Here is an Avian Botulism update from the “Bot. Squad!” Most likely due to high spring and summer lake levels, along with water temperatures that were sometimes nearly 10 degrees cooler than corresponding temperatures last year, we are experiencing the lowest bird mortality since 2008. Mid October is usually when more severe weather brings masses of Cladophora to our beaches, along with fall migrant waterfowl - loons, ducks, and grebes- which pass through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area. These birds ingest the botulism toxin while feeding on the invasive gobies and other fish, or forage on the lake bottom to feed on invasive mussels and invertebrates--two principle pathways through which the toxin is transmitted. While several dead loons were found last week, Bot. Squad monitoring of beaches the last few days has revealed no new victims, and it is hoped that the trend of light mortality will continue as migrants continue southward on their journey to warmer weather. If you see large numbers of dead birds or fish, you can report them here: wher.org
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:00:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015