Tony Alter / CC
Throughout the summer the Nova Scotia Bird Society recommended against the hanging of birdfeeders because of a parasite called Trichomonosis.
The parasite is fatal to birds, it primarily affects purple finches.
According to David Curry, President of the Nova Scotia Bird Society that risk has subsided.
“With the colder temperatures most finches will have migrated south, we’ve also had snap frosts in most areas of Nova Scotia which should have killed off all the parasites.”
The impact Trichmonosis had this year was significant. Curry says they sent dead finches to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative on Prince Edward Island. They will conduct research to further understand the full impact. At this time it is not known how many finches may have died as a result of the parasite.
While the risk has subsided for this year it is still recommended that you thoroughly clean all birdfeeders before hanging them.
The Nova Scotia Bird Society suspects the parasite will return again next year as it has been around for the past 10 or so years. When warmer temperatures return they anticipate that they will again have to recommend that people not hang birdfeeders until they are certain the risk of parasites is gone.
Reported by: Evan Taylor
Twitter: @evanrtaylor
E-mail: taylore@radioabl.ca
