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Wildlife watch, strange behaviour in our wildlife.

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posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 12:01 PM
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I started this thread as a means of monitoring any changing behaviours in local wildlife.

The thread was prompted by a thread discussing my garden feeder birds disappearing yesterday morning, and still not returning. see.......

www.abovetopsecret.com...

While browsing past threads I noticed there were some discussing the many beachings and other strange or new behaviours covering many diffirent spieces.
There is even one from 2004 that offers some solutions to my own problem.

With the above in mind I thought it worthwhile to start this thread where we might get an overall "bigger picture" of events past and in the future.

There have been many suggestions as to why some wildlife is behaving strangely, pole shifts, magnetic influences, earth quakes, changing weather and gulf stream changes to name but a few.

I find it very concerning when I read about beachings or, what looks to us like "Suicides" of some spieces of fish, mammals and birds.

Please feel free to post your own past experiences and any future wildlife events.

Respects



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 12:21 PM
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I have always believed that animals are much more in tune to the world around us. They have been used to predict the weather and other occurances by many cultures.

I have noticed this year here (washington state coast) that although in the past several years there were many, many bats in my yard...this year I didn't see a single one. I have read stories about diseased bats in the east, but nothing about it locally. I didn't see any dead ones, just none at all.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 12:51 PM
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Yes, I definitely think something strange is going on with Earth's animals. I saw a post a couple of days ago during the newest wave of California earthquakes discussing how the birds would fly away right before the earthquakes. I posted a thread about an octopus mass beaching a few days ago Here if you can get past the whacky title...



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 12:58 PM
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I live in FL on the east coast and my condo overlooks a few small bodies of water that connect to the river. I actually live on an island you could say...well anyways my roommate told me that the birds that use to come in around 5:30pm every night have virtually disappeared. He has been saying this for about 5 months. He said he has lived in this condo for 5 years and every year at the same time the birds were there. He said it was a sea of white covering the water and shrubbery around it. Now literally there are maybe 20-40 vs the hundreds that use to come.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:02 PM
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reply to post by Signals
 


Yea I delved into your octo thread


In my case its my feeder birds and by all accounts most birds from my neighbourhood that have gone missing overnight 36 hours ago.

Im open minded re the causes untill we have more to go on.

I hope this thread will offer the view of a bigger picture of what is going on out there.

respects



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:04 PM
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reply to post by westcoast
 


Hi, Do you think it possible that the wildlife had prior knowledge of the weather changes? We in the UK are suffering a bad winter, I hope its not a sign of worse or more dramatic weather to come.

respects



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:07 PM
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Hey all! I have degree in wildlife biology, although I am into my 40s now and still have not worked a single paid day as one.

Anyways. I am in N. CA, for rest of this month, and I have been observing the wildlife. Kind of a hobby of mine. Anyone here want to make a joint effort to identify and record what we see in our individual general areas? Then we can compare that data with years past. Might be fun and interesting.


edit to add: I have loads of free time until I have to return to the other side of the Pacific. And will be observing animals anyway.



[edit on 11-1-2010 by tamusan]



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:10 PM
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In the states every year they do the Christmas bird count. I thought I heard a news report that many birds have been dissappearing.

You might want to search into that.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:16 PM
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reply to post by tamusan
 


That is a very positive idea. I have contacted my local experts for advice on what may have happened to the birds in my area. I await their reply.

Im also trying to find out if my local council has poisoned the starlings this year. They have been threatening this for a few years now. I heard on the grape-vine tonight that it may have happened for the first time. That might point a finger to whatever has taken our birds.

Respects

[edit on 11-1-2010 by captiva]



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:18 PM
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Scientists in the US believe they may have solved the riddle of San Francisco's vanishing sea lions

news.bbc.co.uk...



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:21 PM
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I've been seeing plenty of birds. I am right in the middle of a major migration thouroughfare. Nothing seems off. I'll check the Audubon report for my area.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:22 PM
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reply to post by liveandletlive
 


I read that the other day. It's probably what happened to them. Makes sense. Personally, I don't miss them.
They were smelly to walk past.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:29 PM
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I've seen a change in bird migrational patterns where I live but it is the opposite of what has been observed elsewhere. Where I live all the small birds, with the exception of Scrub Jays and Ravens, migrate south for the winter, and Canadian Geese migrate here (as we are their Southern migrational location). This year, all of the smaller birds, such as Robins and Starlings, stayed rather than fly south. They flocked as if they were going to fly south, and stocked up on food for their voyage like normal, but they stuck around instead of migrating for the cold season.

As our weather has gotten colder, not warmer, this winter it has resulted in many deaths of those accustomed to flying south. I'm not quite sure why they decided to stick around when we would have the coldest year on record, but they did.

