Hi fellow tweets,
I have had quite a number of Pine Siskins drop dead right in my yard. It
began during that cold spell a couple of weeks ago. Some were found near the
feeders, and some next to the house or on the front porch (we're talking 10 or
12 total, but those are just the ones that I find ). I know when one is about
to die because they get all fluffed up (fever?) and I can walk right up to
them. We have a thistle feeder and I know about the disease that was being
talked about last Spring. I had a few sick ones then too, but nothing like
these numbers in such a short period of time. Is it likely the same ailment?
And what can be done? Last year I scrubbed my feeders like a mad woman about
once every 3 to 4 weeks but it seemed so silly because doesn't it take just
one bird to contaminate the feeder? That can happen in a matter of minutes
when you have 50 plus at the feeder and on the ground at one time. Anyone's
help would be appreciated.

Dayna Yalowicki
Bothell, Wa