Commission looks at dead bird mystery

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are investigating the cause of bird deaths in the Harrisburg area. On Aug. 23, agency officials submitted four swallows and one purple martin to the state Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. The birds had been found near a marina along the Susquehanna River near Middletown, Dauphin County. “These birds were found to be in generally good body condition, but they had no food in their crops or gizzards, and their intestines had less content than would be expected,” said Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. “The birds had no significant lesions, but it appears that they had not been eating, probably due to the recent cold rainy weather that presumably affected their food supply, which includes insects that hang near bodies of water. We have extracted tissues for further testing.” Additionally, the Game Commission continues to seek more information about allegations that waterfowl and egrets have been found dead along the Susquehanna River, also near Middletown. “We’ve been getting calls from the news media, but have not received any reports that enable us to retrieve specimens for testing,” Dr. Cottrell noted. Dr. Cottrell noted that, since the swallows and purple martins utilize different food sources from waterfowl and egrets, the agency suspects that there may be two separate events underway. “We will need to get specific information about where the dead birds are being found, how many and what species or bird type, if possible,” Dr. Cottrell said. “ Anyone with information is urged to contact the agency’s Southeast Region Office at 610-926-3136.