FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Michael O’Meally said he’s seen several dead birds wash up along shores at Marineland.
“When there is a storm at sea, the winds mess with the way they fly. The rough water messes with the way they can eat. So they wash up here exhausted,” said O’Meally.
O’Mealley and several other beachgoers say it’s normal to see a few dead birds wash up after every storm, but now those numbers are growing.
“Our current number within the last 48-72 hours has been 76. So that’s a lot,” said veterinarian April Geer with Florida Wildlife Hospital.
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Geer said they’re receiving dozens of birds daily.
They’re feeding and treating as many as they can. However, it’s a race against the clock.
“It’s normally pelagic birds who spend their lives flying out over the water. For them to come inland is very detrimental to them and they don’t tend to do well in a rehabilitation center,” said Geer.
Geer said they normally try to get birds back out and over the ocean in 2 to 3 days. She said if you find a bird, remove it carefully.
“There’s been some concern over the bird flu. In this particular instance, we’re not concerned about that. They can wear gloves if they’re concerned. They can definitely pick them up gently and bring them to us,” said Geer.
As to why this happening, Geer says it could be due to many factors including strong winds, migration and more.
She said they’ll be working with the veterinary forensic scientist to find out.
If the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other officials don’t plan to investigate, Geer said she will do it herself. “Necropsies or autopsies on all of them that we’ve gotten,” said Geer.
We reached out to the FWC spokesperson who told us they are currently not investigating.
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