Waterfowl threatened by confusing roads with water

By DARCIE MORAN
Capital News Service
LANSING — Near-record ice and less open water on the Great Lakes are a growing concern for the safety of waterfowl in Michigan. Licensed rehabilitators say they have seen a “profound” increase in reports of waterfowl stranded on roadways that they confuse with open water. Once they land, some birds cannot take off again because their bodies are adapted to lifting off from water. Northernaire Wildlife Rescue owner Susan Good said this year she’s fielded at least 50 calls so far about stranded waterfowl. Typically her Cheboygan County business receives about six stranded bird reports each year from surrounding areas.