Each year, especially during late winter, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives reports of sick or dead birds at feeder locations, particularly in the southern part of the state. Unsanitary conditions at bird feeders can lead to the spread of several diseases amongst birds that frequent these feeders.

 Aspergillosis, a disease caused by a fungus which often grows in contaminated feed or leaf litter, is one of the main causes of sick and/or dying birds at feeders. During midwinter warm-ups, fungus quickly grows. Birds feeding on contaminated grain often become sick and die.

 Salmonellosis, another disease contracted at feeders, is caused by the salmonella bacteria. Western states had many cases of salmonella outbreaks during winter 2020-2021 that resulted in die offs of large numbers of pine siskins.

 “Iowa did not experience the same issues with salmonella, but staying vigilant and keeping feeders and bird baths clean is important,” said Anna Buckardt Thomas, avian ecologist with the Iowa DNR. “This disease is transmitted mostly by contamination of bird droppings, frequently those found in the birds’ feed or water. It can also spread when one bird comes into direct contact with another. ” Birds suffering from this disease can appear weak, listless, and fluffed-up, and might suffer convulsions before they die.

 “House finch disease,” or conjunctivitis, is a disease affecting finches that causes swelling of the eye tissue but is not always fatal. While this disease was much more prevalent 20 years ago, it still shows up in finches at feeders from time to time. This disease particularly affects the respiratory system and is caused by the bacterium, mycoplasma gallisepticum, which poses no threat to humans. As the name suggests, the disease mostly affects house finches, but there have been a few documented cases of the disease in American goldfinch, as well. Since birds concentrate at bird feeders, the risk of disease spread can especially increase during times when large numbers of this species are sharing the same feeding sites. Adding extra feeders to the yard can slow the spread of this disease by eliminating overcrowding.

 The good news about all three of these diseases is that they are largely preventable.

 “Practicing good hygiene at feeder stations is the key. Clean bird feeders and waterers with a 10 percent bleach solution about once each month and make sure the feeder is dry before refilling it with seed,” Buckardt Thomas said. Of equal importance is cleaning up spilled seed and bird droppings below feeders.

  “Be sure to wear rubber gloves while cleaning the feeders, since humans can contract some diseases, such as those caused by some salmonella bacteria, from affected feeders or sick birds,” she said.

  “If people do find sick birds at their feeders they should take down their feeders for at least two weeks to help stop the spread of disease and contact the DNR,” she said.

 Thanks to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for this article. Visit them on the web at www.iowadnr.gov for all things Iowa.

  Last fall I submitted a series of articles about my venture into planting food plots for the property I own in southern Illinois. I know it’s spring and you’re probably not thinking of deer hunting at the moment but I figured I needed to write a summary of how it all went. For a refresher you’ll need to check out the September, October and November 2020 issues of the Bullet.

 The first weekend of November on our final scouting/setting up weekend we removed the Bio Logic Food Plot Protector System from around the plots to give the deer free rein to the groceries.

 The Quad Pod (QP) plot came up okay but not as well as it did in 2019. I had planted Shot Plot seed here. It consisted of a mixture of rape and turnip seeds. I also had thrown in some old green bean seeds I dug out of my wife’s garden stuff. The deer were attracted to it and fed there often as the trail camera pictures showed. During the November firearm season no big bucks showed up during hunting hours but my son Josh, who finally got to hunt after a two year absence took a big fat doe from the area. By early December the deer had worked it over pretty good. There was still some green showing so I guess it held up okay and did what we needed it to do. I graded it a B this time. I didn’t do a soil test on this plot but will this year and it should improve its performance. Also I’m not sure if I’ll switch to another seed blend.

QP Plot Late November

PS Plot Late November

GB Plot Early December

 In conclusion, I think it went really well. Going by my results I really think it‘s a good idea to mix it up on your plots. Don’t plant the same thing all over that way one plot can mature early while another can come on later that way covering all the bases keeping deer in your vicinity.

 I tried to keep track of how much it all cost but lost some of the receipts. Overall cost for the soil tests, lime, potash, fertilizer and seed for the three plots was probably around $500.00. A big part of that, nearly half was the cost of the lime. After applying so much last year I’m hoping I won’t have to add much, if any, this fall greatly reducing my cost. The most important thing is testing your soil and doing it mid-summer so you’ll get the results back early and you can start gathering your supplies. Not every store carries potash. I’m looking forward to doing it again this fall. In the meantime I’m hitting the lake!

   As I was enjoying being in my favorite place, Alaska, I came upon this bear. As I looked through the camera lens, I felt I could almost read his mind by the way he looked. I believe he was thinking, “I have had enough for today. I’m tired of everything and just want to relax. Write the day off!”

  I have felt and I know you have also felt the same way at times. Enough of the day, the surroundings, the people! I just want to find a quiet spot, relax and forget about it.

  Of course I have no way of really knowing what the bear was thinking. But I bet I’m close to it with my analysis.

  Gee...in this case I believe we and nature's creatures are similar. So the next time you feel you have had enough, take a break and look to nature. You will learn we’re similar in many ways and feel better for it.

  I always do.

    You may or not have seen the following notice from the Civilian Marksmanship Program so we figured we’d better pass it along to those who don’t know. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to firearms. It’s a good warning to heed for all older firearms. - Editor

 Dear CMP Family,

 The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

 This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

 Civilian Marksmanship Program