I have had several calls about dead birds on beaches. It may well be that avian botulism is the cause.
The last major bacterial outbreak on Lake Michigan was in 2016 when many cormorants, mergansers, loons, and other waterfowl were impacted.
If you find freshly dead birds on our beaches, please call Pam Grassmick at 448-2314. One or two of these birds will be shipped off island to the Michigan DNR for autopsy.
From the Michigan Sea Grant website:
Do not handle dead fish or birds with your bare hands. Keep dogs away from dead or dying birds.
Properly dispose of carcasses by double bagging and placing them in the trash. Another alternative is to bury at least 2 ft deep.
Beware of fish that are floating — if they are not fighting, they are likely not healthy and should not be consumed.
Do not eat undercooked or improperly prepared fish or waterfowl.
Hunters should never harvest birds that appear to be sick or are dying.
Do not let your pets eat dead fish or birds.
Look for carcasses at two peak times: in mid-late summer and in the fall.
Additional information can be found:
https://www.michiganseagrant.org/topics ... -botulism/
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/ ... 0795_7.pdf
Thank you.