If there were strong storms in the area it is more likely that the birds were caught in a strong downdraft (microburst?) and knocked out of the air and killed by impact with the ground. This has been recorded to have wiped out flocks of ducks in the past.
Michael R. Wasilco Regional Wildlife Manager NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife 6274 East Avon-Lima Road Avon, NY 14414 (585)226-5460 >>> <[email protected]> 1/4/2011 3:08 PM >>> According to the Arkansas Veterinary Service that was not the case - and there were no dead birds in the roosting areas. Massive hemorraging in the musculature, around the organs were found...autopsies confirm whether these things take place b4 or after death.<br>This was something that happened suddenly. I concur with the updraft theory perhaps - There was tornadic activity in the area and odd weather patterns.<br><br>----- Original Message -----<br>From: Orhan Birol <[email protected]><br>Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 2:23 pm<br>Subject: [nysbirds-l] 5000 dead blackbirds<br>To: [email protected]<br><br>> Couldn't these birds be poisoned?<br>> Orhan Birol<br>> <br>> --<br>> <br>> NYSbirds-L List Info:<br>> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME<br>> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES<br>> <br>> ARCHIVES:<br>> 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html<br>> 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html<br>> 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L<br>> <br>> Please submit your observations to eBird:<br>> http://ebird.org/content/ebird/<br>> <br>> --<br>> </[email protected]> -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
