Tweeters,



I suspect that Sherry is correct and that the cause of the swallow mortality
is starvation. However, in cases like this where large numbers of dead birds
are found, some of the dead birds should ALWAYS be taken to a facility where
autopsies can be done and the cause of death determined. I am sure that
officials with WDFW or the US Fish & Wildlife Service could help in
recommending a facility where autopsies could be done.



There have been numerous incidents in the Pacific Northwest where mass
mortality of birds has been caused by pesticide applications or by diseases
such as botulism, aspergillosis, or salmonella outbreaks. Although this
seems unlikely with swallows, post-mortem investigations should be done to
ensure that infectious diseases or poisoning are not the cause of the
mortality. Speculation will not answer the question of why the birds died.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Sherry
Hagen
Sent: September-30-13 10:23 PM
To: tweeters message
Subject: [Tweeters] Dying Swallows in the Ridgefield area



Since I wrote about the 10 Barn Swallows found dead earlier this evening, I
have learned about 58 Barn and Violet-Green Swallows found dead around the
Plank House at the Ridgefield NWR and another 2 dozen young Tree Swallows
found dead near Green Lake where the Barn Swallows were found. The weather
the past few days and last night must have played havoc on the food supply
and migration of the swallows.


Sherry Hagen
Vancouver, WA
littlebirder at comcast.net