songbird sickness Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Green

I realized again today just how much green inundates our environment. Especially with the wildfires rampaging out of control out west again, it feels like a gross indulgence. Instead of feeling guilty about how much water we have, though, we’re trying to open our eyes, and our hearts, and truly be appreciative of this natural resource’s abundance around us.

There is a portion of lower Bucks County, though, that’s almost certainly not appreciating the over-abundance of water that visited in the form of some torrential rain late yesterday afternoon. The meteorologists are categorizing this as a 100 year flood – but I have a sense we’ll be seeing another just like it, or worse, within the next few years; perhaps even before this summer is over. It’s scary. And expensive – both emotionally and of course financially.

Green & Lightning Bugs – Photo: L.Weikel

Appreciate the Beauty

While we can, for who knows how long we’ll have the benefit of all this moisture coming our way, we need to revel in the greenery. It sure beats having our yards become dirt and everything we plant crumble into dry oblivion.

Speaking of beauty, though – I must admit, this stricture against feeding our birds is torturous. I hear them singing and calling in the trees and within the thickets surrounding our house. They really are wondering what’s up. Even the hawks are wondering why the community is in lockdown and there’s no fast-food joints operating anymore.

To be honest, I think the hawks have been the most vociferous in the past few days. Hawk is having no trouble delivering its message: Feed us! You’re disrupting our entire community here!

Speaking of Food (Again)

I just had to add a photo of the kale I massaged earlier today. This batch was obviously made with green and red grapes instead of strawberries. It was delectable.

Freshly Massaged Kale – with grapes this time – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-136)

Red-shouldered Woodpecker Fledgling – Photo: L. Weikel

Something’s Wrong

Well, there’s a title that gives you absolutely no clue as to what I might be writing about tonight, eh? No, I’m not going to go all political on you, although I’m sure most of you can guess how I feel about the current state of voting rights in our country; or the prospect of Pennsylvania hosting the next absurd fraudit a la Arizona. No, the title of my post tonight is heralding my concern that something’s wrong with our birds. Something’s killing and maiming our feathered family members.

I first heard about this mysterious disease that’s killing (or blinding or attacking the neurological system of) several species of birds from Washington D.C. to Pennsylvania back around June 22^nd. At the time, and even a week later when I mentioned it in a post and linked to this article, I fervently hoped the disease wouldn’t show up in Pennsylvania.

Alas, it’s here.

But Not In My Backyard

When I say “it’s here,” I mean it’s here in Bucks County. Sadly, I believe as of yesterday the last count of the affliction reflected that it’s been discovered in 61 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. That’s not good.

I’m relieved to add that I’ve not seen any evidence of the mysterious malady in the birds here on our property. I’ve been watching my feeders and birds like a hawk (not unlike the Red-shouldered Hawk that’s been mighty talkative and hungry lately), looking for signs of it. But it worries me that all twelve species that have been known to contract the malady are part of our family. All of them have been seen at one time or another at or near our property.

I’ll admit it: I’ve felt conflicted. Everybody showing up at our feeders consistently appear in fine fettle (which gives me hope). And with the Brood X cicadas no longer around, there’s far less between-meal snacking. My babies (and their babies) are hungry. The fledges are fluttering their wings in excitement and taking their brave first flights all to land at empty feeders.

But I’ve allowed the feeders to become empty and am enduring the dirty looks and indignant chitter chatter some of my goldfinches, in particular, seem to be aiming in my direction.

Conflicting Reports

Some articles seem to indicate the disease appears to be slowing down. Others are freaked out over a dramatic increase in cases here in Pennsylvania from late last week to just after the 4^th of July holiday.

The bottom line is that I don’t want to risk playing a game of chicken with my songbirds. I’m not refilling my feeders. I’m going to wash them out over the weekend with the 1:10 bleach to water concoction recommended by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and keep an eye on the research results of the wildlife professionals.

It’s worrisome that they still haven’t figured out what caused this outbreak – or what, exactly, is the underlying issue.

In the meantime, I’m throwing some seed and peanuts across the lawn in a wide arc so they’re not congregating near any feeders. I love my babies and I don’t want anything to happen to them.

(T-141)