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i l d l i f e W
a t c h
Every season has its spectacles. This page is to keep you
informed about the wildlife around you, and what to look out
for. Much of it is still being compiled. If you have anything
to add, please e-mail it to us.
OBSERVATIONS
by Deirdre Ni Chonaill
Jan 2004
 'Twas
another beautiful New England autumn. Unfortunately I couldn't
enjoy much of it as I developed an allergy to the unusually
high ragweed pollen counts. Ragweed is not native to this
continent, but has been spreading veraciously across the US.
It has yellow flowers and looks quite wonderful if you can
ignore the choking damage it does to native species.
 Betty
managed to take some photos of Northborough in its glorious
autumnal colors though.
 On
a darker note...Has anybody seen crows of late? It would seem
that West Nile Virus has finally reached us and is taking
its toll on the crow population. Last year I remember watching
in amazement as a huge cloud of dark shapes amassed over Worcester
and flew off in the same direction about 4.30 on the cold
winter evenings. I was told that they all headed to a hilltop
in Framingham and huddled together to keep warm. I haven't
seen a single crow this winter.
I did a little research and discovered that,
"While West Nile virus has many hosts, scientists consider
the bird to be its principal reservoir. Experimental trials
have found WNV mortality may run as high as 80-100% among
susceptible bird species (house finch =100%; magpies = 100%;
American crows = 92%; blue jays = 83%)." (According
to Joseph P. Dudley of the US Army Environmental Programs
Directorate) Owl and hawk populations
can be effected too.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitos. People
and animals can become infected when bitten by infected mosquitos.
That said there is no need for alarm.
According to Cambridge Department of Public Health...
"Most West Nile infections are so mild
that the vast majority of victims have no symptoms at all.
Another 20% of people who become infected will display mild
symptoms. Only 1% of the people bitten by a West Nile-infected
mosquito will develop a life-threatening neurological illness...People
over the age of 50 who get infected with West Nile virus are
more likely to develop serious symptoms, and should take special
care to avoid mosquito bites.
How to Help in the Prevention of WNV
The threat of West Nile virus exists whenever mosquitoes are
active, typically at dawn and dusk. People can protect themselves
from mosquito bites by taking some simple precautions:
- People who spend time outdoors, especially
in places attractive to mosquitoes, should wear loose, long-sleeve
shirts and loose pants.
- When outdoors, residents should also
apply insect repellent that contains DEET to exposed skin.
Adults should use repellent with less than 30% DEET, while
children should wear repellent that contains no more than
10% DEET. Repellent containing DEET is not recommended for
infants younger than 2 months of age.
- Residents should make sure their
windows and door screens are in good repair.
- Everyone should eliminate standing
water in their neighborhoods. Water that remains stagnant
for seven days or longer can serve as a mosquito-breeding
habitat.
- Standing water frequently collects
in old tires, trash barrels, clogged gutters, wheelbarrows,
fishponds, birdbaths, pots, small pools, and discarded containers.
- Families should keep children's wading
pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
- Residents should replace water in
bird baths weekly. "
For more information visit their site at www.cambridgepublichealth.org
Other sites that may be of interest include...
www.zeebyrd.com
(For the love of Crows)
www.crows.net
www.birdsource.org
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