At least one House Finch in Mountain City has conjunctivitis, a condition caused by a pathogenic bacterium.  Affected birds with House Finch disease become listless and almost blind as their eyes become swollen and crusty.  They can die of starvation or fall victim to predators. In fewer than twenty recent years, it’s estimated that half the House Finches in eastern North America perished.

To deter spread of avian diseases, bird feeders should periodically be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution and thoroughly dried before refilling. Any accumulation of seeds below the feeders should be raked, and seeds that become wet should be tossed so they do not become moldy. 

It never ceases to amaze me what can be learned with an Internet word search of anything observed right here at home, giving weight to current articles from reliable sources.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO) ranks as “reliable” when it comes to birds. A December 2013 article shows the value of citizen science in studying an avian epidemic, and, the value to humans. Electronic reports to CLO from backyards like yours and mine helped track the House Finch disease. (Even now, reports can be made through FeederWatch.) 

The pattern of spread of House Finch disease from the East Coast to West Coast “was in direct conflict with a long-standing hypothesis that a pathogen would tend to decrease in virulence over time, in order to avoid killing its hosts before it could be transmitted.”

The newer “trade-off” hypothesis says bacterium do what it takes to reproduce, becoming more or less virulent in response to conditions.  “Understanding how pathogens become powerful forces is crucial to preventing future epidemics among humans.”

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When trimming oak trees, blades should be cleaned with 10% bleach solution (or Lysol) between trees to deter the powerful force of oak wilt. And, wounds should be painted immediately. Texasoakwilt.org emphasizes these precautions saying “always”, immediately”, “at all times of the year”. This hottest time of the year is the “least risky” for oak tree trimming.  Don’t let tree trimmers tell you disinfecting tools and painting wounds is not necessary.

Diseased red oaks should be removed and immediately chipped, burned or buried. But, diseased live oak limbs and logs pose no oak wilt danger. And, a dead live oak provides value to wildlife.

“Wildlife Tree” signage from Cavity Conservation Initiative arrived just in time for our scheduled tree trimming. The signs proclaim, “Wildlife Tree saved for wildlife, food and shelter.”

This is the last week for tree limbs, branches, and logs to go curbside for the annual pickup, provided through city tax dollars.  After the Sunday night deadline, prospective contractors will survey the work. Our city council will review bids and select a contractor at the council meeting on July 31.  Expect pick up in early August.

Expect most male Painted Buntings to be gone south by early August. I cannot imagine how many Painted Buntings nest nearby on undeveloped land. Nowadays, we often have over a dozen bedazzling males just around our house.

Expect me to keep asking for tidbits “always” “at all times of the year”. Send to ptom5678@gmail.com or 512-268-5678

Thanks! Love, Pauline