I've been trying to get my Budgie to translate what the birds outside his window are saying, but he seems irritated by Robins who apparently know only one repetitive chirp and would prefer conversing with the Scrub Jays that hold more variable conversations.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:42 PM
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Originally posted by fraterormus
I've seen a change in bird migrational patterns where I live but it is the opposite of what has been observed elsewhere. Where I live all the small birds, with the exception of Scrub Jays and Ravens, migrate south for the winter, and Canadian Geese migrate here (as we are their Southern migrational location). This year, all of the smaller birds, such as Robins and Starlings, stayed rather than fly south. They flocked as if they were going to fly south, and stocked up on food for their voyage like normal, but they stuck around instead of migrating for the cold season.


Maybe our smaller birds were taken by surprise with the low temperatures as well. Although, we are treated mildly with the weather. This years diffirence being the snow we had. But it hasnt been particularly cold where I live.

A couple of changes that are quite noticeable over the last few years have been the amount of magpies in the cities and the numbers of predators (Buzzards, sparrow hawks etc) that are to be seen taking road kill from the side of realy busy motorways.

Bye the way do you think their is an opening for a budgie translation book? always eager to make money thats me. So if your budgie is willing i will have the contracts drawn up.


respects

[edit on 11-1-2010 by captiva]



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:42 PM
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reply to post by fraterormus
 


I've been waking up very early most days and making the 3 hour drive to the Sacramento River Delta area. (I'm there now, just inside a starbucks to warm up a little.) It is a major bird migration route from Alaska to Mexico. I think that I see more Sandhill Cranes than anything else.

As you mentioned the little birds, it made me think. There are many little birds here. I am unfamiliar with the migration schedules for this region, and I am going to talk to some regulars about it. I am not sure if they linger here this long or not.

I'll try to take some pictures. My only camera is on my HTC touch pro 2.

Edit to add: I'm going offline now until this evening. If someone is interested, I will post what I see.

[edit on 11-1-2010 by tamusan]



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 01:55 PM
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I just received this document from my local vet college.

Quote


Salmonellosis in Garden Birds

Outbreaks of mortality in wild birds in gardens in the UK were first reported in the mid-1960s,
when members of the general public began to put out bags of peanuts to feed the wild birds.
In these first outbreaks most deaths were due to infection with the bacterium Salmonella
Typhimurium (abbreviated to S. Typhimurium) and occurred in greenfinches (Carduelis
chloris) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Mortality incidents have continued, and
since 1995 many post mortem examinations have been carried out at the Avian Health Unit
(AHU) of the Veterinary Services Group of SAC (Scottish Agriculture College). The results
from these investigations have shown that in Scotland two strains of S. Typhimurium, DT 40
and DT 56 variant, cause most of the deaths from salmonellosis in garden birds.
Deaths are most often seen in greenfinches, chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) and house
sparrows, but other birds such as goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), siskins (Carduelis
spinus), tree sparrows (Passer montanus) and great tits (Parus major) have also been
affected in smaller numbers. During outbreaks of disease, dead birds or sick birds are
usually found in the vicinity of the bird feeders. If seen alive the birds are fluffed up,
reluctant to fly, and may look as if they are breathing heavily or have difficulty in swallowing.
The post mortem examination of birds dying from salmonellosis often reveals substantial
areas of damage to internal organs such as the oesophagus (gullet), crop, liver, spleen (an
organ that tries to fight off diseases) and sometimes the lungs and lower part of the digestive
tract. The damage to the gullet can be so severe that it causes a partial blockage,
preventing food getting to the bird’s stomach even if it continues to eat. Confirmation of the
cause of death requires specialist laboratory facilities for the culture and identification of the
bacteria.

Most outbreaks of salmonellosis in garden birds occur between October and March, with
losses peaking in January and February. Evidence is also emerging of a geographic
variation- most isolates from the north of Scotland have been type 40, whereas elsewhere in
Scotland isolates are fairly evenly divided between type 40 and type 56 variant. Unravelling
the reasons for these differences may help to explain how these diseases spread.


Why are the deaths occurring?
Although the mortality incidents in the UK usually occur at sites providing supplementary
feeding for wild birds, the food is not believed to be the initial source of the bacteria but
rather the cause of the congregation of large flocks of birds in a small area. Some birds
probably carry small numbers of Salmonella in their intestines, and when the birds
congregate at bird tables and feeding stations a build up of these bacteria may occur,
contaminating the feeders and drinkers and the surrounding environment. Under these
conditions, the bacteria may then have the chance to overwhelm the birds and cause their
deaths.

