The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay launched a new Beach Ranger program in summer 2008 to mobilize volunteers in response to bird die-offs from avian botulism.

Bird die-offs have dramatically increased in recent years on northern Lake Michigan.  In 2007, for the first time in several years, botulism was also confirmed in bird deaths on Grand Traverse Bay north of Elk Rapids.

In response to these concerns and to better inform the public about how to help manage these outbreaks along the more than 400 miles of northern Lake Michigan shoreline, the Watershed Center is leading the Grand Traverse Bay Botulism Network.  The purpose of the network is to monitor beaches along northern Lake Michigan and to respond to avian botulism outbreaks.  The work of the network actively supports conducting botulism research.

Grand Traverse Bay Botulism Network members include:

The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay

Michigan Sea Grant

Inland Seas Education Association

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Michigan Loon Preservation Association

Common Coast Research & Conservation

White Pine Associates

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Botulism is a serious neuromuscular illness caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium bolulinum.  Migratory birds such as threatened Common Loons, endangered Piping Plovers, Mergansers, Long-Tailed Ducks, Grebes, Scaup, Cormorants and Gulls are the bird species most commonly affected by Type E Botulism.

Botulism spores, the resting stage of the bacteria, are naturally occurring in soils and aquatic sediments of many lakes and in the gills and digestive tracts of fish living in those lakes.  The spores can remain in the ecosystem for long periods of time, even years, and are quite resistant to temperature changes and drying.

The spores themselves are harmless until the correct environmental factors and anaerobic conditions prompt them to germinate and begin growing.  Botulism can only grow in a nutrient-rich substrate, such as areas with large amounts of decaying plant growth, which are oxygen-deficient, or anaerobic.  Fish that die for any reason and that contain the bacterial spores in the tissues are also suitable substrates for the growth and toxin production of botulism.

Nearly 100 concerned area residents attended four Beach Ranger workshops in summer 2008.  Workshop participants learn how to properly dispose of dead birds to help reduce the spread of avian botulism and how to report findings to state officials.  If you would like to attend Beach Ranger workshops during spring, summer and fall months, please call Andy Knott at the Watershed Center, 231.935.1514.

You can also download a Beach Ranger manual below, which includes step-by-step instructions for how to handle birds.