People participating in ongoing "beach cleanup" events sponsored by the Suttons Bay-based Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) through May 4 may encounter some dead birds on the beach, and ISEA officials are offering some advice on how to deal with them.

Over the last few years, northern Michigan has incurred a die-off of diving ducks, loons and other migratory birds washed up along the Great Lakes shoreline. The die-off is being caused by an outbreak of botulism that occurs naturally in the Great Lakes when conditions are right.

“For the purposes of the beach cleanup, we ask that birds found dead on the beach be left alone,” said ISEA’s education director, Christine Diana. “The Department of Natural Resources will soon publish recommendations for proper disposal of bird carcasses potentially infected with botulism. Until that time we feel it is in your best interest to leave the carcasses alone and simply report your findings to ISEA.”

The association will now provide a “Bird Carcass Card” that beach cleanup participants can complete along with the “Beach Cleanup Data Card” routinely issued for the cleanups. The data cards help officials document the type and amount of debris on beaches, and propose solutions on how to keep beaches cleaner.

For copies of the cards and more information on the beach cleanups, call the Inland Seas office at 271-3077 or visit www.Schoolship.org.