Was it Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that killed this hawk? I found the hawk laying under a tree next to the corn field I was planting, Was it HPAI that killed this hawk? I could determine it was  a hawk even though it was quite decomposed. Notice how the color of the hawk's feathers blend in with the small brush and grass under the tree?

I remembered that the University of Minnesota Raptor Center was asking Minnesotan's to send in dead raptors or samples to get tested for HPAI. This one had been there for quite a while so I did not contact the Raptor Center. This is one of the major differences between the HPAI outbreak this year compared to the outbreak in 2015? The HPAI this year has killed many raptors while in 2015 the virus did not seem to affect raptors.

This year so far only about 3 million turkeys and chickens have died compared to 15 million in the 3015 outbreak. In addition that year as the weather warmed up in June the outbreak subsided. Addy Schuft Poultry Specialist with the University of Minnesota said they were hoping the same pattern would follow this year so the worst would be over.

Click on the link and listen to Abby discuss the HPAI outbreak and recommendations for commercial and backyard producers.

11 of the Most Devastating Weather Disasters in Minnesota Throughout The Years

We might be full of lakes and "nice" but Minnesota has had its fair share of horrible and nasty weather. Throughout the years we've had floods, fires, storms that have crushed stadium roofs flat, and tornadoes that have destroyed lives.
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