Groups of dead birds have been turning up along Long Island, and state environmental officials are warning residents to steer clear of the carcasses as concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza resurface. Viewers sent photos of dozens of dead birds at Milburn Pond in Baldwin, with similar piles reported at Lido Beach and Long Beach. The sightings follow a preliminary positive bird flu test from a dead goose at Huntington’s Heckscher Park and come on the heels of last year’s outbreak at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue. Officials say the risk to most people remains low but are urging residents not to handle sick or dead birds.
What the DEC Is Saying
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the agency’s Wildlife Health Program is closely tracking the spread and impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza and is treating reports of clustered bird deaths with heightened concern. Field response depends on the details of each report, including how many birds are sick or dead, what species are involved, and whether the birds are found in areas where HPAI has not yet been documented. Because the virus is already widespread in free ranging wild birds, DEC says targeted surveillance, not blanket cleanup of every carcass, is often the most appropriate move.
Where Dead Birds Have Been Reported
A viewer sent pictures showing dozens of dead birds at Milburn Pond in Baldwin, and residents have reported similar clusters at Lido Beach and Long Beach, as reported by News 12 Long Island. That outlet also notes a separate preliminary positive result from dead geese found at Heckscher Park in Huntington. Local responders say not every sighting will lead to state removal or testing, but multiple carcasses in one spot are a clear trigger for reporting and evaluation.
How to Protect Yourself and Pets
Per the DEC, people should avoid touching sick or dead birds and keep pets away from carcasses or areas with heavy droppings. If removal is absolutely unavoidable, officials advise wearing disposable gloves, a mask and eye protection, using a shovel so there is no direct contact, triple bagging carcasses and washing hands and clothing immediately afterward. The department notes that people with close or prolonged unprotected contact with birds, such as poultry workers, face higher risk than casual park users who simply walk past affected areas.
Local Context: Farms and Recent Detections
Long Island has seen related trouble before. Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue nearly had to depopulate its flocks after a widespread outbreak last year, a crisis that strained local suppliers and led to strict quarantine measures, as per Riverhead News-Review. State and county testing around Suffolk has also returned preliminary positives on wild birds in recent weeks, part of a broader pattern that officials are tracking across New York.
How to Report Sightings and What to Watch For
If you find multiple dead or sick birds, officials say not to touch them and instead report the sighting through state channels. Cornell Cooperative Extension recommends contacting the DEC wildlife hotline for wild birds or the Department of Agriculture for poultry issues. Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County lists DEC and Ag & Markets contact guidance and notes that sudden unexplained deaths, neurologic signs in birds, or abrupt drops in egg production in backyard flocks should be reported immediately. For poultry concerns, the Division of Animal Industry can be reached at 518-457-3502, and DEC wildlife contacts vary by region.
