State Probing New Reports Of Dead Birds Along Three South Shore Beaches

LONG ISLAND, NY — Staffers are assessing reports of dead birds on Mother’s Beach in Bellport, Miramar Beach in East Patchogue, and Shirley Beach in Shirley from over the weekend, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

The DEC collected two buffleheads, just west of Miramar Beach, and sample testing is underway, a spokesperson told Patch on Monday.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been previously detected in the area, so the public should "strongly consider that groups of birds" found dead are positive and should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety protocols to reduce contact.

Last week, the agency said that the public should strongly consider the roughly 20 ducks, geese, and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu because it was found in other birds in the area.

The state's Cooperative Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the occurrence and impact of HPAI across the state, and so far in 2025, initial test results from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory are presumptive positive for 128 birds in 37 counties.

Confirmed cases are listed on the USDA website and shown on the USGS map.

The cases only represent those brought to the DEC’s attention and collected by its staff.

The number of dead birds statewide is much higher, and testing is case specific.

Observations can be reported on the DEC’s website, and once a report is received, a field response is guided by the report’s details, including the number of sick or dead birds, bird species, and observations from new areas where HPAI has not yet been documented.

Of particular interest are reports of suspected outbreaks in all species of waterfowl, raptors, crows, shorebirds, and other waterbirds such as gulls, loons, and herons, which as species that are known HPAI vectors, particularly vulnerable to the disease, when testing can help the DEC track HPAI prevalence on the landscape.

HPAI is widespread in wild birds and mammals, so not all reports will result in DEC retrieving the animals for testing and/or disposal.

The public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds.

In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, the public should limit contact with dead wildlife and keep domestic animals away.

If removal of carcasses is deemed necessary, the public is reminded to wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids should be avoided by using a shovel and washing hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water.

Carcasses should be triple-bagged with garbage or contractor bags and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle.