Some Good News Out There?

[Guest IB]

Was interested in assertions in another thread about alleged spread of paratyphoid in racing pigeons. Paratyphoid (salmonellosis) is a reportable disease in UK. The only way you'll know for certain that you have it, is to submit a bird for Lab testing, and if it tests positive, the Lab is required to report it to DEFRA. The case will then end up in DEFRA reports and statistics. I can't find any reports of salmonellosis in racing pigeons on DEFRA website.

 

But what I did find was a report covering October to December 2008, pretty current, and what it says about salmonellosis (paratyphoid) and trichomonosis (canker) in the wild, is pretty encouraging on the raptor front, including possible effects of reaching saturation levels. :

 

Trichomonosis in Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)

Granulomatous-type lesions typical of trichomonosis were seen in the oropharynx of a female and juvenile Sparrowhawk found dead together. Both birds were in very poor condition indicating that the lesions may have prevented feeding. Ingestion of infected pigeons or passerines (more likely prey in the smaller male and juveinile sparrowhawks) was thought to be the most likely source of the parasite.

 

Trichomonosis in garden birds is considered a new disease, and the condition in raptors that prey on them is therefore a potential new disease, the conservation importance of which may be important for sparrowhawks and the rarer goshawk (Accipter gentilis).

VLA Newcastle

 

Salmonellosis in Wildlife: -

VLA Diseases of Wildlife Scheme data this year indicates that garden bird submissions and cases of garden bird salmonellosis both declined relative to recent years. Anecdotal information suggested that other surveillance schemes may also have seen fewer cases of the disease. It will be of interest to know whether there is a real decline in prevalence and what factors may influence this. Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from a Black-headed gull (Larus ridibindus) and a Mute swan (Cygnus olor).

VLA Penrith

 

 

Scottish Agricultural College VETERINARY SERVICES

AVIAN REPORT FOR 2008

 

Trichomonosis in garden birds

The spread of presumed trichomonosis in garden birds (necrotic oesophagitis/ingluvitis, Salmonella species not cultured) continued in Scotland in 2008. Cases were seen on 35 new sites in 2008, similar to 2007 (37 new sites). Species affected in 2008 were the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), greenfinch (Carduelis chloris), siskin (Carduelis spinus), goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), tree sparrow (Passer montanus) and yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).

 

Salmonellosis in garden birds

Fewer cases of salmonellosis were diagnosed in January to March 2008 than in the same period in 2007  â€“ 17 birds from 13 sites in 2008 compared with 32 birds from 26 sites in 2007. However more incidents involved siskins – seven siskins from seven sites in 2008, four siskins from two sites the previous year. All isolates were Salmonella Typhimurium DT 40 or 56 variant.

 

Starvation in buzzards

December saw the submission of six male buzzard (Buteo buteo) carcases, found dead or dying in six different locations. (In most months only one or rarely two buzzards are submitted) One bird had evidence of trauma and secondary cellulitis, but the remaining five birds were all in thin condition with an absence of food in the digestive tract. Dark red/black material was present in the proventriculus, gizzard and intestines typical of birds that have died from starvation. Some of the birds had concurrent helminth

burdens, including hairworms (Eucoleus species) causing a necrotic glossitis,  Cyathostoma species in the bony orbits, large roundworms (Porrocaecum species) in the duodenum and small intestine, and unidentified intestinal tapeworms. Reports were received of other dead buzzards in the west and southwest of Scotland, initially prompting fears by those finding the birds of possible poisoning. The cause of the starvation in the buzzards most likely reflected the increased number of buzzards in recent years coupled with the very cold weather in December. Prolonged frosts result in limited access to earthworms, an important aspect of the diet of buzzards. Similarly, vole numbers have reduced, and carrion may have been unavailable due to the freezing conditions. The deaths probably represented “natural†limitations on buzzard numbers. An interaction between starvation and parasitism was present in some of the buzzards – weather conditions earlier in the year favoured the development of parasitism in farmed livestock such as cattle and sheep, and conditions may also have been favourable for

parasites of wild birds such as raptors.

