It’s good news for bird-lovers in St. Joseph County…finally.

The county was one of the last in the state where the DNR still recommended refraining from feeding birds or filling birdbaths. It was in an attempt to stop the spread of a mysterious illness among the state’s songbirds, a way to help birds “socially distance” in Indiana.

The lifting of the recommendation on Friday means residents can once again put out birdfeeders if they aren’t observing sick or dead birds in their yard. The DNR recommends cleaning feeders every two weeks with a 10% bleach solution.