Here's the email from WDFW on Jan 8..
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/help-protect-wild-birds-deadly-salmonellosis
It says "Members of the public can help to stop the spread of salmonellosis by discontinuing backyard bird feeding until at least February, to encourage birds to disperse and forage naturally."
An updated release on Feb 8
https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/officials-remove-bird-feeders-to-prevent-spread-of-disease/281-b1794c4e-2cfa-4c81-89e2-1dec277347a1#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Washington%20state%20wildlife%20officials%20are,killing%20visiting%20and%20native%20birds.&text=It's%20common%20for%20some%20of,usually%2Dfatal%20disease%20called%20salmonellosis https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/officials-remove-bird-feeders-to-prevent-spread-of-disease/281-b1794c4e-2cfa-4c81-89e2-1dec277347a1#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Washington%20state%20wildlife%20officials%20are,killing%20visiting%20and%20native%20birds.&text=It's%20common%20for%20some%20of,usually%2Dfatal%20disease%20called%20salmonellosis . says "Birders in western Washington are being asked to keep the feeders stored away until at least the end of March, and those east of the Cascades (where colder weather would make feeders enticing longer) are asked to keep them down until the end of April. That guidance includes hummingbird feeders, officials said, and anywhere birds might congregate."
Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA
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On 02/11/2021 6:15 AM THOMAS BENEDICT <benedict.t at comcast.net> wrote:
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The Pine Siskin 'invasion' seems to have moved on, or dispersed, at least in my neck of the woods. I have seen only one in the past couple of weeks.
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I recall that there wasn't convincing evidence that seed feeders were contributing to the siskin's illnesses. The thought was that many of them were in bad condition on arrival and were succumbing 'naturally' and that seed feeders were not a significant factor in their demise. At least that's what I remember from the threads. I'm sure others will chime in.
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We took our seed feeders down a few years ago, but that was to mitigate a rodent problem. We stick with suet now.
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Tom Benedict
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Seahurst, WA
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> > On 02/10/2021 1:15 PM Ellen Blackstone <ellenblackstone at gmail.com> wrote:
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> Hi, Tweeters,
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> We've had our seedfeeders down for a month. I've seen one (healthy) Pine Siskin in the meantime -- on the birdbath.
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> What is the current advice about having feeders up? I had originally heard they should be down until "at least March." Is there more recent info?
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> Thanks,
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> Ellen Blackstone, Wedgwood, Seattle
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