Among the various waterfowl species observed, three broods of hooded mergansers were identified on the Lake this summer. SIS also conducted three bird surveys (two in June and one in July). Fish & Wildlife Service leg bands, and all ducklings were equipped with U.S. Swimmers in these areas cannot get swimmer’s itch from the Douglas Lake mergansers as the snails that host the swimmer’s itch parasite are absent from both relocation sites.Īll trapped hens were fitted with U.S. Trapped hens and ducklings were relocated to Cheboygan State Park, and Wilderness State Park, both DNR approved relocation sites for this purpose. SIS created a Lake-specific website for reports of cases of swimmer’s itch, and sightings of common mergansers and their nesting sites.įrom mid-June until the end of July, SIS trapped and relocated 4 common merganser broods, including all 29 ducklings from those broods. SIS offered a training program via Zoom, for DLIA members to facilitate accurate reporting of common mergansers nesting sites, and broods, (as distinct from hooded mergansers) on the Lake. DLIA obtained a permit from the DNR to host this work SIS secured the necessary federal and state permits to conduct the control program. Helpful suggestions will be posted in a future eNews.Ģ021 Swimmer’s Itch Control Program In 2021 (from DLIA 2021 November newsletter)ĭLIA partnered with Swimmer’s Itch Solutions LLC (SIS) to provide two years of swimmer’s itch control on Douglas Lake. The DLIA Swimmer’s Itch committee will continue to gather information on brood sightings and occurrence of swimmer’s itch. No one knows how prevalent swimmer’s itch will be this summer – take appropriate precautions to protect family, children and friends when enjoying water activities. Please continue to report brood sightings and swimmers itch cases to Swimmer’s Itch Solutions website. If you notice the death of three or more wild birds, please report it to DNR through the Eyes in Field App or at 51.įor Douglas Lake, this means there will be no common merganser trap and relocate program this summer.

Departments of Agriculture, Veterinary Services (USDA, VS) and Wildlife Services (USDA, WS) and Michigan State University (MSU) are working together to conduct avian influenza surveillance and to monitor health of poultry, livestock, wildlife and residents in Michigan. To date, no human HPAI infections have been detected in the United States. MDARD, the DNR, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from HPAI viruses to be low. Any sites that have already had their permit application fees processed will be issued refunds by the DNR. The DNR has notified Common Merganser control contractors of the cancelation. Relocation of common mergansers has the risk of transporting HPAI around the state and facilitating the spread of the virus. The DNR has made the difficult decision to cancel all capture and relocation of waterfowl this year, including those activities carried out under the Common Merganser Control Program. With the evidence that HPAI is present in the state, it presents a clear and important threat to wild birds and domestic poultry facilities. Volunteers would be essential for the program’s success.ĭNR Cancels Common Merganser Trap & Release Permits for 2022 ( eNews)Įarlier this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the state’s first cases of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds in the state. The mission is to reduce the incidences of Swimmer’s Itch (SI) in Douglas Lake through a program that must continue every year. A Swimmer’s Itch Task Force formed June 2020.

Willard bay swimmers itch