A red-breasted merganser duck, probably ill with avian influenza, is seen at Six Mile Lake in Dickinson County. It later fell prey to a bald eagle. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — State testing has confirmed avian influenza in two bald eagles found dead at separate sites in Dickinson and Iron counties.

The birds were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory earlier this month after being collected along roadsides in the two counties, with the positive test results reported this week.

The eagles are thought to pick up the virus from feeding on sick waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, which are thought to be particularly susceptible to avian influenza.

The confirmation means the area Department of Natural Resources offices will not submit any further wild birds for testing, since it’s clear the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, is present in both counties, said Ryan McGillviray, a wildlife biologist with the DNR’s Norway office.

The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department also put out a news release Friday alerting those with domestic poultry in the two counties to be aware HPAI had been detected and take proper precautions to protect their birds.

Many likely have already, as avian influenza was reported in April a non-commercial domestic backyard flock in neighboring Menominee County.

According to the DIDHD, domestic bird owners and caretakers should watch for unusual deaths, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption or an increase in sick birds. If avian influenza is suspected in domestic birds, those tending them should immediately contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at 800-292-3939 during the day or 517-373-0440 after hours.

This year’s HPAI strain is more aggressive and has caused more deaths amongst domestic poultry and wild birds than the previous strain in 2015, according to the Minnesota DNR.

The situation led MDARD earlier this month to prohibit all poultry and waterfowl exhibitions at fairs and other events this summer.

A federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map also indicated at least one wild bird has tested positive for HPAI in Florence County, just over the border in Wisconsin. No further information was available on the species or location in the county.

McGillviray said other birds have been reported dead or ill with what is suspected to be avian influenza. Many have turned up on roadsides, which may indicated they were struck by vehicles while in a weakened condition.

Those who comes across a dead wild bird they suspect had HPAI are advised to wear rubber gloves and preferably an N-95 mask while removing the carcass, which should be double-bagged before being placed in the trash, McGillviray said. Leaving the dead bird out could further spread the virus if a raptor or other predator eats it. Earlier this month, the DNR in Michigan and Wisconsin announced that wild fox kits in both states had died from avian influenza, possibly from being fed on diseased birds.

The risk to people, however, is considered low, according to the CDC.

Anyone with further concerns about a wild bird that appears ill can contact the DNR at 906-875-6622 for the Crystal Falls field office and 906-563-9247 for the Norway office.

On Mother’s Day weekend, a red-breasted merganser duck could be seen paddling along the Six Mile Lake shoreline, paying no attention to passing pontoon boats or, more suspiciously, to an immature bald eagle that passed overhead.

A close-up view showed it had its inner eyelid up and seemed unable to see, bumping up against the dock on our property. It made one pass going east, then came back, paddling mechanically. While considering what could be done about the bird, the eagle unfortunately reappeared and settled the matter, raising the possibility it, too, could have become a victim of the virus.

McGillviray said as the weather warms, the avian influenza activity should trail off, and already has shown signs of slowing in the region.

For more information on HPAI, go online to https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/animals/diseases/avian/avian-influenza.

In addition to the birds returning, spring is when black bears emerge from the long hibernation.

Like the migrating birds, they often seem to be in search of an easy meal, especially before the spring growth gets established enough to provide other food sources. This draws them to bird feeders that can offer an enticing array of seeds rich in protein and fat, suet cakes, oranges and grape jelly set for the orioles. Even the nectar intended for the hummingbirds can be like having a sugar soda for the calorie-craving bears.

From reports in the region, this year has been no exception. If anything, the bears have been more brazen in their pursuit of easy edibles.

It was a small bear that looked in decent condition but doesn’t seem to have the caution about humans that an adult would; in fact, it generally appears a little aimless and lost. Which probably means it’s a yearling that denned up with mom this past winter after being born to her while she hibernated the previous winter. She’s now getting ready to mate again and has send her adolescent cub on its way, McGillivray explained.

So it’s not surprising our neighbors have bears showing up on backyard cameras or have taken videos of them in their yards. These young bruins are trying to learn life on their own, by exploring the area for what might be available to eat.

As to the daytime visits with humans nearby, McGillviray said bears have limited eyesight so might not notice a human unless the person moves. They rely more on their sense of smell, as they have a nose more sensitive than a bloodhound’s, so can detect the scent of suet or other potential edibles, he said.

Yet McGillviray said he’s received few complaints about nuisance bears this spring. People seem to know the drill — if a bear hits the bird feeders, take the feeders down for a few weeks, until the bears turn to natural food sources. He also recommends keeping garbage secured away and outdoor grills clean of grease or other residue that might tempt a bear.