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Mayor urges residents not to feed waterfowl after DEC inspection
Summary
The Greenwood Lake mayor told the village board that a DEC wildlife official inspected distressed waterfowl at the beach, tests for avian flu were negative, and officials warned that feeding birds concentrates and weakens them. “So please do not feed the birds,” the mayor said.
The Greenwood Lake mayor opened the Feb. 19 meeting by warning residents against feeding waterfowl near the village beach after a DEC wildlife specialist investigated reports of sick and dead birds. The mayor said a sample sent to Albany tested negative for avian influenza but stressed feeding alters natural foraging and can leave birds weak and vulnerable to predators.
“The determination by this wildlife lady was someone is feeding the birds…So please do not feed the birds,” the mayor said, explaining that handouts attract more birds, exhaust available food, and keep birds from migrating. The board said parks and patrol staff check the shoreline daily and will assist any birds they can, but prevention is the best course.
The announcement followed multiple public calls about geese, swans and other fowl found in distress. The mayor said the village will continue outreach to discourage feeding and coordinate with DEC if further testing or mitigation is needed.
