Suspected avian influenza linked to more than 700 dead birds on East End beaches

More than 700 dead birds, primarily Canada geese, have been found along East End beaches over the past three weeks in what local officials say is likely an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Christine Samson, anchor of East End News, said the highest concentration of carcasses was at Georgica Pond. East Hampton Town trustee Jim Grimes, who was on the scene last week, told the station he called the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and was advised there is "significant bird flu activity this year." Grimes said town crews worked with contractors to post warning signs and bury birds to prevent scavenging and public-health hazards, and that authorities aim to remove carcasses before warmer weather accelerates decomposition.

Town officials asked residents to report dead-bird locations to East Hampton marine patrol at (631) 537-7575 and to notify the DEC. The broadcast emphasized an official warning: do not touch dead birds without appropriate protective gear.

The report noted past local impacts from avian influenza, including poultry losses in 2025 on the North Fork and a 2022 incident in Sag Harbor that required euthanizing thousands of birds. Officials did not provide laboratory confirmation of the virus in the current deaths during the segment.

The town said it is coordinating carcass collection and disposal and will post a question-and-answer document on its website with safety guidance and reporting instructions.

What happens next: residents should report sightings to marine patrol or the DEC; the town continues collection and disposal operations and is monitoring guidance from state authorities.