MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 1, 2021
One of the big bird stories of this nesting season is a mysterious epidemic that has led to widespread deaths of songbirds, which have been reported from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Species that are particularly susceptible are blue jays, American robins, European starlings and common grackles. Juvenile birds are disproportionately affected. So far, the epidemic has not reached Maine. But if you do see birds with the symptoms, let people know through social media or by calling wildlife biologists or bird rehabilitators. ~ Herb Wilson