I got this in an email today.
Fish and Wildlife would like to know of any dead birds found outside of Lake Onalaska.
Folks, This note is to let you know that we have another waterbird die-off underway on Lake Onalaska. In August and early September, trematode-caused mortality was found in puddle ducks, primarily blue-winged teal. About 300 birds were collected from 31 August, when sick/dead ducks were first reported, through mid-September when this episode seems to have ended. About 90% of the birds found were blue-winged teal. Trematodiasis in puddle ducks and in August/early September were firsts for Lake Onalaska. Now that fall migration is underway, we have commenced checking our Lake Onalaska reference areas on a weekly basis. This year the first sick/dead coots were found on 23 September, which is in the same timeframe as 2003 and 2004. The number of waterbirds affected is on the increase. Our reference area check on 10 October produced about 300 sick/dead birds, mostly coots. Yesterday we were in the wild rice beds at the north end of Lake Onalaska along the Brice Prairie Barrier Island and found an estimated 500 dead birds, again mostly coots. Along with the coots, we found a few lesser scaup, blue-winged teal, shovelers, mallards, and pintails. Although carcasses have been sent to the National Wildlife Health Center for confirmation, all indications are that trematodes are again the cause. Based on our experiences in the past, we expect mortality to continue for the next few weeks. With the higher river level and increased flow, some carcasses may be swept from Lake Onalaska, through the lock and dam, and accumulate along the main channel in upper Pool 8. With the reopening of the waterfowl hunting season on Saturday, waterfowlers may also encounter dead coots or ducks. If carcasses are found outside the Lake Onalaska area, please give our office a call at 608/783-8405. Thanks much…..holler with questions… Jim
