Hi folks -

While I was cleaning (with Roccal) the perches on a feeder tube yesterday, a
siskin landed briefly on my shoulder. I'm fairly certain that would not
happen unless it was sick. A few minutes later, it huddled and fluffed up on
the catch tray, barely alive. Another half dozen or so siskins have
disappeared over the last week and a half. I can't say whether it was the
cold snap or a greater number of infected birds visiting the feeders which
most adversely affected these half-pints. But what I do know for sure is
that if I put a feeder or water dish out, I alone am responsible for keeping
it as clean as is reasonably possible. If I'm not willing to do at least that
on a regular basis, I really shouldn't be feeding the birds.

Non-bird related info follows:

Speaking of sick animals, for those of you who also feed raccoons: Be
advised that, according to a supervisor at the PAWS Wildlife Center, this year
there appears to be a high incidence of distemper in local raccoons. Every 3
or 4 years it cycles through some populations. This disease is not kind to
these critters. It will affect their nervous system and very possibly
generate extreme behavior that will scare you before the disease violently
kills them. When you feed them and you attract an unusually high number of
them in an area, remember: the distemper virus is transmitted through
aerosol and feces/urine. They only need to breathe the same air or sniff each
other or their markings to become infected. Some, of course, will die
regardless of whether we intervene. But many, many more are likely to die an
awful death if we become too casual or excessive about feeding them.

Keeping my perches clean for '99 :)

Deanie
Seattle, WA (Wedgewood)