Mark Mills, southwest region manager of the wildlife division for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, says the recent cold snap froze lakes  — which forced waterfowl to gather in larger numbers where there is open water.

“When you concentrate wildlife just like when you concentrate people in a smaller area you see a greater level of disease transmission typically so I think it’s really connected to these birds being clumped up together.”

DNR staff have been collecting the dead birds — mostly Canada geese — for testing of highly pathogenic avian influenza, easily spread and often fatal in birds.

Mills says the DNR doesn’t expect serious impacts to Michigan’s duck, goose or swan populations statewide, although concentrated areas may see more die-off, like the 1,500-acre refuge at the Fennville Farm Unit in the Allegan State Game Area.

“The unit collected 70-something carcasses, and we estimate there’s over 6,000 birds there right now, so we’re talking a very low percentage of the geese that are present even at that one location.”

He asks anyone who finds six or more dead birds in one location to please report it to the DNR via the agency’s website or by calling the Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030. 

No team name, colors or logo have been revealed yet for the West Michigan Soccer team, but co-owner Dave Van Andel announced its competition league.

“We want to announce that Grand Rapids will have its own professional men’s soccer team in the MLS NEXT Pro.”

The West Michigan Soccer team co-owned by the Van Andel and Devos families will play its home games at that 8,500-seat Amway Stadium on Winter Ave. NW in Grand Rapids near the downtown YMCA, with construction starting next year.

MLS NEXT Pro is a men’s professional soccer league in the U.S. and Canada launched in 2022 now in its third season with 29 teams and growing.

Its president, Charles Altchek, says the league is building toward the future, focused on professional development of talent from players and coaches to business and sports leaders to the cities the clubs play in.

“Here in Grand Rapids, we are seeing this in action with the next generation of Van Andels and Devoses leading this team. Jesse, Aaron, Kyle and Christian Van Andel and Cole Devos, we look forward to working with you to build a world-class professional soccer club.”

Christian Van Andel added, now that the league is in place, it’s time to start meeting with local clubs, coaches, and players to grow excitement.

“Our goal is to begin building a following starting today so that at our first match, we have a packed Amway Stadium.”

The team is set to play that first match in the 2027 season.