Birders throughout Wisconsin have been noticing an increased amount
of deceased diving ducks on the ice-covered surfaces of Lake Michigan.
Some birds were picked off by Snowy Owls, Bald Eagles, Peregrine
Falcons, or other predators, but many are dying simply from being stuck
on the ice and not being able to feed, and/or by obtaining parasites due
to coming in such close contact with other ducks due to
the lack of open water. That is what WISN Channel 12 reported, at least,
based on information obtained from the Wisconsin Humane Society, which
aids not only cats and dogs, but wildlife, too. Some of the birds are
flying out into the streets or open farmland because they are desperate
to find open water and sometimes confused large, flat surfaces for it. A
major problem is that they can not take off from land like dabbling
ducks and other birds can.
After learning about local diving ducks' plight, I decided to keep an eye out for misplaced divers. Before I went to the
Milwaukee Harbor to search for gulls this afternoon, I drove along
the lakefront and through Veteran's Park, but I did not find any divers, which is good. However, I was not surprised to see a plethora of dead diving ducks on
the ice near the Milwaukee Harbor upon my arrival. The only positive I
can see is that scavengers like gulls and predatory birds like those I
mentioned above may be provided an easy meal by dining on the dead
divers. In any case, it's unfortunate. If you see a stranded duck and
are able to help it, please do. (See the second link for info).
Link to WISN article
Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife tips
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