West Nile in the backyard songbird population

[lavandulagirl]

The kids and I were just commenting that we were seeing less birds than last year. The Tufted Titmouse is one of the species who has been almost completely absent from our feeders.

my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20070516/464a81c0_3ca6_1552620070516-241454403

[mbrown]

Interesting information. Even though the disease is in our area it has not slowed down the population of crows and blue jays. The bird most conspicuously absent from our feeders this year is the Goldfinch. Haven't seen one in a month.

I did find a dead red tailed hawk about two weeks ago and it showed no signs of foul play.

Mike

[lavandulagirl]

I know when we lived in eastern Washington, the CDC wanted anyone seeing a dead crow to report it, but not touch the bird itself. They sent people out to collect the birds for testing. We haven't seen as many goldfinches this year either. Actually, they only birds with populations that seem to have stayed the same last year to this are starlings and mourning doves.