Pelicans and other species of aquatic birds are reportedly dying off all over Florida right now, from the coast near Amelia Island all the way south to Ponte Vedra Beach (and even on the East Coast at Coffeepot Bayou).
Researchers with the Florida Sea Grant Extension of Northeast Florida, a part of the Unversity of Florida/IFAS Extension Program based in Flagler County, say the birds appear to become disoriented and then find themselves far from the ocean and their habitats.
Out of their habitats, their feathers become dry, brittle, bleached and lack proper waterproofing. There have even been some birds seen bleeding from the mouth.
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The majority of the sick birds are near the mouth of the St. Johns River and researchers wonder if a rainbow-colored sheen on top of the sea foam at the Little Talbot beach is contributing to the bird’s sickness. (There have also been sick pelicans spotted in the lake at the Guana Wildlife Management area. Vets with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are collecting carcasses and testing them to try and find out what’s going on.)
Researchers say if you find dead birds, to report them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife bird mortality database here but DO NOT touch them.
Source: The Big Wobble
