happy? - Aug 17 (dead birds fall)

Subject: RE: happy? - Aug 17 (dead birds fall)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 03:58 AM

Here in the Sacramento area this August, we're having lots of bird deaths from West Nile virus. The San Joaquin Valley yellow-billed magpie may be wiped out completely. So, they're spraying to kill mosquitoes that carry the virus - but what other effects will it have?
No easy answers, I guess.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: happy? - Aug 17 (dead birds fall)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 09:15 AM

Lake Eola Park, Orlando, FL: 100's of dead birds suddenly fall from trees on 8/17/2001. City officials explained they hadn't changed the amounts of diazinon they use in 14 years and anyway, County epidemiologist Bill Toth said neither the 70 pounds of diazinon nor the county's mosquito spray would cause the birds' deaths. In fact, county officials said they haven't sprayed for mosquitoes at Lake Eola since last year.

On the other hand, State officials imposed a fine on the City, having determined that the type of diazinon used at Lake Eola Park wasn't approved for use in turf areas, where city workers used it. And despite a label that warns diazinon is highly toxic to birds, fish and other wildlife if not used properly, the granules weren't watered into the soil as recommended.

          All the world seems in tune
          On a spring afternoon,
          When we're poisoning pigeons in the park.
          Every Sunday you'll see
          My sweetheart and me,
          As we poison the pigeons in the park.
                  "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" © Tom Lehrer

Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
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