Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines (newfoundland, Canada)

[shane]

Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines
March 28, 2009


The discovery of over 125 dead birds washed ashore on the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas and a number of dead gulls in Quidi Vidi is being investigated by the province. At this time wildlife officials say they don't think there is any cause for alarm. The province's Natural Resources Department is conducting tests on the birds and says starvation has been observed in some of the birds and that ice and weather conditions can contribute to such a die-off at this time of year. Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Hugh Whitney advises people not to touch the birds or let their pets come in contact with them.

Meanwhile, the department's toxicology examination of the dead gulls discovered in the Quidi Vidi Lake area showed no evidence of common pesticides but did reveal high concentrations of caffeine in their stomachs and this is now considered the likely cause of death. Officials with the Animal Health Division and Environment Canada's Wildlife Service are monitoring the situation.

http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=35107

"did reveal high concentrations of caffeine in their stomachs "

these birds must be canadian citizens and got into some bad Tim Horton's !! you gotta be canadian or familiar with this country to get that joke .

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines (newfoundland, Canada)

Thanks and Welcome Shane!

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines (newfoundland, Canada)

Thanks for the post shane.


Bonavista Pennisula is more than 60 miles north of Quidi Vidi Lake and the Avalon Pennisula. Several questions come to mind. Are there different incidents of dead birds in New Foundland? Are all 125 birds gulls? And where and what kind of food source would contain caffeine in this area?

More information would be useful. Afterall, New Foundland is on the Atlantic Flyway.

 

[shane]

Re: Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines (newfoundland, Canada)

Thanks and Welcome Shane!

Hi ya Florida. You already know me from previous forums.

Thanks for the post shane.

Bonavista Pennisula is more than 60 miles north of Quidi Vidi Lake and the Avalon Pennisula. Several questions come to mind. Are there different incidents of dead birds in New Foundland? Are all 125 birds gulls? And where and what kind of food source would contain caffeine in this area?

More information would be useful. Afterall, New Foundland is on the Atlantic Flyway.

Quidi Vidi is actually located in the center of the capital city, st. john's, and is on the avalon. Bonavista is over some 200 miles distant by land route and maybe 180 nautical miles........at a guess.

The only identified species so far is the common sea gull but may well include turrs and muirs. The article may be incomplete in regards to identification of bird species.

Having said that there are a number of factors which may have led to a die off. Starvation due to lack of food stocks or access to normal food (covered by ice sheets maybe), storms, grinding ice packs crushing them, cholera, poisoning, or disease. Hard to say as of yet. We just have to wait for the provincial vet services to release their report......if they ever do. But with Newfoundland's strategic location in the atlantic fly zone it is prudent to pay attention to any mass die offs here.

Below are 2 links. One speaks to our ice conditions at the moment. The other refers to our cholera outbreak in gulls 2 years ago. Indeed, during that time dead gulls where showing up every where in the capital city. I actually took a picture and posted at that time on other forums.

I realize I answered none of your questions and only put in more "whats" but sorry I don't know the answers with any certainity.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/01/30/avian-cholera.html

http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=35122

 

[shane]

Re: Dead Birds Appearing Along Shorelines (newfoundland, Canada)

Dead seabirds wash up on Newfoundland's east coast
Last Updated: Saturday, March 28, 2009 | 12:12 PM NT Comments14Recommend17CBC News
The Newfoundland and Labrador Animal Health division is testing several seabirds that washed ashore on the Bonavista and Avalon Peninsulas this week.

About 45 birds have washed ashore since last Sunday and more are expected.

The tests will hopefully determine why the birds died, although starvation has been identified in a number of the birds.

People are being asked not to touch the birds and to keep their pets from coming into contact with them.

Environment department officials say seabird die-offs are not an uncommon event at this time of year due to ice, weather conditions and starvation

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/03/28/dead-birds.html

its worth noting about the warning for persons and their pets from having any contact with the dead birds. That is telling in and of itself. They are not sure what it is yet and would rather people be careful. Best to act prudent when against the unknown.