The Board of Health and Department of Public Health has asked the residents of Wareham to register their backyard flocks by July 1.

The reason for this request is due to the concern over the possible bird flu outbreak.

"We thought it would be necessary to register the flocks. You don't necessarily have to have a license, we just need to know where these flocks are in case of the outbreak," said Ethier.

The notion of backyard flocks includes domestic birds, such as chickens and turkeys as well as exotic birds, such as doves and peacocks.

The registration is free.

"We will give the instructions, people can call the office or email us and tell us how many birds they have got, and we will make it easy for people,” said Ethier.