 

 

[Guest Freebird]

Very interesting especially the Buzzards. Remember in the 60's 70's in midlothian you would never find buzzards and only seen them north of Stirling. Now they are everywhere. Maybe a swing the other way but to be honest, would rather have them than they sparrow hawk. They will take pigeons but a pigeon lost to a buzzard ain't no good anyway.

[Novice]

Particularly interesting is the Trichomosis in Sparrowhawks.

I believe Bilco proposed years ago that we should never kill pigeons infected by canker.

We should simply cut the ring off them and release then near a know Peregrine nest.

Had we done this at the time we would not be suffering the losses we have today.  

[Guest Doade]

Good news at the end of the day  8)

[budgie]

Very encourging News to say the least on The Raptor Front however very Sad News on the Garden Birds.Does anyone know if the Raptors who are Killing our Pigeons can be affected with pigeons who have been Vaccinated against Paramixo./Paratyphoid. :X

[Novice]

I believe John Harwood has already discussed the starving buzzards in his column in the BHW. He believed this was due to the decreased population in rabbits and hare---this is because the buzzard has hunted these virtually to extinction.

I agree with his theory as there are very few around here now.

[Guest IB]

Particularly interesting is the Trichomosis in Sparrowhawks.

I believe Bilco proposed years ago that we should never kill pigeons infected by canker.

We should simply cut the ring off them and release then near a know Peregrine nest.

Had we done this at the time we would not be suffering the losses we have today.  

 

You've maybe picked it up a bit wrong. The prey doesn't have to have full-blown canker, the disease - it need only be carrying what are termed 'background levels' - low tric counts to us pigeon people - sufficient to insure the pigeon's immunity against the most lethal types of canker-causing tric. The 'hawk' has no such immunity, and according to sources on Web, eating any bird carrying tric can mean certain death within 7 days. We should now be able to attack it LEGALLY on two fronts, (1) through song birds taken (2) through racing pigeons taken, provided neither are 'treated' for canker. Natural Population control.

 

The bit on 'every type of worm in the buzzards' is interesting too, it goes with the territory, what the prey is carrying will likely infect the raptor too. One reason (my opinion) we should not use ivermectin on pigeons, if the raptor has worms, and if our bird is taken, the last thing we want to do is help medicate a sick raptor, and clear it of a life-threatening condition..

[Roland]

Particularly interesting is the Trichomosis in Sparrowhawks.

I believe Bilco proposed years ago that we should never kill pigeons infected by canker.

We should simply cut the ring off them and release then near a know Peregrine nest.

Had we done this at the time we would not be suffering the losses we have today.  

 

Yep, many of us have been harping on about those lines. Likewise Bilco and the Invertamin HAS to be pour on! SO why don't we?  :-/  :-/

Well for one thing the RSPB and such quickly concocted a semi truth that THEY already use it on hawks / Raptures etc. and Just look at the number of pigeons fanciers that swallowed it, and even boo hooed it! Bilco even said where it was widely found to be have a good effect! And still 99.99% won't use it! Among other things.

 

 

[just ask me]

Particularly interesting is the Trichomosis in Sparrowhawks.

I believe Bilco proposed years ago that we should never kill pigeons infected by canker.

We should simply cut the ring off them and release then near a know Peregrine nest.

Had we done this at the time we would not be suffering the losses we have today.  

 

Yep, many of us have been harping on about those lines. Likewise Bilco and the Invertamin HAS to be pour on! SO why don't we?  :-/  :-/

Well for one thing the RSPB and such quickly concocted a semi truth that THEY already use it on hawks / Raptures etc. and Just look at the number of pigeons fanciers that swallowed it, and even boo hooed it! Bilco even said where it was widely found to be have a good effect! And still 99.99% won't use it! Among other things.

 

 

ivermectin pour on has no ill effects on bop fact seen it with my own eyes ppl feeding ivermectin pour on to bop this is how they worm there birds