08/09/2021
Good news for Marshall County, IN residents, we can feed the birds again.
Regarding the new DNR update on the songbird deaths, I would like to express the frustration of every educator and torchbearer of this issue in the state! This is based on the lack of information we have had. It's in Q&A format example:
A concerned person that feeds birds (Q): I understand the DNR is allowing some counties to feed birds again. What counties are not allowed to feed birds?
Educators doing their best (A): Allen, Carroll, Clark, Floyd, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Lake, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Porter, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Whitley
Q: Why are those counties still not allowed?
A: We don’t know
Q: Is it because sick or dead birds are still being reported from there?
A: We don’t know and can only assume because that is a logical reason.
Q: I live in Boone County, the only county in central Indiana’s metropolitan area that they say can feed birds again, but I live very close to Eagle Creek Park located in Marion County and a few miles away from Hamilton County. Why is the threat less for my county?
A: We aren’t sure.
Q: Fall migration is starting. Could birds in my yard spread this to other counties and even to their wintering grounds?
A: We don’t know, but it seems likely.
Q: National Wildlife Federation said last week that we could start feeding birds again. Has our DNR consulted with them?
A: We don’t know
Q: NWF was basing their information on Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology! Wouldn’t they have the best information?
A: Cornell’s press reports and statements indicated they weren’t studying the issue and were basing their advice on simple map overlays of the cicada emergence based on states but not the counties of the outbreak. We don’t know why they are now choosing to give people the “all clear,” but they add toward the end of their statement that people follow the advice of their local experts.
Q: I didn’t have brood x cicadas in our area but found a dead robin in my yard? Has the issue been linked to Brood x cicadas?
A: We don't know. There is a lot of conflicting information on this. Some trusted sources had said yes, and others have said no.
Q: Birds can fly, so isn’t it possible that some birds moved around this illness?
A: Yes, but we don’t know.
Q: If the outbreak is still occurring based on certain counties being asked not to feed birds, isn’t it possible it can still be transmitted?
A: Yes, but we don’t know
Q: Have they even determined if this is something fungal, bacterial, or viral?
A: We don’t know.
Q: Well, that isn’t helpful! Could it be related to a COVID mutation? Are they testing for that?
A: We don’t know.
Q: How long will these other counties be asked not to feed birds?
A: We don’t know.
Q: What should I do?
A: The only responsible thing to do would be to follow the advice of local experts. More caution, as opposed to less, is better when dealing with such important and complex issues.
Q: Who are our local experts?
A: The DNR.
Q: But they haven’t provided much information or timely explanations regarding all the different advice and theories. Why should we listen to them?
A: Because we have to trust that they have the most local, fact-based, and up-to-date information, even if they don't share it with us. They have experts that are there based on solid education and experience that care about the birds as much as we do. They are also working with local rehabbers that are the front-line workers of this issue and must have some level of concern to have called out these counties, which happen to contain many of the highest human populations in our state.
Q: Is there anything you do know for sure?
A: Yes! Bird feeders are primarily for our enjoyment. The birds don’t require them to live. Maybe only 20% of the birds species that visit our state even come to them. If you want to help birds truly, install more habitat that supports the food web (native plants), remove invasive species in your yard, donate time or money to organizations that are acquiring functional habitat, and create local change in your community to allow natural landscapes.
-signed an exhausted, frustrated, and supportive environmental educator
