title: Response to letter regarding article "How far north are migrant birds transporting the tick Ixodes scapularis in Canada? Insights from stable hydrogen isotope analyses of feathers".
abstract: In this letter we respond to correspondence and clarify the intent and importance of our article.
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada; Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 7C6. Electronic address: nicholas.ogden@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ogden
authors.affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Dept. of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1. Electronic address: ibarker@golden.net.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 1125 Colonel By, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0H3. Electronic address: Charles.Francis@ec.gc.ca.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Bird Studies Canada, 115 Front St., Port Rowan, ON, Canada N0E 1M0. Electronic address: aheagy@birdscanada.org.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heagy
authors.affiliation: Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Canada R3E 3R2. Electronic address: robbin.lindsay@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 3H5. Electronic address: keith.hobson@ec.gc.ca.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hobson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D003903:Deuterium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005241:Feathers / Q000378:metabolism*; D018884:Ixodes / Q000502:physiology*; D046109:Passeriformes; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003903:Deuterium
keywords: Ixodes scapularis; Lyme disease; Migratory birds; Range expansion