The Meewasin Valley Authority has announced they will not be currently permitting the hand-feeding of chickadees on the Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

This is to help prevent the spread of avian bird flu, which has been detected in Saskatchewan in the past couple of weeks.

Meewasin says they’re also taking the necessary steps to prevent the spread of avian flu both as an organization and as individuals. Staff members are making efforts to properly and regularly cleaning their own bird feeders.

Due to the recent avian influenza developments, some wildlife rehabilitation groups are recommending back yard bird feeders and bird baths be removed to help mitigate the risk of spreading the disease.

If you decide to keep your bird feeders up, the advice is to clean them twice a week in a dilute bleach solution and clean out any bird feed that has fallen to the ground. When it comes to bird baths they the recommendation is to eliminate as birds have plentiful access to moisture and food, obtained by their own efforts, at this time of year.