THis may be complete coincidence, but about a month ago (and I'm on the Arkansas/Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma border) my spouse and I were commenting that it seemed like there were fewer large flocks of birds flying by our house this year.
The way we take such great care of this planet, its a wonder anything is alive. Malcolm On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 6:48 PM, David L. McNeely <mcnee...@cox.net> wrote: > The Arkansas event included starlings, as well as red-winged blackbirds. > For all we know, some other birds were affected, but most birds do not > flock in many thousands together, and so a kill would not be as likely to be > noted. Red-winged blackbirds, and to a lesser extent starlings, do. > Starlings often flock with blackbirds, and so would be likely to be > affected with them. > > Despite the suggestion that fireworks are an unlikely cause, a large > fireworks display was reported to have occurred in Beebe near the time of > the event. So was severe weather reported in the area. > > David McNeely > > ---- "Judith S. Weis" <jw...@andromeda.rutgers.edu> wrote: > > But why would this affect just red-winged blackbirds and not other birds? > > > > > > > Dear ECOLOG-L Members, > > > > > > I have an ornithologist friend who works for the Dept. of the > Environment > > > in > > > D.C., and in a recent correspondence I asked for his opinion on the > mass > > > bird kills in the news. Here is his reply for any who are interested. > > > > > > "The red-winged blackbird and other species kills were most likely > > > microbursts and windshear associated with the storm system which had > moved > > > through earlier. Microbursts can have wind gusts between 60 and 120 > miles > > > an > > > hour, that would create plenty of force to mimic hurricane conditions > and > > > do > > > some real trauma. Is was not disease or some type of contamination. You > > > can > > > see a few birds staggering around with broken wings on the news videos. > I > > > believe the birds were either crushed in the air of forced downward > with > > > enough energy to kill them. I don’t buy the firework theory. If it were > > > true > > > we would have giant bird kill problems every July 4th." > > > > > > Cheers, > > > > > > Evan D. Clark > > > > > > On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:53 PM, J. Michael Nolan < > > > mno...@rainforestandreef.org> wrote: > > > > > >> List Members.... > > >> > > >> Apologies for cross-posting. > > >> > > >> Interesting story for all Ecologists, Biologists...... > > >> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12105157 > > >> > > >> Really do hate it when people use the term "Blackbird" and will tell > you > > >> why, should want to hear. > > >> > > >> By the way, this is the first Bird sp. to migrate north in the Spring. > > >> > > >> Obviously, we have seen this before and will be curious about any > > >> follow-ups to this. Typical media usually does a poor job of following > > >> up, > > >> unless it is that will catch our attention. > > >> > > >> Thank you and have a great week. > > >> > > >> Mike Nolan > > >> > > >> ---------- > > >> > > >> If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your > > >> number, > > >> best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. > > >> > > >> After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. > > >> > > >> Sincerely, > > >> > > >> J. Michael Nolan, Director > > >> > > >> Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit > > >> > > >> > > >> > ************************************************************************************************** > > >> “Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology” > > >> > > >> “Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South > > >> America” > > >> > > >> Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit > > >> 161 Main St. > > >> Coopersville, MI 49404 > > >> Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 > > >> Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 > > >> Fax: 1.616.604.0546 > > >> Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr > > >> AOL IM: buddythemacaw > > >> E-mail: i...@rainforestandreef.org and travelwithra...@gmail.com > > >> Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses > > >> Web: http://rainforestandreef.org > > >> > > >> > ************************************************************************************************** > > >> > > > > > -- > David McNeely > -- Malcolm L. McCallum Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - Allan Nation 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
