Science and Nature Program and Nature Explorers

Songbirds as Carriers of Lyme Disease

Featuring Amanda Hill

Anyone that has spent time in the great outdoors has probably encountered a tick, either on themselves or on their four-legged companion. However, there is still much to learn about the diseases that these ticks carry and who is responsible for spreading them. Join us for a talk with Amanda Hill from West Virginia University as she teaches us about Lyme disease in ticks in the Northeastern United States and the role that songbirds might play in their dispersal. She will share the results from her One Health master’s thesis project on songbirds carrying ticks and provide some helpful information about ticks and Lyme disease in this region. After the talk, we will head outside to see which of these songbirds we can find.

Tick Talk

“Watch out for ticks!” We all hear it, but what does it really mean? Come explore with us as we find out more about ticks, where they’re found, and how to be “Lyme alert.” After the activities learning about ticks, we will head outside in search of their hosts and hiding spots.