Comments on: Backyard visitors http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35 The blog of the North Georgia Arts Guild Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:14:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Richard http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-15 Richard Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:24:00 +0000 http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35#comment-15 Great picture! I might add that the birds that are most affected by Salmonella are those who fly in large flocks. Especially Pine Siskens. It is important if you have seen several dead or sick birds to stop feeding, yes, for a month. When you do resume, this outbreak will probably be over. I am told the disease seems to have alleviated somewhat already. It happens mostly in the winter. It is extremely important to always keep your bird feeders clean. Also refrain from using tray feeders and trays under the feeder during this time. If you have seen sick or dead birds and continue to feed (some of you will) you should also rake under the bird feeder daily. When cleaning feeders, they should be cleaned with a 10% bleach 90% water solution. A tube feeder works best because the droppings that spread the disease fall away from the place the birds eat. If you would like to attract birds, it is almost spring time and putting up a birdhouse or planting a wildlife garden is a great way to do so! Great picture! I might add that the birds that are most affected by Salmonella are those who fly in large flocks. Especially Pine Siskens. It is important if you have seen several dead or sick birds to stop feeding, yes, for a month. When you do resume, this outbreak will probably be over. I am told the disease seems to have alleviated somewhat already. It happens mostly in the winter. It is extremely important to always keep your bird feeders clean. Also refrain from using tray feeders and trays under the feeder during this time. If you have seen sick or dead birds and continue to feed (some of you will) you should also rake under the bird feeder daily. When cleaning feeders, they should be cleaned with a 10% bleach 90% water solution. A tube feeder works best because the droppings that spread the disease fall away from the place the birds eat.
If you would like to attract birds, it is almost spring time and putting up a birdhouse or planting a wildlife garden is a great way to do so!

]]> By: Rodney Roe http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-10 Rodney Roe Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:44:04 +0000 http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35#comment-10 In the early 1900s there was a cook who moved around New York City spreading Salmonella typhosa, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. She gave 47 people the disease and a handful died. She denied her part and had to be forcibly placed in quarantine until she died. Lately, we have all been "Typhoid Mary"s in a way. We noticed several dead birds in our yard and called the Agricultural Extension Agent for Rabun County. There is an outbreak of Salmonella among wild birds. We don't give it to them - they give it to each other - but by putting out feeders we have innocently given them a place to get together and infect each other. The agent's best suggestion was to stop feeding for a month. Sadly, that is what we are going to do. In the early 1900s there was a cook who moved around New York City spreading Salmonella typhosa, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. She gave 47 people the disease and a handful died. She denied her part and had to be forcibly placed in quarantine until she died.

Lately, we have all been “Typhoid Mary”s in a way. We noticed several dead birds in our yard and called the Agricultural Extension Agent for Rabun County. There is an outbreak of Salmonella among wild birds. We don’t give it to them – they give it to each other – but by putting out feeders we have innocently given them a place to get together and infect each other.

The agent’s best suggestion was to stop feeding for a month. Sadly, that is what we are going to do.

]]> By: Rodney Roe http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-7 Rodney Roe Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:36:15 +0000 http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35#comment-7 We just moved to North Georgia and one of the first things we did was set up feeders. The shot is very nice and the comment great. In addition to Laura's comment about a class in posting photos, we might need one in getting wildlife photos that are so good. Rodney We just moved to North Georgia and one of the first things we did was set up feeders. The shot is very nice and the comment great. In addition to Laura’s comment about a class in posting photos, we might need one in getting wildlife photos that are so good.
Rodney

]]> By: Laura McGuffey http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-6 Laura McGuffey Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:53:20 +0000 http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35#comment-6 I love your comment. And I love my bird friends. Ahhhh....we will be able to post photos? We might have to have a lesson on this for all members. Laura I love your comment. And I love my bird friends. Ahhhh….we will be able to post photos? We might have to have a lesson on this for all members. Laura

]]> By: AlanZ http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-4 AlanZ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:40:36 +0000 http://www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com/brushstrokes/?p=35#comment-4 Great shot. Maybe the neighbors have tastier seed? Great shot. Maybe the neighbors have tastier seed?

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