%2011%3A59%20PM&s_subexpires=12%2F31%2F2010%2011%3A59%20PM&s_username=santarosa
That would be horrible. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Yes, this is awful. i am very sorry, too.
I would be very interested to track the progress of this and to hear any information that could help us to understand what is happening.
Here is a link that seems a good place to start for information. "Start" is an operative term, because so much of the information on this website seems contingent on the unknown. And it does not necessarily represent a consensus of opinion in some respects.
http://environmentalrisk.cornell.edu/WNV/
Chili, I was stunned to read your posting. My twenties were spent on Lovall Valley Road, Sonoma. My heart goes out to thee. We are in Merced, central valley, and have two people with the virus in town. I am so worried about my hummers, let alone the rest of the gang outside. Never had I realized what the long term might be, how long before the birds return? Headed to the links next, thank you!
How has the rest of the country dealt with this? I don't think after the inital outbreaks it will last. I don't know of the other states bird populations being depleated. This may be a thinning out of weaker birds. I hope that's it.
The Baltimore Sun reported a few cases of West Nile disease in crows in the area last year. Is anyone monitoring this nationally for humans as well as for other mammals and birds?
The CDC is keeping track of West Nile. Go to
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
Our small town newspaper had a large front page article about WNV yesterday, reporting that local magpie's, crows and bluejays have been found but no trapped mosquitoes have been found to have it. We always have been extremely mosquito conscious as I and my daughter are highly allergic. There is an abundance of information regarding preventing bite, breeding, etc, and I did find information that said cats and dogs will not die from a bite. One of my largest concerns is for my hummers, and wondering what long term affect WNV will have on our bird populations. When winter kills off the mosquitoes, is the threat over? Will the virus return with the mosquitoes next year? Will birds return?
I am guessing these answers aren't out there because they simply do not know. Yet. Scary.
The main concern about WNV around here besides birds and people has been for horses. Many reports of dead birds in previous years not so much this year.
Chilidawg
Please give us an update on your bird population!!
Thanks, Judy
Chilidawg,
Can you give us an update on your bird population? We had a small breakout of West Nile Virus last winter here in Perris California, but I kept feeding about 125 wild birds (wild finches, sparrows, chickadees, and Starlings). Now I hope it is a thing of the past. If you have the time, please let us know if your bird population rebuilt itself!!!