Briar Bush Nature Center Hosts Bird Feeder Cleaning Event

ABINGTON, PA — In July, the Pennsylvania Game Commission advised individuals to stop feeding birds and filling bird baths due to an unknown avian illness that was sickening, and sometimes killing, birds throughout the commonwealth and elsewhere.

Last week, the Game Commission rescinded its recommendation to cease bird feeding and bird bathing, saying that research could not conclusively link bird feeders or baths as contributing factors to the widespread illness.

The Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington welcomed the recent news to once again allow bird feeding and bathing, and in response to the Game Commission’s announcement, the group decided to put together an upcoming bird feeder cleaning event for the greater community.

“The PA Game Commission has announced that it is safe to feed the birds!” the nature center stated in an announcement. “This is the perfect time to clean your feeders before placing them back outside. Need help? We got you covered!”

Community members have the opportunity drop off their bird feeders at the Briar Bush Nature Center this coming Friday, Aug. 20, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. or on Saturday Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The feeders will be “tagged and bagged” for identification, the center announced, and volunteers from various event partners will clean the individual bird feeders.

Pickup will be on Aug. 21 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The cost to have your bird feeder cleaned is $5 per feeder, and there will be a $5 discount offered if you bring in three or more feeders to the event.

The funds raised from the event will benefit Briar Bush Nature Center and Wyncote Audubon.