First day of autum brings birds

Today is the first day of fall. And prime birding season is under way on Georgia's coast as birds start flying south. Hundreds of species of shorebirds will pass through the region on their way to more tropical temperatures. In Georgia's Golden Isles, some 370 species of birds can be seen for viewing, especially on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.

Birds sold at pet store chain quarantined

Georgia’s Department of Agriculture has quarantined for at least the next month all birds sold at 35 PetSmart stores in the state. The reason is the outbreak of a bacterial disease that can be transferred to humans. State Ag commissioner Tommy Irvin says there are two confirmed cases of avian chlamydiosis--one at a PetSmart store in Hiram, and another in Woodstock. A quarantine was also called-for for a Superpetz store in Martinez near Augusta.