Avian Botulism

Fall 2008 Update

Beach Rangers coordinated by Jacque LaFreniere are currently walking the shores of Beaver Island weekly reporting on birds found and burying any carcases. Early in the season, the cooler weather this year seems to have mitigated the die off from last year -- we will see how things progress.

Spring 2008 Update

As spring arrives this year, many of you will return to survey your property and note the changes that have occurred over the late fall and winter.

This last fall, northern Lake Michigan’s waterfowl was especially hard hit with the toxic effects of type E botulism. The count is approximate but the mortality bird number being circulated is 8,000, with 2,000 being identified as loons. Many of our native waterfowl as well as migratory birds such as the white-winged scooter, horned and red-necked grebes, mergansers, long–tailed ducks, and piping plovers were caught in a dangerous soup. According to wildlife biologists from Sleeping Bear, they watched as the warmer Lake Michigan water mixed with the large mats of cladophora that rolled along the lake bottom. Although this type of botulism is native to the Great Lakes, the decaying cladophora mixed with botulism-infected gobies were eaten by these birds. Neuro toxins are released which paralyze the birds.

What is the property owner to do if they find a dead bird on their beach this spring/summer? According to Mark Breederlander from SeaGrant the following steps should be taken:

Least desirable is leaving the carcass on the beach. Toxins can be spread to scavengers as well as leaching back into the water and re-infecting zebra mussels along the shore.
Remove and double-bag the carcasses and take them to the Transfer Station. As with any dead animal, rubber gloves are to be used, and stand so wind is downwind when picking up.
OR
Bury the carcass 2' below ground, away from water sources and in an area that will not be dug up. I personally will bury mine near the road in an area that will never be disturbed.
Anyone finding a banded bird should contact Mark Breederlander at Michigan Sea Grant (231) 922-4628 or Ken Hyde from Sleeping Bear National Park (231) 326-5134 x422 to discuss disposal. More information will be provided as procedures and policies are put into place over the winter.
Botulism is destroyed in sunlight and fresh air, but some botulism spores may remain. There is still much to learn, according the Sleeping Bear biologists.
You will not get botulism by swimming in Lake Michigan
DO NOT eat raw fish from Lake Michigan.
There is a very real possibility that this die-off will occur again in October/November of 2008, if conditions continue. Some shoreline birds may be affected this summer season.
The DNR will be involved in the coordination of surveys and reporting since they have the resources. Shoreline owners are going to be asked to participate in the identification and record mortality. Ken Hyde from Sleeping Bear will provide a visual guide to carcass identification for those birds that have been in the water for an extended period of time.
No one knows if Beaver Island’s 5-7 breeding pair of loons are in the count. Only the spring will bring an answer to our loon population.
Jacque LaFreniere, our “Loon Lady,” will be organizing the shoreline identification project and is in need of volunteers to monitor our beaches this summer and fall. If you are planning on being on Beaver Island for an extended period of time, please consider contacting Jacque to help. Jacque’s e-mail is: Jacquel (at ) gtlakes (dot) com or (231) 448-2220.

For more information:

Michigan Sea Grant information on Avian Botulism
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/habitat/avian.html

Michigan Department of Natural Resources site on Avian Botulism:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26493--,00.html

Sleeping Bear National Park Avian Botulism Identification information: pending.