General control measures
• Use several feeding sites, to reduce bird numbers at any one site
• Move the feeding sites regularly, to reduce any build-up of debris and infectious agents
around the feeders
• Don’t use all the feeding sites all of the time – rest periods will help to reduce levels of
contamination
• Clean and disinfect feeders and feeding stations regularly. Rinse the feeders and allow
them to dry before using them again.
• Consider leaving birdbaths or drinkers empty for a short period. Otherwise be particularly
vigilant to provide clean drinking water on a daily basis
• Consider significantly reducing or stopping feeding for two weeks. This will encourage
the birds to disperse and reduce the chance of new birds becoming infected at the
feeding station. Feeding can then be gradually re-introduced, monitoring for further signs
of ill health
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly after cleaning bird feeders or handling sick
or dead birds.


Illness in humans and cats
Human illness from wild bird strains of Salmonella is currently uncommon in the UK, but
there is the potential for spread to humans. Rubber gloves should therefore be worn when
cleaning bird tables or if the carcases of dead birds have to be handled, and hands must be
thoroughly washed and dried, especially before preparing food. Wild birds should also be
excluded from food preparation areas. Disease may also occasionally spread to pet cats that
come in contact with sick or dead infected garden birds.
SAC VS is a founder member of the Garden Bird Health initiative, a consortium set up in
2005 to investigate deaths in garden birds. Further information about the GBHi can be found
on the GBHi page of the UFAW website at www.ufaw.org.uk
If you wish to report dead or sick garden birds, please phone the GBHi Helpline at 0207 449
6685. If large numbers of birds (ten or more) have been found, the Defra Avian Influenza
Helpline (08459 335577) should first be contacted. Where appropriate, arrangements can
then be made to have post mortem examinations carried out to determine the cause of death
of the birds.

Reference
• Pennycott, T.W., Park, A. and Mather, H.A. (2006) Isolation of different serovars of
Salmonella enterica from wild birds in Great Britain between 1995 and 2003. Veterinary
Record 158, 817-820
Tom Pennycott BVM&S Cert PMP MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Investigation Officer
SAC Veterinary Services
Auchincruive
Ayr KA6 5AE

Now I hope beyond hope that it`s not something like this that is causing my birds to dissapear. On a positive note I have seen no sign of dead birds.

The SAC is 3 miles from where i live.

Respects



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 02:03 PM
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I live in the Midlands area of England about 12 miles from the nearest river and 70 miles from the sea. On Sunday 3rd Jan I noticed about 20 seagulls flying north. They were flying in an in line formation keeping an even distance from the one in front. On Tuesday we had the snow fall, about 2 inches in an hour.
Today I saw some more seagulls heading north so maybe they are expecting more snow. It's not unusual to see seagulls, there are probably lots born in land but to see them flying in that formation was strange.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 02:07 PM
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Originally posted by captiva
Bye the way do you think their is an opening for a budgie translation book? always eager to make money thats me. So if your budgie is willing i will have the contracts drawn up.


Budgies are odd birds. They are multi-lingual by nature, and have the capacity to comprehend over a 1600 word vocabulary per language, exceeding even humans which on average have a 1000 word vocabulary.

As Budgies do speak multiple bird languages, it has been great for me to have one as the birds will congregate outside his window and speak with him. Even migratory birds have returned to the same tree year after year to enjoy his company. Having him has allowed me to get personally much closer to flocks of birds than I would have otherwise. However, although I hear him speaking the same bird languages as the birds outside his window, he still refuses to speak English. I've learned some of his native Budgie language on my own (which sounds more like an excited monkey than it does that of a bird), but as he has bonded with other birds outside rather than bond exclusively with me, it is unlikely he will ever be inclined to speak English.

As such, you'll have to find a solitary Budgie that has decided to speak English to co-author your English to Budgie Translation. After 4 years, I doubt my Budgie will ever bother to speak English especially since he's trained me to understand his native monkey-speak.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 02:09 PM
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Hi! If anyone wonders where the seagulls went they ususally show up at the walmart parking lot, we are 110 miles inland from the ocean. They do this every winter. We see pelicans and herons too.



posted on Jan, 11 2010 @ 02:14 PM
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Originally posted by liveandletlive
Scientists in the US believe they may have solved the riddle of San Francisco's vanishing sea lions

news.bbc.co.uk...


Actually, that would be my neck of the woods where they migrated to because of the increase in available food (sardines and salmon) that has been a bumper-crop year. Although maybe they are just following all the Californians that are also migrating to Oregon en masse.


However, plentiful food from a warmer spring & summer than usual may indeed account for why the migratory birds in Oregon didn't migrate south this year.

I personally had never seen Starlings and Robins in the winter before, so it has struck me humorous seeing them in their Winter state, which is swollen and round, looking like softballs with wings. Considering how bloated they are, it might be that they didn't migrate because they chose to stay, but because they ate too much to make the voyage. Perhaps they became too engorged on a bumper crop this autumn to fly any significant distance.



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