Avian Botulism report and volunteers needed

[jacquel]

Avian Botulism and Beaver Island
For the past several autumns, island residents, part of the Beach Ranger force, have volunteered to walk some of the beaches of the island to identify and count dead birds that have washed up. This data is sent to Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to be included in their annual report.
The recently released report for 2012, Charlevoix and Emmett counties document over 950 bird fatalities including 420 common loons (118 on Beaver Island). The peak appears to be mid-October which corresponds to similar outbreaks in past years.
The Great Lakes host thousands of migratory loons from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as Canada (Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) which may actually contribute tens or hundreds of thousands through the Great Lakes. Loons attached with satellite transmitters in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan show them arriving in Lake Michigan mid to late October through November, the same time that the Botulism E outbreak occurs.
Avian Botulism, aka Botulism Type E, is a naturally occurring toxin produced by a bacterium found in water and soil. When large amounts of algae and vegetation die and decompose the toxin is released to be absorbed into the food chain.
Scientists believe that the severity of recent outbreaks is due to changes in the environment. Invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, disrupt the natural nutrient cycle and concentrate nutrients, as well as improve the clarity of water. Both of these contribute to a higher growth of algae which, when it dies and decomposes, depletes the oxygen in the water allowing more toxin to be produced. Fish feeding on mussels and birds feeding on those fish are poisoned and die. Add in warm water temperatures and declining lake levels and the stage is set for an â??avian botulism outbreakâ?￾ as we have seen the past few years.
Common Coast, an upper peninsula nonprofit, has also been monitoring and studying Botulism Type E in Lake Michigan. Damon McCormick of Common Coast believes that westerly winds drift dead birds to the western shores of Michigan including the western shore of Beaver Island.
â??The real wild card is the islands, especially the Beaver group. If carcasses get pushed south or north by weather, instead of west, many end up undocumented on those largely vacant shorelines.â?￾ Daman stated.
It then becomes important for us to document as many dead birds as we can each fall. Most of the beach ranger walking occurs on the bays- Sand, Donegal, Greenâ??s and Iron Ore. Little else is covered but if the die off is significant, large numbers could be found on the rest of the shorelines, including the outer islands.
So, if you are fond of walking in the fall, and donâ??t mind doing a public service at the same time, become a Beach Ranger. Itâ??s really quite simple: walk a beach, tally the dead birds, and if you can, pick them up and bag them for disposal. Call (231-448-2220) or email (jacquel@tds.net) Jacque LaFreniere for details.